Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The French Breakfast

Can you guess what we had for breakfast every day while in Paris?

Our hotel had a nice, simple breakfast buffet, as well as a hostess who would offer tea, coffee or hot chocolate, flavored or plain yogurt, sandwich meats and cheeses and a basket of breads.

Wherever we went, the French breakfast always consisted of croissants and baguettes served with jam and butter.

While touring the city, we would see people rushing down the street or on the metro with a big baguette in hand, sometimes plain, sometimes filled with meats and cheeses, always eating on the go.
I came across an article on the blog Almost Fit entitled The French Tradition - Give Us Our Daily Baguette that was quite interesting. So many people think if they give up bread, they will lose weight. From what we saw, the French people didn't seem to have a problem with weight. It must have something to do with all that walking.

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it. ~Soren Kierkegaard

Hope you are having a terrific Tuesday in your corner of the world. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

35 comments:

GwendolynKay said...

The french they say eat all the things that we americans worry make us fat.... must be the walking and moderation of the foods.
hugs!

Vicki said...

Maybe it's the red wine? lol

Yvonne said...

Love the quote! I try to walk every day and I feel so much better when I do. Paris was lovely and I remember the breakfasts there. When I was in Italy staying at a villa, the owners brought fresh homemade bread and a newspaper. It was wonderful! Happy tea day.

Maya Kuzman said...

Has to be the walk! Love the post - especially the quote! Trying to walk more every single day!

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Our daughter is in Paris right now. Love your photos. They bring me closer to her. Thank you.

Love, Jody
rootedinthyme.blogspot.com
thymeforhome.blogspot.com

Caterina Giglio said...

well, I think it might be a difference in the KIND of wheat we eat and the addition of High Fructose. I weight issues all my life and then a health practitioner suggested that I cut out gluten and voila! I am now a perfect size six! who knows why? I would love to eat baguettes again, but I FEEL so good now!! happy tea day! xox

Anonymous said...

I think the whole bread/cheese/meat thing is a very European way to eat breakfast. It has been 25 years since I was in Finland, but I remember very clearly that the breakfast was exactly the same every day, and it is identical to what they ate in Paris. Maybe without the croissants...
Along with the menu, the whole walking thing going on in Paris was happening in Finland too. I would move in with a new host family, and they would hand me a bike, then show me the walkway to the nearest bus stop to get into town. I was one of few exchange students who did not gain weight while abroad, as I walked and biked everywhere. It was a wonderful year, especially because you know how much I love to walk.

Hope the weather cools off soon so you can put on your walking shoes...

Love you,
Renee

Anonymous said...

I'm not a bread lover but do love the smell of fresh baked bread. I think Europeans in general don't have a weight problem as much because they are constantly on the go and the types of bread have more healthy ingredients. I know when I went to Germany, they had alot of sandwich stands but always being on the go trying to catch the metro, it burns right up. I lost 2kgs in 10 days without even trying and their bread is so yummy and tasty.

Good eatings to you:)
Love, Melissa

Splashes of Pink and Mint said...

To be honest, I don't believe the diets without bread. Bread is healthy, I love bread! And croissants....yummie!!!! That's a real treat!
How's your leg doing? Mine's still hurting, but hey, there are worse things! Keep walking!

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

You've got me dreaming of Paris now! Did you get to shop at any yarn shops there? Oh, I'd just pass out if I got to walk into a Paris yarn shop. Of course I could not read anything in there, but yarn has a universal language all it's own.

Blessings to you and yours :)

Anonymous said...

I love bread...always have. When I was in Paris my girlfriend and I stopped and got bread and ate it while walking, too. Must be 'the' thing to do!

And when we were there, a coffee and croissant at the MRouge cost $8.00. SHOCK! I still have the reciept!

Anonymous said...

Have you seen their pastry shops, how, please tell me how do they stay so slim, it must be the walking, gotta get out there. Enjoy the rest of your stay, i'm so jealous, love France :D
Karen Xxxxx

Linda said...

I haven't read all of the comments yet, but somehow I seem to think it has to do with their habit of smoking, lol.

I have some good news to share on this subject but am waiting to do so on the blog and I might not post there at all (I've posted on my Facebook page), regarding my husband and the fact that he just achieved a huge success through his work's "biggest loser" summer contest, having lost some 45 lbs in 10 weeks. We did change our bread routine entirely - switching from the fattening varieties to the low calorie, high-fiber breads. I'm made permanent changes in the way I cook, portion sizes and of course the fact that we've been riding our bikes several miles every evening for the past month and a half (and are continuing), even during the heat wave, has all helped tremendously.

Pam said...

I love walking but this summer has been so hot (even in the evenings) that walking hasn't been an option. I do take the dog out for a short walk every evening. He has such a short nose that we must be careful not to let him get overheated. Looking forward to cooler weather sometime. Still 106 yesterday.

I would love a nice cup of tea in Paris.

Nancy said...

A lovely series of Parisienne photos, T. I love the idea of someone running down the street, eating off of a baguette. How European!

Unknown said...

The buds are remembering the taste of their cafe now. We eat outside every morning for breakfast. What fun to travel with you.

Createology said...

Walking is wonderful. I did enjoy the food in Paris very much. My favorite was Ile de Flotante...meringue floating in cream...I was in heaven! Mr. C always loves true French food. Your trip looks like it was pure joy. Blissful week to you...

Mariette's Back to Basics said...

Dearest Tammy,

Great post and yes, the baguette is some French bread. In my boutique I do sell some of those baguette bags. You at least do understand now WHY they do bag them... I did write a post about those bags a while ago.
Oh my, what a rain and storm we had today. The dream weather from Friday/Saturday is gone.
So you got very lucky while you visited!
Enjoy your week and likewise the great memories you keep from Paris. I'm so happy for you!
Love,

Mariette

Unknown said...

I love baguettes!! But in trying to eat healthy I usually choose a multigrain bread. What a wonderful quote on walking. I will have to write that down and hang it up somewhere where I will see it and be reminded! I'm sure that walking is the secret to a good French waistline. We saw lots of walking and bicycling in Denmark a few years ago. And no overweight people either. Words of wisdom!

Heather - The Good Life said...

Walking really does wonders. In American, it seems like you have to drive if you want to go anywhere. I imagine the hustle and bustle of Paris was invigorating. You go to the funnest places Tammy. The croissants look yummy. :-)

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

I need to copy that quote and put it on my mirror. I love the French way of having breakfast. I eat yogurt every morning with whole grain cereal. Maybe I could subsitute whole grain bread. I used to love to walk. It always made me feel better. Just got out of the habit, I guess.
Anyway, loved your pictures with the OJ too. It looks so refreshing.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Love the quote!

Diane said...

I love the quote about walking Tammy. Just so inspiring!!! And the Parisian breakfasts - yummmm. What a lovely week you must have had. Diane

Sheila R - Blessed and Distressed said...

Looks like a yummy breakfast. I enjoy walking in the fall especially since it is cooler.

Have a great week.

Tanna said...

I need to paste Kierkegaard's quote on my forehead. LOL! Especially if that meant I could enjoy all the baguettes I want! LOL! blessings ~ tanna

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Sounds like a wonderful breakfast!
Kelly

Astri said...

A lovely post. I suppose I better walk more if I want to eat bread. :-) I referenced your post and your quote on by blog:
http://appleblossomdreams.blogspot.com/2011/09/walking-and-crocheting.html
Thanks for the inspiration!

Draffin Bears said...

Bonjour Tammy,

It was lovely catching up with your Paris travels and seeing your great photographs.
Isn't it such a neat City to walk in, mostly flat and we did the same when we were there.
Yes, you do not really see many overweight people there, especially with all the wonderful food they have there.

Happy week
Hugs
Carolyn

SusanLotus said...

It´s true then! :) That you see french people with baguettes everywhere...
I love walking too but pain has made it harder for me to walk. I miss it alot and my hubby and I decided just a few days ago that we will try to walk alot this fall despite the weather.
It really makes you feel good!
Have a wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

Just a quick note.... I am having a Halloween Giveaway... Come on over!!
Marilyn

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Tammy, I have so enjoyed sharing your adventures in Paris! The breakfast must be divine! How else can you eat such wonderful food, but to walk it all off! Have fun! Twyla

Privet and Holly said...

I haven't been to
Paris in 15 years
and your pics are
stirring up some
travel lust, here!
Actually hoping to
visit family in
London next summer,
so maybe a hop over
to Paris is in order!
Hope your school year
is off to a great start!
xx Suzanne

Serena Lewis said...

Wonderful quote! I love to walk but I admit I don't do it often enough.

I LOVE fresh baked breads! I have the book - French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano - and found it very interesting with great tips.

Enjoyed your pics as always.

Have a lovely day,
Serena :)

Catherine said...

Mmmmm.... What a wonderful way to start each day! And we really should walk every day shouldn't we. Lovely! xo Catherine

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Tammy,
I'd love to talk about you and show some of your Paris pics on the Shabby Chic Girls' Club...I know that people would love to visit here!
What do you think? If it's ok with you, just leave me a message on my blog...I'd love to feature you! My email isn't working right now.
XO
Cindy

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