Mondays are always fun. The last remnants of that glorious weekend feeling are wearing off (well, not so much in my case – my calves and hiney are still sore from all those walks I took!), and the reality of a new week is setting in which means there are several tasks that need to be done.
Groceries need to be restocked. You know, essentials. Like chocolate for instance.


Don’t judge me.
I also picked up some of this Verveine tea at my professor’s recommendation. Apparently it helps with stomach aches…and lady problems. Now you know why I bought so much chocolate…
I highly recommend this tea if you can find it. She mentioned that we don’t use it in the U.S. as a natural remedy for cramps and stomach aches as much as they do in France, but that we should hop on board because it works wonders. I don’t know about all that, but it was really delicious and I found it to be very soothing.
Leftovers. That’s the other thing about Monday. The fridge is full of all the things you made over the weekend, or in my case all the things I bought at the market on Sunday. Normally I’d put up a fight and avoid the leftovers, but these I ate with delight.
I’m going to make it my life’s work to figure out what the heck is in these artichokes. There’s a lot of creamy-cheesy-herby-garlicy goodness, that’s for sure. I’ll find a recipe if it kills me! But of course, I’ll share the recipe with you first ![]()
The artichoke bliss came with leftover peppers and onions (eaten cold…seriously, it’s delicious. You must make these. Now.) some steamed broccoli, Mary’s GF Crakers sent courtesy of Mom and Dad back home, and some rotisserie chicken.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Monday if you didn’t wake up to a pile of laundry that was threatening to grow legs and walk out the door…
Laundry in Paris is always an adventure. I packed my duffel with nearly every garment I have in Paris and took the walk of shame to the laundromat.
I emerged two hours and 17 euros later with fresh socks and undies for the rest of the week…Ohh, Monday.
Speaking of dirty laundry, I figured the best way to answer the Ask Me Anything questions would be with a “10 Things About The Hungry Yogini That You Never Wanted To Know But Are Going To Find Out Anyway List.” So here you have it…Installment One.
1. My very favorite food in the whole entire world is…Apples. Give me a crisp Pink Lady, Jazz, or Fuji apple and I’m a happy camper. I’m also an expert apple-picker-outer. What can I say – It’s a gift.
2. My biggest pet peeve is chewing/smacking or any noise associated with it. Seriously. Can’t handle it. I feel kind of bad about this one, and I’ve tried to get over it and just ignore it. But I can’ttttttttttttttttttttttttt.
3. Someone asked what I like to do to wind down every night after a long day. Hmmm…I’ve never really thought about it. I guess I have a really bad habit of drinking a cup of half-caf coffee after dinner. It’s like my “It’s the end of the day so you can finally sit down” treat. Probably not the healthiest thing to have at the end of the day, but I’ve been doing it for – forever. I find it comforting.
4. I also got a hypothetical question – “If you could only have one makeup product for the rest of your life, what would it be?” I’d have to go with mascara. I love the Trish McEvoy brand that comes off super easy. It literally just falls right off!
5. Favorite childhood cereal – Cheerios. I used to call them “ho ho’s.” Don’t know why. But I used to beg for “ho ho’s” all the time.
Pretty darn cute, if I don’t say so myself.
6. I’ve only ever broken one bone – my nose when I was in 8th grade. Freak cheerleading accident. You don’t want to know.
7. I’m a Finance major and will graduate this December. I was scheduled to graduate this May, but instead took the opportunity to live in Paris for the semester. Not a bad trade off! I have no idea what I want to do after. I just know that I don’t want to sit at a desk! I’m fairly certain I’m going to head to culinary school at the Natural Gourmet Institute in 2011. I think I’d be interested in personal chef work. I’d love to do something with photography too. We shall see!
8. I don’t count calories. Used to be a slave to those stupid numbers. I could probably tell you the calorie count for just about any food out there, but I’ve worked really hard to get rid of those voices when I’m making my own food choices. I also don’t weigh myself. In fact, I’ve asked my family to hide the scale from me. I don’t think they got it at first, but they obliged and I think it’s made such a huge difference for me. I’m not a number, and you aren’t either.
9. I do not have a boyfriend at the moment. Although, I am in the market for what they call a “dictionnaire” here. Basically that’s slang for an English speaker with a French speaking boyfriend. What!? It’s for educational purposes!
10. I was a gymnast for a really long time… click here for some more tales on that.
And there you have it.
Hope your week is off to a great start!



{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I adore your blog.Always So light and refreshing even when dirty laundrys involved!! Btw have I mentioned you are living my dream. Paris. Chocolate. And I did I mention Paris?!! Enjoy!!
Btw. What kind of tea is that? Green? Herbal? Anything that helps With ahem the lady parts is a win in my book…
Oh I hate “eating noises” too. I feel bad because generally people can’t help it but…. :/
Maria,
It’s called verveine tea – I think it’s some kind of herbal blend. I’m not sure if it’s widely available in the US but I googled it and you can find it online. Good luck!
I love these revelations of you! Apples are one of my favorite foods as well. I love how reliably wonderful they always are, every time of the year. And YOU ARE SO STINKING CUTE!!!! :) Haha, ho ho’s! OMG, you are going to make some beautiful children someday.
Thanks for sharing this about yourself. So enjoyable to read! :)
apples are my favorite food as well :)
I have heard about verveine tea doing wonders. I am curious to see if I can find it in the grocery stores here. You are absolutely adorable in those photos!! I enjoy getting to know more about the girl behind the blog.. I was also a gymnast, it completely distorted my body image and not too mention destroyed my back but I still loved it.
I was supposed to graduate this May too but I took a detour and lived in Sweden for 2 years. So now I won’t graduate until May 2012. But honestly, I have no problem with that. I got to travel the world and live in a foreign country. It was the best decision that I have ever made and I think you made the right decision too :)
Just found your blog through Olga’s at “Healthing It,” and I love it. I’m so envious that you’re currently living in Paris and look forward to living vicariously through you while you write about your eats in that beautiful city.
Also, those stuffed artichokes look incredible!
Love the pics, so cute!
those kid pictures are SOOOOOOO cute! looks like you’ve been beautiful your entire life ;) i think i will go get the stuff to make those peppers now…!
Omg I looove my trish mascara! Awesome to hear you know its magic too!
You are so cute, then and now! That’s interesting about the tea, unfortunately I don’t like tea anyway! I went to paris once and I didn’t enjoy it much, but I think I just wanted to be home because we had already been in london for a week and then went to paris for a week. But I was in 6th grade. Now I’ve taken three years of french, so it wouldn’t be as boring! I definitely want to go back :)
Mmm, chocolate. And I REALLY need to find some of that tea!!
Love the Q&A, I don’t count calories anymore either, and I don’t weigh myself- SO liberating!
xo
K
i think laundry was the worst part about my trip oversees. i feel your pain. and i share your number one pet peeve. i knew we were meant to be together! love!
What cute pictures!! I love the expression on your face in the first one. :-)
I love apples but I’m very picky … they have to be firm and juicy – not too sweet and not too sour. Just right.
Laundry would definitely be an adventure in Paris! I wouldn’t know what buttons to press!
K
Love your top 10… very fun!
Your laundry experience sounds like a little adventure in Paris!
Adorable childhood pics! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your 10 facts and am excited for you that culinary school is in the plans! =]
What a beautiful young lady! I am sure that beauty still shines all over you!
Thanks for sharing that tea, gonna find it and have it on hand! Keep the Q&A coming, love reading your refreshing responses!
I work with someone who not only smacks when they eat, but this person also talks – while smacking – while eating. :\ It is like nails on a chalkboard.
My favorite natural cramp remedy is ginger tea. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory! I just keep a whole knob of ginger in my freezer, slice off a few thin slivers, and dump boiling water on top. Et voila!
I really adore old childhood pictures, and these two of two are precious. I sure do hope you find your dictionnaire soon!
I’m obsessed with those artichokes stuff with creamy feta….omg
This is what gets me healthy when that throat tickle hits….
****gargling often (and ESPECIALLY right before bed)with warm water with LOTS of salt in it!
Ha ha, smacking/chewing noises are my biggest pet peeve as well! Great to learn more about you ;-)