1.31.2010

Porridge (comme les francais)

Like most people, I have been struggling to...um...zip up my pants post-holidays. I indulged heavily this year - and it was heavenly - but lately I've realized I need to recommit myself to eating consciously, with my head.

So I am re-reading French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano. To say that I am a devotee of this book is a vast understatement. In conversations with the Soul Twin, we just refer to it as "The Book", as in "I overindulged last weekend but I'm reading The Book again and getting back on track." What I appreciate about The Book is that it's not a diet book; it's a lifestyle book (no derisive snorting, please). I read it for the first time five years ago, and the timing was so right: I connected with its message to eat (and live) with your five senses in tact, to not settle for bland, flavorless food (or life) that gives you very little return for the effort. It's really not the point but, for those of you concerned with numbers, The Book inspired me to drop 20 pounds and keep it off for 5 years.

But moving on, I'm re-reading French Women. Yesterday morning, I adapted Guiliano's recipe: "Grandma Louise's Oatmeal with Grated Apple." I didn't have any lemons so I just left that out (the recipe only requires a 1/2 tsp so I didn't miss it much). And I didn't have oatmeal so I used steel-cut oats, making it according to the instructions on the can. It was so satisfying and such a powerhouse way to start my day. How can you not conquer the world after eating this?

And thanks to the apple's natural sweetness and sugar, there really is no need for added sugar.

Steel-Cut Oats with Grated Apple
(adapted from Mireille Guiliano's recipe)

4 c. water
1 c. steel-cut oats
Pinch of salt
1 medium apple, coarsely grated
1/2 c. milk (or however much gives you the consistency you want)
1 tsp. butter
Nutmeg, to taste
Cinnamon, to taste

Bring water to a rapid boil. Pour in oats and salt; stir. When mixture begins to thicken, turn stove to medium-low and simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes.

Add grated apple, milk, butter, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Heat about two more minutes. Remove from stove and serve. Serves 3.

If you are the type of person who likes some more protein in the morning, eat a piece of cheese on the side. I have also been known to add chopped walnuts to this recipe. And - here's a major indulgence, I have also sprinkled crumbled bacon over the top too.

With treats like this in the morning, getting back to fighting weight is a pleasure.

Eat, drink, and derive pleasure from both

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