McDonalds Chic?

I am not much for fast food. Several years ago we watched Super Size Me together as a family and that was pretty much that. As a real estate appraiser I am on the road quite a bit and I stop at McDonalds occasionally to use the restroom and/or get a regular large coffee. About a year ago the Wall Street Journal (I believe) had a story that had professional coffee taste testers drink all the big coffee chains (such as Starbucks) versus fast food coffees. McD's came out number one. So I was validated on that one. Anyway, I NEVER get any food. Until yesterday. I was taking an
8 hour class for a license upgrade and on lunch break hit the McD's for a much needed caffeine fix. I noticed the fruit and walnut salad (at $2.15) and decided to
order one. I had packed a sandwich, but the tedium of the morning portion of the class somehow made me want to reward myself and so for 2 bucks I went for it. I took my impromptu lunch to a sunny, somewhat secluded corner of the school parking lot and took inventory. It was really not bad! Several slices of apple and some grapes, a small scoop of vanilla yogurt and a portion of candied walnuts. The yogurt was sweeter than I like, but overall I'd get it again if I was stuck in a situation and wanted a quick, healthyish meal. It's packed really well 'to go' - a shrink wrap cover over the container and it's packaged with a knife and fork which promotes using them and, as we know, is de rigeur for eating a la francaise. So maybe it is chic? The nutrition facts on line say it's a bit high in sugar, but also in vitamin C and low in sodium and cholestrol.
Bonus!! My recipe for sugared pecans.

SUGARED PECANS

1 pound of pecan halves, toss them in:

1 egg white, beaten just till frothy (and with a tablespoon of cold water added).

Scoop out pecans (use a slotted spoon) and toss in a bowl of combined:

1/2 C Sugar
1/2 tea.Cinnamon
1/4 tea Salt.

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake for one hour at 225 degrees, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up and separate them every 15 minutes.

These are heaven. Lovely as a nibble with aperitiv, as a dessert or snack with yogurt. As a salad topping. Nicely packaged as a favor or gift at the holiday. And you can experiment with the nut used and the spices. Try and make a savory version using your favorite spice.
xo,
La

Informed Produce Shopping

Happy Monday!
Here is some information that I found to be interesting. It concerns genetically modified, organic and conventionally grown produce and how to tell the difference
between them, easily.
Hopefully we will all be buying from the farms this time of year (or growing our own, my garden is doing very well so far), but if not, I hope you find this tip
helpful.



PLU (Price Look Up) codes are four or five number codes that bring up the price of each item. Within these codes is information about the food itself.

If the code number (you can see it on the label or price tag) is four numbers, the product was grown conventionally.

If the code is made up of five numbers, the product is either organic or genetically modified. An organic product code starts with the number 9, while a genetically modified product code starts with the number 8. Never buy a product (unless it's at a farmer's market or direct farm to consumer) without a PLU code so you know what you are buying.

La

Guest Blogging

I have the fun news that I will be guest blogging on a blog that I really enjoy:
www.my-french-corner.blogspot.com. Amigh has practical insight that she shares and much of it about things that really interest me. I am honored to be her guest blogger. If you go to www.copenhagencyclechic.com now, you will be an 'insider'
when you click on My French Corner on Sunday to see my post.
This leads me to say that if anyone has an interest, topic or question I'd love
to hear about it. Post a comment!
Thanks,
La

Standing Tall

The thriftiest and best French chic rule: great posture. Unlike a terrific haircut(which is another rule of french chic and which can often be pricy) posture is free.
To have look of a dancer is the height of elegance. When wondering how to bring chic into your day, examine your stance and correct your posture and movement if necessary. Voila!

My deck and patio are coming alive

One of my favorite places on earth. I have roses that I've grown from infancy and brass doors that I've lugged from Toronto and privacy. It is a sanctuary of sorts, a garden, a meal setting, a party haven. The peonies popped up 8" almost overnight.
My daffodils and tulips (from the front of the house) are done. They were pretty.

Yesterday I just had to get my red geraniums. Visually they scream "Paris". Red geraniums, like red polish on my toes, are a no brainer for my style. They'll go in some pots for the deck and in the front garden to round out the
veggie plants I'll be putting in. Did you know it is very easy to 'save' geraniums
over the winter in an attached garage or cool basement area?
My flower and veg gardens are going to be integrated this year to take advantage
of our best sun for the veggies, which can make do in the back but really thrive in the S/West exposure in the front.
Perhaps I'll post more pics as the season progresses.

The Best Margarita or wardrobe shopping at home rewards!

The sun has been revitalizing. My closet is purged and I have come up with some
good findings, one of which is I really needed sandals (and clogs, but those can
wait for fall) to update/upstyle everything I already own. I may still have the
cropped pants from Marcel tailored. Found great gladiator sandals at Target,
they were inexpensive at just about $21. including tax.
Wore them last night for
margaritas on the deck. Very wondeful.
Shopping your closet may leave money available for good tequilla upon occasion.

The best Margarita
Juice of one large orange
Juice of 2 limes
1 tea. powdered sugar
Shake together in a small jar.
Pour a shot of tequilla into lots of ice and add the lovely juice.
No salt, no blender. No headache.