The year that was...
January 15th 2023
Oh, my goodness. Hello, 2023, albeit 2 weeks late. Last year was *quite* the year.
Try as I might in December, I couldn’t manage to put together any sort of “year that was” post on my blog, my social media or here. December saw me very burnt out from a hectic first term which felt busier and more stressful than the entire two years prior put together (that’s what happens when people deem that things are back to “normal” - and then some - and we start playing “catch up” for everything that didn’t happen over the past couple of years).
I ended December “June-level” tired (as tired as I usually am at the end of the entire school year). To that end, I didn’t write a newsletter in December (see below what I *did* publish instead!) and for those of you who are paid subscribers, no new recipes, I’m so sorry :( I have extended every paid subscriber’s subscription by 3 months at no charge to you as an apology for my lack of content. New recipe coming at you next week though :)
I’ve vowed not to let myself get that depleted again this term so, as a result, I’m going to #prioritisemein2023. Here are five ways I will do that in an attempt to look ahead instead of looking back.
Five things to prioritize in 2023:
Health.
Pay attention to what I eat (not “diet”, just be aware and mindful) and move every day in some way. Walk home from work a few (more) times a week. Consistently do my physio exercises (because, who knew, it works if you are consistent!). Oh, also train for an early May half-marathon.
Shopping local
If the pandemic taught me anything, it’s that my neighbourhood matters. My world got a lot smaller over the past three years, and I learned to appreciate the wonderful area I live in and how important all those little family-run stores and businesses are to communities. To that end, I’m still trying to shop local more and give my money to those smaller businesses that have had such a hard time during the pandemic.
Friendship
Most Fridays since March 2020, I’ve met with the same group of people either online or in backyards (we got VERY good at socializing outside!) pretty consistently. These people were friends before the pandemic. Now they’re my best friends. We’ve been through a lot in the past few years together, and I can’t imagine them NOT in my life. Prioritising friends and friend time is hugely important for me this year too.
Less is more
Is it just me or do more people seem content with quieter lives these days? I am quite happy NOT to go back to the busy-ness of “before times” (and maybe because work is so exhausting now, I don’t have the energy for that right now). I’ve been reading a lot more than i used to and prioritizing rest and that feels like what I need to be doing right now. I know lots of people are so happy to return to “normal,” but maybe priorities have shifted (or maybe I’m just older and more tired LOL!).
What about you? Did you set resolutions/ goals/ intentions for 2023?
French Food for Everyone: le petit déjeuner (breakfast) is out now!
Yep it’s true! The third “chapter” of French Food for Everyone, “le petit déjeuner”, is out now!
In this third installment of French Food for Everyone, I’m sharing a handful of my favourite French breakfast foods (ok, mostly pastries!). These are by no means representative of the breadth of French cuisine or typical of an everyday French breakfast; rather, these are dishes I have come to love over the years, living in and travelling to France. Simple recipes, step-by-step images, illustrations from the fabulous Lisa Nunamaker and another gorgeous design (again by the wonderful LeAnna (of Weller Smith Design). I’m so proud of this one!
Check out my upcoming in-person classes!
Yay! I’ve got a whole load of new in-person classes for the new year at the beautiful Kitchen at St Lawrence Market In Toronto. If you live in or near Toronto (or know someone who does!), might you be interested in some French-themed baking or wine/ food pairing classes (with newly-minted sommelier Neil!)? How about a parent-child baking class? Or maybe you’re interested in a special “Tour de France” wine-tasting collaboration with Rendez-Vous?
You can see all my offerings by clicking the button below (and use the discount code NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBER for 15% off class registration)
looking for an online class with me?
I should have a few new Context Travel classes on the schedule soon - you can join me from anywhere in the world! If there’s something here that you like the look of, you can request a repeat!
watch-worthy
Notre Dame: “The story of the night of April 15, 2019 in Notre-Dame Cathedral alongside firefighters and the impact that it had on different characters across France.” As an “easy watch”, I enjoyed this. There are a lot of storylines going on (why?), but at the end of the day, it’s an interesting insight into what went on to save as much of Notre Dame that night as possible. Sidenote: had this been a North American series, I am sure it would have moved at a MUCH faster pace (and maybe only been 4 episodes, not 6!). Dull and exciting at the same time if that makes sense?!
The Cry (an Australian mini-series that I downloaded before I left Australia that I don’t seem to be able to find on Netflix here in Canada - but it’s on Amazon Prime) “Joanna and Alistair are young parents who travel from Scotland to a town in Australia to visit family and fight for custody of Alistair's daughter, Chloe, against his Australian ex-wife, Alexandra. On the drive from Melbourne to the coastal town of Wilde Bay, their baby son Noah goes missing.” This was compelling and I watched the entire series in one sitting (ok, I was travelling from Australia to Canada, so it was easy to do so but also incredibly gripping viewing. Well-written and well-acted.
The Menu: “A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.” (< talk about a synopsis that totally doesn’t prepare you for the movie at all!!). This has an all-star cast and hugely shocking moments (check out Common Sense Media for some of the details and trigger warnings), and it’s “dark horror comedy” at its best. Warning: you’ll need a cheeseburger after you watch this!
Best Movies of 2022 via The New York Times. “Amid endless agonizing over the State of Cinema, the actual releases proved a bounty for film lovers, whether fans of the art house or the multiplex.”
links you might like
eat
Now, why would any chef want to murder their diners? A Talk with “The Menu” creators via Bon Appétit. Aka: How did two comedy writers get “so much right about what’s wrong with food culture”?
What’s for dinner? Food 52 asked 25000 home cooks for their trustiest, easy weeknight dinners. There’s surely some inspiration here for you!
34 Hilariously Dumb Comments People Left On Internet Recipes That Got Called Out By This TikToker via Bored Panda. If you ever take the time to read comments on recipes posted online you’ll appreciate this. People say the darnedest things!
live
100 ways to slightly improve your life without really trying via The Guardian. Perfect for those of us with less-than-lofty-January ambitions.
Ready, set, read. How to make and keep your New Year’s Reading Resolutions via The Globe & Mail. In case you DO have ambitions this year!
How to cut a single serving of French cheese via French Today. The more you know…
because you don’t want to be this person:
Cheese Carnage: How an American’s cheese cutting divided a community via The Earful Tower.
Lesson: DO NOT MESS UP THE CHEESE!
travel
Speaking of cheese, my friend and cheese expert Jennifer of Chez Loulou will begin to offer her own cheese tours in Paris this spring! Check out the details here!
An airline said her luggage was in storage. Her Airtag said otherwise. via The Washington Post. Travelled lately? Bought an AirTag? Obsessively track your luggage at each stopover (ahem…. guilty! But always happy to see “with you” as the location when I’m boarding a plane!). You hope you won’t need that location data, but per this article, it might come in VERY handy!
write
The College Essay is dead via The Atlantic (free signup may be required). My students are fascinated by the idea of “never having to write an essay for school ever” (!)
buy my books
Don’t have my books?
French food made easy … for everyone!
rent our holiday home in southwest France!
“We spent two weeks in Nerac at this fully-equipped, centrally-located home. It is within walking distance of everything, including the canal, stone bridges, museums, parks, historic churches and of course restaurants and local shopping. (and if you are there on a Saturday, a huge outdoor market is a 5-minute walk away). We enjoyed all the features of this home and especially the patio. We sampled all the food and wine the French are known for. We also joined the locals in playing Pétanque at the square just up the street. Would highly recommend!
~ guest review, October 2022
Our charming house in Nérac, halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse, is in the heart of Gascony. Book ahead!
Thanks for reading!
Stay safe xo
Mardi
I would love to read more about a more mindful eating approach - and how the French approach their healthy lifestyle - perhaps that has changed - perhaps not?
Thank you for The Globe & Mail piece on reading resolutions. I am going to give the Bookly app a try. I already use Goodreads, but I find it disincentivizing to track by the number of books read. I am a slow reader and I find myself ‘cheating’ towards the end of the year and picking shorter reads (short stories anyone?!) in order to reach my goal. Thanks also for the subscription extension! I certainly was not expecting that and I know how easily time slips by.