ANNUAL CRINGE!

What makes this desperate anglo housewife cringe every Spring?

We all know the western world is going "pear -shaped" but why why why do French pharmacies still market and stock dangerous dieting pills and potions?

Every Spring my self esteem plummets as I walk past the windows of pharmacies with full window displays screaming Minceur Minceur Minceur (literally,Thinness Thinness Thinness). Aren't the French thin enough already? 

It is really not easy being an anglo- saxon-sized woman in this country...already I am reaching for the larger sizes in clothes here but to have to tolerate this annual marketing for pills and potions to reduce, slim, thin, eliminate and tone makes me crazy.I begin to see myself as a bloated, fat-stuffed reject instead of a blossoming 40-something. It is dangerous, not to mention irresponsible, particularly considering the sensitivity of young adolescent girls. A recipe for anorexia!

When the rest of the western community has banned such things as The Water Pill, your friendly french pharmacy is still flogging it off in abundance.

Why don't these pharmacies market the benefits of eating well and "moving" instead? 

Yes, sure a detox is a good thing especially after Winter excesses. But taking a pill is not the intelligent approach. Its an outdated concept.

Enough said! 
Here is an intelligent slimming salad, fibre and vitamin full.
Enjoy it with a good walk afterwards!!

Quinoa Asparagus Feta Salad

1 cup quinoa

500 gr fresh green asparagus

150 gr feta

juice of half a lemon plus a little zest

olive oil

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

salt

black pepper

Cook quinoa, 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water. Drain and set aside.

Throw asparagus into boiling water and cook 5 mins. Drain well.

Crumble feta. 

Assemble with a bed of quinoa, asparagas, topped off with crumbles feta.

Mix vinaigrette of lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, salt and pepper and drizzle over salad.

Finish off with a light scattering of lemon zest.