Receta Pasta with Courgette and Grilled Chicken; How I got fat in France
Yes, dear readers, I moved to France and got fat.
I became overweight.
Note that I didn't say that I gained weight.
I became overweight.
Could this be the real reason French women don't get fat?
Well, there are certain cultural differences that seriously discourage weight gain.
First, there's the nudity.
We have topless beaches and nude beaches as well as the occasional visit to the doctor. I recounted here the need to be fit and have sexy underwear for that.
Second, there's that sexy underwear.
It's the norm here, everyday wear, not just for date night or special occasions. That little overhang of excess adipose tissue from the sides of the lacy hot-red bra tends to detract from the intended image.
But the real reason French women don't get fat is the weight table.
Huh?
Yep, the weight table.
According to the US weight table I weigh exactly in the middle for my height.
I'm perfect.
I'm 5'6" tall. I should weigh between 120 and 160 lbs. I weigh 140.
I'm at the perfect weight..... If I lived in the US.
However, I live in France.
In France I'm fat.
I'm still 5'6" tall. I should weigh between 114 and 139 lbs. I still weigh 140.
I'm fat.
To be perfect I have to lose 14 lbs and weigh 126.
Which would almost make me underweight by US standards.
I posit the following:
The US officially expects people to weigh more - so they do.
France officially expects people to weigh less - so they do
It's all about expectations..... and the sexy undies.
Rats!
Now I have to lose weight.
However, I've always been of the 'lose weight by increasing activity' school of thought.
I do rather love to eat.
And I couldn't possibly give up pasta!
I'm sending this over to Mansi, of Fun & Food Cafe for Presto Pasta Nights, the fantastic event founded by Ruth of Once
Upon A Feast.
Mansi will have pastas from around the globe on her blog on Friday.
- Pasta with Courgette (Zucchini) and Grilled Chicken
- 1 1/4 cups pasta
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 yellow squash
- 3oz (90gr) cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbs fresh basil
- 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella
- 1 tbs olive oil
- Marinade
- 1 tbs white Balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbs Dijon-style mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbs olive oil
- Vinaigrette
- 1 tbs white Balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbs Dijon-style mustard
- 3 tbs good olive oil
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
Make marinade and spoon over chicken. Let marinate for 10 minutes. Cook on barbecue grill for 8 - 10 minutes per side, turning once, or until done. Remove and let rest 5 minutes. Slice.
Cut onion in quarters, then slice. Mince garlic. Cut squash in half lengthwise, then slice. Cut cherry tomatoes in half.
Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion and sauté until tender. Add garlic, squash and sauté until squash starts to brown. Add tomatoes and pasta, heat through.
Put pasta into a large serving bowl, add basil, vinaigrette and stir gently. Add Mozzarella, stir gently. Top with sliced chicken and serve.
Now I believe I'#ll go for a brisk walk.
I should add, that this was in the 8 page report I got on my health as a result of the physical I had 2 weeks ago.