French Kids Eat Everything

photos via A Cup of Jo

Have you heard of the new book French Kids Eat Everything??  Apparently, it is one Canadian mother's exploration into the "food rules" she and her family encountered while living in France for a year.  After reading Joanna's post about it on Monday, it occurred to me that these "rules" for children would make fantastic guidelines for adults as well (especially numbers 2, 5, 7 and 9…)  What do you think??  Would you train your kids to eat like the French??  Do we think it is weird that I don't have any kids, but still want to by this book??  I suppose it is no weirder than me buying Tracy Anderson's Post Pregnancy workout…having never been pregnant.

-♥ J

P.S. For French stuff on A Cup of Jo click HERE and HERE.

Many A Truth Is Said In Jest

I love this book so much that when I finished it I hugged it.  For, like, a long time.

I love this book so much that I want you to read it.  And I want to stand behind you while you are reading it and wait for you to laugh so that I can say, "Wait, which part did you just laugh at??"  I tried to recreate a similar effect by reading passages that I thought were hilarious aloud to my husband.  This resulted in a lot of polite smiles followed by, "No, it's seems funny.  I just can't really understand what you are saying when you keep laughing like that."

I love this book so much that I think it should be mandatory reading for every girl over the age of 13.  And every guy.  And all pets that can do tricks….like reading.

If you like your feminism with a side of poop jokes then you are in luck.  Tina Fey's Bossypants is a feminist manifesto disguised as a hilarious autobiography.  Or as she describes it a how-to manual for raising an "achievement-oriented, drug-free, adult virgin."  In a world of not good enough, Ms. Fey not only challenges that paradigm but she makes you, little 'ole book reader in your pajamas, feel as though you can change the world simply by refusing to be anyone other than who you authentically are.  She also makes you laugh until you pee.  Those two things are what I call "a good time."  

Three cheers, Tina!!!  I am putting you in the Lady Hero Folder in my mind.  With Eleanor Roosevelt.  
And my Mom.

-♥ J :)

**Click HERE to buy Bossypants. (I am so jealous that you get to read it for the first time!!)

Did someone say Vegan Twinkies???

Jenn Shagrin did.
My dear friend Luka gave me a copy of Jenn's new vegan cookbook Veganize This! where she attempts to "veganize the seemingly impossible."  The book has so many fantastic sounding recipes I don't even know where to start.  There's Vegan Quattro Formaggio White Truffle Macaroni and Cheese, Vegan Pancetta, Bourbon Buffalo Mole Chicken Wings with Vegan Blue Cheese-Avocado Oil Aiol…and, of course, the aforementioned Vegan Twinkies.  

Peppered throughout the book are funny anecdotes from Jenn's life and stories abut how the recipes came about.  She, also, doles out some pretty sage advice:  "As vegans, we all know how many times the ingredient list for dishes at a restaurant can feel like just one giant no…So unless you want to get stuck with a sprig of basil on a plate, take matters into your own hands instead and play by your own damn rules!"

Jenn's book makes you feel like you are cooking with your smart, hilarious friend who knows how to turn everything into a good time.  I, mean, how can you not love a girl who titled one of her chapters "Recipes to Get You Laid"???

Thanks for the fabulous book Luka!!!  I will have you over for some of Jenn's Cumin and Avocado Oil-Rubbed Portobello Tortas with Dragon Fruit Pico De Gallo and Purple Basil-White Peppercorn Mayo.  
With a side of her Vegan Doritos of course.

-♥ J :)

Learn more about Jenn here and buy her book here.

Cheater, Cheater Cheese Eater

My name is Jen and I'm a vegan.  Kinda.

If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago if I was a vegan I would have most cheerily, most virtuously responded: "Definitely!!! Totally a vegan. Yup, that's me."  "Oh, about ten years. "  "No! It's not hard at all. You should really try it. It's amazing. It will change your life."

But I am about to share a dirty little secret with you.  Blow the whistle on this whole veg eatin' operation.  I am about to go all Norma Rae on your be-hind…..