quoi de neuf – how to have a sweet February

Salut février! We so enjoyed our crêpes last night, did you make yours? It was a beautiful sunny day here in Ohio, but Phil saw his shadow, so 6 more weeks of winter it will be! That Phil is such a cutie 🥰 And check out Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox! I’m going to, they have it at my local library! So, never mind the winter, I’ve got all sorts of things to keep your spirits up. Quoi de neuf – how to have a sweet February!

do

What am I doing this month? Well, it’s still (semi 😜) detox time for me. It’s not that I’m obsessed with dieting. I’m very interested in nutrition, mais oui, and in all the different approaches to eating healthy, different foods and how they effect the body and mind. Especially plant based diets. Diets based on real food.

One approach I just tried was to mimic the 5 Day Protein Fast by Daily Dose Life. It’s a plant based reset. The actual program is very expensive, so I took a look at the menu for the week and made my own adaptions. You should check out their menus too, they’ve got some creative ideas! One dinner called for a veggie curry. I found this recipe for Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry from live eat learn and it was so good, I will make it again for sure.

I’m not sure how I came across Miniweight, but it’s a very interesting, and French, approach to dieting. The supplements and teas are not available here, but I printed out the free week menu, and purchased the vegan two week menu. Really cute menus 🌈. I also bought some detox teas to go along with. A Palais de Thés Detox with guarana, and Elephant Mon Infusion BIO Detox with hibiscus.

I’m looking forward to doing this 3-day express detox cure from Vogue which is supposed to be done once a month. I think I’ll start it Monday.

diversions

I have been trying to spread out my viewing of season 4 of Call My Agent, I don’t want it to end! I also finished the first season of Lupin, it’s on Netflix too. Of course it’s good, it’s in Paris, but it was even better than I thought, looking forward to season 2! My hairdresser recommended Killing Eve and The Flight Attendant. I have yet to check those out.

The Goop Podcast strikes again. I think this one might be the best ever. Gwyneth Paltrow x John Chester: Living in Disharmony with Nature is so illuminating, just wow. I will listen to it several more times to absorb all the wisdom.

Another book to put on my list, Mastering the Art of French Living by Mark Greenside. It looks like the same fun style as my favorite Peter Mayle books.

Mister K’s “Harmony” video is just too sweet not to share. Awww… and look at his Thrasher (Neil Young Cover) video with his bulldog Luna 💕

buy

All kinds of sweet foxiness in my cart this month🦊! LAVENDER + CALENDULA FACIAL EXFOLIATING GRAINS from Fawn Lily Botanica to start. I’ve purchased it before, but since then have been doing a DIY version. They sent me a birthday coupon though, so I had to splurge.

I also got a $25 birthday credit from Maison Kitsuné. Perfect to use for this cool bento Lunch Box Cafe Kitsune! It will make my healthy packed lunches plus chic.

And just look what I just ordered from Deborah Shapiro Art! Attacking 2020. I couldn’t resist . She is a local artist. All of her prints are 20% off right now so you should take a look, her collage art is très cool.

Not fox related but close 🐶… I have a subscription to Grounds & Hounds, but I had to try their Lovable Blend in addition to my regular delivery. Just in time for 💝 day. They are having a 15% off sale right now, so check them out!

eat

All the talk of seeds a few weeks ago, I can’t believe I’ve never heard of Halva! I saw an ad on Instagram for a tahini chocolate bar which led me to Seed + Mill. I bought their tahini, hoping for something a little more authentic and tasty than store bought, like Miznons, which I’m sure it will be. They also have Halva, so I purchased some of that to try as well. They have all kinds of flavors too, like pistachio! and rose! I think I might use it in this recipe for Yotam Ottolenghi’s Tahini and halva brownies 😋.

So I saw this Sweet Potato Biscuit and Jam set on Uncommon Goods. The mix has cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and ginger. I need to start using all that cardamom I bought! I was tempted, but I think I will try to make it myself. And you know I love my sweet potatoes 🍠. Biscuits with jam would be over the top! Here is a Vegan Sweet Potato Biscuit recipe that calls for vegan butter. Husband and I really love the Earth Balance one. I just need to add the spices! Here’s a recipe for Blackberry Merlot Jam, I would probably leave out the spice in that one.

Ok, just a few more sweet things for you… Cotton Candy Champagne Cocktail from Lauren Conrad – so pretty! Maybe for Valentines Day. And in honor of National Carrot Cake Day, which is today, here is the BEST Carrot Cake recipe ever. I can’t remember how many times I have made it over the years, but it is perfect. I know, I said I was (semi 😜) detoxing, so what about this delicious, and nutritious, Carrot Cake Smoothie 🥕?

And that’s quoi de neuf – how to have a sweet February! I told you February was sweet! Bisous and À bientôt!