Texas welcomed us back with some warm, open arms. We ate our way through the city and tried to visit all of our favorite Friday night hot-spots. And brunch? We did not forget about our favorite Sunday meal. We picked three of our favorite places and made sure to get there. I drank an abundance of coffee and convinced Mark to do the same. I returned with two tubs of peanut butter - one politely requested by the 12 year old next door - two bags of American coffee, and an obnoxious amount of candy that you can't buy here for a back-to-school treat for the other neighbor kids. So you're thinking 'this post is all about food and drink, huh?' Basically.
Everyone is always curious what the biggest difference is between here and home? My opinion now - food (other than language, obviously). I've never been one to jump on the 'organic food or bust' train. I'm the one listening to people preach about it, smiling and nodding before going home to indulge in some Cheetos or Oreos. Don't worry, I would still do that. But there is something very different about the food here. Each time we've been home and returned there is at least a full week when we feel... terrrrrible. Our stomachs ache, our bodies ache, our heads ache. It's not fun. What is it? What's the difference? What have you done to me France? You've turned me into a food snob, mostly a produce snob. You clearly know what you're doing. That stuff is F-R-E-S-H! I'm going to be that crazy lady growing all her own food in her backyard when I return. I seriously don't think I can ever buy peaches in a grocery store again... You guys, I'm not kidding. I march myself down to the market to visit my favorite fruit stand every Sunday and it is worth it!
Maybe it's because they don't use preservatives? Maybe it's because here, we eat in much more frequent than out? Maybe it's because they don't use the same pesticides as the US? I don't know. And they do all the things we think are bad. They drink a lot, smoke a LOT, and eat white bread all day long. Remember when the 'don't eat white bread' kick went through the states? They obviously didn't follow that trend. The researcher inside my brain is so curious to know how these people make this country the healthiest in the world? Unfortunately, I'd need ten more years and a lot of money to crack the case. In the meantime, my curiosity will proceed while I sit on my patio and eat as much fruit as possible before we have to leave.
