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I was amazed, even shocked, when I caught a glimpse of what my child is consuming at her little French school each day. Keep in mind this is a public school and the lunches cost only 2.15 Euros daily (about $3 US). I asked my daughter if I could eat lunch with her...take a peek here and you'll see why.
A little translation...fillets of salmon, green beans, strawberries, apricots, creme brulee, zucchini flan, organic omelets, chocolate mousse...you get the idea :)
If you're interested in an explanation as to why she is attending school in France, and other details you may or may not want to know, check in with me tomorrow. I promise to fill you in...
Hello Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI came across your site through Design Mom and love what you guys are doing with your house (living a great dream, well done!)!...and I can appreciate your experience of the lunch menu! We're from Oregon and are currently living just outside of Paris. Initially my son, who is really picky, was extremely nervous about the lunches, most of whose names he had no clue about, but they've been coming home saying, 'oh we had the best lunch today!'...I find they either rave about it because it was so amazing, or they totally hated the meal because it was just SO different and they couldn't get past-whatever! We've been so impressed with the quality of the food here, as well as the love and attention to aesthetic (yes, we love the window boxes too!). If you're ever in Paris, I'd love to meet you! Natasha
Absolutely can't wait to hear more!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that they don't change the way they eat just because they are children. I think we tend to assume that children won't eat "adult" food, therefore we don't give it to them, therefore they aren't exposed! I wish I could have some of what they are having for lunch!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I just got the July issue of Parents Magazine, in which they interviewed several famous chefs about what they feed their own kids. The chef from Paris commented that in France they don't have "kid food (chicken nuggets, etc.)," kids just eat the same great food that their parents do! I see this concept written all over your daughter's school lunch menu. Just wishing my kids could eat that deliciously at school everyday!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool school. No gray refried beans for your gorgeous girl. I was noticing the dates. Do your kids only go 4 days a week? Also, Do you ever go to school with your kids to try and learn more french? Just a few of my questions. Hope you are enjoying the Dream life! :)
ReplyDeleteMy gosh, I thought you were living in Utah and renovating the house in quick spurts! No idea you were living there! Does your daughter speak French?
ReplyDeleteYour house in France is such a dream! I can't wait to here more details tomorrow. What an amazing experience for your family!
ReplyDeleteMiss you guys.
The university restaurants and cafeterias in Paris are very similar--great food (comparitively speaking) for less than 3 Euro a meal. It's subsidized by the government--which makes me wonder if that might be the case for all schools. Either way, that menu looks way better than anything I ever ate in elementary school. :)
ReplyDeleteyou promise to tell us all what is going on with you daughter at school in france? i can hardly wait for the deets! ...and are you really living over there? must hear about it all! hope you are having the best time ever!!!
ReplyDeleteoooh...this makes me so jealous for our kiddos in the US. why can't we get our school lunch system together??!!
ReplyDeleteHi! Jora suggested I check out your blog and I'm so glad I did. I also have a redhead(boy)! And I love IKEA napkins. But I really appreciate what you had to say about blogging and not falling into the comparison trap and above all not judging. I will be visiting often! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSteph, YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS - THE NATASHA WHO COMMENTED IS A DEAR AND OLD FRIEND OF MINE!!!
ReplyDeleteAn amazing connection to share with you!
I found your blog from DesignMom and am enamored with your new place(house? I don't know what to call it). I can't wait to come and stay there one day. I love the menu. I had my first daughter in Paris and the menu doesn't seem to change much for new mothers either. I had to have my husband bring me food, because I could not live on hot chocolate and croissants only for breakfast. I did love that they served cake and boxes of chocolate for dessert everyday though. I hope your daughter loves the food. Good luck and eat a triangle d'amande for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm semi-stay-at-home Mom/American designer/illustrator living with my French-Swedish husband and small kids in Sweden -- my husband's family are in the south of France. I found your blogg through DesignMom. American birthday party planning aesthetics brought me to you, French comments kept me intrigued and now, the chocolate chip cookie recipes have me locked.(I'm a 1st time blog reader or follower) I just want to say: rock on! Your latest Dordogne adventure is of keen interest to me. I couldn't hold back when I looked at your "tater tots" entry and just wanted to cheer in support. Don't get me wrong, no one should be denied a tater tot in their lifetime, but exposing children to real "food" broadens their worlds in ways one wouldn't expect. We return regularly to the US so that the kids feels the US is a part of who they are, this is important, and, at the same time, can not say enough about our decisions to start the kids lives off here w/all 3 at a French Maternelle/Lycee in Sweden due to our family "blend." We've found that multi-lingualism and cultural exposure have given the the gift of confidence and sureness. Huge support for what you are doing and just a note of what fun it is to see this. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAre you living in France for the summer?
ReplyDeleteSadly not living in France this summer. A first in 10+ years - we've just purchased our first house, moving just outside of Stockholm July 31, with workers ready to help! (summer work and help is a rare phenomenon here,too) Seeing your renovations has really gotten me thinking, too! What character! We will "Ryanair-it" or road trip to the south (questioning the car reality of my antiquing for the new house fantasy with... our 5,6, & 8 year olds?) at some point between mid July - Sept? (Luberon/Aix-en-Provence area prime destination)
ReplyDeleteI remember eating in the lycee cafeteria on a exchange in high school and being amazed....and then understanding why our exchange students were puzzled why we never ate lunch at our won high school.
ReplyDeleteum. details please! ooh la la!!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous of this lunch menu! I compare it to my son's and there is no comparison...
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I'm curious as to what self-employed profession your husband is in that allows for so much time off. Sounds like a good one!
ReplyDeleteAnon: In this area of France (and many others I believe as well) they do not have school on Wednesdays. I think it has to do with an old Catholic law...
ReplyDeletei have to admit that one of our main reasons for applying to the lycee francais school here in the states was because of the lunch menu and promise of local, sustainable meals. they also serve the meals on tables draped with white tablecloths and real silverware. civil in every way.
ReplyDelete