Making Bread Fashionable Again

toastLately bread has become somewhat of a dirty word. With all of the low-carb or carb-free diets out there (Paleo, Whole 30, Atkins, South Beach), and the huge jump in gluten-free products, what used to be a diet staple is now often a shunned item falling off grocery lists around the country. Now The UK Federation of Bakers is challenging that, somewhat surprisingly, with a perfume. It’s call Eau de Toast, and it purportedly smells like breakfast, to not only remind the ladies to eat it, but to point out that bread should be included in the meal. To add a last little dig, the fragrance was debuted during London Fashion Week to a crowd that is notorious for avoiding bread to shed pounds.

It looks like their message was well received, because the fragrance is currently sold out. I mean, who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked bread? While you’re waiting for more to be available, the Federation suggests that you create your own perfume by popping a couple slices in your toaster oven, and want to remind you that bread has protein, fiber, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese. They say it should be about 10% of your daily food intake (remember how whole grains are a necessary part of the food pyramid?). It’s at least worth thinking about having a slice here or there to help “bring bread back into fashion.”

Celebrate Good Times

champagneI saw this quote on my way out of The Dutch last night after having a cocktail with a friend. As a champagne lover, it struck a chord. While some may interpret it as words spoken by a lush, I see it more as a reminder to take time and revel in the moment when you’re happy – preferably with champagne, or any other celebration to mark the time. In my opinion, there is not a more festive beverage that is usually reserved for special occasions, toasting to newlyweds and the new year. The other wonderful thing is that as a beverage, it has inspired some of your favorite stars and literary figures to say some fabulous things. Here are a few of my favorite quotes about the bubbly.

“My only regret in life is that I did not drink more Champagne.” – John Maynard Keynes

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” – Mark Twain

“Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it.” –Madame De Pompadour

 “Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life.” – Charles Dickens

 “Champagne makes you feel like it’s Sunday and better days are around the corner.” –Marlene Dietrich

Now go out and celebrate something!