I drink filtered tap water and have tried to avoid plastics with BPA (bisphenol A) so I drink out of a plastic nalgene bottle. However, it has the recycling number is 7 which can include plastics containing BPA, so you are stuck with trusting the company (I use a Nathan brand bottle) when they state “No BPA”. Here’s a short review of 3 types of plastic bottle concerns and their recycling symbols.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-friendly/plastic-bottles-toxins-water-bottles-460410

This morning I was able to bake my own baguette for breakfast. Heavenly!

I was inspired to immerse myself in French culture and their relationship with food after reading “French Kids Eat Everything” I’ve started to adopt the “French way” of eating meals. I used to have a filling breakfast and lunch would be a few hours later so I was never really hungry but I’d scarf down something easy to get, feel hungry about 4-4:30-ish, eat something and then dinner was whatever we felt like making.

I’ve found that eating a larger lunch (such as some eggplant parmesan followed by a veggie heavy salad with blue cheese and a touch of olive oil, a bite size cherry tart and espresso to finish), I have no problems with hunger later on. The biggest issue is eating slowly. I have an hour lunch and I’ve worked up to 30-35 minutes to complete my lunch. Before, I would throw back a chicken sandwich, fries and beverage in 10 minutes! But in the process, I find it so relaxing. Like waking up early before work and being able to relax in bed before getting up. So nice!

When 4 rolls around, if I do feel hungry, I just remind myself not to freak out and that it’s okay to feel hunger (just like the french mothers tell their children). Or if I wasn’t able to have a fulfilling lunch, I allow an orange or a tiny piece of dark chocolate and I savor it.

Also, having a diverse healthy menu is helpful too. I’ve become so sick of the same burger and fries, tacos and pizza that I could scream. I’ve never had many vegetables that French children usually have had by age 2! It’s exciting. I love food and despite the stigma of it in the US, I want to ENJOY food. That’s really what we can learn from the French – mindful eating and the pleasure of the eating experience.