At this is the time of year my mailbox is always stuffed with tips and tricks to finally eat better, lose weight, discover my hidden self and find the path to enlightenment. Most of the time I will automatically hit the delete button but I have on occasion, reviewed these recipes for a “better me” to see, just in case, if I have missed something. After all you never know what may flip your switch, that is of course, if your switch needs flipping.

There is one sentiment that I have always thought a useful tool when trying to decide if any of these helpful holiday hints are really for me. ” If you keep doing what you have always done, then you will keep getting what you have always got.”  What I like most about this statement is that it gives you the responsibility and choice to make changes in your life.  It suggests you review your current approach to  life and then you can evaluate if you like what you are getting or you don’t. If you want something different then what you have, then you need to make the changes. 

The best part of this directive is that it  highlights two of the core tenets of Eat Well Shanghai, being mindful and the power of choices.  Eating well is about  making healthy choices and enjoying every bite of that choice. Make this the year that you find delcious  food that is good for you.  Think about what would taste best at this moment, think about what makes you feel satisfied and then enjoy every bite.  Shanghai has street after street of food that will give you the energy and pizzazz you need to get the most out of your time in this  crazy place. 

So for the upcoming New Year Season my EWS healthy tip for 2012 is:  Keep what  works well, change what isn’t helping and  enjoy every eating experience this city has to offer.   That suggestion alone should  keep you busy right up to 2013 and we here at EWS will be right along  with you discovering the healthiest and tastiest bites in Shanghai.

Eat Well, Live Well and from all of us at EWS, we wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year !

I reminded myself this morning that I need to get this post done before life gets ahead of me ( once again). It also occurs to me that this sentiment is the perfect opening for the subject of this blog, Slow Food.                                                                     

This past Saturday I attended one of the most fun foodie events I have been to in many years.   The Shanghai Slow Food Convivium chose the lovely Top of the Hilton to host Shanghai’s very first public event celebrating the Slow Food principles of Good, Clean and Fair food.   For the lucky people that attended , there were yummy samples from restaurants, who can forget the Soletta mozzerella cheese featured by Mr. Willis?  and Anna Maya’s delectable vegan black sesame balls as well as the individual home chefs that offered samples of their delicious meals available for private catering.  There was  a nice array of  small and family run organic farms and a good supply of organic wines to round out the afternoon.

The relaxed atmosphere reflected the philosophy of the Slow Food Movement. The attendees  had time to savor the many food samples and share ideas with the vendors on why this movement makes sense,especially in the frenetic enviornment of Shanghai. And if you weren’t sure what the buzz was all about there were several speakers from the Italian consulate ( Italy pioneered the Slow Food movement), Greenpeace and local organic farm experts.

If you want to know more about the Slow Food Movement you can read my previous August blog on the subject and I encourage you to contact www.slowfood-shanghai.org    Watch for more Slow Food events coming in the  new year. You won’t want to miss another one.

You can also enjoy the fruits of the movement at any one of the following restaurants and small food purveyors.

Restaurants: Kush, Mr. Willis, Origin, Qi Min Hot Pot,Annamaya,Downstairs,Melange Oasis,Madison,Organic Kitchen.

 Catering Services: The Elmz( Jamaican cuisine,mohini1008@hotmail.com),food by emma p.(eprigent@yahoo.fr) and Quiche Me (quichemeshanghai@gmail.com)

Many of these vendors and a few more can be found at the Jiashan Market this Saturday, December 17th.

Eat Well Live Well Have Fun !