Sucrose loading

Sometimes an odd synchronicity occurs in the translation world, when several clients, separated by time zones, international borders and oceans, will offer you documents for translation with amazingly similar topics. This time, it was back surgery. More specifically, I was asked to translate several medical journal articles on percutaneous vertebroplasty and patents on osteosynthesis devices. Since Sweetie was out of the country anyway, I figured it was as good a time as any to be holed up in my apartment. After pounding away on my keyboard at all hours of the day and night for two weeks (sorry, neighbors!), I finally emerged from my studio Friday, and found that Paris hadn’t waited for me. It’s springtime.

When I wasn’t at the computer, I was reading a book by Gary Taubes called Good Calories, Bad Calories. I’m now shocked at how heavy my diet is in simple carbohydrates, and I made a firm commitment to cut out sugars and starches. With that promise to myself, I headed to Crêperie Josselin near the Montparnasse tower for a ham, cheese and egg crêpe, hard cider and a big bowl of rum raisin ice cream. Hey, I’ve got a lot of planning to do before I start the diet.

I’ve heard Josselin gets packed. Maybe it was because I got there a little late for lunch, or maybe it was the construction outside, but I had the place almost to myself. That made it easier to admire the lace-covered lamps, knickknacks and pictures of Brittany on the walls as I wondered how long I would be able to eat eggs every morning on the diet before the sight of them would make me puke.

With lunch over, I walked to my favorite chocolate shop, Patrick Roger, to view his window display for Easter. Since I buy premium chocolate only every few months, I decided to treat myself to some of his special Easter creations. I chose the chocolate cocoa pod, filled with an assortment of chocolates. Smart teal bag in hand, I walked back to my apartment, still aware of the puddle of melted butter and hard cider in my stomach. 

 
 

Yesterday was “Jour du Macaron” at Pierre Hermé’s boutiques, a yearly event where you can get 3 free macarons of your choice. I missed it last year, so made sure to go this time. I chose the chuao, citron and caramel au beurre salé (chocolate and black currant, lemon and salted-butter caramel) flavors. It's funny, no matter how many flavors I try, my favorite is good old caramel.

I still have a macaron in the fridge, and I haven’t even cracked open the cocoa pod yet. It’s going to take me a while to eat all that. That’s OK though; I require at least two weeks of sucrose loading before I’m ready to start a diet.

 

Comments

[Jenny N]

Jennifer! It seems funny to say "glad you're back" when you ARE "where" you ARE, but it is nice hear you are working away and finding time for sweet Parisian treats. I am curious as to the "assortment of chocolates" in the chocolate pod, how intriguing. I can't say one thing about a diet because I am no means good ata prescribed way of eating, just that I wish you the best in city where I can only assume tempations are available and so exquisitely on display. Happy Spring!

[Jennifer K]

Hi Jenny N, thanks for leaving a comment! I'll try to post a picture of the chocolate pod once I open it. My camera has been acting strange lately though so I hope it will work. I'm very curious too -- someone on another blog raved about Patrick Roger's praline-filled chocolate oysters so I asked the lady if there were any inside. She couldn't guarantee that but said it would be an assortment. I hope there's one in there!! These things are very important.