Elegant Survival

In a Wall Street Journal article adapted from her new book, “Bringing up Bébé” (Penguin Press; February, 2012) , Pamela Druckerman of France reveals Gallic secrets of educating small children for a lifetime of civilised behaviour. Every parent who is experiencing stress and bewilderment at the process of training tots can benefit from learning traditional French techniques and philosophies that, when effectively employed, will positively affect the most important years of their progeny's lives.
  Why French Parents Are Superior, by Pamela Druckerman

Assembling an Elegant Spinach and Artichoke Casserole: Line Bottom of Baking Pan with Butter. Spread with Artichoke Pieces and Fresh Spinach

Spinach and Artichoke Casserole is Topped with Cream Cheese and Mayonnaise Mixture, then Sprinkled with Grated Parmesan

See ELEGANT VEGETABLES for M-J's  Elegant Spinach and Artichoke Casserole Recipe

The Rescue Tool by Victorinox of Switzerland comes with a matching nylon holster that, like the tool itself, can be found in low light.

Our Elegant Victorinox Swiss Army Rescue Tool

  Sierra Valley Trading Company is proud to offer only products that are MADE IN THE USA, and thus they are KEEPING THE DOLLARS AT HOME 

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Short, tight jacket with tiny, lumpy trousers--I found this photo of Justin Timberlake after viewing some seriously bad clothes on the fellow in December's Esquire (U.K. Edition; see my picture below). So just what do high income and position get you these days? How about a tailor who doesn't send you out looking like a Lilliputian, twisted freak, especially if you are gaining on six feet tall? The shorty-legs illusion wrought by trousers that are too tight and have a three-inch rise, the billowing shirt with nothing to tuck it into...this is the epitome of fashion-victimhood. People are so inured to the tragic look shown here that they would likely ask what I'm talking about. Therefore, I recommend reading  my article written in 2010, entitled "Remember Elegantly-Dressed Men?"

©M-J de Mesterton; January 3rd 2012

Elegant Survival and THE ELEGANT COOK Wish You the Best of Everything in 2012!

The late Christopher Hitchens, whom  we knew and loved, has been featured on the Elegant Culture and Travel page for many years.  Hitch was an expert on the Elgin Marbles, and many other international topics of contention, as well as a fierce proponent of liberty and justice. Christopher Hitchens wrote scathing, insighful interpretations of contemporary people and traditional institutions. His brilliant wit and spirit will live on in our midst.

An Elegant, Nutritious Drink for Winter Health: M-J's Vegetable Smoothie Buttermilk, lemon juice, raw broccoli, celery, jalapeño pepper, and cucumber blended together make an excellent breakfast tonic. ©M-J de Mesterton

Grundéns' Technologically-Advanced Waterproof and Wind-Proof Clothing Is Available at All-Weather Gear.com

The Irony Is So Thick, You Can Cut It with a Knife!--M-J

A food product that has been considered "health-enhancing" is potentially dangerous in its many forms. It is found in baked good, snack-foods, oils, "milks", canned drinks for senior citizens, and even pills. Soy, especially the unfermented type that is popular with vegetarians and Asian cuisine aficionados like me (Szechuan-style tofu being one of my old favourite dishes), has some qualities that are hazardous to human health. And not all of these dodgy properties are born of genetic-modification (soybeans are notorious as a GMO crop). Some are inherent in the plant itself. Potential victims of soy are men, women, unborn babies, and the elderly. Adults and children alike should consider a delicious, nutritious alternative to soy milk: almond milk, to augment their daily protein intake.

In this article, Dr. Joseph Mercola explains why, and offers some alternative ideas to ingesting this industrial crop, a large portion of which has been genetically modified and is believed to be a cause of hormonal imbalances as well as several types of cancer.

©M-J de Mesterton 2011

Nutritious Almond Products, Healthy Alternatives to Soy-Based Foods

Blue Diamond Growers of Sacramento, California have produced some delicious new low-carb, gluten-free crackers and a line of almond milks that are very low-carbohydrate and dairy-free.

Read about Boosting Your Immunity to Disease Naturally, Instead of Following the Expedient Advice of an Untrustworthy Entity that May Be Supported by the Pharmaceutical Industry

Dr. Joseph Mercola writes:

"Ultimately it is the state of your immune system that determines whether or not you will get sick from being exposed to viral or bacterial organisms associated with infectious diseases like the flu.

The key to boosting your immune system, then, and making it a "lean, mean, disease-fighting machine" lies in your lifestyle habits -- healthy food, stress relief, exercise, sleep, and safe exposure to sunlight, among other things. Artificially manipulating your immune system with a vaccine to try to stay healthy is not the same thing, nor does it produce the same kind of immunity and sought-after, disease-fighting result. It may actually make you less healthy in the long run.

Since numerous studies show that vitamin D boosts immunity, particularly vitamin D3, the first thing you want to do is make sure you maintain your vitamin D levels at 50-70 ng/ml year-round. The only way you can be sure of what your levels are is to be tested. For an in-depth explanation of everything you need to know before you get tested, please read my latest updates in Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency.

While a supplement is OK, the best way to get your vitamin D is with safe exposure to sunshine, or by using a safe tanning bed (one with electronic ballasts rather than magnetic ballasts, to avoid unnecessary exposure to EMF fields). Other things that you can do include eating healthy, avoiding sugars and artificial sweeteners, exercising, and getting enough sleep. I address these issues in my free nutrition plan.  My free one-hour vitamin D lecture can help you."

Other supplements that can be used as an adjunct to healthy dietary and lifestyle measures are listed in Dr. Mercola's article on avoiding flu without dangerous vaccines.

READ DR. MERCOLA'S FULL ARTICLE

Plan to face a weakening electrical grid in the U.S., due to poor planning and other corrosive forces--read a Wall Street Journal editorial entitled, "If the Lights Go Out".

Photo Copyright M-J de Mesterton 2008

Eat fruit sparingly. Dr. Mercola has published a chart showing the varying degrees of fructose in fruits. I'm happy to report that cranberries are low in this sort of sugar (there are many cranberry juices that are produced without added sugar). Many processed foods are laced with high-fructose corn syrup  or contain added fructose. Read the following report by Dr. Mercola  for more information:

Article on the Dangers of Fructose, by Dr. Joseph Mercola

A large hemorrhage-control bandage for application to gaping wounds has been developed by the Israeli Army. These are survival tools that everyone should have in their bug-out bags and first aid kits.

©M-J de Mesterton

A collection of solar G-Shock watches by Casio basks in the sun, getting all charged-up to survive for months of multi-function use. These G-Shocks are among the world's toughest and most dependable watches, and each of these models tells time in 48 cities and 29 time zones around the planet; each also includes useful lighted display, alarm, timer and stopwatch functions. And because the iconic G-Shock lateral tank shape is now available in a range of colours and surface treatments, ladies and gents alike may use these rugged watches as fashion accessories. I wear mine with both country clothes and evening clothes--ladies often are amused by the unusual juxtaposition of tough military-inspired styling and silk chiffon...: a G-Shock in the right colour is an unexpected boon to any woman of substance! 

©M-J de Mesterton 2011

http://www.infowars.com/senators-demand-military-lock-up-americans-in-battlefield-defined-as-outside-your-window/

As  of today, basic liberties may be out the window...READ THIS ARTICLE!

M-J de Mesterton is elegantly dressed for a wintry Saturday evening at home with her husband. An Eddie Bauer classic  Skyliner down jacket, a Casio G-Shock watch and black pearls complement a form-fitting gown.

©Elegant Survival November 2011