My Tuesday routine is to go to the open air farmer’s market on Boulevard de Strasbourg. It is a larger farmer’s market with many fruit and vegetable sellers. I usually pick up some fruit for lunch. Now that it is strawberry season I always buy the strawberries from the man who only sells a little asparagus and strawberries. I am making the assumption that he raises the strawberries but he could just be a reseller. I have also bought olives and cheese from those stands as well.

When I was walking back, I realize that while here in France, I have eaten very little food that was not fresh. All my fruits and vegetables are bought from the farmers or open air markets. The meat, poultry and seafood is all bought in the Victor Hugo market so I know that is fresh and local. The only processed foods I eat are cereal for breakfast and the occasional cookie. Also, the milk I drink is local. It is produced by a cooperative.

The philosophical part was trying to figure out how I could continue this lifestyle when I return to Alexandria. I think much of it is doable but will be a little more difficult as I cannot walk to the locations that will have the same type of food and experience. There is a market similar to Victor Hugo – not as large – but similar called Eastern Market. I will have to take the Metro to get there so it will take more time to do the shopping. There is a seafood market at the Wharf which will again require a Metro ride to get there. The one area that will not be as hard to do is fruit and vegetables. There is a farmers market on Saturday at Market Square. This is easy to get to and so will be definitely doable. The difference is the shopping will not be able to be done daily or every other day. I will have to be more organized and figure out what I need on a weekly basis and then shop at the different locations.

I will not get as much walking in as the markets are not within walking distance but I will just have to make myself do a not purposeful walk every day. I am getting in lots of steps every day as I walk everywhere here. I have not been in a car since I arrived in Toulouse. I took the bus from the airport and then walked from the stop to the apartment. I have ridden the metro twice but every other thing I have done is by foot. I have been walking around 15k steps per day since I have been here. It is definitely keeping/getting me in shape. This and the runs definitely have me active. I live on the six floor of an apartment building and I walk down the steps when I leave the apartment. I have not been determined enough to walk up the six floors every time.

The test will be whether I can maintain this type of life style which is both good for me and I like when I return to the United States. The good thing about not working is that I have the time to do the things I want so I need to keep that in mind when I start falling off.

I had a great lunch today. Risotto with onions. Again, part of the healthy and enjoyable lifestyle I am trying to embrace.

Have a fun run as usual with the Run in Toulouse group tonight. The weather was perfect and the group is always fun. I am feeling more a part of the group since I have met and talked to more people.