Wow! It’s octobre, fashion week and ze city of lights is now ze city of punaises. Oui, Oui, bed bugs have invaded Paris. But do not fret too much, we have compiled images to make you ” fall in love” with Paris again!
Wow! It’s octobre, fashion week and ze city of lights is now ze city of punaises. Oui, Oui, bed bugs have invaded Paris. But do not fret too much, we have compiled images to make you ” fall in love” with Paris again!
Today is National Macaron Day and we learned a thing or deux of how to pipe the perfect macaron from Chef Sarah of Cook’n with Class Paris. Check out more of the video on our Instagram.
1 hr 50 min
30 minutes
20 minutes
for 30 macarons
Macarons
Vanilla Buttercream
Recette via Tasty
It is such a great cultural and linguistic adventure to celebrate le mois de la francophonie. We share this video of our friends from Ile de Saint Maurice! Bon app!
“Be committed to the relationship you have with yourself. As women, we get so committed to other relationships, but we tend to toss ourselves away. We get around to ourselves now and then. So, really care for who you are. Be committed to loving yourself. Take care of your heart and soul.” – Louise Hay
As Women’s Month comes to an end, I wanted to highlight women who are making an impact in their communities. I have been practicing yoga for years now and Sandy Gola has been my yoga instructor for some time now.
I have learned various poses and movements from Gola; although, I would say one of my favorite yoga poses is Shavasana, oui, oui– SHAVASANA!
O.O.J.S.F: How did you get started with yoga?
S.G: I was working in the graphic design and advertising industry, in my own business. It was quite stressful with deadlines, responsibilities and a variety of clients to please. As an outlet to burn off some of my Type-A energy, I enjoyed working out and taking fitness classes at the Montclair Y. Eventually, they recruited me to teach some classes myself. I found the combination of day job and evening job created a perfect balance for me. I loved calling out the moves, choosing the music, and coming up with the choreography for my high impact classes with plenty of jumping! I also loved the good feelings and the natural relaxation that happened after a strong workout.
An injury sidelined me for awhile, and led me to seek a form of exercise that wouldn’t upset my shins. I discovered some “Power Yoga” videos, a vigorous form of yoga that added a new dimension to things I had previously experienced. It had all the dynamics of strong physical exercise, the same endorphin high, but there was more to it. With the peacefulness I felt afterward, the meditative quality of the practice, and the focused attention, I was hooked enough to know I had to find a live class. I saw a brochure for a teacher with a very similar style to those videos. His name was Raji Thron and he was teaching classes in Starseed in Montclair on the weekends. The year was 1998. I would go to every Saturday and Sunday class for several years. Then in 2006, I took his “Yoga Synthesis” teacher training and became a yoga teacher myself.
O.O.J.S.F: And for how long have you been a yogi?
S.G: I can’t say I typically refer to myself as a yogi (or yogini), since I tend to think of that person as a master of the tradition. But looking up the common definition of yogi, it is used to describe:
1: a person who practices yoga – yes, I’ve been practicing for 23 years.
2: an adherent of Yoga philosophy – the Yoga philosophy is rich and varied. I would say my personal philosophy is wide ranging and includes elements of many of the world’s diverse spiritual traditions, I have an interest in the subtle energetic bodies, particularly the emotional and mental bodies and their effects on the physical realm.
O.O.J.S.F: What is yoga and why is it important to practice it?
S.G: Yoga is an ancient technology developed for the attainment of maximum human potential. In the earliest known texts about Yoga, physical postures or asanas were barely mentioned. Codes of ethics and ways to see the world and consciousness were woven into allegorical stories. Modern yoga has evolved to include more physical exercises than it once did. Through the practice of yoga, one can achieve a sense of unity with that which is divine in all of us. Yoga is not a religion, but practicing it does produce a sense of awe and curiosity about the spiritual aspects of existence. We can learn many things about ourselves and the world as we perceive it. Yoga helps to soften one’s perspective and see things from a place of heart-centered consciousness. The physical practice of yoga brings many benefits in terms of external health and wellness. But the internal benefits of practicing yoga are far greater still.
O.O.J.S.F: What does self care mean to you? And what do you do to incorporate that as part of your lifestyle?
S.G: I think of self care as an ability to come into balance. It is so important as we go through the various cycles and stages of life. I am 66 now and my mom is 98, so I do believe I can provide a bit of perspective on the issue.
Personally, I like to spend time in nature, around and on the water. I’m an avid sailor, paddle boarder and kayaker. Being outside is very healing to my soul. I also enjoy spending time on my creative projects, writing on my book or working on a piece of artwork. I read a lot of transformational books and books about different spiritual traditions. I meditate, by myself and with the use of online tools and guided meditations. Above all, I try to hook my consciousness onto something positive.
O.O.J.S.F: Why is it important for women to take care of themselves?
S.G: The need for self care flows along with the stage of development and age of the person, for example:
Adolescent and young adults are looking to find their place in the world. They may be dealing with self-worth issues and anxiety about their futures. Or they may have a youthful sense of immortality and take risky chances. Hormones can be in overdrive. Certainly learning about being a woman and dealing with cycles is no easy matter. For young women, this would be the time to explore what works best, when it’s time to go for the gusto and when it’s time to relax and restore. Ancient cultures did a much better job with this than we do today, I think. We aren’t given much of a roadmap of what it’s like to be a woman, I’m afraid.
People in the next age group are often trying to juggle high powered careers with home lives that are also extremely active. Here they might still need very vigorous practices to work the energy through their system. Introducing more meditative and quieting, relaxing strategies will also be very helpful here. Often people don’t like to do what they really need, preferring to do what they feel comfortable. For example, a type-A person will continue to do type-A routines, when they would benefit more from a very laid back, relaxing routine.
The hormonal changes of middle age can also throw one for a loop. I know yoga has helped a lot of women cope with peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms. For many, it’s a sort of lifeline. Anything that one needs to do for oneself at this stage, from taking supplements to trying modalities like massage, acupuncture, reiki, could be helpful. It is a stage of rich potential, but it can feel a bit like walking a minefield while going through it. But, I’m here to say there is hope and it does get better once the hormones level off again.
The early years of retirement and semi-retirement are often the best times of a woman’s life, according to a lot of people I’ve spoken to. There’s time to be with grandchildren, to nurture projects long neglected, to take classes and explore new things.
Older seniors can find their lives more difficult if they are beset with health challenges. There’s time for self reflection and hopefully still time to engage with family and friends in a meaningful way. My 98 year old mom loves it when she is the focus of attention, when people make a fuss over her age. She’s earned it, so why not?
O.O.J.S.F: As we are still going through the pandemic, how can we cope with this new normal?
S.G: For the last few years, I struggled with the news and felt compelled to stay on top of the news cycle. I now try to pick up my writing work first or do a meditation before I read the news of the day to avoid becoming drawn into negativity. I also seek out news sources that promote positive stories by subscribing to newsletters, like “Yes – A Better World Today,” “This Girl is On Fire,” “Brain Pickings by Maria Popova” and “Atlas Obscura.”
If there’s one thing the pandemic teaches us, it’s about the power of resilience. The capability to go through previously unimaginable tragedy and come out of it with the ability to feel joy and love is a triumph of the human spirit. Seek out and find those stories that uplift us. Find and nurture connections wherever you find them. Tap into the gratitude in your heart, be grateful for little things. Smile and be kind (even if you are wearing a mask) to a stranger. Look directly into someone’s eyes when you talk. They are the gateway to the heart. You can tell if a person is smiling just by looking at their eyes.
O.O.J.S.F: What books or meditation apps would you recommend ?
S.G.: I love the Insight Timer app – the free version has a ton of available content. You can participate in all kinds of online classes and events like sound healing. The Calm app is another favorite for guided meditations, music and classes, I just love Tamara Levitt’s no-nonsense approach to meditation. The Daily Om is another wonderful source of positive inspiring messages. If you like to listen to audio books, a subscription to Hay House Books gives unlimited access to their full library of transformational (self-help) books and is well worth it. Subtle Energy Sciences makes leading edge meditation aids that I use every day. Lately, I’ve been listening to a podcast on Spotify called “How to Fail” with Elizabeth Day. She speaks to the concept that it’s in failure that we learn how to truly succeed.
Currently, I’m reading “Worth” by Bharti Dhir. It’s an incredible memoir by an Asian-African woman who faced many challenges, including being abandoned at birth.
Do you want to try out YOGA with Sandy Gola?
Here is a playlist of my Yoga Lounge videos are 1/2 hour each. These were originally done for Facebook live and they explore and address various topics.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIID_3SuzY8i_jXQWuhew12WtaS0mITw
For short 20 minute sequences that may be put together to form a complete class, see the videos we did with Bloomfield Recreation.
https://vimeo.com/search?q=sandy%20gola
Studio 108’s YouTube page contains several videos with me and other teachers as well. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz8LzK1LWyb2sD9G966XuMg/videos
Socialize with Sandy Gola:
Check out Sandy Gola’s blog:
Yoga In Transition.” I’m very excited about it:
https://yogaintransition.blogspot.com/
Beignets in French and Botokoin in Ewe: Èʋegbe language, this street food is a popularly known breakfast food in Togo that is easy to recreate à la maison.
recette via jeanette-cuisine.fr
Ingrédients:
Pour 4 à 5 personnes
C’est déjà 10 ans ou is it 11 years already?
Well, actually Oui, Oui ‘s Facebook page was launched 10 years ago and Facebook is a great reminder of how far we have come with a community of more than 160, 000.
However, I had launched Oui, Oui, Je Speak Franglais in 2009 after I had applied to le programme d’assistants de langue and ended up in Lille. I literally remember pacing around trying to come up with names, that were witty, fun yet easy to role of one’s tongue et voilà, the name Oui, Oui, Je Speak Franglais came to mind.
Oui, Oui, started off as a campaign because I wanted to inspire my students in Lille, France to speak English because learning a target language has its challenges. Before then, my path was clear just as any university graduate pursuing their life’s dream in tv production and marketing. After two years of working in those sectors back to back I lost my job and that was a catalyst that taught me about life and change. Moreover , deeply understanding that change is the only thing that’s constant.
Now, Oui, Oui, is more than a campaign but a bicultural and bilingual lifestyle company. I have curated many programs, initiatives, met people from all walks of life and shared countless memes on social media… I am looking forward to do more!
So simply put … whatever you want to accomplish in la vie, you can do it whilst afraid; however, you must be consistent and always do it with conviction. If you do get tired on your journey, learn to rest and don’t quit.
Merci mille fois for being a part of The Oui, Oui, Je Speak Franglais Community!
And remember each day is the perfect jour to vivre, être, parler franglais!
p.s: What’s your favorite thing about being bilingual?
Nowadays, there are very little options to entertain so we tend to binge on Netflix. While others may love the notion of Netflix and Chill , I would like to introduce Netflix and Voyager– oui, oui, –watch and travel. So the film that inspired me to write this article is Netflix’s, The Old Guard.
[Spoiler alert] The Old Guard starring Charlize Theron, Kiki Lane and Chiwetel Ejiofor has a group of immortal mercenaries globe-trot through time and places such as Sudan, Afghanistan and Francophone cities in Morocco and France, while saving humanity.Although, The Old Guard was only filmed in two locations-England and Morocco– which you would not know just from the pure genius of set designers … we thought , we’d create a bucket list for those who would want to travel to the Francophone cities/towns featured in le film.
✈︎ Marrakesh, Morocco
What to do: Get lost in the Medina- There’s no other way to have a lens through local life than at the Medina, with bustling noises, beautiful colors and eclectic wares.
Where to stay: El Fenn Hotel ( actually featured in The Old Guard)
✈︎ Goussainville, France
What to do: Goussainville is an abandoned old town in the outskirts of Paris. Since this town is directly in the path of the Charles de Gaulle airport and also a ghost town, there’s not much to do or see.
Where to stay: There is a list of hotels; however since this town is not quite touristy… many may book hotels in its environs since it is close to the airport.
✈︎ Val d’Argent, France
What to do: Adventure off into the ancient silver mines of Parc Tellure.
Where to stay: Chambres d’hôtes du Val d’Argent —
✈︎ Paris, France
What to do: It takes more than days, months, years to discover Paris— it takes a lifetime. But we’d recommend you to explore the off beaten path of the architectural gem of the Gare de Lyon’s Le Train Bleu.
Where to stay: Hotel Splendid Etoile
So get your Netflix and Bon voyage!
Crème brûlée, which literally means burnt cream, is a dessert of custard–topped with caramelized sugar. My first time ever ordering this dessert was about 15 years. It was at a bistro in le quartier de la Bastille and ever since then, Oui, Oui — you guessed it, crème brûlée is usually my first choice when ordering dessert in a resto. I mean , pourquoi pas? This creamy custard leaves me craving for more.
Thanks to Mon Petit Four’s, Beeta Hashempour, you too can recreate this decadent recette for yourself or guests. Bon app!
Yield: 5 Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Creamy vanilla custard baked until set, then topped with a caramelized sugar topping.
If you decide to make this recipe for 2 people, divide the recipe in half and use 8 oz. ramekins.
5 Servings
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 423
And if it so happens that you need help pronouncing crème brûlée, we’ve got you covered!
French Week :
Tuesday, July 7- Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Bonjour friends! Welcome to the 5th edition of French Week.
Oui, Oui, Je Speak Franglais prides itself in curating forward thinking events and this year, we were definitely put to the test. As we celebrate the 5th edition of French Week, we have launched and oui… you guessed it —‘oui’ are going completely VIRTUAL!
This year, more than ever, the world has taught and shown us why it’s important to come together and lean on our humanity. Most importantly, it has made us to effusively examine how the motto of Liberté, égalité, fraternité should not be afforded to just a few but to all.
So as we celebrate the revolution, we should remember … ‘Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”– Fannie Lou Hamar
Our 7 days (jours) of being French goes live with ‘apéro talks, language, culture, and cooking workshops, fête after fête and much more.
Tuesday, July 7 at 14h (NYC) – 20h (PARIS)
Apéro with Oui, Oui: NDL- Hip-Hop & Afrobeat Artist
[su_custom_gallery source=”media: 7636″ width=”460″ height=”450″]Wednesday, July 8 at 14h (NYC) – 20h (PARIS)
Cooking workshop with The Parisian Kitchen’s -Florence Richomme, Parisian Food Blogger
[su_button url=”https://www.myparisiankitchen.com/en/peach-melba-esay-recipe-and-story-behind/” target=”blank”]INGREDIENTS LIST[/su_button]Thursday, July 9 at 14h30 (NYC) and 20h30 (Paris)
Apéro with Oui, Oui: Alexis Buisson- French Journalist
Monday, July 13 at 14h30 (NYC) and 20H30 (PARIS)
Apero with Oui, Oui: Tanisha Townsend-Chief Wine Officer
Tuesday, July 14 at 11h (NYC) and 17h (Paris)
Learn French with Oui, Oui, Je Speak Franglais
[su_button url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learn-french-with-oui-oui-je-speak-franglais-tickets-113271052768″ target=”blank”]RSVP[/su_button]Tuesday, July 14 at 12h (NYC) 18h (Paris)
Cooking with Chef Fraudeau
[su_button url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cooking-with-french-chef-eric-fraudeau-of-cookn-with-class-tickets-113271620466″ target=”blank”]RSVP[/su_button]Tuesday, July 14 at 15h (NYC) 19h (GHANA)
Live performance with Seyram Music as he plays the guitar with sounds of traditional folk music paired with hints of highlife and reggae influences.
[su_button url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/french-week-concert-tickets-113273782934″ target=”blank”]RSVP[/su_button]Tuesday, July 14 at 15h30 (NYC) and 19H30 (SENEGAL)
Live performance with Ousseynou M’Baye as he takes as back to the beating heartbeat of Senegal! Let’s dance SABAR!
[su_button url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/french-week-concert-tickets-113276549208″ target=”blank”]RSVP[/su_button]Tuesday, July 14 at 17h (NYC) and 23h (PARIS)
Live performance with Monsieur Rivera as you get a front seat to watch the fireworks with La grande dame de fer (La Tour Eiffel).
[su_button url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/french-week-concert-tickets-113276795946″ target=”blank”]RSVP[/su_button]Tuesday, July 14 at 20h ( NYC) and 2h (PARIS)
Live concert with Jose Morales as he plays popular Spanish songs
[su_button url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/french-week-concert-tickets-113277407776″ target=”blank”]RSVP[/su_button]A big MERCI to all our partners for making this possible.
Check back shortly to get updates on a list of activities/programming for French Week!
Whichever rue you find yourself in 2022, wishing and hoping for you a world of happiness!
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Enter our giveaway on our Facebook page as contest winners will receive postcards from La ville lumière, Paris!
Thursday, July 8, 2021
Enter our giveaway on our Facebook page to win online French language class.
Friday, July 9, 2021
Enter our giveaway on our Facebook page as contest winners will receive postcards from La ville lumière, Paris!
Saturday, July 10, 2021
Join us on our market tour and learn how to find fresh produce to cook a delicious French meal.
Sunday, July 11, 2021
Cooking with Chef Eric Fraudeau of Cookn’ with Class
Chef Eric will be cooking with our community and is representing: Cook’n With Class Paris and Let’s Eat the World – Cook’n With Class Experiences.
Instagram: @cooknwithclass.paris, @_letseattheworld
Facebook: @cooknwithclass.paris, @cooknwithclass.experiences
Web: https://cooknwithclass.com & https://letseattheworld.com
Menu and Recette:
Poireaux à la Vinaigrette Mimosa
Tartar de Saumon
Soufflé au Chocolat
Monday, July 12, 2021
TBA
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
TBA
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
TBA