Episode #6: “Pandemonium in Paris”

Facts

France is the most visited country in the world, with over 80 million visitors every year. The name France comes from the Latin word Francia, which means 'country of the Franks'. In 2012, the population of mainland France was just under 63 million. During World War II, Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in northern France. The first day of these landings is called D-Day.The most famous road bicycle race in the world, the Tour de France zig zags through the French landscape.

 

Games

Children in Paris, France have long played creative games that America and other countries have adopted.  Let’s look at some fun variations that les enfants ( children) like to play in the beautifully cultural city of Paris!

 

 

“Escargot” (Snail) Hop Scotch

Players:  1 or more

 

What you will need:  Chalk and a concrete play area !

 

How to play: Escargot is a both a traditional French culinary delight as well as really fun game for kids. Children draw a snail shell-shaped course in chalk, with the numbers increasing toward the center of the shell.  Each player takes a turn hopping on one foot towards the center of the snail shell. A player loses his turn if he touches any lines, hops in a square more than once, or puts both feet down in a square. All players can rest in the center circle. Once a player hops all the way to the center on one foot and back out again, he may choose one square as his “house” and place his initials in it.

This square becomes a resting place for him so he can take a break mid-turn; other players must avoid  “house “ squares by hopping over them.

When no one can reach the center or when all the squares have been taken, the game is over.  Player with the most "house" squares wins.  Bonne chance! ( Good Luck!)

 

       

 

“La Petanque” ( Little Piggy)

 

Players:  2-8 players

 

What you will need:  8 Hard colored balls (at least 2 colors) and a wooden Piggy or small object

 

How to Play: La Petanque is a French game very similar to American Horseshoes.  Split the children into two even teams.   A player from Team 1 tosses the Piggy or similar object onto the ground. Next, each player from Team 2 takes a turn tossing their colored balls at the Piggy in an attempt to get their ball as close to the Piggy as possible. Team 2’s balls stay on the playing surface and Team 1 tosses their balls at the Piggy. The team whose ball is closest to the Piggy Wins. Players on the winning team then count how many of their team's balls are closer to the Piggy than the other teams' balls, earning a point for each one. Children can play as many rounds as they like, with the highest scoring team winning or  the first team to 21 wins!!   Vingt-et-un!( 21!)  Commence!! (begin!)

 


 

 

Fabulous Foods of France

 

Escargot  have been eaten for thousand of years and is considered a true delicacy in France.  Did you know there are "Snail Farms" in France, especially designed to raise and harvest these delicious little morsels. They are a wonderful source of protein and their history dates back to the Cave Man!

 

 

Have you ever wondered how fruits and vegetables are grown in other countries. European countries do not have the same available open farming areas like those found in America.   Historically, most French vegetables were grown in a family gardens called potagers.  Now, most of the fresh fruits and vegetables now come from smaller gardens found on the outskirts of town, worked by maraichers or market gardeners… and brought into the town’s open markets.  Let’s look at some of the yummy thing you can find in a Paris open market.

Green Lentils - Lentille Verte

Lentils have a mild, often earthy flavor, and they're best if cooked with assertive flavorings. The best, most delicate lentils are the peppery French green lentils.

 

     

    

 

Cherry Trees – Yes, they blossom and produce an amazing fruit.  Note the beautiful Cherry Trees just outside the Eiffel Tower!  Cherries are considered a "stone" fruit, as they have a single large pit (seed) inside, much like  apricots, plum, nectarines, and peaches. Can you image making a delicious cherry pie, or a cherry fruit salad with nuts?  Be careful, your lips might turn

red:-)

 

    

 

Vanilla-Cherry Smoothie

What you'll need

  • One cup apple juice or cider
  • Half cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • One teaspoon vanilla extract
  • One and a half cups frozen pitted cherries

 

How to make it

Blend all ingredients together. Serves 2