greetings from sunny california
June 19th, 2009I am baaaaack in bloggy land… after a week of madness and our 12 hour flight. I am sitting here in our apartment for the summer in Los Angeles (it rocks!), with the fan blowing on full (it’s muggy here, but I know those back home in winter right now will kill me if I complain about the heat!), and listening to music while procrastinating unpacking. Security was easy peasy at LAX, we had this young black dude who didn’t seem to care what we were doing in America so no dramas there (after my last experience at LAX) - phew. As we came in, we were encompassed by the cloudy grey smog hugging the entire city and the amount of huge billboards advertising cheeseburgers/juicy ribs/pizza. Welcome to the United States baby!
As I said in my previous post, I love going to the supermarket to discover stuff about the culture I am living in. So off we went to the supermarché and as I had expected, the French boy was shocked by the aisles full of sugary sweet or slimy fat food in huge bulk packs. Everything seemed supersized. He could not get his head around the whole aisle full of jell-o (gelatin desserts in many different colours and flavours!), or the whole concept of SPAM (ham in a can!). I am sure alot of Americans do know how to eat well, but it must be hard growing up with alot of it so sugary/fatty and yet be bombarded with images of perfection at the same time here in California. I guess it often comes down to convenience - big packets/cheaper to buy in bulk.
So, according to various research on StateHealthFacts.org, California: the Percent of Adults Who are Overweight or Obese in 2008 is at 61.3%. At the same time, Californians are not as fat as their counterparts nationwide and tend to have more people with healthier lifestyles (probably has something to do with the constant images of thin, sexy celebrities here and the amount of places offering plastic surgery, or as one place promised today “a smile to die for”). Ha.
What I do love so far about LA is that it is a melting pot. The mix of different cultures and languages. Can hear Spanish spoken everywhere. Haven’t heard any Frenchies as yet 
I can’t wait to really discover this place. Stay tuned. 
Categories: los angeles
Nikki said
June 19, 2009 at 4:02 pm
You made it!!
Have fun exploring mah love.
xo
andromeda said
June 19, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I think there’s just more excuses to go outside in California. On the East coast the problem is always the weather, coldness for months at a time, so unless you’re the skiing type, there’s a definite hibernation/getting fat period every year. Also we East coasters seem to be more work focused, but this could be my stereotypes talking, I’ve never been to California, so you’ll be able to tell me if it’s true or not :-p
Cathy said
June 19, 2009 at 6:03 pm
welcome to america!
while in cali, grocery store wise, you should check out: whole foods, central market, and trader’s joe. i’m sure there are more but those 3 are known to be healthy, focus on organic, natural, etc. but of course they go up cost wise. Have fun exploring!
and have lots of fun in lovely CA!
Jennie said
June 19, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Welcome to Cali!
I really like California, but not so much LA (I hate the celebrity obsession there…) If I ever move back to the US, I’d like to live in the southwest. I love the numerous languages spoken everywhere too!
The obesity rates are much higher in the south (Mississippi, Alabama, etc.) mostly because of poverty and lack of education about good eating habits. The unhealthiest food is always the cheapest, which is a shame.
Isabella said
June 19, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Enjoy!!!
But as for the obesity:fattening foods factor, I agree! In so many ways! There is usually a giant selection of fruits & veggies too, but check out the breakfast cereal aisle. Sugar city!
They have also fried, fatty foods in the Netherlands, but they also make time for family here. I think this is also a part of it. In America, the fact that either most homes have only a single parent & who is working full-time or two parents who are working full-time, the kids are sometimes left to their devices. So the kids come home & must heat up their food in the microwave, which is usually frozen foods or other foods full of preservatives. I never was fed frozen dinners or greasy foods, except for the occasional trip to McDonalds, but many of my friends were almost daily. Today they suffer from some health issues and are only in their early-to-mid 30s.
I agree with an above comment that you ought to see Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. These grocery stores sell much healthier alternatives. Unfortunately it is more expensive.
Crystal said
June 20, 2009 at 4:13 am
so jealous!!! glad you made it there ok. Have a great time and be sure to post pics on facebook. I wish I were you!!
Monique said
June 20, 2009 at 5:06 am
Welcome to my home state
In our defense, lots of Californians eat super healthy! Go to smaller markets like Whole Foods or Trader Joes for a real treat
Especially in CA where the weather’s so nice all the time, lots of people are really active, riding bikes, running, surfing, etc. And if you have time, take the trip 1.5 hours north to Santa Barbara on the coast (just take the 405 N to 101 N) and you’ll see a different southern cali feel than that of LA.
Or make it to the Bay Area up in San Francisco. This part of CA (my home… NorCal!) is an even different feel all together!
Good luck and have a blast
Three Bay B Chicks said
June 24, 2009 at 9:32 am
I’d like to join your many fans in welcoming you to the great state of California. I hope you enjoy your time here. It is a very nice place to live…at least I have always liked it.
So you are in La-La land? I will be driving down to LA this weekend for a wedding. I heart LA. Where else can you find people with a tan year round?
-Francesca
adf said
June 25, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Welcome to America!!
If you think LA is diverse, come to NYC and visit my home borough of Queens– statistically, the most diverse place on the planet (and proud!).
Anyway, I agree with you about the health habits (or lack thereof) of us Americans. Quite sad, really.
But hey, at least we’re friendly!
Enjoy yourself and take care, love!
adf said
June 25, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Oh, I’ll link to my blog just in case anyone wants to see it
http://www.laragazzadoltremare.blogspot.com
parlezvouskiwi said
June 25, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Thanks all
I am LOVING the sunshine I must say. And am having fun exploring Pasadena and LA itself. Thanks so much for the recommendations for food places, we checked out Trader Joes and came home with bag fulls of organic goodness.. mmmm! 
Di said
June 25, 2009 at 6:31 pm
It reads delicious. I was there a long time ago and loved Los Angelos. I had to smile though, memories of it came pouring back in heavily polluted Istanbul when I lived there and now here in Belgium, same thing … a hot day with bad pollution and I smile over happy memories of LA.
We’re flying well for kiwis, don’t you think.
Travel safe and enjoy your time there.
parlezvouskiwi said
June 26, 2009 at 10:53 am
We sure are Di
x