Julie and Julia and sort of...me

I saw the movie Julie and Julia, last week and cried throughout. No, it wasn’t a tear-jerker for my son who so graciously accompanied me, but I wish I brought more tissues.

In this flick (without giving anything away), Julie writes a blog, adores cooking, and enjoys writing (me too.) She obsessed with Julia Child and writes about preparing each dish in Julia’s cookbook over the course of a year (not me). Laced throughout this film was a passion for cooking, eating, and appreciating all of the wonders the world of food offers. I especially loved that the respective husbands and friends of the two main characters joined in welcoming the gastronomic fireworks each dish provided, whether in a bistro in Paris or a tiny kitchen in Queens.

I, however, never had any desire to do anything with a duck or the hoof of any animal, or use butter as if it were the only food in the supermarket. Although so many touching scenes pulled at my heart strings, it’s my heart (and the hearts of my husband and 3 boys) that keeps me from adding too much of that amazing yellow delight! I do use butter sparingly when I bake because certain recipes just scream out for that magical taste…but for the most part, you can cook and bake more healthfully with a little creativity.

If you’re hooked on butter and you think you need to cut back, try using less or substituting healthier fats (canola oil, olive oil) instead.

Bon appetite!