Close to nature: à la française

As the world goes ga ga about environment, recycling and all the other jargons that is equivalent to going back to nature, I wonder how many of us actually in our personal lives try to consciously live a lifestyle which is closer to nature. I know it is tough considering that we live in a world becoming fast consumeristic and commercial, where things like plastic bags and mobile phones (which use coaltan, a mineral that has the whole of Africa in conflict) indispensable. In the case of mobile phones, I am amazed at the rapidity with which individuals change their phones. I, as I am end up developing a personal relationship with mine and each change is traumatic. I am sure all the world's anti-globalisation, environment activists send their messages from the latest blackberry's.

In this regard, I have observed and appreciated the French. There are many French people who do not have mobile phones, or for that matter an email-ID, who use a bike to go to work and use cloth bags for shopping!! Trust me, for all the glamour that the French symbolize they seem to be the most simplest in the world, who believe in staying active to stay fit, but without going to the gym. The French idea of exercise is climbing moutains, especially, if they live close to any of the mountain ranges in the South of France, like the Pyrénées or the Alpes. In fact, living close to the alpes for almost an year I have trekked up some tough terrains during the summer and skied down some slopes in winter, gone on balades in Spring and now in automn, just to look at the colours and pick the fruit of the season, be it prunes, apples or even nuts, with many a  French.  Going to the mountains or just walking is something that even the young are encouraged to do as such outings are organized frequently in the youth hostels. The idea of an active life is further reinforced when after every advertisement for a artificial drink like Coca Cola or candy it is announced: Pour votre santé bougez plus: Exercise more for better health, or Pour votre santé mangez au moins cinq fruits et légumes par jour : For your health eat atleast five fruits and vegetables each day and many other messages. There is even a programme at the governement level called the Programme National Nutrition et Santé: PNNS which advocates good eating and living habits. 

For all the globalization happening in this world, the French still love to dine on food produced on their terroir. Eat the fruits picked from their gardens and buy bread from the local boulangerie (bakery) and of course, cheese and wine, à la française. Of course, it is not that people don't buy food from Carrefour, but that kind of shopping is looked suspicious upon by many french people who believe in développement durable and giving the local producers, who grow their foods without chemicals, their due. Thus, local markets which open early morning uptil the afternoon are the spots where the French like to pick up their lettuces and tomatoes.