PLEASE Read This Book!!!

Hey All!

I'm gonna switch it up just a bit here for this post, and instead of a recipe, I'm going to give you a book recommendation. I have just finished reading *French Women Don't Get Fat* by Mireille Guiliano, and honestly, I don't know a single person who wouldn't benefit from reading it, foodie and non-foodie alike, allow me to link you:

Here is the author's personal website: http://www.mireilleguiliano.com/

Here is a website dedicated to the book: http://frenchwomendontgetfat.com/

And here is a link if you care to purchase the book for yourself (I'd let you borrow mine, but I'm going to be referencing it too often to share, sorry folks) http://www.amazon.com/French-Women-Dont-Get-Fat/dp/0375710515/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252970219&sr=1-1

Where do I start? Firstly, although there is a great deal of weight loss advice in this book, I would absolutely NOT classify it as a diet book. As you are quick to learn, the concept of dieting is a very American ideal, one that is all but foreign to European women, especially French women. Guiliano is French, born and raised. She neither a doctor nor a nurtitionist, on the contrary, she is the CEO of Veuve Clicquot Champagne , and her credentials are those of a woman who loves life, loves food, and has, after years of living on two continents, taken a hard look at the differences between the American and European relationship to food.

In brief: America is virtually the only culture on earth that associates guilt with food. We ignore hunger signals, have lost touch with what truly satisifies us, and are driven more by a compulsive need to imbibe than actual desire for sustenance. That is not to say that this book is all "gloom and doom". In reality, it is one of the happiest books I have ever read. Her skill at describing food and other sensual pleasures of life is right up there with the food writing styles of Nigella Lawson and Mario Batali, both of whom I adore and idolize. Her message in simple, eat mindfully, enjoy all things in moderation, find sensuality and joy in all you do, never associate guilt with eating, the key to health and happiness is BALANCE. Again, I have to stress the fact that this is not a diet book, it is a book about learning to moderate your pleasures and passions, so that you own them and they do not own you.

And, of course, the book has many recipes that look absolutely LUSCIOUS!!! I can't wait to try them!!! (Reminder, this book was written by a French woman, and last time I checked, the French knew a thing or two about YUMMY). She includes suggestion for soups, snacks, main courses and desserts, as well as tips and recipes for baking your own bread and making yogurt at home.

I honestly don't know what else to say, I loved this look, loved loved loved :) I think it would be especially beneficial for women to read, but men would certainly get a lot out of it too. It is so absolutely refreshing to read a book that's about building a healthy relationship with food as opposed to a book that preaches deprivation and diet plans. I know so many women who have very unhealthy relationships with food, and in certain ways and at certain times of my life I am/have been one of those women too. Please, please read this book, I promise you, if you love life, pleasure, cooking, eating, Europe, food, writing, or just need to read something life affirming, you will not be disappointed :)

Adieu :)
Lynn