French Women Eat Pastry…
I am still recovering from my trip and from a very Manic day at work, but was excited to finally be writing this post… my apologies if I am scattered, but I hope you enjoy!
So I have finally (after 2 months too long…) finished reading French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano, the CEO of Clicquot, Inc (they make the awesome Champagne Veuve Clicquot). I absolutely, positively adored this book. Please allow me to explain some of her tips that I found useful and why I loved this book….
1. This is NOT a diet book. (I know… this blog is far from a diet or healthy living blog… just bear with me here!) You all know how much I enjoy my sweets, yet eating healthy is just as important. My life simply would not be complete without cookies, cake or pastry. It is important to me that they are a part of my eating life style. Guiliano makes eating pastry acceptable, guilt-free, and with a little common sense strategies, will not pack on the pounds. If you eat a pastry today, skip the pastry tomorrow and compensate with some extra healthy meals in your day. As I have mentioned before, making healthy choices and eating well is important to me… and Guiliano meshed these two ideas well in an adorable and witty way!
2. Tip: Eat QUALITY not QUANTITY. Yes, sometimes nothing is better than satisfying your chocolate craving by binging on 100 Mini Snickers— but really you will be more satisfied with just one piece of uber high quality dark chocolate or milk chocolate. All the sugars and processed ingredients in the Snicker’s just make you crave it more, and over eat. Personally, I’ll take a decadent piece of 70% cocoa chocolate square any day over a Snickers! This was a simple, straightforward tip that I have heard before… but a friendly reminder is always helpful!
3. Move more and drink more Water and Wine: Take the stairs, always have your water in hand… and don’t forget a spectacular red wine with dinner. Yes, Mireille… I can handle this! (Oh how I love a good Pinot come winter time!)
These are just a few tips, and the book is full of so many more. The premise and overall philosophy is eat good food, drink good drinks and savor every minute of it. I think it was a philosophy i was already trying to live by, and Guiliano clarified this for me. She encourages baking your own bread a pastry, enjoying the fruits of your labor and not over-doing it. She makes it do-able and gets you so excited about your next meal. She has totally inspired me. I am now obsessed with the French culture and have tentative plans for a trip to Paris with my sister. Guiliano also has a second book… French Women for All Seasons and I can’t wait to get it. Overall awesome book… and would make a fab. holiday gift! If you’ve read it already, I would love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Baking and Reading!
-Kristy
This book is a must read.
