French Women Don't Get Fat
French Women Don't Get Fat : The Secret of Eating for Pleasure
by Mireille Guiliano
For any of my regular blog readers, you know I have enjoyed this book for how many times I have mentioned it. Thank you to those of you who have been patiently waiting my review!
Mireille Guiliano was raised in France and then moved to America as an exchange student during which time she acquired a wonderful American trait-- obesity. When she returned to France, she was reintroduced to the classic principles of French gastronomy by "Dr. Miracle." They worked so well for her that she has never had a problem with being fat again, even though she lives in New York for half of each year. This book contains the simple strategies and tricks French women use to keep their figure. Sprinkled throughout are a number of delicious recipes (We've tried the Vegetable Soup, Baguettes, and Apple Tart so far and I hope to try out many of the rest in the near-future).
Some of the tips are no-brainers and yet Americans still seem to have no brains!
-Eat smaller portions of more things.
-Eat more vegetables.
-Eat more fruit.
-Don't eat "fat-free" "sugar-free" -- go for the real thing in moderation.
-Enjoy chocolate- real chocolate- not the watered-down, sugared-up kind that Americans call "chocolate."
-Don't snack all the time.
-Don't let yourself be hungry.
-Never eat standing up or on the run and especially not in front of the TV.
-Never feel stuffed.
-Don't watch much TV.
-Eat what's in season.
-Drink water all day long.
-Walk everywhere you can.
-Take the stairs whenever possible.
-Don't diet.
Obviously, there were some things I disagreed with from this book since it was written from a nonChristian perspective. Food should not be an idol, but neither should it be a slave. I do believe that God has given us "all things to enjoy" and He gave us food to it and called it "very good." We can and should enjoy food, but this book might encourage one to place a little bit too much emphasis on food. Also, I don't endorse Page 168-180 or any of the other sections on drinking wine (which, was, surprisingly, not a very large part of the book). And Chapter 11 ("The States of Desire") has some really weird philosophies, which I wouldn't agree with either.
Overall, though, I thought the book had some excellent ideas and encouragement for those who struggle with their weight. If you are tempted to follow fad diets, I would definitely recommend this book.
posted by Crystal Paine at 5:20 PM
4 Comments:
I enjoyed reading your review! I doubt I will take the time to read this book myself, though... unless the recipes are really worth it!! Are they? :D
with gas prices being as high as they are...I'm finding it quite easy to keep the weight down...biking and walking everywhere.
I saw the author of this book on Oprah and she made a lot of sense. I and my family have never had weight issues. Actually there is no one I know of in my immediate family who is obese. I think it is because I was raised to eat everyyting in moderation and we were all very active. We lived in the country and spent a good deal of time out doors. We had large gardens and grew all our veggies. I am sometimes so surprised to see what the latest diet is and why. I think the Atkin's was so silly. In nursing school my instructors were very concerned because they thought it was really unhealthy. I do think some people today can make food an idol and I'm glad you addressed it. Obesity is a serioius issue in this country and among Christians. The Bible speaks very strongly against glutony. I think it is terrible how some Christians treat smokers like second class Christians but don't address the sin of glutony. Don't get me wrong, I think smoking is a devastating habit. Watching a smoker die from emphysema is not a pretty thing. I imagine you abstain from alcohol. That is probably why you disagreed with this chapter. I understand your position but I do not think it is sinful to drink alcohol but it is to be a drunk. Christ turned water into wine and not only was it wine but it was the best wine. I drink in moderation (when I'm not pregnant)and I enjoy it. I have never been drunk. However, I can't drink red wines because the sulphates give me a headache. I know a lot of Christians think that the wine in Jesus's day was grapejuice but it wasn't. People got drunk on it and you can't get drunk on grapejuice. Another thing grapejuice ferments in 24hrs. They didn't have preservative methods that we do now. However, I never offer wine to fellow Christians unless I know they think it is OK. I don't want to cause people to stumble if drinking goes against their conscience. Didn't mean this to be so long. Oooops.
-Zan
Yeah, I never understood why some think that the "wine" in the Bible didn't have alcohol in it.
Anyway, I keep hearing wonderful things about this book. It sounds like a winner too me!
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