French Women Don't Get Fat and neither will I!

I read French Women Don't Get Fat about two years ago. I really enjoyed it, recommended it to friends and family and ordered my own copy from Amazon to own. I also bought the follow-up book, French Women For All Seasons. I am currently enjoying the second book, which discusses the values of eating in season, gives excellent recipes and further expands on many of the principals explained in the first book.

In both books, Mireille suggests that the reader try her "Magical Leek Soup" as a form of detox. I tried this two years ago, but wasn't completely committed. I didn't do it over a weekend like she suggested. So this weekend, I try again! I am committed!

While researching a bit for this post I came across two of Mireille's websites: French Women Don't Get Fat (my new obsession) and Mireille Guliano. I also came across this post on Cucina Testa Rossa. She is not a fan. I can see some of her points, and I felt the same after I read Naturally Thin. The concepts were pretty obvious and Bethenny kept telling me to "stay calm" about my food. I am calm. She's the one who wasn't. Anyway, Mireille isn't so intense, and most of her suggestions (while common sense) are easily incoorporated into an American lifestyle if you choose to try. For instance, I always take the stairs (even at the mall), try to exercise often (she isn't a fan of gyms, but I am, so I exercise there or take walks with B), drink tons of water, try to maintain my "equilibrium" (sort of like Bethenny's "Your diet is a bank account" concept), and savour treats. She also gives helpful ways to cut down portion size. Instead of telling the reader to "stay calm" she says eat half (Bethenny says this too) or use a smaller dish (also a technique prescribed by Bethenny). All in all, both books are great if you're interested in some wonderful recipes and learning a few new tricks.

After work tonight, I'll run across the street (to Market Square, a great little grocery directly across the street form my house. Lucky me!) and buy my leeks! Wish me luck!