Book Review: French Women Don’t get Fat 

So over a year ago, I moved to Melbourne and fell head over heels in love with its food, people and their endless cafes, dessert and wines. In the process of taking in the weather and the food , I put on a few pounds. I would often laugh at myself and say its the happy weight I’m carrying around. :) Oh but who was I kidding? I am by no means fat but in a country where people pay attention to fitness as much as they do their coffee, I needed to tighten up.

I began doing so by eating healthier, choosing more greener and lighter options when we went out for dinner and exercising  regularly. But I realized i had become very obsessed about my weight. So much so that i had forgotten to live! I’d go out with family or friends and would not touch the desserts, eat salads and avoid all kinds of fried foods or wine and even ice cream and bottled juice! Honestly, I was a pain to dine with and I wasn’t too happy missing out on all the fun either!
So I came across this book on my kindle and decided to give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised by how it made me feel. I learnt french all through school and Uni and while I’m no pro, I still know a little french and was always enamored by their fashion, their food and their mode de vie :)

First, I was enticed by the book cover- a petite woman walking her dog, something so simple yet so French. I know, ” Don’t Judge a Book By It’s Cover ” ;) But I couldn’t help it, I read so much hype for this book so I went ahead and started reading it. Mireille begins by talking about her experience and her weight loss which I found inspiring as I can’t give up my croissants and pastries either!
She talks about her magic leek soup, which I tried and quite like. I have gone on to incorporate many recipes with leeks now ( I’ll Post some on my blog too) and found that the soup is delicious, filling and rather easy to make. I like how she talks about eating everything in moderation because that way you aren’t punishing yourself by avoiding something for now and then craving it later! I have followed her tips earnestly- whether it is to take long walks when is the weather is beautiful or not to diet. I now go for a walk in the city, or around the park near home enjoying the birds, the weather and meet a few people who like me are looking to take their mind of their weight.

I had stopped eating chocolate which was incredibly hard for me to do as I’m a chocoholic and was getting cranky without out for long. So I followed her advice and got myself  some chocolate on the day I craved it. Not enough to be stored in the fridge though. I started cooking dishes that I enjoyed, incorporating her tips on the elaborate meals the French ate. Now don’t go thinking I make a four course meal! I cook an entree which is a salad, the main meal which includes carbohydrate and protein and dessert which is frozen yoghurt with berries which is homemade or nuts! Incorporating all the foods by body needs as well as those I simply enjoy , I found myself relaxing and getting slimmer!
This book was not something I didn’t already know, but when I read it , it ignited a fire in me to cook more, relax, enjoy wine, chocolates and cheese and love those walks.I recommend this as a light read to transport you to Paris, visualize its streets and their fashion and above all to enjoy life!

Her tips are :
Don’t Diet
Eat Chocolate
Drink Wine
Take Long Walks
Enjoy Life
Stay Slim
the French way 

Experience the joie de vivre !
This isn’t a diet book no, but it changed my diet and me for good. I give this 4 stars.

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Until later!