Vintage Books, 272 pages.

So what made me pick up this book? Im apparently not the world’s healthiest nut and I wanted to give healthy living a try. I knew from the start that this wasn’t a diet book/fad (I never ever tried reading those) so I had a good feeling it was worth my time.

The facts relayed in this book aren’t exactly supremely enlightening. We’ve heard all of them sometime in our lives—from our mothers. Common sense stuff…Eat more vegetables and fruits, drink plenty of water, eat more home cooked meals. It claims though, that most French women never really exercise. Guiliano aptly describes treadmills, elliptical trainers, stairmasters, and all other gym equipments as mercenary machines. (YESSS!!!).

She explains that most Americans go to the gym as a “sacrifice” for eating too much. So it’s better to eat a log of smaller portioned meals a day that eating 1-2 times a day with a heavier serving.

This book hopes to give the reader a healthier lifestyle by incorporating “high-end” dining—savouring in every morsel you take. Not exactly very practical for the average working woman—when sandwiches and salads are an easier reach than oysters and mushrooms.

Except for the annoying French phrases every now and then (too much French revolution in a health book), this is a good read with nice recipes to follow throughout the year.

 

The author, Mireille Guiliano