"; if(is_file("header.php")) include "header.php"; else include "../header.php"; ?>

The Book That NEVER Claimed to be a Diet Book! Although I have not been to France, I went to Italy when I was teenager about 10 years ago. What I observed was that while the general population was NOT skinny, no one was obese either. There were curvy, voluptuous, or just lean. Like most teenagers, I loved pizza, fries, and I specifically loved Italian food, so I couldn't wait to get to Italy and try the food. Imagine my teenage shock that their pizza wasn't like our "pizza". That their Italian food wasn't like "our" Italian food. What was the difference? The food was more bland- meaning less sugar, less salt, less heavy flavoring. Imagine my shock that pepperoni was not a common topping on their pizza, instead vegetables like eggplant were. (Thank god I now know better than to eat pepperoni or pork!) Italians also have to walk alot more than the average American, and water is frequently available- many people drank the clean water that was coming out of the random spouts in the walls of rome, as well as the spouts in the fountains (just not the fountain water of course). Most European buildings are hundreds of years old and they simply don't have as many elevators like we do in America. Now I admit that walking is not easy to do, especially the way new cities all across America are being built (suburban sprawl- read more about in "Suburban Nation". Also check out "The European Dream" by Jeremy Rifkin.) So in regards to my trip, reading Mrs. Guiliano's book came as no surprise to me and served to confirm what most European's MENTALITY (as opposed to diet) when it comes to food, exercise, and life. It has also been said that most French women are more appearance conscious regardless of size of age- meaning wouldn't be caught dead wearing ugly track suits or trainer shoes. Another thing about the French that I once read in a spa magazine is that their concept of beauty is not as limiting as most Americans- particularly white Americans. If a woman has a big nose- unique, play it up. Skinny? Great. A big rear? Tres chic! This article also said, like Mrs. Guiliano, that French women do NOT talk about diets, and that it would be considered rude for a woman to ask another woman about her weight, that you have NO business asking such a question. Nor does a woman say the usual declaration "I'm fat!"- that if you did, a French woman would candidly reply, "Well do something about it then if YOU feel that way." Touche! So while the book certainly does not contain Earth-shattering information, I think Americans can wholly benefit from shifting our attitude about the way we think in regards to food, exercise, clothing, and LIFE. I only wish that there was a paperback version of this book because I do think that the retail price of $22.oo for what this book offers is a bit much. Nonetheless, I still recommend this fun book as an addition to one's library. However, I do recommend other books in regards to health. Here's some non-diet plan books to get you started: "The Detox Soultion" by Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald. "Losing Your Pounds of Pain" by Doreen Virtue, PhD. "The Yo-Yo Diet Syndrome" by Doreen Virtue, PhD. "Constant Craving: What Your Food Cravings Mean & How to Overcome Them" also by Doreen Virtue, PhD. Enjoy!