Bon Appetit!

The translation of the above words in English means very simply "Enjoy your meal"

It seems as though we have lost the meaning of this concept... perhaps it has been lost in translation...

As I continued to read through more of French Women Don't Get Fat I began to understand where the concept of eating for pleasure has become lost upon North Americans.

First and foremost it seems that cooking in America has become quite a lazy tradition, one in which we may only take seriously for our Sunday dinners with family leaving the rest of the week as a fend for yourself or grab and go which leaves little room for dining to be an "experience" in itself. That and the combination of stocking our shelves and freezers with processed foods doesn't leave a huge choice for wholesome and deliscious to be found...

In F.W.D.G.F. Mirielle recommends taking a 3 month "recasting" of your diet which is not to deprive yourself into losing weight but rather to help you focus on what you eat and determining why you are eating it. For example if you eat a bag of potato chips in one sitting in front of the t.v. once a week it tends to be a habit out of boredom or simply because you are not fulfilling yourself at mealtime. The realization of these trivial moments where you rely on "junk food" will help you put a stop to them by slowely decreasing these munchies - and trying to stop television snacking all together (because far too often we are not paying attention to our hunger while watching t.v. and we over eat)  If weight loss is your goal Mireille promises that if you keep a food diary for a few weeks then start your recasting by eliminating or limiting the problem areas (or "offenders" as she refers to them) you will lose at least half of your goal weight in the 3 months of doing that. She doesn't ask you to survive off rediculous diet plans either but simply to focus and pay attention to your food.

To enjoy your meal!

After you have created your food diary take a look at it, or if you want it's always helpful to have an honest friend go over it with you. Figure out where you are allowing your offendors to take over your diet and slowely start to limit or replace those with alternatives.
If you have an alcoholic beverage every evening try replacing it with a tea instead. If you drink sugar filled juices or soda's daily switch them for sparkling water or add a slice of orange, lemon or lime to regular water to add a kick.
Also pay close attention to your portion sizes, it is very important to know how much you should eat in a day and making sure at dinner time you are having the correct portions of grains, proteins, dairy and veggies/fruits. If you follow the guidelines you will notice you feel fuller and more satisfied yet not heavy and stuffed.

Another few key elements Mirielle suggests:
Always eat breakfast, this meal not only gets your metabolism going for the day but it gives you the energy and the resistance from resorting to your cravings mid morning when you are starving!

Always carry a snack "just in case" - it should be healthy and enough to keep you satisfied until your next meal. A handful of nuts or dried fruits are easy to throw into your purse and go!

If you indulge on something make up for it by limiting further indulgences that day or the following day.
Give yourself a break, reward yourself with a treat once in awhile to remind you that food is for enjoyment. (Again - after an indulgence be wary of your following food choices for the day)

Incorporate some type of excersise. It doesn't have to be going to a gym and breaking a sweat every day but 30 minutes of walking 3 times a week will definitley go a long way in the end!

Make your own meals, learn how to cook. It doesn't have to be extravegant and it's not as hard as it may seem!

Try to replace your grocery shopping habits of going twice a month to going every other day for your fruit and veggie needs. Don't rely on processed foods and frozen meals. Experiment with new flavors and techniques in the kitchen.
SHOP BY SEASON! This is a big one, shopping when fruits and veggies are in season means getting the best tasting foods for your palate. Try to go to farmers markets as often as possible for these items as they are a much better quality than the produce shipped to large chain grocery stores.

Above: Mireille Guiliano (Author of F.W.D.G.F.)

She is just radiating charm & sophistication - don't you think??!!

I am quite excited to try out the recipes in the book; as I love homemade soups I am going to try making one from her book tonight. Mireille says that in France soup is eaten up to four days a week at meal time, which is another way to stay lean and still satisfied. Pair a bowl of hearty soup with a slice of bread (try a freshly baked loaf from the market or bake your own!) followed by a light and fresh dessert (a plain yogurt topped with berries is a good choice for the majority of your treats or snacks as it will fill you and also provide essential nutrients, also if you purchase a yogurt-or make your own, containing pro-biotics and live cultures they will aid in digestion) And I love to end my meal, or evening, with a cup of tea. Try cammomile as there is no caffeine in it that will keep you awake all night!
Another recipe I'm eager to try out is Ratatouille - a vegetarian dish, like a casserole but made with vegetables.

For those of you in Calgary looking for a market I highly reccomend checking out the Calgary Farmers Market (located in the Currie Barracks off Crowchild Tr.) which offers an array of produce including organic produce and meats, and so much more!!
Bon Appetit!