a la francaise

I bought French Women Don't Get Fat last week, and have slowly been reading it and digesting the advice. I like the idea of it. It's much more a common sense approach to staying slim and healthy than even Weight Watchers. I really love the idea of being encouraged to eat my favorite foods rather than trying to find substitutions for them. I have always vaguely thought that it can't really be any healthier to eat "diet" foods that are packed with chemicals to make them lower in fat and calories -- even as I was scarfing down diet cookies and chips. A reduced fat tortilla chip that is healthier because it is fried in healthier oil is one thing, but a cookie with nothing in it that even resembles the Toll House recipe you're trying to replace can't be good for you.

Anyway, I really like the idea of identifying my biggest offenders and slowly reducing them. Nothing dramatic that I can't stick to. Nothing horrendous.

I have a plan for this weekend. Or, I am forming said plan as we speak. Tonight, I want to create a really great dinner for me and the husband. A true menu in the French sense. Then, I'm going to make the magic leek soup for this weekend and just lay low a bit. Maybe, if I feel up to it, I will go to the OC swap meet and look for some pretty accessories for my table. I really want to embrace the idea of eating with purpose.

Because, it ocurred to me today: the "secret" to being happy is just doing what you love. What do I love? I love food. There has to be a way to love it and still stay slim and healthy.

In any case, I will do the magic leek soup weekend and then begin fresh on Monday. I also want to try to clean and organize the kitchen a bit. Nothing makes me want to cook LESS than a messy dirty kitchen.