new book!

It was difficult for me to read Mireille Guiliano’s French Women Don’t Get Fat without frequently rolling my eyes. For example, read this line and try not to let out an exasperated sigh:

(Some context: She’s talking about how French women appreciate and revel in the art of food preparation and enjoyment—in this case, of bread—which is but one of their many secrets to remaining so thin.)

“It’s a willingness to reap the pleasures of food at its most elementally wonderful. French women don’t eat Wonder Bread. Try baking some bread this weekend.”

Bake bread? Sure! Right after I churn fresh butter and beat my clothes clean on a rock.

It’s not that I don’t appreciate artisanal culinary and domestic pursuits. But is there anyone on earth who has a full-time job, a rescue dog, AND time and energy for such delicious endeavors?

Guiliano is the former President and CEO of Clicquot, Inc., which is the company that makes Champagne Veuve Clicquot (the one with the yellow label if you're shaky on your champagne producers). She grew up in France but married an American and spends her time between Paris and New York. Which makes her qualified to write a book comparing the healthy attitudes of French women and American women.

The crux of her book is essentially this: A balanced relationship with food and exercise is key to a healthy mind and body. As it turns out, French women are nothing if not skilled in the practice of moderation. And American women? Yeah, apparently we suck at it.

If you’re noticing a slight hint of sarcasm creeping into these sentences, then thank you: You’re actually reading (versus skimming or skipping to the end) and I’m forever grateful. But why I am focusing on a book that annoyed me more often than it gave helpful advice?

For one thing, things were getting a little heavy around these parts after Chodron’s book, and I wanted to explore a lighter side of self-help. More important, despite her penchant for frivolity and poking fun at American women, Guiliano has wisdom to share.

On its surface, this book is simply about becoming more healthful by taking a detailed inventory of your attitudes toward food and exercise and then recasting your vices, pleasures, and discipline in a more moderate way.

But what happens if you use this strategy of self-reflection and adjustment not only with respect to food and exercise habits but with life more generally?

You might discover something in your life that needs to be profoundly changed—which is exactly what happened to me.