A few years ago, while vacationing in the Bahama's I observed a table of two French women eating lunch. They were both very slim, tres chic, and obviously not counting calories. Each woman had a full glass of red wine, some rich looking cheeses, a few crackers and a small assortment of other goodies. I couldn't help but wonder HOW they managed to remain so slim eating THAT. I was righteously nibbling on 1/2 bagel with a tad of fat (cream cheese) and some turkey protein thrown in. Yet I had at least ten pounds (ok 20)to lose. As a child I had lived in France and can still remember the delicious croissants, mouth watering chocolates, hearty breads, and rich cheeses the French ate so frequently. How did the women stay so slim? I had also noticed that the majority of them managed to look like a million dollars though I knew many of them were on tiny budgets. How did they do it? Then I came across Anne Barone's book at Amazon! Mais Oui! What a pleasure! I savored every morsel of Anne's delicious book, "Chic & Slim Encore". In the book Anne truly reveals how so many French women come across as attractive, chic, slim, in control, and poised regardless of the physical features nature gave them. She explains how you can eat rich, fatty, (forbidden) foods and remain tiny and terrific! What to look for in clothing so you always dress rich regardless of your pocketbook. How our feminity can be enhanced and appreciated if we so desire. The book embraces many aspects of the French culture and teaches aspects of the French lifestyle that we can use to enhance our lives. You learn how to simplify your life by aiming for quality not quantity. Moderation not accumulation. Buying the best you can afford in small amounts and forgetting the rest. Simple steps you can integrate into an active lifestyle to increase delight in the everyday! The book is a wonderful resource for enjoying and living the good life! Merci Anne!
This book focuses on the French Paradox. The French eat all this amazing food that's high in fat, rich, indulgent, yet they remain a much thinner culture than those of us in the US, who eat low-fat everything. Barone attributes this to many factors, primarily feelings of love and passion for food, rather than feelings of guilt. Part of French culture is taking time and care to go to the market, select the best ingredients, and to prepare food lovingly, rather than grabbing a low-fat (and probably unsatisfying) micro-meal of bowl of cereal. They French savor their food and take time with it. As a result, they are satisfied with smaller portions. They make sure to include courses such as soup, fruit, and cheese as part of their meal. These are filling, nutritious foods which keep entree sizes down. Another point Barone makes (which I really appreciate) is the focus on REAL food, instead of the foods we have here in the US now, whose ingredient listings take up half the box. Since reading this book, I have used my bread machine to make some French bread, which is cheaper and much better than sliced bread from the store. I had already given up on presliced bread, but I was buying it at the grocery. Now, I've gotten one step closer to real food! Barone also suggests shopping more often for only a few days at a time. This means food is as fresh as possible. This seems time-consuming, but it isn't. It's really great! I bought some whole milk yogurt and have been having it after dinner the last few nights with fresh blackberries. I add no sugar, and I relish every bite. It's heaven! The only complaint I have about this book is the section on men and relationships. I can't help but find the French "pout" childish and manipulative. I wasn't interested in that sort of advice when I bought this book, and I think it detracts from the book's overall message. In some arenas, French women are good role models. In the arena of relationships, I prefer my own experience to be my guide. Changing this aspect of one's own culturally-ingrained habits is nearly impossible and, in my mind, not desirable. The points Barone makes about relationships seem like stereotypes more than truth. Other than that, this is a great resource conveying an attitude about food that I hope American women can begin to embrace.
Buy Chic & Slim Encore: More About How French Women Dress Chic Stay Slim-And How You Can Too Now
For those of you who loved CHIC & SLIM, take notice of the wonderful follow-up volume! Filled with advice concerning health, relationships, fashion, and self-esteem, ENCORE is a must-have for any woman's library.
Having lived in France and experienced the beauty of the French lifestyle, Ms. Barone is a proponent of moderation -something sadly lacking in our American society. We are a culture of "overconsumers," as is apparent not only in the way we eat, but also in the way we often misuse our finances and conduct our relationships. We also go overboard trying to be "perfect" -but generally use the media standard as our own, which has inherent problems. Ms. Barone recognizes this, and offers a refreshing solution: a sense of healthy self. It is not a matter of becoming a vegetarian or a protein powerhouse; it is not a matter of buying size four jeans in the hopes of starving your way into them; it is not a matter of applying a mask of cosmetics to make others think you were born with a certain "look"; nor is it a matter of building a draining career only to procure wealth. Instead, it is about appreciating the beauty with which one is born, as well as savoring the beauty of one's surroundings. It is about establishing one's femininity and being so confident as to not need to become involved in a relationship to avoid being alone. It is about using money wisely, and controlling finances rather than having debt control you. In essence, it is about finding and expressing true joy enjoying solitude, savoring art, making one's home a haven, taking pride in goals achieved, understanding the elegance of simplicity, and cherishing each age (one needn't be young to be a spectacular woman!).
Filled with sensible and savvy advice, delectable recipes, and an abundance of encouragement, CHIC & SLIM ENCORE is a wonderful gift to give to a mother, daughter, sister, friend -or yourself! Its lessons will be treasured by any woman. Sit back, sip your coffee drink of choice, and indulge yourself in one of the best ways possible -enjoy ENCORE and take it to heart!
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A few years ago, while vacationing in the Bahama's I observed a table of two French women eating lunch. They were both very slim, tres chic, and obviously not counting calories. Each woman had a full glass of red wine, some rich looking cheeses, a few crackers and a small assortment of other goodies. I couldn't help but wonder HOW they managed to remain so slim eating THAT. I was righteously nibbling on 1/2 bagel with a tad of fat (cream cheese) and some turkey protein thrown in. Yet I had at least ten pounds (ok 20)to lose. As a child I had lived in France and can still remember the delicious croissants, mouth watering chocolates, hearty breads, and rich cheeses the French ate so frequently. How did the women stay so slim? I had also noticed that the majority of them managed to look like a million dollars though I knew many of them were on tiny budgets. How did they do it? Then I came across Anne Barone's book at Amazon! Mais Oui! What a pleasure! I savored every morsel of Anne's delicious book, "Chic & Slim Encore". In the book Anne truly reveals how so many French women come across as attractive, chic, slim, in control, and poised regardless of the physical features nature gave them. She explains how you can eat rich, fatty, (forbidden) foods and remain tiny and terrific! What to look for in clothing so you always dress rich regardless of your pocketbook. How our feminity can be enhanced and appreciated if we so desire. The book embraces many aspects of the French culture and teaches aspects of the French lifestyle that we can use to enhance our lives. You learn how to simplify your life by aiming for quality not quantity. Moderation not accumulation. Buying the best you can afford in small amounts and forgetting the rest. Simple steps you can integrate into an active lifestyle to increase delight in the everyday! The book is a wonderful resource for enjoying and living the good life! Merci Anne!
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It does not matter to me if Anne Barone is not a doctor, dietician or scientist--her diet and life mentality works for her and seems to be working for thousands of French women. There is no famous study backing up her opinions just the old common sense adage--if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck etc., than it must be a duck. In the same way, if eating cheese, butter, eggs, and bread does not put weight on the French, then it can certainly do the same for you. Anne Barone, in a fun breezy style, explains how to take the French lifestyle of shopping for just enough food, buying fresh and real products, eating slower over a longer period of time by taking smaller bites and using the continental manner of using a fork and knife, so that you too can be fitting into those wonderfull slim black skirts and form-revealing white blouses accented with a pretty scarf or antique pin. Sounds to good to be true? The key as with all things is moderation and good judgement. Anne explains how to think about your eating habits in ways that will help you to maintain good health while eating sumptious meals. In this, her second book, she actually gives portion sizes and sample recipes as well as additional information comparing American ways with those of the French regarding the six major lifestyle departments of culture, being a woman, personal style, cuisine, shopping and home decor, and love--ooh la la!
I find myself referring to this book just before I go to bed and have had time to mull over the events of the ending day--I try to tally up what I did to enjoy my life better, if I ate slower, took smaller bites, decided against that extra bite of pie-and I find that this time to myself helps me to encourage myself because I know I am on the correct road to health and well-being. How can I not be? Eating real food--not boxed convenience meals? Taking enough time to know when I am full and then stop just beforehand. Yes, it can be done and Anne encourages you along the way with her stories, examples and anecdotes. I recommend this book to all women who want to feel like women and look like those women who turn men's heads! Brava Anne---I look forward to your next book and hope you do a seminar in my neck of the woods soon.
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One of the best cookbooks on the market. Each recipe give a breakdown of calories per serving along with the percentage of fats, carbs, fiber, etc. Outstanding!
