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84th out of 268 books
—
285 voters
French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes, and Pleasure
From the author of French Women Don't Get Fat, the #1 National Bestseller, comes an essential guide to the art of joyful living—in moderation, in season, and, above all, with pleasure.
Together with a bounty of new dining ideas and menus, Mireille Guiliano offers us fresh, cunning tips on style, grooming, and entertaining. Here are four seasons' worth of strategies for shop
...moreHardcover, 368 pages
Published
October 31st 2006
by Knopf
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Jan 30, 2009
Danika
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Francophiles
I'm not quite done with this book, but I have a few comments already. First: the good. Some interesting recipes and I certainly agree with her idea of enjoying what's local and in season. She's obviously not the 1st person w/ this idea. I also think she's right on as far as enjoying and savoring food versus stuffing yourself. It's not worth eating crappy food and the good stuff deserves to be appreciated. I also like her section on wine- lots of good info here, esp for someone who doesn't have a...more
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Mireille Guiliano's 2006 followup to her 2005 best-seller French Women Don't Get Fat is again filled with tasty, low-calorie recipes for not only a slimmer, but also a more elegant, French-style eating. She also reiterates her advice to control food portions (even cut them in half!) and advocates exercise and attitude changes over the years so that one will always feel bien dans sa peau (comfortable in one's own skin). "The body acccustomed to less finds that indeed less is more," the author st...more
I really like her books because she focuses on eating for pleasure, but in moderation with local, seasonal, organic foods. She talks about how, essentially, the French do not have the puritanical mindset when it comes to food, so they are able to eat what they like and make allowances for that in other areas of their consumption because they can be honest with themselves about their eating. In this book she has more recipes, and includes ideas for entertaining, exercising, and dressing with the...more
I read this, as well as French Women Don't Get Fat, and I browsed them, rather than truly reading them. I enjoyed the laid back tone, which indulged my desires as a francophile to become more francophile. The recipes, I admit, I never tried, but I loved reading them! I enjoyed the simplistic advice about portion control and eating simple, healthy foods in the first book. I enjoyed the descriptions of European ways of daily life, like walking and drinking fresh lemonade, etc. etc. that were infus...more
I had not read the original book and though there are several references throughout this book about it, it was not an obstacle. In all fairness, I initially approached it as 'a book to read' and not as a 'self-help' book so I was probably off-kilter from the start. The highlights of the book were the recipes. Some of them look scrumptious and I will try at least a few. The one thing Mirielle and I would definitely agree on is leeks—we both love them. That is where our ways part. I am not a veget...more
Suggesting that you half a banana and save the rest for later and then eating the half with fork and knife is well, twisted. She comes across so uppity and very disgusted by American women which was offensive by her tone. I agree with several points made about portion size and how life's stress can drive everyone on the planet to eat on the run but honestly, she thinks France is supreme and fears that our ways are creeping across their border but she stands strong. She transformed her husband to...more
It is my worst kept secret that I don't exactly admire post-Enlightenment France. Well, that and the fact that I rarely ever floss (bringing me into alignment with another European country with whom I have issues). Still, I don't want to throw out the bébé avec l'eau de bain. Americans are a remarkable, brilliant people but we are a young country and we are still sorting some things out culturally and included on this list is how we should eat. It is becoming abundantly clear that we are doing i...more
I love her books and pretty much all of her common sense advice rings true to me. It's mostly things people might already feel to be true but I feel like she gives me the courage to have that relationship with food that I know is the best for me. I feel as though even though I don't live in the NYC/Provence/Paris world that she lives in, there are ways to incorporate what she says into my life. A lot of people found this book to be too stuffy or feel as though she thinks she's superior but she's...more
I seem to be on a run of books written by bossy people - first Joel Salatin and now Mireille Guiliano. I liked a lot of this book (I've not read her 'French women don't get fat' yet) - the parts about eating seasonally and the recipes particularly. But other bits seemed to shout 'smugness' at me in a loud (French-accented) voice. It's lovely that the author has homes in Provence and New York and that she is on good terms with the proprietors of a two-starred Michelin restaurant. But I could prob...more
There were some useful take-aways, such as the Pleasure Principle which reminds us to savour every morsel and eat mindfully. The 50% rule, to pause every time you've eaten half of what's on your plate, and think about whether you want to continue eating, then if you DO continue eating, to eat only half of what remains, then half of that, is also helpful.
Sadly, living in Singapore, I can't take advantage of buying fresh local produce (since we import everything). The many mentions of the Union Sq...more
Sadly, living in Singapore, I can't take advantage of buying fresh local produce (since we import everything). The many mentions of the Union Sq...more
This book was fine. I'd have gone 2.5 stars if it was possible (why no half-stars, goodreads?), but no higher. I liked Why French Women Don't Get Fat, even if the message wasn't incredibly revolutionary (eat less! eat real food! move more! drink more water! Seriously, Mireille really really wants everyone to drink more water). French Women For All Seasons just felt like the same-old same-old, except now Mireille Guilano has a house in Provence where she summers which, honestly, made me like the...more
This book is not as good as "French Women Don't Get Fat" and the oft repeated phrase will make you cringe fairly quickly as you progress through the pages. This one is a real slog to get through and basically repeats everything covered in the first with a lot more padding. I found the section on wine to be the most interesting and informative. Despite the fact that I do applaud her sentiments and the sound principles of moderation, I heartily dislike this woman. She really is a condescending sni...more
I happened to be at Sherry-Lehman the same day that Mireille was doing a book signing there, and bought this out of curiosity (not to mention she was standing right there and I didn't want to be rude). This book is a bit fluffy, and I found myself skimming over nearly all of it. The redeeming factor is the end when she discusses wine and entertaining. The wine section is one of the most clear-cut and helpful guides I've found, with information that would be helpful to even the most clueless of b...more
I just remembered I'd read this as I was thinking today how weird it is that my "guilty pleasure" reading category is the "how to be like a French woman" mini-oeuvre. For some reason I find these books unaccountably soothing, possibly because they transport me to an alternate universe in which I'm effortlessly superior to my real self in every way.
In this universe, though, I'm embarrassed to admit to reading these things.
On a practical level, I didn't try any of the recipes in this book (yes, th...more
In this universe, though, I'm embarrassed to admit to reading these things.
On a practical level, I didn't try any of the recipes in this book (yes, th...more
Guiliano follows up her first book "French Women Don't Get Fat" with more of same. Sound principles like portion control start to seem silly when she talks about eating just half a banana and saving the rest. Because brown banana is so appetizing. Recommendations to eat seasonally are followed by recipes for fiddlehead ferns, an ingredient available in a limited area. Readers attempting to replicate this recipe would have to resort to the exact opposite of eating seasonally. Chapters on wine pai...more
I always feel a little ridiculous admitting that I've read (and own a copy of) French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure, but I love the way Mireille Guiliano writes about food. Coming to love eating and cooking relatively late in the game (mid-20s), I enjoy reading about healthy eating from someone who obviously loves good food.
Mireille is all about enjoying your pleasures and indulgences, but in moderation. Nothing new, of course, and my dietician friends have been ranting...more
Mireille is all about enjoying your pleasures and indulgences, but in moderation. Nothing new, of course, and my dietician friends have been ranting...more
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I read most of the first book (French Women Don't Get Fat). While staying at a friend's home in Paris. Found this gem at "The Dollar Tree"! Who can resist a hard cover book for only $1. So far, I am loving this as I did the first. It really is a good book for describing a "fully aware" way to look at the world. With all your senses at play. Perfect book for me right now. The recipes look intriguing too. I will let you know. Two described how to use fiddlehead ferns! I looked at them at the farme...more
Well - I appreciated the lush descriptions of the growing up in the French countryside stories. And I like the ideas of eating and lifestyle. But the main issue for me - she lives in a Neiman-Markus world and I'm in a Target world. My pocketbook can't afford a lot of her lifestyle suggestions. Yes I can eat less and I try to eat healthy and well. But this lifestyle is less attainable in the US....we don't shop for food daily or have places to bike all the time. And while I liked her "the best XX...more
French Women for All Seasons is basically a collection of Guiliano's personal suggestions for living a better and more "French-like" life. She talks about everything from diet, to skin care, fashion, and transportation. As a France native now living in New York she knows the difficulties of living a healthy and balanced life in a world of fast food and a sped up life style. While her tips are in no way for everyone, it was interesting to learn about her cultural experiences.
- Perhaps if I hadn't read the first book, this would have contained something of value
- Lots of recipes but no images to illustrate
- Excessive storytelling
- Diagrams would have been extremely useful for the sections on scarves
- No interest in the wine section
- To be honest, skimmed parts of the last fifth of the book as it just seemed like self-indulgent dribble
- Not impressed, and her tone seems to undermine the reader/ stuck-up
- Lots of recipes but no images to illustrate
- Excessive storytelling
- Diagrams would have been extremely useful for the sections on scarves
- No interest in the wine section
- To be honest, skimmed parts of the last fifth of the book as it just seemed like self-indulgent dribble
- Not impressed, and her tone seems to undermine the reader/ stuck-up
This is an example of a sequel that did not work. The book tries to introduce the concept of eating what is in season but also the psychology of living in the moment. So use Spring to clean out and support to soak up the sun and eat fresh. I guess if that is your outlook on life then reading something like that in a book is somewhat disappointing. I am sure there is an audience for this book. I could not get past the second season.
At first I found this book to be common sense for weight loss, but as I read on it became very preachy. According to the author, the only way to be is Parisian French, they are superior beings who understand life, culture and food far better than North Americans. Perhaps the book went on a little too long and the author became repetitive in her mantra and that is what made it appear to be preachy.
Love the recipes, most of all. And the general attitude that life is to be savored, not stressed over. The Lord is in agreement:
Doc & Cov 59:
18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;
19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.
Doc & Cov 59:
18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;
19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.
oh my goodness, this is excruciating to read. i am so bored. i never saw "french" as "stuck up". but her arrogance permiates through this book. it is total b.s.! i would be thin too if i ate pigeon, frog and rabbit and only ONE glass of wine. and she's french??? i read her first book when it came out and got nothing out of it. so happy for her that her disgusting recipes keep her "not fat". and thanks, but "american" women know how to wear a scarf and drink wine. we are not idiots and do not nee...more
I never read the first book, "French Women don't get fat" there are few references to it throughout the book but not in a way that made this book hard to read. What DID make this book difficult to read was the pretentious "French" attitude. Though there were many interesting tips in the book and several recipes that sounded delicious I simply 'scan-read' the rest of the book. Tortuous.
so this is basically her first book, but includes a little more info, like a section on wine tasting, and entertaining. and a thousand different ways to wear a scarf. she's entertaining to read, and has some great ideas- but she's more geared towards the neiman marcus crowd- where i'm more in the target crowd! the book is split into different deasons, which is great- but honestly, i buy what i can for as cheap as possible! and we dont have farmers markets year around. still fun to read though an...more
I liked the encouragement to eat seasonally & enjoy life's sensual experiences, but I felt the tone of this book bordered on preaching. If everyone had the inclination to "just stop at half a banana" and "I don't like sweets" - we wouldn't be reading the book would we? We should all be so lucky.
Basically if you have children, a sweet tooth, an appetite, a job, or a budget: You're screwed.
Basically if you have children, a sweet tooth, an appetite, a job, or a budget: You're screwed.
I was pretty impressed with this book. Lots of good recipes are included. Upon finishing it, I feel like I do understand the french culture. How they think and how they make decisions. There are many little tidbits to daily living which would benefit ones health.
I love this book. :) Great little antidotes to enjoy anytime of year...French style. Packed with recipes as well as cute little tips such as how to properly tie a scarf, pick out champagne etc...it is a wonderful sweet guide.
This book was very good, but it was more about the recipes and food than about the experience. It does have some stories and advice throughout, just didn't give me the same wonderful feeling as "French Women Don't Get Fat".
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| For All American Women | 2 | 11 | Jan 10, 2012 11:08am |
Internationally best-selling author Mireille Guiliano was for over 20 years the spokesperson for Champagne Veuve Clicquot and a senior executive at LVMH as well as CEO of Clicquot, Inc., the US firm she helped found in 1984 and was its first employee. Her first book, French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure, became a runaway best seller around the globe in 2005. She followed u...more
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“I would advocate that chocolate be covered by health insurance, but that is admittedly a very French public policy perspective.”
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4 people liked it
“Ever since that day in Chicago, whenever I see such scenes, I think of a quote by Billat-Savarin, the eighteenth-century 'modern' gastronome, well known for his writings and meditations on the physiology of taste and for his famous dictum 'We are what we eat.' But he also wrote even more revealingly: 'The destiny of a nation depends on how it feeds itself.”
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2 people liked it
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