Oh, and I thought you all might enjoy this little passage out of “French Women Don’t Get Fat” by Mireille Guiliano (sad, went to Barnes and Noble today looking for her new book and they didn’t have it!). I’m sure a lot of you are familiar with her book and if not, go buy it! It’s truly wonderful and not only features mouthwatering recipes, but also a great approach to food and life in general.
“ I was recently seated next to a famous New York restaurateur, who said to me, ‘Isn’t it terrible that no one in New York eats bread anymore?’ Since the carb-police have been patrolling twenty-four hours a day, bread seems to have become public enemy number one. To me it’s just sad that so many people are forgoing one of life’s most elemental pleasures for the sake of a dead-end weight-loss strategy. It’s sadder still that the adherents of the strategy would rather risk heart disease than let a bit of bread pass their lips. Does bread make people fat? Ridiculous! Too much of most things will make you fat, of course. There’s nothing wrong with bread per se. Eliminating it from one’s diet is lamentable, probably unhealthy…and very un=French.”
Amen!
Danielle
December 31, 2007 at 1:40 amI absolutely adore Mireille and her beliefs! As a fellow foodie, I have appreciated and enjoyed many delicious carbs, not all of which were from whole wheat. I saw the delicious bread you bought earlier this week and it looks like it’s derived from white flour. I would love to try some, in addition to the many other wonderful choices out there but don’t want to miss out too much on fiber. Jenna, what are your thoughts concerning your usual bread, rice, pasta choices?
jenna
December 31, 2007 at 1:49 amThis is a fun question because I love carbs! Lucky for me I think whole wheat just tastes better! Day to day, I think I consume more “whole wheat” products that regular. I bake using whole wheat flour, whenever I make pasta I use whole wheat noodles, I buy whole wheat bread and crackers as well. The only time I don’t eat 100% whole wheat is when I buy all natural grains such as the delicious bread you saw…..however, I was interested so I read the ingredients to the bread and only saw five….one was whole wheat flour and the rest were sunflower seeds, wheat germ and I think there was some honey in there as well. I strive to buy the most minimally processed breads, rices and pastas, because even if they aren’t 100% whole wheat, they contain more nutrients and fiber than the generic grocery store stuff.
I think the best thing we can learn to do is READ THE LABELS of grain products because nowadays even some brand of cheetos is claiming to be whole wheat. If there are ingredients in the grains you buy that you can’t pronounce, put it down, walk away, and find something different! A little white flour won’t kill you or hurt you in the least bit but if you are going to eat it then I suggest baking it yourself (I do bake baguettes and white bread/rolls once in a while) or buying it from a natural foods store or bakery you trust.
jess
December 31, 2007 at 8:37 amI am SO sorry that they didn’t have that book at barnes and noble. Although it’s actually funny that you posted this today, because earlier I went to barnes and noble and picked up French Women Don’t Get Fat! I was actually looking for Mediterranean Women Stay Slim Too, as I find that I tend to follow more of a Mediterranean style diet naturally, but they didn’t have it. Luckily I saw this amazing book out of the corner of my eye and remembered that you had mentioned it previously- and am I glad I remembered. It’s excellent, and I can’t wait to continue to devour it (as well as the recipes listed both in the book, AND the ones that you’ve posted on the site for us!). In fact, that’s what I’m off to do now. Thanks for all that you do and I hope your week starts off with a bang (in a good way!!!). Good morning and happy monday!
-jess
jenna
December 31, 2007 at 12:48 pmJess,
I actually ordered it last night off Amazon because I wanted it so badly…I saw that she also makes a cute little 2008 engagement calender that has recipes/tips in it as well- too cute! Too bad I already have one!
Mediterranean women stay slim too is one of my favorite books and one that I go back to quite frequently for recipes and encouragement! I, too, find myself eating more of a Mediterranean way than anything else. A while ago I posted a couple food pyramids that you might be interested in—they are in the sidebar catagories listed as “food pyramids”.
Have a great monday!