Exciting Announcement & Inspirational Women Part 2

You are such an inspiration on living a full, healthy lifestyle. How did you come to this point of balance? How is your new lifestyle different than your old lifestyle?

It’s the way I have lived since Dr. Miracle (from French Women Don’t Get Fat) put me on the right track.  In fact, what he told me to do was very much the lifestyle I followed growing up…I just went off track during my exchange program year in the US.  Some lesson!

If you had to describe yourself in just a few words, what would you say?

Pick from what my family/friends agree upon…no nonsense, risk taker, what you see is what you get, hard working, generous, honest, kind/ loving (the phrase they use is I have a great capacity for love), hyper-sensitive, impatient, opinionated, disciplined, great esthetic sense, curious, funny.

What inspired you to write a book (or now, books!), and share your story with the world?

Friends who knew the lifestyle “worked”…and particularly a U.S. friend (Francophile) at Berkeley who told me I had to write zee book even if I could only save 5 women’s lives.  Glad to say that it’s been a few more and this gives me the greatest satisfaction.

I love your outlook on life. How do you stay so positive?

Values and principles from my mother (actually my husband, too…so it’s contagious) to always see the glass half-filled and count my blessings. Also, staying with people who are positive helps a lot. My motto became (taken from the wine business…life is too short to drink bad wines) “Life is too short to spend it with whiners.”

What, or who, inspires you?

My mother, my minister when I grew up, some teachers/professors, my husband, talented people I’ve met through my life. Nature, beauty, culture, reading, dancing, cooking, music, poetry, jazz.

What are your favorite off-day activities to do?

My three are reading, writing and cooking.

How does it feel to be considered an inspiration for so many women, old and young?

A daily present: priceless.  Letters/emails/encounters that make me laugh and cry (of joy, bien sûr).

What is the best piece of healthy living advice you can give to my readers?

You only have one body, so take care of it.

What is your opinion on all of the newest health and nutrition findings. Do you consider them, or choose your own approach instead of weeding through all of the research?

Both good and bad. We are inundated with stuff that one day is good, the next bad, and it confuses people (take bread, for instance).  It’s important not to get obsessed and to make simple choices for one’s own as there is no “one size fits all,” but that, of course, requires “knowing thyself.”

How do you stay so fit?

It changes with stages of life.  At this point it’s eat less and move more. So one makes choices, which does not mean deprivation, but picking your indulgences is key.  And I walk 30-90 minutes a day in addition to my am yoga and the 15 floors of stairs in my building whenever I’m empty handed.

What is your favorite thing to eat? To cook?

It depends on the season, time, preferences of the ones I cook for (I happen to like just about everything) and mostly who I cook for.

And, the million dollar question: What is in your fridge?

Always yogurt, a selection of cheeses (I eat some cheese daily), butter, jam, mustard, cornichons, fruits and veggies that demand refrigeration…and a bottle of champagne (you never know).
Thanks so much, Mireille!

I will be back tomorrow with a recap of this week’s hilights!

xo

K