It appears that there IS something the French know how to do better than Americans -

Have any of you heard of this new diet called the Marie Clair Wine, Chocolate, and Cheese diet?? Sounds like something I could certainly live with.

They say one in three Americans are obese, despite supermarkets full of low-fat, low-carb, low-sugar products. Yet only about one in 10 French women are, and they're living on wine, chocolate, cheese and baguettes.

The idea behind this diet is that French women eat only excellent foods and savor it, so they are satisfied with smaller portions (fewer calories). American women eat diet foods and are not satisfied, resulting in larger portions and cheat with non-diet foods. By eating great food, your satisfaction will grow, you will tend to eat less, and you will loose weight.

Makes sense.

Oh, did I mention that French people eat really slow too? That' s good because I too eat slowww. I'm always the last one to finish any meal. They say the French spend about 22.2 minutes eating at a fast food place , versus 14.4 minutes for Americans.

The breakfast and lunch recipes listed on the website are only 500 calories, while the dinners are 600. So instead of a boring garden salad tonight, how about Frisee Peppercorn Steak Salad with Feta and a glass of wine? Or instead of that sad old Lean Cuisine, how about Crustless Fresh Sage, Ham and Gruyere Cheese Quiche with some chocolate for dessert?

Check it out online or in September's issue of Marie Claire (in stores now). Click on "Recipes and Menus" for meal ideas, and "How To's" for more information. The above picture you see of Salmon Piccata with Capers is just one of many.

The only worry I have for American women is that this is not the normal way of life for them. They may start off doing it right, but given time they will probably resort back to too much and too often again, only instead of it being rice cakes, it will be croissants.

Nothing for nothing though, if I can have Brie on baguette for lunch, I might try it. At the very least, it could be a good excuse to indulge in wonderful yummies while attempting to improve myself.

Yeah, right. More likely its the French's secret plan to spread heart disease through out the land and rid the Earth once and for all of the rude Americans. They're teaming up with the Chinese who have been at it for years with all those evil Chinese Restaurants. Have you ever seen a China man eating MSG for lunch? No, and you never will.