Tastemakers: French Women Don‘t Get Fat - Shetler‘s Blueberry Lowfat Yogurt Smoothie

Jan. 4, 2006

FRENCH WOMEN DON’T GET FAT:
The Secret of Eating for Pleasure
It is that time of year when Americans pursue their favorite New Year’s resolution -- losing the bulge. For some it is a matter of shedding a few pounds; for the rest it is about undoing years of poundage build-up. Each year there always seems to be some new weight loss technique (most recently Atkins and South Beach) that finds it way to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list and on the Oprah show. 
“French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure” was written by Mireille Guiliano (Meer-ray Julie-ano) CEO of Clicquot, Inc, makers of excellent champagne.  The bestselling book came out a year ago, but any “diet book” that allows you to enjoy a glass of champagne is worth another look. 
  Actually “French Women Don’t Get Fat” is not a diet book but rather a lifestyle change for many. Guiliano emphasizes balance, pleasure and moderation in one’s approach to eating (and other aspects of life including work, exercise, spirituality and emotions) versus deprivation and a pound of bacon. As Guiliano puts it  “French women think about good things to eat; American women typically worry about bad things to eat.” 
  The book is loaded with elegant and tasty recipes including “Endives with Ham without Béchamel Sauce” and “Chicken Au Champagne.” Before attempting any diet or lifestyle change visit with your doctor. Once you receive the go-ahead pick up a copy of “French Women Don’t Get Fat”-- the recipes and lifestyle recommendations are for woman and men and the great thing is you may enjoy a glass of champagne with your meals.



SHETLER’S BLUEBERRY
LOWFAT YOGURT SMOOTHIE
At Shetler Family Dairy their slogan is “Our Cows are not on Drugs, but they are on Grass!”  So the Shetler family has a sense of humor, but more importantly they are producing a great line of dairy products that are free from rBHT (bovine growth hormone). 
The Shetlers are also survivors. In 1985 Kalkaska County boasted 18 family dairy farms, but now only two remain, including theirs.  A recent resurgence in this country has families returning to an agricultural lifestyle and consumers seeking out products from local small farms. These farms are practicing organic and other techniques that result in healthy-chemical free foods as well as the preservation of the soils natural nutrients. 
Currently Shetler’s is producing 15 dairy products (during the holidays they produce a limited edition bottling of Egg Nog) ranging from Whole, Chocolate, Reduced and Fat Free Milk to Orange Crème and Moo-cacino (a low-fat coffee beverage). A great morning starter for those on the run is their Blueberry Lowfat Yogurt Smoothie, which is loaded with vitamins and flavor. As with all of their products it comes in a glass bottle (a dollar deposit is collected on each bottle, they also recycle at Shetlers) and they don’t homogenize, resulting in better digestion and distribution of the nutritional benefits of milk throughout your body. 
A recipe tip: when making any dish that calls for dairy or cream seek out chemical-free products from Shetlers or other dairy farms from the area whose cows are drug-free. Not only is it healthier, but whatever you are making will taste better; just ask the chefs at Trattoria Stella and The House in TC as both use dairy products from Shetlers in their recipes. Shetler’s products are available at several stores in Northern Michigan; if your favorite grocer doesn’t carry them tell him you want milk from “cows on grass, not drugs.”