I'm not a great consumer. I always ask myself, 'Do I really need that piece?' I have friends who have 300 pairs of shoes; how would you leave the house in the morning?

I would advocate that chocolate be covered by health insurance, but that is admittedly a very French public policy perspective.

Since the pleasure of most foods is in the first few bites, eat one thing on your plate at a time, at least at the start of the meal when you can concentrate and enjoy the full flavors.

Learn to say no, with an eye to saying yes to something else.

I cannot live without flowers everywhere. I grew up having a big garden, the size of a city block, in Rombas.

People are unhappy when they are on diets, because it's 'don't do this, don't do that, do this, do that.

French women eat and serve what's in season, for maximum flavor and value, and know availability does not equal quality.