The Martini Diet is much more than just a highly entertaining diet book "with a twist".  It is about a happier, saner way to lose weight. I don't eat Ding Dongs but I do eat chocolate. I don't eat Chips Ahoy but I do eat ice cream. What's the difference? A lot.

Why is it that French women eat so much rich food, drink so much wine, yet are so much thinner than American women and have less heart disease? "Ghastly" and "tacky" foods, according to Jennifer Sander. Crackers. Pop Tarts. Ramen Noodles. Chicken nuggets. Chocolate covered donuts.  Loaded with trans fats and high fructose corn syrup, these foods are unhealthy and, as Julia Child once said, not food, but "a process".  Margarine contains ghastly trans fat, which has been said to be more detrimental to your health than the saturated fat in butter. 

This book will turn you into a food snob.  You'll swear off anything that comes in a package of twelve.  "Super Size" will no longer be in your vocabulary.  But, please, pass the cheesecake. Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Lindt chocolate. Filet mignon. 

So you are probably wondering how The Martini Diet will help you lose weight, if you get to eat such forbidden foods.  Good question.  With three simple rules of indulgent eating: 1. Eat only the very best.  2. Eat somewhat less of the very best.  3. Eat the very best only at mealtimes.  This method is based upon the truth that people will naturally be able to stay on an eating plan that includes foods they love (and many healthy foods as well such as fruits and veggies).  

What about exercise?  Sanders suggests you "exercise in high heels".  You won't find her on a Stairmaster.  You will find her on an ice skating rink, taking a walk through the country, swimming, even fencing.  Anything to take the "work" out of working out. 

This book is complete with ideas for more indulgent living (Living the Martini Lifestyle), Cinnabon Avoidance Techniques, and indulgent recipes for such things as Homemade Pizza, Global Village Fried Chicken, Sour Cream Waffles, and Chocolate Fudge Cake, and, my dear girlfriends, a whole section on chocolate and martinis.  Need I say more?

The Martini Diet doesn't promise you an eight pound weight loss in a week, but it doesn't promise you deprivation, either. We wouldn't suggest this book for people who have a serious weight problem or other health concern (such as diabetes).  But it will cut out some of the lurking dangers in our diets today that are contributing factors to obesity and heart disease. And it could easily be a spring board to a more stricter diet ahead.

I began cutting out "ghastly" and "tacky" foods about a year ago. For example, the bread that I was buying on a regular basis had an unhealthy dose of high fructose corn syrup.  Who knew?  Those "wheat crackers" I had been compromising with were loaded with trans fat.  Hello!  

It made the next step much easier. Next month, I'll share with you how I decided that my post-9-pound-baby-tummy needed to go for good. I had changed my eating habits for the better, but it was time to take some stronger action.  

Until then, cheers!