Talking about diets beats doing them!
.... Having dedicated the last month to an in-depth study of the 5:2 diet, the Hussies felt they deserved the luxury of an up-market Country House Hotel in which to discuss the merits of 'The Fast Diet' by Dr Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer. Matfen Hall Hotel also offers spa facilities but exercise and dieting seemed a step too far for the ladies of Border Bookworms; something for the future, perhaps!
.... We all agreed that the Library Restaurant in the hotel offered luxurious surroundings in keeping with the history of the 19th century Country Mansion. Unfortunately our overall verdict 3:1 was that the food was over priced and under represented! We all chose the crab salad which was beautifully presented but rather small! The verdict on the main courses varied depending on the selection, the risotto failed to impress but the chicken was very tasty and quite generous in size, good enough to tempt this Hussie back for more. We all decided to have a pudding which again were all very well presented and quite tasty. Coffee followed and rounded off the meal nicely, this may account for the hefty price tag as we don't usually have three courses and coffee.
Crab Salad! Zoom in to see Salad!!
.... And now to the book. Interesting science; easy to follow; dramatic results.
If you want to go on a weight loss diet this is quite a good plan to follow however the draw backs are that for busy people fasting can be quite dangerous. Trying to drive whilst feeling light headed from hunger is not good!. Some of us felt that fasting led to feeling extremely ill whilst others clung to their long held belief that weight loss can only be achieved with strong will power and patience. Mind you, one of the Hussies has lost 12 pounds which also proves all diets work when followed.
.... As we were reviewing a diet book over the summer holidays we felt we needed some literary stimulation to go along side and so 'The Confessions of Catherine de Medici' by C.W. Gortner was chosen. This book fictionalises the life of one of histories most powerful women. Born into the powerful Medici family in Florence during the Renaissance she married King Henry II of France in 1533, taking over the reigns of power after his sudden death in 1559. The author offers us an alternative view of a character who is often seen as one of histories villans. The book is well written and informative, although it glosses over some interesting points in her life such as the reason for the royal couples infertility in the first ten years of their marriage. There are parallels between this book and the televised drama the White Queen, both telling the story of strong royal women embroiled in the struggle for power at court. It was agreed that reading this book expanded our knowledge of the period and prompted further study. One Hussie was so inspired by Catherine that she set off on her own voyage of discovery to the protagonists birth place in Florence.
.... Our next book continues in a historical vein :
'DAMN HIS BLOOD by PETER MOORE
.... Join us next time for, what should be, a learned discussion!
12th September 2013
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