The French Secret To Healthy Cooking http://learntruehealth.com/healthy-cooking/ Healthy Cooking The French Way Wow! This is absolutely amazing! When we started this journey 15 months ago, I had no idea what to expect. Fast forward today, we have reached a million downloads. It's such a true testament to the fact that we are starving for real true health information. Which is exactly why I have today's guest on board. I went to our Learn True Health Facebook group to talk to our listeners in celebration of our 1 millionth download. In the process, I got a wonderful nutritionist on the show. What she created is something I've always wanted---a Trader Joe's cookbook. Certified Nutrition and Wellness Coach Celine Cossou is originally from France and moved to Southern California. The French Connection Cossou was born in Paris but worked in the south of France. In France, everybody cooks or bakes from scratch. She was raised in this beautiful and healthy foodie family and her mom is a great host. Cossou met her husband in high school when she was 15 years old. She eventually married him and is still married to today. Moving To America A few years later, he got a job in New York City so they moved there in 1993. They were still engaged at that time. In New York, Cossou says was surrounded by amazing restaurants. They were going out a lot but she was also into healthy cooking. After the crazy life in New York, the couple then decided to move to San Diego. A few years later, the Cossous were blessed with twins. So they had to move to a suburban area. They're currently settled between San Diego and Los Angeles. Teaching Healthy Cooking When the Cossous moved to their new place, the kids had a lot of activities. It was not long before Cossou joined a group of moms with twins. But those moms did not know how to cook nor feed the right things to their children. So Cossou decided to give healthy cooking classes at the community center. Hence, that's how she started. Cossou's first class was for kids. Now she teaches healthy cooking to both kids and adults. Cossou has been teaching for 10 years now and she also gives private lessons at clients' homes. Making Healthy Cooking A Way Of Life "I've had former students who tell me they still do my recipes. That makes me happy because that means they are eating healthy," Cossou proudly says. I think we're on the right track in terms of eating a whole foods diet. People also stop me when they look at my cart. They usually ask what dish I make with the ingredients I bought. Personally, I challenge myself to pick a new vegetable every week. We have Google now so we can see what dish can be made. You just have to stretch your bubble. Bonding With Cooking "Cooking together is relaxing. It's almost like yoga because you have to focus," says Cossou. "We have to be in the moment and cook with love. This is the beauty of healthy cooking." My favorite book when I was a 13-year-old kid was Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) by Laura Esquivel. More than the love story, I loved it because the main character had so much passion for cooking. I agree with the importance of cooking together because it is a good way for the family to get some quality bonding. When kids are part of the preparation, they're more likely to eat the vegetables. Speaking of vegetables, Cossou said, " I disagree with the idea of hiding vegetables in the dish. Because you have to tell the kids. Otherwise, it's lying to them and it will create problems when they grow up." Cooking Influence In Canada, it's part of our culture to go to a family cottage. So many families have a second home out of town. During weekends at the cottage, because of the limited TV channels, I'd watch "Wok With Yan." It is a popular Asian Canadian cooking show as well as "Two Fat Ladies" cooking show. Watching those shows influenced me. At a young age, I started cooking not only for myself but for family and friends. Pack A Lunch Book Cossou says he