A Short Guide To Guilt-Free Entertaining

I believe that counting calories and worrying about fat sucks all the fun out of eating. Whenever I cook, it's all about quality and taste. When cooking for a crowd, no matter what diet you're on, prioritizing quality and taste is a fail-safe approach to your menu. In my program, Live More Weigh Less, I teach women how to choose foods their bodies are craving, because when we eat what we actually want, we feel satisfied sooner. That way, we don't need to eat to the point of total fullness to be satiated, and can enjoy guilt-free fun.

Meals in my home are an event. They're all about infusing fun into cooking, creativity into table-setting, and pleasure into eating. So why not turn your average dinner party into a très magnifique one with an elegant Parisian theme? The best part is that this theme takes no time to execute — the recipe and the simple tips I am sharing with you today are quick, easy, and flawlessly fabulous. Add in a few extra touches, and you're going to feel like a Francophone whipping up coq au vin in Paris.

Step One: Set the scene. Put on some French tunes — I love the Carla Bruni station on Pandora. Throw on some cute flats, red lipstick, and an apron to channel your inner Parisian princess.

Step Two: Pour yourself a glass of red wine and get cooking. The key is making a dish that doesn't feel like diet food. Try the recipe for my "cheat" coq au vin!

Step Three: Set the table. Grab some linen napkins or fold up a few dish towels. Snag a flower from the garden and maybe even take out your nice china. Taking the extra five minutes to set the scene transforms your meal from flat to fabulous. And did you know that the more you enjoy your meal, the higher your metabolism is, and the more calories you burn? Amazing.

For more tips on how to Live More and Weigh Less, visit LiveMoreWeighLess.com

"Cheat" Coq Au Vin

Serve this recipe for a dish that will be sure to dazzle your guests. Add a few extra touches to your experience, and you're going to feel like a Francophone whipping up coq au vin in Paris.