I've know Chef Alain for many years, and his focus was primarily on expert Pasty and Baking work. Alain has captured the essence of his roots, and developed a course to teach those how to eat well. He has emerged from the depths of his own heart and soul to realize the way America eats is unhealthy. Obesity has strangled our society, and Alain is helping those to accomplish in changing their ways.

Chef Alain has brilliantly written this book for all to enjoy and comprehend. The book educates, develops skills in the kitchen, and teaches chemistry. My hat goes off to Chef Alain for helping people choose a healthy lifestyle and educating anyone who is looking for change of life! - Thomas G. Ciapi. Austin, TX

I LOVE this book!!! It reads like a friend just sitting and chatting with you. Frankly food bores me, but this book changed that. I love the anecdotal stories of Alain's experiences with the different foods. It made it more real for me and less "kitcheny". Each one of these recipes is a beautiful symphony, and while you are hearing the music, your eyes will start rolling back in your head in ecstasy! But the GREAT thing is that it heals more than cholesterol problems. Thanks to the new information in this book, my chronic inflammation has been almost eliminated! The education in it has empowered me. It's a godsend! Everyone who eats will appreciate and enjoy this book!

- LVM. Dallas, TX

Alain's book is a tremendous resource for anyone. I personally bought it for the incredible wealth of nutritional information it contains alone...(ie: I don't have high cholesterol nor care about cooking to any great extent..but still love it!)

Before reading Alain's book and others, I can now see I was eating too many empty calories that left me hungry after a few hours, and under-nourished. (I ate almost no fruits and vegetables, for example). I now find it simple to eat healthy foods that sustain me and the environment that have increased my energy and concentration levels. Alain suggests foods that leave us feeling satisfied and nourished properly.He tells us how to best use sugar and butters, and even how to cheat on our diets... in an intelligent way. He explained to me the detrimental effects that barbequeing meat has on one's health, and why microwaving and over-cooking food destroys much of its nutrient value. Shopping is much easier as well, as he has provided lists of herb, pantry, refrigerator and freezer 'staples'. He has lists of 'no-no's that make it easy to avoid food that is horrible to my health. Other tips I value especially are: how to make a super healthy breakfast easily, how to cook eggs in the most beneficial way, and why we should eat more live, fresh food to prevent disease, instead of causing it, and destroying the planet in the process. He also tell you best pots and pans to buy and places to shop for quality ingredients (In Austin and elsewhere). Alain describes the importance of not eating food that has a negative impact on the digestive track, (which he notes is where most degenerative diseases start.) This book is easy to read and humorous and a steal of an investment. It leaves us with inspiration and practical tips about how we can joyfully and creatively take responsibility for how we treat and feed our bodies . - A. Winters. Austin, TX

"Eating healthy food for the pleasure of it" is the sentence in this book that had me hooked. After years as a critical care nurse, I decided to change careers and attend culinary school. My hope was to combine my clinical expertise with classic culinary knowledge and help people know that they can eat healthy and still enjoy their food. This is exactly what Chef Alain Braux accomplishes in his book. Chef Braux uses his personal cholesterol challenges, his education in nutrition and his years as a certified chef to outline a very simple way of eating that will improve your health. Chef Braux's book makes you want to clean out your fridge, freezer and pantry and run to the market with the lists he provides to replenish each with the staples needed to follow along.

In this book, Chef Braux simplifies a plan for all people who want to live a more healthy life AND still eat very delicious food! Throughout the book the reader is encouraged to eat healthy food because it taste good and it looks good. With Chef Braux's book the reader is able to follow a very informative way in which to eat well, eat deliciously and as a result improve their health. Not only do you get an excellent resource for nutritional value of many foods, but you also get a wonderful cookbook, Chef Braux's personal journey and a mini review for those of us that studied french in high school! This one book is a great addition to my clinical reference books, my healthy eating/exercise books as well as my collection of "go-to" daily cookbooks. This is a GREAT book to give to everyone you care about. - Cecilia Ciarlo. Austin, TX

"How to Lower your Cholesterol with French Gourmet Food a practical guide" is exactly that.

French chef Alain Braux has produced a guide to healthy eating that very elegantly and conspicuously rivals the militant regimens of vegan, macrobiotic and others, though he draws on the benefits of each of them. By debunking myths about the stereotypical French diet (without sacrificing his patriotism), he dares the reader to take the reigns of his or her own health and lifestyle with smart, healthy and easy to find foods. Chef Braux lays down his gauntlet in such a way that you are ready to jump in the car to race to the grocery store. The book begins by explaining (in a non-threatening way) that we really just don't pay attention to what or how we eat and how it ultimately affects our lifestyle. He presents all of his information in a consice, easily digestible format. A primer for the uninformed as well as a refresher for the seasoned health nut, the book not only focuses on controlling cholesterol, but Chef Braux discusses almost every type of food that is available for consumption. He includes brief histories of each food, their benefits, as well as the best place to buy them with personal recommendation for each. There are also references for each type of food to Braux's own recipes to prepare healthy meals with a minimal intrusion into their nutritional value, your lifestyle or your pocketbook. Plus he sneaks in French lessons along the way. This is a fantastic addition to any health or cookbook library. - Ric Furley. Austin, TX

What a fantastic book! The combination of expert nutritional advice, supreme knowledge of tasty food and lots of chef-injected light-heartedness, make "How to Lower Your Cholesterol with French Gourmet Food" very enjoyable and informative to read. I spent my entire afternoon going through every chapter and every recipe (when I was supposed to be doing other things!). The menus and shopping tips are excellent, and I'm already inspired to prepare some amazing, healthy food for the week. I have read other nutritional/cooking guides (Andrew Weil, Nicholas Perricone, etc.) and this uniquely French book joins my favorites at the very top of the list. Thank you, Chef Alain!

- Valerie Hausladen. Austin, TX

I'm a German/Austrian guy who grew up on a rich cuisine dominated by meat, starch, greasy sauces, and... sugary sweets, of course. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, they say. Well, "they" are wrong.

Chef Braux's recipes were like a "culinary awakening", to me. I realized that you can actually have the proverbial (healthy) cake and eat it, too. Not only are the dishes in his book quick and easy to make, but they are also outstandingly delicious and satisfying! I don't miss my old way of eating at all, and I feel much better after a meal from "How to Lower Your Cholesterol With French Gourmet Food" than after my former fare of so-called "Old World comfort dishes". Instead of being ready for a nap, I'm energized and ready to go. What really blows me away is Alain Braux's concise, no-nonsense approach to teaching us about food quality. We're so accustomed to mindlessly stuffing ourselves with popular grocery store items, that we've overlooked how the giant food corporations have gradually poisoned their products to improve their bottom lines. Most of the time, even the big manufacturers don't even know where exactly their base ingredients come from - it's all outsourced through several layers of obscure brokerages without regulation or oversight. So I appreciate it that Chef Braux takes us by the hand and leads us back to the natural well of eating well, so we stay well. (Well, wasn't that a mouthful?) Seriously, who has time to read through hundreds of pages of health reports? Not me. I've learned more about food and how it affects our health, in 1 hour of reading the first part of this book rather than wading for hours through internet junk in search of reliable information. "How To Lower Your Cholesterol With French Gourmet Food" is entertaining and highly educational. And it worked for this "hard head" when it came to giving up comfortable old ways. My new ways taste much better! - Achim L. Thiemermann. Austin, TX

A must-read for all people who want to stay in great shape, control their cholesterol without statin drugs, while enjoying great diet and having fun making easy-to-follow recipes. This book is for health-conscious people who just do not "feed" themselves, but who appreciate all wonderful "real" food that Mother Nature has to offer.

- Jack Pointeau. Austin, TX

Chef Alain Braux presents a delightful combination of nutritional advice, anecdotes from his childhood in France, humor and, of course, delicious recipes! This book offers comprehensive information on the health benefits of various foods and how to incorporate them into your daily life with simple meal plans. You will also learn what foods are detrimental to your health and why you should avoid them. Its healthy dining at its best and Chef Braux makes it easy and fun. Lowering your cholesterol has never been so delicious! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in eating a healthy diet without compromising flavor, variety and the sheer enjoyment of eating good food.

- BMW. Austin, TX

Here are the professional testimonials from my own clients:

Alain Braux is an extraordinary natural foods chef. His sensitivity to food and nutrition is remarkable. Alain has helped so many individuals create eating plans that are not only gluten and dairy free but creative and delicious. And – he makes the very best flourless chocolate cake – anywhere……………………………. I wish you the best of luck in your new adventure.

Bonne Chance. - Janet Zand, L.Ac., OMD, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. CH, ACN. Austin, TX

Chef Braux's cooking classes are informative, fun, and the recipes are amazing! I can't thank him enough for the Provençal Boule bread recipe, my family loves it. I plan to take many more of his classes in the future.

- Kecia J. Austin, TX

I took the Gluten and Dairy-free French dessert class, I loved it. I loved every aspect of it. The food tasted amazing, and I'm very happy that I took the class with an experienced chef who made the class enjoyable and educational.

- Courtney K. Austin, TX

I have been friends with Alain for no less that 15 years. Over that time I have watched his career evolve from pastry shop owner to chef-ing at the beautiful Barr Mansion to his position with People's Pharmacy.

Alain has truly found his calling with nutri-therapy, and his passion for the health of his friends and clients can not be overestimated. He is a treasure among the Austin health community. - Ric Furley. Austin, TX

Chef Braux is an “Austin, Texas institution”. His culinary artistry inspired many of us 1990’s chef school students – his professional sophistication helped to put Austin onto the national gourmet scene.

One word comes to my mind when I think about Alain - integrity. Chef Braux is not willing to take short cuts or make compromises in regard to product quality and client service. He always gives 100 percent of his energy and expertise. I trust Alain with my nutritional health. - Achim "Chef Keem". Austin, TX

I am grateful to Chef Alain for having generously given time and talent to support my not-profit cooking classes this summer. His classical training, creative talent and high awareness of the healthy aspects of foods make him a valued ally and friend! Our tummies have joyful memories of the finest peach sherbet and red fruits tartes one could eat in Austin.

I wish to Alain, from the bottom of my heart, the best of successes at imparting the wisdom and joy of good foods to as many people as he can. - Brigitte Benquet. Austin, TX

A few years ago, my daughter, who is dyslexic and has a hard time staying focused, was also having allergic reactions to wheat and dairy products.

I went to my friend Alain for help in educating us on how to change our diet. He prepared a shopping list for me and followed up with teaching me how to prepare delicious meals that were fun to make and left us feeling very satisfied and never deprived. He also went through my refrigerator and pantry and helped me get rid of all that was being toxic to our bodies, and gave me healthy alternatives to all of those foods that I thought I couldn't do without. My daughter showed great improvement. She no longer had dark circles under her eyes, and she was better able to stay focused. And I was enjoying making all those new dishes, feeling always satisfied with much smaller portions of the “good stuff”, and feeling more in control by being able to take care of the problem in my own home. He taught us how to eat healthier and now I continue to buy the correct ingredients, and look back at how simple changes and knowledge have made great changes to our way of living. Thank you Alain for teaching me so much and reinforcing that “we are what we eat”. Your patience, knowledge of nutrition, love for food, and desire to make us all healthier human beings transformed the way I see food. - Ana D. Gallo. Austin, TX

Chef Braux is a fantastic French Pastry Chef with much knowledge and abilities with French Pastries. He is also a very knowledgeable Nutritionist. And a healthy eater to boot.

- Steve Mannion, Director, Culinary Academy of Austin. Austin, TX

We are what we eat. Our bodies require good nutrition. It is the same principle if we water our plants with dirty water, they will not flourish and grow as they should.. they will be unhealthy and sickly. It is the same with our bodies.

Not only does Alain Braux bring to the table nutritious food with his creative and clever recipes but he makes them enjoyable to eat! He is a fantastic Chef! Being in good health is an addiction and so is his cooking! You will forget it is really good for you! Alain Braux’s nutritious counseling could also save us a lot of medical bills by getting to the ROOT of the problem instead of just treating the symptoms! I applaud you Alain! - Kim Stanford. Austin, TX