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Imagine meeting a French chef who is much more than what he seems. In this true story, James Twyman enters the mystical world of Roger Dufau, the owner of a bed-and-breakfast outside Toronto, who dishes out lessons on love and God just as easily as he does the most delicious cuisine. Follow James as he undergoes a profound transformation, exploring his past relationships and dissolving negative patterns. In this remarkably personal account, James learns to release his fears and fully open his heart—perhaps for the first time.
“Food is one of the closest things we have to real spirituality,” Roger explains, then goes on to teach the true meaning of abundance, and how our passion can be used to create new worlds and serve humanity.
This is a book that will stir your heart as well as offer hints on how you too can become a master chef—not only of French cuisine, but of your own life. It is a recipe for living, and speaks with an intimacy that everyone can appreciate and understand.
Introduction ix
Chapter 1 Abandone 1
Chapter 2 Your Life Is Meant to Be Smashed 13
Chapter 3 Love Lies Bleeding 27
Chapter 4 Another Chance 41
Chapter 5 The Intensity You Bring to Life 49
Chapter 6 Sister, Forgive Me 53
Chapter 7 A Sip of Wine 73
Chapter 8 eturning Home 83
Chapter 9 Alice in Wonderland 97
Chapter 10 The Heart of the Matter 121
Chapter 11 An American in Paris 129
Chapter 12 Alain the Great 139
Chapter 13 The Light Comes 155
Afterword 167
About the Author 169
SarahRStarr
Posted January 5, 2012
I've read many of James Tywman's books and his honest journey through yet another heartbreak makes him even more likable. Tywman tells of a chance meeting with a mystic/french chef after being dumped at a BB in Canada by his latest girlfriend and how it transforms his life.
Not much of a cook myself, "Love, God, and the Art of French Cooking" reminds me I've been missing the main ingredient. It's not always what you cook, but the attention you give it. Instead of rushing through preparing my food, I am now aware of the process, making it a meditation. I can slap it together and throw it on a dish or lovingly thank the person who grew the fruit, shipped it to the store, stacked it on the shelf and packed it in my bag. I can preoccupy myself with the next task waiting for me or I can relish the colors, textures and aroma. I can thank God for my abundance or multi-task, gobbling it up in less than a minute. There is presence to be found in everything we do. "If I try to impress someone with my cooking, it never turns out well," Chef Dufau explains, "I think of food as a way to love the individual I'm cooking for. It's a simple idea, but it transforms everything and people feel it whether or not they consciously know it."
This book is not a cook book but filled with recipes of spiritual advice for living. As a teacher and a passion to share what I love this quote from Chef Dufau says it well. "Another word for intensity is passion. In order for your passion to really benefit you, you have to add one more ingredient: service. He explains further, Do you remember when we were making Rosti potatoes, and I told you the eggs held it all together? Imagine if you didn't add the eggs-it would all fall apart, right? It would break up in the pan and I wouldn't be able to serve it. That's what I am trying to explain. Passion is useless if you don't direct it into serving others. It ultimately falls apart. If you're only passionate about the things that are for you, then you can't be replenished." This beautiful quote reminds me to start my busy days as a teacher, mother, wife and entrepreneur with, "How may I serve?" In contemplating this question there is always enough time, love and abundance and I am shown the way.
I am honored to have reviewed this free book from Hay House.
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Posted December 11, 2011
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Overview
Imagine meeting a French chef who is much more than what he seems. In this true story, James Twyman enters the mystical world of Roger Dufau, the owner of a bed-and-breakfast outside Toronto, who dishes out lessons on love and God just as easily as he does the most delicious cuisine. Follow James as he undergoes a profound transformation, exploring his past relationships and dissolving negative patterns. In this remarkably personal account, James learns to release his fears and fully open...