The Real Life Skinny Bitch - Interview With Kim Barnouin
Recently I managed to get in touch with one of the authors of the awesome new book ‘Skinny Bitch.’
Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman (both former models and thus drop dead gorgeous) switched to a vegan lifestyle and loved it so came together to put out a controversial and best selling book called Skinny Bitch.
Skinny Bitch is a "no nonsense, tough-love guide" that is SURE to make you stop in your tracks and take a lonnnnng hard look at your lifestyle and what you are putting in your mouth.
Read on to find out more about Skinny Bitch and get our exclusive interview with co-author Kim Barnouin!
These straight talking girls have got everyone talking with their revealing insights into government cover ups, the truth about carbs, protein and the "devil" sugar.
Here’s what Kim the co-author of Skinny Bitch had to say when I got to chat with her earlier this month 
1. How did you make the first steps to changing to a vegan lifestyle?
Taking small steps would be the best and most successfull way to change your diet for the long term. It may seem too daunting to take on a complete change all at once but if that works for you then go for it! We both became vegetarians first, cutting out meat, chicken and fish. It took us a few years to go vegan after that. Then it was a matter of giving up fried and unhealthy foods for more natural wholesome foods.
2. Why is being vegan so important to you?
Being a vegan is a lifestyle, not a fad diet. It is about being compassionate for the planet, the animals and for your body. We feel that when all those are aligned, you are on the path to a happier, healthier life. We are so horrified by the health of Americans and feel that we need to participate in a change that can help everyone. Being a vegan can help drastically reduce your risk of many diseases as well as keep people at a healthy weight.
3. Do you think being vegan can help maintain/lose weight?
Absolutely!! And that is a wonderful side effect of eating this way. But with any way of eating you need to pay attention to eating a well balanced diet. Keeping your foods as unprocessed and natural as possible is something to also focus on. We get tons of e-mails from people who have gone vegan and they say that as soon as they gave up dairy the weight loss was the most noticable. This diet is low in fat and cholesterol, and high in fiber and complex carbs. How can you go wrng with that?
4. What can people expect when adopting a vegan lifestyle?
As far as health is concerned, the majority of people claim to have more energy, many allergies go away, skin clears up, and just feeling lighter and healthier. Many notice a spiritual change as well, like being a part of something bigger than yourself. It’s about compassion and that will open your eyes when you start to change your life in this way. So it is much more than about not eating meat or dairy.
5. Hit us with your opinion on carbs?
Keep eating them!! It’s such a shame that they got put on the back burner for so long. Carbs are so important to our daily diet and people should not be afraid to eat them or worry about them making them fat. It’s about choosing the right kind of carbs. Replace all the white products with whole grain products and your health will change. Change white rice for brown rice, white pasta for whole wheat or brown rice pasta, and of coarse white bread with whole grain bread. These whole grain products are vital for energy production as well as a source of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
6. Why do you think EVERYONE should convert to veganism?
I think that especially in America we are in a health crisis right now and people need to open their eyes and their minds and try to take control of their health. People take care of their cars and their homes so why not their bodies! I don’t expect everyone to convert to veganism, but I do hope that people smarten up about the foods they are eating and make some drastic changes. We should be horrified about what we are doing to our kids, they are more suseptible to obesity and diabetes at an earlier age than ever before. That is because of our food supply.
7. What is your favourite vegan/healthy meal?
We put out a cookbook Skinny Bitch in the Kitch and in it we put together tons of great tasting, everyday, "normal" recipes. Some of my faves are the french toast, lasagna, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and a burrito. Cooking vegan isn’t about giving up the foods you love, it’s about replacing ingredients with healthier food choices. The food is still so fantastic.
8. What is your favourite workout or exercise?
We both like to do yoga and go hiking. Exercise is such an important part of a healthy lifestyle. There is no way to successfully lose weight unless you eat well and exercise. It is also good for your heart, lungs and overall well being.
9. If the readers were to take one point from the book into their lifestyle today, what would you want it to be?
Read food labels!! Don’t just blindly grocery shop anymore. Take control over what you are putting in your body. If there are too many ingredients that you can’t pronounce or don’t know what they are then don’t eat it. Keep foods as fresh and natural as possible. The first four ingredients are the most important ones so if they contain a lot of sugar or fat than step away!!
10. One last tip/quote/thought to leave us with. . .
Use your head, loose your ass
And there you have it, the beautiful and straight talking Kim Barnouin.
Tags: kim barnouin, rory freeman, skinny bitch, skinny bitch by rory freeman and kim barnouin, vegan, vegan diet, veganism