Interview with Bethenny Frankel

Summertime is just about here. Warm weather filled with lazy days just hanging out by the pool! And yes, in order to partake in all that fun a bathing suit is most likely required! Quite frankly, that’s the one rite of summer most women dread…trying to squeeze into a tiny bikini without spilling over.

Have no fear! This month’s Jen’s Jewels is here to help. Bethenny Frankel, author of the New York Times bestselling book NATURALLY THIN, dishes up the do’s and don’ts for living a guilt-free, healthy lifestyle. With ten simple rules, she empowers women (and men) everywhere to take control of their diet without any gimmicks or unrealistic expectations.

As part of this interview, Simon and Schuster has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your day!

Jen: My readers recognize your name from the Bravo hit reality show The Real Housewives of New York City. Now, you have donned yet another hat with the release of your first book, NATURALLY THIN. Let’s take a moment and talk about your background. Which life experiences significantly contributed to your ardent desire to achieve success in the business world?

Bethenny: A checkered childhood and lack of parents made me a survivor, made me do everything for myself and created a drive and strength that is unstoppable.

Jen: As you mentioned in your book, you are a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Cooking School. Describe for us the program.

Bethenny: Natural gourmet is a unique school in that it focuses on food and healing: from the benefits of a plant-based diet to healing foods for allergies, illnesses and the emphasis on overall health.

Jen: Being a runner-up on Martha Stewart Apprentice opened many doors for you. In terms of personal insight, what was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself in the process?

Bethenny: Martha Stewart Apprentice didn't do well. It was a flop; however, I used that experience like a damp sponge struggling to get any moisture out of it. That was the most challenging experience of my life. It was a horse race in that nothing really matters or affects the end result except who crosses that finish line. Ironically, my horse racing background taught me that second is losing.

Jen: Your appearance on The Real Housewives of New York City was instrumental in catapulting you into the public eye. What was the criterion for being selected for the show? And, did you have a previous relationship with the women before you began filming?

Bethenny: Personality is the criteria to get on a reality show. My desire to be married with children was a different take that Bravo decided to explore. Originally, they wanted me to be married with children.

Jen: What has surprised you most about filming a reality series?

Bethenny: It never ceases to amaze me how toxic the whole process can be. It is exhausting yet incredibly fruitful.

Jen: During both seasons, you’ve touched upon your not-so-picture- perfect childhood. Despite being dealt a bad hand, you have turned your passion for life into a thriving business of which any parent would be proud. What’s your secret?

Bethenny: Don't cry over spilled families. In other words, don't wear your story.

Jen: NATURALLY THIN is a no-nonsense approach to what I would call good living. How did you arrive at the premise?

Bethenny: I hit the wall with a lifetime of obsessing dieting and food noise. When I unlocked the door to thinness for life with no compromise, I had to tell the world. It is literally drastically changing people's lives.

Jen: As for the manuscript, you teamed up with Eve Adamson on this project. What was that experience like? And, how did the day-to-day writing actually take place?

Bethenny: I wrote the whole book and then it was like a giant mess on the floor. Eve came in to structure my words and thoughts. We've never even met. I send her bulk writing, she turns it into structured chapters and I edit and we go through once all together. With all of my upcoming books, Eve will never have to work with anyoneagain. We are a spectacular team. When I get to number one on the New York Times list, it’s time for us to meet. My gut is she'll be my life writing partner.

Jen: Throughout the book, I like how you stressed that there is no right or wrong way to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Instead, you suggest guidelines to help the reader make better choices. Your chatty banter made me feel as if I were like Jill Zarin hanging out with you in the Hamptons! How did you come up with the ten rules?

Bethenny: The ten rules are exactly what goes into my mind on a daily basis keeping me naturally thin in any circumstance. They are the commandments which are often broken which is okay.

Jen: Which of the ten is the most challenging for you to follow? How so?

Bethenny: None of it is challenging which is why it has been no 3 on the NY Times Bestseller List for 10 weeks. It is revolutionary because it is so stupid it's smart.

Jen: Let’s talk about the Skinnygirl Margarita. Please share with my readers its origin. And, will it be available to purchase sometime soon?

Bethenny: I created the Skinnygirl Margarita because everyone wants a margarita but no one wants 700 calories. Skinnygirl Margarita is the margarita you can trust. It will be in stores in June in a single 4 serving bottle including the alcohol: open and serve and only 96 calories a serving. www.skinnygirlcocktails.com

Jen: The recipes are a lucky strike extra in this book! Will you be writing a cookbook to complement the Naturally Thin Program?

Bethenny: Skinnylicious will be released in June which will be a cookbook/weight loss book giving all the decadent foods we want with healthy recipes and tools to stay naturally thin.

Jen: BethennyBakes is your line of all natural baked goods. Where can we buy your products?

Bethenny: BethennyBakes are low fat wheat, egg and dairy free cookies available at www.bethenny.com.

Jen: As if you were not busy enough, you also write a monthly column for Health Magazine. (I’m a subscriber!!) What are the latest trends in cooking? How do you incorporate them into your own lifestyle?

Bethenny: I don't believe in trendy cooking. People want to eat what they're craving. What I do is renovate fattening recipes so everyone can enjoy them with no sacrifice in taste. Similarly, I'm a fixologist making fattening cocktails light.

Jen: What’s next for you? Book tour? Any upcoming appearances? Will there be a season three for The Real Housewives of NYC? (I hope so!)

Bethenny: I'm doing a nationwide book tour. Upcoming cities are Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, PA, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orange County, Charlotte, Miami and the list goes on and on. They're in my email signature, on my website and on Facebook.

Jen: Any upcoming appearances?

Bethenny: Las Vegas, Atlantic City, the Hamptons, Charlotte and the list continues.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. You are such an inspiration to many! Keep those Skinnygirl Margaritas coming!! I wish you all the best!

Bethenny: Thank you!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Bethenny. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library today and pick up a copy of NATURALLY THIN.

Better yet, how would you like to win one instead? Answer the following trivia question and be one of five lucky winners.

What is the name of Bethenny’s line of baked goods?

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with the talented debut novelist Katherine Howe. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time...Jen

When a twist of fate landed Jennifer at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would essentially be over. Instead, she figured out a clever way to combine her love for reading and writing and "voilà" She became a book reviewer and columnist with www.freshfiction.com. On the sidelines, her parents secretly hoped that her French degree from Vanderbilt would one day come in handy and Jennifer is happy to report that the phrases ‘Je ne sais pas' and ‘C'est incroyable!' have been quite useful when reviewing certain selections! As is typical in her whirlwind life, one thing led to another and soon she found herself facilitating a popular moms' book club and writing a column she cleverly named Jen's Jewels. (Jewelry is one of her many addictions, as is the color pink and Lilly Pulitzer, which when you think about it, would probably make for a good story! Hint! Hint! ) To keep herself away from her favorite retailer, Ann Taylor, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library in Maryland. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Classes, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. When asked how she manages to do all of these things and actually get some sleep at night, she simply replied, "It's just Par for the Course." Hmm! Now where have we heard that before?