In contrast to a typical diet that focuses only on how to lose weight as quickly as possible and then leaves you to fend for yourself-which usually means you regain the weight and end up in a vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting-The California Wine Country Diet presents a comprehensive program for weight loss and maintenance. It is based on Haven Logan's Wheel of Weight-Management, which includes nutrition, physical activity, practicality, pleasure, relationships, and variety. The California Wine Country Diet discourages you from obsessing over how quickly or slowly you lose weight. By taking pleasure in foods that you truly love, moderation is not a struggle. By moving away from denial and giving yourself permission to enjoy your favorite foods, satisfaction will replace guilty overeating. A unique part of this program is the integration of wine for those who choose to drink wine. At the end of the book you will take a tour through California's various wine-growing regions and discover sumptuous recipes from many of the area's finest chefs. Not only will you be able to cook these satisfying and nutritionally sound meals yourself, but you also will better understand the types of restaurant items you might want to try when dining out. Many of the California wine country chefs contributing to this book provide suggestions for wine pairings with their recipes. The California Wine Country Diet does not promise to show you the fastest way to lose weight. What it does promise is to help you with the process of reaching and maintaining a healthy weight in the context of a full and enjoyable life.