Rory Freedman, a former agent for Ford Models, is a self-taught know-it-all.  Kim Barnouin is a former model who holds a Masters of Science degree in Holistic Nutrition.   They have successfully counseled models, actors, athletes, and other professionals using the Skinny Bitch method. They both live in Los Angeles. They met at a talent agency in 1996, and became fast friends. And one of the foundations for their friendship was food. They were both completely obsessed with it. But they weren't always healthy eaters. So eventually, when they did change their ways, they experienced firsthand the difference a healthy diet could make. And the more they learned about themselves, the more they wanted to share their knowledge and help others. As a result they came up with the book Skinny Bitch: A no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to “stop eating crap and start looking fabulous.” 

Name: Skinny Bitch:  Kim Barnouin / Rory Freedman

Birthday: February 27 / September 23

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Website: www.SkinnyBitch.net

Question: Oh my gosh. So an outrageous approach to dieting—why?

Unfortunately, in this day an age, people seem more concerned with their appearances than their health. Perhaps that’s why we’re seeing higher rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity than ever before. We know Skinny Bitch is an outrageous title for a book, but we wanted to make sure people would read it.

Question:  Do you think that “tough love” really works for weight loss? Why?

We truly want to motivate people to take better care of themselves and inspire them to be the healthiest and happiest they can be. We could’ve written a book called, “The Candy Diet,” or made up some other fad-nonsense that would sell books. But we felt really strongly that the truth is the most compelling motivator of all.

Question: What is the “truth” when it comes to dieting?

The truth is, you are what you eat. And if you want to look great, feel well, and be healthy, you need to eat right! The best foods are fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. And you should be eating these foods every day!

Question: Have either of you ever been overweight? Do you think that helps or hurts your ability to give advice?

Neither of us has ever been overweight. But we’ve both treated our bodies like human garbage cans for decades. We know what it’s like to be addicted to junk, and to not have any desire to eat healthy foods.

And even now, as healthy eaters, we still love food more than anything else in the world.

Being thin doesn’t hurt our ability to give advice, because we know our stuff and we genuinely care about making a difference. It may hurt some people’s ability to heed our advice, and that’s unfortunate, because countless people have benefited from reading Skinny Bitch.

Question:  You say that “thanks to slick marketing and food-industry lobbying, we’ve reached such a collective level of ignorance about health and nutrition that a diet telling us to eat lots of meat and no fruit becomes wildly successful,” – can you explain?

As a society, we’ve gotten so far away from normal, healthy eating—we don’t know what’s healthy anymore! Somehow, we got brainwashed into thinking that all carbs are evil, and this is simply not the case. Yes, refined carbs are bad, like white bread, white rice, and white sugar. But complex carbs like fruit, whole grains, and brown rice are vital for our health!

We cringe when we hear people say that they don’t eat fruit because it’s “high in sugar.” Fruit is a gift from the heavens and should be eaten every day (along with whole grains)!

Question:  What’s the most surprising and interesting fact or study that you’ve heard or discovered about dieting / weight control, which most of us have not heard about?

Definitely the thing that shocked us the most was the dairy discovery. Our whole lives, it’s been pounded into our heads that we need milk for strong bones—that without it, we’ll get osteoporosis. Well, according to researchers at Harvard, Yale, Penn State, and the National Institute of Health, dairy does not prevent osteoporosis. In fact, researchers at Yale found that countries with the highest consumption of dairy (and meat) had the highest rates of osteoporosis!

Another overwhelming discovery, according to The China Study: Casein, a milk protein, was found to promote all stages of cancer growth! Vegetable protein, even in large amounts, did not promote cancer growth at any stage. In some instances, vegetable protein was found to reverse cancer growth!

Question: What is the worst food in the world?

We’re gonna have to go with soda. So many people are hooked on the stuff, and there is simply no benefit to drinking it. Not regular or diet. Something as simple as ditching soda for water can make all the difference in a person’s health, diet, and body. Try it and see for yourself!

Question: If you could eat one forbidden or unhealthy food (candy, cakes, etc..) whenever you wanted without gaining weight, what would it be?

This may sound lame, but it’s true: Nothing is really forbidden to us. We do eat cakes, cookies, candy, etc. We just don’t eat them by the trough and we don’t buy ones with refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, or high fructose corn syrup. We read ingredients and make smart choices so we don’t have to live without our favorite foods. Life without cake is not a life worth living! (We include an “acceptable junk food list” in Skinny Bitch. Oink.)

Question: If there were one healthy food item (something you love) that you had to eat every day, what would it be?

Don’t make us pick one! Every day, we have to eat fruits, vegetable, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. We just have to have ‘em!

Question: What do you think is the single most important thing that makes or breaks a diet for someone?

Nobody likes change. Especially where food is concerned! To ensure success, ease in slowly so you don’t feel like your whole life just got hijacked. Tackle one goal at a time. For example, your first week or two, kick the soda habit. Do everything else the same, just get off the soda. After you feel like you’ve gotten that monkey off your back, make another positive change, like adding a piece of fresh fruit to your daily regimen. Little by little, you’ll be changing your habits. And before long, your brain and taste buds will actually have changed! The junk that appealed to before no longer will, and the healthy stuff that used to taste terrible will actually taste good!

Question: What do you consider the world’s most perfect food? [Please be specific and try not to answer with a category but rather with a specific food item: for example, not “whole grain” but “raisin bran cereal”?]

If we were stranded on an island and could only have one food the entire time, it’d have to be a fruit of some kind. Maybe pineapple.

But really, there is no such a thing as one perfect food. Hate to sound like a broken record, but eating a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes is the answer!

Question: What do you do for physical activity to keep yourself in shape?

Kim: Aside from taking my six-month old son on two walks a day, I like to do workout videos at home.

Rory: I go to the gym, but I really like to do fun stuff, like hiking (with my dogs, of course), playing softball, swimming in the ocean, doing yoga, and bike riding.

Question: What’s your favorite healthy ingredient? What’s the one thing you’d suggest people keep in their kitchen if they want to cook healthy meals?

Fresh, organic produce! There is no way around it—fresh, organic foods beat packaged, processed, chemical-laden foods in nutrients and taste!

Question: What’s the one kitchen utensil or tool that you can’t live without?

A steamer! Gotta have it!

Question: What’s the easiest healthy meal you know how to make?

Steamed veggies and brown rice…heaven on earth!

Question: Do you have a favorite low calorie healthy recipe or cooking tip? If so would you share it?

Here’s a tip: Don’t get hung up on calories! Seriously! Read the ingredients. Understand each one and know exactly what you’re putting in your body at all times. People get so caught up in calorie counting and calculating; they forget to pay attention to what it is they’re even eating. Who cares if it only has 25 calories…it’s made from toxic chemicals! Great, now you’re skinny, but you have cancer! Read the ingredients, read the ingredients, read the ingredients.

A hearty, healthy snack: White bean dip on whole grain toast! In a food processor, blend together white beans, a clove of garlic, a generous drizzle of olive oil, and a little Braggs Liquid Aminos (kind of like a soy sauce, but healthier). Once smooth, spread onto a lightly toasted piece of whole grain bread.

Question: Do you have a Calorie Bargain?

We eat soy ice cream instead of regular ice cream, and we don’t bother comparing fat grams, calories, or carbs. And here’s why: Cows’ milk is for baby cows. We’re the only species on the planet that drinks the milk of another species. We ‘re also the only species on the planet that drinks milk as adults. Why? Because the dairy industry spends hundreds of millions of advertising dollars telling us we should. In addition, the amount of pus, steroids, hormones, and antibiotics in dairy is nothing short of alarming.

Question: Define failure.

Not trying.

Question: What's the most bodacious chance you've ever taken?

Kim: I moved to NYC when I was a teenager to try modeling. It really taught me to be fearless and take risks.

Rory: I was earning six figures a year as an agent at Ford Models when I decided I wanted to “change the world.” Without having a job lined up, I gave my notice. And it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my entire life.

Question: What was your worst summer job?

Kim: Waiting tables!

Rory: One summer, during college, I worked at a drive-thru liquor store!

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