72. Isabelle Bertolami: American Mom, Dietician, & Entrepreneur Living In France

Join thousands of other listeners on our Substack, The Foodletter! In this captivating episode, Brooke Eliason chats with Isabelle Bertolami about her journey from a small town in Massachusetts to building a life in France. Isabelle shares her story of discovering love in France, the cultural nuances of blending American and French lifestyles, and her passion for food and family life. The episode dives into the intricacies of French food culture, parenting traditions, and Isabelle’s entrepreneurial journey with her company, Propre Baby. Listeners will walk away with a new appreciation for French traditions and tips for embracing cultural differences. Key Takeaways

• [01:55] A Journey to France: Isabelle recounts her serendipitous encounter with her husband in Paris and their cross-cultural love story.
• [10:58] Learning French: Practical tips on learning a new language and Isabelle’s personal experience of achieving fluency through immersion and dedication.
• [16:20] French Food Culture: Insights into the French way of feeding children, emphasizing organic, diverse meals in schools.
• [23:25] The Fourth Meal: The concept of “Gouté,” a structured and cherished 4:30 PM snack that’s part of French tradition.
• [28:25] Shopping at Specialty Stores: The charm and community of shopping for fresh produce, cheese, and bread at local markets in France.
• [36:36] French Parenting Essentials: How Isabelle’s discovery of “Liniment” revolutionized her approach to baby care and inspired her business venture.
• [39:54] Entrepreneurship: The story of Propre Baby and Isabelle’s transition from dietitian to business owner.

• (05:45) “When we hugged goodbye, I just knew I was going to marry him. I’ve never had that feeling in my life.”
• (12:26) “Find something you love and do that in the other language. For me, it was reality TV and food.”
• (17:13) “The French have this incredible way of introducing children to food early—it’s a gift to their future relationship with food.”
• (33:38) “The apero dinatoire is my favorite—an evening of snacking and chatting without the formality of a big dinner.”

• Learn more about Propre Baby at https://proprebaby.com/
• Isabelle’s Airbnb in Paris
• Follow Isabelle Bertolami on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram