So, I’m taking this awesome Nutrition class and we have to research current events on health and nutrition for extra credit. And since I LOVE these 2 subjects (and I needed a break from the current financial woes of America) I started to peruse the Health section of the New York Times. I came across this article, which just saddened me to no end…
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/world/europe/24diet.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin
You see, a few years ago, in 2001, right before 9/11, I lived on the island of Cyprus, a beautiful Greek Speaking sovereign nation in the Mediterranean. I was lucky enough to be singing in a show there with a few other Americans. We enjoyed the gorgeous beaches, the rich culture and the AMAZING food. So fresh, so healthy. I actually LOST weight while living there because we ate so well.
I remember dining outside while eating mezethes, traditional Greek appetizers, and drinking red wine until I didn’t know where I was anymore, nor did I care. The weather would be in the 80’s at night with a stunning ocean breeze – it was just tremendous.
Now, I read in this article that people all over the Med are starting to have the same health problems that we are seeing in record numbers here in the states. Instead of people there keeping to their diet of lean protein, nuts, olive oils and bountiful fruits and veggies, they have adopted our “Western” ways – Pizza, Fried Foods, Red Meat to excess…
Just recently, my instructor told us that the Mediterranean Diet has had a ton of research done on it and it is believed to be one of the most balanced diets of any people on earth. We can take so much from that and change ourselves here in the states. We, especially living here in California, have such a huge plethora of fresh produce at our fingertips. There is no reason to chose eating what we just KNOW is bad for us. We have choice.
Give me a holler and let me know one thing that you can adopt from the Mediterranean Diet this week.
Here are some examples:
Whole Wheat Pitas with Grilled Chicken and Veggies, Fresh Veggies Basted in Lemon and Olive Oil and roasted, Greek Salad with Grilled Salmon and Roasted Veggies with Feta Cheese, Grape Leaves with Rice (Dolmas)
Let’s pool our ideas and really start to change ourselves, one TBSP of Olive Oil instead of butter at a time.
Blessings and be mindful, MamaChow
