I absolutely loved this week’s ActiveRain Zoom session with John Henry, Florida Architect on the Mediterranean Diet! His passion for the lifestyle and his upbringing in a culture that naturally embraced healthy, joyful eating really struck a chord with me.
As I sit here enjoying my lunch, a couple slices of apple, a handful of pistachios, some yogurt, and half a banana, I’m smiling at how much I’ve already started to tweak my habits!
John reminded me of my travels with my late husband, Geno, through Turkey, Greece, and other beautiful Mediterranean countries. We soaked up the culture, the seaside meals, and the long, laughter-filled lunches shared with friends and locals. It wasn’t just about the food, it was about connection, conversation, and slowing down to savor life. The energy was contagious!
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My granddaughters have definitely inherited the travel bug. After taking them to Istanbul, Greece, and Italy they were hooked! One even brought back a tin of sardines from her trip to Portugal, something I never thought I’d see in her suitcase.
Funny enough, it reminded me of my dad, who used to eat sardines and crackers every Friday night while watching boxing. I’d roll my eyes back then, but now I see he might’ve been onto something!
After those travels, Geno and I made a lot of changes to how we ate, fresh, simple foods and lingering over meals instead of rushing through them. But after hearing John’s talk, I’m ready to make a few new tweaks.
Here are three changes I’m making (and already loving!):
♦ More pistachios, less chicken! They’re crunchy, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
♦ Fruit with lunch. Sliced apples and half a banana are such a refreshing midday boost.
♦ Switching to pita bread. I’ve always loved pita pockets filled with grilled fish and veggies, tonight’s dinner is already planned!
I’m now hunting down our old travel photos, smiling at the memories of those long tables by the sea. The Mediterranean way truly reshaped our lifestyle and reminded us to slow down. As Americans, we’re often accused of living to work instead of working to live, and maybe there’s some truth in that. But because we worked hard, we were able to live well and see the world.
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