Alexia Papadopoulou - Tasting Greece

Tasting Greece Alexia Papadopoulou Tasting Greece Copyright 2016 by Alexia Papadopoulou All rights reserved.No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by electronic, mechanical means including storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from Alexia Papadopoulou. Welcome Greek cuisine has a culinary tradition of some 4,000 years and is a part of the history and the culture of Greece. Its flavors change with the season and its geography. Greek cookery, historically a forerunner of Western cuisine, spread its culinary influence - via Ancient Rome - throughout Europe and beyond. Greek food is simple and elegant, nutritious and healthy with rich flavors. Preparing and enjoying Greek food is an adventurous journey into the cradle of civilization and the land of the Gods of Olympus.

The ancient Greeks used to say "Pan Metron Ariston", which means that there is a limit to everything. This applies to our diet. All food should be consume in moderation, and this is the "secret" of the Mediterranean diet, that leads to a balanced life. "Nous ugieis en somati ugiei" said the ancient Greeks which means that a healthy body accounts for a healthy mind. Therefore the care of the body was as important as the care of the mind Body and mind must be in perfect balance. The Greek cuisine is inexhaustible.

With a few simple ingredients we can have healthy, nutritious and absolutely delicious meals. Let's look at some of them.Absolutely fantastic meals and so easy to make. Nutritious dishes with low caloric value Kali Orexi !! CONTENTS BAKED LEMON CHICKEN WITH POTATOES & CARROTS

Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle, a holistic approach.Is eating, social contact, the right type of exercise and stay in the countryside, in the sunlight. It is not a coincidence that the people who live in the Mediterranean have a better quality of life, live longer and suffer less than most Americans from cancer and cardiovascular This is due to their daily habits, especially when it comes to their diet. The Mediterranean diet helps you pay attention to your individual lifestyle, including the types of foods you eat, the portion sizes you consume, your physical activities, and your overall way of life. You can incorporate these changes into your daily life and create long-term habits that bring you not only weight loss but also sustained weight loss.

The Mediterranean dishes are easy to prepare and thanks to the wide range of products produced in the Mediterranean countries they are quite creative and delicious. At the same time, the recipes can be easily adapted to different tastes and preferences. The Greek version of the Mediterranean diet consists of products produced in Greece and it was formed by the eating habits of the Greeks of antiquity. The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits and vegetables and includes pasta, bread, cereal, rice and potatoes, poultry and fish, dairy products, and a little bit of meat. However, its two main components are: Olive oil as the main source of fat and wine. The daily intake of dairy is mainly in the form of cheese or yogurt.

The most common dessert is the fruit of the season. Dessert is being consumed a few times a week and often honey is used in place of sugar. Red meat is almost prohibited and consumed a few times a month in small quantities, unlike chicken and fish which are being consumed daily.

A traditional Mediterranean diet consisting of large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish and olive oil coupled with physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases. More specifically: Protecting against type 2 diabetes.A Mediterranean diet is rich in fiber, slowing down digestion and preventing huge swings in blood sugar. Preventing heart disease and strokes.

Refined breads, processed foods, and red meat are discouraged in a Mediterranean diet, and it encourages drinking red wine instead of hard liquor, which have all been linked to heart disease and stroke prevention. Keeping you agile. The nutrients gained with a Mediterranean diet may reduce a seniors risk of developing muscle weakness and other signs of frailty by about 70 percent. Reducing risk of Alzheimers. Researchers speculate that the Mediterranean diet may improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and overall blood vessel healthall factors that may reduce the risk of Alzheimers disease or dementia. Halving the risk of Parkinsons disease.In a diet containing high levels of antioxidants that prevent cells from undergoing a damaging process called oxidative stress, the risk of Parkinsons disease is practically cut in half.

Increased longevity.When there is a reduction in developing heart disease or cancer, as in the case when you follow a Mediterranean diet, there is a 20% reduced risk of death at any age.

For the Greeks the food is not just a meal ' for this reason family meals are very important. The benefits of family meals are many. Children have a more balanced diet. Everyone is given the opportunity for communication Strengthening of family ties All members of the family offered, time, contact, and emotional balance. Antiobesity Meals Frequent family meals can help reduce the risk of obesity, as well as eating disorders.

When the family eats together, parents have the opportunity to "control" what and how much the children eat and the consumption of junk food. So family meals can be a "shield" towards childhood obesity, because they help children to adopt healthy and balanced eating habits. Family meals do not need to be complex. We can follow easy and quick recipes. Moreover, it is appropriate: To meal prep so that the weekly menu includes a variety of foods, so that children become familiar with different flavors. To constitute vegetable as an integral part of every meal.

To serve dishes that children might not favor because they might eventually be persuaded to try through imitation of their parents To let our children accompany us to the supermarket to familiarize themselves with the nutritional values and labels of products. To pay extra attention to the appearance and serving of the food To integrate to our children's diet protein sources other than meat, such as dairy and legumes

For the Greeks, eating fresh, natural foods is a way of life. It also makes eating healthy food a pleasurable experience. They look forward to when healthy foods are in season, and they wont settle for anything less than the most fresh option During the summer , tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, green beans, okra, are the protagonists in Greek kitchens. Whereas in the winter time the Greeks enjoy the spinach, leeks, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and lot of leafy greens. The Greek cuisine is inexhaustible.

With a few simple ingredients we can have healthy, nutritious and absolutely delicious meals. Let's look at some of them.Absolutely fantastic meals and so easy to make. Nutritious dishes with low caloric value

Meze is a selection of small dishes served to accompany alcoholic drinks as a course or as appetizers before the main dish in Greece. The absolute most popular and loved by all dish is the Greek salad! Healthy, refreshing and delicious! *2 tomatoes, cut into wedges *1 red onion, sliced into rings *1 cucumber, sliced into thick half-moons * 1 green bell pepper *4 oz (120g) feta cheese, cut into small cubes *1/2 cup Kalamata Olives *Salt Pepper *4 tbsp olive oil * 1 tsp dried oregano Mix the olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano in a small bowl. Place the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Next page