Italy emulates U.S. – Italians getting fatter
Native Italian and fitness expert Paul Frediani recently returned from his annual trip to Italy. Paul is passionate about Italy and the Italian lifestyle. While he always loves the precious time spent in his native village of Bozzano in Tuscany, Paul is bothered by a disturbing trend. Are the Italians emulating some of America’s negative habits?
Here are Paul’s thoughts:
“Tutto il mondo é un paese” – an old Italian saying meaning “the world is a village” – is certainly true when it comes to the alarming increase in the rate of obesity in western society today. The Italians are no exception. The obesity levels in Italy are up 25% since 1994. Italian obesity is at 9%, while America’s is at 30% but the Italians are gaining fast. It’s no wonder Fiat bought Chrysler. It was a strategic move: At the rate of their fast expanding waistline Italians will no longer be able to fit into their Cinquecentos. I was shocked and baffled by what I saw in Italy this past year. Young teenage girls with big bellies hanging over their waistline, men so fat their Armani’s are busting at the seams. Although I have seen the slow but gradual weight gain of the Italian population over the years, this last trip simply “blew my mind”.
The American love affair with Tuscany
Tuscany has always been a very popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. For Americans, since the publication of Frances Mayes’ “Under the Tuscan Sun” (and the eponymous movie plus her other subsequent books on Tuscany), the fascination with this region of Italy has reached amazing heights.(1).jpg)
I am not knocking this trend - the desire to share the Tuscan lifestyle is the reason I began writing this column. I am from Tuscany and passionate about all it has to offer :Art, architecture, food, wine, history, vineyards, sunflowers and natural beauty. Tuscans are very proud of their heritage and live a great life. But who knew that all the traditional foods I grew up with (such as bruschette, crostini, rustic bread soups, home-made salumi and sautéed beans) would end up being featured in the trendiest of U.S. restaurants?
It seems I cannot drive more than a few minutes from home without seeing a “Tuscan” or “Tuscany” restaurant, hotel, condominium building, cooking school or billboard. Even the Olive Garden Restaurants have joined this trend with their Culinary Institute of Tuscany and their latest television commercials featuring Tuscan menu specials.
7 Ways to save money and make great food using leftovers – Italian-style
In a previous article, I challenged readers to come up with some low cost, health
y and delicious recipes using leftovers and inexpensive ingredients – just like the Italians do. As you may know, Italians throw nothing away and utilize every part of the animals they consume (think of head cheese or pickled pigs feet)! This is true now more than ever. We all want to save money and not waste anything. It’s better for the earth too.
Following are reader suggestions and some recipes. Buon Appetito!
Nobel Prize winner Rita Levi Montalcini turns 100 with verve!
Every day I watch the Italian Telegiornale (TV news) to keep up with what is going on in my native country. This week, I was moved and inspired by the interview with Nobel Prize recipient Rita Levi Montalcini on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
Beautifully coifed and elegant in a navy suit, with a sweet expression and lively eyes, she is still a commanding presence and passionate about her work. She published her autobiography in 2008. Montalcini is a senator for life in Italy and still working. She has dedicated herself to the FAO Goodwill Ambassador Program and is dedicated to promoting the FAO’s vision of a world without hunger.
Recipes from Authentic Italian Women: Arista aka: Tuscan Pork Roast from Serenella
Arista refers to the pork saddle. In Tuscany it is usually cooked on the spit but it can also be delicious roasted in the oven.
The story, as told by the author Pellegrino Artusi in the historic Italian cookbook “L’Arte di Mangiar Bene” goes back to the year 1430 in Florence. At that time, the leaders of the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches were having a church council meeting. When the Tuscans served this roast to the Greek bishops, they all exclaimed “Aristos, aristos, aristos!” (the best) in Greek. From that day forward, the Tuscans have called this roast Arista.
Recipes from Tuscan Women: Mushroom Soup, Tuscan Crostini, Risotto with Carrots and Mozzarella
Manila – Florence, Tuscany, Italy (more recipes from Manila’s repertoire)
Recap: My friend Manila is a beautiful, doe-eyed woman who lives in Florence. Her husband owns the Ancre jewelry store near Piazza San Marco which is a favorite boutique of the locals.
Manila has raised her three sons in Florence and has taught pre-school and elementary school for many years. Her dream, however, is to own a catering business.
Manila’s passion for Tuscan cuisine is well-known and she is considered one of the best cooks around. My cousins and I were blown away by a meal Manila cooked entirely based on fresh Tuscan mushrooms. When she smilingly opened her front door and the aromas wafted towards us, it was heavenly. And I will never forget about the bone-in prime rib cooked in the wood-burning oven in her courtyard in downtown Florence.
Following are Manila’s recipe for the Tuscan Mushroom Soup, Chicken Liver Crostini and Chicken Liver Croquettes, all typical Tuscan autumn dishes. Buon appetito!
Note from Serenella: John and I tested the soup and crostini recipes this week-end. We had fun and liked them both.
For the soup, we chose to put it through the blender but it also looked prettty chopped up with the different vegetable colors. The pictures are from our recipe testing experience.
Recipes from Tuscany: Cioccolata Calda (Hot Chocolate)
Fall is definitely in the air. I pulled out our winter comforter last night and shivered a few times this morning.
So, my mind naturally turns to chocolate. (My mind always seems to turn to chocolate, no matter what the excuse!)
As the weather gets colder, I dream of the wonderful hot chocolate served in cafes all over Italy. Once you have tasted the Italian version of hot chocolate, it is very difficult to drink the bland versions back home.
In fact, three years ago, a woman on one of my tour groups became so enamored of “cioccolata calda” that she ordered it several times a day everywhere we went – even when the temperature was in the 80s! When we reached one of the pinnacles of hot chocolate, the Caffe Rivoire in Florence’s famous Piazza della Signoria, we were actually sweating. That did not stop us from ordering the wonderfully thick and delicious concoction.
Italians prefer desserts and drinks that are less sweet-tasting than Americans do and hot chocolate is no exception. The goal is a bitter-sweet, smooth taste with non-sweetened whipped cream on top.
In Tuscany (the home of “The Valley of Chocolate” that lies between Pisa and Florence), there is no end to the supply of velvety, deeply flavorful chocolate from local suppliers such as Slitti, Amedei, Corsini and many others. Any of these chocolates make a great start for a hot chocolate drink. If you cannot find Italian chocolate, any high quality chocolate will work. Remember, the secret is in each detail so use the best possible ingredients!
Italians generally drink their chocolate in a cappuccino cup filled halfway. Here are two typical recipes below. Are you up to the chocolate challenge? Read more
Recipes from Authentic Italian Women – Tuscan Ribollita Soup
As you may realize by now, my desire is to connect you to the real, authentic Tuscany. A large part of that, of course, is the food. Who better to consult about Tuscan cooking than authentic Tuscan women?
I am presenting a series of recipes from friends, family members and colleagues who are authentic Tuscan women or women from other regions of Italy. The theme is authentic recipes, not Americanized versions. You will find plenty of those online, in cookbooks and on television!
The first thing you should know is that Italian recipes are written with weights (not measurements for cups or spoons). The second thing you must know is that recipes are guidelines and suggestions since everyone has different tastes and traditions. For example, everyone in Tuscany has a different twist on their soups. So, if you want to add an accent of your own (such as a favorite herb), feel free to do so. Just make sure to pay attention to the freshness of each ingredient and that any additions you use be “in tune” with the taste of the recipe.
Manila – Florence, Tuscany, Italy
My friend Manila is a beautiful, doe-eyed woman who lives in Florence. Her husband owns the Ancre jewelry store near Piazza San Marco which is a favorite boutique of the locals.
Manila has raised her three sons in Florence and has taught pre-school and elementary school for many years. Her dream, however, is to own a catering business.
Manila’s passion for Tuscan cuisine is well-known and she is considered one of the best cooks around. My cousins and I were blown away by a meal Manila cooked entirely based on fresh Tuscan mushrooms. When she smilingly opened her front door and the aromas wafted towards us, it was heavenly. And I will never forget about the bone-in prime rib cooked in the wood-burning oven in her courtyard in downtown Florence.
Insider’s Lucca, Tuscany – You know you’re in Italy when…
As part of the “You know you’re in Italy when” series, I am delving a little deeper for those of us who particularly love the town of Lucca and the surrounding areas.
Lucca is a beautiful city and province in Northwestern Tuscany. It is rich in water and natural beauty has a rich and varied architectural, religious political and artistic history. Lucca was the birthplace of world-famous opera composer Giacomo Puccini.
The inhabitants of the town of Lucca have always been famous for being astute and successful business people and are endlessly teased for their reputation of being very tightfisted with their money (I say this lovingly, of course).
So, with no further ado,
What do Serenella and Debbie Phelps have in common? Chico’s Clothing Catalogue and Website!
I am very excited to announce that I will be featured in the September 15, 2008 Chico’s catalogue and on the 
Chico’s website http://www.chicos.com.
Chico’s clothing chose me as the female business owner to highlight in their travel series segment on Lucca (Tuscany), Italy.
I am in great company: Chico’s is currently featuring Debbie Phelps (also seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show), mother of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. Michael Phelps won 8 Olympic gold medals for team U.S.A. – a feat never before accomplished. Michael Phelps is the gold medalist all others will look up to as the ultimate athlete.
My own experience with Chico’s was fantastic. They chose me because we have the same views: Chico’s believes women should be encouraged to follow their dreams and reach their full potential – at any age. Their choice of models is a tribute to all women; they look real and approachable, not like the disinterested walking skeletons seen in other publications! Yes, they are beautiful but also women we can identify with. Read more
