Eating Healthy- Going The Extra Mile

Litsa Bolontzakis

Have you ever thought about eating right? Getting all your greens and vegetables into your diet rather than snacking on the ever-available big Mac? I think that it’s not easy putting in all the work to prepare a healthy, fresh meal. I have snacked on junk food so often without giving the matter much thought! When you come to think of it, it is a whole separate task to decide what to cook every day- not to mention grocery shopping and the time and hassle that takes. It is simply not everyone’s cup of tea and not everyone finds it satisfying enough.

I keep thinking how junk food is readily available no matter where you live in the city, so then why would anyone be motivated to cook healthy and stock up on fresh ingredients? The hold that takeout places and fast food have on us is intoxicating, to say the least, because they are always there for you when you feel famished and they take little effort and much less money than buying all the things you would need for lunch or dinner. It is like they know our minds and how to sway them!

Even though it is not always possible to eat right; try to make a goal of squeezing in one nutrient-rich meal each day. At least this way you will be on track. Our problem is that we want to be in good shape with minimal elbow grease but that’s not always possible is it? Our bodies are worth the extra mile so don’t take shortcuts! If you want to have a longer, happier and healthier life, you need to redesign your priorities and improve your standard of eating. Your future self will thank you for it!

No one wants a time to come in their lives in which they are constantly rushing to the doctor and having all kind of ailments. Apart from avoiding cigarettes and alcohol, it is wise to evolve when it comes to deciding what to put in your body! I have in my experience heard people telling me how they don’t eat or enjoy potentially delicious vegetables like spinach, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens- not to mention their attitude towards Omega 3 oils rich fish, legumes, and probiotic-rich yogurt. I mean can you imagine the wonders these can do for your energy level and health? A tasteful salad can easily include all of these in one meal!

Every now and then treat yourself to a dessert or something fried, there is no harm in it but be wary of making it your whole life. Train yourself to enjoy the things that are good for your body and also taste brilliant. Trust me there are all kinds of recipes out there that will make you forget you ever wanted French fries. So go ahead and start taking care of you by eating more wholesome food! You won’t regret it!

Eating Healthy- Going The Extra Mile, it can be done!

Litsa!

A Traveler’s Tale Of Athens To Nafplion

Litsa Bolontzakis

I can scarcely describe what I felt during my trip to Greece. It is a country that is staggering in its beauty, virtually every month of the year! There are so many travelers who want everything to be perfect and planned but sometimes it is the spontaneity that makes the difference. What is the point if you will tour according to a schedule and then go home? I have found the best way to just use a rented car and blend in with your surroundings as if you have always lived there. There are delights to be found in each corner of the city if you know where to look!

For true Athenians, there is no greater joy than to spend the weekend or even just a day in the spell-bounding city of Nafplio. There are twisting roads in this seaport and breath-taking scenery to take in and you can always indulge in a little shopping and an afternoon respite at the numerous roadside cafes there. If you are an enthusiast of Venetian and Turkish historical buildings, you will love roaming around and taking in the architectural fortifications as well as sculptures which have rich tales of the past to tell!

I almost felt like I was in a fairytale- what with the magnificent Palamidi Fortress that towers over a thousand steps of stairs, the Boutrzi Castle which is also known as the ‘water castle.’ Imagine that! It was made to protect the city of Nafplio from pirates and invaders. When I visited it, I could almost see the castle back in olden times it hadn’t changed all that much. Amidst all this rich culture, there is bougainvillea almost everywhere in the city with a number of colors to entice the weary traveler. Sometimes it will provide a shower of color when the wind blows and other times much needed shade under its petals.

When I was traveling from Athens to Nafplio, I had to stop in a dear little town called Loutraki. It is a vacationing spot that falls right on the Gulf of Corinth and is a mere sixty kilometers from Athens. I soon found that Loutraki had been almost entirely destroyed in the year 1928 which is why there is little apparent history here and all the architecture is fairly new and boasts of modern design. As a tired traveler, I took part in their world-famous spa-like baths and it was an invigorating experience like nothing I have ever had! After a nice hot bath, I enjoyed a gelato by the sea in a little place called Koukos Glace. A gem of a place with an amazing choice of flavors, all so new and delicious!

I had been told that the best restaurant to enjoy authentic Greek Cuisine is the Maestrali and hence I visited that next. Even a simple dish of beef pasta is enough to arouse the senses; believe me! Not to mention you get a considerable entrée size. For lovers of seafood, I recommend Giannis which has a lovely Pikilia seafood platter and shrimp saganaki- again with portions big enough to serve an army! If you find you are craving a bit of American food, the Loutraki Casino is a wonderful place for a buffet breakfast. On your way out of Loutraki, remember to snap a lot of photos in the Corinth Canal- I know I did. It’s the perfect tourist spot.

Speaking of which there is much history to be devoured in the ancient Corinth as it is known as the location of the Greeks learning about Christianity for the first time from the Apostle Paul. There is a museum made here to the effect for history enthusiasts to brush up on their facts. Next head on over to Nafplio but make sure it is before the sun sets as you want to be able to enjoy this seaport in all its glory which may be masked by the cover of

A Traveler’s Tale Of Athens To Nafplion By Litsa!

night. When the evening does descend, however, don’t waste an opportunity to shop a bit more! When I was there I found this small shop and thoughts I’d spend all my money even though I’m usually a careful spender- such is the magic of the place!

I found the perfect little souvenir shop on Amalias 4 called Takis Souvenirs and found myself striking up a conversation with the shop owner who you could tell was madly in love with the city he lived in and had a lot to say about it. What a delightful man!He made it easy for us to shop, his energy was very positive! In Nafplio I found the best dining experience to be provided by Kipos, at Plateia Filellinon although I wish I could have visited every restaurant in the city. As a tourist I would say keep your belongings close by and in check as a foreign country can pose any number of unique challenges- it is better to not draw too much attention to yourself. 

Do visit Nafplio at least once; I know you’ll love it!

Litsa with Love!

In Loving Contemplation

In loving contemplation -Litsa

Today I find myself thinking how blessed I am and that my children are an inexplicable gift from God. I remember a lot of little things about my enchanting daughter, which I am afraid will fade away like sand through my fingers if too much time passes. Haven’t you ever loved someone so much that every minute that has passed with them is like a wisp of smoke in the air that you can see but cannot bring back?

When she was but a little child with ringlets caught behind her ear, I would often find her reading oblivious to everything around her. She would curl up on the carpet with her knees tucked up behind her and a book open in front of her with her little fingers twiddling each page delicately as if to not disrupt the fibers. Neil Armstrong could scarcely have felt more wonder on the moon than my little girl felt through the pages of those new books!

There were times when I took her to the beach to swim and play in the sand like children her own age but she preferred to seek the shade and read her book. Her love for the written word always arose from an innate place within her and I could never seek credit for it. When I think about both of my children, they are vastly different. My son likes to create things and be in the outdoors and has no interest in reading but for the life of me, I do not want them to be the same. I am glad God sought to make them different in many wonderful ways! Believe me…I would not have it otherwise.                                                        

On this seemingly silent contemplative afternoon, I do not pretend that I can understand the complexity of God. How he can create immense capabilities for species in the small strands of DNA within us – and how from one couple of human beings or animals, countless different kinds of traits can emerge. Think about when two hummingbirds mate, they do not just create one hummingbird; they can create up to three hundred different kinds over the centuries! It does not take an artist to appreciate the beauty that lies in all these creations, all you have to do is to be looking for them.

Often I have found myself in places where I can just watch people walk by. It is hard to explain my exact purpose except that I find it so surprisingly calming. Many of those people are mixed race or of mixed ethnicities but the union of their parents has created something which can only be described as artistic. Some of them have dusky skin with bright ocean blue eyes and there is a certain synchronicity which you never imagined till you have actually seen it. The beauty is breathtaking!

Nowadays sexual intimacy has been made into something which must be discouraged or despised when it is love in its most basic sense and an act which makes such indescribable beauty possible. But it is true that it must arise from the right place within; from a place of true affection. Embrace this level of intimacy, all the while holding it in high esteem as something that you have been given but not something that belongs to you.

A very delicious soup, easy to make, nice and thick and so filling!Cauliflower-potato soup!

When cauliflower is available, try to cook with it, because it’s very healthy.

Cauliflower potato soup by Litsa!

Seasonal cooking is the best, and you don’t have any bad feelings as to what you are eating!

Control is of the essence, get the control and eat healthy, for the life of me, I don’t understand how we trust people in the food industry so much! 

Why do we eat with so much ease everything they offer us! We take better care of our car than we do with our bodies, as you can see I am very passionate about the subject!

Ah, the pleasure of cooking and baking our own food, the peace of mind and satisfaction!It is work, I give you that, to decide what to cook, to get to the market, to bring everything home, cook and clean up, yes I know you are tired, especially if you work full time!

But stop and think, for just one moment, nothing worthwhile is accomplished with no effort!

Here is my delicious cauliflower and potato soup!

You will need:

1 beautiful head of cauliflower cut in pieces

2 big onions sliced

4 celery stalks cut up

¼ cup olive oil

1 cup tomato sauce

2 cups chicken broth

Salt, pepper, garlic salt, and ½ tsp sugar

4 cups water

1 cup cream

Here is how

In a heavy cooking pot add the oil and the onions.

Sauté for a few minutes just to sweat the onions

Add the rest of the vegetables and continue a little bit longer.

Now add the wet ingredients, except the cream.

Season the soup and let simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes.

At this point, if the soup needs a little more water add some more!

Just before it’s done add the cream, cook just a couple of minutes more and you are ready to puree your soup using a hand blender, you need to have a nice creamy consistency!

Your cauliflower and potato soup is ready!