The Best Italian Monuments.

Valley of the Temples Sicily

Italy has many beautiful and historic cities worth a visit. Travel to cities is best done by train as driving in Italian cities may be very difficult and the extensive Italian train system is inexpensive. Most city centers are well-suited to walking and parts of the city centers may be closed to transportation. Large Italian cities generally have good public transportation, too.

Rome is the capital of modern Italy. Rome is full of history everywhere you look. It has many ancient monuments, interesting medieval churches, beautiful fountains, museums, and Renaissance palaces. Modern Rome is a bustling and lively city and has some excellent restaurants and nightlife. The Vatican and St. Peter's are also found in Rome.

Castel Sant'Angelo,Rome.

Colosseum

St. Peter's Square

Trevi fountain

Venice is a unique city built on water in the middle of a lagoon. Venice is one of Italy's most beautiful and romantic cities as well as one of the most popular for visitors to Italy. The heart of Venice is Piazza San Marco with its magnificent church. There are many museums, palaces, and churches to visit and wandering along Venice's canals is interesting. Venice is in the northeast of Italy and historically was a bridge between East and West.

Santa Maria della Salute

Rialto bridge

Florence is one of the most important Renaissance architectural and art centers. Its Duomo and Baptistery are magnificent but crowded with tourists as is their large piazza. Florence has several interesting museums with many famous paintings and sculptures. There are also Medici palaces and gardens. Florence is in Tuscany.

Old bridge

Pitti Palace

Duomo of Florence

Milan, one of Europe's richest cities, is known for stylish shops, galleries, and restaurants and has a faster pace of life than most Italian cities. It also has a rich artistic and cultural heritage. Its Duomo, with its beautiful marble facade, is magnificent. La Scala is one of the world's most famous opera houses.

Duomo of milan

Naples is one of Italy's most vibrant cities. It lies on the coast south of Rome and is the most important city in southern Italy. Naples has recently undergone some renovation but still retains much of its old character. It holds many historical and artistic treasures.

Male Angevin

Turin, host of the 2006 Winter Olympics, is a major cultural hub with excellent museums, elegant shops, and good restaurants. There are also some very nice examples of baroque architecture and historic palaces. Turin has many historic cafes, artisan workshops, and arcades. Turin is in the northwest of Italy, between the Po River and the foothills of the Alps

Basilica di Superga

.

Milan peace arch

Basilica of St. Francis Assisi

Why I love my sister? The importance of a sister

A sister is someone who loves you from the heart,
No matter how much you argue you cannot be drawn apart.
She is a joy that cannot be taken away,
Once she enters your life, she is there to stay.

A friend who helps you through difficult times,
Her comforting words are worth much more than dimes.
A partner who fills your life with laughs and smile,
These memories last for miles and miles.

When she is by your side, the world is filled with life,
When she is not around, your days are full of strife.
A sister is a blessing, who fills your heart with love,
She flies with you in life with the beauty of a dove.

A companion to whom you can express your feelings,
She doesn’t let you get bored at family dealings.
Whether you are having your ups or downs,
She always helps you with a smile and never frowns.

With a sister you cannot have a grudge,
She is as sweet as chocolate and as smooth as fudge.
Having a sister is not just a trend,
It is knowing you can always turn to her, your best friend.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin condition that affects parts of the face. Symptoms can include facial flushing, facial redness, spots, thickening of the skin, and eye problems such as dry eyes and sore eyelids. Not all symptoms occur in all cases. Rosacea affects about 1 in 10 people in the UK, usually in middle age. Many cases are mild. Spots can usually be cleared with antibiotic treatment. Other treatments may be used for other symptoms. A complication that affects the cornea (front of the eye) is uncommon, but serious. See a doctor urgently if you develop any eye pain or visual problems.

What is rosacea and what are the symptoms?

Rosacea is a skin condition that affects parts of the face. It is sometimes called 'acne rosacea' as it can look similar to acne. However, it is a different condition to acne. Symptoms of rosacea include one or more of the following:

• Frequent flushing of the face, similar to blushing. This is often the first symptom and may be the only symptom for months or years before anything else develops.


• Redness (erythema) of parts of the face. This can look similar to sunburn.


• Small lumpy red spots (papules) and small cysts (pustules) on the face. The spots and cysts look similar to acne. These may 'come and go' in some cases, but remain long-term unless treated in others.


• Telangiectasia on the face. These are tiny blood vessels under the skin which you can see and can become quite prominent on the face.


• Eye symptoms (also called ocular rosacea) occur in about half of cases, but are often mild. They can include:
  • A feeling of something in the eye
  
  
  • Burning, stinging or itchy eyes
  
  
  • Dryness
  
  
  • Sensitivity to light
  
  
  • Eyelid problems such as cysts, styes or eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
  
  
  Inflammation and infection of the cornea (the front of the eye) is an uncommon but serious complication that can affect vision. See a doctor urgently if you develop eye pain or visual problems.


• Thickening of the skin occurs in some cases. The most well known example of this is called a rhinophyma (a bulbous, bumpy nose). This is uncommon.

The symptoms are usually just on the central parts of the face - on the cheeks, forehead, nose, around the mouth and chin. Skin on other parts of the head is sometimes affected. Rarely, skin on the arms or back is affected. The first picture shows the typical pattern of redness in rosacea. The second picture shows telangiectasia on the nose and cheeks. Both pictures are of fairly severe rosacea. In many cases it is much milder than as shown.More pictures can be found at www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/30526/diagnose.htmRosacea is not usually painful or itchy. However, in some cases there may be a burning feeling over the affected skin. You do not usually feel ill with rosacea, and serious complications are uncommon. However, rosacea can be unsightly and distressing. People with rosacea are often accused of having a drinking problem because of their red face.The symptoms can vary from case to case. For example:

• Some people only ever get one or two of the symptoms. These may be just mild and not too troublesome. For example, some people just have facial flushing and/or mild redness of the face and never develop any other symptoms.


• Some people may develop several symptoms, but one symptom may dominate.


• Spots are a prominent feature in some cases, but not all.


• Rhinophyma is uncommon, but may occur even without any other symptoms.


• Eye symptoms occur in some people before any skin symptoms develop.

In short, the development and severity of symptoms can vary greatly.

Who gets rosacea?

Around 2 to 5 in 100 people in the UK are thought to develop rosacea. This is a lot of people, but many cases are mild. Symptoms may first appear in your early 20s, but the usual age that symptoms appear is in your 30s-50s. Rarely, rosacea can affect children. Women are more commonly affected than men. However, rosacea is often less severe in women than in men. Rosacea is more common in fair-skinned than dark-skinned people.

What causes rosacea?

The exact cause of rosacea is not known. A number of factors may be involved. However, none of these factors has definitely been proven to be the cause. For example:

• Tiny blood vessels under the affected skin may become abnormal or 'leaky'.


• Sun damage.


• A tiny mite called demodex follicularum may be involved. It lives harmlessly on the skin of many people but has been found in higher numbers in those with rosacea.


• Abnormal immune reactions in the skin which leads to inflammation.


• Genetics may also be involved as rosacea may run in some families.

Long-term use of steroid creams on the face can cause a condition identical to rosacea. This used to be quite common. However, the danger of overusing steroid creams is now well known, and this is now an uncommon problem.

How is rosacea diagnosed?

Rosacea is usually diagnosed by your typical symptoms and its typical appearance on your face. There are no specific investigations that are needed to confirm the diagnosis of rosacea. However, sometimes your doctor may do a test such as a blood test to help exclude other problems that may cause redness of the skin such as systemic lupus erythematosus (a separate leaflet gives more details on this condition).

What are the common treatments for rosacea?

There is no permanent cure for rosacea. There is nothing you can do to prevent rosacea from starting. However, treatments can ease the symptoms. The treatments used may vary, depending on what symptoms develop. Treatment may need to be adjusted over time depending on your response to treatments, and if you develop different symptoms.

General measures

Avoid strong sunlight to the face. Sunlight is thought to make symptoms worse. Use a sun-block cream on the face with a high protection factor (30 or higher and with UVA and UVB protection). It is difficult to say what is 'strong sunlight'. Therefore, many doctors would advise that you apply sun-block every day before you go out, whatever the level of sunshine. A wide brimmed hat will also help to protect your face from the sun.

If you have dry skin, you can try a hypoallergenic, non-perfumed and non-greasy moisturising cream. Also, you should generally avoid using any steroid creams (unless advised by your doctor) or other abrasive creams on your face. Men may also find that using an electric razor rather than shaving with a blade helps their symptoms.

Treatment for facial flushing

There is no medicine that can prevent or stop flushing. However, some people find that certain things aggravate the skin and trigger flushing or make the flushing worse. The most common things reported that may 'trigger' the skin to flush are: extremes of temperature (in particular excessive heat), alcoholic drinks, strenuous exercise, stressful situations, sunlight, spicy food, hot drinks. If any of these seem to trigger bouts of flushing, or make the flushing worse, then avoiding them is sensible.

Some medicines used for other conditions may also trigger flushing. For example, calcium-channel blockers. If you suspect that a medicine is making the flushing worse, then discuss this with your doctor. An alternative medicine may be available.

Treatment for facial redness (erythema) and telangiectasia (tiny blood vessels)

There is little evidence that medication has any effect on clearing erythema or telangiectasia. However, a treatment for spots (listed below) may be advised to prevent spots from developing if you have persistent erythema. 

Also, people with erythema often have sensitive skin which can make erythema worse. Therefore, it is best to avoid using anything that may sensitise the skin. For example, cleansers containing acetone or alcohol, abrasive or exfoliant preparations, oil-based or waterproof make-up, perfumed sun-blocks, or those containing insect repellents.Camouflage creams can help to cover and conceal erythema and telangiectasia. (The British Red Cross provide cosmetic camouflage clinics free of charge - see address below.)Another option which is becoming more popular is light or laser therapy. Briefly, a laser or very bright light of a certain wavelength can destroy tiny blood vessels under the skin but without damaging the nearby tissue. This can remove telangiectasia and improve erythema. Your doctor or skin specialist will advise if this is an option for you.

Treatment for spots and cysts (papules and pustules)

Certain antibiotics are the usual treatment. They usually work well, but it is not clear why they work as there is no proven bacteria (germ) that causes rosacea. Some antibiotics reduce inflammation in the skin as well as killing bacteria and this may be why they work for rosacea. A topical (rub on) antibiotic called metronidazole is the common treatment if you have just a few small spots. If you have many spots or cysts then antibiotic tablets such as a tetracycline or erythromycin may be used. 

Some improvement may occur after 2-3 weeks of treatment. However, it commonly takes a 6-12 week course of antibiotics to clear spots and cysts. One reason why antibiotic treatment fails is that some people give up on treatment after a few weeks without completing the full course.When a course of antibiotic treatment is finished, the spots or cysts commonly return at some point. Therefore, repeated courses of treatment may be needed from time to time. As an alternative, once the spots have cleared, some people take a regular 'maintenance' dose of antibiotics or use a topical antibiotic (regularly or intermittently) long-term to prevent the spots and cysts from returning.Topical azelaic acid is an alternative to topical antibiotics to treat mild to moderate spots. However, some people find that it can cause side effects such as burning, stinging, itching, scaling, and dry skin.

Treatment for eye problems

Eye symptoms, if they occur, are often mild and may not need any treatment.

• If dryness of the eyes is a problem then regular use of artificial tears will help. See separate leaflet called 'Dry Eyes' for details.


• If eyelid inflammation (blepharitis) is a problem then regular eyelid hygiene will help. This is described in detail in a separate leaflet called 'Blepharitis'.


• If eye symptoms become troublesome, a course of antibiotic tablets (as described above) will usually settle the symptoms.


• If a more serious eye problem occurs then you will need to be referred to an eye specialist for treatment. For example, steroid drops may be advised by a specialist to treat inflammation of the cornea (an uncommon complication of rosacea).

Treatment for rhinophyma

Rhinophyma (an unsightly bumpy nose) is an uncommon symptom of rosacea. If it occurs, surgical or laser treatment usually works well to 'trim back' the thickened skin. However, these treatments are not generally available on the National Health Service.

Sore Throat Remedies and Treatments

Sore throats, while very common, can be painful and uncomfortable. Although most sore throats clear up on their own in several days without treatment, there are easy, natural remedies that may help to alleviate the pain.

Remedies for a Sore Throat

Herbal and other natural remedies can come in the form of teas, mouth rinses, throat sprays, and lozenges. Common remedies include:

1) Slippery Elm

Slippery elm was once considered a conventional treatment for sore throats in North America. Up until 1960, it was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia (a compendium of drug standards). A member of the elm family, the slippery elm tree (Ulmus Rubra Muhl) grows primarily in the eastern region of North America.

For sore throats, herbalists use the inner bark of the tree. The inner bark contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that swells when it is mixed with water. The mucilage is thought to reduce throat irritation and soothe sore throat.

Slippery elm is can be found in capsule form. It is a common ingredient in herbal lozenges, either on its own (made by Thayer’s) or combined with elderberry and zinc. Slippery elm is also found in herbal teas for sore throat, such as Throat Comfort (Yogi Teas).

2) Licorice Root

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use as an herbal remedy for sore throat. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), licorice root is used for its anti-inflammatory properties and for stomach ulcers, allergies, canker sores and viral infections. A compound in licorice, glycyrrhizin, is being studied to reduce complications from hepatitis C.

A study in Anesthesia & Analgesia examined the use of a licorice root gargle to prevent sore throat. Five minutes before general anesthesia, patients either gargled with a diluted licorice root solution or plain water. The patients who gargled with the licorice root solution were less likely to have a sore throat after surgery and experienced less post-operative coughing than other patients.

Licorice is a common ingredient in herbal teas for sore throat, such as Throat Coat by Traditional Medicinals (which also contains slippery elm). It has a naturally sweet taste.

Licorice should not be used in large amounts, as it can lead to high blood pressure, salt and water retention, low potassium levels, and can affect levels of the hormone cortisol. It should not be combined with diuretics, corticosteroids, or other medications that reduce potassium levels in the body. People with heart disease or high blood pressure should use caution when using licorice. Pregnant women should avoid licorice.

3) Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow, a herb that grows in North America and Europe, has been used for centuries as a sore throat remedy. Like slippery elm, marshmallow contains mucilage, which is thought to soothe the mucus membranes in the throat.

Herbalists recommend marshmallow root tea as a remedy for sore throats. It is usually made by adding one tablespoon of the dried root to a cup (8 ounces) of boiling water and steeping it, covered, for 30 to 90 minutes before straining. Herbalists usually suggest up to three cups a day for a sore throat.

Consult a doctor before taking marshmallow if you have diabetes, as it may make your blood sugar too low especially when combined with diabetes medication. Marshmallow may also slow the absorption of other drugs taken at the same time. Marshmallow should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women.

4) Honeysuckle Flower

A sweet-tasting herb, honeysuckle flower is one of the most commonly used sore throat remedies in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Honeysuckle flowers aren't as easy to find as slippery elm and marshmallow. Health food stores occasionally carry it, but it is primarily sold in Chinese herbal stores.

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine often recommend making honeysuckle tea by bringing one quart of water to a boil and adding one cup of honeysuckle flowers (not the leaves). Steep for at least 10 minutes, covered, and then strain. Up to four cups a day are typically recommended.

5) Lemon, Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne, and Honey Tea

An old home remedy for sore throat is tea made with lemon, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, and honey. A typical recipe would be made by adding one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper, the juice of 1/4 lemon, and one teaspoon of honey to a cup of hot water and then stirring. Typically, up to four cups a day is suggested. Honey is also used to soothe a cough.

6) Sage

There is some evidence that a throat spray made from the herb sage can help to reduce sore throat. A randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of a 15% sage (Salvia officinalis) throat spray to a placebo in patients with sore throat. The spray was more effective than the placebo in reducing throat pain. Symptomatic relief occurred within the first two hours after the first administration. Minor side effects, such as throat dryness or burning of mild intensity, were reported.

Other Home Remedies

Gargle and rinsing your mouth with salt water several times a day. To make a salt water gargle, dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.

Use sore throat lozenges to increase saliva production and lubricate the throat. Lozenges shouldn’t be given to young children due to the risk of choking.

Drink plenty of fluids, which keeps the throat lubricated. Some people get relief by sucking something cold, such as a popsicle, while others find warm drinks, such as warm water with honey, helpful.

Get plenty of rest.

Eliminate dry air, which can irritate a sore throat, by using a cold air humidifier.

When to See a Doctor

Sore throat is very common. Most are caused by a viral infection, as part of a cold, and will resolve on its own in several days.

Severe sore throats can be caused by mono (mononucleosis), which often affects young adults, or strep throat. Sore throats can also be a symptom of other conditions, such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, or laryngitis.

A doctor's visit is necessary to rule out a more serious condition, especially if any of the following are present:

• Sore throat or hoarseness that lasts for more than several days


• Severe throat pain or difficulty swallowing or breathing


• Blood in saliva, sputum, or phlegm




• Rash


• Tender or swollen lymph nodes in the neck


• White or yellow patches or pus at the back of the throat


• A temperature of more than 101 degrees


• Excessive drooling in children


• Severe pain in the sinuses


• Pus at the back of the throat


• Cough that produces mucus

The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is more than a diet. It is a lifelong living style. You have to adopt it, as a religion. Decades ago, it was the natural way of life of many people around the Mediterranean Basin, especially in Spain, Italy and Greece. High activity, Mediterranean nutrition, anti stress attitudes and not much money shaped a culture that was declared last year Immaterial Human Heritage by UNESCO.Nowadays, these circumstances have changed in the mentioned countries, but many responsible people are still keeping or returning to what is considered to be the healthiest diet in the world.


The Mediterranean Diet is the best way to live many years with a high quality of life. It is also the best way to keep your body in shape, your skin clean and beautiful and your internal organs working properly. It the best diet to lead you to a proportional weight and don’t endanger your health with urgent and unbalanced malnutrition. These fad diets may allow you to lose a few pounds, for a time, a weight that you will regain later after having lost part of your health. You may not know immediately, but the aftermath will come later.



There is something that you should take into account. The Mediterranean Diet is free, without any supplements or packs. Consequently, there is not any economic interest behind it. The only money you are going to spend is your own investment in proper and fresh food, fruits and vegetables.
The Mediterranean Diet is also the best way to prevent many diseases. The most important are the “brain ictus” or stroke (first cause of death in women and second in men) and the “myocardial infarction” or heart attack (the main cause in men), but are many more. It has been proved the important role of the Mediterranean Diet in the prevention of the metabolic syndrome (some health disorders of which the most important are: too much fat around the waist, high blood pressure and/or insulin levels and unbalanced levels of cholesterol. So it has been in the prevention of lung diseases, asthma, many allergies, Parkinson, Alzheimer, and also for keeping the bone mass in elderly people. Recently, it has been related the Mediterranean Diet with low incidences of many types of cancer.


The original Mediterranean Diet characteristics are:


High consumption of virgin olive oil.
High intake of vegetables and fruits and legumes.
Use of non refined carbohydrates (portions to be adjusted to physical activity).
Consumption of fish, specially oily (or “bluish” one) three o for times a week
Consumption of milk and derivates, cheese and yogurt (the original cheese was fresh goat cheese). Keep an eye on the saturated fats of the dairy products. Do not consume too much!
Three or four eggs per week.
Moderate consumption of meat and saturated fats (natural, not artificially hydrogenated!).
One or two small glasses of wine a day, preferably red and at the main meals. White wine and beer are alternatives.
Nuts as snacks.
In “special occasions” Mediterranean traditional desserts.
Of course, if you want to reduce your weight, you will have to choose the less caloric nutrients. Or just do the opposite, if you want to increase it.



People bound to Mediterranean Diet have a 70% more of expectancy of life and a 80% of better quality life, supposing they do not smoke. By the way, if you want a healthy life, what is the use of smoking? This is another effect of the Mediterranean Diet. Most of the real followers of this style of life do not smoke of stop doing it. The physical activity and a bigger awareness of the importance of health are the main drives.


However, being a Mediterranean Diet follower not only means choosing your food. It is also of capital importance knowing what you should avoid. They are the artificial products that did not exist fifty or sixty years ago: artificially hydrogenated products and derivates, and anything containing of being suspect of contain trans-fat. In USA, It is compulsory from January 1st 2006 to indicate in the labels the trans fat proportion. You should choose products with 0% of trans fats. Nevertheless, you have to take into account that 0% means really up to 0.49 grams per serving. If the serving is small and you take many, you may be eating a lot of these fats. They are responsible for increasing the bad cholesterol (LDL) and reducing the good one (HDL), apart from other supposed negative effects that are being investigated.



Considering that the Mediterranean Diet is a very important cultural element, it has to be learned as soon as possible. Parents have to learn how to manage their children food habits. They have to learn how to avoid manufactured products and substitute them by fresh and natural food. Stop buying wrapped things and give them instead an apple, a banana or a homemade sandwich. Be careful with the main meals, and supervise the schools lunches. It is of utmost importance. Remember that your body and brain age will depend on what you eat!



Here are the ingredients of a pasta sauce recipe which I came across:


3 TBSP of butter
8 fluid ounces of heavy whipping cream
Salt to taste
1 pinch of ground nutmeg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Bottle of olive oil with vegetable decoration


1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
And just what do we do with all this?


Pizza and pasta do not have to be cooked like the Kamikazi's last meal! Both can be quite healthy and any significant grease or fat can be avoided if they are cooked in the true modern Italian way.


Here is a Mediterranean diet simple test **:


A brioche or croissant for breakfast -1 slice of bread, cookies, Fette Biscottate, or cereals for breakfast
A portion of fruit 1x per day,
A portion of vegetables 1x per day
A portion of fish 2 or 3 times a week
Do not consume more than 4 eggs per week
Do not eat at a Fast food chain more than once a week
Eat legumes more than once a week
Eat pasta or rice at least 5 times a week
Use olive oil as dressing
Do not consume too much alcohol
Eat less than 100g of meat a day


An Italian Breakfast



An Italian breakfast is frugal: It usually consists of cappuccino or coffee and milk with a Cornetto (or if you are eating it at home




Mediterranean dish made with bread, tomatoes,cucumbers,onions,basil,olive oil


cookies) . Fresh squeezed orange juice is becoming more popular as well. Over and over, they tell me in the U.S. that this type of breakfast is unhealthy and that you should eat a decent sized energy breakfast to start out your day.


This has some truth in it but it is based on past way of life : maybe seventy years ago when people would go working the fields early in the morning a nutritious breakfast was vital. Nowadays, if we go sit down in an office for a continuous eight hours, we may think twice about letting all the fat from that powerful breakfast get comfortable around our waist. The goal is to limit our calorie intake.



In the United States, I have witness people consuming potatoes with tomato sauce or eggs and steak for breakfast. A high-fat breakfast is different than a high energy breakfast. Fast makes your body slow down, takes longer to digest, and fogs the mind. Grains give high energy without all the fat and mind fogging. Each of us uses a certain quantity of calories to stay alive, to regulate body temperature, and to assist in involuntary movements essential for living: like breathing) .If we take in more calories than are burned throughout the day, these calories or sugars transform themselves into fat.


Cereals and toast with fruits are fine for breakfast, so the Italian breakfast is not so far off.



Snack: Having a snack in the middle of the morning is good: usually an Italian snack is either a cappuccino or cornetto at the bar. Some other choices are either an orange juice ( fresh squeezed orange juice is now common in all bars in Italy) or succo di frutta with a toast or pizzetta or tramezzino.


Lunch: Of course what you have for lunch varies from family to family and varies as well all over Italy. Most typically, I would say it is a one course meal: meaning pasta and a salad with fruit (That is at least what you should have)


My mother is pretty good at that: She is either cooking pasta with tomato sauce and making a salad or sometimes baking fish in the oven with potatoes. Or maybe prepares a light meat dish with a tossed salad or vegetables. Usually fresh fruits compliment the end of the meal.


Afternoon snack: A yogurt or some fruit would be a good choice for example.


Dinner:



I noticed, that dinnertime in a modern working family has become the major meal of the day. Not eating too late (giving time to digest before going to bed). I usually cook a one course dinner followed by a salad or vegetable. Sometimes I make "pasta e fagioli" (pasta with navy beans) or a soup with fish and vegetables. During the weekend, I might have friends over and in that case push to create a two-course meal like pasta or rice followed by meat or fish, then followed by a salad or vegetable. All this is followed by fruit and is a mandatory following to the Italian etiquette.


*Note that pasta should be cooked "al dente" to be more easily digested


Drinks:



According to a 2002 FAO study "The high and increasing consumption of sugars and sweetened drinks consumed by




Honey wheat and oats rustic bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar


children in many countries is of alarming concern. It has been estimated that each additional can or glass of sugars-sweetened drink consumed increases the risk of becoming obese by 60%. Most of the evidence relates to carbonated drinks, but many fruit drinks and cordials are equally sugary, and may promote weight gain if drunk in large quantities. Overall, the evidence implicating a high intake of sweetened drinks in promoting weight gain was considered moderately strong". Italians consume a limited amount of carbonated beverages and prefer mineral water to accompany their meals.



Unfortunately, the Italian diet is in itself changing for the worse. According to new studies even in Italy; kids are getting fatter. This is reported due in part to an increase in proteins and fatty foods in the Italian diet. A large part is due to time spend in front of the television and usage of Video Games versus inventing games out in the yard and running around. Italian foods (in Italy) and the lifestyle were healthier twenty years ago. The state of Italy, however, reacted quickly to this new health threat and distributed seven million pamphlets with guidelines for a healthier diet Movements such as "Slow Food," (which has its world headquarters in Italy), contributes to the population's nutrition with television ads. A way to react to the new threat which Italians are attempting to reverse hurriedly and go back to the old Mediterranean diet.