Food is rich with local muschrooms and truffles, and a variety of cured meats. The food is very fresh. Italians dont eat eggs for breakfast and the main reason is because a variety of foods they eat throughout the day have eggs, and occasionally an omlette makes a nice dinner.
Basically, foods are made fresh with eggs with a short shelf life span and do have a high turn over, rather than hydrogenated oils that we use in north america.
basically the difference between our diet and Italians (Europeans) are as follows.
-Less preservitives
-Use of Olive Oil
-More consumption of red wine
-More walking (especially after meals)
-Carbs at lunch
-Proteins at dinner
-Tomatoes
-Less Stress, and a take life as it comes mentality.
-strong social life and gatherings with friends/family
The results are staggering, Italians have 75% less coronary disease than north americans. The number is actually really suprising when you consider coronary disease for people under the age of 50, which is almost 90% less.
I look at the health of my own father who sufferes from lung disease now at 84, when you consider he was a heavy smoker through his life. Makes you think doesn't it.
Travel provides me with a great deal of joy and experience and also growth and learning, this applies to the places I visit and what I learn about myself as well.
Ok, now on to other news....
There are changes to my vacation. I am no longer going to Lisbon (portugal), I've decided to take a more extensive trip to Portugal in 2011.
For now I am seriously considering seeing parts of Italy I always wanted to see Turin and Aosta, also I can see a little more of Milan and am thinking of making a stop to Switzerland. This can also allow me to go back to Trieste and make a small trip to Croatia.
3 days in Lisbon wouldnt be enough, it deserves a lot more attention an dI plan to devout that time in the future. My friend Rui, who I wanted to visit, is doing better (health wise) and I informed him about the change of plans. His reply was supportive.
Before I close off, I want to wish all my Canadian friends a happy thanksgiving.
