The Italian Way
Every time one of my friends returns from Italy, I hear the same thing: “Lisa, I love the lifestyle in Italy…and the food!!” Then I wait a few moments because I know what will follow. Inevitably they ask “Why can’t we live like that here? Why can’t our food taste like that?”
Although we may not be able to duplicate the ancient piazzas where people gather in Italy or the landscape, there are some things we definitely can duplicate.
In the Recipes and Lifestyle section of my website, I share with you simple, authentic Italian tips to make your food and your lifestyle more Italian!
Let’s begin with a few, simple tips you can incorporate into your life and begin living La Vita Bella!
1. Eat fresh, healthy food! To Italians, food is life, not just fuel to send your body forward. So, as such, we honor food, we respect food and what we feed our bodies. Buy the freshest ingredients you can find – that means shopping locally and seasonally! Make every meal a memorable experience. As I say in my cookbook “A tavola non s’invecchia!” (No one grows old at table!)
2. Live Passionately! Whether you are shopping for food, cooking, spending time with the people you love or working, live each moment passionately. Be present in each moment, savor and enjoy each moment, live life to the fullest. We Italians are passionate about every aspect of our lives, if we don’t feel it, we don’t do it.
3. Family traditions! Our traditions in life with our family and friends give meaning to our life and make every occasion a celebration. Italians stop whatever they are doing for Sunday Dinner, for family gatherings because sharing the special moments in life with those you love makes life worthwhile. Remember: “Alla Famiglia!” (To Family!)
4. Let go and have fun! Italians are known for enjoying every moment of life, good and bad. Life is a cycle and we know, whatever it is, this too shall pass, so enjoy the ride! Italy and Italians have faced our share of tragedies, but we have a resiliance, an optimism, that no one can take from us. “Il riso fa buon sangue!” (Laughter is the best medicine.)