We’ve been home from Italy for more than three weeks, but I find myself trying to incorporate the Italian lifestyle into our everyday lives more and more. I remember how stress-free I felt during the vacation, and how relaxed I was. Of course, you’re supposed to feel that way on vacation, but I want to feel that EVERY DAY!
I realized this morning that I’ve already succumbed to some of the rituals of living like an Italian, even though I’m back home in Arizona and back at work. I’m drinking my morning coffee like an Italian — standing up and in smaller quantities — unlike the half-pot a day that took me the entire morning to drink before. Is it any surprise that an espresso machine is on order from Amazon?
I’m eating more like an Italian and it’s having a positive outcome on my weight and mood (but remember that I gained 10 pounds in Italy because we ate three course meals EVERY DAY!). I was inspired to write this when for dinner I made — without any hesitation — a simple primi piatti (first course) of pasta with a zucchini with a white wine, butter, garlic and lemon-zest sauce. I also made a “secondi” of pork loin with Italian herbs and a red wine pan sauce. I did this as naturally as if I were making Hamburger Helper.
There was wine, of course, white with the pasta and red with the pork loin … the latter a fabulous northern Italian red our fabulous wine consultant Liza introduced us to nearly two-and-a-half years ago. It’s as good today as it was back then.
I’m even loving the days when we do absolutely nothing, but enjoy the sun, the heat, the breeze, and appreciate how lucky we are to live where we do and live the life we do. “La dolce far niente” has new meaning, and I’m wearing it like my favorite suit.
There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored. Embrace the life lessons our world has to teach us!
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