SAVORING ITALY! (THE DINNER OF A LIFETIME)

      Today is a little bit of a different kind of blog post, however it combines both lifestyle and vegetarian food!! In spirit of National Sibling Day, I thought I would detail one of my life-inspiring moments in a slow food/Italian dinner which occurred just yesterday, with my best friend and twin sister Izabella.  I'm so lucky and grateful to have her in my life, and as my constant rock and support network. I love you babe! 

     For four months now, I have been taking a Savoring Italy course where I have learned about the various food and cultural foodstuff of Italy and its many provinces. In course of this class, we have learned about the slow food movement, which began in Italy with Perini in 1986: promoting sustainable food and agriculture of local small businesses. Perini focuses on specifically living a slower paced life and an age of constant growth, change, and technology. It is a cultural shift towards living life more mindfully, and listening to one's body processes and desires: self-care is so essential. 

On the right: Where some of our food came from, veggies from a local Slow Food farm in Massachusetts. 

       Italian food contains absolutely no-GMOS, as per governmental regulation, and it is not composed of typical heavy, dairy ridden dishes and heavy marinara that we associate with Italian-American food. Rather, authentic Italian food is served family style, with large bowls of food placed in the center a table, and each person gets a small portion in five courses. Of the courses, I had an entirely vegan Italian dinner. How do you ask?

Here is a look at our third course: chicken for non-vegetarian, beans, roasted vegetables, and homemade focaccia bread with olive tapenade. I'm a happy camper! 

      Our professor guided us, in this amazing dinner, to eating slowly; to simply taste and experience our food one bit at a time using all our senses.  It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life: one of the most fulfilling spiritually in feeding my soul and body food that fuels goodness and is healthful and kind to the earth. 

       Let me tell you about this food, I was crying. Full-out tears were pouring out of my eyes, as I savored the amazing delicacies that were before me.

This bean dish made me cry tears of joy. 

Then, something even more incredible happened; we were situated around a table with complete strangers, however we were chatting away like old buddies. 
Due to this proliferation of incredible, mind-boggling good food, conversation swelled: laughs and jokes were shared in a matter of minutes. In "breaking bread", we were breaking down barriers in our two hours dinner. 

No one left after two hours; we simply stayed for another two, with amazing cappuccino and homemade cannoli to celebrate this amazing communion of energy, flow, and mindfulness. My sister and I had one of the most meaningful conversations we have ever had, while sipping and savoring delicious food that is not artificial, non-GMO, hand-made, and organic. I can't find a better excuse to eat pasta? Can you? 
Love you all, and wishing you a peaceful week full of yummy food that fuels your soul and body!

Namaste, Zoe

Namaste,