CASA BLU
Casa Blu is an exclusive villa on the sea in Fontane Bianche, a well-known beach resort just to the south of Syracuse.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
A new, very special and cozy house
CASA BLU
Casa Blu is an exclusive villa on the sea in Fontane Bianche, a well-known beach resort just to the south of Syracuse.
Olive Oil: Bitter is Better?
Article first published as Olive Oil: Bitter is Better? on Technorati.
Hardly a day goes by without news relating to the latest health discoveries appearing in newspapers and magazines, on TV and on the Internet. In parallel, one can read about the multiplication of health problems given today's tendency to eat more, with food getting richer and richer while at the same time populations move less and less. No wonder obesity is on the rise at a rate that can only be described as alarming, not only in high income countries, but also in middle or even low income countries, especially in urban areas. It is said that one billion adults are now overweight, while three million are considered obese.
Hardly a day goes by without news relating to the latest health discoveries appearing in newspapers and magazines, on TV and on the Internet. In parallel, one can read about the multiplication of health problems given today's tendency to eat more, with food getting richer and richer while at the same time populations move less and less. No wonder obesity is on the rise at a rate that can only be described as alarming, not only in high income countries, but also in middle or even low income countries, especially in urban areas. It is said that one billion adults are now overweight, while three million are considered obese.
With its wide array of options, the
slimming products and meal plans market certainly is a lucrative one,
but it is easy to get lost in its meanders. It is also no surprise that
the mass of information widely available can confuse people, especially
as it is often conflicting. A subject has however remained unchanged
over the years, and that is the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
What does this way of eating consist of?
Lots of vegetables, fruit, pulses and unrefined cereals, which provide a
healthy dose of dietary fibres, moderate amounts of dairy products,
fish and wine, and low meat consumption. And last but not least, olive
oil as the main source of fat. The very high level of
monounsaturated fats present in this oil is thought to be a factor in
reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, has anti-inflammatory
properties, and evidence that its antioxidants improve cholesterol
regulation is commonly cited.
The way the olive oil is produced, in particular the stage of pressing, however does have an impact in terms of health benefits. Studies have tested the anti-inflammatory capacities of extra virgin olive oil from the first pressing with virgin olive oils from later pressings. The result was that first pressing oils were able to lower inflammatory markers in the blood, when second or subsequent pressings were not.
Interestingly, it is also now recognized that the bitterer the olive
oil tastes, the more polyphenols it contains. Polyphenols protect cells
and body chemicals against the damage caused by free radicals, and can
possibly deactivate substances that play a role in the growth of
cancers. Additionally, they make the oil last longer.
One of the bitterness factors comes from the type of olives used for
the oil production. If you go to Apulia, the region forming the high
heel on the "boot" of Italy, you will encounter the Peranza variety. Its
distinct bitterness makes it an ideal candidate for a first pressed,
extra virgin version of this wonderful addition to the daily diet.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Bandiera Blu
The cleanest beaches in Italy:
Every year the Italian Government publishs a list of the cleanest beaches in Italy. Click here:
http://www.bandierablu.org/common/blueflag.asp?anno=2012&tipo=bb
Monday, 4 June 2012
Umbria Jazz 2012
http://www.umbriajazz.com/mediacenter/FE/home.aspx
This year comes Sting!
Maybe our clients in Casa Bramasole will enjoy this oportunity!
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Italian Body Language
Article first published as Italian Body Language on Technorati.
Every European nation has been attributed its own clichés: The French complain a lot but are romantic, the Germans have no sense of humor but work very hard, The Spanish are loud but welcoming, etc. You will agree I think that an entire nation cannot be cataloged into such narrow boxes. I happen to live in Germany and most people I have encountered do have a sense of humor. They are also in the vast majority very helpful, warm and welcoming towards my family and myself.
One cliché I do find to be true, though, is how important body language is to Italians. Perhaps I especially notice it as it has been pointed out to me that I am prone to "speaking with my hands". No doubt this is the Italian blood in me coming to the surface!
During a visit to the lesser known perhaps but absolutely gorgeous region of the Marches, we encountered many local people and enjoyed watching them interacting. Our house was close to the lovely walled city of Urbino, to which we cycled on a magnificent sunny day. Comfortably sitting down at a café terrace and having ordered much needed refreshments, I began to discreetly look at our neighbors. Now my Italian is rather basic, and I did not try, nor did I want, to pry. I just observed people instead.
Two women in their mid-thirties, I would say, we engrossed in a passionate and obviously very amusing discussion. They both kept throwing their heads back, laughing heartily, hands alternatively flying to their mouths and to their hearts. Their eyes were twinkling, and they were having trouble keeping the loudness of their voices under control. Behind them I spotted a woman with two young boys. The look of love in her eyes, her head half tilted, the way she kept patting their heads and pinching their round cheeks, all this told me that she was their mother. She had a game of blowing them kisses, pulling a funny face at the same time, which kept the little ones highly entertained. On the other side, a middle age couple look as though they were going through a stormy patch in their relationship. Hands were pointing accusingly at each other, and it seemed that reproaches were being uttered through clenched teeth. After a while, they both sat back and fell silent, looking away from each other, arms firmly crossed on their chests. Finally, I rested my gaze on a group of teenagers, the girls pretending not to be flirting while the boys clearly were competing for their attention. They kept getting up, throwing their arms on the side, and looking deeply into the eyes of the girl they were desperate to impress. In return the said girl usually gave a small smile and intense look, only to quickly resume her demure position.
As they walked away, I noticed hands being held and heads resting on shoulders. I could not help but smile: the courting had clearly been successful!
Every European nation has been attributed its own clichés: The French complain a lot but are romantic, the Germans have no sense of humor but work very hard, The Spanish are loud but welcoming, etc. You will agree I think that an entire nation cannot be cataloged into such narrow boxes. I happen to live in Germany and most people I have encountered do have a sense of humor. They are also in the vast majority very helpful, warm and welcoming towards my family and myself.
One cliché I do find to be true, though, is how important body language is to Italians. Perhaps I especially notice it as it has been pointed out to me that I am prone to "speaking with my hands". No doubt this is the Italian blood in me coming to the surface!
During a visit to the lesser known perhaps but absolutely gorgeous region of the Marches, we encountered many local people and enjoyed watching them interacting. Our house was close to the lovely walled city of Urbino, to which we cycled on a magnificent sunny day. Comfortably sitting down at a café terrace and having ordered much needed refreshments, I began to discreetly look at our neighbors. Now my Italian is rather basic, and I did not try, nor did I want, to pry. I just observed people instead.
Two women in their mid-thirties, I would say, we engrossed in a passionate and obviously very amusing discussion. They both kept throwing their heads back, laughing heartily, hands alternatively flying to their mouths and to their hearts. Their eyes were twinkling, and they were having trouble keeping the loudness of their voices under control. Behind them I spotted a woman with two young boys. The look of love in her eyes, her head half tilted, the way she kept patting their heads and pinching their round cheeks, all this told me that she was their mother. She had a game of blowing them kisses, pulling a funny face at the same time, which kept the little ones highly entertained. On the other side, a middle age couple look as though they were going through a stormy patch in their relationship. Hands were pointing accusingly at each other, and it seemed that reproaches were being uttered through clenched teeth. After a while, they both sat back and fell silent, looking away from each other, arms firmly crossed on their chests. Finally, I rested my gaze on a group of teenagers, the girls pretending not to be flirting while the boys clearly were competing for their attention. They kept getting up, throwing their arms on the side, and looking deeply into the eyes of the girl they were desperate to impress. In return the said girl usually gave a small smile and intense look, only to quickly resume her demure position.
As they walked away, I noticed hands being held and heads resting on shoulders. I could not help but smile: the courting had clearly been successful!
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