“Nourished” in Italy

My husband, Jeff, and I just got back from Italy this past weekend for our 1st year wedding anniversary.  We stayed in Florence and Venice. We also took day trips to Siena, San Gimignano & Pisa. Good times!

During our trip, we had the pleasure of visiting a hidden gem called Fattoria Poggio Alloro. It’s a 100-hectare property, located right in the heart of the Tuscan hills in San Gimignano, which houses an organic farm and winery.  I met one of the owners, Sarah, who gave us a tour of the property and winery.  After our tour, we were served a delicious lunch, which we washed down with a variety of wines that they produce.  Our 4-course meal consisted of ingredients that were all grown on the farm, and the fresh flavours made it pretty obvious.  Talk about local & organic!

At Fattoria Poggio Alloro, they also raise pigs, chickens, rabbits and CHIANINA cattle.  Chianina is an Italian breed of cattle that is also one of the oldest existing in the world. In fact, the chianina breed is considered to be at risk of extinction!  They also avoid purchasing cattle from other farms, so the breeding process is very exclusive. The cattle are fed forage and cereal meals obtained from the organic crops on the property. Sarah brought us into the cowshed, and Jeff managed to capture a picture of a chianina cattle and its 7-day old calf.   Big thanks and hugs to Sarah for such a memorable experience!

me with Sarah & her delicious biscottis

So you’re probably thinking, what about the “unhealthy, fatty” type of Italian foods like white pastas, pizza and gelato? Did this Nutrition Coach resist? Of course not!  However, I did commit to eating each meal in a relaxed, non-rushed state.  Doing so can greatly affect how our food is digested.

Even with all the consumption of white starchy carbs and sugars during our trip, I still felt completely nourished.  I was able to spend quality time with my amazing husband, met several couples from all over the globe, enjoyed the beautiful scenery and architecture, used walking as our main mode of transportation, and felt totally at peace.  Sometimes these forms of “food” that do not come on a plate can be the most nourishing meals of all.

So whether you’re going away on vacation (*ahem* Italy!) or just going out to dinner with some friends, let the time spent with your company be a form of nourishment. If you end up ordering a so-called “unhealthy” meal, it’s not the end of the world, and NO you’re not a failure. Take 10 deep breaths before eating to help bring your body into a relaxed state.  Be present, chew well, and most importantly, enjoy yourself!

If you’d like to see more pics from our trip, CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR ITALY SLIDESHOW.

Ciao!