In Campodimele they…
Grow and eat all kinds of Mediterranean vegetables including artichokes, shallots, salad greens, arugula, porcini mushrooms, root vegetables, spinach, shallots, garlic and tomatoes. Their vegetables are fertilized with nutrient-rich manure and are perfectly delicious simply boiled for a short time and eaten as they are.
What we can do:
- Are we starting to sound like a stuck record? As with all the Longevity Hot Spots, eating plenty of fresh organic vegetables is key.
In Campodimele they…
Sometimes drink the water vegetables have been cooked in, thus getting all the minerals which leach into water during cooking.
What we can do:
- Use minimal water or steam to prevent leaching of minerals, drink our veggie water, or add vegetables to smoothies so as to benefit from all the minerals they contain.
In Campodimele they…
Grow herbs such as basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme to use fresh in all types of dishes.
What we can do:
- Use fresh herbs, which are full of healing properties, for flavor – either bought from the store or grown in pots in the garden or on the windowsill.
In Campodimele they…
Eat fresh fruit picked from their own orchards.
What we can do:
- Again, daily fresh fruit is an important part of longevity eating – try to get fresh, local, organic produce. Good quality dried fruit is also high in antioxidants.
In Campodimele they…
Make their own fresh pasta, called laina, from whole wheat flour, and their own whole wheat bread which they dunk in extra virgin olive oil.
What we can do:
- Eat whole wheat organic additive-free bread and fresh pasta made from whole wheat, either bought or made ourselves.
In Campodimele they…
Make their own extra virgin olive oil, cloudy, green and rich in flavor.
What we can do:
- Buy good quality extra virgin olive oil for cooking, salads, and for dipping bread.
In Campodimele they…
Use fagioli beans and a small locally-made bean variety called cicerchie in soups, stews and pasta dishes. A local specialty is laine e cicerchie – home made pasta with cicerchie beans cooked in tomatoes, onion and garlic and served with dried ricotta cheese made from goat’s milk. Another favorite dish is cicerchie beans soaked overnight then simmered with garlic, onion and shallots and poured over slices of home made whole wheat bread with a good wholesome slosh of heart-friendly olive oil.
What we can do:
- Use beans in cooking as they are an excellent source of fiber, vegetable protein, isoflavones, and minerals. Soaking them overnight is best for digestion.
In Campodimele they…
Get their protein from a variety of sources, including nuts, beans, fish, snails, goat meat, lamb, locally-made parma ham, chickens and wild boar, all lean and organic.
What we can do:
- Avoid fatty meat from battery farms and instead choose vegetable protein, fish, and lean organic cuts.
In Campodimele they…
Eat traditionally-fermented cheese from organic unpasteurized sheep and goat milk.
What we can do:
- Choose organic, traditionally-fermented cheese rather than processed cheese, eat it in limited quantities only, and really relish the taste. Fermented foods such as cheese, yogurt and marinaded olives provide beneficial bacteria for good gut health.
In Campodimele they…
Eat ‘a little of everything’.
What we can do:
- Eat a wide range of healthy foods so as to get the full spectrum of nutrients we need, which all work together in synchronicity.
In Campodimele they…
Eat a well-balanced diet with the right proportions of carbohydrates (such as whole grains and vegetables), proteins and beneficial fats.
What we can do:
- Eat plenty of vegetables, use whole grains rather than refined grains, the right proteins, and beneficial fats such as essential fats from fish and nuts and monounsaturated fats from olive oil.
In Campodimele they…
Prefer a barley drink to coffee.
What we can do:
- Buy coffee substitutes made from B vitamin-rich barley – available in health food shops.
In Campodimele they…
Drink a glass of home-made white or red wine with a meal, sometimes diluted with water. They also drink plenty of water during the day.
What we can do:
- Choose organic wine, rich in anti-aging proanthocyanidins, and drink in moderation only, with a meal. Make sure we drink enough water during the day, so as to keep hydrated and aid detoxification.
In Campodimele they…
Linger over their food, chatting, relaxing, and really enjoying their meal.
What we can do:
- Linger over our food and relax after eating, as this aids good digestion.
