Food, Glorious Food

“Let Food be Thy Medicine and Medicine be Thy Food” said Hippocrates. Whether you lived 2700 years ago in the time of Hippocrates, or today in the time of James Beard, who said “Food is our common ground, a universal experience,” food is certainly one of the basic needs in life, and also can be one of the most enjoyable. There is no better place than Crete to experience the joy and healthfulness of eating!

Greece is a country rich in tasty and unique foods, and food is considered

one of the pillars of their heritage. The Greek culinary art has many nutritious legumes, really nutrient-rich dairy products like feta yogurt and cheese, plant type-organic products like honey, fresh vegetables, extra virgin olive oil as well as olives, fresh fish and meat.

The history of the Cretan diet goes back to the Neolithic age! Although the evidence is only circumstantial, the Minoans from 4,000 years ago were believed to have eaten a very similar diet to what modern day Cretans eat. Traces of olive oil and honey have been found in the large clay jars dug up from the era. And that is understandable because on my walks every day, I pick wild plums or capers or wild greens or grapes to eat from the vines. Although conquerors have been abundant, the cuisine and spirit have survived unchanged.

One of the most remarkable things about the Greek cuisine is the fact that they produce such a variety of dishes with just a few basic items: olives and olive oil, bread, cheese (especially feta), tomatoes, garlic, nuts, honey, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, zucchini, and fish and either goat or lamb. Of course there are some additions here and there but these are the staples that they combine in the most creative of ways. I have shared some photos of some of the elegant of presentations of these healthful, delicious foods.