Alina Z
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Pizza, Pasta and Gelato or Top 5 Things I Learned in Italy.

8/23/2011

1 Comment

 
Yesterday I came home from a 2 week trip to Europe. After exploring several regions in Italy I had a plethora of culinary experiences behind my belt. The foods that stood out the most during the trip were pizza, pastas and gelato. I will confess that I had gelato every single day and ate more pasta during the last two weeks than I did during the last two years. However, my clothes still fit the same. During the trip, I took notice of not only what I ate, but how I ate it. Here are top 5 tips that I learned from Italians.

1. Small portions. Yes, you can have a pizza or a bowl of pasta, but in smaller portions than we are used to in US. While I don't believe in calorie counting, I do believe in sizes. Just like you think about the size of you body when you are picking out clothes to buy, choose the size of your dishes keeping in mind the size of your stomach. While vegetables are mainly water, starches and meats should not be bigger than your fist, if you want to be truly comfortable afterwards. 

3. Ingredients matter. In Europe there are no hormones and no antibiotics given to animals. Fruits and vegetables have less pesticides, if any. It is important to remember that lots of toxins don't leave our bodies and get trapped between fat cells and water. In shopping analogies, look at the toxins as clothes that you don't need, but have to create extra closet space for. Get rid of them all together and you will get rid of clutter that is not doing you any good. Try to purchase organic foods and you will see how your body responds.

3. Remember the reason for eating. Yes, we eat because we are hungry, but we also eat because it is a way to socialize. When eating with friends and family, focus on the company, not only the food. Let the people around you bring sweetness into your life, instead of cake. Just like in shopping, the satisfaction of a purchase is not only in the items that you buy, but also in the experience of the store. 

4. Walk, do not sit. After a meal in Europe, we would take a stroll and enjoy the nature, instead of sitting glued to the TV. Short 15-20 minute walks can do wonders to your body. In shopping terms, look at a walk after a meal as you do at a walk in the mall -- an activity that gets you closer to your goal. 

5. If you screw up, forgedaboudit. Life is about enjoyment and sometimes we do over-indulge. If that happens, don't dwell on the past, take it as a learning experience and focus on the enjoyment of the experience. The past is over, so it is how you spend your present that's most important. Choose to think about the happy moments that you experienced and enjoy la dolce vita!

1 Comment
Melissa Cramer link
8/24/2011 10:48:02 am

"Let the people around you bring sweetness into your life, instead of cake. "
I LOVE it!

Reply



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    ASK ALINA

    Why ask me?

    - After many challenges and different crazy life experiences I am living my dream life and since my friends say I am pretty wisdomous  and I think I am a little bit funny too, I want to share my life approach with you so you can live the life you love as well.

    Here is a little bit about me: 

    - I am a creator of #1 Best Diet as selected by Harpers Baazar Magazine

    - I started my career in the corporate world and didn't even know how to peel a shallot

    - I have been a chef for celebrities for over 10 years 

    - I have a realistic approach to food and life

    - I have a great relationship with food and can even let chocolate go bad because I simply forget I have it at home (something I wasn't able to do 10 years ago)

    - I eat carbs whenever I feel like it without any guilt

    - I used to hate to cook and now absolutely love  being a private chef and a food relationship coach

    - I wear whatever clothes I desire no matter what everyone is wearing or thinking

    - I am in good shape and my body’s biological age is 13 years younger than the one in my passport

    -  I have experience being super poor, super wealthy and in between

    - I’ve worked in corporate world and am now an entrepreneur

    - I was married and divorced

    - I used to cry going to work because I was so miserable with my boss

    -  I’ve had an emotional eating disorder

    - I moved from Russia to USA alone at the age of 15

    - I’ve lived in Russia, Europe and on both coasts of USA

    - I have been super skinny and overweight

    - I have been insecure and unhappy with reasons and secure and happy for no reason

    - I used to wear glasses and healed my eyes with the power of thought and exercises

    - I created "Couture Nutrition®" so you can have tailor-made solutions for your body and soul

    - My brain usually comes up with jokes to soften stressful situations

    - I think color coordination, sparkles and rainbows are underused

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*Disclaimer: The information provided in this program is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise, diet, or other health-related program, as there may be underlying medical conditions or other factors that could affect your ability to safely engage in such activities. The creator of this program and its affiliates are not medical professionals and are not responsible for any injuries or health problems that may arise from the use of the information provided in this program. 
  • ABOUT
    • Bio
    • Events
  • Self-Study Course
  • Work with me
    • One-On-One Coaching
    • Corporate Consulting
    • Private Chef Services
    • Group Classes
    • Testimonials
  • VIDEOS
  • Books
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  • Media
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  • Contact