I’m a huge proponent of the Mediterranean Diet. Recent studies are now revealing that low-fat diets are not healthy because we need the rich,good fats that are found in foods like olive oil and avocados for the health of virtually every organ in our body. Thank Goodness we’re now realizing that low-fat diets don’t work.
According to my dear friend, Debbie Matenopoulos, there are 3 ingredients that you need to use to stay young and gorgeous. Wanna know what they are? Oregano, lemon and olive oil. According Debbie, these are the 3 main ingredients in all Greek food.
Debbie’s brand new book, ‘It’s All Greek To Me” celebrates the Mediterranean Diet, which has now been proven to increase longevity. Apparently on the island of Ikaria in Greece, people live an average of 10 years longer than in the rest of Europe and America. 1 in 3 people live well into their nineties. There are much lower rates of cancer, heart disease and dementia, and they also maintain a healthy sex life well into their twilight years!
So what are they doing that we are not? Debbie and I work together on the Emmy-Nominated second season of Hallmark’s Home & Family show. We sat down during a break to have a chat about her new book:
Sophie: What is it with this whole Greek thing?
Debbie: For centuries Greek people have been adhering to the Mediterranean diet. It’s not big new thing. The secret to longevity and a long life all depends on what we put in our bodies.
Sophie: Have you been eating like this for most of your life?
Debbie: Yes! I was raised on a traditional Mediterranean diet, which was rich nutrient dense veggies, grains, beans, and lean meats.When I moved to NYC to go to NYU and work in TV, I started to eat a typical American Diet – I started eating less, and gaining weight. I became lethargic and my skin looked terrible and lackluster. It wasn’t until then that I realized the health benefits of the food that I had been raised with.
Sophie: Did you switch back to that way of eating?
Debbie: I did. I went back home to Virginia over the Holidays and realized just by eating my Mom’s food that I lost weight and my energy came back. And that’s when penny dropped and I realized that it was all about eating these good foods.
Sophie: Specifically, which foods to you eat the most of?
Debbie: A Bulgar Wheat salad with cucumber, tomato, onion, olive oil, lemon and mint – its refreshing and SO good for you. In general I eat tons of tomatoes.
Sophie: But what kind of tomatoes do you eat?
Debbie: Fresh and picked from the vine. I have to seek out good quality, organic tomatoes from farmers markets. In Greece there is no such thing as non-organic food. They don’t use pesticides. Their fruits and veggies might look a bit strange to us but they are so superior in quality.
Sophie: So, you love to cook?
Debbie: Yes – I love it. I was raised in a house full of love and laughter – and a great part of that was the food. My aunt and my Yia Yia (Grandmother) in the kitchen, cooking up amazing feasts for the family – that’s how I learned to cook.
Sophie: Do you still cook from scratch?
Debbie: Always. It may take longer but the food is always more satisfying and its not full of chemicals. I like to know every ingredient that I’m eating.
Sophie: What about protein sources?
Debbie: Greeks in general eat loads of lamb, which is organic and not factory-farmed. However, in the US, it’s harder to find, but I do seek out organic lamb and chicken. I always eat organic eggs.
Sophie: So I guess you’re not vegan???
Debbie: No, but Greeks in Greece fast for 180 days a year, and by fasting I mean that they adhere to a very strict vegan diet because they follow religious Holy days, and on these days you are asked to abstain from all animal products. So these holidays are spread out over the year, which means that it gives their bodies a chance to re-set. This is why Greek people are so healthy.
Sophie: Tell us about your new book?
Debbie: I set out to write this book because I wanted to share my family’s recipes with the world because they are not only heart-healthy but so delicious. One of the leading cardiologists in the country, Dr. Michael Ozner, who also wrote The Mediterranean Diet asked me if he could write my forward because he believes so strongly in this way of eating.
Sophie: So you don’t believe in diets?
Debbie: I do not! I think denying yourself anything will always lead to an awful outcome because you’ll always want more. “Diet” means “what you are eating” not deprivation. If your body is not satiated, it will always crave something. That’s why its vital to include healthy fats in your diet. In the process of writing my book it became more than just the recipes – it’s really a love letter to Greece.
Sophie: My favorite recipe is the “Exquisite Savory Leek and Feta Phyllo Pie”. It is insanely delicious, and it’s so much sophisticated than your usual Spanakopita.
Debbie: You’re right, it’s my fave. The healthy benefits of leeks are amazing: antibacterial, antifungal, and they have highest level of antioxidants than any veggie, and they are so underrated in this country. Maybe it’s because people don’t know what to do with them.
Sophie: So, I guess we can buy your book to find out! You are newly pregnant – how are you feeling?
Debbie: I am 4 months, and this week marks the first time I haven’t felt nauseous all day long.
Sophie: But, you look so gorgeous – I can only imagine it’s all that Greek food!
Debbie: You know what – all I’m craving is Kalamata Olives and Olive Bread.
Pick up a copy of Debbie’s amazing book, It’s All Greek To Me – you won’t regret it!
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