Paradise Found: Chapter Eat

The road to an Eat, Pray, Love version of self discovery has begun. My version includes far less food. Although the food in Florence is incredible, I have been on a mission to eat healthier. Out of all of my close companions, I seem to be the most addicted to bad junk food habits. Lynette, an environmentalist from Texas, is on a strict organic food diet. Jill, a vegan from Boston, also preaches about the importance of eliminating junk food. Therefore, I surrendered not only my beloved DDP, but also most gelato and large amounts of carb-filled pasta. I have instead been dining some of the best grilled dishes and sushi that Italy has to offer. The pizza here contains no grease, and it usually is only two ingredients. My ultimate favorite so far has been slow roasted ham on fresh baked pizza dough with mozzarella cheese. The pomodoro, mozzarella, and basicilo is also incredible. Grilled fish and muscles off the Italian coast is another wonderful dish that is more healthy. Occasionally I am allowing myself to stray away from the calorie conscious food. On these few occasions, I allow myself a meal of the most mouth watering pasta creations and delectable canolis. Not only is this method helping to battle of a few extra pounds it is also teaching me to appreciate many new foods.

Another victory in the weight loss battle has been my ability to exercise more. I am using my car-less summer to tone up and get into shape. My Florentine apartment is on the 2nd floor according to the Italians, but in the States this is definitely more like the 3rd or 4th floor. Everyday multiple times a day I walk up and down the steps that lead to my apartment. I attempted once to count the number of steps, but got discouraged after reaching the 20th step and not being anywhere near my front door. Now I just climb them without thinking. I also have been walking everywhere. I don't waste any of my precious euros on the bus or taxi. Florence is not an incredibly large town, but I get in a lot of miles every day. At first I was in pain every morning after exploring the city for hours on end. I woke up with sore muscles, shin splints, and aching arches. Slowly my poor body is beginning to adjust to this new strenuous walking schedule. The aches and pains have loosed their grip on my body and begun to reside. My stamina for heat and exercise is gradually building up. At the end of these next two months I should be tanned and toned to perfection.