Americans are often criticized for maintaining an ethnocentric perspective of the world (measuring the standards of other countries in comparison to your own culture). The danger of this mindset is that you will hold your practices as “superior," discrediting foreign ways of life solely because they are “other.” Having been raised by two immigrant parents, I am open-minded when it comes to culture and tradition. Even though I was born in New York, my parents make an effort to instill the values of their native country in our household, allowing my brother and I to be connected to our roots even when we are miles and seas away. Whether through food, summer vacations “back home”, or stories spoken out loud, I stay reminded that there is always more for us to learn to live “the good life.” After interviewing my parents and a recent trip to visit family, I compiled a list of Balkan and Mediterranean tips that will offer a refreshing new perspective on how you approach life. I decided to make this a three-part series to get through all the fruitful knowledge I gathered. This week’s theme: health and wellness.
1) Mountain Tea
My father told me that growing up, there was without fail a pot of Mountain Tea boiled and ready for breakfast. I have since carried on this practice and found that, as opposed to coffee, a cup of Mountain Tea is much easier on the stomach and will give you a refreshing start to your day. Mountain Tea goes by a laundry list of names; some of the most popular are Plainski chai, Çaj Mali, Tsai tou vounou, or Shepherd's Tea. Technically, it is dried Sideritis plant and looks like clusters of little flowers. It has a subtle flavor, tastes pleasant on its own or with honey, and contains endless health benefits. Mountain Tea is high in antioxidants, caffeine free, and studies have shown it can help lower stress and improve brain function. Mountain Tea is believed to be the tea of choice for ancient Greek philosophers and shepherd's because of its immunity benefits, the perfect medicine for long and tiresome journeys. If you have a caffeine sensitivity or looking to improve your gut health, give Mountain Tea a try.
2) No Ice
There is an array of theories as to why Europeans hate ice. Many believe ice-cold drinks will make you sick, hurt your stomach, or damage your teeth. Others think it rips off the customer by diluting their beverage (undoubtedly true for Starbucks). Another theory is that room temperature and hot drinks will make your body cool down by causing you to sweat (I personally don’t buy this one). Regardless, the European “no ice” rule significantly counters the American “more is more” motif that has infiltrated our glasses. Having seen how much ice restaurants and coffee shops use, I can confidently report that we are not receiving the value we are paying for. A good tip for the next time you go out is to ask for no ice. Most of the time, the drink is already chilled and at a comfortable drinking temperature, so adding ice may be a waste of your hard-earned money. Ice might not cause you to catch a cold, but it takes up valuable space in your cup intended for your favorite drink.
3) No-shoe home
Watching American television growing up would leave me utterly confused because the TV families were allowed to walk around the house or lounge on the couch with their shoes on. Many cultures subscribe to a “no-shoe home” for cleanliness reasons because you risk tracking in dangerous bacteria when you wear your outdoor shoes inside. The main reason many people wear shoes indoors is to prevent their feet from getting cold. If you are the child of immigrants, your grandparents have probably yelled at you for not wearing socks in the house because "you will get sick from the cold tiles." While not entirely true, going barefoot and having cold feet is linked to weakening your immune system, which may make you susceptible to colds and sickness. The next time you are expecting guests, make sure you have an array of house slippers awaiting them by the door. In addition, out of respect for our elders, don't forget to grab a pair of socks before walking on cold floors. Bonus tip: only wear slippers inside the house if you want to look the most put together you can.
4) Cappuccinos only for breakfast
Whether or not you have a dairy sensitivity, drinking a cappuccino after dinner is considered a strict no-no for stomach health. A cappuccino has a 1:1:1 ratio of espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk, making it one of the more indulgent coffee beverages we have all come to love and enjoy. Since cappuccinos carry a high dairy content, it is believed to cause indigestion if consumed after a big meal. For this reason, only order a cappuccino in the morning. Even if you exclusively drink plant-based milk, a cappuccino made with almond milk or oat milk may still be too substantive after a big bowl of pasta. After a meal, the only acceptable coffee beverage is the small but mighty espresso, typically weighing in at under 2 ounces (many even report having improved digestion by topping a good meal with a little espresso). However, for those easily affected by caffeine, skip out on the after-dinner espresso, as it may keep you up until it's time for that morning time cappuccino.
5) Mediterranean “Diet”
The Mediterranean “Diet” isn’t a toxic calorie-counting restrictive fad diet; it's a change of perspective on how you approach your meal time spread. The Mediterranean Diet offers a healthy, well-balanced, physically and emotionally fulfilling meal plan that never falters on flavor. A typical Mediterranean dinner contains an endless variety of vegetables, homemade bread, olive oil, and lean proteins like fish and chicken (preferably seasoned with citrus and spices). Some go-to healthy Mediterranean dishes include shepherd's salad (cubed tomatoes, cucumbers, and grated feta cheese), stuffed peppers or grape leaves, and plant-based pepper and eggplant dips. A common theme in Mediterranean cuisine is to embrace seasonal vegetables and find creative ways to integrate them with every meal. Also, don't fall shocked to hear that most Balkan people enjoy olives and feta cheese beside every meal (even breakfast!). Aside from food, meals should be shared with the people you love. The next time you enjoy a vitamin-rich meal, prepare to whip up enough for the whole family since togetherness is a vital ingredient to a healthy and happy life.
If you have any health and wellness tips from your culture, share them in the comments!
Sources:
https://archive.nytimes.com/opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/03/ice-enough-already/?ref=opinion
Love this!! your articles are refreshing!!
Bravo that’s the truth, Diana ❤️ Love you
You forgot the most important thing, "promaya"! (: