#workoffthatpizza

[myskatewing]

Nice day for a swim. Cara’s frozen hand print.#getinthepool #scrapethecarwindows #workoffthatpizza (at Broxburn Uk)

[statuesandstories]

Eating in Italy: A Problem and its Solution

My helpful guidebook (I am not ashamed of it. I will be one of those tourists toting maps and guidebooks with pride) warns: ABANDON DIETS, ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE. Apparently at an Italian dinner, you can expect to eat as many as seven (seven?!) courses. Every night. 

"How is this possible?" you may ask. Allow me to enlighten you with the help of TimeOut! Florence. 

L'Antipasto opens the meal and commonly consists of crostini, or little pieces of toast smothered in various pastes and/or thinly-sliced meats.

Il Primo is a carbohydrate-based course which can take many forms, all of which appear to be heavy on the olive oil and freshly-made bread products.

Il Secondo is meat. Italian waiters will apparently give you a look of utter confoundedness if you inform them, "Sono vegetariano." "Have no qualms", the guidebook tells me. "the Chianina breed of cattle found locally are a salubrious lot." (Well, thank goodness for that.)

Il Contorno is a side plate of veggies, also heavy on the olive oil and also on the radishes, apparently.

Il Formaggio are cheeses. Self-explanatory. They cleanse the palate before...

La Frutta, fruits, which can be eaten simultaneously with the cheeses. And finally,

Il Dolce are the desserts. This commonly consists of biscuits dipped in raisin wine, but can also involve Tiramisu, about which I am very excited.

The question then becomes: how do Italian women, renowned for their excellent fashion senses and impeccable appearances, maintain slender waists while scarfing seven courses a night? Lucky for me (and for you, flabbergasted reader), Small Carling has the answer:

"March 30, 2005. After lunch, we wandered around Belagio, which is built into the side of a mountain and full of stairs. I now understand how Italians can eat so much every night and not be morbidly obese; they go to Belagio and walk up stairs."

So there you have it: I shall sight-see my way to perfect health and fitness! Bring it on, antipasti!