Pictures from Italy

I got home a bit after 6pm last night after a long day of travels.  Technically, if you convert Italian time to home time, I was up since 10pm the night before.  That being said, I felt great!  I had a cup of coffee - didn't have any all week in Italy and it was soo good!  Hubby did not go grocery shopping and we had, and still have, no real food in the house so we made some noodles I brought home and added the EVOO on them.  I ended up bringing 4 ltrs. home this time, it is so good and you can not get anything close to it here in the us.  Even the high end imported EVOO's do not come close to the ones produced in the small, family farms for the town.

Woke up at 4:30 am HUNGRY and wide awake.  Of course there was nothing I could really eat in the house and I am refusing all packaged foods this week that I ate in Italy last week, but ended up making myself some oatmeal and some organic OJ.  I did manage to find a block of my Whole Foods 365 Sharp Cheddar in the fridge and had a chunk of that too, so that should hold me for a while until we go to the store.

Now, the pictures:

Above is the incredible seafood pasta my co-workers shared.  Oh how I wished I could have had some, but the lemon on top would have just been one of the many allergies.  Now, here is what I had, so yummy!!

My other favorite dish was tuna, fresh from the sea with EVOO and garlic over it.  Sorry but I did not take a picture of that one.  

But this, this my friends was the best pasta I have ever had in my life.  Homemade with only wheat, eggs and a bit of sea salt.  The owner was kind enough to even show me the exact bag of flour that he used so I knew it was safe and unenriched.  He mixed the noodles with EVOO, garlic and a white wine with shrimp to create an incredible dinner for me!  I also ended up eatting a ton of bread this week as his bread was safe!  I need to re-create that at home for a special treat every now and then.  Of course, hubby will have to build me a big, Italian oven/fireplace in the back yard to get it just right.

I was trying to eat as much garlic as I could at dinner as I was getting the beginnings of the usual sinus infection that I always get in Italy due to the smoke.  This is the first time in quite a few years that my body has fought off a sinus infection!!!  It is amazing to me, it lasted only about 4 days and never progressed to much more than some mucus and a runny nose!!!

Im glad I went, I was anxious about what I would eat, but it worked out.  My go to food in the airports was plain yogurt.  Not very tasty, but it filled me up.  My allergies are severe, I will only eat something if I know, and can verify the ingredients.  I did it though without one allergy incident all week!  Yea!!! Travel ROCKS!!!

Photos and more

First off I must show you the best meal I have ever had since my diagnosis.
Except I can't! My iPad will some how not let me upload my photos... Hmmm none the less it was homemade Italian pasta with a white wine, olive oil and garlic sauce with bread! Wow incredible. I would neve be able to have a meal like that in the Us unless I knew 100% it was not from a box, like I did here. Christiano at Lo Squalo has gone above and beyond to accommodate me and it is soooooo yummy. Perhaps I might even come back home a size 4.
The trip us going great, I am so glad I took the chance. If you explain your issue in a kind way, looking for help, people are more than willing to assist. Enjoy, see the world as long as you are prepared. Pictures to come later, when I arrive home this weekend.

Prepare and Relax

These allergies are actually blessings. I had quite a few discussions with my Italian coworkers today about my allegies. Each one commented on how good I looked and I mentioned how much better I feel. The main point of our discussions was it it simply something that must be managed. Isnt that true? Allergies are not my life, they are a part of me that I always have to think about and be aware but they will not hold me back. I am happy I got over my fears and got my butt over here.
I went to the iCoop to buy my lunch today. I got some smoked salmon and yogurt and had that with my crackers. Oh yea, I ate Breakfast too so far and none of it was something I brought with me! Two hard boiled eggs and a kiwi. Both meals went great. I also took pear from the canteen and had it as an afternoon snack.
After work I took around a three mile walk and stopped to talk to Christiano. He is the owner of Lo Squalo, where I will be dining tonight. He was shocked by all of my new allergies but had no concerns about being able to help me. Christiano did suggest that he grill my steak on the grill in the back as the one up front is also used for pork.
I'm glad I'm here and having a nice time in a world different from my day to day life. We cNt be held back by allergies and the fear they bring with them, it's not worth it! Ciao for now.