Food(less) Journey

    It's hard to believe I've been back in Pittsburgh for a little over 2 weeks now. It felt like I was gone for years. Not in a bad kind of way either. Just a few days in Florence and I felt so comfortable as if I had never left.   The walls burst forth with beauty.   I'm having a bit of a struggle adjusting back to life in the U.S. The pace is different, the prices are different, and strange sensory things like the smell. Another thing, my mobility is different.     It's amazing what a difference being able to afford a monthly bus pass makes. That alone makes day to day activities easier in Florence. I don't mind walking one bit, but Florence proper is flatter than my stomping grounds in Pittsburgh. And even with the awkward sidewalks it was easier to just walk places.     For instance, one evening we were invited to our friend M and S's house for dinner. They happen to live out...

  No more of this view for a while....   A four and a half and then ten hour layover in Moscow, Russia.. It was quite lovely to observe the Russian people for a "day".   It might sound rather boring, but the view was actually interesting. Giant beautiful window with planes coming and going. People coming and going as I sat and read and waited.   On the four hour layover I was waiting.. Waiting to go to Italy.. Waiting to go home again to my adopted country of "birth".   On the four hour layover I was waiting.. Waiting to return to Pittsburgh.. Waiting for a hot shower and a decent meal.... Waiting to start planning my return to Italy...     And no more of this view....   80 stairs to get to my apartment..... 79 full stairs and 2 half stairs...   They were lovely! Beautiful grey stone and such a great workout! Down and up them everyday at first. When I got used to them it was do...

Hello Precious! Quite a few people have gone veg and gained weight. Why? Pasta is often the answer. Its an easily adaptable but completely satisfying meal with or without meat and cheese. And not that there is anything wrong with eating pasta, but everything in moderation. Also, if you're going to have pasta be smart about it and have a pasta made with Spelt flour. Spelt is a relative of wheat, but it has a good amount of protein and lower glycemic index (aka you don't get a blood sugar spike and crash) Another trick is to smother your pasta....  Smothered Pasta  If you are going to eat pasta often have it be the accent to your meal not the main component. And remember to have another source of protein with it. Protein has hunger satiating properties so eating it with something potentially naughty helps you to eat less. Another favorite sauce is white bean "cheese" sauce. Yum! Smothered Pasta 1 c frozen spinach ...

This is where I worshipped in Italy. In the lower left side of this Quad Kingdom Hall. This is the Olive Tree at my place of worship.... Not ripe yet, but already looking yummy.... A view at the back.. The elegant chandelier in the lobby... A beautiful painting in the lobby.... My favorite act of graffiti in Italy..... A view in one of the markets we preached in.... This market had loads of jewelry making supplies... You know I was drooling over this table.... Fromage! Pepperoncini! This is the view on the way to the kingdom hall.... This is the view from my bed.... This is my favorite Italian snack.... Protein packed and spicy....

One of the reasons my heart is still in Italy... Seriously... This is what it looks like outside. It's not exactly ugly, but Im really not in the mood for fog at 10 am even with my Mint Green tea in hand. Pizza...ooooo... Let's talk Italy. This is one of my favorite pizza's that I ate in Firenze. We went to our regular Sunday meeting (Public talk and Watchtower discussion) in Scandicci and then drove to Certaldo for a special English public talk. After the special English meeting at the Certaldo Kingdom Hall we went to the Osteria da Carlo in Castelfiorentino, Firenze. Every element of this was completely delicious! And yes, I am taking the picture while eating a slice. I was really hungry after eating only a small chocolate gelato for "dinner" in between the two meetings. CERTALDO Certaldo is a midievel town one hour drive from Firenze (Florence). It was a beutiful place! I love how things can be hundreds of years old (or older) in Italy, but nothing feels ...