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GreekGirlCooks

Active member
I have a good twenty pounds to lose. I went to Greece recently for about two weeks and lost five pounds when I was there. I walked a lot, but also felt like I ate more than normal.

Now I am back form my trip and I have gained it all back.

The key to my losing weight is in those Greece trips. I don't feel like much is different when I am home, other than maybe the food supply? I am just not sure how to live at home like I do in Greece.

Has anyone else noticed this weight loss while in Greece phenomenon, and have you figured out how to continue the momentum when you get back from a trip?
 
You probably did more walking than you do at home . Most foods in Greece are organically grown thus more delicious and more satisfying
Try a Mediterranean diet
One book I use is :
Mediterranean Diet Weight Loss Solution
Written by Julene Stassou MSRD
It’s excellent
 
You probably did more walking than you do at home . Most foods in Greece are organically grown thus more delicious and more satisfying
Try a Mediterranean diet
One book I use is :
Mediterranean Diet Weight Loss Solution
Written by Julene Stassou MSRD
It’s excellent
Thanks for the advice! You are right about the walking - I checked my Fitbit and I got a good 5000-6000 steps more in Greece per day than I did at home. Hmmm- that might be a good place to start - build the habit of more walking, work on using cleaner ingredients, and start cooking more mediterranean/Greek foods at home.
 
I agree about the walking but I also feel that the food is cleaner. I would look for cleaner foods and gravitate towards that kind of lifestyle - clean eating, Mediterranean ingredients, etc.
 
When I visited Italy last year, I walked everywhere, enjoyed fresh Mediterranean meals, and surprisingly lost a few pounds without even trying. It's like a lifestyle switch that's hard to replicate at home.

One thing I found helpful is to bring a piece of that experience back with me. I started incorporating more Mediterranean-inspired dishes into my meals—lots of veggies, olive oil, and fresh herbs. It helps keep that healthy vibe going without feeling like I'm on a strict diet.

Have you checked out goliathsteroids.com? They have some cool tips on staying motivated and maintaining momentum post-trip. Maybe incorporating small changes inspired by your travels can keep you on track.
 
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Favorite Greek Cheeses Beyond Feta

Feta gets most of the attention when people talk about Greek cheese, but there are so many other varieties worth trying. I’m curious which Greek cheeses everyone enjoys most beyond feta.

Graviera is one of my favorites because it works so well on a cheese plate, grated over dishes, or just eaten with bread. Kasseri is another one I really like, especially melted. I’ve also been interested in trying more regional cheeses like metsovone, manouri, kefalotyri, and formaela.

Some Greek cheeses seem to be much easier to find outside Greece than others, so I’d also love to know which ones people regularly buy and where they usually find them.

What Greek cheeses do you keep coming back to? Are there certain ones you associate with a particular region, dish, or family tradition? And if someone has mostly eaten feta, which Greek cheese would you recommend they try next?

Do You Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.

My Family’s Keftedes Recipe

Keftedes are one of those foods that always remind me of family gatherings. Everyone seems to make them a little differently, but this is the basic version my family has always used.

For about a pound of ground beef, we add one small grated onion, a handful of chopped fresh parsley, a little fresh mint, one egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and a small splash of red wine vinegar. Sometimes we add a little grated garlic as well.

The important part is mixing everything well and then letting the mixture sit in the refrigerator for a little while before shaping the keftedes. We make them fairly small, roll them lightly in flour, and fry them in olive oil until browned on the outside and cooked through.

We usually serve them with lemon, potatoes, salad, or tzatziki.

How does your family make keftedes? I’m especially curious about which herbs and seasonings everyone uses. Thought I'd share!

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?

How does your family season dolmades?

I’ve been thinking about how much dolmades can vary from one family to another, especially when it comes to seasoning. Even when the basic ingredients are similar, the flavor can be completely different depending on which herbs and spices are used.

How does your family season dolmades? Do you use mostly dill and parsley, or do you add mint as well? I’ve also seen recipes that include green onions, oregano, or even a little cinnamon, especially when meat is part of the filling.

I’m curious whether you season the rice mixture pretty heavily before rolling the grape leaves or keep it simple and let the lemon and olive oil provide most of the flavor. Does your family add lemon juice directly to the filling, or only during cooking and serving?

I’d especially love to hear about any regional or family traditions. What gives your dolmades their distinctive flavor?
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