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Losing Weight with the Greek Diet?

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GreekGirlCooks

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
 
Rhea said:
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
Click to expand...
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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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 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.

Is lamb or beef more traditional for giouvetsi?

I've been looking into traditional Greek giouvetsi recipes lately, and I'm curious about which meat is considered the most traditional. I've seen recipes that use lamb, others that call for beef, and even some that use chicken.

I love the idea of slowly cooking the meat in a rich tomato sauce with orzo until everything becomes tender and flavorful. However, I'm wondering whether lamb or beef would be the more authentic choice.

Is one traditionally preferred in certain regions of Greece? I've read that lamb is often associated with older Greek recipes, but beef seems to be very common in modern versions of giouvetsi.

I'm also curious whether the choice of meat changes the way the dish is prepared. Does lamb require different seasonings or cooking times than beef?

For those familiar with traditional Greek cooking, which version do you prefer, and which would you recommend trying first?

What is your favorite Greek potato dish?

Potatoes show up in so many Greek meals, and I think they are often at their best when they soak up plenty of olive oil, lemon, herbs, and cooking juices.

Greek lemon potatoes are probably the first thing that comes to mind for me. I love when they are roasted until they are soft inside, a little crisp around the edges, and full of lemon and oregano. Potatoes cooked alongside chicken or lamb are also hard to beat because they absorb so much flavor from the pan.

I also enjoy simple boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, lemon, parsley, and salt, especially with fish or grilled meat.

What Greek potato dish do you make most often? Do you prefer lemon potatoes, potatoes roasted with meat, fried potatoes, or something else? And is there a particular seasoning or family method that makes your version especially good?

Do you make your pastitsio with a thick or thin layer of krema?

I've always preferred my pastitsio with a nice, thick layer of béchamel on top. To me, that's one of the best parts of the dish! I love when the krema is rich, creamy, and thick enough to hold its shape when you cut into the pastitsio.

The problem is that I've been having trouble getting my krema just right. Sometimes it comes out too thin, and other times the texture isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. I've tried adjusting the amount of flour and milk, but I still haven't found the perfect balance.

I'm curious how everyone else makes theirs. Do you prefer a thick layer of béchamel or just enough to cover the pasta? Does your family add eggs or cheese to the mixture?

I'd especially love to hear any tips for making a thick, smooth krema that sets beautifully when baked!
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