1. Family is the most important thing in your life.
a firm believer that at the very least one day of the week should be dedicated to spending time and conversation together over a meal. Be it your family or a family, the sense belonging, camaraderie, and love that fuels a family meal is an absolute necessity for health and happiness.
2. Work to Live, or Live to Work?
The choice is yours. Working to live seems more balanced to me. It takes the discipline to not let your work become your life, and thus requires a more balanced and clear mindset about what dreams you’re working towards.
3. An Aperol Spritz is the best aperitivo drink in the world.
2 parts Aperol
1 part Prosecco
1 part sparkling water
Ice and an orange wedge.
You’ll thank me later.
4. No matter how famous a country or town is for its food, no one does it better than a mom.
While the produce may be fresh and the chef world renowned, no one makes a better meal than a mom. If you want the real deal food experience find yourself a seat at the kitchen table. Your 5 star reservations can wait.
5. Every, yes EVERY, holiday is worth celebrating.
We’re all accustomed to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years as holidays but did you know about Santa Rosalia, Santa Agata, Ferragosto, the list goes on and on. Just plan on not accomplishing anything practical on any of these days, but that’s ok because not much practicality is needed to take a break and spend time with friends and family.
6. A dryer is a luxury. Clothes-lines and sunshine work just fine.
It takes a minute to get used to it, but hang-drying your clothes saves energy and helps your clothes to last longer! The immediate gratification of having your clothes dry in 45 minutes is lovely, but unnecessary.
7. Truly great coffee has nothing to do with cream and sugar.
Great coffee comes in the form of a cup as tall as your thumb with contents you can swallow in two gulps. It’s dark and rich and completely enjoyable with a speck of sugar (if you can’t handle the richness). I’ve preached about this before but one word, Espresso.
8. Going to the beach is vitally important.
We live in Sunny Isles BEACH and yet I would bet that Sicilians go to the beach more than us. Once summer season kicks in it’s time for the beach and every woman, man, and child tries and succeeds at going to the beach every single day. It doesn’t have to be an all day affair. It’s therapeutic and makes you appreciate that you live in a place on the ocean.
9. Taking a walk makes everything feel better.
Lot’s of people believe that taking a drive can calm you down. Not the case when you live in a place like Sicily where driving is just plain insane. So I’ve found that just taking a walk to clear your head is far more enjoyable than thinking about driving. It’s also the perfect excuse to do #8!
10. Yes, bread and ice cream are a completely acceptable breakfast.
Granita…Beats the you-know-what out of an Egg McMuffin!
