Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Emily A. Francis, author of The Body Heals Itself, Whole Body Healing, and the new Taste of Joy.
After moving to Malta with my family during the 2020 pandemic, I learned insider secrets to one of the healthiest lifestyles in the world. Now I’m sharing these insights, so that you, too, can improve your wellness and invigorate your spirit.
When it comes to meal sharing in the Mediterranean, it is an incredible experience. First, you must be prepared to spend several hours at the table with friends. Everything about the culture asks that we slow down the pace and make time to invite pleasure to be our guest of honor. Whether it’s an afternoon meal or a dinner, the courses follow a basic order. There is always an order, and that sequence lends itself to a healthier mind and body. It is evident in the meals shared, the balance between work time and playtime, and in the time that is dedicated to the self and whatever private or faith practice personally utilized.
The Aperitif: This is a low alcohol drink such as a dry martini, or dry white wine or the Mediterranean staple the Aperol Spritz. This is to whet the palette and let the digestive tract know that we are opening ourselves up to something very delectable on the way. In life, this would be like preparing ourselves to set a goal. We are preparing our mind and body what’s going to be up ahead.
The Appetizer: This might be as simple as bread and olive oil, or something as grand as the full Maltese platter for the appetizer. Bread in the Mediterranean doesn’t contain preservatives to keep the bread fresh for days on end; bread is only good for two days, max. You need to take advantage of it when it comes your way because it won’t stay good for long. Breads are actually subsidized by the government; therefore, they cap the price of bread at one Euro only. This is so everyone can enjoy fresh bread. This is a reminder to take care of the people in your life and stop always trying to keep up with the Joneses—rather, practice feeding the Joneses, instead.
Main Course: This is your meat or fish, roasted potatoes, and grilled vegetable time of the meal. There is usually a salad that accompanies it or in place of it depending on the size and toppings. They don’t serve tremendous amounts of food in the Mediterranean. The roasted potatoes in one bowl and the roasted vegetables in another bowl are always served to the whole table in small bowls for everyone to share. Even if it’s those two small bowls of potatoes, vegetables, bread and oil will remain on those tables. If it is the pasta dishes, you are talking about roughly four to no more than six pieces of ravioli. You won’t leave feeling grossly full. It offers just enough to let you feel like you were gluttonous when in fact, you weren’t at all. It’s a beautiful offering and one that I had to get used to, because we are used to overfilling ourselves both on the plates and in our lives.
Dessert: Dessert can be as big as a piece of cake or as simple as traditional coconut balls, which are usually no bigger than the size of a large marble. Even the strictest of people make room for dessert with their meals because they don’t practice overindulgence, but they do always make sure that they allow themselves to play with pleasures.
After-Meal Espresso: This might go along with dessert, or be on its own either in place of it or following it. As they say all the time in the Mediterranean: “As you wish.” Coffee supports digestion and moves the food faster through the GI tract.
After-Meal Digestif: This little alcohol shot helps to sort of “seal the deal” on your dining experience. Remember though, this is over the course of hours, not hour as a singular. This is a slow-your-roll type of gathering.
Let this serve as your Mediterranean reminder that with both food and life, slow it down, and enjoy each bite and each step. Don’t overfill your plate and let pleasure dance at your table.
Our thanks to Emily for her guest post! For more from Emily A. Francis, read her article “Five Ways to Add Joy to Your Life.”
