Category Archives: darwin

Farewell to our Patriarch

Farewell to our Patriarch

John DesyllasThe photo to the left is my father sitting on a bench in Elder Park, Adelaide the day after he arrived in Australia, having left my mother and their three children in Greece to seek opportunities in Australia. He is a man filled with hopes and dreams. Circa early 1956.

With hard work, sacrifice, and a vision for his family, and with much dedication, a life was created in Australia, and it would take six and half year before my mother and their three children would be reunited.

We benefited from the choices and sacrifices my parents made, and have made them proud and happy. Together they lived a full life with their family, their community work, and lots of travel and shared experiences catching up on the lost years.

The days after my father passed away, we received over 120 people into his home where as a family we received condolences. As is customary in Greek Orthodox tradition, those visiting brought jars of Greek coffee, bottles of Brandy, and plates of Paximadia (Greek Lenten Sweet Rusks). These offerings help the family cater for the many visitors who will want to visit the grieving family, and also come in useful for serving at the wake and other memorial services.

John DesyllasWe have farewelled our father to a standing room only service at St George Greek Orthodox Church and afterwards the wake and celebration of his life was held at the Elion Society “Olympic Flame’ Hall, where he was a founding member and has served the community continuously for 45 years. Over 320 people came to the hall to share in a meal, drink to his memory and to honour our father.

He was a loved and devoted father of 5, adored pappou of 17, and a cherished great-pappou of 22. A true gentleman, a patriarch, a father and a friend ❤

As a family we are honoured that so many people came to pay their respects, and some travelled from far away and interstate to do so.

He will be missed deeply.

Eugenia xx

A Moment I Will Cherish

A Moment To Cherish

On Saturday I lost the man who raised me, a father who was also a friend. A man who dedicated his life to his family and to his community. A man who warmed the hearts of those he met. A man who embraced life. A man who shall always be remembered. A man whose life we will celebrate. To us he was baba, dad and daddy, to his grand-children he was papou, to his great-grand-children he was papouli, to his friends he was file (friend) and Kirie Yiannis ❤

A moment I will treasure foreverThis moment is one that I will cherish forever; my father reaching for my hand the day before he passed away.

He is now reunited with my beautiful mother ❤

Memory Eternal John Desyllas
1927 to 2017

For those who have my book Greek Life, the photo of my dashing father sitting on a bench can be found on page 22. This photograph was taken at Elder Park in Adelaide, the day after he arrived in Australia; a man filled with hopes and dreams. Circa early1956.

Many of my readers have reached out to me sending their condolences, and letting me know that they have re-read the chapter on the Story of Family and New Beginnings, providing a renewed inspiration from my parents incredible story.

My heart has a place that belonged to my father, and his memory shall always be eternal. I take comfort in the meaningful and fun relationship we enjoyed, for his guidance, sense of humour, lessons shared, and how he exemplified a dignified life through actions that represented his core values. My life is richer for having a father like mine, my children’s lives are richer for having a grandfather who was active in their lives. He will live on forever in our hearts and in our memories.

Eugenia xx

FREE CALENDAR

FREE AUGUST 2017 CALENDAR

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

The theme for the August free downloadable and printable calendar (a gift from me to you) is PASSION. Here’s a little visual inspiration.

Do it with passion, or not at all

Passion gets us excited, it fills our mind with ideas, new realities, wonderful opportunities. It runs through our veins, makes our heart quicken, can make our cheeks flush. So whatever it is that you do, what ever path that you are exploring, remember to do it with passion or not at all!

Get your free calendar here

Eugenia xox

Greek Life a Gastronomic Journey

Greek Life a Gastronomic Journey

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

Greek Life at Hellenic Club Woden Canberra

Get your copies of the hardcover Greek Life now while stocks last!

Last Friday I had the absolute pleasure of being interviewed about my cookbook Greek Life on our very own local radio station with Jo Russell-Clarke right here in Adelaide on Radio 101.5 on the Gastronaut program.

We discussed the inspiration for me writing Greek Life, essentially the story behind the story, memories of food, the wonderful health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and what it meant to grow up in a traditional Greek home in South Australia.

Of course food was talked about extensively and the way in which it brings family together both in happy times and times when we honour our loved ones, the seasonality of food, and the benefits of eating with the natural rhythms.

Greek Life has been embraced nationally and internationally. It is proudly stocked in over 30 stores nationally within Australia, and at only the best stores in Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, South Australia and Perth. Find the full list of stockists here.

When I first embarked on bringing my book to life, I could only imagine the journey that has transpired. Greek Life was written from a place of love and pure intent, and my readers explain to me that they absolutely do feel the love in my book. I feel so humble and proud that my journey as a first time author has been so well received.

If you would like copies of the exclusive hardcover available only in Australia, then please don’t miss out, as there is limited stock of Greek Life, now in its second print run.

The hardcover book is available to those outside Australia, but will attract a higher postage fee. If interested, its best to email me direct at jeanie.pantahos@bigpond.com

If you’d like to listen to my interview, open the audio link below. I hope you like it.

Eugenia xox

Audio Player

 

Greek Life – a book about family, culture and food

Greek Life – a book about family, culture and food

My journey as an author has been exciting and unexpected. When I first published Greek Life, it was to be a family book to pass on to future generations of my immediate and extended family. It’s become so much more. Now Greek Life is available nationally within Australia and more recently 3 amazing business have added my book to their shops.

I’m thrilled to announce that Greek Life is now available in Hobart, Perth and Darwin! If you live in these wonderful places, I’m asking ‘have you got your copies of the limited edition cultural cook book Greek Life’?

If not, don’t delay. Get yours from Hill Street Grocer in Hobart, Boffins Books in Perth, and Parap Fine Foods in Darwin, and join the celebration that is Greek Life.

Learn about the when, why, and how of Greek culture, all brought together with authentic family recipes, thought inspiring philosophy, full colour photography, anthologies around food, the seasonality and benefits of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle and so much more.

Visit greeklifestyle.com.au to read to learn more about me and my book, to read Press and Reviews, and find an Australian stockists nearest you.

There is limited stock of this timeless book now in its second print run. Greek Life is a book of the highest quality in not just content but also in presentation. It sits proudly in homes around the globe, so be sure to add it to yours and to join the celebration that is Greek Life!

Eugenia xx

Greek Life and T-Bar Tea Salons

Greek Life and T-Bar Tea Salons

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle,

I love collaborations. Put quite simply I enjoy supporting businesses that I admire and that provide a great product and service. With that in mind, as a winter treat T-Bar Tea Salons, ‘the best tea in town’, have supplied two amazing teas especially for this chilly time of year. This gift with purchase means 12 lucky readers will be the recipients of some truly delicious teas, when ordering the timeless cookbook Greek Life direct from me.

Greek Life CookbookI’m a proudly South Australian author whose book Greek Life has been embraced nationally and internationally. Greek Life celebrates much of the Mediterranean Lifestyle and one aspect is of course the medicinal value of food, spices, and herbs. Collaborating with T-Bar is more than meets the eye. It’s a shared appreciation that there’s nothing quite like a good cup of tea!

Good tea is at the heart of what T-bar Salons do best. A proudly run South Australian family business (we have that in common), T-Bar offers 120 blends and varieties to be enjoyed year round.

Whether its an elegant tea for a fashionable tea party, a fortifying brew over a much needed tete-a-tete, or the magical and wonderfully medicinal benefits of herbal teas, it matters not.

T-bar the best tea in townWhat does matter however is that your favourite tea leaf is sourced direct from the growers, and that means authentic flavours from around the world, poured into your teapot!

Put the kettle on, and savour the moment as you curl up and take a journey through the pages of Greek Life, where by the way, you’ll find more on medicinal teas for health and wellness, plus so much more!

There’s only ONE way to win, and you will need to be quick.

Here’s how it goes…..

  1. Order your copy of Greek Life direct from at jeanie.pantahos@bigpond.com
  2. Australian orders only
  3. Offer ends midnight 31 July 2017
  4. And you’ll be the recipient of some truly delicious tea with your copy of Greek Life.

Spread the word, tell your family and friends, like and share this post, and lets enjoy a cuppa on T-Bar!

Eugenia xoxo

The Yummiest Galatopita

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

Last year my youngest daughter and I had some fun filming the making of one of our family favourite recipes, Galatopita, a delicious Greek Milk Pie.

Galatopita - Greek Milk PieGalatopita is a milk pie, thickened with semolina and infused with freshly grated lemon zest and pure vanilla essence.  It is prepared on the stove top until thickened, before the eggs are quickly whisked in and mixed well, and then baked in the oven until golden brown and crisp around the edges.

We loved enjoying this treat, and mum was an expert at making it with fresh home laid eggs straight from the hen house, and lemons picked fresh off of our lemon tree. You really can’t get much better than that!

The aromas of vanilla and lemon would permeate the home, and we knew that we were in for a treat. This milk pie can be enjoyed at room temperature just after its cooled down, and its even better the next day if refrigerated overnight.

Galatopita is pudding deliciousness and the best part is scraping the baked on edges off the baking dish to get the crunchy bits!

What you need to know NOW about Greek Life

A book about family, culture and food by Eugenia Pantahos

The recipe can be found in my book Greek Life, that is currently available as a limited edition  HARDCOVER from my Australian stockists or direct from me. 

The SOFTCOVER is available at Amazon and you can order your copy here!

Learn more about me and my book, future events, downloading your free monthly calendar, or to arrange personalised autographed books, by visiting greeklifestyle.com.au
If you would like a sneak peak at this short but fun little episode…click on the video below!

But, be sure to put the volume down on your speakers first…the exciting Greek music might give you a startle!

While you’re there, feel free to subscribe to my YouTube account, as I’ll be adding some more demonstrations just for you!

Eugenia xox

Greek Life available nationally

Greek Life Available Nationally

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

Today I’m sharing some really exciting news!

I’m traveling from Adelaide to Canberra via a short stopover in Melbourne, where I’m typing this blog post, sipping peppermint tea, and taking the time to chime in and do a few social media updates. You see, I’m off to Canberra to share the story behind the story of Greek Life, and how this book came to be. I’m so happy to be visiting our Capital city, and meeting the lovely people of Canberra tonight at the Hellenic Club at Woden.

Greek Life book available nationally in AustraliaMy latest exciting news is that Greek Life can now be found in each state and territory in Australia. From Adelaide to Darwin, and Perth to Canberra, and all the cities in between.

Parap Fine Foods in Darwin is the latest addition to where Greek Life can be found. This high quality fine food store is a perfect match for my book.

The Hellenic Club at Woden in Canberra have books available for those living in our Capital City.

In Tasmania, Greek Life can be found at the amazing fine food store Hill Street Grocer, and over in the West, Boffins Books is where the fine people of Perth can get their copies of Greek Life.

All this shows an amazing support for my timeless book Greek Life, that can be found in only some of the best business in Australia. Greek Life continues to sit proudly in homes across our beautiful country, and beyond in cities around the globe. In fact, I’ve just received a phone call from a lady who requires 2 signed copies for her friends, with one being sent Germany!

Thanks for the love, thanks for the support, and thanks for joining the celebration that is Greek Life!

Eugenia xx

Greek Life – people tell me it’s the best!

Greek Life – people tell me it’s the best!

Welcome to GL!

When I embarked on my self-publishing journey I soon realised that this small business venture of mine as a first time author also needed much focus and dedication to get my book into the right businesses. The types of business that were well know for their great customer service, their professionalism, offering a great mix of genres, and who were quite simply ‘great operators’. I knew intimately, that my book Greek Life was to be stocked in only the best stores in Australia.

With that in mind, I went firstly to the stores that I shopped in here in South Australia, and was overjoyed when these wonderful bookstore managers agreed to stock Greek Life. My list of stockists grew steadily in SA, Victoria, and New South Wales, and before I knew it my first print run had sold out.

I then pondered the idea of a reprint. Well how could I not go down this path with over 200 books on back-order? And so, the second print run, that was slightly delayed due to personal commitments, was eventually delivered a few days before Christmas.

My back orders were filled just in time for the festive season and there was something quite satisfying knowing that I hadn’t let people down. You see, my word is my calling card!

This now gave me the wonderful opportunity to seek stockists in other states in Australia, and soon Greek Life would be stocked in a few more shops in Melbourne, and new markets would be found in Queensland, Tasmania, and WA. I’m delighted that Greek Life can now be found in almost each state and territory within Australia.

My next goal is to have Greek Life stocked in the Northern Territory!  With only limited stock available, it would be wonderful for all people across Australia for whom Greek culture means something, to be able to secure copies of Greek Life for their families, friends, and loved-ones.

Within its pages, readers will go on a remarkable journey with the story of family and migration, and join the unique, beautiful and inimitable celebrations that surround New Years, Easter, Christmas, Love and Other Ceremonies, Births and Baptisms, and Honoring our Loved Ones. At the core is the philosophy of the Greek way of life that encompasses the benefits of the Mediterranean Lifestyle, plus so much more.

Interwoven within its pages, is thought inspiring philosophy and beautiful and sumptuous full colour photography. Greek Life transports readers through a visual and culinary journey like no other!

Greek Life is the perfect gift for birthdays, graduations, kitchen teas, Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Valentines Day and more. So love the one you’re with, and give the gift that keeps giving.

Eugenia xx

Greek Life

A sneak peak into Greek LIfe

What you need to know NOW about Greek Life

A book about family, culture and food by Eugenia Pantahos

Greek Life hardocover available nationally in Australia

Get your copy of Greek Life from a stockist nearest you!

 

Greek Life at Omega Foods

Omega Foods now stocks Greek Life

Aghios Stylianos, Omega FoodsThis little church named Aghios Stylianos sits adjacent to the main entrance of Omega Foods at Hindmarsh, South Australia.

Not only can you get all your baking ingredients, specialty foods, wine and kitchen needs, you can also find copies of Greek Life.

More stock in store in time for Easter!

Recipes for these traditional recipes and the best roast lamb you’ll ever taste, can be found in my book Greek (family | culture | food).

You can get your hard cover copies here or from a stockist nearest you, and eBook for various devices, and the specially released softcover for global customers.

Kalo Pascha // Happy Easter

GL xx