Category Archives: Chicago

Any Given Thursday – a memoir by Eugenia Pantahos

Any Given Thursday – a memoir by Eugenia Pantahos

Last year on a Thursday evening in Frankfurt, Germany, I launched my memoir Any Given Thursday from my hotel bed. Only after I had hit ‘upload’, did I realise just how serendipitous that was.

Any Given Thursday is a book about friendship. It’s a story of a woman with a beautiful heart, a generous spirit, a diagnosis, and a battle that would become insurmountable. It’s a book about life and love, about dedication, about facilitating a journey, and the inevitable surrender. It’s about making a difference, showing up, having courage, and always remembering.

The eBook for Tablet, Phone and Kindle is now available here.

Paperback available here.

 

The story in this book is so close to my heart, and because of that, part proceeds will be donated to various causes as a way to give forward to those who are doing it tough. Help me to make a difference!

I’m thrilled to share with you just some of the reviews of Any Given Thursday.

REVIEWS

“I managed to read ‘Any given Thursday’ on a wintry day. Couldn’t put it down!! Thank you for allowing us into your personal and family life. Such a truly inspirational memoir of friendship.” – Emerald

“I just finished reading ‘Any Given Thursday’ and wanted tot hank you for sharing such a beautiful and personal story. I was personally touched by your expressiveness and connection to your beautiful friend as well as they way you’ve highlighted the importance of family and traditions! I have no doubt in my mind that AK is looking upon you with a smile every day for the beautiful family you have raised and the gifts that you have bestowed on all of us around you.” – E McD

I’m Eugenia Pantahos, and I thank you for reading my post!

xoxo

Learn the secrets of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

Learn the secrets of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

You may wonder what all the fuss is around the Mediterranean Diet. I’d like to share the secrets behind this way of living, and why in some parts of Greece, people enjoy longevity and good health well into their 90’s and beyond 100.

Firstly, it’s not simply a diet. More than that, it’s a lifestyle. It’s about choosing the freshest in season fruits and vegetables, enjoying a small quantities of nuts and dried fruits, generous amounts of olive oil, a glass or two of wine, multiple servings each week of legumes, two to three servings of seafood a week,  and very limited dairy, red meat, and poultry.

Correctly observed, the Mediterranean Lifestyle also incorporates times of fasting. As a rule each Wednesday and Friday, plus forty days before Easter, the first 15 days of August, 40 days before Christmas, and some other dates in between. That adds up to over 200 days of the year where no dairy, meat and poultry is consumed, and on some of these days oil and wine are also not consumed.

Aside from the food, the Mediterranean Lifestyle encompasses having fun, being socially connected, laughter, dancing, gentle exercise by way of walking, gardening or dancing (did I say fun?), sipping a Greek coffee served in a demitasse cup, enjoying a couple of glasses of wine, and basking in the company of family and friends.

Greek Life a celebration of the Mediterranean LifestyleThese lifestyle choices are at the core of my book award-winning book Greek Life. If you love Greek food, and admire Greek culture, be sure to order your copies from Amazon. Click on this link to order my books.

Greek Life belongs in the homes of families for whom Greek culture means something.

I’m Eugenia Pantahos, and I thank you for keeping the celebration alive.

xox

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

Greek Life a special order

Greek Life, a special order.

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

I’ve been busy autographing books and getting them into my wonderful stockists. Have you got your signed copies of Greek Life yet? If not, simply visit the most convenient store in your state. The full list of stockists can be found here.

Signed copies of Greek LifeThese copies of Greek Life are being sent out as a special order and I’ve personalised and autographed them especially for my customer.

Wherever you live in Australia, be it South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory or Western Australia, you’ll be sure to find a stockist nearest you.

If you live remotely, then I’m happy to personalise your books and have them sent direct to you. Simply email me at jeanie.pantahos@bigpond.com

The hardcover version of Greek Life can easily be posted overseas for those living outside Australia. As you would expect, postage and handling will cost a bit more, but I know that it will be worth it. Need convincing? Check out the amazing REVIEWS that my readers have sent me.

Greek Life is a great gift for birthdays, graduations, kitchen teas, for your bridal party, Christmas or any occasion for that matter.

I love learning what Greek Life means to those who have my book, whether they chose to buy it, or were given it as a gift. My heart skips a beat and is filled with joy and happiness, as my readers share the similarities of their family’s journey, share their thoughts, or when they send photos of the book sitting in pride of place in their homes.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me on this journey.

Love and blessings,

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

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 Soft Cover on the Best Seller List

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

I have some AMAZING news to share!  I have just learned that my humble, yet beautiful and timeless book Greek Life that was originally written for my immediate family as a personal memoir and cultural cookbook….is sitting at No. 32 at the Best Seller List on Amazon in the category of Greek cookbooks!!

Greek Life by Eugenia Pantahos Best Seller ListNo. 32 is not just one of my favourite scents, but its now the number that Greek Life is sitting at on the Best Seller List…..sorry did I just type that again? I’m really excited!!!

This is a shiny, bright, and exciting little bit of news that has made me feel so proud. You see, Greek Life was going to be a family book, and its not until I had the courage to say ‘out loud’ that I had written this book that peoples positive responses encouraged me to pursue the  idea that Greek Life could be a truly valuable book that belongs in families for which Greek culture means something, for Phil-hellenes, for foodies, lovers of culture, the thinkers, the cooks, and those who love photography.

Fast forward just a couple of years, much serendipity, heaps of commitment, a clear vision, loads of strategy and relationship building, and backing myself even when at times the journey seemed larger than life…..and in what some may see as an instant…..Greek Life has been embraced internationally by readers in all corners of the globe. The release of the softcover edition has made it possible for this to happen.

A huge THANK YOU to each and everyone of you, who added my book to your collection. I hope that it means as much to you as it means to the readers who have contacted me to let me know just how they feel about Greek Life. I’m eternally grateful.

Eugenia xox