Category Archives: Family

International Women’s Day

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

I feel honoured and proud to be a guest speaker at the International Women’s Day Event held by the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia.  Open the link below to read my message:

8 March 2016 International Women’s Day Speech

Some of the take home key messages that I shared with the audience are:

IWD flyer

 

There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women (Kofi Anan)

We need to move from words to purposeful action

When we empower women, we empower humanity

When we educate women, we educate families

 

 

Here’s to strong women, may we know them, may we be them, and may we raise them!

Happy International Women’s Day and let’s be the change we wish to see in the world.

GL x

Christmas with Culture

CHRISTMAS WITH CULTURE

I’m so proud to have 4 generations of my family and my book Greek Life (family, culture, food) featured in the iconic December/January holiday edition of SA Life Magazine. This gorgeous stylised photo was sent to me from The Stylist Loves.  Isn’t it just amazing?

SA Life open pages

 

The pièce de résistance at our Christmas table is the Avgolemono Soup. Although we celebrate Christmas in Summer, our family traditions has always meant that we start our lunch with this thick and creamy egg and lemon soup prepared with a combination of chicken and turkey stock. Hosting Christmas is always a large event for our family as we share our Christmas table(s) with anywhere between 35 and 50+ people! A true ‘act of love’!

 

 

Be sure to get your copies of Greek Life as a gift for yourself and your loved ones. This unique and timeless cultural Greek cookbook is  a true celebration of the Greek way of life, the Mediterranean Lifestyle, meaningfulness and connectedness, and supported by thought provoking philosophy and beautiful full colour photography.

See stockists at greeklifestyle.com.au If you don’t have stockist nearby then order at my online shop. For the month of December I’m surprising my online customers with a small gift from me!

GL xox

Taste of Greece Dinner

TASTE OF GREECE DINNER

TOGI’ve had an overwhelming response to my Taste of Greece Dinner….and that means we are ‘sold out’!

Thanks to all those who have booked and secured their places at the table. I very much look forward to catching up over a glass of wine, some amazing food and lots of stories. Thanks for connecting 🙂

GLx

 

Family Book Launch of Greek Life

FAMILY BOOK LAUNCH CELEBRATION

This is a treasured photo of me with my father taken on Sunday before my extended family arrived for a private book launch where Greek mezedes, ouzo, and champagne cocktails were enjoyed by all!! It was a truly memorable evening celebrated by 4 generations of our family and where my father delivered the most amazing heartfelt speech!jp and dad - book launch

Greek Life family | culture | food

 

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle,

I am so pleased to announce that my book Greek Life has now been uploaded to the Google books online store and will be available very soon for Kindle, Kobo, iTunes, Amazon  and other online retailers.

Greek Life Cover 16 Oct 2014

The hard back will be available from my online store from mid-January 2015 and will make the perfect gift for family and friends.

Greek Life is described as a ‘specially prepared trousseau of time-honoured Greek traditions, culture and recipes, lovingly assembled for future generations  to be preserved and not lost, to be embraced and not forgotten, and always to be enjoyed and celebrated’.

Please sign up to my website to keep informed of upcoming launch events!

GL xx

 

Easter Biscuits – Koulourakia

 

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

As we approach Easter Sunday, now is the time to dust off your cookbooks and prepare to make the all time favourite Easter biscuits known as koulourakia.  Traditionally these are baked on Easter Thursday or Easter Saturday. Here’s one of my favourite recipes:

Koulourakia                                              

Ingredients

½ block of unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup caster sugar

3½ cups plain flour

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence

1/3 cup milk or orange juice

Grated orange rind (optional)

Egg glaze  

2 egg yolks

2 tablespoons milk

Place the egg glaze ingredients into a small bowl and whisk together with a fork. Using a small pastry brush, glaze the koulourakia before baking.

Method

Preheat oven to 190 degrees.

Warm the butter and add to the sifted ingredients.

Knead until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Add the beaten egg, vanilla and continue kneading.

Add milk and extra flour if required, and knead until smooth.

Break off pieces the size of small walnuts and roll out using your hands. Create traditional patterns of twists and coils.

Glaze koulourakia with the egg yolk mixture before baking.

Bake in a moderate oven for 15-20 minutes.  Cool on wire rack.

Happy Baking!!!

GL xx

Palm Sunday

 

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday which commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jereusalem.  The church is decorated with palm fronds and daphne, and  at the end of the service the priest hands out cuttings of daphne and intricately woven crosses made from palm fronds for the faithful to take home.

Although Palm Sunday which is a Feast Day  falls during lent, it is permissible to eat fish. Traditionally Greeks celebrate with a lunch consisting of bakalarios (cod) and skordalia (garlic and potato puree) to celebrate this important day.

 

palm sunday

 

The official greeting is now Kali Anastasi, which translates to a good resurrection.

I will be preparing Koulourakia on Thursday and Tsoureki and Red Dyed Eggs on Saturday.

Good luck with your Easter preparations this week. I would love for you to share your special Greek recipes and traditions.

May we all have a happy Easter!

GL xx

The delights of Mediterranean Food

 

 

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle,

Much research has been conducted on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and especially the food and lifestyle of Greece.   Let’s consider the key factors of what makes the Mediterranean diet not only nutritious but also delicious and  healthy. The Mayo Clinic provides the following key factors of this popular way of eating:

  • Eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts
  • Replacing butter with healthy fats, such as olive oil
  • Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavour foods
  • Limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month
  • Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week
  • Drinking red wine in moderation (optional)

Being physically active, and enjoying meals with family and friends is essential to living the Greek way of life.   Socialising, laughing and story telling are also import components of connecting over a meal – making it more of a shared experience rather than a solo event.

pyramid

Have fun, experiment with your favourite ingredients and remember being healthy doesn’t mean being deprived. Create your dishes using seasonal and fresh ingredients to gain optimum value and nutrition. Cook for the people you love, and break bead with those dearest to you. Remember that cooking is an act of love!

GL xx