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February's Recipe:
Beet (Beetroot) Salad with
Garlic Yogurt
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Ingredients:
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- 2 1/4
(1 kg) tender young beets (beetroots), trimmed
- 4
tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4
tablespoons olive oil
- salt
- 1 cup
(250 ml/8 fl oz) strained plain or thick Greek
yogurt
- 3
garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/3
cup (40g / 1 1/2 oz) coarsely chopped walnuts
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Preparation:
Put the beets into a pan, add boiling water to
cover, and cook for about 30 minutes, or until
tender. Rub or peel off the skin and cut into
slices. Put the slices on a deep platter and pour
half the vinegar and half the olive oil over them.
Season with salt, cover, and let marinate at room
temperature for 2-3 hours. Combine the yogurt, the
remaining oil, the remaining vinegar, and the garlic
in a bowl and season lightly with salt. Pour the
mixture over the beet slices, cover, and chill in
the refridgerator for 2 hours to let the flavors
blend. Just before serving, sprinkle with the
chopped walnuts.
Serves 6
Preparation Time 5 1/2 hours (including marinating
and chilling)
Cooking time 30 minutes
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 Excerpts and
Photography from:
Vefa's Kitchen
by Vefa Alexiadou |
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February's Article: |
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Cretan Nutrition and the Mediterranean Diet |
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CRETAN NUTRITION
AND THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Cretan (Mediterranean) Diet - Research - Recommendations
During the last few decades the old way of life on
Crete has
 changed significantly. The traditional
modes of meal preparation were infiltrated by
western modalities which undermined the health of
the local population: CVR incidents and cancer
growths increased to epidemic proportion. One more
question: are we entitled to demand of people to
return to a traditional way of life and nutrition? An affirmative answer would
be unwise, if not absurd, in spite of the fact that
the benefits of the traditional Cretan diet have
been corroborated by scientific research. However, we
are confident that knowledge of this diet will spur
individual adjustments by interested individuals.
Such knowledge and adjustments are warranted given
the publicity the Cretan diet has received and of the fact that certain western nutritional standards are implicated in health and economic
problems. Given the fact that economic hardship has
spread to global proportions, it would be wiser to
substitute a portion of our meat allowance with fish.
Let me remind you that Japan ranked second to Crete
in terms of lower mortality rates from
cardiovascular diseases. This is attributed to the
fact that the Japanese are avid consumers of fish.
We are not sure why fish is good for health; perhaps
it is the fish oil.
 The
fact with olive oil is that it inhibits the
oxidation of "good" cholesterol, HDL. Consequently, the byproducts
oxidation do not clog the arteries. At the same time
levels of HDL cholesterol remain high. We can
achieve the same effect if we substituted meat with fish in our diet.
Standards of living that are closer to the Cretan way of life also involve increased physical activity and the consumption of fresh and unadulterated products of land and sea.
In 1988 Serge Renault, director of the nutrition and cardiology department at the National Institute for Health Research in Lyon, France, conducted a research with 600 subjects that had suffered a cardiac infarct. Half of his subjects were instructed to follow the Cretan diet, i.e. olive oil, vegetables, fruit, little meat and fish, little butter. The diet of the other half followed the recommendations of the American Cardiology Society. The study was originally scheduled to conclude in five
years, but was interrupted in a period of 27 months as a result of significant developments: sixteen subjects from the latter group had died, as against three from the former group. At a later time, after the study had been stopped, eight subjects under the American Cardiology regime, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. This study corroborated the Keys' et al. postulates and findings that nutrition can be a major factor of health and life expectancy. Another finding that changed the perception of experts about the source of calories was that in spite of recommendations for 30% calories intake from fatty substances, the Cretan diet, which proved healthier than other diets, offers 40% of calories from olive oil. Comprising monounsaturates, vitamins and other antioxidant elements, the olive oil shields the heart from diseases and the human body from cancer growths. The effects of very expensive medication is half that obtained by observing the precepts of the Cretan diet.
Continued next month
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Special Feature: Do You Speak Greek?
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Part 1 |
The Clothes You Wear
Written by Dr. Steve Demacopoulos, this article about the Greek language was originally posted on the Herald Examiner in 1971.
In this article Dr. Demacopoulos discusses Dr. Demakopoulos is a lexicographer. He has spent over a quarter of a century perfecting the greek lexicon.
If you were forced to wear only the articles of clothing whose words are of Greek origin, where would you be? First, you would not remain entirely nude for long as most of us call "underwear"
εσώρουχα a word of recent origin from the Ancient Greek
εσω, "inside" (from which we get "esoteric") and
ρούχα, "clothing", a word since the Medieval
Greek period. The Ancients appear not to have had a word for "underwear" in
general. But you could not sleep in your "pajamas" (or "pyjamas" in England) as
they are called πιτζάμες or (in U.S.)
πατζάμες in Greek, there being no acceptable substitute in the language. The English word stems from the Persian
pa(e) (="leg") plus jama (="garment"), through the Hindi
pa(e)jama, the Greek word being derived from the English. You wouldn't be sure about your "slippers" as
παντόφλα comes from the Medieval Greek
παν (="all") and φελλό (="cork"). But the Modern Greek word is derived through the Italian
pantofola. And your "robe" or κιμονό
(or in U.S. κομόνα), as in English, comes from the Japanese
kimono, meaning "a dress", through the French.
Now try to go outdoors. You would have no "socks" or "stockings" to put on as
κάλτσα is from the Italian calza, also meaning "stocking". Also, you would be without "shoes" as
παπούτσι is from the Medieval Greek
παπούτσιν, itself from the Turkish papuc, a word of Arabic origin, unless, of course, you call your shoes
υποδήματα. And few of us would say
ιμάντες but κορδόνια, from Venetian cordon, from Italian
cordone, from Latin chorda, itself from the Greek
χορδή (="gut"), compare "chord" and "cord" in English, for "shoelaces", so they also can remain with your "shoes". And you have no "pants" to wear (or even "hot-pants"), as
πανταλόνι is from the Italian plural pantaloni, from the French
pantalon, meaning "trousers" in both languages. (Others, however, relate the Italian word to Saint Pantalone, a Fourth Century Venetian saint).
Your "shirt" would be unacceptable as πουκάμισο
derives from the Medieval Greek πουκάμισον,
from υποκάμισον, from
επικαμισον, from the Latin camisia which meant a
"linen shirt" or "nightgown". And if your "tie" is a
λαιμοδέτη then wear it without your "shirt". But if it's
γραβάτα, from the Italian cravatta,
from the French cravate, which means Croatia, as the Croatian
soldiers wore them in the French army. In English we have "cravat". If you men
call your "Suit" φορεσιά and you women your "dress"
φόρεμα, from the National Greek period, from the
Ancient Greek verb φοράω (="to wear"), then you
finally have something on your back. But if you say
κουστούμι και φουστάνι , then you're up the proverbial
creek with a broken paddle, as κουστούμι derives
from the Italian costume (where we get our English word,
through the French) and φουστάνι from the Medieval Greek
φουστάνιν and φουστάνιον,
from the Italian fustagno. Furthermore, the Italian word was
derived from the Arabic Fustat, a suburb of Cairo, where the
material was woven. Φούστα (="skirt"), and
φουστανέλλα (our national costume) are closely
related.
Ζακέτα for "jacket" would also
not be cricket as the word can be traced through the French jacquette,
diminutive of jacque, from the Arabic schakk.
And you women would have no support unless you referred to your "bra" as
στηθόδεσμο or μαστόδεσμο,
for if it's σουτιέν, then you must join the
bra-less movement as it is from the French soutien (gorge),
also meaning "brassiere".
You could wear no "blouse", for
μπλούζα (a also comes from the French as blouse, as it does in
English. If you wanted to take a walk, you could wear your "coat" over your
"underwear" if you referred to it as πανοφώρι,
from the Medieval Greek
απανοφώριον , from
επανοφώριον that is "something worn over". But
you must stay home if it's παλτό, as this stems
from the Italian palto, meaning an "overcoat". And with your
"coat" must remain your "hat", as καπέλλο is
also Italian, from capello also meaning "hat".
Lastly,
if you dare for a swim, would you make a big splash, for if your "bathing- (or
swim) suit" were called μαγιό, from the French
maillot (de bain) or
μπανιερό, from the Italian bagnio (from which we
also get "bath"), you could wear neither of them. Did you say that you spoke
Greek?
Excerpt
from
Do You Speak Greek?
by Steve Demakopoulos
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New! |
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Greek Sterling Silver Jewelry |
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Vancouver 2010 Olympic Collectors' Pins |
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Vintage City Photographs and Vintage Advertisement Prints |
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Hand Painted Icons |
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Greek Music,
DVDs, and Books |
The Very Best Of, Haris Alexiou |
Best of Giorgos Margaritis (4 CD) |
Ta laika tis agapis (6 CD) |
Rithmos in the Mix 2 , Various Artists |
Best of 2010 Heaven Music , Various Artists |
Kolasi 2010 (CD + DVD) |
Ancient Greece : Modern Ship Building DVD (NTSC) |
Ancient Greece
(DK Eyewitness Books) |
The Legend of Sigurd & Gudrun, J.R.R. Tolkien (In Greek) |
The Traditional Ikaria House - Paradosiaki katoikia tis ikarias
(In Greek) |
Vals Me Dodeka Theous by Lena Manta (in Greek) |
To Triantafyllaki (The Tea Rose), by Jenifer Donnelly, In Greek
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To Triantafillo tou Heimona (The Winter Rose), by Jenifer Donnelly, In Greek
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I Athinaiki Taverna, by Giwrgos Pittas, In Greek
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Otan to Hioni Xorepse me tin Fotia, by Chrisa Dimoulidou, In Greek
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Children's Greek DVDs |
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Greek
Party Decorations and Gift Ideas |
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Latest
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Greek Fisherman's Hats |
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Zouzounia Childrens DVDs |
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Ancient Greek Magnets |
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Featured Destination: Ionian Isles - Cephallonia (part 5a of 7) |
|
 GEOGRAPHY
Cephallonia is the largest of the Ionian islands. It is
782 sq. km. in area, has 254 km. of coastline and a
population of 27,649. Together with Ithaka and a few
nowadays deserted islands it comprises an independent
Prefecture. Cephallonia can be reached by ferry boat
from Patras (56 nautical miles), Kylini (21 nautical
miles) and Astakos (about 25 nautical miles). There is a
bus connection with Athens, via Patras, Kylini and
Astakos. There are also daily flights from Athens and a
'plane from Zakynthos. The ferry boats from Patras also
connect the island with Ithaka, Paxoi, Corfu,
Igoumenitsa and Italy. There is a local boat service to
Ithaka, Lefkada and Zakynthos. Cephallonia is a
mountainous island with rich vegetation, marked
contrasts in landscape, numerous monuments and sights of
interest, lovely villages and hamlets. The island's
capital and main port is Argostoli. The varied scenery,
wealth of monuments and good tourist facilities attract
many visitors who are assured of spending an enjoyable
vacation.
HISTORY The earliest traces of human presence on
the island go back to Mesolithic times. The island was
inhabited in the Neolithic period and, as evident from
excavations in the region of Kokolata, experienced a
floruit between 1600 and 1500 BC at which time it had,
like Ithaka, close trading links with Nydri on Lefkada.
During the Mycenaean age four cities flourished on the
island: Krani, Pali, Pronnoi and Sami. Mycenaean
cemeteries have been excavated at Kokolata, Diakata,
Mazarakata, Parisata, Kontogennada, Lakithra and
Metaxata. Pali took part in the battle of Plataeae (479
BC), while Krani, in opposition to the other cities,
sided with Athens in the Peloponnesian War. In 187 BC
the Romans captured Sami and became masters of the
island. In Byzantine times pirates were a constant
menace. The island was conquered by the Normans and
ruled by the Orsini family from 1185 until 1478 and in
1485 was decimated by the Turks. From 1500-1797 it
belonged to the Venetians, then passed into French hands
when its fate was the same as that of the other Ionian
isles. There followed a brief interlude of Russo-Turkish
occupation, then rule by the French and the British.
Cephallonia was finally incorporated in the Greek state
in 1864. In 1953 it was devastated by an earthquake
which considerably damaged the capital and its villages.
 SIGHTS-MONUMENTS
Cephallonia's unusual shape is a result of geological
disturbances and upheavals. The island's capital,
Argostoli, is built on its west side. It was virtually
destoyed in the 1953 earthquake and largely rebuilt so
that it is a strikingly modern town in appearance. The
Archaeological Museum deserves attention since it houses
important finds from excavations conducted all over the
island, but especially in the region of Kokolata and the
cemetery of Mazarakata. Also of interest is the
Korgialeneian Museum with the Historical Museum and the
Library. In one of the rooms of the library there is
also a collection of valuable Byzantine icons. North of
Argostoli are the famous sink holes or swallow holes, a
rare geological phenomenon. 3 km. south of Argostoli is
the cave in which the ascetic Gerasimos, patron saint of
the island, lived in solitary contemplation. East of
Argostoli stood one of the island's most important
ancient cities, Krani. Remnants of its mighty acropolis
are still preserved on top of the hill beside the
village of Rozata, as well as the ruins of the Roman
Agora. At the north of the monastery of Aghios Andreas
are ruins of the castle of St. George, built in the 13th
century by the Italian lords of the island, since this
was its medieval capital. At Metaxata (7 km. south of
Argostoli) one may I enjoy the wonderful view, just as
Lord Byrbn did during his sojourn here. Mycenaean tombs
have been discovered at Lakithra. 14 km. south of
Argostoli is the convent of St. Gerasimos in the Omaloi
valley. In its church the saint's relic is preserved.
Southeast of Vlachata is the monastery of the Virgin of
Sission. To the south and southeast side of the island
are the picturesque villages of Kateli, Skala and Poros
(43 km. from Argostoli). The ruined 3rd century villa on
the shore at Skala has a lovely mosaic floor. At
Markopoulos the "Virgin's little snakes" appear on her
feast day, August 15th. Traces of the ancient city of
Pronnoi are preserved in the locality now known as
Dakori. A 6th century BC cemetery has been excavated
here and there are remnants of an ancient temple of the
summit of the acropolis.
23 km. northeast of Argostoli is Sami, built close to
the site of the ancient city, one of the major ones on
the island. There are traces of the polygonal
fortifications of the acropolis, ruins of a Roman
building and the region is also renowned for its
remarkable geological phenomenon. The abyssal cave at
Melissani (2 km. from Sami) is well worth visiting and
exceptionally beautiful as the sun's rays penetrate its
collapsed roof and are reflected in the waters of its
lake. There is another notable cave 5 km. from Sami,
Drongorati, with elaborate stalagmite and stalactite
formations. One of the loveliest routes is along the
road from Argostoli to Sami where one can veer off into
the densely wooded Ainos mountains from which there is a
spectacular view. There are regular boat connections
from Sami to Corfu, Paxoi, Lefkada, and Ithanka. North
of Sami is the charming village of Aghia Evfimia (33km.
from Argostoli) where there is a ruined Roman villa.
From here one can visit the Monastary of the Virgin
Thematon. Assos (40 km north of Argostoli) is one of the
most beautiful parts of Cephallonia with its impressive
Venetian castle. On the slopes of the hill beneath is
the modern village from which there is a splendid view.
Fiskardo (54 m. northeast of Argostoli) is the only
Cephallonian village which survived the earthquake in
1953. It is built in the far north of the island and has
all the charm of a quaint seaside fishing port. It was
named after the Norman Robert Giscard and the buildings
clustered around the harbour are Venetian in style. Here
too there are remnants of an Early Christian basilica
and the Monastery of the Virgin Platytera. On the
eminence known as Spiliovouno there are various hollows
known as caves, which are of particular interest. Boats
leave from Fiskardo for the island of Lefkada.
 The
bay of Koutavos separates Argostoli from Lixouri, the
second most important town on the island (40km west of
Argostoli and 3 nautical miles away by ferry boat.) The
town was founded in 1534 but destroyed in the 1953
earthquake and rebuilt on the same site. Nowadays it is
a modern conurbation with two important libraries -the
Petritseios and the lakovatios- including notable
collections of ecclesiastical vestments and rare books.
There is a small archaeological collection in the
Municipal Library. North of Lixouri was the ancient city
of Pali, known today as Palaiokastro. Only a few traces
of its acropolis have survived, though there are
remnants of the medieval fortress which stood here. In
the nearby village of Soullari an important column
capital was found, on display in the Argostoli Museum.
Further south, at Mantzavinata is the famous Kounopetra,
a curious geological phenomenon. 2 km. north of Lixouri
is the monastery of the Virgin which has an ornate
woodcarved iconostasis and precious icons in its
katholikon. In the monastery of Kipouria (10 km. west of
Lixouri) there are significant holy keimelia and
Postbyzantine icons. At Kontogennada (12 km; northwest)
Mycenaean tombs have been brought to light.
Cephallonia boasts many lovely sandy beaches: at
Argostoli, Lixouri, Kipouria, Karavomylos, Sami, Aghia
Evfimia, Assos, the shores of Leivathos, Skala and Poros.
All are suitable for swimming, fishing and water sports.
At Argostoli and in the large hotels there are tennis
and basket ball courts, as well as a school of sea
sports offering instruction in water-skiing, windsurfing
and canoing. There is no shortage of hotels, rooms and
apartments on the island, as well as villas for rent. An
enjoyable vacation is assured. Those with their own boat
may investigate the coves and bays around the coast and
visit nearby Ithaka. There is a refuelling station at
Sami.
Next month:
Ionian Isles, Part 5b - Cephallonia-Ithaka
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February
2010 Greek Orthodox Calendar |
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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1
Tryphon the Martyr
Forefeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Perpetua & her Companions
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2
The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Gabriel the New Martyr of Constantinople
Jordan the New Martyr
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3
Meatfare Wednesday
Symeon the God-Receiver, Anna the Prophetess
Stamatios, John, & Nicholas, New Martyrs of Chios
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4
Meatfare Thursday
Isidore of Pelusium
Nicholas the Confessor
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5
Meatfare Friday
Agatha the Martyr
Polyeuktos, Partriarch Of Constantinople
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6
Saturday of Souls
Photios, Patriarch of Constantinople
Bucolos, Bishop of Smyrna
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7
Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
Parthenios, Bishop of Lampsakos
Luke the Righteous of Greece
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8
Cheesefare Monday
Theodore the Commander & Great Martyr
Zechariah the Prophet
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9
Cheesefare Tuesday
Leavetaking of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch
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10
Cheesefare Wednesday
Haralambos the Holy Martyr
Anastasios, Patriarch of Jerusalem
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11
Cheesefare Thursday
Vlassios the Holy Martyr of Sebaste
Theodora the Empress
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12
Cheesefare Thursday
Meletios, Archbishop of Antioch
Antonius, Archbishop of Constantinople
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13
Cheesefare Saturday
Martinianos the Righteous
Aquilla & Priscilla the Apostles
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14
Forgiveness Sunday
Holy Father Auxentius of the Mountain
Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles & Teacher of the Slavs
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15
First Monday in Lent
Onesimus the Apostle of the 70
Our Righteous Father Anthimus the Elder of Chios
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16
First Tuesday in Lent
Pamphilios the Martyr & his Companions
Flavianos, Patriarch of Constantinople
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17
First Wednesday in Lent
Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr
Mariamne, sister of Apostle Philip
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18
First Thursday in Lent
Leo the Great, Pope of Rome
Agapetus the Confessor, Bishop of Sinai
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19
First Friday in Lent
Philemon & Archippos, Apostles of the 70
Philothea the Righteous Martyr of Athens
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20
First Saturday in Lent
Leo, Bishop of Catania
Agathus, Pope of Rome
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21
Sunday of Orthodoxy
Timothy the Righteous
John III, Patriarch of Constantinople
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22
2nd Monday of Lent
Finding of the Relics of the Holy Martyrs of Eugenios
Our Righteous Fathers Thalassius and Baradatus
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23
2nd Tuesday of Lent
Polycarp the Holy Martyr & Bishop of Smyrna
Proterios, Archbishop of Alexandria
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24
2nd Wednesday of Lent
First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist
Romanos, Prince of Uglich
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25
2nd Thursday of Lent
Tarasios, Patriarch of Constantinople
Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos
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26
2nd Friday of Lent
Porphyrios, Bishop of Gaza
Photini the Samaritan Woman & her martyred sisters: Anatole, Phota, Photis, Praskevi, & Kyriaki
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27
Second Saturday in Lent
Prokopios the Confessor of Decapolis
Raphael of Brooklyn
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28
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
Righteous John Cassian the Confessor
Basil the Confessor |
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Icons
depicting the celebrated Saint, make great gifts for
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Shop among our great collection of gift ideas at our
store. We also have a great selection of greeting cards
for birthdays, holidays, namedays and
special occasions.
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