ATTENTION: The following article are true events recounted to me by Maria Kioulpali.  The events described in this article are quite graphic and may be disturbing to young readers.  Thank you for your awareness. Recently I wrote an article describing the Cretan Diet, its benefits, and its historical significance.  While writing the article I sought…

Yesterday I had the great honor in accompanying my friend, Nikos Manousakis, to his family’s village high up in the mountains of southern Crete.  I had met Niko through a friend, over Facebook of all places, after writing a post announcing that I was searching for a traditional Cretan shepherd to be the subject of…

While travelling around this strange planet of ours I have encountered a variety of unique foods and dishes that have made me question how we as humans view food.  In western culture, we seem to view food as a source of joy, and for some, entertainment, while in other cultures food is simply a necessity;…

Crete is an island with a coastline exceeding 1000 Kilometers and fishing has alway been a traditional occupation for the Cretan people.  Today however, the industry and local marine life are quite different. There are still plenty of fishermen, both professional and amateur, in Crete but the fish stocks, and catches, are getting increasingly lower…

Easter has forever been one of my favorite holidays.  Making colorful Easter baskets filled with chocolates and goodies, a day of hunting for more delicious morsels hidden amidst beautiful blooming flowers, and big family lunches featuring huge honey baked hams and lavish, freshly made cakes.  Combine this with women in long summer moo moo’s and…

The olive and the tree on which it grows have been revered since ancient times.  Archaeological digs have unearthed evidence that olive trees have existed on the island of Crete since 3500 B.C. The Semitic peoples began cultivating the tree’s fruit around 3000 B.C. and particularly liked to use the oil of the olive to […]

When growing up in Northern California you become quite familiar with a few famous industries that dominate the majority of the state.  Marijuana cultivation, gourmet taco and food trucks, and the wine industry. The wine industry in Northern California, most famously centered around the Napa Valley region and surrounding areas, has become familiar turf to…