A Reader with Similar Roots, and a Similar Struggle
After too much time away from this blog and updated Journal posts, I share this recent reaction to the book from a reader. Her Italian-American upbringing echoes my own in so many ways, and was fun for me to read, as I hope it will be for you, too.
More important, her eventual approach to weight-management -- portion control, plus using vigorous exercise as a down payment on culinary indulgence --- is one that has at times worked for me, and that I heartily endorse.
Without further ado, here's what the reader wrote, saying I was free to share it with you:
"First, the parts about your parents and family history really made me laugh
at times because there are so many similarities. My parents and family are also from the region of Puglia. They grew up in Molfetta and moved to northern NJ in the 70s. Food was, and still is, a big part of our lives, the cornerstone of any holiday, celebration, even a short, impromptu visit! Not only is there an abundance, but it's all so delicious. My grandmother has tried to teach me how to make strascinati, but I could never really get the technique down.
"We also make fritelle on Christmas Eve. They're these little pockets of deep fried dough filled with mozzarella and tomato or this awesome onion-mortadella filling. It sounds very similar to the frits you referred to. They're awesome. It's become quite a production with my family because all of my cousins, my sister and I help. We gather early in the day at either my mom's house or my aunt's house (they take turns hosting duties each year) and we get a little assembly line going. My aunt also has a basement kitchen where all of the cooking is done. The one upstairs is simply for basic assembly and some plating. It's also next to the sitting area that has the "good" couches and furniture from Italy (you know with the claws, floral fabric, crazy carvings,etc) we were never allowed to sit on or play near when we were little.
"I have also struggled with my weight. Since I was little, I was always chubby. I played sports and was pretty active, but I also ate a lot. Through my high school and college years I tried to lose some weight here and there. I even gave the South Beach diet a try before the lack of carbs got to me. But I never saw myself as overweight. I saw other girls watching what they ate, etc but I simply concluded I was different, could eat whatever I want and still look good, I was just curvy and proud of it!
"On my 25th birthday, everything seemed to change. It was probably building up before then - an unflattering picture or two would get to me and I would resolve to eat better for at least the next few days. But all of a sudden I just didn't like what I saw in the mirror anymore. Nothing fit right, my face was round, and my butt was too big. I woke early up on a following Saturday and decided to start walking. That following week I joined Sparkpeople, a free site to help lose weight and stay fit.
"Walking on the weekends quickly turned into running and working out on a regular basis. Soon the pounds started coming off and I completed some local 5ks. A little over 2 years later I've lost about 50 lbs and 5 dress sizes and have kept it off for over a year now. I love to work out and challenge myself. I work out with a personal trainer and she really helps me stay accountable. I'm also training for a half-marathon in November.
"When I first started my journey to lose weight, I made a deal with myself. I'm not going to give up the foods I love, instead I'm just going to try to take some control over what I ate and how much of it I ate. This part was so important to me since food has been such a big part of my life. I love cheese and sweets too much to just turn my back on it. I basically still eat what I want, but in moderation. But in order to do so, I know that I have to give 100 (sometimes 110) percent when I work out. Some days, I plan out my long runs to end close to a local bakery for one of their delicious scones and a coffee.
"That's basically my story."
