Pane, Pizza, Pasta, Pannino, Prosciutto = Pounds!

I do love alliteration and all of the "P's" were fun to play around with in Italy.  We had a wonderful trip, mostly because we visited with our niece, Alex, who is finishing up a semester abroad in Firenze (Florence).  We walked all over Firenze. It was our second time to that city and I liked it much more this time than before.  The summer crowds haven't quite hit yet, so you could actually walk around.  With every turn down a little side street, I kept saying - "this looks like a back lot at Universal Studios!" 

We did the Duomo climb - really fun, about 490 (little narrow skinny) steps to the top.  The view at the top was a nice reward.  We  walked the Arno river.  We took a train to Massa, a small town which is the same as my maiden name and Alex's last name.  We stayed at a Relaix and Chateau property called Il Bottaccio, very luxurious and FABULOUS!  We have been there 2 other times and it does not disappoint.  They are a 5 star dining experience.  We always ask the chef to prepare us a meal and then sit back and be amazed at what comes out of the kitchen.  That 5 course meal (small portions for sure) was worth every calorie!

Then we finihsed up in Venezia (Venice).  It was our first visit there and it was truly beautiful.  People had told us that the water would be dirty and smelly, but it wasn't like that at all.  They have really cleaned up the canals and they are quite pretty.  Again, they look  unreal, like a movie set!  I think Venice is the stairmaster of Italy.  Everywhere you walk you have to go up and down steps to get over bridges.  It was actually fun!

The Italians are known for their cuisine and yet you do not see many overweight people.  The dominant sweet is gelato, which we had a few times.  The crust on their pizza is so thin as to be more like a cracker and they don't glop tons of cheese and toppings on it.  I had pasta a few times, but since we make homemade pasta at home, it is hard to beat our "homemaders".  I did love the pane or breads - yummy!  The biscotti comes with every cafe.  We had delicious wines and I was introduced to a Campari spritz - delicious.  All in all, it was enough yummy food to pick up a few vacation pounds.

So, Allen and I are back on loads of veges and lean proteins.  I hit the gym the day I returned.  My trainer, Kathi, was only to happy to kick my butt after 12 days of no gym!  I love the cycle of indulgence and then discipline.  I am truly impressed by people who can go on vacation and not gain any weight, like Sarah!  I bow to you girl!

Desire to explore and experience.  Dedication to pleasure and fun.   Discipline to jump right back into the gym.