MS MENI VALLE'S IKARIA
[Food and life in the blue zone]
In the Aegean Sea lies the Greek island of IKARIA. Blue Mediterranean waters lap against a mountainous coastline and rocky trails lead to quaint villages. It is here where the locals seem to hold a secret.
IKARIA is known for its status as a 'blue zone' - a region of the world where a higher than usual number of people live much longer than the average. Incredibly high life expectancies and low rates of chronic disease, much of which can be attributed to diet.
THE AUTHOR
Born to Greek parents, Ms Valle has always been fascinated by her family's traditions of cooking and eating. Ms Valle, in IKARIA, collects traditional recipes from across the island that encapsulate the best of Mediterranean food: vegetables, beans, whole grains, small amounts of meat and fish, wine, and plenty of olive oil.
More than this, Ms Valle also delves into intimate stories, imagery and photographs of IKARIA - each representative of a life that is all about taking time: time to cook, to eat, to nap, to spend with family and friends, to enjoy and to appreciate.