Walnut on Rhodes
Connecting to nature – traditional ways of using walnut on the island of the Sun.
All posts filed under: Nature & Food
We need holy places
In July we need plants, plants, plants, trees, bushes, healing shadows. Thank the Greek Gods, in Rhodes we are still nurtured by huge beautiful trees and shrubs. They do not only provide shade on the hottest summer days – this is their visible gift. They also provide a sense of calmness and greater/different perspectives for the human psyche. Trees create resonant spaces that can effect our consciousness. Why do you think it is a much different experience to sit under an old tree than under a parasol? It is neither an accident that traditional Greek circle dances (which are community rituals) are danced under enormous old trees – you can find them by each little church and community square (platia). Through a natural landscape and plants the world speaks to us. That’s what makes a place a holy space. It speaks to us. And because ancient Greeks heard and understood this language, they named the certain entities inhabited in nature: they were different kinds of Nymphs, the protectors of trees, waters, plants, mountains, caves, bees, …
“Every drop counts” – visiting the olive grove of the Purefarm family //Rhodes island
I’ve been leaded by Ariadne’s thread into various places on the Greek islands in the past six years while I was searching for the raw essence and characteristics of this magical region on Earth. Rare times these meetings and experiences truly bonded me with nature, and showed me the way towards my ‘egoless self’ too (even that this way is a long one). They showed me the possible ways towards peace, harmony and simplicity. Things I was always craving for – oftentimes in the wrong environment. During my visit on the olive groves of the Chalanta family I became richer with this mentioned rare experience. It was a beautiful, sunny March day on the island of Helios. Maria, the – young, beautiful and extremely kind – only daughter of the family picked me up in the busy and noisy Rhodes town. After a twenty minutes drive we were in the tiny, peaceful Psinthos (Ψινθος) village – one of the 42 villages of Rhodes. From sea-level we drove up to an altitude of 300 meters to …
Homemade antiseptic cleaning spray for household
I have already written about the very huge impact of certain products, chemicals and substances on our health especially when it comes to women. Because women’s health has an impact on their ovum, therefore on their child’s health. Let’s see this again for the sake of awareness: We should think much forward than today and being super conscious about the following stuff, because they could cause hormonal disbalances and fertility or other health problems in women’s body the most easily: contraceptive pills cleaning products – especially on an island where the hospitality sector is huge and many many people work with all kinds of cleaning products in hotels, accomodations cafés and restaurants. Women should really avoid – at least minimize – working with chemicals! food additives cosmetical preservatives, artificial perfumes, colors in makeup and in all kinds of beauty products insecticide products hair coloring materials materials used for fashion nails nail polish chemicals and artificial odours in feminine hygiene products (sanitary pads, tampons) I have already highlighted above the harmful effect of all kinds of cleaning products and let’s …
Responsible beauty on a Greek island / Being a woman
Right before I moved to Greece I already changed my cosmetics, beauty and cleaning products in my household into natural and environmental friendly ones. It was in Hungary in 2017. It was part of a transition process in my life. Something inside of me made a revolution against all synthetic and artificial and non-true stuff. Suddenly I stopped dyeing my hair after 10 years, painting my nails, I stopped taking contraceptive pills, I stopped wearing even jewelleries, and I wanted to ensure that whatever contacts my skin, and whatever I eat are clean products and substances – although in today’s world it is a real challenge… Why is this “clean lifestyle” important especially for a woman? Well first of all, us, humans are part of the natural environment of the planet. I mention this, because sometimes we forget about it. So whatever we use, it goes out there to our waterways and natural resources, and then backwards. Nowadays humanity is using ridiculous variety and amount of poison in literally each and every field of …
Halki island: a journey into a different time and space
Six thousand words about this tiny magic island are touching only the surface. I give you an insight through my eyes, through the hospitality of my local hosts and through the honest memories of a local woman of the island. Tales from the past and the present. For the ones who want to discover deeply, for the real travellers a teaser of Halki island is written here below.
Mushroom collecting in Monolithos
Once upon a time, last December I visited the charming, peaceful mountain village in the southwestern coast of Rhodes island called Monolithos. The name Monolithos means ‘single rock’. The village got its name from the nearby castle that was built 300 meters above sea level on a ‘single rock’ in the Byzantine era and which was fortified in 1476 by the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, Pierre d’Aubusson. It has majestic view, one of the main attractions of the island. It has a small church inside the remains of the walls of the castle worshiping Agios Panteleimon. My visit to the village had a certain purpose that time, because I was invited for a mushroom collecting walk in the neighbouring pineforest by Manolis and Despoina the owners and chefs of the one and only Old Monolithos Taverna inside Monolithos village. Their kitchen is always authentic, clean, fresh, local and of course the food is made by lots of care and love with decades of experience. Because of this authentic kitchen with the fresh …
Why you should spend the winter on a Greek island
Winter is a really good period for travelers, who are deeply interested in the local culture of Rhodes, a perfect occasion to observe the authentic everyday life of the community of the island. This period is also for the travelers who adore nature, silence, who prefer to visit a Unesco site, and ancient, byzantine remains without the crowds of people. For people who are looking for an alternative peaceful, relaxing holiday. Because Rhodes is such a big, fertile, diverse, interesting island with too many gifts of Nature all around the year cycle.
Dina’s kitchen – The real Greek home food experience in the heart of Rhodes town
Not all of us have the possibility to taste a Greek mother’s home made food during a short holiday in Greece amongst the several fake touristic places on the popular destinations. So I help you: if you come to Rhodes and want to taste a Greek mother’s authentic plates which is defienetely combined with the real Greek ‘filoxenia’, then visit Dina in the heart of Rhodes town.
Recipes from Rhodes – The Beetroot – παντζαρια
This winter on the island of Rhodes gave me the chance to meet beetroot a bit closer. In Hungary we have a kind of beetroot salad, but I was never into that so much. In general about food I prefer the ‘mediterranean’ approach with its simplicity and always fresh and seasonal ingreedients. During December, January you could see beautiful fresh beetroots with huge stems and leafs everywhere on Rhodes – on the market, in grocery stores, supermarkets, etc. So I could not resist to buy a big bunch of them. I wanted to prepare them the way I usually do, and then my Greek friend Katerina came and gave me some lessons about beetroot. And then Vangelis Pavlidis came and shared some other secrets with me about this fantastic plant, and the way how Greeks prepare it in the traditional way. Which is so simple – as Greeks don’t like to make things difficult – and quick. So now I am sharing this knowledge with you too. Spread the word and cook like Greeks! 🙂 Okay, …
Making the ‘lagana’ bread on Rhodes island
Today is Clean Monday (Καθαρή Δευτέρα / Kathari Deftera) in Greece, the first day of the 40-day-long lenting period before Easter which is called σαρακοστή / sarakosti. They call it clean, because this is the first day of lent and also because in the past the Greek houswifes washed all the kitchen tools with hot water on this day. Most of the Greeks go for a picnic today (called koulouma), or they just gather and eat food according to the lent (without meat, egg, milk) – mainly seafood and vegetarian dishes from the Greek kitchen. And only on this day Greeks eat the λαγάνα / lagana, the special, crunchy lenten flatbread which goes very well with the other foods of Clean Monday (like taramosalata – fish roe salad, tahini, halva, stb…). This bread was already mentioned by Aristofanes, so Greeks have been eating it since the ancient times and still preparing it the same way: covering it with chruchy sesame seeds. It contains a special spice that gives a specific taste and aroma to the bread (they …
A winter weekend with nature lovers in Monolithos village
Last week for me was about Monolithos – the tiny mountain village on the South-West of Rhodes island. On Wednesday I was collecting mushrooms there in the forest with Manolis and Despoina – the owners of Old Monolithos Taverna. Perfect time to enjoy the silence of the beautiful calm nature and also to have an amazing meal of wild mushrooms with a mushroom expert. 😉 After that trip I didn’t have to wait for so long to return to the lovely village, as I heard that a seminar would be held on that weekend by Γιάννης Ελενίτσας (Giannis Elenitsas) agronomist – botanist about the theory and the practice of making 100% natural beeswax cream with oil extract from local herbs. I had no doubts about going there as I am really into herbs, nature and any knowledge about the island and its natural treasures. To top this the seminar was free of charge located in Thomas Hotel with amazing panoramic view of the sea and nature. On Saturday fortunatelly I had the chance to join in the …
Green Eco House – hidden paradise for nature lovers on a Greek island
The healing environment of the Green House that Petros and his parents founded gives you the perfect possibility to change gears and return to your natural rhythm. Because we are part of the nature, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves…
Kritinia Panorama – the gift of Nature
On Rhodes island the traveller can experience both the quiet, sandy, crystal clear beaches (Eastern coast) and the wild, windy area with lots of waves (Western coast). Each coast has a lot of sigths to visit, but they have really different athmosphere. Now I recommend you a sight on the west side of the island which is not a well-known spot and despite of being on the “wild” side this can be the perfect place of peaceful, meditative moments to get rid of the worrisome thoughts. The Kritinia Panorama is a viewpoint created by nature, where you can enjoy a fascinating view of the neighbouring islands of Chalki and Alymia and also we can rest our eyes on a calming valley of pine forest. The evergreen valley of the pine forest has an ‘S’ shape with very gentle, soft lines. This tender geometry of nature reminds me of a refined woman. If you really allow yourself to melt into the view you can experience different feelings. Perfect spot for recharging our batteries, to breath worries, …
The spirit of Kalymnos – photobook
I have been deeply inspired to visit a small island on the Aegean sea called Kalymnos by a man called Giannis. I have met Giannis in 2014 first in Rhodes island where he is running an exceptional ‘ouzeri’ with his wife Litsa. With their food they try to represent the kitchen of Kalymnos – the island where Giannis was born – and with their filoxenia (Greek word for Greek hospitality) they try to treat the guests like family members. The character of Giannis is the extra spices of the place and captured me so much with his love for music and life. So I went to Kalymnos to discover the roots of this ouzeri and visit the homeland of Giannis. Kalymnos was love at first sight for me and in 2016 I made a photobook about my first visit to the island. The book contains my favourite moments and photos taken by me and includes some knowledge about the island. I recommend it to Everyone of You with love! Click on the picture below to reach …
Ilios art 