|
|
July 2009 |
The Tuscany Effect
|
Issue #14 |
Welcome to the Toscana Mia
Ezine "The Tuscany Effect"
Brought to you by Serenella
Leoni, Tuscan Lifestyle Expert
Email Serenella
(serenella@toscanamia.biz)
NOTE: Use
the email address directly above if you wish to contact me. If you hit
"Reply" your email will go directly to an automated e-zine server
and I will NOT receive your message.
Please forward this newsletter to anyone who loves Tuscany, Italy or
all things Italian from food, wine, travel, villas and tours, to
traditions, language, fashion, art, music, books, movies and more. |
 |
In This Issue:
|
|
|
|
|
Special
July Offers for Toscana Mia Clients
Summer Villa Specials:
From
as low as €36 (euros) per person, per night. Try finding
any hotel at this price! Please see our villa rentals
page at
www.Toscanamia.biz.
If you have any chance to fly to Italy this year, NOW is
the time to take advantage of villa rental prices that
are lower than they have ever been. Rent your own dream
home in Italy for a week. It will do wonders for you!
Contact Serenella for more
information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July Reflections |
| |
|
|
 July
Reflections
Last week I met my son Dave at the airport and
gave him a much-stronger-than-usual hug. Dave was returning
from a business trip that included work in Milan. Because he
was there over the week-end, Dave decided to spend two days
in our home town of Viareggio with his father who has a
condo in Piazza Della Stazione (the piazza in front of the
main train station). Dave was to leave for Milan by train
early on the morning of Monday, June 29.
At around midnight on June 28th, a train carrying dangerous
cargo including flammable propane derailed at the Viareggio
train station. Propane tanks hit the ground and one cracked.
The leaked gas somehow caught fire, exploded and wreaked
havoc on our little town.
Fortunately, the explosion missed Dave by about
400 yards. To this date, 29 people have died and many more
remain in critical condition with serious burns. Half the
town's ambulances, held in a building near the explosion,
were destroyed. I personally knew an elderly couple who did
not make it. Many residents are still homeless.
 Needless
to say, my stunned family was glued to the Italian news for
days. Viareggio is still a town where people know each
other. Citizens rushed to help and open up their homes in
this beach and tourism community. Hotels were generous in
offering their rooms.
The group funeral was attended by heads of
state and Andrea Bocelli sang during the mass. Black banners
(symbols of mourning) were draped on flags, statues and
buildings in Viareggio. Rail travel was suspended for days.
During the funeral, tens of thousands of beach umbrellas
along the shore were closed as a sign of respect.
So many feelings arose from this incident: How
ironic that my globe trotting, sky-diving, bungee jumping,
extreme-sport-enthusiast son - who has driven some of our
friends and relatives to pray the rosary again - was closest
to danger while calmly sleeping in his bed at his dad's
condo. How easily preventable this incident, caused by rusty
parts and missed maintenance, could have been were it not
for the global economy. (Early this year, the Italian
government cut the budget for the national railroads. Until
now, Italy had one of the best safety records in Europe.)
 Tuscans
have dealt with great tragedies for many centuries. The
Viareggini will rebuild from the rubble and honor the
victims of this calamity. Investigations are ongoing in the
hopes of preventing a reoccurrence.
We have all been shaken by this. I am immensely grateful
that Dave and almost all my friends and family in Viareggio
are ok. I am also reminded of the ironies and
unpredictability of life.
I find myself concentrating on my blessings of family and
friends and being grateful for what I have. I am thinking
much less of material things. I appreciate every moment,
each conversation and the smiles of my loved ones. I am
taking the time to do what is important to me. I am more
conscious of living like a true Tuscan.
I am also grateful to you, our extended Tuscan family, for
all your support. Grazie!
|
|
|
| |
|
Fat but Lovable Italians (?!) |
| |
|
|
Fat but Lovable Italians (?!)
 My
friend, native Italian and fitness expert Paul Frediani
recently returned from his annual trip to Italy. Paul is
passionate about Italy and the Italian lifestyle. While he
always loves the precious time spent in his native village
of Bozzano in Tuscany, Paul is bothered by a disturbing
trend. Are the Italians emulating some of America's negative
habits?
Here are Paul's thoughts:
"Tutto il mondo é un paese" - an old Italian saying meaning
"the world is a village" - is certainly true when it comes
to the alarming increase in the rate of obesity in western
society today. The Italians are no exception. The obesity
levels in Italy are up 25% since 1994. Italian obesity is at
9%, while America's is at 30% but the Italians are gaining
fast. It's no wonder Fiat bought Chrysler. It was a
strategic move: At the rate of their fast expanding
waistline Italians will no longer be able to fit into their
Cinquecentos. I was shocked and baffled by what I saw in
Italy this past year. Young teenage girls with big bellies
hanging over their waistline, men so fat their Armani's are
busting at the seams. Although I have seen the slow but
gradual weight gain of the Italian population over the
years, this last trip simply "blew my mind".
The Italians are FAT, not only the older population but also
(and even more alarming) the children. Italy is close to
having the same rate of obesity in children (16%) as the
U.S. Imagine the overload on the Italian health system in
10-20 years. Italy already has the highest percentage of
people over 60 years old. What is going to happen to the
health system when it is further strained as these children
are inflicted with the chronic diseases associated with
obesity? A perfect storm. Many experts believe that this may
be the first generation of children that will be outlived by
their parents!
 Not
only are Italian adults and children fat but so are their
pets, 46% of cats and 36% of their dogs are obese! Really.
Italian pets are fat. Perhaps there is a correlation between
fat pets and a fat society? I bet you won't find many fat
pets in Afghanistan.
Western society and western culture have reached the boot.
Supermarkets with refined and processed foods and lack of
exercise are the two main culprits. Most women are now in
the work force and have less time to be vigilant over the
family diet. Years ago everyone walked or road bicycles;
today everyone is in a car or motorcycle. Years ago,
Italians shopped daily for fresh provisions which were grown
locally; today, many shop once a week with packaged items
that come from all over Europe.
I don't want to sound like an alarmist or a personal training
Fascista. There is no way I'm giving up my proscuitto,
pasta, and formaggio - I just don't eat them everyday. What
I do eat is the same things that my parents made for me when
I was growing up. Fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, lean
meats and seafood. I was lucky to be born Tuscan, our food
is from the earth and sea. It is unadulterated and simple.
Last month sitting down with my Mother at the dinner table
in my little village in Italy, I was eating anchovies on a slice
of buttered Tuscan bread. It was accompanied with a glass of
red wine. It was simply the best meal I've ever had in my
life. .
Paul Frediani lives
in New York, NY and is the Author of the following
books: Surf Flex, Power Sculpt for Men, Power Sculpt for
Women, Power Band, Golf Flex, Net Flex, Tri Power and
Boot Camp Workout.
www.paulfrediani.com
www.surfflex.com
|
|
|
| |
|
Experience Tuscan
Landscapes without Leaving Home |
| |
|
|
Experience Tuscan Landscapes without Leaving Home
Are you wishing you could be in Tuscany
this year? I certainly am. One impact of the current economy
is that it has curbed the travel plans of many Italy
aficionados. Do not despair: Help may be on the way from a
couple who have the same philosophy as we at Toscana Mia do
- sharing our passion for Tuscany with others.
For years local San Francisco artist Jennifer Ewing has been
seeking ways to work people who love Italy. Her personal
idea is to have mature women create something for themselves
in exploring the Tuscan landscape in paint.
Over the past 20 years Leo Germano (her husband) and Jennifer
have developed their mural painting business and traveled as
much as possible to Italy. They connected to Italian
business owners and private clients who looked to Italy for
inspiration.
Today, they are most interested in teaching and helping others
find their creative cores. Says Jennifer: "I feel that we
are offering something of long lasting value."
Are you ready to take up some artist's tools and try your hand
at depicting your own interpretation of those rolling hills,
vineyards and cypress trees? Here is the perfect opportunity
for you:
www.ewinggermano.com
|
|
|
| |
|
Serenella's Column in the Examiner.com |
| |
|
|
Serenella's Column in the
Examiner.com
Thanks to all of you who have been reading my column in
the examiner.com. I hope you will keep dropping in to
read the articles. Below are some recent additions.
Grazie!
Enjoy your
reading!
|
|
|
| |
|
Italian Humor from Bruno Bozzetto |
|
|
Italian Humor from Bruno Bozzetto
My strong Tuscan belief is that life is meant to be lived to
the fullest. There are times when you must cry. But one
should never miss an opportunity to laugh, especially if you
are poking fun at yourself.
A classic example of Italian humor can be found in the work
of animator Bruno Bozzetto who has been making people laugh
the world over for 50 years.
Enjoy this video. It will explain to you how Italians live
differently from any other culture, including those in the
rest of Europe:
Back
to the top
|
|
|
| |
|
Original Ebook
Specials |
| |
|
|
Original Ebook Specials:
Readers are
enjoying our ebooks that were inspired by our great
passion for sharing the real Italy with you. Toscana Mia
clients receive 50% off our ebook prices:
-
The Ultimate Tuscany Villa Rental Guide - The 21
Most Important Things You Need to Know Before You
Sign That Villa Rental Agreement. (With bonus
sections)
-
Your Guide to Buying Real Estate in Italy -
Are you Ready to Move to the Land of Sun, Sea and
Romance?
An Explanation of the Italian Property
Purchasing Process plus a Humorous and Honest Look
at What It's Really Like to Live in Italy (With
bonus sections)
-
Your Dream Wedding in Tuscany - A
step-by-step guide: Discover Italy's unique wedding
traditions; learn how to navigate the Byzantine
bureaucracy and create your own unforgettable
occasion on any budget. (With bonus sections)
Purchase these
ebooks now and get 50% off the regular prices: special
coupon code: Tuscany.
Back
to the top
|
|
|
| |
|
Questions and Topic
Suggestions |
|
|
Questions and Topic Suggestions
|
 |
Have Any Questions?
To help ensure that you receive all email
messages consistently in your inbox with images
displayed, please add this address to your
address book, buddy book, or contacts list: serenella@toscanamia.biz. |
|
 |
Have A Topic Idea for
The Tuscany Effect?
I'd love to hear it!
Just
email me any time here and let me know what
topics you'd like to know more about. |
Back
to the top
|
|
|
| |
|
Website and Blog |
| |
|
|
Please visit our website for the
latest news on how to
rent a storybook
villa, embark on a
custom-designed Tuscany tour, plan a
one-of-a-kind Italian wedding, or purchase your own piece of
property in Tuscany. We can guide you through the process
-with expert assistance from our established network of
top Tuscan travel professionals, event and wedding planners
and property management companies. We can even assist you with
your dream wedding in Tuscany, a true once-in-a-lifetime
experience.
Our unique E-books teach you how to rent villas in Italy like
an expert, plan your dream wedding in Tuscany, or purchase
real estate in Italy as you learn to behave, misbehave and fit
in with living the Tuscan lifestyle.
Please visit our
Toscana Mia Blog for the latest news on
Italian food, wine, trends and all the things Tuscans love
with a passion!
Until next time, ciao a tutti!
Serenella
Back
to the top
|
|
|
| |
|
Contact Us |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
