Posted by Rosa Bellei on Fri, Dec 03, 2010
Tasty, healthy and emotionally sustaining - what's not to like?
It has long been associated with rude health, fresh local produce and relaxed family gatherings. But now the Mediterranean diet ranks alongside the Great Pyramid of Giza and Cambodia's Angkor Wat complex on the Unesco World Heritage list.
In November 2010, the fabled Mediterranean Diet has been inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Italians celebrated in Rome with a Maxi-Spaghettata, where free dishes of pasta al pomodoro were served to anyone who happened by. As happy eaters dug their forks into their plates, the Mediterranean diet seemed quite tangible.
The initiative to include the Mediterranean Diet on the list began four years ago when Italy, Spain, Greece, and Morocco put it forth. It did not meet UNESCO’s guidelines and the initiative was rejected. Last August the four countries, with Italy coordinating, reworked their submission request.
Italian Agriculture Minister Giancarlo Galan said: "To be included on the UNESCO list is a great success for our country, our culinary traditions and our culture. 'The Mediterranean diet represents a style of life based on eating typical home grown products in the happy company of family and friends. UNESCO has realized that this tradition passed down from generation to generation deserves to be recognized."
Aldo Belkouar, president of Tatchme Natural Beauty, said: "I am so happy that the Mediterranean diet had this outstanding international recognition. Now, my hope is that this healhty and joyful lifestyle will help improving the lives of more and more people around the world."
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
As the UNESCO states…
“The Mediterranean diet constitutes a set of skills, knowledge, practices and traditions ranging from the landscape to the table, including the crops, harvesting, fishing, conservation, processing, preparation and, particularly, consumption of food.
The Mediterranean diet is characterised by a nutritional model that has remained constant over time and space, consisting mainly of olive oil, cereals, fresh or dried fruit and vegetables, a moderate amount of fish, dairy and meat, and many condiments and spices, all accompanied by wine or infusions, always respecting beliefs of each community.”
The Mediterranean diet (from the Greek diaita,or way of life) encompasses more than just food. It promotes social interaction, since communal meals are the cornerstone of social customs and festive events. It has given rise to a considerable body of knowledge, songs, maxims, tales and legends.
The system is rooted in respect for the territory and biodiversity, and ensures the conservation and development of traditional activities and crafts linked to fishing and farming in the Mediterranean communities which Soria in Spain, Koroni in Greece, Cilento in Italy and Chefchaouen in Morocco are examples.
Women play a particularly vital role in the transmission of expertise, as well as knowledge of rituals, traditional gestures and celebrations, and the safeguarding of techniques.”
The Mediterranean diet is Italy’s third item on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list -Unesco had already included Sicilian puppet theatre and the pastoral songs of Sardinia as irreplaceable cultural gems. The Intangible Cultural List was started in 2003 and now comprises some 166 entries.
Olive Oil: An Ancient Beauty Secret for Flawless Skin
Olive oil is particularly characteristic of the Mediterranean diet. The health and therapeutic benefits of olive oil were first mentioned by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. For centuries, the nutritional, cosmetic and medicinal benefits of olive oil have been recognized by the people of the Mediterranean.
Olive oil was used to maintain skin and muscle suppleness, heal abrasions, and soothe the burning and drying effects of sun and water. Olive oil was administered both internally, and externally - for health and beauty.
Olive oil will:
- Promote a smooth, radiant complexion
- Help maintain elasticity of skin
- Heal dry, brittle nails and soften cuticles
- Condition and add shine to hair
Olive oil is high in antioxidants, including vitamin E. Antioxidants are nutritional powerhouses that protect against age-accelerating free radicals. The oil of this miraculous fruit will guard your body and your skin... from the inside out.
Tatchme promotes the healhty Mediterranean lifestyle through natural beauty products.
We developed an innovative ingredient unique to our formulations. This emulsifier is a combination of fatty olive oil acids, which has the ability to generate skin-compatible liquid crystals. The structure and optical features of these natural formulations from olive oil promote skin luminescence.
Get to know more about Tatchme of Italy...
Visit our website and take a look at this 3-min video presented by Mariel Hemingway: