Who would’ve known a Cretan cooking class spent stuffing farm fresh tomatoes and rolling thick Cretan dough would make for one of my favorite nights ever spent in Greece? I knew it would be fun—but not "so fun that I had to write about it fun." Best of all, the 20 fellow travelers with me … Continue reading Cretan Cooking Class
You’ve known me as “My Big Fat Greek Fanny” for over a year now, and I have appreciated all of the amazing support on my blog, Instagram, and Facebook (mostly from my Yiayia, the Facebook queen). I started “My Big Fat Greek Fanny” with the purpose of teaching people—especially Greeks—how to live a healthier and … Continue reading My Big Fat Greek Exit
Dear younger self, Life hasn’t always been easy for you, but not because life is hard, it’s because you are hard on yourself and you are your own biggest critic. You strive for perfection and have yet to realize life is full of beautiful imperfections. You’re 16 and want to be just like everyone else. … Continue reading Philautia (Self Love)
While most people associate the act of tea drinking to be sophisticated and paired with crumpets, I link it with being sick. In my family, it just takes one sniffle or a lousy cough for a pot of tea to begin brewing. Thankfully I was rarely the sick one, but I definitely mastered the art … Continue reading Tsai Tou Vounou (Greek Mountain Tea)
It started off great: adrenaline rushing through every bone of my body, my music playlist blasting one motivational song after the other, and it was early enough that I was easily distracted by the picturesque landscape of St. George, Utah. The colorful sunrise greeted me as my feet hit the pavement. Before I knew it … Continue reading Mile 22
Stand up—I have some big news for you. As Americans, most of our days are spent sitting and our fannies are paying for it. That probably wasn’t the most shocking of news, but stay standing. Between driving to and from work, typing at desks, watching reruns of Friends (guilty) or popular Netflix movies, and then … Continue reading Let’s Walk
She smothers her children with love and support, she’s selfless, and she protects those she cares about. She’s an excellent host and cooks for armies large or small. She makes the best home cooked meals and her guests always ask for more. The next day sends her paidia (children) to school armed with leftover pita, … Continue reading Greek Super Mama
There’s time, and then there’s Greek time. Greek time is defined as arriving at any function 10 minutes, 6 hours, or 2 days after the time suggested. The exception to that definition is my yiayia. She does everything ahead of time and arrives early to everything. I’m sure she will even be the first person … Continue reading Breakfast On the Go
Easter is my favorite day of the year. It’s when Greeks and other Orthodox faithful around the world celebrate the resurrection of Christ. But, it’s not just Easter day that’s important. It’s the days leading up to it—40 days to be exact. Called the Great Lent, it is forty days of prayer and repentance, of … Continue reading Lent Your Way
The fastest way (no pun intended) to cause your coworkers, friends, and even family to think you’re a weirdo is to tell them that you are fasting. They all might assume that you’re ultra religious, you’re on the latest fad cleanse or that you’re heading into surgery tomorrow. But what if you followed a fasting … Continue reading The Wednesday & Friday Fast
