Glorious Olive Oil

Hello my friends and Benvenuto!

 

This blog is in tribute to one of the greatest food values on the face of the earth, Olive Oil.  I write it because one of the nurses I work with, Connie, has had a glorious experience by using Olive Oil.  She has an inflamed gallbladder that acts up more times then not.  It seems many of the fried foods, spicy foods, and who knows what foods, get her gallbladder upset, and causes her much pain and discomfort. 

 

Her daughter, who has my Cookbook, Rosalie Serving Italian, fixed my Spiedini Recipe with the Peppermint Sauce.  Connie said her daughter was so proud to have made the dish, that Connie just thought she would eat it and pay the price later. However, she felt great, and never had a problem.  The next day she came to work and was telling me about her experience.  I immediately knew the healer... Olive Oil.  "Why not do an experiment, I said, "cook everything in Olive Oil".  I went down the list: eggs, vegetables, chicken, pork, beef, anything.  Use it in all your cakes when it calls for oil, (preferred "mild").  Use it on all your salads.  Just use it!

 

After my preaching episode, I decided to get some actual facts about Olive Oil.  Did you know the greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat is olive oil?  The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content antioxidative substances.

 

Heart Disease:

Studies have shown that olive oil offers protections against Heart Disease by controlling LDL, (bad cholesterol levels), while raising HDL, (good cholesterol levels). No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated fat as olive oil-mainly oleic acid.

 

Gastric Problems:  

Lowers blood glucose, has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. It is very well tolerated by the stomach;  activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally than prescribed drugs.  Consequently, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation, thus helping my nurse friend, Connies's inflamed gallbladder.

 

Colon Cancer:
Studies strongly prove that using olive oil in your diet greatly reduces chances of colon cancer. Researchers believe constituents of olive oil, such as flavonoids, squalene and polyphenols, may help to protect against cancer.

 

Lowers Blood Pressure:

Polyphenols are potent antioxidants which help arteries dilate, thereby reducing blood pressure.  Ten grams of extra-virgin olive oil contains five mg of polyphenols; sunflower oil has no polyphenols.

 

Skin and Hair:

Did you also know that olive oil is great for your skin?  It actually keeps shin elastic and smooth.  It has been said that putting olive oil on your hair brings nutrients and luster.  I know people that make a salad on their head.  Take an avocado and mash it up, stir in some olive oil, and put it on your head. Put a shower cap on your head and go to bed.  Shampoo your hair the next day and... voila, beautiful hair. 

 

So, my friends, use your glorious Olive Oil. While all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed. Extra Virgin works nicely on your vegetables, salads, and sauces.  Bertolli Classico Mild works well for frying and in cakes. Never use "light" olive oil, it has no nutrient properties.

 

 No wonder the Mediterranean Diet has been applauded and even coveted.  The people are definitely healthier, and mainly because Olive Oil is their number one component. So, loose no time my friend.  Start today and incorporate Glorious Olive Oil into your diet.  To help do so, get my book Rosalie Serving Italian.  Just click on my website and buy it right on line, or get it near a bookstore near you.

 

God Bless, and Tutto va bene (Everything's fine)

Rosalie Firoino Harpole

 

 

 

 

GLORIOUS OLIVE OIL

Benvenuto!  Welcome!

Never Assume

Buon giorno, Good Day,

 

Hello to all my new found friends I have met at book signings, events, from my website, and any other places we may have crossed paths.

 

. Just the other day I was going into the Dr.'s office, and someone called out 'cookbook lady',  "I saw you on Show Me St. Louis, and the pasta dish you made looked great". Assuming she made it, I said, "How did you like it"?  She replied, "Oh, I don't cook, I just like to watch the shows". What a gratifying answer!   Just what I wanted to hear.

 

But, I will say, I did indeed find some real cooks at one of my recent book signings.  It was at Left Bank Books.  The very prestigious, old, and quaint bookstore in downtown St. Louis on the corner of McPherson and Euclid. Just to walk into the store gives one a sense of historic pride. Anyway, it was an evening event, and I decided to make some Red Sauce over Penne Pasta, Spiedinis with Peppermint Sauce, and my old favorite, Italian Cream Cake. 

 

 People were gathering in when we got there, and when they saw I had samples, they quickly gathered at the table.  I immediately started filling bowls with my handouts.  When I noticed most of them were women, I again assumed these would be my biggest fans.  However, two stately gentlemen appeared and right off started talking cookbook lingo.  I said, "Do you guys cook?"  "Oh yes, we love to cook, and we want a couple of your cookbooks".  They not only wanted the books, but wanted to know what city or province my grandparents came from, what kind of dishes we cooked during the holidays,was I going to Italy soon, and so on.  Quite interesting, they kept me on my toes the entire evening.

 

It was a lot of fun, being down with the stately ones, the beautiful lamplights outside the windows, and people browsing  round the bookstore eating my Italian food and telling others, the 'cookbook lady'.is here.  I assumed it would be just another book signing, but looking back, it was probably one of the most memorial. 

 

So, never assume; things usually turn out different than you think.  There are a lot of men who do the cooking out there, and thank God for it.

 

This reminds me of the father who taught his three sons how to run the family business.  They all became very rich and famous. But when it came time for the father to die, he gathered his sons and said "I've been generous with you all of my life, but when I die, I want to take all of my money with me. Make sure it is in cash bills, and lay it across my body in the casket.  Soon, the father died, but when he was laid out there was no cash in the casket.  The funeral director, also aware of the father's wishes, asked the boys why they did not honor their father. "Oh, we certaintly did keep his wish, said one of the sons, "Why, just under his pillow there, we wrote a check".

 

So ends the story of assumption.  Never take anything for granted, appreciate every day for what it is and follow the leading of the Good Lord.  You'll never have to assume, He will be a faithful friend.

 

Arrivederci, and Goodbye for now

Rosalie Fiorino Harpole  rosalie.@rosalieservingitalian.

 

 

*Tours of the Hill*

Buon giorno, Good Day!

For all of you folks that do not live in St. Louis, Missouri, let me give a little explanation of what we call "The Italian Hill".  This is a small Italian community located in Southwest part of St. Louis. At the turn of the century, Italian immigrants settled there. They came mostly from northern Italy as young couples with their children and babies, many of them leaving family members back in Italy.  This section of the city is actually set apart with big flags marked "The Hill" mounted on tall lamp lights, so you know exactly when and where as you enter the place.  A beautiful section of quaint but dated small homes, line the streets with manicured yards and nice landscaping. People come from all over the world come to spend a day or two picking up their treasured Italian commodities. 

 

"The Hill" boasts of Italian bakeries like Amighetti's. Many restaurants, such as   Rigazzi's, Charlie Gitto's, and Cunnetto's are very popular.  Grocery Stores are plentiful with imported oils, pastas and spices, not to mention the wonderful daily baked bread.   Just a few of these stores are Urzi's, DiGregorio's and Viviano's.    There are two bocci gardens well maintained and beautiful. The monumental St. Ambrose Catholic Church is a tourist attraction where many have their picture taken with the historical bronze statue of Italian immigrants, with the lady holding her baby, in front of the church.

 

Truly, a must-see place called "The Hill", will give you all-day entertainment, plus a wonderful place to eat at the end of the day.

 

So this brings me to my real topic, "Tours Of The Hill" with Jennie. This is a group of ladies and gentlemen who get on their "Hill Bus" and tour around the state of Missouri.

And last Wednesday, August 8^th, they all (12) decided to come to 'Rosalie's Kitchen' for an authentic Italian Feast.  Of course, I had no other thing to do but to accommodate them.

 

My husband spray-painted the driveway with white, green, and red huge strips, put big 'Rosalie's Hill' signs at the beginning of the road to our house, and welcomed each guest with green, red and white balloons.  The leader was Jennie Garegnani, the bus driver, and 10 other ladies guests.  When they came through the door, the first thing they did was kiss me on the cheek and hug me.  I knew right then, all Italians are related somehow.  They took notice of my beautiful summer-theme table settings and clapped hands with glee.  After all the introductions and more kisses and hugs, the meal was underway.

 

I started them off with the hot Italian Bread and Salad.  Next, I made the Pasta with the Fresh Basil and Tomatoes right in front of them; it is so fast and fun to watch.  They each got a big bowl, topped with the fresh ground Romano Cheese.  They were well into that when I brought out the big platter of Italian Breaded Pork Chops.  The bus driver took the biggest chop and with a broad smile on his face, said "I make no regrets". Next came the summer Italian Vegetable Stir-fry with fresh tomatoes and garlic.  After about an hour of eating, they were asking for carry-out plates.  I promised them anything they wanted to carry home, as long as they had their dessert.  They all moaned, but gladly took a generous piece of the Italian Pineapple Cake.

 

The day was not complete until I had personally signed 9 of my cookbooks for them. 

So, holding their books, they took their token of a flower napkin holder, their food and memories.  Out in the big yard by the flower garden, my husband, Bill, took several group pictures with me and our guests, and of course the big white tour bus with the green and red lettering "Tours of The Hill".

 

This is another chapter in the life of Rosalie Serving Italian.

 

Love,

Rosalie