I was born and raised in Macedonia. I lived there until I was 20 years of age. I have vivid memories of asking my mother for breakfast when I was five years old—requesting eggs, tomatoes, bread, and milk, not sugary cereals and pastries as children today typically demand.

I still have a clear recollection of my mother’s reply. She told me to go and wait for the chickens to lay their eggs, pick some tomatoes from the garden, break some bread that my grandmother just baked, and wait for the goat’s milk to be boiled after she milked the goat!

And that is exactly what I did; I waited for the eggs to be laid. I drank one right there on the spot while it was still warm, delicious! I picked some fresh tomatoes, got a piece of bread, and drank some hot steaming goat’s milk.

Lunch and dinner were not much different. Our grocery store was our back yard: fresh fruits and vegetables and home-raised animals in a beautiful, healthy mountain environment, as well as seafood from the nearby Ohrid Lake.

Experiencing the benefits of the Mediterranean lifestyle, I have dedicated twenty years of my life helping others achieve the benefits of Mediterranean living as a nutrition and weight-loss coach and culinary entrepreneur. As my students transition to the Mediterranean lifestyle, they are delighted to be preparing delicious meals and nourishing their bodies, minds, and souls.

Now, it is your turn to take the next step with me.