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  • If you've ever been out in the world, you've likely seen the word UNESCO and this weird

  • square in a circle all over the place.

  • UNESCO is tasked with identifying, protecting and preserving human heritage; buildings,

  • landscapes, and monuments -- but in 2013, they added something intangible: TheMediterranean

  • Diet.”

  • You may have heard of theMediterraneandiet, it's a big fad in the United States

  • as of late, and it's considered to be one of the healthiest in the world!

  • But thanks to UNESCO, it's not just healthy, it's also a piece of human heritage.

  • Here's hoping they give love to my Sunday Pizza Tradition next year

  • The Mediterranean Diet includes plant-based foods, as well ashealthyfats and so

  • on.

  • Plus, and this is serious, limiting the amount of red meat -- i.e. mammal meats.

  • Grilled fish is a popular item, as are other seafoods.

  • AND, which is pretty rare, it offers an alcoholic component -- a bit of red wine.

  • The problem is, if you look at U.S. magazines and blogs for theMediterranean Diet,”

  • as we see it.

  • You'd find lists of restrictions and requirements of what to eat, what not to eat, and how to

  • prepare your meals.

  • That's how American's see a “diet.”

  • In the U.S. “dietdoesn't mean it's primary dictionary definition: “the kinds

  • of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats,” most of us think of the

  • tertiary definition, “a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either

  • to lose weight or for medical reasons.”

  • TheMediterranean Dietis the former not the latter.

  • It's a way of living and eating, not a list of restrictions and requirements.

  • UNESCO writes, “The Mediterranean diet involves a set of skills, knowledge, rituals, symbols

  • and traditions concerning crops, harvesting, fishing, animal husbandry,” -- holy crap

  • -- “conservation, processing, cooking, and particularly the sharing and consumption of

  • food.”

  • The foundation of the diet?

  • Eating together.

  • Social exchange of communication during a meal, neighborliness, affirmation, intercultural

  • dialog, hospitality.-- Whew --

  • You can't buy this regional diet at a store -- it's literally about changing your life.

  • And of course, red wine helps with all those things too.

  • Better nutrition has been connected to longer, healthier lives and even things like overall

  • height gains, better eyesight, and prevention of heart disease and Alzheimer's -- to name

  • a few.

  • The Mediterranean Diet adds heart health to that as well, lowered levels of stress and

  • anxiety.

  • And it's not just about what you're eating or not eating!

  • Numerous studies have shown social interaction and support make people physically and mentally

  • more healthy.

  • The concept of 'Social buffering' is part of this diet -- where people get together

  • and socialize, interact and share.

  • On top of that, Greece -- one of the countries in the Mediterranean for the geographically

  • challenged -- incorporates intermittent fasting into their lifestyle diet thanks to the number

  • of religiously motivated fasting days in the Greek Orthodox tradition.

  • We actually have a whole video about the science of fasting.

  • It seems to me, incorporating even a few of these things into our lives would likely benefit

  • us all.

  • Themediterranean dietdoesn't mean going to the Greek restaurant down the street

  • a lot, but maybe invite your friends over to eat some vegetables you grew (or, like

  • me, found at a farmer's market)!

  • Talk!

  • Use some olive oil!

  • -- And of course, make them bring the red wine.

  • We can't do episodes like these with support from our sponsors.

  • Thanks to Blue Apron for supporting us at Seeker.

  • Blue Apron allows you to create delicious, chef-designed recipes at home using farm-fresh

  • ingredients and exactly the right proportions.

  • You don't have to remember to pop over to the grocery store after work, and you grab

  • a bunch of celery to just to take it home and then cut up one stock and then leave the

  • rest in the fridge

  • You get exactly what you need, right to your doorstep and shipping is free.

  • Blue Apron recipes are in the box, along with ingredients, which will stay fresh on your

  • porch even if you're not at home when dinner arrives.

  • They're always adding new dishes to their menu, and you can try it with no commitment

  • choosing to skip or cancel the service at any time!

  • Check out the link in our description and the first 100 people to create a new account

  • with Blue Apron will get their first three meals free!

  • How do you feel about hummus?

  • It's just chickpeas, but, damn.

  • I love it.

  • I could drink wine, eat veggies and a little fish every day -- but what about you?

  • Want more on how to learn about your body?

  • Amy's got a video about why you should look at your poop.

  • Really, I know but you should and you should check it out right here

If you've ever been out in the world, you've likely seen the word UNESCO and this weird

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