Italian Holidays: Funny and Yummy

 Italian Holidays: Funny and Yummy, Tony Martin, Independently Published, 2022

The author was the typical teenager: overweight, unhappy and living on chips and soda. He agrees, reluctantly, to spend a summer with his grandmother in very rural Italy.

He slowly begins to realize that he is gaining muscle and losing weight. It might have to do with the fresh vegetables and fish (right off the boat) that Grandma cooks every day. Being outside in the fresh air, whether its doing chores, or exploring the area with his new found friends, might also have something to do with it.

When he gets back to America, news that his parents are getting a divorce sends him into an emotional tailspin. He retreats back into the world of chips and soda. Samantha, a friend, suggests he re-create some of Grandma's recipes here in America. He does, and the weight disappears, again. Samantha gives the recipes to her mother, who totally changes her life. She goes from old and tired, to young and vibrant. The recipes get passed to Mom's friends, with similar results.

There are many healthy recipes in this book, along with a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid, but this is more than Another Book of Healthy Recipes. Most such books say "You can do it!" This book says "I did it, and so can you!" It is very much worth reading.