We have started a new chapter to our lives. An adventure. A Change. I am already changed. It’s that feeling you get when you look around you and you know that things are different. Life is different. The very blood that flows through my veins has new life, new passion, a new vibrancy. I can’t quite explain it exactly but my perspective is already shifting and I’m not sure how I’ll be at the end of this journey, how my kids will be, how my relationship with John will be; but all will be good. That I know for sure…
John and I have had a dream for quite sometime to travel the world while our kids are still young. To learn, explore, eat, share, grow, dream, marvel, cry, laugh, and love without abandon and yet with a purpose! This is a big big world that we live in and we want to see it. We have had to give up a lot to make this dream a reality but it’s happening, and we want to bring you along for the ride. Our first stop is Italy. We have been here now for almost 3 days and I’m just coherent enough to write my first blog post. Rowan was still up in the night from around 2:30 – 6:00am. His little body slowly adjusting to a 9 hour time difference. The first night we were here he fell asleep around 2:00am eating beef jerky, snuggled in my arms, soft little hair tickling my face, far from home but yet in a warm familiar place. My kids are troopers, travelers adjusting well and they have pilgram hearts like we do and are as eager as we are to experience our adventures. They have zero inhibitions and I’m learning from them to be brave and look around with eyes wide open and experience it all. Jaden’s first bite of real authentic Italian food made him beam and grin from ear to ear – with sounds of amazement – that the sausage is delicious and the seafood arrives with shrimp heads still attached and olive oil that is green with goodness…
While we are here I am going to soak up us much of the culture that I can. We are traveling to several different regions and I am going to cook my way through the country, learning directly from local families, farmers, and small restaurant chefs. I’m already seeing so many differences in how the Italians live compared to our typical American routine. There is so much to learn. I feel as if we have lost ourselves somehow, lost our relationship with our food and that this is mostly thanks to our modern day conveniences. My hope is to regain some understanding from cultures who have an actual and historical relationship with their food and where it comes from, an attachement to recipes and traditions that have been handed down through the generations, an understanding of the work and dedication it takes to feed their families; I want to bring these experiences back home to all of you. I want to share with you a different perspective. Share with you food from different cultures that is straight from the source and recreate these recipes to fit the paleo bill. I want to write about how it’s possible to travel anywhere and still eat paleo as much as possible. Already, in the land of Italian cuisine, we have been proven wrong about our perceptions and at every turn so far been greeted with platefuls of amazing meats and vegetables; no one has batted an eye when we haven’t ordered the pasta or feasted on the breads. However, I am learning that the heart and soul of Italy in many regions IS the pasta. But today’s pasta is not the pasta that the grandmama’s used to make. It is different. The “way” here in Italy is changing before the very eyes of those who have carried it’s traditions for years and years. I have had so many eye opening experiences to share already, but that will be in future blogs…
I know our travels will be filled with challenges but also filled with joy, amazement, and personal growth. I know already what it feels like to be a foreigner. I understand I am a guest here. I am totally ok with the fact that I am treading on ground sacred to others and that I must tread lightly and with the utmost respect. I am a silly tourist—for sure! Getting it all wrong, looking too eager, but I am humbled and honored at the warmth and kindness that the Italian people have already bestowed upon us. My kids have been hugged, loved, and practically whisked away by folks who appreciate their smiles. We have already met people that I could spend a lifetime with. We are approaching our journeys with open hearts and open minds. I will not be afraid, but I will be cautious. I do not want to approach this experience with any sort of anticipation of what may or may not come from it. I just want to be present wherever I am, to take what is given to me and offer these gifts back to all of you.
My only sadness thus far on our journey is that Coby, my oldest son, chose to stay behind for this trip. He is half way through his junior year in high school and unlike his rebel mother, who begged him to come explaining passionately that his education will be there for him when we return and that what we would experience on this trip would be more than he would get out of college prep trigonometry or honors chemistry. Coby gently reassured me that he has a plan; he wants to keep his grades up and go straight to college out of high school—he can travel anytime he wants to but now is not the time. Wow! I am so impressed with my Coby. If I had an opportunity to miss a month of school when I was in high school, you bet your bottom dollar I would be on that plane without looking back… Love you Coby. You are my hero.
Now please enjoy a picture journey over the last three days. More to come! My first cooking class is this afternoon in beautiful Bologna. Stay tuned and please post your thoughts to comments.
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That sounds amazing! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do as well. You have the advantage of being able to work anywhere so that is awesome. How long are you going to be gone?
What an awesome experience for your family. As I walked through a forest preserve with my teenage son today and remembered him running happily through the woods as a small boy, I shared with him how lucky I feel to have been a part of so many of his experiences. Enjoy this time together Sarah and thanks for including us!
Congratulations! What a wonderful dream come true. We have recently embraced the paleo lifestyle and love it. I am excited to follow your journey on applying this lifestyle away from home. And what a brave and intelligent son you have. I am hoping to travel the world one day sharing our love of green smoothies. We share paleo-friendly smoothies on Instagram @simplegreensmoothies
Oh Sarah! How lucky for your family to have this experience! Soak it all up and bring back all you can. I look forward to reading all about your journies…but can’t wait for you to come home to America! Much love to you, John and the boys!
Thank you so much Karen!
Welcome to Italy! You have at least one reader here 🙂
I’m so glad, thank you Elin!!
You’re welcome! I’m italian and I live in Italy (near Bologna), I follow you in your fantastic journey! I confirm you that pasta (and bread/pizza) in italy is the first always, but there are some proteins and veggies in high quality. I live in paleo from 1 year and there aren’t difficoults to eat paleo. For me it’s very easy! Enjoy your journey!
Claudia
Thank you so much Claudia! I am loving my stay in Bologna!!
Oh, how exciting for you & your family! I’d love it if you’d consider going to India. How to stay Paleo there is beyond me. My husband’s Indian. We eat Paleo at our home in L.A area, but give up when visiting his family in India.
Jennifer
Sarah, I’m so excited to hear what you are doing! My husband and I did a year-long, round-the-world trip shortly after we were married and it is an amazing experience! I look forward to hearing of your adventures! Are you planning to visit SouthEast Asia at all? It’s changed a lot since we were there 10 years ago, but it was one of our favorite places.
Hey Sarah,
such exciting news! Have fun and enjoy and if your travels ever lead you to the Munich and / or Salzburg area, let me know and I have you over for a real German dinner:-)
Thank you so much Vanessa, I will let you know if we make it your way!!
Wait!! What?? You’re in Europe right now?? Any chance you’ll visit the Netherlands? Just let me know and I’ll gladly be your personal guide. Until then, have fun in Italy and enjoy the food!
Love,
Claudia
Wow, good for you!
If you come around Alicante (Spain), let me know and I will be your guide.
Enjoy!
All the best,
Sonia
… College prep Trig? That’s not even a real class mom… Haha, have fun in Italy guys! I love you!
Lol!! That’s why I never took that class son, i don’t even know what it’s called!! Love you!
Sister, I am so proud of you, John and your kids for following your dreams. YOU are my hero.
THIS IS AMAZING! So excited for you guys.
I am one Paleo (2+yrs) Italian who is anxiously awaiting the new cookbook!! (to add to my collection of everyday paleo cookbooks, of course!)
Looking forward to hearing more of your family’s world travels while continuing to eat Paleo style. My husband, two children (age 5 & 8) and I have recently started the Paleo lifestyle and we plan to travel around the world for 12 months, starting in June 2014. I am loving our new Paleo diet and want to try to stick to eating Paleo around the world for a year as we travel to South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. I wonder how difficult it will be??? Please keep writing about your experiences….