Slow Food
Members of Slow food meet regularly to enjoy long slow sociable meals. But, Slow food isn't just about enjoying good food. It is about improving the quality of our lives. It believes a slower pace of life is healthier and better for us, and that fast food and the fast life is destroying an important part of our culture. Each culture has its own language, music, art. And “it also has its food culture', says Carlo Petrini, the founder of Slow Food.


Psychologists agree. They tell us it's important for human beings to enjoy a good meal together around a table, and that it's especially important in families. The Slow food movement wants to make sure we don't lose our food culture and our regional cooking. Slow food also works with teachers in schools to teach children about food and how to enjoy it. The number of fast food outlets continues to grow, but 6,000 of Slow food's 66,000 members are in America, the home of fast food. Perhaps, things are changing?


Slow Cities
Slow Cities are cities of'good living. They promise to work to improve the quality of life of their citizens, and protect local businesses, skills, and traditions. They promise to reduce traffic and noise, create cycle paths, protect parks and green areas, and ban car alarms and neon-lit advertisements. They promote local food production, small shops that sell local speciality foods, and restaurants that serve traditional dishes. For example, in Bra there are no cars in the town square, and the fruit and vegetables in school meals are organic.


The food and wine festivals that Slow food organizes attract thousands of tourists every year. Paolo Saturnini, founder of the Slow Cities movement believes this is the way to protect the unique character of our towns and cities, and stop the invasion of fast food and the American way of life. And he's pleased about the long list of towns in Italy and abroad which want to join the Slow Cities movement. It shows that a lot of people agree with him.

Slow Down and Enjoy Life

Slow food
In 1986 the Italian journalist and food writer Carlo Petrini was horrified when McDonald's opened its first fast food outlet in Italy in one of Rome's most famous squares, the Piazza di Spagna. In protest, he started the Slow food movement. In a short time it had 10,000 members. Today, it has over 66,000 members in 50 countries and is continuing to grow.



Slow Cities!
The Slow Cities movement came from the philosophy of Slow food. It started in 1999 with four Italian cities. Today, eighteen Italian cities are 'Slow Cities', and many more want to join the movement. Only cities with a maximum of 50.000 inhabitants can join.


Slow food festivals
Slow food organizes the world’s largest food and wine event and the worlds largest cheese festival, both in Italy.

Slow food Editore
Slow food Editore publishes guides on Italian food, wine, and culture, and the international magazine. Slow published in six languages (Italian. English, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese).

Top Tips for a Healthier You

Your work
1 How many hours a day do you work at a computer?
If, like a lot of people, you spend most of your day working at a computer, make sure you get some regular breaks during the day. Leave your desk and go for a short walk, or do a few exercises at your desk.
2 How much time do you have for lunch?
Do you leave your office for lunch or, like many people, just eat a sandwich at your desk? It's important to get out of the office for at least 30 minutes a day and find some time to relax and sit down for a meal.


Are there any parks or green areas near your office?
If so, you don't have any excuses! Go out at lunchtime for some exercise and relaxation.

Does your job make you stressed?
When you feel stressed, stop what you're doing and take some long, slow breaths. One of the best ways to reduce stress is to do lots of physical exercise, for example running, or playing tennis or football. It also helps to get a little fun and relaxation every day.



Your diet
1 Do you drink any alcohol?
A lot of alcohol is, of course, bad for your health, but a little wine with meals, especially red wine, is good for your heart, so enjoy it!
2 Do you eat lots of fruit and vegetables?
To stay healthy you need to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. Experts recommend at least five servings a day.
3 How much cheese and butter do you eat?
Many people love cheese, so if you don't want to give it up, try to give up butter instead. A diet that doesn't have any butter is much healthier.



4 Do you drink a lot of coffee?
Like alcohol, a lot of coffee isn't good for you, but caffeine is a good painkiller so if you have a headache, a cup of coffee may be better than an aspirin!

Your leisure time
1 How many hours do you usually sleep?
Most people need seven or eight hours' sleep each night. Research suggests people who get less sleep are more likely to get ill and grow old more quickly.
2 How much time do you spend on sport or exercise?
Try to spend at least a little time on sport or exercise every day and, if you can, more time at weekends.



3 How many days' holiday do you have a year?
There aren't many people who would say 'no' to more holidays. The important thing is to spend your holidays doing something you really enjoy. That way you can get the most benefit.
4 How much relaxation do you usually get in a day?
Most people don't find much time to relax but relaxation is very important - to get your energy back and reduce the problem of stress.