Putting it all together, in an analogous way, the body, as an independent autonomous micro universe, is consisted of four fluids or ‘humors‘ (black ,bile, yellow bile, phlegm and blood) .
In today’s living, and adapting to the Santorini’s unique environment, we must reinstate the healthy balance of these humors, by facilitating the combined healing work of proper food, movement, harmonic acoustics and the Epicurean Philosophy of relaxation in a proper balanced environment.
In applying the Hippocratic concept of proper nutrition, it is worth looking into the core of recommendations as they were passed to us through the centuries.
According to Hippocrates:
“Positive health, requires a knowledge of man’s primary constitution, according to Empedocles, (what today we call genetics) and of the powers of various foods, both those natural to them and those resulting from human skill (today’s processed food). But eating alone is not enough for health. There must also be exercise (movement=life), of which the effects must likewise be known. The combination of these two things makes regimen, when proper attention is also given to the season of the year, the changes of the winds, the situation of his home (environmental Conditions) and the age of the individual. If there is any deficiency in food or exercise and improper environmental conditions, the body will fall sick”.
In applying the Hippocratic corpus of natural healthy nutrition, we must look at the inter-nutritional interaction of foods consumed today and to re-establish the needed balance in our daily living.
Today all health problems are initiated when, human cells respond to nutritional insufficiency with inflammation when the synthesis of cell membrane is disturbed, due to overconsumption of pro inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acids, at the expense of the predominantly anti inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids (OMEGA-3 DIET). This is the first message our body sends us, that something is wrong at the cellular level.
The ancient Greek diet was rich in ω-3 and sufficient in ω-6 fatty acids, supplemented with natural extra virgin olive oil (ω-9) (WILD OLIVE OIL, EVOO)
For the ancient Greeks, protein is considered the top nutrient in the food chain In Greek the word protein is a synthesis of two words. Proti+ina. Proti=first and ina= thread (thread of life).
True to the legendary tradition of the Ancient Greek Health Centers (Asclepia), our menu will be free of meat and poultry. Only sea food will be included in our cooking.(PR0TEINS, ZEA)
The Greek sea is considered free of contaminants due to the mild industrial development of Greece, and the Greek coast line is full of blue flags, indicating the cleanness of the water and therefore the fish GAVROS and ANCHOVY caught in these waters are free of heavy metals, good tasting, and healthy.
Modern day societies are prone to dietary deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids and excessive consumption of omega-6 through the daily diet.This has been shown to be the primary cause of omega-3 to omega-6 imbalance in cell membranes.
When the cells suffocate, the associate organ malfunctions, and when this happens we get sick. Inflammation is the cause of an array of chronic diseases accounting for thousands of deaths annually.
Prana Thera’s daily menu is based primarily on the concept of the Omega-3 diet, using rich in Omega-3 plant and fish servings (and supplements) and minimizing the consumption of Omega-6 foods in an attempt to achieve the proposed by Dr. Artemis Simopoulos M.D., cellular membrane function, by achieving the Omega-6/-3 ration of 1:1.
Studies have documented that the old Greek traditional diet it promotes health and as such, we conform and offer to our guests.
It is important to say that the membrane of a healthy cell should be consisted of omega-6: (9-12%) and omega-3: (9-12%) which is the desired 1:1 ratio and omega-9: (23-25%) to achieve health.
That ratio of 1:1:2 amongst the three essential fatty acids we will use in our menu preparation. It is impressive to notice that 40-50% of cell membranes are consisted from these three fatty acids, marking the importance of these essential fatty acids in the human health.
Prana Thera’s Menu” provides a nutritionally complete menu based primarily on the concept of the Omega-3 diet plant and fish servings (our Gavros and Anchovy) increasing the consumption of rich in Omega-3, while at the same time minimize the Omega-6 foods consumed.
We process, create and serve combinations of small Gavros and Anchovies . Gavros is an indigenous fish to the Greek sea waters.
Gavros is a very small, wild fish, not having a fishy taste usually characterized in Canned sea food and enhances the organoleptic taste and nutritional value.
Our Gavros has nothing to do with Sardines or Anchovies or Sprats from Scandinavia and other fishing grounds in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as it is indigenous to North Aegean sea. Our Gavros from the fishing grounds is transported fresh directly to our nearby processing plant.
Our plates are treated in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), extracted from biologically grown baby Green olives. Both the Gavros and the Anchovy are produced, having in mind, individuals who are absolutely health conscious, and are interested in consuming the best quality of marine food available in combination with the best superior quality ingredients worldwide.
In the Traditional Ancient Greek cuisine sardines and Gavros were consumed extensively representing the usual healthy dish of the average citizen. In fact, the price of sardines served as a barometer for the food market in Ancient Athens.
On the other hand, salted fish Anchovy from North Aegean Sea and the Hellespont, according to the Ancient Greek sources, were a very expensive to buy commodity and represented a very exclusive treat for the affluent Greeks.
We produce and offer to our special clients:
Gavros and Anchovies with extra virgin olive oil, oregano, minimal salt and Boukovo ( Cayenne hot Pepper) , and
Gavros and Anchovies with extra virgin olive oil, oregano and minimal salt.
Our Fish preparations are rich in Omega-3 and Omega-9 fatty Acids and achieving an almost perfect score 1/1 between ω-6/ω-3 ratio:
Gavros: 1750 mg/100g omega-3 Fatty Acids
Anchovy: 2025 mg/100gr omega-3 Fatty Acids Proteins
Proteins constitute one of the nutritional structural and functional pillars of the human body. In addition to sea food protein resources, we will reassure that the protein requirements, by our clients (visitors) will be met, on a daily bases, using a tasty blend of legumes, cereals, seeds and dairy products.
Historically, the first scientifically substantiated movement to inform human society about vegetarianism was made by Pythagoras, who is also considered the founder of the vegetarian movement, while it is well known that the fathers of Medicine.
Hippocrates and Asclepius, also practiced vegetarianism as therapeutic regiment. In addition to sea food protein we supplement our daily menu to meet our clients protein needs in such a way. For example, beans contain all the essential amino acids (AA), but not the amino acids Methionine and Tryptophan in the required amounts. So we say that beans have these two amino acids reduced (marginally). To keep the protein synthesis mechanism in place, we supplement these amino acids with other foods, which contain several amounts of Methionine and Tryptophan.
For example, bread is rich in Methionine and Tryptophan, so it can be supplemented with selected beans and provide the body with complete protein. On the other hand wheat flower (bread etc) is limited in the amino acid lycine. We replace wheat flour with Zea which is rich in the amino acid Lycine, vitamins (like A, E, B) and minerals (such as very rich in magnesium) and with 40% more potassium than wheat flour to supply the body with all the essential amino acids.