My books

Fortior ex adversis resurgo (risorgo più forte dalle avversità)

Dalla spagnola (1918) a oggi nessun “nemico invisibile” era riuscito a fare tanto. In pochi mesi l’emergenza coronavirus ha travolto numerosi Paesi al mondo, provocando migliaia di morti e inducendo l’OMS a dichiarare lo stato di pandemia globale.
Le autrici Paola Lovisetti Scamihorn, scrittrice di food e nutrizione e Elvira Conca, giornalista d’economia, hanno descritto lo “tsunami” che ha colpito la società, l’economia e la sanità, entrando nella vita quotidiana degli italiani. Hanno raccontato il vissuto in questo momento tragico e unico della storia dell’Italia, trascorso in isolamento tra ansia, paura e stress. A salvare dalla solitudine e depressione è stato il tempo ritrovato, dedicato alla cura di se stessi e propri cari. Danza, yoga, fitness e soprattutto la ritrovata passione per la cucina casalinga hanno consentito di recuperare equilibrio, stabilità e calma. Tutti gli italiani hanno mostrato una straordinaria capacità di resilienza, made in Italy, trasformando questa esperienza terribile quanto unica in un’ occasione di crescita interiore e sviluppo di nuove opportunità economiche.

Versione inglese
Fortior ex adversis resurgo (I rise stronger from adversity)

From the Spanish flu (1918) to today no other "invisible enemy" had managed to do so much. In a few months, the coronavirus emergency overwhelmed numerous countries around the world, causing thousands of deaths and prompting the WHO to declare a state of global pandemic.
The authors Paola Lovisetti Scamihorn, a food and nutrition writer and Elvira Conca, an economic journalist, described the "tsunami" that affected society, economy and health care, entering the daily lives of Italians. They told the story of this tragic and unique moment in the history of Italy, with the population in lockdown, experiencing anxiety, fear and stress. Citizens were able to escape from loneliness and depression by dedicating this extra time to taking care of oneself and loved ones.
Dance, yoga, fitness and above all the newfound passion for cooking at home, allowed people to recover balance, stability and calm.
All Italians have shown an extraordinary ability of resilience, made in Italy, which transformed this terrible and unique experience into an opportunity for inner growth and development of new economic opportunities.

Honestly Healthy è una raccolta di ricette gustose e salutari che include molti consigli su come mangiare frutta e verdura fresca e di stagione con svariati benefici per la salute.

Mangiando bene e mantenendo sane abitudini di vita (non fumare, limitare l’ uso di alcol e praticare attività fisica quotidiana), è possibile perdere peso, se necessario, abbassare la pressione sanguigna, ridurre i livelli di colesterolo e zucchero nel sangue, migliorare il sistema immunitario, la salute intestinale, avere più energia, sentirsi più giovani e, naturalmente, prevenire diverse patologie legate ad uno stile di vita inadeguato.

Le ricette di questo libro sono complete, soddisfacenti e equilibrate dal punto di vista nutrizionale perché sono preparate con adeguate proporzioni di ingredienti salutari. Non è necessario possedere una laurea in medicina, un diploma da chef - oppure avere molto tempo a disposizione - per preparare un'insalata appetitosa o un frullato gustoso! Sono solo necessarie un po’ di passione e motivazione. 
Una mia intervista di presentazione del libro è disponibile sulla pagina di ConoscereTv. 

English version
Honestly Healthy is a collection of tasty and healthy recipes including many tips on eating fresh, seasonal and home-prepared fruits and vegetables that will provide you with all kinds of benefits.

By eating well and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits (no smoking, limited alcohol and daily physical activity), you will lose some weight if you need to, lower your blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, boost your immune system, improve intestinal health, have more energy, feel younger and more beautiful, and ward off various diseases.

The recipes of this book are complete, satisfying and nutritionally balanced because they are prepared with appropriate proportions of good ingredients. You don't need an advanced medical degree or to be a chef - or even have a lot of time - in order to put a tasty and healthy salad or smoothie on your table daily. This is not complicated, you just need a little passion and motivation.

Who is interested in a booklet in English to attach to the Italian edition, please contact me at paola@passionandcooking.com.

The Mamma Mia! Diet is more than just a meal plan―it’s a complete lifestyle guide. Based on an improved version of the classic Mediterranean diet, the Mamma Mia! Diet provides you with modernized versions of healthy Italian dishes to help you lose weight while still feeling full and satisfied.

The more doctors test it, the more they find that eating Mediterranean is the absolute best way to lose weight and be healthy. Based on the cooking and eating style of Italy, the Mamma Mia! plan features olive oil, fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish and poultry, whole grains and, yes, wine!

The Mamma Mia! Diet was created by two native-born Italian professionals – a pharmacist, culinary expert (myself) and biochemist (Paola Palestini) who together present the secrets to good health, weight management and longevity – attributes of their fellow “paesano”.

The promised benefits of The Mamma Mia! Diet, include:
- Better health and improved longevity
- Higher energy levels and improved fitness
- More variety than any other diet
- Fundamental nutrition grounded in tradition and science
- Incredible dishes packed with nutrition and authentic Italian flavor
- A diet that nourishes you and your family, all in one.

Food can be more than just delicious. Food is medicine for the body, mind, and soul, and with The Mamma Mia! Diet, you can make the most out of what you eat, all while experiencing an Italian-style atmosphere―and satisfying an Italian-style appetite!

This engaging everyday Italian cookbook features simple recipes highlighting fresh, seasonal, local and healthy ingredients. Italian food is simple, tasty and zesty. You can whip up a mouth-watering meal with only a few ingredients, in no time, putting a delectable dinner on the table with a minimum of stress and maximum of taste. My recipes are incredibly accessible – and delicious – perfect to share with your family and friends. I selected these recipes with passion, trying to include many regional – as well as my family’s – culinary traditions.

The book is divided into four chapters (first courses, main courses, salads and side dishes, and of course, desserts) plus an appendix with some basic Italian preparations such as fresh egg pasta, orecchiette pasta or pizzoccheri pasta, tomato sauce and mascarpone cheese. All the recipes are written with both metric and imperial measurements.

Italian cooking is not only composed of ingredients, but also of people, and as such it cannot be reduced to the final act of consumption. Italian food is more than only nourishment … it is history, culture, art, health and, last but not least: Family. Nutritional information on some typical Mediterranean ingredients is also presented by Katharine McKeever, an Australian nutritionist who lives in Italy. The Sicilian recipes are accompanied by the beautiful and original art work of Adriana Glaviano, a well-known Italian artist and fashion director.

I hope you will enjoy discovering “la mia cucina italiana” as much I love to share it with you!

The Italian translation is available upon request, no extra charge. Please ask for it in the text box!

Starting from June 2018, Love is Eating is now available in Danish. Please check this site for ordering it!