Sunday, May 20, 2007

Saturnia: Paradise or Reality?

A few days ago my parents and I decided to go to the Spa in Saturnia.


My mum had wanted to go there for many years and on Wednesday morning we finally go around to going there. We left the house in the morning and after driving through seemingly endless green Tuscan fields, we finally arrived there. It s just 180 km from home and it took us 2 hours to get there.


We stayed in the Hotel there and I got a single bedroom overlooking the main pool from which the thermal water springs. There was a strong smell of sulfer but after a few minutes you got used to it and didn't smell it anymore.


In the afternoon I tried a few waterfalls and a cardiovascular circuit which both help your circulation and help relax your muscles. In the evening I got a Stone Therapy Massage after which I felt really relaxed and my muscles really enjoyed it. In the evening we had dinner in the Tuscan Reasturant in the Hotel and I shared a lovely Fiorentina steak with my mum. It was cooked on the grill for a bit and then served to us on an metal grill so that we could have it cooked exactly as we wanted.

The second day I got up resonably early, had breakfast with my dad and after taking him to his appointment for a leg massage, I went for a Facial Treatment that lasted 50 minutes! During the morning I went to the waterfalls again and relaxed by the pool. Then I had a barley salad and went off to get a Body Gommage+Placton Treatment which lasted 50 minutes too. Then it was time to pack our stuff and get ready to drive back home.

Luckily enough I didn't pay for anything as I was on holiday with my parents! I forgot what that was like: doing stuff without paying! It was also nice to spend some relaxing time with them as when they are here at home they are always busy with something or other.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Vegetable Garden

This is the first stage of this year's Vegetable Garden. We planted some lettuce, tomatoes and courgettes, peppers and aubergines.

In the last few days we had some heavy rain that flooded our garden. Here is a photo of it flooded. You can also see the supports for the tomato plants.

Cheesecake

Strumenti
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Tortiera
Pentolino
Frigorifero

Ingredienti
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Gelatina
Vino
Ricotta
Mascarpone
Buccia di un limone
Zucchero
Biscottini Gentilini o Digestive
Burro
Opzionali: Cioccolata fondente, pinoli e mandorle

Preparazione impasto
--------------------
Ammorbidire la gelatina nell'acqua.
Riscaldare il vino in un pentolino e aggiungere la gelatina.
In un recipiente mettere ricotta, mascarpone e zucchero.
Mischiare e aggiungere la buccia di limone e la gelatina.
Mischiare bene e mettere in frigorifero per 30 minuti.

Preparazione base
-----------------
Frullare o rompere biscottini.
Per arricchire la base si possono aggiungere pezzettini di cioccolata, pinoli o mandorle a piacere.
Riscaldare il burro e mischiare il tutto.
Formare la base nella tortiera compattando i biscotti e mettere insieme all'impasto nel frigorifero.

Completamento
-------------
Spalmare di burro i bordi interni della tortiera e versare dentro l'impasto.
Rimettere in frigo per altri 30 minuti.
Guarnire con fragole poco prima di presentare.