XpatAthens

Friday, 20 February 2015 15:50

Pumpkin Greek Yogurt Banana Bread

With Halloween coming up I have been thinking about pumpkins a lot more and when I was wondering what to do for breakfasts this week, a pumpkin bread seemed like a great way to go! Although I already have a recipe for a pumpkin bread that I really like I wanted to try to incorporate some of the ideas from the recently successful strawberry Greek yogurt banana bread into it.

The Greek yogurt banana bread uses bananas and Greek yogurt to completely replace the oil or butter in an attempt to make it a little healthier while leaving the bread nice and light, fluffy and most importantly, moist. For my pumpkin Greek yogurt banana bread I pretty much took the Greek yogurt banana bread recipe and added pumpkin spices and pumpkin puree while removing some of the bananas to keep the moisture level consistent. In addition I replaced some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and since pecan go so well with pumpkin I added some of those as well. The pumpkin Greek yogurt banana bread turned out amazingly well, having one of the best textures that I have ever had in a quick bread! I am looking forward to breakfasts this week especially on Halloween!

Even after spending the time making a healthier pumpkin bread recipe I could not resist topping it with a vanilla bourbon caramel sauce!

I like to wrap my leftover quick bread in aluminum foil and store it in fridge. When I want another slice I simply pull one out and put it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds to warm it up and it is almost just like the day that it was made.

This pumpkin Greek yogurt banana bread with vanilla bourbon caramel sauce makes for such an amzing breakfast!

Servings: makes 1 loaf

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree (homemade or store bought)
2 large over-ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)

Directions

Mix the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a large bowl.
Mix brown sugar, pumpkin puree, bananas, eggs and yogurt in another large bowl.
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients followed by the pecans.
Pour the mixture into a greased 12 x 24 cm loaf pan.
Bake in a preheated 180C oven until golden brown and a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes.

By Kevin Lynch

http://www.closetcooking.com

Published in Greek Food & Diet

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Thursday, 22 September 2016 07:00

48 Urban Garden - Dinner At The Gallery

A food truck in a restaurant? A cocktail bar with its own herb garden? A gallery that is all about fun? All this and more is the word at 48 Urban Garden, which filled in a small vacuum in the Athenian restaurant scene with its fresh, original and unaffected concept.

48 Urban Garden shares a roof with the Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Center, with the two operating in conjunction with each other. The Airstream food truck located in the restaurant’s dining hall is not just a pretty piece of the décor, it serves as the kitchen. The dining area’s big windows look out onto an urban garden that enlivens the grey apartment blocks surrounding it. It is built on different levels and has picnic tables as well as herb patches and a lemon tree.

The food is inspired by street staples with a more creative and “restauranty” approach. Try the tuna tataki, spicy burritos, the beautifully roasted picanha beef and the rib-eye steak, a mix-and-match of the elements that define Asian and ethnic cuisines. Over at the bar, the cocktails are designed to complement the food, light and refreshing. The music is the cherry on the icing, bringing together the whole ambiance.

Facebook Page
Where: Armatolon ke Klefton 48, Ampelokipi

Telephone: 213 028 1866

Article Source: Greece Is

Published in Restaurants In Athens

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Thursday, 24 May 2018 07:00

Meet The Greek Women Climbing The World's Highest Peaks

Meet Vanessa Archontidou and Christina Flampouri, two "ordinary Greek women," who weightlift and climb nearby mountains four times a week, all before going to work. So far, they have reached the highest peaks on four continents, including North America, Europe, South America, and Africa.

As part of their ‘Seven Summits’ challenge, the two women are aiming to reach their fifth peak this summer 2018. This is their “Hellenic dream”; the dream of being the first two Greek women to scale these dangerous peaks.

Trained by fellow Greek climber Nikos Mangitsis (who has led more than 42 mountain expeditions to the world’s tallest mountain ranges), Christina and Vanessa combine training at Parnitha or Ymittos in Athens with gym work.

“Because we are not rich, and we do this as a hobby, we try to make this a symbolic action to help other people understand,” Vanessa comments. “When you have a goal, even if it’s not a mountaineering goal, if it’s something that you truly believe in and even if you have obstacles in your way — like being a parent, or ‘I’m working a lot and I cannot do it’ — there is no obstacle.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

For more information and how to support Vanessa and Christina's 'Seven Summit Challenge,' please visit: A Woman Can Be

Photo credit: Greek Reporter

Published in Greece In The News

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Tuesday, 16 October 2018 13:16

October 16 - Autumn Rhythm In Athens

Whether a local or a visitor, Athens is an extremely vibrant city. Discover some of the absolute best restaurants and cocktail bars in this popular and bustling Mediterranean capital, as it was described by the NY Times!

Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!

Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter!

Published in Newsletters

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Friday, 27 September 2019 14:15

Co-Working Is The Innovation That HR Can't Afford To Ignore

The great skill in human resources is having a sixth sense for how people want to work. It takes a certain amount of clairvoyance to know what the talent of today is thinking – how, where and why they want to turn up to the office.

In today’s world, the increasingly apparent truth is that employees value flexibility, convenience and vibrancy – all great benefits of moving to a co-working space.

“The war on talent is really in full force,” says Sharon Edmondson, IWG Vice President of Human Resources – Americas & Global LSCs. “To be competitive, you have to be able to offer more to your employees than just competitive compensation and benefits. People are wanting more of a sense of community and vibe, to be able to find more to connect to than just the job role itself.”

Employees who are considering a change of employer, then, are looking at a much wider range of considerations than salary alone. And rewarding that desire quickly feeds back into productivity.

“If you've got segregated employees sitting in remote spots, or working from home,” adds Edmondson, “then that isolation leads to drops in both productivity and engagement. What I love in IWG spaces is that you start to see employees from all different companies eating together or grabbing a coffee. You start to leverage the benefits of other employers to build that community and brand within your own organization.”

Employees increasingly want to be in a flexible, lively, dynamic environment. It’s no secret that a trusted, engaged employee is a productive one. In the 2019 IWG Global Workplace Survey, 85% of employers confirmed that productivity had improved as a result of greater flexibility.

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“Employees want to go to an environment that's lively and vivacious and drives energy and change,” says Edmondson. “People want the ability to collaborate and the ability to get stretched beyond where they are. We're living in a society where people want to continue to learn and grow. If you're not feeding the employees, then that tends to reduce productivity and talent retention.”

“If you don't have that kind of space to offer, then you're really missing out on driving the most out of your workforce and gaining that engagement and productivity, which in turn creates innovation, and ultimately ties directly into revenue and profitability for the organization.”

Another crucial factor is geography. Offices with huge, city-center headquarters that pull employees from miles around are forcing many of those workers to endure long, thankless commutes, which are not only environmentally unfriendly but also ultimately a chunk of personal time they can’t get back. “People won’t want to commute so far,” says Edmondson. “You risk losing employees, and you also lose a ton of productivity time because employees are spending that time commuting.” Co-working spaces closer to where workers actually live can give them the professional setting of the office, keep their work and productivity up – and extra free time each day.

There’s also the consideration that the work/life balance doesn’t have to refer to being at work vs being at home – perhaps if work was that bit more vibrant, it wouldn’t be such a necessary contrast. As Edmondson says: “Through leveraging the benefits of a co-working environment, work doesn't seem like work all the time. If you have a frustrating moment, you’re able to go and catch a break, to go up to the patio rooftop terrace and play a game of ping-pong – something your traditional employment spaces don't offer.”

When it comes to the value of flexible working to employees, the results are in. In IWG’s survey, over 80% of respondents said that if faced with two similar job prospects they would turn down the one that didn’t offer flexible working.

And what if HR doesn’t catch up? “The reality is you'll miss out on having the ability to stay competitive in terms of talent. Certainly, from an attrition and engagement perspective, there's no doubt that will start to impact potential employees and the organization as a whole.”

Can you afford to lose out? Find out more about how co-working can work for your company.

This content has been sponsored by IWG - an XpatAthens Brand Partner.

Published in Business News

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Thursday, 23 January 2020 07:00

Classic Whisky Bars In Athens

Did you know that Greeks come second only to the Scots in per capita whisky consumption? Seeing that Greeks love their whisky, Athens offers numerous specialized bars catering to this demand! Below you will find some of the greatest whisky bars in Athens.

Low Profile Whisky Bar

In 1996, Stavros Kasiotis turned a small butcher shop in Kolonaki, into a classic atmospheric whisky bar. Low bar is an iconic bar, full of whisky and conversations at the bar, with a musical backdrop of jazz, blues, and rock n roll. In 2014, Low Profile moved down to Syntagma, on Voulis Street, inside the Bolani Arcade.

Address: 7 Voulis ( Bolani Arcade) , Syntagma Square

Telephone: 213 0352144

Jazz in Jazz

Jazz in jazz is one of the cosiest bars in Athens. Serving its loyal clientelle since 1978, Jazz in Jazz has become an iconic fixture of the Athenian bar scene. It's warm ambience, smooth jazz music and great selection of whiskys make an excellent combination for a great night out!

Address: 4 Dinokratous Street, Athens

Telephone: 210 7225246

Galaxy

One of the oldest and most historical bars in Athens, Galaxy is also one of the best specialized whisky bars in Athens. Retaining its original decor since the 70's, Galaxy has been serving discerning whisky lovers in a retro setting. It's classic vibes, quiet music, courteous staff and great selection of drinks make this bar a great option for a quiet night out with friends.

Address: 10 Stadiou Street, Athens

Telephone: 210 3227733

Published in Pubs, Bars & Cafes

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Thursday, 18 November 2021 07:00

Episkyros: An Ancient Greek Form Of Football

A long, long time ago, before there was football, there was episkyros, an ancient Greek ball game. Highly team-work oriented, the game was played with one ball, between two teams each consisting of around 12 to 14 players.

The field was marked with a central white line called the ‘skyros’ dividing the two teams, and another white line behind each team to mark the ends of the field. In the game, which was often quite violent, particularly in Sparta, each team would attempt to throw the ball over the heads of the opposing team. The objective of the game was to play until one team was forced behind the line at their end, with agility and speed being a player’s most useful skills.

However, it wasn’t easy as it sounds as players had to pass within their own team several times whilst also evading the defenders from the other team before they were able to toss the ball over the opponent’s line. If a team had possession of the ball on their own line, defenders could gang tackle him back over the line for a point.

A very similar game to episkyros was phaininda, which takes its name from Phaenides, who first invented it, or derived from the Greek word ‘phenakiein’ (to deceive) because the players would show the ball to one man but then throw it to another, contrary to expectation.

These Greek games of episkyros and phaininda were later adopted by the Romans.

FIFA has acknowledged the ancient Greek game of episkyros as an ancient version of modern-day rugby league.

“ The Greek Episkyros – of which few concrete details survive – was much livelier, as was the Roman Harpastum. ” FIFA.com explains.

A vase on display at the National Archaeological Museum, Athens shows a depiction of a young Greek athlete, balancing a ball on his thigh. It is this same vase that inspired the design of today’s European Cup football trophy.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekcitytimes.com

Published in Greek Philosophy & History

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Monday, 19 September 2022 07:00

How To Boost Your Child’s & Your Own Self-Confidence

Schools have opened and children’s, as well as parents’ lives, are affected. Children must cope with a new class, perhaps a new teacher, old and new friends, old and new activities. Parents are running around trying to put together a schedule that includes everyone’s activities.

Do you remember those days when you were going to school? Maybe your life was a bit simpler and you didn’t have so many extra-curricular activities – if any. But how did you feel at the beginning of each school year? Was it easy for you to make friends or were you anxious about it? Were the other kids nice to you or not? How did you deal with it? Were your parents helpful or did they put more attention on your performance as a student?

Why am I asking you all these questions? Because it’s important to put yourself into your child’s shoes and pay attention to their feelings. Are they happy going to or coming back from school? Do they talk about their friends? Perhaps you will notice small changes in their behavior. Instead of taking it personally try to see what the real story is.

It’s not easy for everyone to make friends. My daughter changed school last year and I know she’s still very conscious about making friends. She’s also very sensitive and this tends to complicate things sometimes. Moreover, in her effort to be accepted by her peers she may do or say something she wouldn’t otherwise. This doesn’t help her self-confidence.

So instead of focusing mainly on her academic performance, I try to understand how she feels and try to boost her self-confidence. One way I do this is by using some phrases I have found to be helpful. They may serve you too:

Your opinion matters.
It’s absolutely ok to say no.
Not everyone will like you. And that’s ok.
You are beautiful just the way you are.

The second and third points may not be so easily accepted even by adults. When they come up during a session some of my clients have a hard time dealing with them. By the way, what kind of feelings do you have while reading these statements? Do you feel comfortable or uncomfortable?

As for me, I wish my parents would have told me these phrases or taught me to think this way when I was a child. They would have saved me from a lot of trouble as these principles apply to all areas of our lives whether we are children or adults – school, work, family, friends, and relationships in general. It’s a great life attitude to have and one that our children will certainly benefit from.

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

If there’s a topic you’re interested in and would like to learn more about you may contact me via email. For more information about me and my work check the XpatAthens Directory or visit my website. Because this is your life!

Published in Parenting

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Thursday, 13 February 2025 16:14

Cinedoc Presents: The Silence of Others – Screening Tour In Greece

With the support of the Cervantes Institute of Athens, Cinedoc presents the Oscar-nominated documentary The Silence of Others in Athens, Volos, and Thessaloniki.

In Spanish, with Greek subtitles.

Cinedoc presents the award-winning historical documentary The Silence of Others, directed by Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar, and produced by Pedro Almodóvar. The screenings are held with the support of the Cervantes Institute of Athens and in collaboration with the Oral History Groups (O.P.I.).

The documentary was nominated for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film (2019) and has been screened and awarded at numerous film festivals. Among others, it won the Audience Award (Panorama) and the Peace Film Prize for Best Documentary at the Berlinale (2018), 2nd Audience Award at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam - IDFA (2018), and the Goya Award for Best Documentary (2019).

To watch the official trailer, please CLICK HERE!

Synopsis

With the 1977 Amnesty Law, the crimes of Franco’s dictatorship (1939-1975) remained unpunished for decades. Thus, although more than forty years have passed since the restoration of democracy in Spain, the wounds of the painful past remain open. Filmed over six years, the film follows the victims, survivors, and their relatives as they begin a collective fight for justice, against the oblivion imposed by the state.

The case makes history: what began as a small effort led to the issuance of the first arrest warrants for the perpetrators, including torturers, ministers, and doctors involved in cases of stolen children, among others.

Often, the cry of the few for justice is enough to break the criminal silence of the many.

Directors’ Note

In 2010, the story of the "stolen children" of Spain began to be published. The history of these crimes, rooted in the early days of Franco’s rule, led us to explore the broader marginalization and silencing of the victims.

Why did Spain come to a "Pact of Oblivion"? And what were the consequences of this Pact, during 40 years of democracy, for the living victims of Franco’s dictatorship?

When we began filming the Argentine lawsuit process in 2012, which challenged this status quo, few believed anything would change. But as we filmed those early meetings, we could see that this lawsuit was creating something vital, leading to hundreds of testimonies from all over Spain. As the number of testimonies peaked, a compelling argument for crimes against humanity was created, for which justice had to be sought at an international level.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

With the support of the Cervantes Institute of Athens and in collaboration with the Oral History Groups (O.P.I.).

Athens – French Institute

Premiere in Athens: Thursday, February 20, 20:00

After the screening, a discussion will follow with Dimitris Filippis, Associate Professor at the Hellenic Open University - "Spanish Language and Culture" Program.

Presale: https://www.more.com/gr-el/tickets/cinema/festival/cinedoc-2025-the-silence-of-others/

Athens – Danaos Cinema

Sunday, February 23, 16:00

Presale: https://www.danaoscinema.gr/movie/i-siopi-ton-allon-cinedoc-2025/

Thessaloniki – “Stavros Tornes” Hall

Wednesday, February 19, 18:45

The screening will be introduced by Nikos Marantzidis, Professor of Political Science, University of Macedonia.

Presale: https://www.filmfestival.gr/el/cinemas-gr/program

Volos – Nea Ionia Cultural Center

Saturday, March 15, 20:00

Presale: ENTEKA - Digital Prints

Info: https://www.facebook.com/CineDocVolos

About CineDoc

CLICK HERE to view the CineDoc 2024-2025 Program in Greek!

CineDoc selectively screens and distributes award-winning Greek and foreign documentaries as part of the Cinedoc Festival. The screenings are organized in cooperation with the French Institute of Greece, Danaos Cinema, the Thessaloniki Film Festival, CineDoc Volos, the Municipality of Volos, "Simeio" Cultural Space in Rethymno, the Cyclades Preservation Fund (CPF), and Thalassa Foundation. The screenings aim to encourage dialogue and inspire collective actions around themes such as the environment, gender equality, inclusivity, education, history, etc.

Additionally, it collaborates regularly with cultural institutions, universities, agencies, and organizations (e.g., the Gennadius Library, Harokopio University, SAE Athens, European University Cyprus, Megaron Music Hall, Piraeus Bank Cultural Foundation, etc.) and participates in conferences, festivals, and cultural events, organizing special screenings (e.g., Irida Visions, The Future of Retail, Ocean Film Festival, Piraeus Port Film Festival, Athens Pride - Athens, Europride - Thessaloniki, Come as You Are Festival - Larissa, Limassol Documentary Festival – Cyprus, etc.).

CineDoc constantly expands its network through the organization of documentary screenings under the CineDoc Island initiative, both in the islands (Cyclades, Sporades, Ionian, and Dodecanese) and the rest of Greece, in collaboration with local organizations and cinema clubs. The screenings are held under the patronage and financial support of the Ministry of Culture.

For More Information: https://www.cinedoc.gr | cinedocanemon@gmail.com

Published in Local News

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Wednesday, 18 February 2015 13:39

Kalarrytes Village

Kalarrytes belong to the prefecture of Ioannina, located on the western slopes of Pindos, at an altitude of 1200 m. The village is surrounded by the mountains of Peristeri (Lakmos) and Tzoumerka (Athamanian mountains). On the northwest, the steep gorge of Kalarrytikos river separates the village of Kalarrytes from Syrrako, while on the north and above the village extend the plateaus and mountain grasslands of Baros, which connects Thessaly to Epirus.

The first settlements of vlach-speaking Greek population in the region of Kalarrytes can be traced back to the 10th century AD. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the community achieves its greatest financial, social and cultural development with the Kalarrytan merchants trading wool textiles through a well-organized commercial network to all European markets, while most of them also maintain shops in Ioannina. A large part of the population are distinguished as silversmiths, establishing Kalarrytes as one of the major silversmith centres of the Balkans. During the 19th century, the art of silver spreads from Kalarrytes all over Greece and Italy. Families of silversmiths such as Tsimouris at Ioannina and Kalarrytes, Bafas in Zakynthos, Papageorgiou and Papamoschou in Corfou, and Nessi and Bulgari in Italy are still famous today.

The economic, cultural and residential development of the community is accompanied by intellectual development as the Greek Enlightenment reaches Kalarrytes. Anastasios Bekiaris and rector Georgios Sgouros taught at the school of Kalarrytes, which was founded in 1758. The scholars Vlahoyiannis and Giourtis also originate from there. W. Leak and F. Pouqueville, who visited the community of Kalarrytes at the beginning of the 19th century, describe in their travel journals the lawful society, the culture, the exquisite architecture, the booming trade, and the high educational level of the people.

To read more, please visit epirushotels.gr

Published in Travel Greece

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Pumpkin Greek Yogurt Banana Bread

48 Urban Garden - Dinner At The Gallery

Meet The Greek Women Climbing The World's Highest Peaks

October 16 - Autumn Rhythm In Athens

Co-Working Is The Innovation That HR Can't Afford To Ignore

Classic Whisky Bars In Athens

Episkyros: An Ancient Greek Form Of Football

How To Boost Your Child’s & Your Own Self-Confidence

Cinedoc Presents: The Silence of Others – Screening Tour In Greece

Kalarrytes Village

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