BYU Education Week 2025: "Eating, Cooking and Living in the Mediterranean Way"

Last week, Tana and I had the opportunity to offer a class at BYU Education Week. We titled the class that we offered -- "Eating, Cooking and Living in the Mediterranean Way." The first session on Tuesday focused on understanding the Mediterranean diet, what it entails, and how it emerged from studies conducted in the Mediterranean region. In particular, we discussed how it largely emerged from the Cretan traditional diet and also from traditional diets in southern Italy.

Our session on Wednesday exclusively focused on extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). We gave a background of the importance of olive oil in the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and the symbolism of olive oil in the scriptures and in understanding the life and mission of Jesus Christ. Then we discussed the health properties of olive oil and that the polyphenols contained in EVOO are what are responsible for the health benefits. Practical considerations for selecting, purchasing, storing, and cooking with olive oil were given.

On Thursday, Tana gave a session on "Off the Beaten Path: Finding the Mediterranean Way of Life in Greece." She was able to describe the many experiences we have had taking students to Greece (and in our own travels) where we have been blessed to interact in meaningful ways with wonderful Greek people. These experiences have taught us rich lessons that we treasure and that have improved our lives -- not only terms of dietary and cooking practices, but also in ways that have strengthened our faith and broadened our understanding on important aspects life. Our final session on Friday, was similar to Thursday's session only this time we focused on travel and the Mediterranean way of live in Southern Italy.

We are extremely grateful to the Education Week participants who attended these sessions last week. It was a joy to share our experiences and to interact with so many individuals who are eager to learn and strengthen their convictions of the truthfulness of the restored gospel.