In case you did not already know, I am Greek - I am actually 100% Greek and first generation as well since my father was born and raised in southern Greece. In addition to other aspects of my childhood, being Greek strong influenced what we ate and what my mother cooked. This was evidenced by holidays, family gatherings, and the average weekday meal. Lentil soup, stuffed peppers, string beans in tomato sauce, and spinach and rice all made very regular appearances on the dinner table. Everything - and I mean everything - was made with copious amounts of extra virgin Greek olive oil (I cannot even remember another kind of oil every being in the house). At times I was certainly the kid at school with the "weird ethnic" lunch and, although it is quite embarrassing for me to admit now, I would nag my mom for more "regular, American" foods - mostly to no avail. Now, years later, I immensely appreciate the influence the Mediterranean diet had on our eating habits and love to espouse the benefits to others.