Yesterday, January 6, was officially the last day of the Christmas and New Year holidays in Ukraine. This is the longest period of fun and treats. We even have a business meme - "come on after the holidays". If you have heard this phrase in response to a question about deadlines, know that arguments and persuasions are no longer meaningful, and the decision is final.
What do we usually do? We cook traditional dishes (there should be 12 of them on Christmas Eve!) and sing carols. As you may have guessed, the dishes are not prepared to be photographed for Instagram (although this is not the least point), but to treat your family and friends and eat them yourself. Ukrainian hospitality always means treats. If your guest does not eat anything, it means that they are offended by you, or you were not persistent enough.
After this festive marathon, gym attendance, nutrition, and weight loss adverts usually peak.
3 years ago, when the full-scale Russian invasion began, I lost a lot of weight during the first month. I still don't know why it happened because I don't remember the details very well. Most likely, I just ate very rarely. Because there was no food at home and no way to buy it. Because I forgot to eat. But gradually, some routine returned to life, such as going to the supermarket and eating regularly. And the weight started to come back. Gradually and almost imperceptibly...
This process reached its peak after HiveFest 2024. Yes, I confess that I like to eat. It's hard for me to resist delicious food, especially in good company and on vacation. In September last year, I had both. In addition, our life in Ukraine is too unpredictable, so is it worth denying ourselves small pleasures?
"Calories don't count on vacation. They belong to another country."
I don't know who said this but this is genius. So did I. š Mediterranean cuisine is my favorite. And how could it not be? Fresh seafood and fish in Ukraine are currently so "readily available" that it feels like youād have better luck catching them yourself on a deep-sea diving trip than finding them in stores. Sure, you can buy frozen, defrosted, or something thatās been through more processing stages than your last vacation, but itās just not the same.
 |  |  |
|---|
In Croatia, I have to admit, they really know how to cook fish. But thatās not all. The ground coffee I randomly grabbed in a vacuum-sealed pack from an ordinary supermarket turned out to be so delicious that I started wondering: is the secret ingredient Croatian air, or was there some kind of magic ritual performed during packaging? I brewed it myself, and the result exceeded all expectations.
 |  |
|---|
And then there are the croissants: I donāt think Iāve ever tasted ones this good in my life. Just for those, itās worth returning to Split. Seriously, who knew my gastronomic happiness in the form of a croissant was waiting for me there?
If you believe that Mediterranean cuisine is generally low in calories, you might be right. But after Split, my husband and I headed to KrakĆ³w. And let me tell you, Polish cuisine doesnāt exactly pride itself on being low-calorie. But honestly, who cares about calories when youāre surrounded by colorful windows of ice cream, pastries, donuts, various types of chocolate, pierogi, and other incredibly delicious local dishes?
If you still think it was easy for me, let me add this: we stayed near a food market. It was impossible not to step inside, and once you did, it was equally impossible to leave without buying something.
Besides, waiting for us in our apartment was a chilled bottle of prosecco, thoughtfully placed in the fridge, along with delicious local chocolate with nuts. In the mornings, I would buy pastries from the cafĆ© on the ground floor ā intending to get two but inevitably walking out with four. Weād enjoy them while taking in the view. It was magical.
 |  |  |
|---|
Looking at this abundance of aromas, flavors, and colors, I wanted only one thing ā to stay here forever.
I remember how we wandered through the streets of Kazimierz, searching for soup, salad, or something light and healthy. It all ended with us stumbling upon a wonderfully atmospheric cafĆ©. Inside, the interior felt like someoneās cozy apartment with walls decorated with family portraits and crocheted tablecloths. On top of that, they had a summer terrace resembling a garden, where tables were scattered about.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
Yet again, temptation proved impossible to resist. Instead of soups and salads, they had sangria and pastries. Wellā¦ life is all about compromises, isnāt it?
Another day, I suddenly craved pork knuckle. I absolutely love it, but for one person (even a devoted foodie like me) itās simply too much. Fortunately, there were two of us. š I figured out how to say the dishās name in Polish (Golonka), and off we went to explore the menus of local restaurants.
And if it hadnāt been for the snooty waiters at one popular restaurant, we might never have discovered this incredible spot C.K. Browar, conveniently located just around the corner from our apartment!
They had pork knuckle, beer, and budget-friendly prices. Just what we needed!
I must admit, though, that I was dressed more for a fancy restaurant than for a casual beer bar. You shouldāve seen the faces of the two men sitting at the neighboring table when our order arrived. They looked at me as if Iād been served an entire pig. They couldnāt take their surprised eyes off us. And then ā guess what? They ordered the exact same thing!
 |  |  |
|---|
The real decoration of our apartment was a bottle Port Charlotte 10 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky that my husband received as a gift from Mr. 
 |  |  |
|---|
It was a royal gift. And the only temptation we could resist.š It deserves a separate post in the corresponding community. One day. Hopefully.
Well, Iāve joked a lot about my weaknesses and temptations. Time for the serious part.
The new year is already here, and the score has been tallied. Itās time to face the new problem - extra weight. When I say "extra weight," Iām not talking about scientific calculations or social standards, just my personal feelings. And the main reason I donāt do this or that is a lack of motivation. Itās a tough challenge. But thereās hope. Now that I've said it, there's no going back. Time will tell.
