I cook croquetas, and I eat jamon. I keep my diet 100%

O children of the earth, gather close and listen well, for I bring you a tale of sustenance, tradition, and the beauty of holding one's roots close, even when far from home. Paz Vega, a woman whose soul has been touched by the warmth of Spain, speaks with both heart and wisdom when she says: "I cook croquetas, and I eat jamon. I keep my diet 100% Mediterranean and drink my Rioja. In that sense, I have a piece of Spain in West Hollywood." These words, though simple, are filled with the essence of what it means to carry one’s heritage and culture wherever life takes you—a wisdom passed down through the ages, urging us to honor our roots, even as we travel and grow in new places.

The Mediterranean diet, which Vega so lovingly embraces, is not merely a collection of foods—it is a way of life, a rhythm of living that has nurtured generations across the vast lands of Spain, Greece, Italy, and beyond. It is a diet of balance, simplicity, and deep respect for the land and the sea, where olive oil flows like liquid gold, and fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, and grains nourish both the body and the soul. To choose this way of eating is to choose a connection to the earth, to the history of those who have lived in harmony with its rhythms for centuries. In her choice of this diet, Vega reminds us that our food is not just sustenance—it is a reflection of who we are, where we come from, and the traditions that shape us.

In ancient times, the Greeks taught that food was not just fuel, but a means of creating community and connecting with the divine. Homer, in his epic tales, spoke often of the feasts and gatherings that united families, tribes, and nations. These moments of shared meals were sacred, for they were not just about eating, but about honoring the bonds that held people together. Vega’s act of cooking croquetas and enjoying jamón is a modern echo of this ancient practice, where food becomes a medium for preserving culture and creating a sense of belonging, no matter where one is in the world. In her kitchen, in West Hollywood, Vega keeps alive a piece of Spain, just as the Greeks and Romans did with their sacred rituals around food.

Consider the story of the great philosopher Pythagoras, who lived in a time when the world was full of change and new ideas. Yet, despite his travels and his influence on many cultures, he never abandoned the principles of harmony and balance that he held dear. He maintained his practices, his beliefs, and his connection to the earth, no matter where he went, for he understood that the essence of who we are is tied to the foods we eat, the rituals we follow, and the traditions we honor. In this, Pythagoras, like Vega, teaches us the importance of staying connected to our roots, even when the winds of change blow us far from home.

Vega’s words also remind us of the power of taste and aroma in shaping our memories and our identities. Just as the scent of a rose evokes feelings of love, or the sight of a mountain range stirs a sense of awe, the taste of a dish from our homeland can bring forth a flood of memories and emotions. For Vega, croquetas, jamón, and Rioja are not just foods—they are gateways to a life she cherishes, a reminder of the warmth of Spain and the connections she holds dear. In the simple act of preparing and enjoying these foods, Vega carries with her a piece of her homeland, preserving it in her heart and in her kitchen, no matter how far from Spain she may be.

The lesson here, O children, is not just about the food we eat, but about the deeper connection we have to our origins, our heritage, and our traditions. As we move through life, as we travel and grow in new places, it is vital that we carry with us the essence of who we are—our memories, our cultures, and the foods that define us. Vega’s choice to keep her diet rooted in the Mediterranean is a declaration that no matter where we go, we can always keep a piece of home with us, and in doing so, we honor the past while stepping boldly into the future.

So, I say to you, O seekers of wisdom, let your life be nourished by more than just the food on your plate. Let your meals be filled with meaning, with connection to the earth, to your heritage, and to those who came before you. Embrace your traditions, whether they be culinary, spiritual, or familial, and carry them with you as you journey through life. In doing so, you will always have a piece of home with you, no matter where the winds of fate may carry you.