• [04:20] The importance of considering the time of year you visit Italy. If possible, visit during spring or fall to avoid the peak summer crowds and enjoy more pleasant weather.
• [06:00] Traveling light can be beneficial, especially in locations like Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast, where navigating the terrain with heavy luggage can be challenging.
• [07:10] Always use an AirTag when checking bags, as it helps track lost luggage, giving you peace of mind.
• [13:07] Italians don’t typically wear athleisure in public, so consider packing clothes that fit in with local styles if you prefer not to stand out.
• [15:34] Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable when packing for Italy. Opt for sneakers, and make sure they’re broken in before your trip.
• [22:40] Pack essential toiletries and a spare change of clothes in your carry-on, especially for long-haul flights, in case your checked luggage is lost.

• (05:32) "I want you to have an incredible trip, so being prepared is key."
• (07:10) "Buy an AirTag—it’s worth every penny. It gives you peace of mind when your bag is lost."
• (13:07) "Italian women don’t wear athleisure. If you don’t want to stand out, consider packing clothes that match the local style."
• (15:33) "The most important item you will pack for Italy is comfortable walking shoes."

Resources:

• ON walking sneakers
• MZ Wallace Travel Bag
• Apple AirTag
• Packing Cubes
• Bed Head Dual Voltage Curler
• Best Conditioner In The World (not travel size)
• Travel Bottles Set for Toiletries
• Lululemon Belt Bag / Fanny Pack
• Apple World Travel Adapter Kit
• Neck Pillow Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

• Slow Roasted Chicken with Potatoes
• Easy Honey Granola
• Coffee Cake Cookies
• Risotto alla Milanese (Saffron Risotto)
• Whole Roasted Cauliflower
• Coquine-Inspired Chocolate Chip Cookies
• French Onion Soup
• Fall Salad with Rotisserie Chicken & Cornbread Croutons
• Perfect Tomato Soup with Parmesan Croutons
• 30-Minute Gnocchi Bolognese
• Olive Oil Pumpkin Bread
• Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
• TashiBox
• Mini Dutch Oven
• Pasta Class Florence

• [00:35] The Start of Grana: Chris and Maya began as a pop-up pizzeria, slowly building a reputation for authentic Neapolitan pizza.
• [10:00] Pizza Journey: Chris’s journey from a small-town upbringing in Oregon to becoming a chef, with his first job in a pizzeria, to opening Grana.
• [14:42] Family-Driven Business: The couple navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship while raising kids and balancing family life.
• [16:42] Neapolitan Pizza Secrets: Chris shares the intricate process of perfecting Neapolitan pizza dough and why temperature and timing are critical.
• [26:45] Las Vegas Pizza Challenge: Chris’s experience competing in the international pizza competition, placing 15th out of 100 competitors.
• [35:00] Vision Board Success: Maya’s story of how they made it onto the prestigious “50 Top Pizza” list and the power of manifesting their dreams.
• [42:20] Staffing Challenges: The importance of building a reliable team and overcoming staffing challenges in the restaurant industry.

• (12:24) “Every single pizza that comes out of the oven makes me happy. It’s like a growing dough that you shape, and when everything comes together just right—it’s magic.” – Chris
• (22:35) “We built a business during COVID, with two kids at home. It was chaotic, but we figured it out.” – Maya
• (35:05) “We believed in our product and knew it was good, but we just needed our big break—and it came with the ‘50 Top Pizza’ list.” – Maya
• (42:24) “The hardest part was staffing—finding people who believe in what you're doing and want to be a part of it.” – Maya

• Visit the official Grana Pizzeria website
• Follow Grana Pizzeria on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

• [07:58] The Power of Passion and Quality Ingredients: Debbi shares how discovering butter as a key ingredient transformed her baking and led her to commit to using only the best ingredients.
• [13:01] Facing Rejection and Persevering: Despite numerous rejections from investors, Debbi's relentless pursuit of her dream helped her secure the funding needed to start Mrs. Fields.
• [21:20] Innovative Marketing Techniques: On the first day of business, Debbi's innovative approach of giving away free cookies to attract customers helped her turn failure into success.
• [25:01] Building a Brand Around Customer Experience: Debbi focused on creating a memorable customer experience, believing that customer satisfaction would naturally lead to financial success.
• [29:18] Overcoming Personal and Professional Challenges: Balancing her role as a mother of five and a businesswoman, Debbi talks about the importance of finding support and staying true to one's personal and professional goals.
• [36:34] Empowering Employees and Creating a Positive Culture: Debbi discusses her unique hiring process, emphasizing the importance of passion for the product and the ability to create a fun and engaging environment.
• [44:58] Adapting to Change and Knowing When to Let Go: Debbi reflects on the difficulty of selling her company and the importance of staying true to one's values, even when faced with challenging decisions.

• (08:15) "Butter changed my life. At 13, I decided I would never use margarine again. Quality is affordable."
• (16:30) "The chance will never come if you give up. Keep knocking, keep asking, because someone out there wants to say yes to you." 
• (25:10) "I never focused on money. The only register that matters is you want to register happiness."
• (39:25) "When you're building a company, you need people willing to move mountains, to do something fun, different, and even embarrassing." 

• Visit the official Mrs. Fields website
• Purchase Debbie’s Cookbook, Mrs. Fields Cookie Book
• Follow Debbi Fields on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

• [13:00] The Impact of Diet on Cognitive Health: Dr. Fenn explains how specific dietary patterns, like the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by over 50%.
• [31:00] Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods: Why eliminating ultra-processed foods is crucial for brain health and how they contribute to inflammation and cognitive decline.
• [16:00] Brain-Healthy Food Groups: A focus on the ten food groups essential for brain health, including berries, leafy greens, and nuts, with practical advice on incorporating them into everyday meals.
• [21:30] The Role of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Why extra virgin olive oil should be a staple in your diet and how it protects both brain and heart health.
• [38:00] Mindful Eating Practices: How to build a brain-healthy diet by making strategic food swaps and paying attention to the diversity of foods consumed.

• (31:15) "Brain health begins in the kitchen. The foods we choose to eat directly impact how our brains age and function."
• (13:50) "The Mediterranean diet isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about how you live, how you gather, and how you enjoy food."
• (22:00) "Even small swaps in your diet, like replacing butter with olive oil, can have a profound impact on your long-term brain health."

• Get Annie’s  cookbook, The Brain Health Kitchen
•  
• Check out Annie’s website at Brain Health Kitchen
• Follow Annie on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

• [00:44] Megan's background in sports performance nutrition and her experience as a professional triathlete.
• [05:02] The two pathways in elite triathlon: Olympic distance and Ironman, and how Megan found her niche in short-distance racing.
• [15:53] Life in the Olympic Village, from dorm-style accommodations to the 24/7 cafeteria and the social dynamics among athletes.
• [24:26] The importance of carbohydrates in an athlete's diet and how the Olympic Village catered to these needs with various food options.
• [30:06] The challenges athletes face in finding time to relax amidst a busy schedule, and the importance of managing stress and recovery.
• [34:48] Megan’s insights on how the food provided in the Olympic Village could be optimized to better meet the specific needs of elite athletes.
• [36:59] Megan's favorite food memory from the Olympics – the fresh baguettes that were available daily in the Village.

• (09:55) "If you are constantly operating in a deficit, you're never going to be at 100%. You’re never going to actually reach your potential because you're always just leaving this margin of unmet needs."
• (13:00) "We really need to stop the messaging that you need to diet to be a better athlete or be super lean. Nobody's weighing endurance athletes at the end of an event."
• (30:45) "You haven't laid down in three days, right? Rest is as important as training, especially at this level."
• (36:20) "There’s just something about bread straight out of the oven that's hard to beat, and it was not beaten."

• Visit her website at www.megafoley.com
• Follow Megan on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

• Follow Ino on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram
• Visit Ino in Florence

• Get Carolina’s  cookbook, Pass The Plate
• Follow Carolina on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

• Island Vintage Coffee (https://www.islandvintagecoffee.com/en-hi
• Miso Phat Sushi (https://misophatlahaina.com/)
• 808 Deli (https://www.808deli.com/)
• Ululanis Hawaiian Shave Ice (https://www.ululanishawaiianshaveice.com/)
• Tin Roof Maui (https://www.tinroofmaui.com/)
• Marlow (https://www.restaurantmarlow.com/)
• South Maui Fish Company (https://www.southmauifishco.com/)
• Mama's Fish House (https://mamasfishhouse.com/)
• Merriman’s (Kapalua) (https://www.merrimanshawaii.com/kapalua/)
• Fairmont Kea Lani (https://www.fairmont-kea-lani.com/dine/kea-lani-restaurant/)
• Kihei Caffe (https://kiheicaffe.com/)
• Leoda’s (https://www.leodas.com/)
• Star Noodle (https://www.starnoodle.com/)
• Nalu’s (https://naluskihei.com/)
• 10 Best North Shore Oahu Restaurants (https://www.femalefoodie.com/restaurant-reviews/top-oahu-north-shore-restaurants/)
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/femalefoodie/)

1. Perfect Signature Dishes: Italians perfect their signature dishes by cooking them repeatedly, resulting in unparalleled quality and consistency. Implement this by focusing on a few key recipes and refining them over time. (03:02)
2. Cook with Seasonal and Local Ingredients: Embrace the seasons and cook with what is regionally available, enhancing flavors and freshness. Visit local farmers' markets for inspiration and fresh produce. (07:08)
3. Keep It Simple: Simplicity is key in Italian cuisine. Use high-quality ingredients and let them shine without overcomplicating dishes. Aim for fewer ingredients with better quality. (10:15)
4. Moderation over Restriction: Italians enjoy their food without obsessive restrictions. Focus on balanced portions and enjoy a variety of dishes in moderation. (14:53)
5. Include Children in Food Rituals: Italians cherish involving children in meals and cooking, fostering a love for food and family traditions. Encourage kids to help in the kitchen and make mealtime a shared experience. (21:18)
6. Value Family Recipes: Preserve and pass down family recipes to maintain culinary heritage and create lasting memories. Spend time cooking with older family members to learn and document traditional dishes. (24:25)
7. Savor Slow Meals: Italians take time to enjoy their meals, using food as a vehicle for connection and conversation. Make an effort to slow down and savor your meals, especially during family gatherings. (30:35)

• "Food is the vehicle for connection and discussion and intimacy." - Brooke (35:08)

• 00:00 - Introduction and recap of Italy trip
• 01:33 - Announcing 2025 Female Foodie tours
• 03:02 - Lesson 1: Perfecting signature dishes
• 07:08 - Lesson 2: Cooking with seasonal and local ingredients
• 10:15 - Lesson 3: Keeping it simple
• 14:53 - Lesson 4: Moderation over restriction
• 21:18 - Lesson 5: Including children in food rituals
• 24:25 - Lesson 6: Valuing family recipes
• 30:35 - Lesson 7: Savoring slow meals

• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram
• Subscribe for info on the Female Foodie Rome Tour
• Subscribe for info on the Female Foodie Tuscany Tour