FOOD

Eating out is still comparatively good value, but since the coming of the Euro prices have risen steeply. A two course meal with local wine at a decent taverna is around 30 euros for two people. Nearly all tavernas shut in the off season, but most major towns will still have a good selection that remain open all year round.
In our village we are lucky to have one small bar that stays open. This is a great place patronised almost exclusively by locals. The menu is tiny but the prices are much cheaper. We recently paid 15 euros for a meal with wine and beers.
Whatever your income, unless you are as rich as Croesus, you won't be able to afford to eat out all the time. Greek produce is cheap, fresh and usually of outstanding quality. Also most recipes for traditional meals are quite simple to prepare, so have a go.
We are fortunate to have a Butchers, Bakers and a small Mini Market within easy walking distance. For larger shops we go to the capital town, about a twenty minute drive away.
On our island seafood is expensive as local catches are poor. Therefore most of the people eat a high percentage of meat in their diet, however fruit and vegetables are plentiful and cheap. We grow our own tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, onions, peppers, aubergines. Pretty much anything will grow, but it gets harder in the extreme heat of July and August.
Meat prices are really low compared to the UK.This was a recent butchers bill.
2 kilos of minced beef
4 large steaks
8 double chicken breasts
1 large roasting chicken, 4kgs
8 pork chops
1 large pork roasting joint 5 kgs
2 kgs of stewing beef
this came to 45 euros, around £32. Allowing for leftovers this easily lasts us a month.
At Chritmas fresh and frozen Turkeys are available, some butchers have English style sausages and bacon,and even Brussels sprouts at some shops!

You will soon find your diet improving, as ready prepared foods are not used and are expensive to buy. Most of the fat in the greek diet comes from Fetta cheese, the Greeks arethe highest consumers of cheese in Europe. Fetta can become a bit boring but some other harder cheeses are available and make a nice change. Like us Brits, the Greeks love their chips, and serve them with most meals, but in smaller quantities than the UK.

If you are as lucky as us your Greek neighbours will innundate you with gifts of food and drink. A lot of people grow their own vegetables and keep poultry, also make their own wine and press their own olive oil.
We have been given loads of olives, olve oil, eggs,figs,lettuces,cabbages,tomatoes,oninions,peppers,pumpkins,courgettes, oranges, lemons, mandarins, wine, cakes and biscuits. These gifts are ofen just left by our gate. We try to recipricate with Englsh cakes etc but Greeks are very open handed and enjoy giving.
There are also a lot of herbs growing wild, basil, oregano marjoram, rosemary and thyme, Just help yourself. But please check who owns the land, as Greeks can be a bit sensitive if they don;t know you.
In short, enjoy your new healthier diet, we have both lost lots of weight since coming here and feel much healthier and fitter.