Italia Through My Eyes: A North to Central Journey E-Book
For more than ten years, I visited Italy with the excitement of a tourist, indulging in everything this beautiful country has to offer — from exquisite handmade pastas to biodynamic wines to renaissance art and five-star villas. Italy’s people and its incomparable light have always captured my imagination. But now that I live here, my experience of this place deepens and grows every day.
A big part of embracing life here has been discovering what makes this region special, learning from the locals where to eat and find the hidden treasures waiting around every corner, in every villa, town, and city. So many people have welcomed me with open arms here — and so many places have touched my heart.
The one question I’m asked more than any other is whether I have recommendations for restaurants, hotels, bars, wineries, and can’t-miss experiences — and the answer is “Sì!” So many!
From my favorite bar in Portofino famous for its extra-large bellinis to tarot card readings at my friend Rocco’s tea house in Florence to a hidden healing hot springs once used by medieval popes, these are my absolute favorite personal recommendations, vetted and approved just for you. This is Italy through my eyes. I’ve been cultivating this list literally for years, and have only shared it with my closest friends, until now.
I can’t wait to share these very special places and experiences with you — to show you my Italy — and to hear what you discover in your own journeys here.
We've all struggled with finding a balance in our eating. My own journey from junk food to real food has made me passionate about nature’s power to nourish and heal us. Shayna’s Kitchen has grown out of that passion. Every day, I search the world for the best nature has to offer. The small-batch, sustainable products we’re creating for you here are made with the love of local farmhands and artisans who are dedicated to sharing their best with you. Together, we’re building a more conscientious community of food lovers, and are so excited to invite you to be a part of it.
At Shayna’s Kitchen, we believe:
FOOD IS MEDICINE
Food has the power to heal and nourish us and help us be our best selves. This isn’t about fad diets or deprivation. It’s about preparation and intention: choosing the best ingredients, eating intuitively, and empowering ourselves to make healthy choices. The energy and joy we put into our food helps us reconnect with our bodies and set ourselves up for success.
BASICS CAN BE ANYTHING BUT
The building blocks of better health start with essentials that are anything but basic: the highest-quality, cold-pressed olive oil harvested from wild olives, or Japanese matcha grown in the shade for the greatest sweetness. Choosing the best ingredients every day is one small way we can make a big impact on the quality of our lives.
SUSTAINABILITY STARTS WITH US
It’s not as hard as we might think to make choices that are good for us and for the planet. Ingredients that are sustainably grown and packaged are better all around: nourishing the soil that trees and plants grow in and caring with intention for the food we create, so it’s always at its most nutrient-dense, flavorful, and healthy (because sustainability is also about sustenance).
HEALTH IS AN INVESTMENT
Shopping for organic, fresh veggies and proteins and choosing non-toxic cookware and kitchen supplies that inspire us to cook beautiful, balanced meals are just some of the ways we can be sure we’re doing the best for our well-being. The costs to our energy and overall health are so obvious when we don’t.
