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Nourish. Explore. Thrive.

Discover what living the Mediterranean dream can mean for you – simple, vibrant, fulfilling.

Discover the Roots of a
Mediterranean Healthy Lifestyle

Step into the world of Mediterranean wellness, where centuries-old traditions fuel modern vitality. This isn’t just about food—it’s about a lifestyle that thrives on balance, with flavors that nourish and habits that stand the test of time. Inspired by legendary figures like Avicenna and Hippocrates, we blend ancient wisdom with today’s best practices to help you live well, every day. Dive into our recipes, wellness tips, and travel stories, and see how the Mediterranean way can bring energy, flavor, and balance to your life.

Samira Ardalan, Founder

Growing up as an Iranian-American, food was more than just a meal—it was a way to heal, nourish, and connect, thanks to my grandmother, who taught me the power of food as medicine. Blending that deep-rooted wisdom with the vibrant traditions of Mediterranean living, I’ve carried this philosophy into everything I do. Together with my husband, whose Syrian heritage adds even more richness, we’re passionate about bringing ancient practices into modern life. As the owner of Starnut Gourmet in McLean, Virginia, and the creator of Mediterranean Healthy Living, I’m on a mission to share the joy of this lifestyle through delicious recipes, integrative health practices, and stories from my travels across the Mediterranean. Whether it’s food, wellness, or travel, let’s explore how the Mediterranean way can enrich your life, inside and out!

 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Kosterina

Kosterina ultra premium extra virgin olive oil is made from 100% Koroneiki Olives, cold pressed and harvested early in southern Greece. The result is a flavorful and incredibly healthy EVOO that stands out from the rest.

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Braised Beef Short Ribs in Red Wine Sauce - fall off the bone tender, served with potato puree and carrot asparagus medley. Finished with a delicious red wine, short rib Au Jus reduction. 

Comment “Short Ribs” and I’ll DM you the recipe! It’s also available at mediterraneanhealthyliving.com ✨

#shortribs #beefshortribs #braisedshortribs #finedining #easyrecipesathome #mediterraneanfood  #frenchcuisine

Braised Beef Short Ribs in Red Wine Sauce - fall off the bone tender, served with potato puree and carrot asparagus medley. Finished with a delicious red wine, short rib Au Jus reduction.

Comment “Short Ribs” and I’ll DM you the recipe! It’s also available at mediterraneanhealthyliving.com ✨

#shortribs #beefshortribs #braisedshortribs #finedining #easyrecipesathome #mediterraneanfood #frenchcuisine
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St. Thomas took my breath away—calm, clear, and so healing. Have you been to this little pocket of paradise? ☀️🌊🌴

#stthomas #usvirginislands #virginislands #stthomasusvi #islandliving #usvi #stthomasvirginislands #vacationideas

St. Thomas took my breath away—calm, clear, and so healing. Have you been to this little pocket of paradise? ☀️🌊🌴

#stthomas #usvirginislands #virginislands #stthomasusvi #islandliving #usvi #stthomasvirginislands #vacationideas
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Some of my favorite recent meals and snacks in my second trimester! 🍳🍓🥗

1. Scrambled eggs with spinach, tomatoes, onion, avocado, feta, lemon and turkey bacon
2. Decaf Iced Caramel Latte
3. Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken 
4. Basmati Rice with Roasted Chicken Thighs and Lemon Roasted Potatoes
5. Chobani flip Boston Cream Pie

Comment your go-to meals that you ate during your pregnancy and save this for later! ✨

#whatieatinaday #pregnancy #explore #explorepage #mediterraneandiet #pregnancydiary

Some of my favorite recent meals and snacks in my second trimester! 🍳🍓🥗

1. Scrambled eggs with spinach, tomatoes, onion, avocado, feta, lemon and turkey bacon
2. Decaf Iced Caramel Latte
3. Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken
4. Basmati Rice with Roasted Chicken Thighs and Lemon Roasted Potatoes
5. Chobani flip Boston Cream Pie

Comment your go-to meals that you ate during your pregnancy and save this for later! ✨

#whatieatinaday #pregnancy #explore #explorepage #mediterraneandiet #pregnancydiary
...

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💥 Loved making this explosion of flavors, veggie pasta dish with spinach, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and green olives in a light lemon Parmesan sauce for friends in St. Thomas! 🌿🧄🍄‍🟫🍅🧀🫒

Recipe coming soon ✨

#mediterraneandiet #plantbased #mediterraneanfood #pastarecipe #plantbasedrecipes #dinnerrecipes #healthyliving

💥 Loved making this explosion of flavors, veggie pasta dish with spinach, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and green olives in a light lemon Parmesan sauce for friends in St. Thomas! 🌿🧄🍄‍🟫🍅🧀🫒

Recipe coming soon ✨

#mediterraneandiet #plantbased #mediterraneanfood #pastarecipe #plantbasedrecipes #dinnerrecipes #healthyliving
...

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Extra olives in your fridge? Try this quick and delicious Mediterranean garlic, lemon, and rosemary olive marinade to kick them up a notch! 

Recipe: 
- 2 sprigs rosemary, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced 
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
- zest of one lemon, peeled & julienned
- half lemon, juiced 
- sprinkle kosher salt 

Directions:
1. Preheat a sauté pan to medium high heat 
2. Add extra virgin olive oil and garlic and sauté for a minute 
3. Add rosemary and lemon zest and sauté for another minute 
4. Add olives and sauté for 2 minutes 
5. Deglaze the pan with lemon juice and finish with a sprinkle of salt 
6. Ready and delicious to serve warm or even the next day! 

#olives #extravirginoliveoil #olivelover #mediterraneandiet #healthysnack #appetizers #tapas #mediterranean #easyrecipes

Extra olives in your fridge? Try this quick and delicious Mediterranean garlic, lemon, and rosemary olive marinade to kick them up a notch!

Recipe:
- 2 sprigs rosemary, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- zest of one lemon, peeled & julienned
- half lemon, juiced
- sprinkle kosher salt

Directions:
1. Preheat a sauté pan to medium high heat
2. Add extra virgin olive oil and garlic and sauté for a minute
3. Add rosemary and lemon zest and sauté for another minute
4. Add olives and sauté for 2 minutes
5. Deglaze the pan with lemon juice and finish with a sprinkle of salt
6. Ready and delicious to serve warm or even the next day!

#olives #extravirginoliveoil #olivelover #mediterraneandiet #healthysnack #appetizers #tapas #mediterranean #easyrecipes
...

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Our best adventure yet ❤️

We just celebrated our babymoon in St. Thomas, and it still feels surreal to share that we’re expecting a baby girl this August!

Starting a family has always been part of my plans, but life, love, and building our businesses together kept us in the moment. We are so grateful and excited for this new chapter! 

As a Mediterranean healthy living specialist, I’ve always believed in divine timing, balance, and living in alignment with your nature. And this little soul feels like the most beautiful expression of that.

We can’t wait to welcome our baby girl this summer! 

#pregnant #couplegoals #happy #pregnancyannoucement #babygirl #mediterraneanlife #healthyliving

Our best adventure yet ❤️

We just celebrated our babymoon in St. Thomas, and it still feels surreal to share that we’re expecting a baby girl this August!

Starting a family has always been part of my plans, but life, love, and building our businesses together kept us in the moment. We are so grateful and excited for this new chapter!

As a Mediterranean healthy living specialist, I’ve always believed in divine timing, balance, and living in alignment with your nature. And this little soul feels like the most beautiful expression of that.

We can’t wait to welcome our baby girl this summer!

#pregnant #couplegoals #happy #pregnancyannoucement #babygirl #mediterraneanlife #healthyliving
...

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Who else loves a Mediterranean Charcuterie? 🥰

#charcuterie #mediterranean #cheeseboards #mediterraneanfood #charcuterieboardsofinstagram

Who else loves a Mediterranean Charcuterie? 🥰

#charcuterie #mediterranean #cheeseboards #mediterraneanfood #charcuterieboardsofinstagram
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May and June are some of the best months to visit Italy — before the crowds, when everything’s in bloom, and the weather feels just right. 🇮🇹

Where’s your favorite place to visit in Italy this time of year? Drop your recs below ✨

#visititaly #italy #mediterraneanlifestyle #italiansummer #italygram #mediterraneanliving

May and June are some of the best months to visit Italy — before the crowds, when everything’s in bloom, and the weather feels just right. 🇮🇹

Where’s your favorite place to visit in Italy this time of year? Drop your recs below ✨

#visititaly #italy #mediterraneanlifestyle #italiansummer #italygram #mediterraneanliving
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A huge thank you to @beirutspiceco for these incredible spices! 🌿✨ Their Lebanese Za’atar and Mediterranean Herb Sea Salt are so fragrant and flavorful — I couldn’t wait to use them in this dish! Today, I made Mediterranean Za’atar Spiced Potatoes and Pan-Seared Wild Sockeye Salmon, and these spices truly elevated the flavors. 🔥

If you love bold, authentic flavors made with high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients, you need these in your Mediterranean spice cabinet. Be sure to check them out! 

#beirutspiceco #lebanesecuisine #mediterraneanrecipes #mediterraneandiet #lebanesefood #spicesandherbs #mediterraneanlifestyle

A huge thank you to @beirutspiceco for these incredible spices! 🌿✨ Their Lebanese Za’atar and Mediterranean Herb Sea Salt are so fragrant and flavorful — I couldn’t wait to use them in this dish! Today, I made Mediterranean Za’atar Spiced Potatoes and Pan-Seared Wild Sockeye Salmon, and these spices truly elevated the flavors. 🔥

If you love bold, authentic flavors made with high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients, you need these in your Mediterranean spice cabinet. Be sure to check them out!

#beirutspiceco #lebanesecuisine #mediterraneanrecipes #mediterraneandiet #lebanesefood #spicesandherbs #mediterraneanlifestyle
...

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Weekend mode: ON. 🌊✨
Who else needs this kind of escape? 🌅

📸 @haciendanaxamena 

#HaciendaNaXamena #MediterraneanSea #Ibiza #Spain #MediterraneanVibes #WeekendMode

Weekend mode: ON. 🌊✨
Who else needs this kind of escape? 🌅

📸 @haciendanaxamena

#HaciendaNaXamena #MediterraneanSea #Ibiza #Spain #MediterraneanVibes #WeekendMode
...

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