While olive trees were probably first cultivated in the eastern Mediterranean around 5000 B.C., their popularity moved westward throughout history and their ancestry has been traced back to Italy 20 million years ago. Think back to Roman times and you’ll remember seeing royalty adorning olive crowns; van Gogh paint and The Olive Trees, said to be the counterpart to his more famous painting Starry Night; countless references in the Bible. The typical olive tree has an array of bendy branches connected near the bottom of the trunk. Its leafy branches bear dainty sprigs of white blooms, and the tasty green fruit we love so much. Some say the trees symbolize peace and prosperity, which explains where the delicious oils from the olives themselves became such a commodity.

Italians are most known for their use of fresh, fragrant ingredients, and of course, their extra-virgin olive oils. While most people won’t fry with olive oil, mainly because of the expense, the added drizzle of the tantalizing oil as a final touch will certainly compliment the dish. Quality olive oil is cold-pressed, meaning no artificial heat used in processing, and if subjected to high-heat cooking you are basically eliminating the antioxidants olive oil provides. Which also means if stored in a window sill in direct sunlight the color changes and shelf-life decreases. Even though we like to show off our fancy, and somewhat expensive, kitchen ingredients, make sure your olive oil is in a dark, tinted bottle or store it in a cool, dry place.

Being a monounsaturated fat (a fat that studies show does not raise the LDL, or bad cholesterol) is a big plus for olive oil, and may be why the olive oil industry is bigger now than ever. Americans are more health conscious than ever and constantly looking for ways to stay young and fit. Any physician will tell you crash diets and surgeries are not the preferred way to a healthier life. Not only are they dangerous, they aren’t permanent. The only tried and true, fool-proof way to lose that extra weight, lower the cholesterol and get more physically fit is through a lifestyle change of diet and exercise. Not a fad. Not a pill. Not a temporary fix. We are talking an overhaul of eating habits, getting off the couch and being held accountable for what we put into our bodies. Here are some fun facts for you: According to the Center for Disease Control and the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States; an estimated 47% of cardiac emergencies are pronounced dead before emergency service arrives; in 2009, it’s projected that heart disease will cost $304.6 billion in health care, medication and lost productivity. Alarmed yet?

Olive oil alone isn’t going to drop your BMI (body mass index) to under 25, and it’s not the solitary answer for healthier living, but it can definitely be a great start. Instead of deep fat frying that fish, try dipping it in egg-whites, then breadcrumbs, and lightly spray with an olive oil before baking it. You get the crispy texture, great taste, and it’s better for you. Instead of saturating your salads with ranch dressing, try using an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. Simple changes like these can go a long way with your heart, your health and your life.

A Little Olive Oil History is a post from: Your Healthy Food Recipes Now!

Related Healthy Food Recipes:

1. Olive Oil Biscotti
2. Pasta With Lemon Olive Oil
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