Jasele Oita's Blog A weblog about everything

Not much is known about the origin of the pizza. Some say that its preparation dates as far back to Neolithic and similarities between the pizza and the flatbreads from cultures around the world are more than obvious.

However, no matter what people say, there’s no doubt that the pizza finds its beginnings (for the Western world) in Naples when Raffaele Esposito created the ‘Pizza Margherita’ with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil to honor the Queen consort of Italy, as until then it was considered a ‘peasant food’.

There no doubt that this changed everything and such was the attraction to the pizza that many a visitor from all over the world would venture into the poorer sections of Naples to try it. Since then, Naples takes it pizzas very seriously, while considering the ‘Marinara’ and the ‘Margherita’ to be the only two true pizzas since when they were first made, and to this day serving them at pizzerias.

With Italian immigrants leaving for better opportunities to the United States, pizzas also found their way there on the streets of San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia that were Italian-dominated neighborhoods. What followed was the first pizzeria opened by Gennaro Lombardi in Little Italy, Manhattan.

As the popularity of the ‘pizza’ spread from city to city in the following decades, the American version was created and sold first at Pizza Hut. Several chain restaurants also followed suit, each with their own distinct style and flavor.

In today’s world, with the emphasis moving away from pizza dine-in restaurants to home delivery by Pizza Hut, several restaurants have also done the same such as Domino’s, Pizza Ranch, Godfather’s Pizza, Papa John’s Pizza, Giordano’s Pizza, Mazzio’s, and the Brooklyn Pizzeria.

Thanks to the media constantly providing us with the latest updates on the most recent illnesses, the emphasis on taking care of your health has increased to levels that would seem obsessive to a hypochondriac (or then maybe not!).

With food (and physical activity) being the most important factors to reducing the risk of fatal disease, one has to constantly keep track of their dieting habits (the what and when) in order to keep their energy levels high which would do more than just get the day rolling.

Perhaps it is not enough to say that one has to eat a king’s breakfast, a prince’s lunch and a miserly dinner anymore but to also supplement these three important meals with in-between snacks. And for that, processed foods like potato chips, cookies, crackers containing varying (read: unhealthy) levels of salt and sugar are on offer, and along with the invention of the television has given birth to the post-modern syndrome known as the ‘couch potato’ who can’t stop stuffing his face.

However, if one is cognizant of the ill effects of these snacks and seeks to do something about it, healthier options are available. So here are a few options:

1. Pop Corn – Go for the healthier, at home version.
2. Protein Bars – Two advantages being, they help you build lean mass and you’re happy with just one or two.
3. Fresh Fruit – Perhaps the best alternative of the lot for its nutrition and health benefits
4. A bowl of healthy cereal with milk
5. Nuts – An excellent choice for those who want to watch their heart.

It never ceases to amaze me how people respond to illogical acts of behavior with the proverbial ‘freak’ or ‘psycho’ being the most common choice of words used to disparage the individual’s unruly state of mind. It’s strange that physical disorders are treated with a lot more care, concern and in some cases, an adequate degree of empathy than psychological disorders.

Perhaps this prejudice stems from an innate fear of being ostracized as a ‘misfit’ who is obviously not in his right mind to be able to observe the norms and rules that will hamper the peace and harmony upon which all of civilized society must thrive on to survive. One of these disorders that are growing day by day is the condition known as the ‘panic attack’.

However, much like physical disorders which have symptoms, a panic attack has ‘triggers’ that sends the individual rapidly spiraling down into a state of paranoia as it were in regarding a particular situation that they find themselves in to be a possible threat while showing signs of sweating, a racing pulse and bouts of uncontrollable nervousness and fear.

The question here is whether medication is the answer, which several experts consider unnecessary.

The solution, however, lies within the person. Instead of trying to run away from the problem, one should seek to confront the ‘triggers’ that cause the attack in the first place.

One should try to practice breathing slowly while reminding yourself that the perceived threat is just your imagination, and that everything is perfectly safe and natural. Running away will not solve anything, whether it is in the case of panic attacks or otherwise.