BOSTON, April 16, 2010 - Good news for people who want to eat healthy without breaking the bank: the gold standard Mediterranean Diet is surprisingly affordable. Just in time for Med Month in May, Oldways and the Mediterranean Foods Alliance (MFA) offer The Power of $2: Easy Affordable Med Recipes, a free downloadable sampler of Med main dishes and sides costing $2 or less per person. Without requiring expert cooking skills, these simple and colorful meals will inspire consumers to start exploring this healthy and delicious way of eating.

"The health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet are widely recognized; however, there has been a misperception that fresh, whole foods like those in the Med Diet are expensive," says Sara Baer-Sinnott, Executive Vice President of Oldways. "With hundreds of favorite dishes under $2 per serving, we intend to bust that myth."

The Power of $2 features recipes and costs for a dozen dishes, all of which will quickly become family favorites. The main dishes, including Salade Niçoise, Coq au Vin, Penne with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes, and Mediterranean Pita Pizza, cost $1.04 to $1.41 per person.  Sides and snacks, such as kale chips and roasted asparagus, cost a mere 20 cents to 48 cents per serving. The tool also offers a shopping list for the main dishes and suggestions for stocking basic Mediterranean ingredients.

Scientific studies consistently report that the healthy Mediterranean Diet and its lifestyle practices reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Plus, there is compelling evidence that omega-3s, found in a number of Mediterranean Diet foods, can boost the health and brainpower of both mothers and infants.

Traditional Mediterranean food has its roots in the everyday fare of ordinary people: peasants working the land, or masons, carpenters, and other artisans finding ingenious ways to make inexpensive ingredients taste satisfying and delicious. Americans can bring these simple tips and practices to their own kitchens.

For more help, Oldways and the MFA also offer other resources for Med Month:

1. A Mediterranean Month Calendar, featuring 31 daily tips for following the Mediterranean Diet.
2. A Seasonal 7-Day Mediterranean Menu: 7 days of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks, with calorie counts.
3. A  2' X 3' poster with an updated illustration of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid (available at The Oldways Store).
4. A Med Diet Recipe Contest on The Oldways Table Blog. Look for contest rules on the Oldways and MFA websites and on The Oldways Table Blog. Participants should create a recipe that uses at least two foods from the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid for a chance to be a Grand Prize Winner or one of nine finalists. Prizes include wonderful Mediterranean products and autographed copies of our widely-praised book, The Oldways Table, chock-full of delicious recipes and short essays about food and wine experiences.

The Power of $2: Easy Affordable Med Recipes can be downloaded in PDF form on the Oldways website. For other recipes ideas, health information, tips for stocking your Med pantry and more, visit www.oldwayspt.org.

Please contact Alison Clancy (aclancy@oldwayspt.org  or 617-896-4888) for more information, including hi-res graphics, high res photos of dishes or to schedule an interview
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