Maria's recipe for health ageing

“I have to age healthily because I love being around my grandchildren. Healthy eating gives me good health so I can see my grandchildren grow.” -- Maria Pirrello, 77 years old.

Born in Sicily, Italy, Maria Pirrello arrived in Australia with her parents at the age of six. Decades later, food remains at the heart of her life - a deep connection to her Italian heritage that continues to thrive.

Now a proud grandmother of two, Maria cherishes her weekly visits with her grandsons. She loves to cook their favourite food  - handmade pasta served with her family’s traditional Bolognese sauce, always accompanied by a fresh garden salad.

For Maria, healthy eating isn’t just tradition, it is an essential part ageing healthily. Maria fondly recalls her childhood and the backyard vegetable garden that her father tended with care. “Fresh rocket, garlic, basil, parsley, lemons, green beans—they all came from the garden straight into the kitchen. Fresh vegetables were something we had all the time,” she remembers.

Now, Maria passes those lessons down to the next generation, not just through the meals she prepares, but in the values she lives by.

“I have to age healthily because I have two grandchildren. That makes a big difference. Eating well gives me good health. I don’t want to miss out on things that keep me going – I look forward to seeing my grandchildren grow up,” said Maria.

Maria Pirrello's story - English

Maria Pirrello's story - Italian