Well, no rum was involved, but still, sailing is a lot of fun! This weekend I went on the DIS tall ship sailing trip. Sorry, no pictures at the moment, I didn't want to take my pretty camera on the ocean, but I will steal other people's as soon as possible.
The set up: 25 DIS students, 2 interns, 4 crew members, 1 ship, and lots of food and alcohol.
The results: new friends, great memories, and a renewed determination to live on or near the ocean.
We left Copenhagen Saturday morning, after putting up the sails and chasing all the Japanese tourists off our boat. (Seriously, there were about 100 of them, and they kept climbing on the ship, trying to take pictures and just generally be a nuisance. Our fantastic captain soon put a stop to that. But I hate to think how many photo albums and YouTube videos we will soon be featured in!) But we were soon underway, and for the first time of the season, the ship was able to leave Copenhagen under sail, as opposed to using the motor. The crew was very excited about that, so I guess it is a pretty big deal. With the wind at our back, we made quick time under the bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark, past Malmo, and continued up the Swedish coast. Essentially, we had very little work to do. We made lunch, played cards, organized our bunks (which were awesome!) and did our best to stay warm.
We made such good time, that we docked for the night in a port farther away than usual, Landskroner, Sweden. Naturally, the crew, leaders, and some students decided to venture into town, and managed to find the one bar in the very small town. A good time was had by all :)
In the morning, I was awake early, so made my way up to deck, got some reading for class done, and watched the sleepy town wake up on a lazy Sunday morning. I absolutely love the feeling of complete ease that I always associate with the ocean and port towns. It seems like a whole different world, with its own language, culture, and wonderful associations. This trip served to remind me how much I need to live near the water.
We did eventually get under sail again, and began to make our way back to Copenhagen. Of course, the wind was coming straight from Copenhagen, so we had more to do- lots and lots of tacking. Turning the ship is a bit like a well choreographed dance: everyone has a role to play, and each must do so at the right time. The captain serves the role of the music, coordinating everyone's actions to achieve the maximum results. I love that feeling of being part of something bigger than myself; I know that my small action fits in perfectly with a larger plan, and the results of said-plan are more than I can accomplish on my own.
We did make it back to Copenhagen, said goodbye to the crew, and made our way back to our host families, apartments, and kollegiums, all dreading the amount of work ahead of us (or at least I was). But it was totally worth it!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
My new home away from home...
... is Food and Coffee, located just a few blocks from Norreport Station.
How I found it: I was walking back from another favorite Copenhagen haunt, Naturbageriet( a vegan bakery!) after class this morning. I have been in desperate need of bread, so I bought a loaf of bread with seeds and carrots baked in, yummy! And then I saw an almond cookie, with marzipan in the center and toasted almonds on top... and I decided to splurge. Such a good plan! I stole a little bite of cookie, and then resolved to save the rest until I got back to my apartment. I had work to do, so the cookie was going to be a reward to myself. At least that was the plan. And then I saw Food and Coffee on a side-street.
I have no idea what attracted me to it, but I walked in, just to see what it was. And then I smelled the coffee, saw all the organic and vegan products, the smoothie and coffee menus, and the sign that said "Student Discount"... and I just couldn't leave.
First, the design is great. There are bean-bag chairs, tall stools made of tree trunks, pillows on tool counters, and smaller couches and tables in a back room. The front is all windows, so everything is beautifully lit, and inviting, and just fun!
Second, the coffee. Although Copenhagen has a growing cafe culture, their coffee is, across the board, pretty terrible. And expensive. But with my discount here, the cost was just very expensive, not totally and completely unreasonable, like most places are. But more to the point, it is really good coffee! I just had a cafe au lait, but they had everything, even iced coffee, and something that looked kind of reminiscent of a frappacino.
Third, wireless! They have macs there everyone can use, but they also have wireless and will cheerfully give you the password if you ask!
So instead of going home and studying, I sat at a tall table at Food and Coffee, drank my coffee and ate my cookie, studied, and had an interesting debate with a guy from South Africa, who lives in Washington D.C., and comes to Copenhagen frequently for business. Random. But awesome!
The moral of the story... if you can't find me at DIS or my apartment, I am probably at Food and Coffee!
P.S.- I really love random, totally unexpectedly good days :)
How I found it: I was walking back from another favorite Copenhagen haunt, Naturbageriet( a vegan bakery!) after class this morning. I have been in desperate need of bread, so I bought a loaf of bread with seeds and carrots baked in, yummy! And then I saw an almond cookie, with marzipan in the center and toasted almonds on top... and I decided to splurge. Such a good plan! I stole a little bite of cookie, and then resolved to save the rest until I got back to my apartment. I had work to do, so the cookie was going to be a reward to myself. At least that was the plan. And then I saw Food and Coffee on a side-street.
I have no idea what attracted me to it, but I walked in, just to see what it was. And then I smelled the coffee, saw all the organic and vegan products, the smoothie and coffee menus, and the sign that said "Student Discount"... and I just couldn't leave.
First, the design is great. There are bean-bag chairs, tall stools made of tree trunks, pillows on tool counters, and smaller couches and tables in a back room. The front is all windows, so everything is beautifully lit, and inviting, and just fun!
Second, the coffee. Although Copenhagen has a growing cafe culture, their coffee is, across the board, pretty terrible. And expensive. But with my discount here, the cost was just very expensive, not totally and completely unreasonable, like most places are. But more to the point, it is really good coffee! I just had a cafe au lait, but they had everything, even iced coffee, and something that looked kind of reminiscent of a frappacino.
Third, wireless! They have macs there everyone can use, but they also have wireless and will cheerfully give you the password if you ask!
So instead of going home and studying, I sat at a tall table at Food and Coffee, drank my coffee and ate my cookie, studied, and had an interesting debate with a guy from South Africa, who lives in Washington D.C., and comes to Copenhagen frequently for business. Random. But awesome!
The moral of the story... if you can't find me at DIS or my apartment, I am probably at Food and Coffee!
P.S.- I really love random, totally unexpectedly good days :)
Friday, September 18, 2009
A day of ups and downs
As of tomorrow, I will have been in Copenhagen for four weeks. And for the first time this morning, I got very homesick. I'm not sure what set me off, but I would have done anything to have woken up in Madison or Northampton this morning. Which is strange, considering yesterday I got to talk to a lot of my favorite people from home, which made me incredibly happy. But I guess talking to all of them made me realize how far away I was, and how long it is going to be before I see them again. I will be home in three months. Three months is a very long time. It is also a long time to go without being able to just pick up the phone and call or text anyone. I think I am missing that instant connection the most.
So feeling rather sad and sorry for myself, I made my way to my one and only class today. I honestly would have been happier with more today, then I would have had something else to focus on. But the first bright spot of the day appeared heading to class- I ran into Ania and Rachel, who I hadn't seen FOREVER; hugs from my favorite smithies= an excellent turning point in my day. Second bright spot, two muffins to munch on during class! Yay, late night baking paying off!
I normally really hate not having a plan for the day, but I had no plans after class. I ended up just walking... and walking... and walking. For about three hours. It was fantastic. I got lost. I found new stores, namely one with AMERICAN peanut butter, maple syrup, and BBQ sauce, and on that had much cheaper versions of my favorite vegan granola bars here, which, yesterday I ran out of. So the day was improving.
Well, to reward myself for all my walking (while carrying my heavy backpack), I decided I needed food. I was headed to The Living Room for a smoothie and wireless, but saw a cafe in a bookstore, where lots of people had their computers. I found a table in the back with an outlet and yes, wireless, and set myself up to finish some work. Of course, I still needed sustenance, so I ordered a hummus sandwich. It was the most delicious thing I have eaten in a long time. And HUGE! I need to remember that place. Oh, and another bright spot (these are becoming more numerous, aren't they?), I got to talk to Hal for a while on FB chat! Yay, catching up with other friends living in strange hemispheres! That conversation really really cheered me up. As did finishing up a bunch of work, and continuing work on the ever-growing spreadsheet of med schools I want to apply to.
I finally did make my way back to the apartment, in a much better mood then when I left. My roommates are around, making waffles at the moment for a few friends coming over (saying goodbye, yet again, to Alexis). Oh, and I convinced them to try my muffins, and according to Mitte "They are really really good!" And Alexis is now raving about them too. More non-vegan converts... :)
Overall, I am still homesick, but writing this, I realized I had a much better day than I expected. And it can only get better right? Especially because I am drinking a glass of chocolate soy milk, my new obsession! Seriously seriously yummy.
So there is my rant. I am still in need of hugs. Anyone? Thanks. <3
So feeling rather sad and sorry for myself, I made my way to my one and only class today. I honestly would have been happier with more today, then I would have had something else to focus on. But the first bright spot of the day appeared heading to class- I ran into Ania and Rachel, who I hadn't seen FOREVER; hugs from my favorite smithies= an excellent turning point in my day. Second bright spot, two muffins to munch on during class! Yay, late night baking paying off!
I normally really hate not having a plan for the day, but I had no plans after class. I ended up just walking... and walking... and walking. For about three hours. It was fantastic. I got lost. I found new stores, namely one with AMERICAN peanut butter, maple syrup, and BBQ sauce, and on that had much cheaper versions of my favorite vegan granola bars here, which, yesterday I ran out of. So the day was improving.
Well, to reward myself for all my walking (while carrying my heavy backpack), I decided I needed food. I was headed to The Living Room for a smoothie and wireless, but saw a cafe in a bookstore, where lots of people had their computers. I found a table in the back with an outlet and yes, wireless, and set myself up to finish some work. Of course, I still needed sustenance, so I ordered a hummus sandwich. It was the most delicious thing I have eaten in a long time. And HUGE! I need to remember that place. Oh, and another bright spot (these are becoming more numerous, aren't they?), I got to talk to Hal for a while on FB chat! Yay, catching up with other friends living in strange hemispheres! That conversation really really cheered me up. As did finishing up a bunch of work, and continuing work on the ever-growing spreadsheet of med schools I want to apply to.
I finally did make my way back to the apartment, in a much better mood then when I left. My roommates are around, making waffles at the moment for a few friends coming over (saying goodbye, yet again, to Alexis). Oh, and I convinced them to try my muffins, and according to Mitte "They are really really good!" And Alexis is now raving about them too. More non-vegan converts... :)
Overall, I am still homesick, but writing this, I realized I had a much better day than I expected. And it can only get better right? Especially because I am drinking a glass of chocolate soy milk, my new obsession! Seriously seriously yummy.
So there is my rant. I am still in need of hugs. Anyone? Thanks. <3
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Vegan Morning Glory Muffins!
So one thing I have really really really been craving for the last few weeks is a really good, vegan muffin. I find myself daydreaming of Woodstar carrot muffins... saturday mornings... a text book, huge coffee, delicious delicious muffin... ooops, there I go again. So tonight, I felt the need to rectify the situation. Hence, vegan morning glory muffins. Carrots, apples, raisins, walnuts, and banana. What could possible be wrong with that?
A few problems arose, namely coming up with a recipe I actually had ingredients for, since all stores here close ridiculously early (I was starting my project at 9pm), and finding baking tins (that solution ended up being my roommate's heart-shaped, silicon baking... dishes? utensils? very very cute things?) But despite some mishaps, here are the final results! (Complete with pictures! I am so proud of myself for remembering! But a food photographer I am not...)
Vegan Morning Glory Muffins
- 1 1/3 C Flour
-1/2 T Baking Powder
- 1/2 T Baking Soda
- 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1 Banana, mashed (I broke it into pieces, then microwaved for 30 seconds, because it was not as ripe as I wanted)
- 1/4 C vegetable oil (or whatever you have on hand)
- 1/2 C Brown Sugar
- 1 Apple, diced finely
- 3 Carrots, grated
- 1/2 C Raisins
-1/2 C Walnuts, chopped
Mix together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the banana, oil, and sugar until relatively smooth, there will probably still be some chunks of banana. Add the wet mix to the dry mix, and combine with a rubber spatula. (It will probably seem like it is going to be too dry, but do not be fooled! It will be fine, I promise) Fold in all the rest of the ingredients.
Spoon into your vessels of choice, and bake at 350 F (that is 175 C for the rest of us). Bake about 30 minutes, but time will vary depending on the size of your muffin and vessel, so check earlier. (Mine took a little longer).
Enjoy everyone!
By the way, this is really making me miss Lawrence house, I wish I could be baking for all of you!! Make sure you tell the firsties that I am awesome and I promise to make delicious new things for you all in the spring!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Study Tour!
Yay traveling! I finally got out of Copenhagen last weekend for our first study tour. We spent Thursday-Saturday on a whirlwind tour of Odensa and Arhus. So here is the very abbreviated version of our trip:
Thursday:
We met around 7, and then headed out for a nice long drive to Jutland (the part of Denmark connected to the rest of Europe. First stop, Hans Christian Anderson Children's Hospital (by the way, they are absolutely obsessed with him here, even though during his life, he hated it here and did everything he could to leave. But that was partially based on Jantelov, which will need to be another post). Here, we were lectured at for a while, specifically on different methods of ventilation for neonatal care. Interesting, but very difficult to hear one person talking quietly while 35ish American students tried to all crowd around and ask question. But we did get to see their neonatal care unit and see some of the unique methods they are using to care for extreme premies (like 24 weeks, incredible!). Additionally, we saw their labs, which were set up very differently from the US. Instead of having a big lab that focuses on one project, they have a ton of tiny labs that all do just one things (ie- only do PCR). It seems like they do all the PCR for a set of projects, but don't have anything to do with the project as a whole. I'm not sure if this is way more or way less efficient than our system. It seems to work for them, but I think it would frustrate me. I like to have my hands in all aspects of a research project, not just one little part!
So after the hospital, we went to RoboDays! Essentially, we went and played with all the latest and greatest robots... and somehow they decided this was medically related? I mean really, the main highlight was riding around on Segways. But I suppose there were some really interesting new inventions, like a blind-cane with built in GPS that can guide people by vibrations. Or snuggly robots that could comfort children in a variety of situations. ... but mostly we rode on the Segways!
Follow this up with dinner at a hostel and hanging out with our group and the other DIS groups at the same hostel for a good portion of the night, and it was a good day.
Friday:
Another early morning, another drive, another hospital. This time the Arhus PET imaging center. I actually really enjoyed this visit; we saw and heard about new neural imaging techniques, especially for Alzheimers and Parkinsons research. We then had what I thought was one of the best lectures I have ever heard. It was on interdisciplinary methods of studying neuroscience. I love the idea of pulling philosophy, physics, computer science, music, everything, into the study of neuro. It brings a whole new level to research, and allows so many new ideas to develop. This is really the kind of work I would like to do once I get back to school. So this is my new goal for senior year, find a special studies or thesis that allows me to do interdisciplinary work, not just sitting in the basement, injecting mice, watching them, and killing them. Awesome! I have a plan!... now to convince Mary that this is a good idea...
A pretty view from the bus
The afternoon, we went to visit a GP. A little background of the Danish medical system:
1. Everyone gets universal health care.
2. Everyone is assigned a GP.
3. To see a specialist, you must have a referral from your GP.
4. There are a TON of rules involving how much doctors can work, the hours practices can be open, and what doctors you can see.
Therefore, GPs are very important and plentiful.
This particular clinic was home to 8 GPs, which is very large by Danish standards. I was really interested in this visit, based on all the family medicine I was involved in this summer. But it was a bit disappointing actually... mostly it was a discussion on why the Danish system is so much better than the American system. But we did get to see the practice, which remarkably resembled more of a house than a doctor's office. Each of the GPs practiced relatively autonomously, as each patient is assigned to just one of them. They budget 15 minute blocks of time (or less!) for each consultation, which often involved lab tests, just talking, and even acupuncture. Weird. But a good insight into Danish health care... which may not be as perfect as everyone seems to think. I will withhold any other comments until I know more.
Friday evening in the middle of nowhere, what do you do? Apparently, you go bowling! So yes, we spent several hours bowling, eating really awful food (or in my case, lettuce and bread), and actually having a really good time. And then our tour leaders decided we should all go out. And an entertaining night ensued. Let's just leave it at that.
Saturday:
A day of museums. We went first to ARoS, the modern art museum in Arhus. It was one of the most amazing museums I have ever been in, and this is from someone who is not usually a fan of modern art. First, the building itself is incredible. All white, very open, and full of windows. Second, the art itself. It was so varied: from parts of a horse in jars (long story), to a giant boy, to video installations, to 18th C. paintings. Crazy cool.
Museum #2: History of Science. Sweet. First blood transfusions, ancient ambulance, plague doctors, results of very early surgeries, microscopes, pretty much everything under the sun. Oh, and the same pendulum clock we have in McConnell! It made me very happy. (McConnell is one of the science buildings at Smith, for you non-Smithies, and the foyer contains a giant pendulum clock!)
And that was pretty much the short and sweet version of our study tour. Now I can't wait for the long tour in just a few weeks to Berlin and Poznan!!
... and now I should get back to studying!... and cooking! Cooking class #2 is tonight!
Thursday:
We met around 7, and then headed out for a nice long drive to Jutland (the part of Denmark connected to the rest of Europe. First stop, Hans Christian Anderson Children's Hospital (by the way, they are absolutely obsessed with him here, even though during his life, he hated it here and did everything he could to leave. But that was partially based on Jantelov, which will need to be another post). Here, we were lectured at for a while, specifically on different methods of ventilation for neonatal care. Interesting, but very difficult to hear one person talking quietly while 35ish American students tried to all crowd around and ask question. But we did get to see their neonatal care unit and see some of the unique methods they are using to care for extreme premies (like 24 weeks, incredible!). Additionally, we saw their labs, which were set up very differently from the US. Instead of having a big lab that focuses on one project, they have a ton of tiny labs that all do just one things (ie- only do PCR). It seems like they do all the PCR for a set of projects, but don't have anything to do with the project as a whole. I'm not sure if this is way more or way less efficient than our system. It seems to work for them, but I think it would frustrate me. I like to have my hands in all aspects of a research project, not just one little part!
So after the hospital, we went to RoboDays! Essentially, we went and played with all the latest and greatest robots... and somehow they decided this was medically related? I mean really, the main highlight was riding around on Segways. But I suppose there were some really interesting new inventions, like a blind-cane with built in GPS that can guide people by vibrations. Or snuggly robots that could comfort children in a variety of situations. ... but mostly we rode on the Segways!
Follow this up with dinner at a hostel and hanging out with our group and the other DIS groups at the same hostel for a good portion of the night, and it was a good day.
Friday:
Another early morning, another drive, another hospital. This time the Arhus PET imaging center. I actually really enjoyed this visit; we saw and heard about new neural imaging techniques, especially for Alzheimers and Parkinsons research. We then had what I thought was one of the best lectures I have ever heard. It was on interdisciplinary methods of studying neuroscience. I love the idea of pulling philosophy, physics, computer science, music, everything, into the study of neuro. It brings a whole new level to research, and allows so many new ideas to develop. This is really the kind of work I would like to do once I get back to school. So this is my new goal for senior year, find a special studies or thesis that allows me to do interdisciplinary work, not just sitting in the basement, injecting mice, watching them, and killing them. Awesome! I have a plan!... now to convince Mary that this is a good idea...
A pretty view from the bus1. Everyone gets universal health care.
2. Everyone is assigned a GP.
3. To see a specialist, you must have a referral from your GP.
4. There are a TON of rules involving how much doctors can work, the hours practices can be open, and what doctors you can see.
Therefore, GPs are very important and plentiful.
This particular clinic was home to 8 GPs, which is very large by Danish standards. I was really interested in this visit, based on all the family medicine I was involved in this summer. But it was a bit disappointing actually... mostly it was a discussion on why the Danish system is so much better than the American system. But we did get to see the practice, which remarkably resembled more of a house than a doctor's office. Each of the GPs practiced relatively autonomously, as each patient is assigned to just one of them. They budget 15 minute blocks of time (or less!) for each consultation, which often involved lab tests, just talking, and even acupuncture. Weird. But a good insight into Danish health care... which may not be as perfect as everyone seems to think. I will withhold any other comments until I know more.
Friday evening in the middle of nowhere, what do you do? Apparently, you go bowling! So yes, we spent several hours bowling, eating really awful food (or in my case, lettuce and bread), and actually having a really good time. And then our tour leaders decided we should all go out. And an entertaining night ensued. Let's just leave it at that.
Saturday:
A day of museums. We went first to ARoS, the modern art museum in Arhus. It was one of the most amazing museums I have ever been in, and this is from someone who is not usually a fan of modern art. First, the building itself is incredible. All white, very open, and full of windows. Second, the art itself. It was so varied: from parts of a horse in jars (long story), to a giant boy, to video installations, to 18th C. paintings. Crazy cool.
Museum #2: History of Science. Sweet. First blood transfusions, ancient ambulance, plague doctors, results of very early surgeries, microscopes, pretty much everything under the sun. Oh, and the same pendulum clock we have in McConnell! It made me very happy. (McConnell is one of the science buildings at Smith, for you non-Smithies, and the foyer contains a giant pendulum clock!)
And that was pretty much the short and sweet version of our study tour. Now I can't wait for the long tour in just a few weeks to Berlin and Poznan!!
... and now I should get back to studying!... and cooking! Cooking class #2 is tonight!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Food Post!... and this weekend's upcoming adventure
I know I promised recipes, but I keep forgetting to take pictures of the food I make! So to begin, I offer a link to the best vegan brownies I have yet to find. It is from "Cookie Madness," which always makes me smile! Even though its not a vegan-specific blog, there are a number of vegan recipes, and this one happens to be amazing, even if the method is a little strange. Just give it a chance, I promise you will not be disappointed. The only thing I changed was to cut down both sugars from 1 cup to 3/4 of a cup. I didn't add nuts or vegan chips (because I didn't have them) but they can't be bad! By the way, my very non-vegan friend, Emma, loved these, and claims that they just might be better than the amazing brownies her mom makes! Vegans for the win!
Other things I have been making lately: Veggie Curry, adapted from Monty's Blue Plate Cookbook. Monty's Diner is the original restaurant of the FoodFight group of Madison. Hubbard Diner, where I worked in the bakery a year ago, is kind of a spin of. But Monty's has waaaaay more veggie/vegan options, and it is fantastic! I have never had the curry there, but my version turned out well, as James and Emma can attest :) I pretty much followed their recipe, but had to substitute for some things I didn't have.
You want breakfast you say? In five minutes? Well, try the breakfast couscous from La Dolce Vegan. It is essentially just couscous, cooked in soy milk with banana, vanilla, and cinnamon. I threw in some raisins, just for good measure. It may be my new favorite food... except for my breakfast smoothie...
My achievement this morning: getting out the door by 8am, in order to meet my Danish class for a tour of Christiania. How did I do it? A breakfast smoothie in my Sig bottle! Super simple: last night, I took a banana out of its peel, cut in into hunks, and froze it. This morning, into the blender it goes, along with about a cup of soy milk, maybe 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and about a tablespoon of cocoa powder. Buzz! A yummy, totally decadent, protein-packed, breakfast on the go! Throw it into the bottle, add a straw (ok, I had to cut off the end to make it fit in the bottle), grab my bus pass, and I was on my way! Sweet... literally :D
And now I should finish packing, because our first study tour is tomorrow! We are going to Arhus and several other areas in NW Denmark for three days. We will be touring hospitals, namely the new and impressive Hans Christian Anderson Children's Hospital, seeing the newest in medical robots, and visiting general practitioners. I think it will be a great experience... minus the massive quantities of walking that will be involved. The legs will not be happy. Oh well. But it does mean I will be out of internet contact until Saturday night. So leave me messages here/facebook/email, etc, and they will make me happy in a few days!
One last cooking tidbit, my dinner tonight: it was delicious, and kind of professional looking... but you will have to take my word for it. I was so hungry, I gobbled it up before I could grab my camera. So here it is: My version of beans and rice for one hungry vegan.
Mallery's Beans and Rice Extravaganza!
Cooked Brown Rice (As much as you want to eat)
Half a yellow onion, chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1/3 of a bell pepper (I used yellow)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 small-ish tomato, chopped
Salt, Pepper, Red pepper flakes, Sriracha sauce (amounts? how spicy do you want it?)
1/2 a can of kidney beans (~200 g)
1/2 cup water
2 T. fresh herbs, chopped (Cilantro and parsley would probably be your best bets)
1/8 of an avocado (or more if you want), chopped
I promise this is easy... really easy. First, heat up a bit of olive oil in a small pot. Dump in the first three veggies and saute until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic, tomato, and spices. Saute another 2 minutes. Add the water and beans, bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 10 minutes. Take it off the heat, adjust seasoning if you want, throw the herbs in, and put a lid on for a few minutes. Rice goes in a bowl, followed by the bean mix, and finally the avocado on top of it all!
Let me know what you think!
(OK Miss Megan, hope those recipes/ideas make you happy and will keep you occupied for now!)
Other things I have been making lately: Veggie Curry, adapted from Monty's Blue Plate Cookbook. Monty's Diner is the original restaurant of the FoodFight group of Madison. Hubbard Diner, where I worked in the bakery a year ago, is kind of a spin of. But Monty's has waaaaay more veggie/vegan options, and it is fantastic! I have never had the curry there, but my version turned out well, as James and Emma can attest :) I pretty much followed their recipe, but had to substitute for some things I didn't have.
You want breakfast you say? In five minutes? Well, try the breakfast couscous from La Dolce Vegan. It is essentially just couscous, cooked in soy milk with banana, vanilla, and cinnamon. I threw in some raisins, just for good measure. It may be my new favorite food... except for my breakfast smoothie...
My achievement this morning: getting out the door by 8am, in order to meet my Danish class for a tour of Christiania. How did I do it? A breakfast smoothie in my Sig bottle! Super simple: last night, I took a banana out of its peel, cut in into hunks, and froze it. This morning, into the blender it goes, along with about a cup of soy milk, maybe 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and about a tablespoon of cocoa powder. Buzz! A yummy, totally decadent, protein-packed, breakfast on the go! Throw it into the bottle, add a straw (ok, I had to cut off the end to make it fit in the bottle), grab my bus pass, and I was on my way! Sweet... literally :D
And now I should finish packing, because our first study tour is tomorrow! We are going to Arhus and several other areas in NW Denmark for three days. We will be touring hospitals, namely the new and impressive Hans Christian Anderson Children's Hospital, seeing the newest in medical robots, and visiting general practitioners. I think it will be a great experience... minus the massive quantities of walking that will be involved. The legs will not be happy. Oh well. But it does mean I will be out of internet contact until Saturday night. So leave me messages here/facebook/email, etc, and they will make me happy in a few days!
One last cooking tidbit, my dinner tonight: it was delicious, and kind of professional looking... but you will have to take my word for it. I was so hungry, I gobbled it up before I could grab my camera. So here it is: My version of beans and rice for one hungry vegan.
Mallery's Beans and Rice Extravaganza!
Cooked Brown Rice (As much as you want to eat)
Half a yellow onion, chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1/3 of a bell pepper (I used yellow)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 small-ish tomato, chopped
Salt, Pepper, Red pepper flakes, Sriracha sauce (amounts? how spicy do you want it?)
1/2 a can of kidney beans (~200 g)
1/2 cup water
2 T. fresh herbs, chopped (Cilantro and parsley would probably be your best bets)
1/8 of an avocado (or more if you want), chopped
I promise this is easy... really easy. First, heat up a bit of olive oil in a small pot. Dump in the first three veggies and saute until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic, tomato, and spices. Saute another 2 minutes. Add the water and beans, bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 10 minutes. Take it off the heat, adjust seasoning if you want, throw the herbs in, and put a lid on for a few minutes. Rice goes in a bowl, followed by the bean mix, and finally the avocado on top of it all!
Let me know what you think!
(OK Miss Megan, hope those recipes/ideas make you happy and will keep you occupied for now!)
Saturday, September 5, 2009
A day of opposites and pictures... and cooking!
On Wednesdays, we don't have classes, theoretically in order to be able to go on field studies. But this week, I didn't have any scheduled. So it was time for a day of sight seeing. I met my friends Deborah and her friend Will at DIS, and we headed to Christiania and then Tivoli.
Christiania is a very interesting area of Copenhagen. It is right outside the center of the city, and it began in the 60s or 70s as a sort of social experiment. People were allowed to live there without paying taxes, and it functioned as a coop. Since then, it has essentially become a haven for hippies and druggies. Literally, they sell EVERYTHING related to drugs along the main street, which, consequently, is called Pusher Street. The pictures are from outside the main area, as they really don't like people taking pictures inside. The police essentially leave them alone, but apparently they have raids every month or so, and the residents are a little touchy about outsiders. The area surrounding it, as you can see, is lovely. And inside...well, lets just say it is something you have to experience for yourself.
So from the drug-laden Christiania to Tivoli, about as opposite as you can possibly get. Tivoli is the amusement park located right next to the Center Square. It also happens to be the world's first amusement park. Rumor has it that it also gave Walt Disney his inspiration to create Disney World. Whatever the case is, it is a beautiful place, with tons of rides, restaurants, even a mini aquarium! I took waaaay too many pictures, so here are just a few...
Sorry these took me awhile to put up. But in other news... I signed up for cooking classes! For the next four Tuesdays, I will be doing cooking classes, one focusing on breakfast/lunch, one on traditional Danish food, one on baking, and even on VEGETARIAN day!!! This is my first chance to take cooking classes, and I am really excited about them. And even though I am sure none of what we cook will be vegan, I think I will at least try everything! I CANNOT WAIT! This is something I have been wanting to do for a long time, so when I heard about it, I signed up immediately!
In other news, for Smithies, I will have an article in the Sophian about my experiences here in the next issue! AND it might turn into a more regular column! Sweet!
Lastly, I have been cooking up a storm the last few days. I made (vegan) oatmeal raisin cookies, and then Emma came over last night and we had yummy ginger-carrot soup, and salad and, of course, cookies! If anyone wants recipes, let me know and I can post them. And tonight, more folks are coming over, and I am planning on making Vegetable Curry with brown rice, and chapti flat breads... and possibly also brownies? If that all comes out well, I will try to take pictures and post them with recipes later!
Christiania is a very interesting area of Copenhagen. It is right outside the center of the city, and it began in the 60s or 70s as a sort of social experiment. People were allowed to live there without paying taxes, and it functioned as a coop. Since then, it has essentially become a haven for hippies and druggies. Literally, they sell EVERYTHING related to drugs along the main street, which, consequently, is called Pusher Street. The pictures are from outside the main area, as they really don't like people taking pictures inside. The police essentially leave them alone, but apparently they have raids every month or so, and the residents are a little touchy about outsiders. The area surrounding it, as you can see, is lovely. And inside...well, lets just say it is something you have to experience for yourself.
So from the drug-laden Christiania to Tivoli, about as opposite as you can possibly get. Tivoli is the amusement park located right next to the Center Square. It also happens to be the world's first amusement park. Rumor has it that it also gave Walt Disney his inspiration to create Disney World. Whatever the case is, it is a beautiful place, with tons of rides, restaurants, even a mini aquarium! I took waaaay too many pictures, so here are just a few...
Sorry these took me awhile to put up. But in other news... I signed up for cooking classes! For the next four Tuesdays, I will be doing cooking classes, one focusing on breakfast/lunch, one on traditional Danish food, one on baking, and even on VEGETARIAN day!!! This is my first chance to take cooking classes, and I am really excited about them. And even though I am sure none of what we cook will be vegan, I think I will at least try everything! I CANNOT WAIT! This is something I have been wanting to do for a long time, so when I heard about it, I signed up immediately!
In other news, for Smithies, I will have an article in the Sophian about my experiences here in the next issue! AND it might turn into a more regular column! Sweet!
Lastly, I have been cooking up a storm the last few days. I made (vegan) oatmeal raisin cookies, and then Emma came over last night and we had yummy ginger-carrot soup, and salad and, of course, cookies! If anyone wants recipes, let me know and I can post them. And tonight, more folks are coming over, and I am planning on making Vegetable Curry with brown rice, and chapti flat breads... and possibly also brownies? If that all comes out well, I will try to take pictures and post them with recipes later!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
BIG NEWS!
... well not really, BUT I did make two amazing discoveries in the grocery store today, and I needed to share.
1. Sriracha Sauce! I pretty much put this stuff on everything at home, and I finally found it here!
2. VEGAN NUTELLA!!!!! So nutella has milk in it, which makes me sad. But this stuff, no milk, no eggs, no nothing!
Yup, I am a happy, vegan camper. :D
1. Sriracha Sauce! I pretty much put this stuff on everything at home, and I finally found it here!
2. VEGAN NUTELLA!!!!! So nutella has milk in it, which makes me sad. But this stuff, no milk, no eggs, no nothing!
Yup, I am a happy, vegan camper. :D
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