A simple summer snack that’s quick to assemble and is a colourful feast for the eyes!
Slice open a ciabatta, drizzle each half with some olive oil and a dash of Italian herbs. Pile some diced tomatoes and yellow bell pepper on top. Grill the ciabatta halves until they start to brown. Take out of the oven and top off with some fresh basil.
Technorati Tags: snack, vegetarian sandwich, light lunches
Filed under: Food on May 11th, 2008 | 2 Comments »
A simple lintel dal with rice and steamed vegetables makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
You can whip it together in about 30 mins. with the stuff already in your pantry.
There are of course many variations on dal — but shown here:
1 cup mix of dry red lintels and split yellow peas cooked in a mild vegetable broth with a pinch of tumeric, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin and a heaping teaspoon of curry paste.
Technorati Tags: dal recipe, lintel recipe
Filed under: Food on May 6th, 2008 | 6 Comments »
I’ve come to realise that it’s really the little things in life that bring me great joy. Inspired by the post viva la vida by the Urban Vegan, this post is also a photo essay showing the small things in my daily life that make me happy.
I challenge you also to look around your environment and share the little things that make you smile 
Things that Make me Smile
Being curious about everything that crosses my path that I’ve never heard of or experienced before.
There is nothing more that makes me smile than tasting something new that I’ve never tried before whether it be a grain, vegetable, fruit or a crazy flavour of ice cream that I cannot even pronounce!
It’s the diversity of life that makes me smile.
That I work from home allowing me to make as BIG of a mess that I want in the office. Plus I have the freedom to divide my day and spend my time however I see fit. It makes me feel free and in complete control of my life.
That fact that Johan can make a better bean burger than I can, despite the fact that I’m the hardcore vegetarian and he’s the conscious omnivore 
My silly Dutch “Grandma” bike that takes me just about everywhere that I need to go.
Living in the Netherlands, a country that has bike paths all over it. I can literally hop from village to village, explore forests, go shopping and never need a car. (Ok, except when it rains, then I’d rather take the train.)
My two cats who have become a very important part of my life.
And finally, watching the first strawberry on my balcony slowly grow and change from green to red.
Now it’s your turn
So what makes you smile on your side of the planet? What small simple things are you thankful for? Send me the link of your photo-essay or post a comment. I’m very curious!
Technorati Tags: simple things, joy, happiness, little things, life
Filed under: Websites and Books on May 4th, 2008 | 5 Comments »
I have been inspired lately to take a look at my life and figure out how to simplify it.
Tonight I celebrated by making pasta with a basic tomato sauce topped off with fresh basil. It was simple, yet absolutely divine. And ready in 10
By the way, here is an excellent blog post by the No Impact Man on “Living in Gratitude Instead of Desire.”
Technorati Tags: simple pasta
Filed under: Food on May 2nd, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Looks like I’m going to have a big batch of strawberries. I hope that I get a chance to eat at least some before vacation. I guess the birds and the bugs can enjoy the rest while I’m away
More pictures from the urban strawberry garden:
Technorati Tags: urban garden, strawberries
Filed under: Urban Garden on April 30th, 2008 | 4 Comments »
This pizza is the easiest to make and it has a dual purpose: it fills your tummy quickly AND cleans out your fridge at the same time
Prepare the Base
Slice open some day-old (Turkish) bread. Generously slother it in tomato sauce and any dried herbs kicking around.
Now the fun part: Open your fridge.
Gather leftover yummies that you have bought in the last week, such as, like in my case: artichoke hearts in oil, feta and a variety of garlicky olives. Find vegetables that may be kicking around: I found red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and red onions.
Assemble and Heat
Chop the vegatables and toss everything onto the pizza base. Drizzle it with olive oil and bake in the oven until hot and bubbly.
Technorati Tags: dinner for one, quick recipes, simple recipes, pizza
Filed under: Food on April 30th, 2008 | No Comments »
BBQ Season has begun!!! Yeeeehaaaaw!!!
To celebrate the official opening of the holy BBQ season, I roasted eggplant, zucchini, red, yellow and orange bell peppers plus red onion that were marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and oregano. I served them up on a large grilled ciabatta drizzled with olive oil and plenty of garlic. The mountain of vegetables was then topped off with toasted pine nuts, feta and fresh basil.
Feel free to exchange the feta for grilled and marinated tofu. That would be just as yummy.
It tasted twice as nice because I got to eat it outside on my roof top patio in the sunshine with a glass of white wine. Ah, I hope that there are many more good BBQ’s to come this season
Technorati Tags: BBQ, vegetarian bbq, roasted vegetables
Filed under: Food on April 26th, 2008 | No Comments »
This 100% fruit smoothie uses 3 fruits and takes about 3 seconds to make. Perfect for the early morning rush
Blend together:
Freshly squeezed juice of 3 oranges, the fruit of 2 kiwi’s and 1 banana.
Did you know?
Kiwi’s are high in vitamin C — so together with the oranges — this smoothie is one little C-bomb!
Technorati Tags: fruit smoothie, smoothies
Filed under: Juices and Drinks on April 24th, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Yes, that is my hand. And no, that is not chocolate cake batter for once!
I work from home, however — I find that my home office is really drab and dreary.
It has a lot of potential to become a kick-ass bright and creative work space: it has a nice sized balcony, high ceilings and plenty of bright light pouring in from the doors and stain-glassed windows.
So today, I spent the day playing in the sunshine and planting fruits, herbs and trees to brighten up my office balcony.
I can’t wait to pluck the fresh berries and herbs from the “garden” while I leisurely work this summer
To see the photo diary, follow the link:
The office-balcony project
Next step: to paint the walls a brighter colour and to get office furniture that fits with the room.
Technorati Tags: gardening, balcony garden, urban garden
Filed under: Urban Garden on April 23rd, 2008 | 2 Comments »
The fresh ginger really shines through this delicate and sweet juice. Ginger aids in digestion and calms nausea. It is also a cleansing herb with warming effects.
Juice a small peice of peeled ginger (1cm), 2 apples and 1 very small cantelope together. Pour into glasses and enjoy!
Technorati Tags: fresh juice, melon juice, ginger juice
Filed under: Juices and Drinks on April 23rd, 2008 | No Comments »
