Yum Yum

I recently added this book to my cook book collection, and what can I say? I love it! I bought an array of Indian spices at my favourite organic foods store and can't wait to try out all the awesome recipes.

Neil said he didn't like chickpeas, but when I made this chickpea curry he had no problem eating two huge helpings. Even Finn and Lily liked it!

With our new, healthier eating I find I have to be more creative when it comes to cooking. But with access to the internet, vegetarian cooking is easy as pie!

(Corn, tomato, mozzarella pie in this case :)


And I guess we are lucky in that Finn and Lily both love tofu, especially marinated in terriyaki sauce and then stir-fried with vegetables and noodles.


I also find that although I am buying mostly organic foods now it is not necessarily more expensive. Mostly, it costs time, and I am happy to invest that. I avoid processed foods or "convenience foods" (for instance, I buy dry beans and chickpeas instead of canned), and we eat out a lot less. So, instead of a cheeseburger from that place with the big M we eat black bean burgers at home. This whole pan of organic rolls cost me little more than 1€ to make (70c for a lb of organic flour and 30c for an egg, then some yeast and oil) . Lily liked the bean patty, Finn not so much. But then, to him, McDonald's is more about the toy in the Happy Meal than the food too.



And, as an incentive, there is often a nice dessert if you eat your veggies. Like dark chocolate pudding. I was asked to post these pictures especially for Uncle Karl, because it tasted "even better than Paula". :)
(Kindly ignore the fruit stickers on their foreheads.)

Then, some time ago we visited James, who we know from English playgroup. James is from England and not only runs his own media design company , but is also the proud owner of the famous "British Shop" (and no, he is not paying me for advertising). So while we chatted and Finn and Lily happily played with some Scottish flags and Highland attire (their Auntie Ulli would have been proud!) Neil spotted some HB brand barbecue sauce on the shelf. We bought it (and the Scottish flags), but when we were driving home Neil suddenly said, "I wonder what I will put it on - my chickpeas I guess."

So, clearly it is time for some good beef. And I found some! In the little town next to ours a certified organic farm raises Black Angus cattle. They look perfectly happy standing or walking around in their big pastures. I should know - I see them all the time on my runs. The thing is, the farmer only butchers one when he has enough orders. Well, I placed an order, and now we are waiting for our 13lbs of meat. I told a friend and she placed an order also. So, if you live close to us and want some really good, organic beef (at an affordable price I should add) THIS
http://www.bio-mit-gesicht.de/b1153.html

is the place to get it.

Neil says THANK YOU VERY MUCH! The more orders, the closer he is getting to that steak. :)

.

P.S. And somebody asked me (jokingly) if I don't have a problem eating a steer that I know I saw happily roaming a pasture. I guess the answer is no. I have more of a problem eating an animal that I know most likely never even SAW a pasture.

.

Still, if you have favourite vegetarian recipes that you would like to share I'll be more than happy to try them out! I remember some very special Canadians mentioning sweet potato burritos. I'd love to have that recipe!

.