I cleaned my kitchen cabinets this morning to just get an overview on what I have hoarded. The fridge, freezers and storage cabinets are full with stuff and I still end up going to the store to buy more. Well, I actually realized that I don’t need to buy food at all for weeks. Seriously, that much stuff. I watched Michael Pollan’s documentary In Defense of Food the other day since the book was okay and inspirational. I also love to broaden my horizon whenever it comes to food and my health. And what I really like is flavorful, mostly organic food by trying to embrace the notion of the current season. I am fortunate to eat this way, I have to add. Organic healthy eating is actually not really that cheap and Pollan hasn’t paid too much attention or provided solutions on this topic for the let’s say, less fortunate community.
Pollan describes different eating habits in countries like France for example. Whenever I am in France, I admire how people enjoy good, simple food just like cheese, a baguette and a bottle of good wine shared with friends. They take their time and rarely walk around with food in their hand; it seems eating is a celebration and sensation every time without stressing out. The same I observed in Spain when people come out of their houses early in the evening when it is not that hot anymore (usually by 8 pm!!) and meet at a local small restaurant to eat together and take their time. No stress, no drive-through ordering at Starbucks (or anywhere actually) ever and just taking my time to prepare a nice meal. “Eating this way is what I want, too”, I said and I made some adjustments but overall, simplicity is key for me.
Petit Joel and I spent this morning in the kitchen cooking and baking which turned out to be so much fun. He loved to help and made cakes with the homemade Playdoh I made for him. We sprouted seeds, made chocolate ice cream, bread and rolls only with ingredients I had already at home. The kitchen had this nice smell of freshly baked bread while I kept cleaning the cabinets, throwing things out that 1) I would never eat again or 2) are expired.
Later and after we cleaned the entire kitchen, we took our bicycles and decided to have lunch in the park at The New Art Festival which is really well done and great to visit even with kids. Diving into art and learning about local artists and their artwork is just what rounded up this day nicely for me. Our picnic blanket came in handy when someone was too tired and felt too hot to continue walking because his legs are old (Joel) so we stopped and ate our rolls, some sliced carrots, apples and he then waited patiently in line for some chocolate ice-cream drink at the festival.
We spent the rest of the day outside, playing, talking to friends and enjoying the sun and warmth. So what’s for supper? Joel wanted more of my bread (yay!) with banana slices and some almond butter. This was basically it since we usually eat very light for supper. Of course, whenever ze husband is around we have homemade pizzas or pasta in any variation but usually, I just have some form of salad and take a paper-wrapped cheese or occasionally charcuterie from the fridge and lay it out nicely on a wooden board. I add some grapes and call it The French Revolution Night. I might open a jar of Pâté and eat this with a slice of crusty homemade bread. Heaven! Again, simple is key!
After this long day we curled up on the couch with hot chocolate and popcorn to watch Moana again (Petit Joel’s favorite movie!). Thinking about food, traveling and what I already ate I have to say that I can adapt to anything, especially if it is simple and rustic (German) but also fine dining and complex dishes (Delegates Dining Room United Nations). For me, variation is important because eating the same things every day gets boring and I want to try new things. Like pho.
What I discovered in Ottawa today:
While we ate supper today, we listened to Jazz. There is some sort of Jazz music playing at our house most of the time. These days I am into Kenny Barron. I found out today that he will be in Ottawa soon for the Jazz Festival. Hopefully I can be there to enjoy this fantastic artist even if it means to take Joel. He is used to my taste in music by now, I reckon. He better be! 🙂 Life is good. And I am listening to this while I am typing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SohMWcK_q4
