Food for thought

I've been pretty busy with moving to our new apartment. The ridiculous situation is that the week we moved, Chris was offered a job in Berlin, so we'll be going to Berlin in a few weeks! I'm really sad to be leaving all my good friends here in Leipzig but the sad reality is that jobs here are few and far between (unless you work as a translator or in an in demand sector like engineering and have fluent Deutsch) and I can only live off my small savings for a few more months. I'll hopefully also have more success in teaching workshops in Berlin and doing my other bits and pieces.

I've been quite busy with my Sprachschule and I'm looking forward to having a week off next week. We've been learning about each other families (in Deutsch natürlich) and it's always challenging talking about my family. We showed each other family photos and I shared photos of David and Mr Pablo, whilst yes, my twin and cat are deceased, I still feel them in my heart. A lot of people felt quite teary and homesick for their loved ones, it's the side of expat life that no one really sees that much.

I'm also planning my next little recipe ebooks and looking forward to working on them in more detail. 

p.s. I'm starting a newsletter to coincide with my new website. It'll be maybe once a month  at most with a few new recipes and bits of pieces. Nothing spammy. Maybe you'd like to sign up? There's a box on the right hand corner of my blog, can you find it ok? 

Things I am reading:

Friday night meatballs, how to change your life with pasta, Lucy Gray, Serious Eats

I love this story so much, to me it sums up so much about building community and friendship around food and the home. It's why I started the Apartment Supper Club here in Leipzig, something I definitely want to continue in Berlin, albeit in a different format. 

The privileged are taking other the arts; without the grit, pop culture is doomed, Stuart Maconie, New Statesman

I quit my job to set up a commune, Dylan Evans, The Guardian

What a (food) blog costs per month and why the reader show know, Mel, Gourmet Guerilla (translated from German). 

This encapsulates nicely why I have ads on my blog. As I don't have a full time job, anything and everything helps to represent my time and the money I spend buying ingredients, hosting my website (coming) etc. I'm not a big entrepreneurial blogger, just a small fish trying to offset a few costs whilst being able to do something I like. 

How one stupid Tweet blew up Justine Sacco's Life, Jon Ronson, The New York Time Magazine. This is definitely one to read if you are a user of social media, it gives another side the story we so often hear...

How do you grieve when you lose an internet friend, Nicky Woolf, The Guardian

The US is the only country in the world that locks up kids for life, could that finally change? Bryan Schatz, Mother Jones

Why are creative women dismissed as 'quirky'? Eva Wiseman, The Guardian

Blurred sidelines, meet the musicians who are doctors, gardeners and authors, Paul Lester, The Guardian

Things I am liking

Great art by Irana Douer via Design is Mine 

                       

I know Cath Kidston wares are rather chintzy, expensive and probably all made in China (I actually saw loads of Cath Kidston rip off bags in Beijing) but I love this collaboration with Gola, who made my favourite sports shoes until I realised my new pair have slippery soles. What's with that? 

How I love the creative work done on this room! 

Food for thought

January is always a bit of a nothing month in some respects. But I must confess to loving the cooler weather, it makes it better for sleeping, that's for sure! I have Timehop on my phone and I look back at the hot weather with dread this time in previous years.

Sadly our sweet Mr Pablo was put to sleep last Friday. He had been unwell for some time with old age and was starting to suffer. We went to a wonderful vet clinic here who assessed him and concluded that the end was near. He wasn't eating or drinking so we made the decision together to put him to sleep. He had a wonderful 18 years, four is which he shared with us. We both miss him terribly. I keep expecting to see his little face peeking around the corner of the apartment or hear his meow. When we get settled somewhere permanently, we'll certainly get another kitty but not for a while yet.

I released my first ebook this week, Australian Classics Veganised. It's a small recipe book of 11 recipes. I initially planned to do a blog post consolidating a series of Australian vegan friendly recipes from different bloggers but I did not get many entries. So I decided to put that project on hold and work on my first recipe book. Keeping busy is a good way to work through grief. Writing recipes is more work than it looks, I know this from teaching recipes! Hopefully people will buy a few copies, I'd love to spend the money on some new glasses. I'm also donating 50 cents from each copy to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Melbourne, Australia. I'm also doing a little guide to ingredients included in in the book on the blog here. It was originally intended for the book but the formatting of the publishing program posted each ingredient on a separate page, annoying.

You might have seen Leipzig in the news regard the Lediga and Anti-Lediga protests? Its interesting to observe as an expat. We went along to the first big protest against Lediga Monday last week with over 30,000 Leipzigers. Those numbers are amazing considering that Leipzig only has 550,000 people. The Lediga people (including many from outside Leipzig that are bused in) pledge to protest each week. There has been bomb threats and assault upon police and journalists. I actually wonder what their final aim is?

Thing that interest me this week:

The science behind your sriracha obsession, Sarah Jacoby, Refiney 29. Yes I love the stuff.

This is such a cute idea for a party.

How to cook the perfect Vegetarian Haggis, Felicity Cloake, The Guardian. I had Haggis for the first time last year when i went to a Burns day party.

We need to remember Anita Cobby, Clementine Ford, Daily Life. I read a book about her life and death in high school and it's haunted me ever since.

I've read a couple of new Chick lit books this week (as... ahem... research). I was especially disappointed with Sophie Kinsella's latest, Shopaholic to the Stars. Painfully littered with American stereotypes (in the worst way), it lacked the wit and humour of some of her other works. Saving Grace was interesting in that the story was superficially compelling but really had so many red herrings that were never developed and a 'baddie' that never got their comeuppance. Of course, my mood over the last week has not been all that cheerful with Mr Pablo's death so it possible I would find any books inadequate.

I've been watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix and Season Two of Broadchurch.

Lots of bits and pieces to be getting on with, write again soon...

Food for thought

                                                    

                     

Things are tickling along nicely in Leipzig. Last week we had our first snow! The funny thing is that I have only seen snow twice so when I went outside that morning to ride my bike to school I thought all the white stuff everywhere was salt. I've seen these huge vats of salt for putting on the ground ( I think?) in preparation for snow so I thought, 'Oh wow, snow is coming! ' It wasn't until I got to school and the teacher said it was snow that I realised. Silly me!

                         

We've been enjoying various things like going along to flea markets, life drawing class, winning at English trivia and seeing some English comedians last weekend. I also started a little social group for expat women in Leipzig and so far we've gone out for cocktails and watching a movie at ours in English with Deutsch subtitles. Good fun! 

Some bizarre flea market goods:

Love these drawers:

We also have the big Leipzig Weihnachsmarkt (Christmas market). Think lots of lights and decorations, stalls with gluhwein, stollen and pastries and lots of things to eat, drink and buy. 

I've been a bit under the weather the last week with bad sinus that went to a runny nose and has now become a cough.Just coming good now. So annoying! The weather doesn't help, although it's definitely been warmer the last few days. 

Things I've enjoyed reading:

I nearly died. So what? Meaghan Daum, The New York Times

Pussy Riot: when friendly people like us become enermies of the state it is very strange, Carole Cadwalladr, The Guardian

The absolute best and weirdest german integration class I ever had, from Oh My God My Wife is German.

Jarring experience, Alexia Schmidt, Courier Post. Great tips here for using your jarred preserves in recipes!

Living the veg life, Health Perch. I really like the info charts,especially the last one to assist people transitioning to a veg life. 

I'm loving this house

These gingerbread terrariums are a great idea! 

I also wrote an article myself about my experiences of Idiopathic angioedema for XO Jane. I have been trying to get more freelance writing work but it is difficult if you do not have a suite of published work to present. I'm working on some other topics also, not just writing about me. Hope everyone is enjoying the lead up to Christmas. X 

I'm still here....

Hello,
just letting you all know that all is well here in Leipzig. I started Deutsche schule on Tuesday (four hours a day) which has been keeping me incredibly busy. I've also been busy with freelance writing for a somewhat dodgy fashion website- basically writing  descriptions for each outfit features. It pays for a beer and skittles as they say.

Well, there's plenty happening this weekend in Leipzig including the Vegan Summer Day which is a big vegan celebration tomorrow. I'll be there to take pics and stay tuned for an article telling you all about it! I'm also writing a range of recipes for  VeganMofo2014 and will finally have some time to writing some down and photograph them this weekend. Write soon!

Point of difference: who are you?

I love the way that so many people are so different and I sometimes wonder what causes them to be different. I feel that with the rise of television, infotainment, celebrity, popular culture, sponsored bloggers and the like, we are constantly given perceptions of who we are based on what we have and what we consume. I know from running Green Renters for example, that many people have a very set idea of a) how the founder of a national charity should be and b) what a sustainability 'expert' will be like. I tend to surprise people a bit as I don't tend to fit their stereotypes. No, I don't read the Herald Sun or watch Channel 9 (considered more right wing activities), but I also don't wear clogs and Gorman sack dresses. Or thai fisherman pants. (I have actually had two pairs of clogs in the past but gave up after the buckles kept falling off).

1. I don't drive. I'm 38 but I never learnt. I moved to the city for University and had no one to teach me. After that I couldn't afford it and/or was struggling with bipolar and driving wasn't a good idea at that time. The thought of driving makes me nervous. Some people find it astonishing that someone can be in their late 30's and never had driven. I take public transport, ride a bike and use taxis as needed.
   
2. I make all my own cleaning products with the exception of dishwashing liquid. Dishwashing liquid is very hit and miss and when you make your own you tend to need far much more than when one is mass produced.
   
3. I adore crime shows and crime fiction. Big fan of the work of Jimmy McGovern and Val McDermid amongst others. I studied criminology at Uni. Yes, it's all very interesting but employment requires many years of further training.
   
4. I far prefer winter to summer. I find hot weather exhausting and find I always have plenty to do in winter. I also don't feel guilty being indoors cooking, reading, crafting when the sun isn't shining. I always have a internal dialogue that says one 'should' be doing things on sunny days but often I don't have the time or people to do them with.
   
5. I've been self employed for six years. I work from home all of the week except for meetings, workshops and buying materials, errands, post office etc. Self employment has many merits but there are also many disadvantages. I work most weekends. I've had only one job on a Monday only in six years. No one books anything on Mondays. I couldn't do it forever. That said, I'm moving to Leipzig to work on a chic lit (romance) novel. Enforced self employment really.
   
6. I enjoy crime fiction and chic lit. I am not ashamed of this.
   
7. I've never been part of any sporting team. I've never followed any sporting team. I've never seen a sports game in it's entirity. I'm just not interested, I'd rather read a book-except for roller derby recently. That was fun. My husband asked if I wanted to go again. My reply "Why? I've already seen a game".
   
8. I make all my own skincare. I don't make soap though, I don't need any more crafts!
   
9. I don't have children or any inclination to have children. I never have. I think some people see child rearing as a rite of passage to adulthood and don't consider being childfree as a viable life choice. I think people who really want kids should have them and I feel sorry for those who are infertile. Me,  I have other things that I devote my passions to.
   
10. I have a rare health condition called Idiopathic Angioedema. It's been really quiet this year which is fantastic.
    
11. I don't own a telly. But we watch plenty of online shows of our choosing. At the moment I'm watching Greek. It's suitably mindless whilst doing other things like sewing. 

Do you want to join in? I love getting to know people

Food for thought

Break out the Breville, it's time for a Toastie by John Naylor
Do you like toasted sandwiches? Apparently they're making a comeback in restaurants and cafes. I'd like to contend they never left. Whenever we were unwell our mum would make us toasted sandwiches for lunch/dinner full of either creamed corn or Heinz tinned spaghetti. When I left home back in the 90's my grandma gave me her toasted sandwich maker which looked like this one:

It made perfectly toasted sandwiches with lava like molten insides if you weren't careful and you had to be careful not to let the bread packet or butter tub touch any exposed metal or you'd experience the acrid smell or burning plastic and a rather sorry looking bread bag. Did you know that April 12 is Grilled Cheese Sandwich day? What's your favourite toastie?

I love old photographs that feature people in every day situations. These photographs by Bill Rauhauser of working people in Detroit are just wonderful. See more here

Why is preserving so popular? June Taylor on Jam Making and Avoiding Waste by Dana Velden

                                     
                                         Scones and jam made by me

 I don't think preserving has ever been unpopular. It's been central in every food culture from kim chi to gravalax and it's more perhaps that some people in the twenties and thirties are realising that their working parents were more inclined to buy a jar than spent time standing over a pot and are keen to learn to make their own. All the merrier I say!

Recipe ownership & copyright infringement – be respectful, but informed by Amanda McInery 

I read this post with interest about the sticky issues of recipe ownership and copyright infringement when it comes to blogging. She (and other bloggers) have found themselves in a touch of contention with Dan Leppard and his agent for creating recipes which are derived from his books or credited to his work. I know in my experience that there are some recipes that can't be owned per se because they've been passed down through so many hands. Like strawberry jam. I''m only aware of two different stove top versions and they don't differ whatever book you read. But if you choose to add other ingredients, whether spices or liquers etc, then they become that of their creator in my humble opinion.

 This differs from buying or downloading a free copy or a Jamie Oliver book. Sure, he has plenty of money, but less books bought mean less people employed all the way down the line. It's very hard to make a profit in publishing cookbooks if you aren't one of the big names. But I also think bloggers need to be a bit smarter. If you run a blog full of recipes then publish a book with the same recipes (and usually additions) and gain publicity and a good reputation, well no wonder people are passing around your original blog recipes! That said however, your original creations and building of your audience may what enabled you to get a book deal in the first place. What are your thoughts?

As sure as the dawn...(an ode to our 17 year cat, Mr Pablo)

Inspired by Kayte of Woogs World, I decided to contribute my own list of inevitable things that happen to me on a regular basis

                         

As sure as the dawn...

• The cat decides he wants to go inside once let outside
• The cat decides he wants to go outside once let inside
• The cat manages to look innocent to all misdemeanors
• The cat will sprawl on the floor in front of the doorway right where you need to go
• The cat will only eat certain brands of food in certain flavours which are often sold out
• The cat will get excited when you go into the bedroom in case you might be going to bed

 We got Mr Pablo when he was in 14 and his owner was moving into a nursing home. He makes me very happy.

Link A Long: Cate's insprirations

I was reading Pip Lincolne's Meet me at Mikes blog  and she discussed the idea that blogs are more skimmed these days than read and commented upon and people are slow to celebrate those who inspire them in blog land. I've been blogging for a few years on and off, starting in about 2006. Blogging's an interesting endeavour.

 I used to post a lot about my crafty creations, something I rarely have time to do anymore beyond making door snakes for Green Renters and bits of pieces that charm me from the internet. I don't do a full confessional kind of trajectory, I'm in the public enough through my work. I'm child free, so I'm not a mummy blogger. I'm not a design/house/architecture fetishist thought I love skimming through pics of houses, my financial status and rental life makes it akin to reading magazines (something I rarely do). I'm just me, bumbling along, with a charity we're about to wind up, a husband and a cat . I  enjoy cooking and going out and reading and I'm  planning for an overseas move and a fictional book I'm writing. I don't really fit a category.  Maybe you're a bit like this too? 

At any rate, I wanted to share a few who inspire. 

A Girl Called Jack, Jack Monroe

   

Jack is awesome. After experiencing severe financial hardship, she started documenting low cost nutritious recipes to help other people in similar situations. She started writting and speaking about the realities of poverty in modern Britain, becoming a spokesperson for thousands. She stands up to politicans, challenges the assumptions about the unemployed and food banks and now she has her head above water, supports the campaigns of others against poverty. She has a recipe book coming out any day now.


Definatalie, Natalie Perkins

                                                 
        
                                             

Brilliant artist and fat activist, Natalie is someone I've had the pleasure of knowing for a few years now. She and her husband Nick even house sat for us on occasion! Natalie writes (albeit infrequently) about the realities of life with mental illness and life as an artist. I was particularly impressed when she eschewed the trappings of the fatshionista blog scene noting

" Under the guise of inclusivity, fatshion is really just encouraging the divorce between politics and embodiment; it's hamstrung by brands and in the same trap as the “straight sized” world."

Planet vegmel, assorted bloggers, Melbourne

A collection of vegan and vegetarian bloggers that are Melbourne based aggregate their blogs here to share recipes, challenges, restaurant recipes and related foodie goodness. 

Some of my favourite recipes have been Michael and Cindy's (from Where's the Beef ) vegan sausage rolls and Johanna's (from Green Gourmet Giraffe) broccoli and hazelnut burgers.

              

                                  

A Beautiful Mess, by Elsie and Emma

ABM is a lifestyle blog covering travelling, DIY crafts and creativity, cooking and cocktails, home life and the realities of small business America. At times the American tone makes me wince but I love the authentic voices, diversity of topics, and gorgeous pics. They're business owners, book authors, fashion and decor designers and  write a blog that millions of people, have produced a  #1 selling app and to sum up a million dollar business. Food for thought.