AUGUST: Happiness Is...

... Saturday night cocktails.

... new makeup. (Always a big mood lifter!)

... a ferry ride on a calm day on the Øresund.

... the many yellow bicycles of the Swedish island, Hven.

... the quiet, quaint roads of the little island of Hven to explore on a sunny day.

... camp fires on the beach.

... when healthy food doesn't have to be boring food.

Of Smoothies and Muesli

Being sick and stuck on the couch makes for a bad deal when you are the author of a blog entitled "Because Life's A Party". Sigh... But I'm back, and hopefully, back with a vengeance, guys!

SO! I've decided to give in and go with the flow...and start making Recipes a part of my blog from time to time. For a Certified Food Fan, I've resisted temptation long enough and I'd love to share my great food experiences with you guys, because for me, food is one of the most fantastic parts of life and what's a party without food and drink?!

So, here's a simple one to start out with: a smoothie. It was the only thing I could manage to prepare and keep down one of the days I was stuck on the couch feeling sick and sorry for myself.

Blueberry-Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:

A handful blueberries

One banana

A few teaspoons agave syrup

Chilled vanilla soy milk

Blend all ingredients. If you're really lazy, a hand blender will do. Feel free to vary the proportions of the ingredients according to taste. Pour over ice and top with a festive straw. Easy peesy and healthy! You can obviously use any kind of fruit for the smoothie. Strawberries or raspberry-banana are some delicious alternatives. But the vanilla soy milk really made all the difference for me.

While we're on the subject of healthy eating while being sick, I also made a simple kind of low-carb muesli using chocolate, almonds, raisins and red lentils (yes, lentils!). I got the inspiration for the recipe from this website althought mine is an infinitely easier version. Or lazier version, is probably more like it.

Low-Carb Muesli

Ingredients:

A handful or more of chopped, toasted almonds

A similar sized handful of chopped quality dark chocolate ( I used 85%)

A handful of raisins or sultanas

A cup of red lentils

Soak the lentils in water for at least an hour though preferrably longer, then spread on baking sheet and bake at around 180 C for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils look popped or flakey.

Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container.

It tastes great over skyr (Icelandic yoghurt high on protein and low in fat) with a teaspoon of agave syrup-

Gastronomic Delight at Spiseloppen in Copenhagen's Hippie Town

Don't judge a book by appearances, indeed! That's what I learned when I visited restaurant Spiseloppen at Copenhagen's own free town, Christiania. This autonomous neighborhood in the borough of Christianshavn is more known for the mild scent of cannabis in the air on Pusher Street, its no-cars-allowed rule, homemade houses and the remains of the hippie movement, so imagine my delight when I found out that this nondescript entrance....

... led up to this cozy restaurant!

Spiseloppen has quite a nice menu. My husband and my friend chose dishes like shrimp and venison while I opted for an appetizer of a green bean salad with nuts and toasted goat's cheese, a main course of chicken leg stuffed with shrimp and served with vegetables and a small melon-apple salad and for dessert--a divine chocolate cake with chocolate ganache, berries and mango ice cream. YUMYUMYUM!

Just take a look at how gorgeous that looks! And the taste was just as beautiful and bursting with flavor!

It will definitely not be the last time I visit Christiania for a culinary experience at Spiseloppen, and maybe to explore some of the other cafes in the free town.

USA Vacation 5: About Wine Country and the Route Back to L.A. Through Solvang and Santa Barbara

Next destination: wine country. More specifically, director Francis Ford Coppola's wineyard in Sonoma.

If you are ever in the area -- and even if you don't like wine -- a visit to this wineyard is nice for a day trip.  Rolling acres of grape vines, interesting architecture and fresh air are an added incentive.

For movie buffs, bits and pieces from Francis Ford Coppola's career adorn the estate.

Of course, there are the wine tasting bars but if you are driving or if it's too early in the day for you, check out the winery's restaurant, Rustic. You can enjoy a delicious steak or chicken lunch under high ceilings, and the ambience isn't too bad, either.

On the way back to Los Angeles, our route took us near Solvang, the little Danish town in California. For someone actually living in Denmark, this experience was slightly bizarre, especially as many of the Danish landmarks were copied here on a smaller scale. But definitely an interesting pit stop on a long car ride. The Asian toursists seemed especially fascinated by it.

Another pit stop on the way back to L.A. was in Santa Barbara. What a nice town! I can also see why this is a great university town with it's proximity to the beach and nice areas. 

And that was the last leg of our holiday in USA. For you readers who waited patiently while I was enjoying the Danish summer and procrastinating on getting the blogs posts out, thanks for hanging in there! I can only recommend a few weeks in California and Las Vegas -- maybe there was a little too much shopping involved but, oh my, it was an amazing holiday!

USA Vacation 4: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

I definitely understand why Douglass Cross penned the lyrics to the song. I loved San Francisco, not just because we visited some really great friends there on our vacation, but also because I loved the blend of old and new, the rolling hills, the proximity to the ocean and the great gastronomic experiences. I can't believe the husband and I only spent two days there, because I could definitely have stayed a lot longer!

The famous Golden Gate Bridge was, well...not exactly visible as it is in every movie and postcard that seems to feature this attraction. And apparently, seeing it in fog like this is very typical---it's the clear days that are unusual! Or so I've been told.

Even here, by Crissy Field, all that could be seen of the bridge was the lower part of it.

But a photo opp with or without the bridge in the background will push through! Have camera, will have photo for the vacation album!

If you're out for a walk by Crissy Field, head over to the nearby Palace of Fine Arts and enjoy the beautiful structures by the pond. Great for photo shoots, too!

One of my favorite parts of our visit to SF was driving around, up and down the streets and enjoying the architecture and views of the sea.

Like this top view of what is probably the most photographed street in San Francisco, Lombard Street.

And here's the view from the bottom of the unusually steep and winding street. No speed trangressions here, I should hope!

And apparently, there is more than one way to drive down Lombard Street.

Another landmark to pass by is Ghirardelli Square near Fisherman's Wharf. This area used to house the headquarters of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and still features a number of shops, a small green and different views of the sea. And quite a few boats of different types and ages.

I have no idea who the lady in the foreground is but otherwise, isn't it a nifty view of the hilly streets of the city?

One can't visit San Francisco and not pass by Fisherman's Wharf. If not for a meal of clam chowder served in a bowl of the famous sourdough bread....

....or for a photograph of Alcatraz and a very persistent sea gull.....

...or for a inner tour of this submarine in the wharf (obviously the husband's choice, not mine!)...

... then at least for a visit to Pier 39, the pier that the sea lions at some point just decided to invade and claim for a chill-out spot and which now draws crowds from all over who come to see these great creatures snoozing in the sun, lying on the same crowded floats, despite there being many other floats to choose from.

And, oh my God, the food! San Francisco is known as one of the best restaurant cities in America, which is golden nugget of information for a food fanatic like myself! 

Our hosts took us to dinner at this small restaurant on Mission Street called Salt House, which is located in a refurbished printing press warehouse from 1907 and which features Contemporary American fare. I wish I had remembered to take photos of the food for this post, but it was all so good that I was busy stuffing my face and photography had to take a back seat for once! If you are more than two people, I recommend ordering different things from the menu and sharing so that everyone gets a taste of everything. The food is served in small, gourmet portions and is definitely worth the visit. My favorites were the poutine (french fries smothered in gravy), poached egg and the S'more dessert cup. Oh, and making a reservation is a good idea, too.

Another place I enjoyed a good meal was at Town on Laurel Street in the San Carlos area where they definitely know how to do great brunch dishes. As an Eggs Benedict fan, I had to try the Benedict A Trois, which featured the classic Eggs Benedict as well as a steak and crab cake variety. Nom! 

The husband had his first try of Chicken and Waffles (which this restaurant apparently does well). Mmm, gravy....

Also a place worth visiting and making a table reservation for, especially for weekend brunch.

Ah, San Francisco, you stole my heart away in just two days! I shall see you again someday.

PS. For all you guys out there who love to shop, the Standford Shopping Center is a nice place to check out as well...!