Paris in Pictures

Hello!

We are back from Paris and all I can say is that it was tiring but awesome!  Paris is stylish, stunning, rich in culture, both laid back and buzzing, cosmopolitan, beautiful. Here’s our stay in pictures.

Leaving for Heathrow in the rain (typical).

Tom’s plane photo, which I promised I’d include (being on the Airbus A380 was a major highlight for him).

L’Hôtel national des Invalides (The National Residence of the Invalids)… political correctness is clearly lacking in this instance.

Tom and I by the impressive-once-standing-underneath Eiffel Tower

This one’s for our friend, Christopher, who tried but failed to take one of those perspective pictures when he visited Paris (y’know where the Tower’s supposed to be within your hands).

We took a river boat along the Seine which is a great way to see the cultural highlights of Paris.

The Notre Dame.  Next time we’re going in.

This was a string group playing classical music in the metro for passers-by.  Somewhat fitting in Paris.

Tom wanted me to include this photo of me looking tired on the flight since I included the photo of us two above despite his protests.

And that was  Paris in a nutshell!  I survived without getting glutened thanks to dietary cards,

and the wide availability of fresh produce.

Sorry there are no exciting food photos.  Food wasn’t really one of the highlights; it was more of a eat-for-survival-rather-than-pleasure things.

This may be my last post for the next two weeks as Tom and I are on our travels again!  On Friday we are flying to New York (screams with excitement) where we will be staying for a couple of nights before driving to Williamsburg, Viriginia and via Washington DC.  I can’t wait!  And Whole Foods watch out!  I am going to have a field day.  I will finally get to try some of the delicious looking food that you wonderful US people blog about.  Any recommendations for our stay?

Hope you’re all well and had a good start to your weeks

Tags: Airbus A380, dietary card, Paris

Goody Good Sweets!

Good afternoon and happy friday!

The weekend is about to begin, and for me that means one thing: Paris!  Tomorrow Tom and I are departing from the UK on the double decker Airbus blah-blah-blah (insert plane geek talk from Tom) and going to France!  So excited.  We’re returning on Monday and I will try my best to take photos to share (I won’t bore you with too many though).  How will a gluten-free vegan navigate these foreign waters?  I’m not sure.  I’ll let you know.  At least I found a vegetarian restaurant that highlights all the gluten-free dishes on its menu (phew!).  Since I have packing and stuff to do before we depart I shall leave you with a sweet review…

As I’ve said, I love sweets.  Sweets and I go way back, and I blame my dad as I believe I’ve inherited his sweet tooth.  However, our relationship has come to a halt recently since most of the gummy kind have gluten or gelatine in them.  Once upon a time I loved Maynards Wine Gums…  Luckily, this is about to change because there is a new range of everything-free (literally: no artificial colours, gelatine, fat, dairy, gluten, soy, nut) and they are kosher and halal!  Did you think it was possible?  No?  Me neither.  That was until Goody Good Stuff came along.

Whilst all of their range are vegetarian, only the Sour range are vegan.  Fear not, all of them are tastey.  In fact, have you tried Harribo’s Tangfangtastic range?  Well, they remind me of them.

Cola Breeze, a personal favourite and taste exactly like fizzy cola bottles.

Sour Fruit Salad (a low-calorie variety).

Summer Peaches, a close second fave.

Sour Mix & Match.

All of these have a great texture – not too chewy and the sweets don’t stick to your teeth.

The following vegetarian range contain beeswax hence them not being strictly vegan.  I haven’t tried them (Tom has and says that they are Goody-Good, haha) although I am tempted as I’m not sure where I stand on beeswax and honey.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.  Anyway, the vegetarian range include:

Koala Gummy Bears, which I think kids would love.

Strawberry Cream, Tom’s fave.

Tropical Fruit.

And Cheery Cherries (such a great name for sweets!).

If you’re interested in finding out more I recommend you visit their highly interactive website http://www.goodygoodstuff.com.  The range was launched in June this year and is available in the UK and the US, mostly from online shops (see here for details).  However, I think they may be available in supermarkets such as Asda , as well as other places once they are more established.

They are definitely great for the health-conscious who want to have a treat without the chemicals, allergens, and animal products.  I, personally, am a convert.  The only problem is that I can’t just have one sweet.  It takes me mountains of restraint to stop myself from eating the whole bag; especially when I’m sat in front of my computer trying to study.  They are just too good.  Thanks Goody Good Stuff!

Tags: allergen free, gluten free, goody good stuff, sweets, vegan

Highlights and Curry

Good morning!

Yesterday started off with taking pictures of all my food but then I just gave up.  So instead I have the highlights and a recipe; the highlights being lunch, dinner and a snack that I really want to raw-ify.

This delicious lunch was inspired by Tasha, a fellow fan of snack plates!

Are you noticing a foodie theme yet?  Roasted veg and potatoes, hummus, raw carrots, steamed broccoli.

And these are the delights I want to raw-ify, Raspberry Ruffles!  Do you guys have them in the US or Canada?  In case you don’t they’re just dark chocolates with raspberry-coconut centres.  I’m sure the raw version would taste even better.

I snacked my way through the afternoon (a girl needs a fuel break every 15-20 mins when reading such dry research material for an essay).  Whilst snacking I dreamed of curry- a favourite way to use up a bag of spinach that’s been sitting at the bottom of the fridge for the last week.  And the recipe is an easy one:

Sweet Potato and Spinach Curry – serves 2 with leftovers (adapted from a BBC Good Food recipe)

Ingredients

2 medium sized sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
100g spinach
1 tin (400g) of chopped tomatoes
150-300ml water, as needed
1 tbsp chilli powder
3/4 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp tumeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1 red onion, roughly chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 inch of fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp vegetable or olive oil

Method

Heat the oil in a  saute pan or heavy based saucepan (I used by beloved Le Crueset pot), then add the onions.  Saute over a low heat until they’ve softened.  Then add the ginger and garlic- stir until slightly toasted (but don’t let either burn!).  Then add the spices and the sweet potato.  Stir again to coat everything in the spice mixture.  Next add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, and 150mls of water.  Bring to the boil and simmer for 20-25 mins until the sweet potato is cooked.  If the mixture’s looking a bit dry then add some more water.  However, the sauce should be nice and thick so don’t add too much!  Then add the spinach, stirring until the spinach has wilted.  Season to taste before serving with brown basmati rice (or other rice, naan or poppadoms).  Easy, no?

***

Hope you guys have a great day!  The weekend is almost here (we’re going to Paris!).

P.S. From yesterday’s post, marmite is a stellar vegan food.  It has all the vitamins and minerals of Nutritional Yeast (B vitamins etc) and, in my mind, is a superior spread/condiment to vegemite.  However, you either love it or hate it!

P.P.S. I’m glad that i’m not the only one who doesn’t photograph all of their food and that there are lots of fellow snackers out there

Tags: chocolate, curry, daily food, recipe, vegan. gluten-free