Lebenslustiger.com - Market day

Optimal Ripeness Of A Mangosteen

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Here comes a little update to a picture I posted recently.

Some of you wrote to me that they have never seen a Mangosteen before or don't know where to find and how to eat it.

I bought mine at my local organic shop. It is a seasonal fruit therefore not year-round available. Asia-markets also often carry them - not sure about super markets because I barely shop there. There a some online companies who ship ripe tropical fruits right to your door - I already wrote here about it.

Mangosteen fruits are optimal ripe when then skin gives in a bit when pressing it gently with your fingers.

If the skin is hard, the fruit inside will be overripe and often not edible anymore.

I also prefer the smaller fruits of these anyway small fruits because they are even more aromatic.

Cut carefully around thru the thick skin to open the fruits and by using a spoon eat the white juicy segments right out of the skin.

Enjoy!

Happy Day,

Anette

Scallion Soup

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:46:00 +0000

Honestly - I'm a bit embarrassed by the profanity of this post...

Since spring I wanted to tell you, that scallion soup is my absolute favorite soup and when I saw fresh local scallions again the last two weeks at farmers market, i thought "O.k. - now or never!"

Must be the second harvest cycle - the scallions don't look that perky and bright green like the spring ones do, but they are still delicious.

Maria from Austria "taught" me, how to make the soup. I would have never gotten the idea to just use plain scallions as the single ingredient for a soup.

Of course I know french onion soup with bread and melted cheese - but that's different.

Scallions soup is so much simpler - it's almost genius!

It's literally done in a very few minutes.

Take 3 bunches of cleaned and cut up scallions, roast for just a little bit (don't burn) in some olive oil, cover with water (I don't like the soup too thin) and season with powdered broth. Cook on low temperature until scallions are soft but still in pieces. (about 15min) DONE!

Enjoy!

Bon Appetit, Anette

Favorite Places

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:15:00 +0000

I just arrived in California a few days ago. So lovely - I missed it a lot! If you would like to get up-dates it would be wonderful to connect via twitter and Instagram!

Meanwhile here is a re-post from last summer:

Back to my old home town Santa Barbara for a few weeks.

Well, what's new?

Not to much - i guess, and that's a good thing...the wonderful sun, the beautiful beaches, the ice-cold ocean, relaxed easy living...

Let's take a look then at some of my favorite places around town over the next weeks.

Are you ready for some more fruit and vegetable pics? Because I'll start with my deeply beloved farmers market!

Santa Barbara and it's neighbor cities Goleta and Montecito put on a farmers market in different locations on each day of the week!

Fantastic - I have been so grateful for it all those years we lived in Santa Barbara and basically never missed my 'market days'.

I have always been treated to the most wonderful, sun-kissed produce.

It's all fresh, local and mostly organic. If you are a regular at the market you get to personally know many of the farmers, which makes your shopping an even more fun event.

Some of my favorites at this favorite place are:

Hmmm - I"m off to lunch now...

XOXO, Anette

Simply Summer - Summer Simply

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:34:00 +0000

We live close to a beautiful organic farm.

Sometimes they offer workshops on different topics and I love to go, also because they serve wonderful, simple but delicious food.

This time we had gratinated ciabatta bread.

If you like to try it sprinkle some olive oil on a baking sheet and lay out the bread slices onto the oil. Top each bread with a nice sage leaf, some zucchini slices and a not too thin piece of pecorino cheese. Bake for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy. Enjoy right from the oven. So delicious! Serve with a salad and you have a simple but perfect summer dish.

Do you have any simple ideas or tricks to help enjoying summer even more?

I would love to hear them!

XOXO, Anette

Rhubarb - Mustard

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Wed, 23 May 2012 06:49:18 +0000

I'm not really a kitchen person but I sure LOVE to eat...

I gave this recipe a try because the mix of ingredients sounded exciting. And the color. I'm so intrigued by this pink-red Rhubarb color right now!

Pin It

The Mustard turned out pretty spicy!

If I do it again, I will try to increase the amount of Rhubarb and Honey a lot to contain the power of the freshly ground mustard seeds a bit.

Here it goes:

180 gr Rhubarb
4 Tbs Honey
100 gr Mustard seeds
100 ml Raspberry Vinegar
50 ml Port
1 Tbs fresh Tarragon

Cut Rhubarb and mix with 2 Tbs honey and 100 ml water. Simmer until half of liquid is gone. Meanwhile grind seeds in a blender and add vinegar, Port, honey and the cooled down Rhubarb. Mix well in the blender. Cut tarragon and mix in by hand. Let sit over night covered with a towel and fill into clean jars.

Rosemary cracker:

300 gr flour
1 Tbs freshly cut Rosemary ( I used more, because I love this herb - so mediterranean...)
1 Tsp baking powder
seasalt
1.3 dl water
80 ml good quality olive oil

additional oil, rosemary and salt to sprinkle on the cracker

Heat up oven and sheet. Mix all ingredients and kneed until a nice dough is formed. Divide in three parts and roll out as thin as possible on baking paper. Be careful when slipping the paper with the big cracker onto the hot sheet! Sprinkle with oil, rosemary needles and some salt. Bake for 10 - 15 min. Hmmmmm....

Enjoy!

XOXO, Anette

New Food Blogs Finds And Long Time Favorites

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

I'm REALLY impressed by Foodblogs!

What a dedicated and admirable effort...

Well thought out planning - perfect timing - excellent mouthwatering pictures...

And always in the danger of over done baking, frying, steaming....

And then the cleaning...

Uahhhh...

You hear me...

Cooking and baking are not really my thing.

But I LOVE eating!!!

Here is where I'm heating up my appetite lately:

Zucker Zimt & Liebe

Call me Cupcake

Tartelette

Seelische Kost

Kuriositätenladen

La Tartine Gourmande

Journey Kitchen

Happyolks

And my All Time Favourites:

Roost

Green Kitchen Storys

What Katie ate

Enjoy!

All these wonderful springy and fresh pictures by La Tartine Gourmande

XOXO

Hildegard of Bingen raffle

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:27:00 +0000

She was very wise and versatile.

We don't actually know exactly when Hildegard of Bingen lived - about 850 years ago - but we know from her notes what her interests were.

The abbess engaged in music, religion, ethics, cosmology and the power of nature. Self-responsibility for one's own body is a central point in her comprehensive work.

It's said, that she was a very confident and charismatic woman.

Especially her knowledge in the area of nutriton is astoundingly up-to-date these days.

Today hardly any guide book on the subject of diet, wellness, health and well being doesn't cover the importance of natural supplementation, homeopathy, herbs and spices in connection with a holistic approach.

"Your soul loves moderation in all aspects of life. Thou shalt nourish thyself moderately to be happy and sociable." says Hildegard of Bingen.

Yes, moderation is definitely worth applying to our life styles today. Less is more. And many already do so with retreating from too much media consumption for example.

People are fasting and detoxing.

We want to eat less. A dish doesn't need to have 20 different ingredients any more. Simple and good is the new opulent. But with culinary pleasure.

That's totally along Hildegard's ideas.

All her dishes contained herbs and spices.

One of her favorite was Galgant.

It's a root similar to ginger with a warm, sweet and spicy aroma. Delicious in Thai-currys and soups and sweets.

Or Ysop, the "sacred" herb. Slightly bitter, minty and should be cooked or baked.

Are you curious by now?

Thanks to Sonnentor I have two great Hildegard products containing those two herbs and spices for you to win today!

I picked the Energy Tee and the Energy cookies for you to spice up your start into spring!

Of course - like always with our Sonnentor raffles - there will be a few tasty extra goodies in your winner package...

If you would like to participate please leave a comment until March 18th.

I am curious as well - have you ever tried a Hildegard product before?

XOXO

Be Beautiful

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Luck for Sale!

Again!

FARFALLA (means Butterfly in italian) a swiss based company with a wonderful philosophy dedicated to organic skin care makes it possible for you: Luck in a jar!

Feels great on my skin, has a very light and yummy scent of vanilla, cocoa and bergamot and definitely holds up to what the description says: rosy cheeks with a special glow - without any make up or frosty exposure...

Here is, what FARFALLA says about this NaTrue certified product:

be beautiful

for care with a beautiful special “feel good” factor

1. Gives a radiant “newly in love“ appeal.
2. Vitalises skin in stress situations.
3. Protects skin from damaging environmental influences.
4. Added shimmer particles conceal blemishes.

The innovation in natural cosmetics

Orinoco nut and Brazilian pepper tree
With its high-quality Omega-3 fatty acids, the Orinoco nut has a positive influence on the release of the happiness hormone, dopamine. The Brazilian pepper tree also promotes the secretion of this hormone. Among other positive traits, dopamine improves blood circulation, giving you a more radiant appearance and that special “newly in love” appeal. In order to give your skin the necessary positive impulses, use it when you want to pamper yourself or in stressful situations during a strenuous work day or when travelling. Feeling at ease with yourself and good about your appearance will enhance your radiance even further.

Mineral shimmer particles
The subtle shimmer effect conceals small blemishes and wrinkles.

Natural scents
According to aromatherapeutic principles, the mixture of essential oils, isolated from vanilla, cocoa and bergamot, contributes towards the «bliss effect» of this line of products.

Bliss cream

Designed for when you want to give yourself a special treat.This exceptional cream caresses your skin and gives you a marvellous sense of well-being. With
extracts isolated from Orinoco nut and the Brazilian pepper tree and an addition of mineral shimmer particles. Enjoy a radiant appearance with that “There’s
something special about you…” appeal. Use it before a rendezvous, a meeting, while travelling or whenever you want to pamper yourself.

100% from natural origin– 95% of the
certifiable natural substances are organic

I REALLY enjoyed watching their video because it shows an authentic expression about the companies appreciation for nature and the creation of their products.

Even If you are not familiar with 'schwizerdütsch', here is your chance to listen to this unique, lovely language while watching vibrant swiss landscape in Piemonte.

FARFALLA even supports families in need with parts of their proceeds from the 'be beautiful' line.

Sounds all just GREAT to me! What about you?

And please say hello to to Okka and Steffi

Happiness and JOY for SALE

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:00:42 +0000

YES!

Believe me!

At the market, the flower stand, the grocery place...

What would the world be without...

...FLOWERS...

I LOVE these Amaryllis - aren't they just AMAZING?

I'm totally o.k. with letting go of the Christmas decoration but I'm not willing to let go the hope of SNOW for this season...

And that's why I'm adoring these giant winter beauties so much right now.

Sorry you spring-promissing Tulips and Hyacinths - it's just a bit too early for you...

So, PLEASE treat yourself to flowers - or even better: treat yourself and a stranger; maybe the nice woman who sells bread at market, your neighbor, your coworker...

ENJOY your FLOWERMOMENTS

More luck at Steffi's and Okka's

MUTTERLAND - A bag full of joy

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:16:12 +0000

Ohhh yes - it knocked me right out of my socks just like this little chocolate treat predicts...

when I found out about "Mutterland" - the german version of "Dean and Deluca" located in the beautiful harbor city of Hamburg.

The shop has been around for a few years, so, many already might know about it, but for me, who has been out of the country for many years, it's been a wonderful NEW discovery.

Their speciality is wholesome foods made from scratch by small, often organic, local artisan manufacturer and farms.

Amazing yummy treats like jams, chutneys, spices, tees and much much more to devour - sweet or savory - all in an incredible quality stylish presented in wooden boxes along the walls.

And the best feature is, how they bag their goodies!

Thick, sturdy, beautiful grey colored paper bags are filled with wooden stuffing to keep the precious load safe.

Then a little linen piece with a chosen message like "Thank you" or "Congratulation" or a funny saying is been laid on top of the opening before signal red stitches sew the whole package close.

Just GEORGOUS!

They also serve outstanding homemade dishes and cakes right at the shop...

so, next time you come to Hamburg take a seat and...

ENJOY!

SONNENTOR raffle

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:56:00 +0000

Who are YOU?

Dear readers - please let your fingers fly over the keys, because lebenslustiger.com is looking forward to YOUR comments entered for a raffle!

Thanks to my dear friends of SONNENTOR , we have a wonderful yummy GIVEAWAY!

Do strawberries, corn flowers, roses, lavender and vanilla blossom bring you and your senses in a blissful state of being?

Can't you just not get enough of springs and summers bountiful scents and flavors?

Would you actually love to put a little, sunny, flowery hood over autumn's and winter's darker moments?

Then I think, Sonnentor has just the right thing for you!

A fabulous new delicious spice-blossom-preparation called "Blütenhäubchen" (means: little flower hood): Cheerful like a beautiful bouquet with it's pink and blue colors and sweet as love itself!

Super pretty and delicious on desserts, yogurt, cupcakes, milk foam,......

...or just licked right from your hand - HEAVENLY AROMATIC!

OR

are you more the soul who looks forward to the days getting shorter and calmer and to cozy afternoons spent at the fireplace? Do you like to sit back, dream and let cardamom, cinnamon, allspice and ginger take you on a flying carpet to the mystical East?

Then SONNENTOR's magical "Chai-kiss" from 1000 and one night will be perfect for you!

Hmmm - what a delicious refinement for milk, cocoa, tea and coffee. On rice pudding, ice cream, or cookies and in all else that could yet be crowned by a spicy magic kiss!

Both new sweet spice flower preparations are, like all produkts of Sonnentor, organically grown and created with lots of sunny cheerful devotion.

So - PLEASE let us know - what direction is to YOUR taste?

Or, are you like me and fell spontaneously in love with both kinds?

Even better, because with a little luck and your comment left at the end of this post, you could soon enjoy these two creative products as well as an EXTRA surprise treasure from SONNTOR

EVERYBODY is invited to participate - we will ship the present WORLDWIDE - so this is THE chance to get a SONNENTOR product if it is not YET available for purchase in your home country!

GOOD LUCK and a BIG THANK YOU to SONNENTOR!

Foodblogs and other great culinary delights

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:04:00 +0000

Look at this Chard...

Isn't it just FANTASTIC???

...intense colors in...

...exciting combinations with...

...diverse leaf formations for...

...endless possibilities - this time, onion, potatoes, red lentils and spices to taste are ready to jump into a pot for a soup creation which will turn out...

...YUMMY; well - the soup really turned out yummy - BUT - cooking unfortunately is harsh to those incredible, magical colors...

And since I usually show my pictures in their pure and raw state without any photo shop adjustments, I had to decide against the 'after cooking' pics...

Awww...you had just started drooling?

Don't be sad - here are some awesome, faboulus food blogs with incredible mouthwatering pictures for you!

green kitchen stories

Cucina Piccina

You can find even more at BRIGITTE - my all time favorite women's magazine. They run a monthly food blog award program right now and will name the overall best food blog at the end of the year.

O.k. - have to run...warm soup is waiting....

Locally grown

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:28:21 +0000

Hawai'i is the newest of the 50 US states (since 1959) and just like in big Mama country, one can find burgers and fries on every - o.k. friends - second corner.

That fact generates an interesting question : WHAT to eat then???

Easy answer: Raw foods!!!

Next to famous Ahi 'Poke' - raw tuna marinated with soy sauce, spices, onions or seaweed - and shops who cater to the ambitious raw food enthusiasts with raw pizza, crackers and more good stuff like this raw coconut lime cake,

i personally think, delicious fresh fruit is THE way to go on the islands!

Fruit in tropical abundance - locally grown pineapples ( Hawai'i is also known as the 'Pineapple-State'),

locally grown Mangoes (growing on REALLY tall, big trees),

and - my favorite - locally grown Papayas (extremely enzyme rich),

as well as locally grown lilikoi,

starfruit,

bananas,

coconut.....

just to name a very few.....

Did you actually know, that the black Papaya seeds are edible?

Their look not only reminds of black Peppercorns - their taste does too!

You could actually dry and grind them for a Pepper replacement. Here on the islands, they like to make a really tasty papaya-seed-salad-dressing.

I just love to eat a few of them along with the golden, soft - oh so yummy - flesh right out of the skin. HMMMM......

Food is ready.....

Korbeinsichten

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:10:00 +0000

MARKET DAY!!! One of my favorite seven days of the week :)

Everything was soo much GREENER today vs. last week where we still had mostly potatoes and winter-veggies (THANK You dear veggies, you brought us safely through the winter...)

Yet today we had minors lettuce und wild garlic greens, miniature cabbage and many more things for our spring soup!