Around the World in 11 Desserts

Greetings all!

On Sunday, I woke up to the pleasant news that Monday, October 14, is a National Dessert Day in the United States! But why limit ourselves to one country? Here are some delicious desserts from around the world! 

Chocolate Chip Cookies, United States / Shutterstock

Gelato, Italy / Shutterstock

Baklava, Turkey / Shutterstock 

Cannoli, Sicily / Shutterstock

Crème Brûlée, France / David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS/Getty Images

Dan Tats, Hong Kong / Shutterstock

Gulab Jamun, India / Shutterstock

Eszterhazy Torta, Hungary / Shutterstock

Flan, Latin America / Bob Fila/Chicago Tribune/MCT/Getty Images

Medovik, Russia / Shutterstock

Snow Ice, Xue Hua Bing, Taiwan / Shutterstock

What is your favorite dessert? Drop me a line!

Source (and more desserts!): https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/world-50-best-desserts/index.html

Selection of Funnies: Dinosaur Couch Comics

Source (and more images!): https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-relatable-comics-dinosaurcouch-part-4/

Random: “Fridgescaping” and “Airport Tray Aesthetic”

Greetings all!

As you know, I love food and I love travel, so I always enjoy learning about new trends! Here are the two that recently caught my eye, and even though these might be visually pleasing, I do not really get the appeal. But, as the saying goes, “Whatever floats your boat!” 

I am curious to hear what you think! Drop me a line!

Image: Lynzi Judish

“Fridgescaping” is decorating the inside of your fridge by using picture frames, figurines, cute vases and storages containers, porcelain busts and figurines. One trend follower claims that seeing their beautifully arranged fridge provides an instant dopamine rush. I do agree it looks pretty (although a bit crowded and probably time-consuming)!

Image: Lynzi Judish 

“Airport Tray Aesthetic” is elegantly arranging your belongings on the airport security tray for social-media-worth photos. When I read about this, my first question was – are you holding up the security line? If yes, then I am definitely not a fan. 

Image: @pipertacih/TikTok

But then I read that “content creators... go to great lengths to avoid inconveniencing others.” So if they are going through the security line, and THEN, in another area, arrange their tray to their heart’s content, I can only applaud their ingenuity in expressing themselves and finding new backgrounds to showcase their likes in books, clothing, and jewelry. 

Then is it any different from what we see in curated photos on social media? It also might be a fun and creative way to deal with travel anxiety. And, if you arrive to the airport very early, you have plenty of time to kill after you are done with security. This might not be a bad way to do so! But I would rather read a book :)      

So here you go! What did you think? Are you a fan?

Sources:

• https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/01/us/fridgescaping-fridge-decorating-tiktok-cec
• https://www.fodors.com/news/news/a-new-tiktok-trend-involves-dirty-tsa-security-trays
• https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/article/2024/sep/02/the-new-digital-flex-the-airport-tray-trend-stirring-outrage-and-delight

Thought of the week – Postpone Nothing

Image from https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1170601

“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day. … The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.”

~ Seneca 

[as read on https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9627537-let-us-prepare-our-minds-as-if-we-d-come-to]

Easy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Greetings all!

Do you hate wasting food? Me too, even if it is just a handful of spinach and one tomato! Google to the rescue – and that is how I found the Easy Tomato and Spinach Pasta recipe, which I very much enjoyed! 

Image and recipe from 

https://bakerbynature.com/easy-tomato-and-spinach-pasta/

Ingredients:

• 1 lb penne (or your preferred pasta variety)
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 pints grape tomatoes (I used a regular tomato)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (I skipped)
• 1 cup white wine or chicken broth (I skipped)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional, I used goat cheese)

My lazy variation:

• Cook pasta according to instructions.
• In a skillet, heat up olive oil.
• Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, cook for 8-10 minutes on low-medium heat.
• Stir in the spinach and cook until slightly wilted, 2-3 minutes.
• Serve with cheese.

Full Instructions:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. 
• Add oil to a large, wide pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add in the crushed red pepper flakes, tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and cook until the tomatoes begin to burst and give off their juices, about 9 to 10 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to gently press the tomatoes if they're not bursting on their own. 
• Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in the wine and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Finally, stir in the spinach and cook until slightly wilted. 
• In the meantime, add the penne into the boiling water and cook for 9 to 10 minutes, or until al dente.
• Drain the pasta, reserving a 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
• Toss the pasta immediately into the pot with the sauce and stir well to combine. Add in some of the reserved cooking water, if needed. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if needed. 
• Remove from heat and divide among serving bowls. Top with cheese and serve at once! 

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it! 

Visiting Scandinavia

CALM: September-2024 Calendar

Greetings all!

Here are some ideas from the CALM September-2024 calendar to welcome fall and nourish your mind and your body. 

Image from https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=103108&picture=beautiful-autumn-river-valley

My favorite ideas were from September 1, 2, 18 and 25. What about you?

September 1 – What life do you want to create for yourself? Get clear.

September 2 – Break down any big tasks into small actions. Take one today.

September 3 – Schedule some “me time” in your day. Fill it with something that nourishes you.

September 4 – Try the “Create Rest and Relaxation” meditation today.

September 5 – Ask yourself: Where and when do I feel most inspired in my life?

September 6 – Come home to yourself with 10 deep breaths. Notice how you feel afterwards.

September 7 – Today, what if you didn’t judge yourself?

September 8 – Express yourself through a craft or art project.

September 9 – Write a list of the things that matter most to you. Does this align with where you’re dedicating your time and energy?

September 10 – Do one thing that will help you feel more organized for the week ahead.

September 11 – Listen to the “Creative Living Beyond Fear” Masterclass.

September 12 – Take one action or step you’ve been putting off today.

September 13 – Wind down properly tonight with a relaxing bedtime routine.

September 14 – Choose a self-care practice and make time for it.

September 15 – Take something off your to-do list.

September 16 – Give yourself space to feel, time to breathe, and become your own source of comfort.

September 17 – Do something nourishing for your body today – walk, stretch, or try the Daily Move.

September 18 – Reflect on what you need from the day rather than what the day needs from you.

September 19 – Try approaching your day with wonder, innocence, and curiosity.

September 20 – Listen to a session from Lama Rod’s “Radical Self-Care” series.

September 21 – Create a positive affirmation for yourself. What do you need to hear? Write it down.

September 22 – Make time to get outside and be inspired by nature.

September 23 – Dedicate time to something you’ve been neglecting that will support your wellbeing.

September 24 – Use one of the Calm Check-Ins to connect with where you are today.

September 25 – Prioritize rest. Go to bed early, have a nap, or take regular breaks.

September 26 – Do something today that scares you a little (or a lot).

September 27 – Regularly check in with yourself and ask: “what do I need right now?”

September 28 – Let your needs inform the decisions you make today.

September 29 – Open up to a new perspective during the Daily Trip.

September 30 – Celebrate all you created this month, no matter how small.

Have a great week and remember to take some time for yourself!

Source: https://blog.calm.com/blog/calm-calendars