OFF COLOR

6:11 PM For today's post I was thinking of our current happenings and what we have to do to create a better future for everyone.

You know me and my beloved argument or description of myself: I'm a Sagittarius and I love to fight about anything that is unfair to me. I love justice and using my voice and creativity for it.

I find myself way too often awake or a bit off, stopping and thinking of what is actually going on right now.

I don't want to believe in what situation we find ourselves in. I feel embarrassed. I feel ashamed. I don't know why it needed to get that far, but I feel happy about the movement that the current happenings sparked. Not saying that this is something new and everything will be changed tomorrow... Because people been marching, shouting, and protesting all their lives.

What is so different now that things will change?

What will be done better this time to achieve success?

Well, we will basically tear everything down. Together! And it's not the job to let black and brown people fight for their freedom — this is a we thing and we need to do this together, since white people are the source of this terrible toxic air.

It's time that everyone is throwing a fist and not a gun up in the air.

Still so many people feel confused about what to do, where to help etc.

I said it before. I use my voice in a creative way. This is how I feel the most powerful.

A few weeks ago, I realized something I deeply wanted to share with you.

I wanted to do a usual grocery run, visited 4 different supermarkets and got back home 2 hours later. I was happy to have all my products, but how mad this hunt made me did I only notice when I talked to my sister on the phone later. I complained how much I had to walk through the city, back and forth to just pick up 2 things and then heading to the next spot. What a time eating exercise.

I wouldn't call myself an exotic eater, but I do indulge in some "foreign" food. The pasta that I am mainly using at home are udon noodles and lately I am addicted to Tahini which I still can't get everywhere here.

I grew up being very loyal to my neighborhood supermarkets, I shopped at the same chain and discovered the world of food through their eyes.

The whole supermarket was more or less "German-ish" — anything a German person would consume at home. Mainstream food.

I remember my mom and me would sit at the table having breakfast on Saturdays and go through the supermarket flyers. "Look XY is celebrating Italy week next week" — a selection of very special oils, pastas, pestos, sauces, anything that brings the Italian vibe to your home. So many supermarkets are doing this here. One week you'll get special Greek things, American food, or Spanish delicatessen.

Those weeks were always special and I felt like a local when we invested in a box of cheap and fake mac'n'cheese or pasta sauce.

If the supermarket is even big enough, you will also see their very special international shelves which stay permanently. Yey...

Most of the big supermarkets here introduced an American, Polish, Asian, and Mexican shelf — a nice selection but very stereotypey, when looking at the Mexican shelf which only consists of tacos and taco building kits.

As a kid, I was satisfied.

But again, I'm a German potato — what do I know about Asian or Mexican food?

The older I got, the more I explored the world beyond potatoes and schnitzel. I love this world and I want to get to know every ingredient, every seasoning, and every flavor.

Everytime I discovered a new recipe, I struggled finding the ingredients to cook it.

I remember I wanted to recreate a dish with Chinese ube which I couldn't get here. My sister was heading to Frankfurt and luckily she was able to get it there...

More and more, I started shopping at Asian groceries or discovered the world of Turkish supermarkets in my city, since my city is full with them and they are a hidden gem for cheap and simple treats. 

With all my questions in mind, I decided to head to another grocery store again. 

I walked down the aisles and I started comparing all different supermarkets. 

I am glad that there are supermarkets here which more and more integrate "foreign" food into their standard collection, such as hummus. I think grocery stores like Aldi or REWE are very good example here. 

I continued walking and stopped when I got into the pasta section. How come we have this big wonderland of pasta and the matching sauces and don't call this "Italian food corner"? The pasta shelf is perfectly lined up to its friends and relatives without special labels, country borders or weird stereotype names. Everyone loves spaghetti and lasagna... people don't see it being a foreign food anymore.

But how come that we teared these walls down, but Mexican and Asian food share the darkest, ugliest, smallest, and often unorganized shelves in the deepest corners? 

Isn't it about time to recreate the shelves in the supermarkets? 

What do we have to do to stop boarders and racism there?

Supermarkets are the least place for racism. 

Food culture is about togetherness and exploration. People connect over food. I don't want anyone to feel less represented in the supermarket, just because he or she doesn't bathe in pretzels and schnitzel. Our food culture is more than this. 

And not only in Germany. 

Our citizens here are not only white and being German doesn't mean that we are not allowed to eat Asian or Turkish food. 

Because that's what we basically are today. I grew up eating the food of my relatives: a lot of Eastern European, French, Asian, and mostly American. Guess what I eat the least: German. 

For this important topic I contacted several German supermarkets to have a little exchange or feedback on this. I want us to look behind the curtains and understand the structures better. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get much feedback or companies didn't feel comfortable answering this. 

I don't want to call you out right now... but it's a shame. 

Still I sat down to write these words. 

Because if we are all silent about this, no one will ever talk about it! 

I love food and I love justice. 

I promised you I will always fight and this fight right here is something I can and surely will pursue.

You can join me and I'd be glad if you shared this with anyone who'd be interested  in this. 

Let's use our powers and voices. 

We are here to make a change. 

Together. 

8:59 AM Long time no talking about recovery - special recovery. I never thought that recovery would become such an important aspect of my life. I started this recovery journey actually to improve my running, to heal my body when I work out too much and too crazy... My active lifestyle should be a sweet company and not a painful hobby. 

But over the last years, I also realized that recovery is dealing with so much more than my shin pain, or tense muscles. 

I stretched the field of recovery into my mental recovery, spiritual connection, and anything active that comes along. 

To stay mentally fit, I simply need to be active. A lesson I actually know, but sometimes I need to tell myself again. 

Since this year has been quiet a catastrophe for so many people out there, I tried to "find back to my normal" by re-introducing routines that once gave me the best motivation, drive, and happy vibes: I started running again. Serious running. Not just running a little bit and watch the birds pass by. 

I made a little detox to prepare my body to perform in the right manner again. I ate healthy, I pushed my system with ingredients that influence my performance, and I just started to get myself to know again. I might have gained a little weight during quarantine and even though I was out a lot, hiking, walking around, I felt that this relationship needs a lot of work now...

Running was my passion and somehow a life-changer in so many aspects. I never pushed it away from me, but sometimes I just needed to pause, or find joy in other activities. 

But here I was again. I really wanted to do this again. Feeling pleasure in checking my pace, feeling my body work, and just being free outside under the hot summer sun! 

From June to July, I've been back on track, taking some runs definitely too serious, but I have to admit that the vibes that running give me is something else. 

And because this high is something I don't want to miss right now, I need to help my body recover in the best way possible. 

A run is fun, but the real work starts after running. Taking care that you cool down perfectly, treat your body, stretch more, eat and hydrate beyond! 

My running has been so intense that I started to add a very special ingredient to my recovery list. The perfect ingredient for summer running: pineapple juice. 

How is juice the perfect medicine for recovery? 

Yeah, I know. Sometimes it can be so easy. 

Holy pineapple, what's up with you? 

1. Well, no fat and super low in calories, I can snack you all damn day and I feel satisfied and refreshed.

2. Pineapple is a powerhouse of micronutrients as well: it’s rich in vitamin C, which plays an important role in tissue growth and healing.

3. It has a good amount of dietary fiber and is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese, which the body requires in small amounts throughout the day. 

4. Also let's not ignore the fact that it contains bromelain, which is an enzyme that aids in the digestion of protein. This means it helps the body digest protein more efficiently. 

5. Our muscle soreness can be reduced by simply adding more pineapple to our nutrition. It will reduce inflammation (swelling!!) and it may have an impact on aching muscles. 

This sounds like my perfect workout miracle. 

The best thing is that this recovery tool can be actually used before and after the workout, so don't wait to drink pineapple juice after your workout, you can surely start before to give your body the right amount of energy which is needed during your sweat session! 

I have to repeat myself again: healing is so sexy. This kind of healing and recovery is so easy and so powerful - what are we waiting for? 

Let's heal together! ~ 

8:47 AM I want to talk about a very big passion of mine today. Maybe it came to my mind, because I am running out of these buddies again, but somehow my snacking mood got a bit bigger during these weird times.

I have always been a fan of salty and crunchy snacks that would give me comfort and a taste experience that would simply make me happy. As a kid, eating chips was a very special highlight since my parents didn't buy them often, so when one bag was there, I dived in to this world and felt like on cloud 9.

Luckily, my taste changed and my hunger for chips went off (at least a little bit). If someone would gift me a bag of sour cream and onion chips, I wouldn't say no... but my other gluten-free favorite chips are only available in the US, so I don't have a big temptation when it comes to salty snacks...

Until I met seaweed.

I saw it at an Asian store one day and I was simply curious. Some Asian stores even sell seaweed in different flavors, just like a bag of chips: hot chili, BBQ, or meaty flavors.

Eating my first seaweed felt really weird, but somehow the salty taste got me hooked and here we are today. 

Even though seaweed's smell and look is not my dear favorite, I feel very happy when I can sneak a pack into my bag and snack them when I'm on the run, or I treat myself after a long day of hard work.

I love the tiny snacking boxes where you get some sheets which will make you full, not like a bag of chips where you open a bag and can't stop until you reached the bottom of the bag...

I just love seaweed and I would say that this is definitely in my top 5 of all-time favorite snacks. Wow!

Somehow, I feel like I'm the only one going crazy about seaweed. I don't know many people who eat this. Why?

Did you know about the benefits? Or shall we start at a little introduction?

Well, I guess we all know what seaweed is - seaweed is a form of algae that grows in the sea. It's the optimal food source for ocean life and there are so many different types of seaweed. 

I bet many of you only know the flavor of seaweed through sushi and because of that, there are many people who refuse to eat seaweed, because the texture of it as a sushi roll might be something else. 

What I often get to hear is that it's fishy and ew. Well, no it's not. As simple as that. Just turn your brains off ~ 

You can surely create your own sushi at home with it, but you can also put it into soups, cook stock, throw it into your smoothie or salads. The fact that it's plant-based and super high in protein, should make your heart beat faster by now. 

Okay, let's talk some benefits as well. You'll get plenty of iodine and tyrosine which helps improving your thyroid function and also it gathers many vitamins and minerals. The antioxidants which are found in the vitamins are very important to protect your body from cell damage. Additionaly, seaweed also contains lots of fiber and also sugar which is used as a food source for the bacteria in your gut. 

It seems like seaweed is the best partner to nourish the body, feel healthy, and eat something that feels like a nasty treat, but it's actually just a positive for the body. 

Do we love this? Yes, of course!

More seaweed, yo!!! 

So what shall I get? Which seaweed is the best? 

This is a personal thing and everyone has an own taste, so you better test yourself through the different types of seaweed. 

Nori

We eat it when we head out for sushi and you can also find it in the snack section - the little sheets that come in hand-sized boxes. 

Kelp 

Sometimes it is also known as kombu. Many stores sell it as powder which is brilliant for smoothies, but you can also get kelp noodles, or also dashi, which is a Japanese stock that is used for miso soup. 

Wakame 

Ever tried seaweed salad? Wakame is the seaweed that is mostly used for it. 

An extra tip I found online is that added kombu to dried beans helps breaking down the sugars in the beans which would normally cause gas. 

I bet there are many more tips out there what beautiful magic seaweed can make - feel free to share! 

For now, I hope that I could make you a little curious to head to your next Asian store to cover yourself with plenty of seaweed! 

Explore this exciting snack and nourish yourself from the inside-out!


Sea Kelp Seasoning | Seaweed Soup | Nori Sheets | L:A Bruket Seaweed Tonic | Crispy Seaweed Snack | Kelp Noodles | Furikake Seasoning 

12:49 PM Ohhhhh summer, you are treating us right now! While writing this, I am enjoying some fresh and juicy watermelon and I wish the water that I am drinking would be even cooler to really refresh me. - Yes, it's that hot right now. 

I am dreaming of cold lemonades, iced tea, and even milkshakes...this is how summer tastes to me. 

Even though, summer makes me so lazy to cook and stand in my kitchen for hours, I feel like this is the season where I love to experiment the most! We can actually eat fruits for dinner, get the most colorful veggies, and a refreshing and cooling sweet is never a mistake. 

Again, I find myself in the kitchen, thinking about what special things I created last year and what I can do this year. Is there something I am missing out or is there something my heart is missing? 

Well, in this case, it's b. I am deeply missing my always sunshine vibe and carefree Cape Town. Since my visit, it has definitely changed a lot of my views, approach, and especially my taste. 

I would say that the food in South Africa is the best out there and learning how to cook like an authentic South African lady would be a dream... 

I took this challange. I am actually still taking part - as you can see, I already posted some South African recipes here or at least little hommages which reminded me of my beautiful trip. 

Today we will continue. 

To cool down and feel free and easy, I want to share the South African version of a ginger beer, also called gemer. 

I got the recipe from Woolworths, a place I absolutely adore! My sister and I went there everyday to get snacks or to cover ourselves with fresh fruits. This place is a heaven on earth and I am so madly inspired! On their food magazine's website, they share so many yummy things - you should take a look if you got time! 

Gemer (South African Ginger Beer)

YOU NEED 2l water + 2 Cups sugar + 1 teaspoon cream of tartar + a handful raisins + peel of 1 pineapple + 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast + 1 tablespoon ginger powder 

1. Pour 2 Cups of water into a pot over low heat. Add the sugar and wait until it fully dissolves - stirr regularly. 

2. Add ginger, cream of tartar, raisins, pineapple peel and the rest of the water. Simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Allow to cool (about an hour) and stir in the yeast. Cover and leave to stand overnight. 

4. Strain through a sieve into a 2-litre bottle and chill before serving.

I have to admit that this takes a little preparation and you shouldn't make it right in the moment you crave it. But maybe prepare it on a Thursday, so you can start beyond hyped into the weekend and you have a very special treat to enjoy as well! 

This is the perfect treat for yourself or a little BBQ party you are throwing! 

No matter how you enjoy this, sit back, relax, and feel good!

I hope this is the perfect summer treat for you and you love it as much as I do! 

Let's dream ourselves to Cape Town with this ~ 

*Boys and girls, write down the new vocabulary you have learned today: Bier — beer. 

GERMAN LESSON #91