Kitchen implements for old punks

As a young punk about a decade ago I wouldn't never, ever have imagined that the day would come when I would be excited about kitchen implements.  But how could you not like these pretty things? The lovely fair trade mortar made of soap stone is last year's Christmas present from my husband and a friend gave me the beautifully carved chopping board this years. I used the spices in the mortar to season our New Year Eve's meal - some rather nice soya burgers with potato salad.

This New Year we stayed happily in and had a mug of organic glühwein at midnight as the year changed (another scenario I would have found incredibly boring and bourgeois as a young punk). It has been a messy, happy, hectic year - I wonder what this one will be like?!

Fairly bad

I was (well, always am) a bit short of money before Christmas and felt I couldn't afford my usual (very good but very expensive) brand of organic face tonic.  While doing some gift hunting in a local fair trade shop I happened to bump into this product  from a company called Fair naturally and thought to give it a go. Cheap it may have been but unfortunately even the little money I spent on it was too much. It's one of these you-should-always-read-the-small-print-or-at-least-sniff-the-tester -cases: it does sport a big fair trade logo in the label but actually has only two fairly traded ingredients - cotton seed and cucumber - and they seem to be the only natural ones as well. It irritates my dry skin horribly and smells of turpentine mixed with cheap perfume. Yuk.

Seasonal eatings!

We had some friends and family over for coffee on the 24th - that's the main day of Christmas here. I made (clockwise from top) a tiger cake, ginger bread, a plum pie and a sandwich cake. I am especially pleased with the vegan sandwich cake - it's a kind of savoury cake that is usually filled with cold meat and mayonnaise.  I think it might be a Scandinavian or maybe just a Finnish thing  - I haven't actually encountered it anywhere else than in Finland. The recipe is from my best friend but I've altered it a bit. ( I hope you don't mind if you're reading this, S.V.!)

What you need for a VEGAN SANDWICH CAKE is:

2 loaves of sliced toast, one really white unhealthy one, and one whole wheat one
1 tub of vegan cream cheese ( I used Tofutti)
2 tubs of vegan mayonnaise
1 tub of natural soya yoghurt
1 chunk ( about 200g) of smoked tofu
1 sweet red pepper
rucola salad or water cress
1 red onion
vegetable stock (I used Vecon mixed with water, that's tasty and healthy too!)
pretty vegetables and herbs for decorating

What you need to do :

Firstly, sieve the yoghurt overnight to make it less liquid. I did this through a terry cloth (yes, a nappy, but an unused one!) : place the moistened cloth in a sieve an pour the yoghurt in it.  Put the sieve in a pan or something else big enough to allow the extra liquid drip off without touching the bottom of the sieve. Put the whole package in the fridge.

Mix the thickened yoghurt with mayonnaise and cream cheese. Divide the mixture into 3 equal parts. Now grab your trusty mixer: mix one part with smoked tofu and finely chopped red onion. Mix the second part with the red pepper and rucola/water cress. Leave the third part as it is, that will be used for decorating the cake.

Slice the crusts off the bread slices, making them even squares. Place 4 slices of the white bread in a row (without gaps) on a piece of cling film. Moisten the slices with vegetable stock. Then dollop the pieces of bread generously with the mixture flavoured with smoked tofu.

Put 4 slices of the darker bread on top of the white bread, moisten with vegetable stock and cover with the pepper-mayonnaise mixture. Repeat until about 5 to 6 layers high, alternating with white and brown bread and the two different fillings.

Wrap the whole business tightly in cling film and finally on tin foil. Keep in the fridge till the next day.  Smooth the unseasoned mixture on the cake and decorate for example with slices of cucumber, cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs.

You should end up with something looking roughly like this:

Enjoy!

Real Swedish pizza

I have been extremely busy for the whole summer and autumn - working, studying and giving birth to my second child amongst other things! Before the birth of my son I had an excellent study trip to Stockholm however - visiting libraries of course but also the plentiful vegan restaurants. The most impressive one was without doubt a pizza place called Tevere in Skånegatan. They had a huge list of vegan pizzas with soya cheese that actually melted. I had a huge one with vegan salami topping. Stockholm is indeed full of good eateries: if you ever go there, check updated list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants and shops from Happy Cow - brilliant service by the way.

My favourite shopping centre

I've been feeling a bit feeble lately so I was glad when a friend suggested a trip into town to sweeten our Tuesday afternoon. We always do the same tour: first the recycling centre, then a meal in a fabulous Turkish restaurant followed by luxurious soya lattes in a very nice book shop.

The recycling centre is really the best possible place for hunting for treasures - big or small. You can get anything from sofas to earrings and at a very reasonable price! (This one also has a free shop where you can just get stuff for nothing or bring some things you want to get rid of.) This time I got a bit carried away and got a blouse, a skirt, a toy dog, a towel, a painting, a big wooden toy and a pair of shoes - all this for less than 10 euros! The pair of shoes was my favourite find this time - they're decorated with Mexican sugar skulls I've always found very pleasing!

Chakra sniffing

Picture pinched from www.joogakauppa.com

This weekend I was very virtuous and spent it in a yoga course. I got heavily into it again! I used to do hatha yoga years ago but it had to come to an end when the orange-clad guru (who was a white American trying to speak with an Indian accent, often slipping back into his rather thick Southern accent) wanted to sniff my chakras to see if I had reached an appropriately high yogic level. No one sniffs my chakras so I led an yoga-free existence for several years. This current yoga school (Helsingin astanga joogakoulu) feels right though and so does the type of yoga. I fear I haven't yet got very deep into the philosophy though since I really, really want to go and buy a new nice yoga mat even if my old one still works! ( Well, someone did use it as a mattress in a party few years ago and spilled beer all over it but it seems very durable!) But these days you can get these recyclable ones too, and in pretty colours...

Super slow smoothie

This is what I drank today - minus the beads!

Smoothies are very much the thing in vogue at the moment, I've noticed. Every magazine has to have an issue of super-food smoothie recipes and smoothie bars have started to appear even in Helsinki. I bumped into one accidentally today and gave it a go. It was a place called Cocovi-smoothie bar and had just opened on Monday. ( I didn't happen to have my camera with me unfortunately but another blogger has beaten me to it and taken some rather nice pictures!)

I was served by an earnest young man who was very keen to tell me all the beneficial properties of the smoothie I was going to have.  I chose one that had lemon, orange, ginger and cocoa nibs amongst other things - and something exotic called chia seeds which apparently are a bit like linseed but million times more beneficial! If it was to be healthy it certainly was no fast food either. The careful, loving composing of the drink took about twenty minutes - luckily the smoothie bar is located in an eco shop called Ruohonjuuri so I didn't get too bored! I was starting to regret I didn't choose something from the shop for a quick snack but when I finally got the smoothie I have to say my regrets were washed away! It was indeed delicious - chocolatey but yet fresh at the same time and it did taste like it's good for you. The price felt a bit on the high side - 5 € for a cup - but the smoothie actually was so filling I shared it with my family (who liked it too) so you got your money's worth. But why the plastic cups and straws? I would've been quite happy to pay a bit extra for something more recyclable!

To believe or not to believe?

I am not at all sure that these firming and anti-wrinkling and plumping and whatever eye creams work - still I always diligently use one. Am I a victim of the cosmetics industry? (Maybe, but it's so worrying to think what the state of affairs would be if I didn't use one!) I started using one when I was about 28 and I don't think I look much younger than my current age of 31 - but hey, I don't look much older either! So best stick with the cream! 

I've long used Weleda's organic Wild Rose Eye Cream but my husband bought me this (by mistake I may say!):

It contains organic pomegranate and golden millet and claims to reduce the wrinkles and regenerate ageing skin.  It was also twice the price of my usual one so I expect it's twice as effective too - so I should look like a 16-year old any time now!

Lego jewellery

I've always thought Lego bricks are somehow pleasing objects.  Now I can wear them! These are made by Pop Art jewellery maker called Kookygems. They have lots of other things I'd like to dangle in my ears too! I think the sugar skulls may have to be the next purchase.

Miserable mascara

www.lavera.com

I am not in a perky mood today so I'm  going to tell straight out what I think of Lavera mascara: it's shit. It may be organic and natural but it's still shit. I quite like some of the Lavera products but the mascara is really the worst I've ever tried - and it wasn't particularily cheap either. It didn't stay on the lashes for a minute but did stay horribly smudged around the eyes and was extremely difficult to clean off. And it was of a strange gooey consistency. I binned mine after a couple of cranky days spent looking like a raccoon. 

Get up and jump!

I really like jumpsuits. I think they are a good fashion - or are they out already? Who cares, I like them anyway. I have one black woolly one my mum used to wear back in the 70's - it's really cool. You always look smart in it! And it can easily be accessorized up or down with different belts or shoes. (The only downside is that going to toilet is rather tricky!) I have my eyes on this one at the moment:

The picture is snatched from Fashion Conscience's website!

It's fairly made of organic cotton. I must be strong though. I have too many clothes already. Not one quite like this however...

My sturdy vegan friends

Come summer or winter, rain or snow, punk festival or city holiday they follow me. My mother-in-law bought them for me four years ago and I'm still ever so grateful! They're from Vegetarian Shoes and called Airseal Engineers boot. Mine are with steel toe cap in honour of my punky youth! A word of warning though: if you're after a pair of these you should note that Vegetarian Shoes claims they take little "breaking in". This is the underestimate of the year. Mine took a whole year to get totally comfy and yes, they are the right size. I tried with thick socks, insoles and what have you but still they rubbed my poor toes! Anyway, they've been great for the last three years - I just wouldn't recommend a walking holiday with a brand new pair and no other footwear with you!

I am addicted!

To exercising! If I can't get my dose of  it I will get cranky. Since my daughter was born I don't have so much time in my hands so I've got all kinds of weights and other equipment for work-outs at home. I still do enjoy trips to the proper gym or exercise classes too.  Anyone who does a lot of exercise should take care they have enough protein in their diet. (We vegans have no problems with this - there are even vegan bodybuilders!) You can buy strips of soya or seitan that are made to look and taste pretty much like dried meat - they're packed full of protein and are a very handy snack to have after working out. However, if I'm very lucky this is what awaits me when I come home from the gym:

Slices of tofu fried in olive oil with lemon juice and soya sauce! Mmmm! It's my husband's speciality - I'm specialised in munching them!

Vegan haven

Where can you get a good, cheap vegan meal in a nice friendly atmosphere? And take your kids with you too? Where can you watch an interesting film for free or browse the excellent free shop? In Sosiaalikeskus Satama, of course! They have a nice vegan café every Tuesday starting at five. Sosiaalikeskus Satama is a collectively run autonomous social centre in the middle of a former industrial harbour Kalasatama in Helsinki - now the area is going to be built full of flats so sadly the collective will have to get a new place at some point. They have many interesting activities besides the café - gigs, bike workshop, drum workshop... They got to rent the place from the city because they just kept squatting places until they got something more permanent! Really nice food and nice atmosphere - definitely a good way to spend Tuesday afternoon. Especially when Tuesdays tend to normally be a bit boring somehow!

Last Tuesday´s portion was seitan with rice - there was salad too but I missed it! Not bad for 1 € - and the week before there was a rather delicious blueberry pie too.

Detail from a lovely mural covering one of the walls - the whole place is impressively tidy and well kept. There are even toys to entertain kids!

These shoes are made for working...

Now I fear this isn't a particularly frivolous pair of shoes but I needed something comfortable but relatively smart for work. I do sometimes prance around in heels at work if I need to be impressive but these are all right for the quieter days! They might be OK as summery everyday shoes too. They're from Bourgeois Boheme's own brand so they're fairly made and vegan. A tiny bit on the too sensible side (they're even called "Ertha"!) but I can always wear them with something more outrageous. I bought them from a very nice shop in Helsinki called Heluna Fashion - definitely a luxury to be able to buy vegan shoes on your way home! Just a few years ago you always had to order them abroad  - I actually remember getting my first pair of vegan shoes from Brighton via complicated postal order more than ten years ago!

My secret vice...

... is sauerkraut. I love it! A lot of foolish people (sadly including my husband and daughter!) turn their noses up for it - why, oh why? It's so fresh, tasty and so ultimately good for you. Cabbage has an awful lot of vitamins and minerals - the Russians used to call it the portable medicine cabinet for its beneficial properties. Add the natural lactic acid formed by wild fermentation and you get a total health bomb! There´s a lot of interesting recipes for using sauerkraut too - I´ve mostly munched mine raw but I´m going to have a go at one of these vegan recipes. I get my daily dose of sauerkraut from the organic vegetable and fruit basket we order weekly. Last week I got very adventurous and got some wild fermented carrots too - tasty but lacked the character of sauerkraut! Mmm! I´m going to have to go and have some!

Korvapuusteja!

This is what I've been up to today! Cinnamon buns filled with cardamoms, lemon rind and apple. They´re called korvapuusti since they look a bit like a thick ear! I use non-dairy milk and just leave off the eggs that are in the traditional recipe and they're just as tasty - tastier even if you add a bit off organic lemon rind for tangy taste. Lots of sugar and vegan margarine and white flour too so not so terrible healthy but delicious. The plateful was gobbled up pretty quickly after taking the photo!

Moisturise me!

 

This is what I need, inside out! Fat! Good oils! This long, long Finnish winter has made my skin ever so dry and according to my organic cosmetologist this Rose and Aloe moisturiser should do the trick. I've had some Provida cosmetics before and have quite liked them. I am happy to see they've done something to their tubes though because they used to be oddly crumbly - the paint came off too easily when you squeezed! But I'm not sure what to think of the fact it says this product is for aging skin though...

The cute little Weleda jar was something my husband brought me from abroad - it contains ever so fancy little rose oil capsules I've tried to use sparingly! They work really well as a protection against very cold temperatures so I tend to share one with my daughter before going sledging on a cold day.

The avocados are not only delicious and pretty but also very nutritious!

Shhh! I'm reading!

And this is a good one too! Rather gothic, even if set in the post-war England. A huge decaying mansion, flickering candle flames, desperate love. What more can you ask? It wasn't quite the typical Sarah Waters book since there was a lack of forbidden sexuality - on the surface at least...

Look! This followed me home!

Today on the way home from work I spotted a cute little shop called Ekovintti selling organic children´s clothes made by small scale entrepreneurs in Finland. I don't usually buy too much clothes for my daughter since we tend to get lots and lots of lovely second hand stuff from friends and family but I couldn't resist this top! My daughter is really into dogs so this was very suitable. It's made of organic cotton by little company called Muru. It feels so soft I am almost jealous for not being able to wear it!  They had also cool patterned reusable nappies and sanitary pads for mums - if I didn't have my trusty moon cup I might have been tempted!

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

Or have I really finally found it?! An organic, vegan lipstick that is bright and nice and stays on? And doesn´t smell odd?? Looks like it! It´s made by Beauty Without Cruelty, an old and established ethical cosmetics brand that seems to have hit the jackpot with this one! This excellent lipstick comes in a rather stylish package and does not cost a fortune. I´m a bit of a lippy addict and have millions of different shades from different makes - some organic ones that haven´t quite been satisfactory and some ordinary ones.  (This one is called Rosehip by the way - looks like this wooden lady likes the same shade!) I think I will slowly replace my naughty ones with these naughty but nice ones!

Saturday night...

My Saturdays are fairly domesticated these days and this is what I make every Saturday. I call it The Hotpot. It´s simple, nutritious and stews in the oven while we´re having a sauna. What you need is a good pot with a lid, lots of (root)vegetables, some grain like spelt or quinoa (I know, that isn´t actually a grain) and vegan sausages, tofu or beans for protein. Lentils will do also. Wash, peel, dice, throw in the pot with oil and tomato puree or coconut milk, keep in 200 degrees for 2 hours. Eat and feel righteous.

Long live cobblers!

I found some rather nice boots from a thrift shop a while ago. They were in a bit of a neglected state though so a trip to the cobbler was in the cards. I really like cobblers. I've never met a nasty one and I just love the slightly odd atmosphere in their shops. Anyway my boots came back as good as new or better actually!

These are the rugged ones:

Rather cool and piratical, eh? Surprisingly comfy too!

This is the other pair from the rather fancy Finnish make Palmroth. I think my mum had a pair of these back in the 80`s and that´s where I think this pair might date from as well. Excellent for the long slushy time of year!