Broccoli - I'm loving it! You could too

My first meeting with broccoli could very well have been the last! I can easily understand why some kids (and adults as well) do not like this very healthy vegetable at all!

To make it more appealing, I have a very simple advice: Don't cook it! The smell of cooked / boiled broccoli is simply not very nice. If you don't like it raw - pour some boiled water over it - don't let it boil!

Here is how I normally do:
Chop a complete broccoli fine. Normally I divide it into little bouquets (?) and chop from top to bottom.
Chop an onion (don't care about the color - take the one you got in the fridge already) - if you got a red hot chilipepper chop it finely (remove the seeds if you don't want it TOO strong).

Now for the secret ingredient: Hellman's Mayonnaise Light version. I usually take a tee spoon of mayo, two or tree normal spoons of low fat yoghurt and a spoon of dijon sennep.

Blend everything and add salt and pepper......

If by any chance you have pine nuts or even peanuts (preferably non-salted) you can add this to the dish as well.... Broccoli will never be the fart-smelling disgusting vegetable again.... and that's a promise!

Bon appetit!

PS: If the only thing you have in the fridge is cauliflower - then use that instead of broccoli OR mix both of them - but don't cook them!

PPS: don't forget to rinse vegetables in water before use - worst case you might add a little bug to your diet - but then again, they should be very tasteful and protein-rich (that's what I hear....).

PPPS: A wise man told me recently that broccoli is green because it tries to hide! Actually it's poison - so the next time your wife, husband or kids won't eat their broccoli - tell them it's poison. That migh add a little extra something to the health sensation. How cool is that? eating poison... street credibility - anyone ?

It's not a disease - but this is sick!

A picture often says more than a thousand words........

I rest my case.......

Start smoking!

Don't take this advice literally.....!!! Smoking is NOT good for you!

HOWEVER.... there are some habits that easily could be adapted from smokers. In Denmark it is no longer legal to smoke in offices when at work. This means that approximately every hour the smokers leave their desks, go outside, and almost in a meditative manner get in touch with their breathing.

Sadly enough this behaviour is only "acceptable" when you have a packet of cigarettes in your hand. We need to change that! So for the last couple of days I've been "smoking"! Only difference, instead of a cigarette I took a piece of fruit (a delicious Danish "Ingrid Marie" apple) with me. Went outside and:

• moved my body - physical activity (Yes, I took the stairs - as always!)
• had some fresh air (instead of the recirculated office-air)
• got myself a dose of D-vitamin from the sun
• focused on my breathing - (use stomach AND lungs!)
• had an interesting non-work-related conversation with one of my smoking colleagues
• returned to my desk after 7-8 minutes feeling a lot more energy filled!

... I'm pretty sure there are many other benefits - these are just the ones that came from top of my head.....

So my advice today will be - START SMOKING, but without the cigarettes!

Photographer: Karin (non-smoking colleague!)

As good as it gets..... lovely autumn day in Denmark!

another great day in autumn Denmark:

Photographer: Kasper - smoking colleague

Spaghetti Bolognese

One of my familys favorite courses is the eternal classic Spaghetti Bolognese. Here is how I normally proceed. Feel free to add comments - inspiration is always welcome: 

Basic "Bolognese"
1 or 2 cloves of Garlic
1 Onion, white or red
500 gr. of minced meat, beef
1 can of peeled tomatoes (organic, why not?)
Oregano
Salt & pepper
a splash of bouillon (or water....).

Chop and roast garlic and onion. Add meat and fry until all meat is "brown" add tomatoes and Oregano. Add bouillon/water and let simmer for 10 - 20 - 30 minutes....That's it: The wonderful thing about Spaghetti Bolognese is the amount of possible add-ons.

Depending on your fridge you can add/exchange almost every ingredient - use your imagination!
Minced chicken meet is usable
Add chopped pepper fruit
Add a chili pepper
Grate a couple of carrots to give more volume to the meatsauce (very advisable if you have teenagers in the house!).

And of course wholegrain spaghetti. Boil it in plenty water (don't forget salt) until its done! There are no golden rules. Taste the spaghetti - when it "al dente" (with a little bite) - it's done....

Grated Parmigiano cheese and Heinz makes the world go round! Enjoy!

Wholegrain products

Todays free INPUT advice

What I would recommend everybody to do effective from today is: Start buying whole grain products! For the last couple of years the only pasta we use in our little family is whole grain (and when possible organic). This is a fairly easy change to everybody and it's very hard to tell the difference from a taste-point-of-view. However your digestion will love it.

Today there is a very big variety of whole grain products and my philosophy is that whenever possible I always choose the product with more whole grain. Actually I think it would be a very wise decision if McDonalds and Burger King would offer whole grain bunns.... feel free to forward my advice to any executives at the abovementioned Burger restaurants.

So there is no excuse. Same taste, same price - better for your body. Gives the stomach more to work and keeps hunger away.

In a busy household like ours one of our favorite meals is the always classic Spaghetti Bolognese.

So from now on - only use whole grain products. Ok?

In order to succeed on a long term basis, it is important NOT to change to many things a time.