Tag: food

Eating healthy on the road

“Vegetable” side from the other night. Ended up being mostly mushrooms and onions.

I love food (and wine). I like to try new types of food and eat old comforts. I am most certainly going to try any local dish in a city I am in. BUT my body cannot sustain that kind of eating for long periods of time. I am finding myself seeking out ways to eat healthier more and more (It is always so easy to eat unhealthy).

For example, when I have a hotel with free breakfast included I load up on the fruit (and vegetables if they sometimes have them), or I seek out a big ole Salad, or I order the grilled vegetable side dish if they happen to actually have one on the menu. I am now staying in a vacation rental where I stocked it with fruits and yogurts for breakfast (If I eat one more croissant in the morning I think I will scream).

Let me be clear I am not dieting while I am traveling – that would be a disaster because I would be miserably looking at all the good food all the time.

I am just conscious of what my body needs; something that maybe comes with being an older traveler.

I can go longer if I occasionally give it the fuel it needs. And I want to keep going as long as I can.

I should have put more fruit and less cheese on this plate but it was my first day in Gijon and I wanted to try all the cheeses that morning.

Eating in Ghent

I loved Ghent. It is a cute picturesque town with all the charm of Brugge but only half of the crowds.

What I didn’t love for the most part was the food in Ghent.

For my first meal I went straight for the mussels and they were surprisingly underwhelming.

While forcing myself to eat average mussels I noticed everyone ordering ribs. Thinking it is probably a popular thing I decided to later look into it. Later on I happened to walked by this rib place that looked like it was popular.

Amadeus

So I returned and got those ribs and they were very good.

And that potato, I don’t normally love baked potatoes but there was something magical about that curry butter.

I might have stepped into a tourist trap but I walked out happy.

Did I mention it was all you can eat? Unfortunately I couldn’t finish my first serving since ribs tend to be filling.

So I had one good meal and you can’t go wrong with beer though. They do have so good Belgium beers all over. I’ve heard beers can be a meal replacement?

I want a salad

What is wrong with me?

I am in the land of awesome tapas and I keep thinking about how I want a salad or vegetable dish.

My first attempt at ordering salad at a nicer restaurant resulted in a plate of tomatoes and some burrata. While good, didn’t exactly meet my vegetable criteria.

Finally I find a restaurant with this masterpiece….

Goat cheese salad with beetroot dressing

It sure did hit the spot. Things you take for granted in your non-traveling daily lives – like easy access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

Dam day two

On day two in Amsterdam I had a very nice breakfast on my boat where I got to chat with both my Airbnb hosts.

It was time to head off early for the free walking tour I booked Free Dam Tours. It was an informative introduction to the city and worth the 20 Euros (Free but it is customary to tip).

After the tour I was starving so I decided it was time to try a pancake for lunch. Of course I had to do a savory one because I am weird like that and rarely get sweet cravings.

Next up is Pozenboot.

I arrive at Poezenboot at 1:30 PM and it was good thing I didn’t arrive any later since they just about distributed all the visitation tickets for the day. Poezenboot is only open 13:00-15:00 PM and only on certain days. Visits are first come first served and limited in size. Luckily I got in.
What we have is a cat rescue and sanctuary on a boat house in the Amsterdam canals. It is kitschy and fun. It was a good visit but most of the kitties were sleeping.

After kitty town it is time for the long walk to Moco where I can see artists such as Banksy, Kusama and also below.

Keith Haring

Daniel Arsham

Finally I decided to wander through Vondelpark before going back. It is a pretty park.

It was a long walk back. Phone is dead luckily I made it to the circular road that directs me to my airbnb. It is still about a mile away but luckily it is straight shot- no more veering off in the wrong direction by following the canals.

Poor feet so beat up. I have the best sleep I have had in a long while.