Toxins in clothing etc

 Here's an interesting German documentary how toxic substancies end up in Europe eventhough they are banned here:




 http://areena.yle.fi/ohjelma/1674023

Unfortuantely this can only be viewed in Finland... But still, very interesting documentary, made at least me think about my consumption choices.

Organic chicken

Good news for everyone who's been wishing to be able to buy organic chicken. After 10 years without domestic organic production of chicken in Finland, we are finally getting a producer willing to take the chance.

According to Yle Morning news Studio, we are getting some organic chicken in the market this autumn. Unfortunately first it's only available around Tampere, but I'm hoping the demand is big enough for the producers are able to broaden the coverage.

Here's a piece of news on Aamulehti some time ago about the production: http://www.aamulehti.fi/Pirkanmaa/1194692491401/artikkeli/suomen+ensimmainen+luomubroileri+kasvaa+pirkanmaalla.html


More information about organic chicken and the possible salmonella threat: http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2011/09/luomubroilerin_tautiriskit_hirvittavat_tehotuottajia_2859679.html

Best of both worlds

I remember in Belgium I used to miss a lot of little things back in Finland e.g. certain foods, shops and especially my uni and how easy sorting things out here is (so many things can be done online, it's so much easier!) The funny thing is, every once in a while I feel the tables have turned. It's so strange finding myself thinking about buying something from the store and then realising it's not even available here. Screw you Finland for being such an isolated country! I kinda regret not doing all the things in Belgium I'm not able to do here in Helsinki but ot be honest, the way of thinking is a but different when living in another country than just being there on a vacation. After a couple of months one just can't think everything is somehow special. In a way, being there I didn't realise I will actually move back to Finland. I somehow thought I would come here for some kind of a holiday and then get back to Belgium lol. :D 

But speaking of things I liked in Brussels:

 This must be one of the cutest candy/bisquit shops ion the whole world! I highly recommend visiting this, all you gourmands and everyone else too! It's just off the Grand Place so should be too hard to find. Just follow the huge crowds of tourist moving out of the place (not the ones going to Manneken Pis though!) and pay attention to the shops on your righthand side. The staff is so nice and you can have some tasters too!

And at least some things in both cities, Brussels and Helsinki, have similarities:

Subway is called Metro and it's orange! :D But of course the one in Helsinki doesn't have the awesome music played on the stations...

Mieli&terveys

Hurjan mielenkiintoinen ja inspiroiva dokumentti siitä, miten mieli vaikuttaa terveyteen. Odotan innolla kahta seuraavaa osaa!

http://areena.yle.fi/video/1315511829091

Fishy business

I've been allergic to fish all my life. A couple of months ago I discovered I'm actually able to eat fish (although eating a lot of it still provokes the rash). I've been so happy to try out the new stuff but to be honest, I'm running out of ideas. All my life I've always skipped all the fish recipes on cookbooks and -shows, so I have no idea what to do with it. I still managed to make some salmon in the oven (and salmon pasta out of the leftovers) and it turned out delish. But I still have my work cut out for me. I take this as a positive challenge!

Anyhow, the yoghurt sauce I had with salmon was awesome and oh-so-easy. Just mix up:

Natural yoghurt
Fresh dill, chopped
Fresh chives, chopped
Sea salt
Sugar

If using normal, natural yoghurt, I recommend drying it up a bit first. Just take a paper coffee filter or line a sieve with a cotton fabric, pour in the yoghurt and let the water drip for a while. It makes it thicker which, at least for me, works better in a sauce.

Green&Pink

I saw this flower, Himalayan Balsam, growing near my house. I don't know from who's garden it has fled from, but now there's a whole hillside filled with these fragrant blossoms. I just had to pick up a couple as the smell always reminds me of childhood. These used to be my favourite flowers on our yard, not the least because of the popping seed pods. I was a proper seed pod destroyer!

Talking of plants, I have another newcomer on my windowsill herbgarden

 He was too shy for the photo, hiding there behind the basil and the wildly sprouting chives: the dill. I love it with slices of cucumber (toss in some vinegar, salt and sugar too, shut the container, shake well for a while, and voilà, there's your "beaten up-cucumbers" as I used to call them as a kid. :D)

Home sweet home

Back in Finland! It's been a busy couple of weeks, being homeless and crashing at friends' places, I finally got my own flat/room on Sunday.

I love summer and all the fresh veggies and fruit available now! 

Halloumi-strawberry salad I had with a friend the other day OMNOM, the best thing ever!

Since I have lectures only in the afternoon, most of the days my breakfast is more like light lunch with coffee. This is what I had this morning: Avocado, tomato, tuna, a little mayo and some chopped chives.

And then something I got for my new flat:

I LOVE MY NEW CHANDELIER. And I got it half price so it's even better. 8) Finally I have a decent light fixture! Okay, I admit it's slightly fancy for a student flat but.... one has to have some luxury in everyday life, right.  ;)

Later I'll still post some more stuff about Brussels too but at the moment I'm just way too busy.