Liebster!

Way back in September, I was nominated for the Liebster Award by two awesome bloggers – The Veg Abides AND Gallivanting Vegan! Between traveling, starting a new job, and a fried motherboard this never got posted (oops!), but I thought it would be fun to share now. I would love to hear your answers to my questions. Enjoy!

The rules are:

• Answer the questions provided by the nominator, then come up with 10 new ones to ask your nominees.
• Nominate 8 other blogs, let them know you have nominated them and put a link to their blog in your post.
• No Tag backs (i.e. you cannot nominate the blog that nominated you)
• Nominees must have under 200 followers on any platform.
• You must tell all the blogs that you nominate that you have nominated them.

Now let’s get started!

What food did you hate as a child and enjoy/tolerate now?

I used to hate okra and papaya. Luckily I gave them a second chance and I love them both now. I’m not really a super picky eater – just don’t make me eat arugula!

Favorite sandwich filling?

Avocado and tempeh. Mmmmm! And of course you can never go wrong with the classic PB&J.

Do you have any strange food habits (my food can’t touch, has to all be a different color, etc.)?

After living in China, I became so used to using chopsticks all the time that it felt weird to use a fork in other countries. Sometimes I still use chopsticks to eat random foods.

Which type of vegan substitute (veggie meat, plant milk, etc.) can you not live without?

Soy milk! It goes in everything – oatmeal, tea, smoothies! And “flax eggs” for baking everything. (Or chia eggs.) Flax seed is amazing and I love the added fiber, protein, and omega 3 boost!

What food item do you prefer to make at home, even if it’s easily bought?

Do tomatoes count? Home grown tomatoes are one of my favorite things. I love hunting for red tomatoes in the garden and eating them every possible way. There is just something about tomatoes that you grew yourself that you can never replicate from a store bought tomato.

Which fresh herb or spice do you love the most?

I don’t discriminate against fresh herbs. Basil, mint, rosemary, cilantro – I love them all! I also use a lot of pepper, garlic salt, cinnamon, and crushed red pepper.

What’s your fondest food memory?

Every year before Christmas, my family spends an entire day baking cookies at my grandma’s house. It’s great to spend time with my family. And what’s not to love about cookies? I have missed a lot of holidays when I was out of the country, so I am really looking forward to cookie day this year!

What’s your number 1 comfort food craving?

Chocolate! Always chocolate.

Why are you vegan?

I think I’ve always gravitated towards a more plant based diet. Thanks to a very graphic Lonely Planet video in geography class, I developed a desire to see the world and a stronger distaste for meat. As I entered college, I became more interested in nutrition and learned a lot about the benefits of eating plants. I learned that my body didn’t need to eat meat. I never really woke up one day and declared myself a vegan, but I would say that point in my life was when I really started focusing more on becoming vegan. As I did more research, I discovered other benefits as well – plant based diets are better for the environment and don’t contribute to animal cruelty. The more you get into it, the harder it becomes to separate each of these reasons.

What is your favorite vegan restaurant and why?

I don’t eat out a ton and generally I enjoy finding dishes in mainstream restaurants that are accidentally vegan or can be easily veganized. Having the ability to choose anything off the menu is always exciting though (and the cheesecake from The Chicago Diner is awesome!) While I was in Kathmandu, I think I ate at a place called Shree Lal at least once a day. I love Indian food and the people there were super friendly.

Now it’s your turn!

1. What is the best mistake you’ve made in the kitchen?

2. What is your favorite zucchini recipe?

3. What is your favorite thing in your kitchen?

4. What strange food combinations do you enjoy?

5. What are you planting in your garden this year?

6. Why did you start blogging?

7. What is your favorite vegan pizza topping?

8. What is the best way to eat chocolate?

9. If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

10. What would the theme of your own cooking show be?

12 More Things I Learned from a Year (Eating) Abroad

After my first year in China, I wrote about 12 things I’ve learned from living abroad. Here are 12 (tastier) things that I learned while eating my way around the world.

1. Food always tastes better when it’s on a stick.

Always. It’s obviously a law of nature. Pineapple on a stick. Tofu on a stick. Deep fried vegetables on a stick. Doesn’t matter what it is. It will instantly taste better when you are eating it off of a stick.

2. Sometimes you just need to buy peanut butter.

I feel guilty about buying peanut butter. It is expensive. And I should be experiencing traditional Chinese dishes. But every once in a while you just need a piece of home.

3. Never underestimate the power of a rice cooker.

Seriously. These things are magical. I don’t always have access to a kitchen, but I have gotten very creative with my rice cooker. You can make SO MANY things with a rice cooker!

4. Just eat the street food

Get your vaccinations, remember to pack the anti-diarrheal meds, wash your hands, but don’t be too afraid to try the street food.

5. You have never had tofu until you have been to China.

So. Delicious. Tofu in any other country just isn’t the same.

6. Don’t let one bad experience hold you back.

I tried papaya once and instantly hated it, vowing to never let it pass through my lips again. And then I found myself in India where I decided to give it another try. I was instantly converted and it has become one of my favorite fruits. Bottom line: sometimes you just need to try things more than once before judging too harshly. Don’t be afraid to give second chances.

7. Chopsticks are more useful than you may realize.

I’ve certainly come a long way since first awkwardly fumbling around with chopsticks and slippery noodles. I’ve really grown to appreciate how useful they can be. Sometimes a fork just won’t cut it (pun intended =D ).

8. But sometimes you also just need to eat with your hands.

Or specifically your right hand in many countries. It just tastes better that way. (Also see # 1)

9. Never underestimate the magical powers of garlic soup.

While I was trekking in Nepal, I experienced horrible altitude sickness. My excruciating headache and nausea were so paralyzing that I started to fear I would be medically evacuated. A little Diamox and some garlic soup and I was a brand new person the next day.

10. Sometimes bananas are red and oranges are green.

Life is strange. Just go with it.

11. Food still has calories in other countries.

It is possibly to eat well, be healthy, and enjoy traveling. But if you are eating too much and not moving around enough, it is also very possible to gain weight.

 

12. Dumplings taste so much better when you make them yourself

Kind of like how fresh, garden tomatoes that you grow yourself are so much more flavorful than any tomato you could ever buy in a store.

Ex-Expat Life with a Side of Ketchup

When I talk, I sound just like everyone else. Nobody stares at me in the produce aisle. Taxi drivers don’t ask me where I’m from.

To everyone else, I appear like I belong here. After all, I’m an American in America. The majority of my life has been spent here. So why is it that not being an outsider makes me feel more like I don’t belong? Why is it harder to adjust to living here than it was to leave everything familiar behind?

Just the other day I was eating something with ketchup. Except after the first bite I almost spit out my food. The ketchup didn’t taste at all like what I was expecting. It wasn’t as sweet as what I would find in Asia. Although I had enjoyed ketchup many times before in the US, I was disgusted with what I had just put in my mouth. This must have gone bad, I thought to myself.

In reality, there was nothing wrong with the ketchup. It was exactly the same as the ketchup I used to eat. The only real difference was me. It’s been 15 weeks since I left China (and about 14 since returning to the US). Yet somehow I still find myself struggling to adapt to certain things. Some days I am taken aback by a bottle of ketchup. Some days life just has a different flavor than I’ve been accustomed to.

When I talk, I sound just like everyone else. (Was my accent always this horrible?)

Nobody stares at me in the produce aisle. (I’m the one staring at everyone else.)

Taxi drivers don’t ask me where I’m from. (But I’m expected to drive myself everywhere anyways.)

Walking with Lions

Those eyes!

It has already been a month since I left South Africa and I’m still trying to figure out how time has gone by so quickly. Sometimes it all feels like a dream. I had an absolutely amazing time in SA and can’t wait to go back. There is so much more that I want to do and see!

I will be working on a huge review of all of my most recent travels – South Korea, Cambodia, Thailand, and England to name a few! In the meantime, I thought I would share a few awesome pictures from SA. I had an opportunity to meet some incredible people.. and lions.

That horrible moment..

…when you realize you only bought ONE cocoa orange nakd bar in London. Luckily I still have more of the cashew cookie flavor for now. But I foresee some experimentation the moment I have access to a kitchen again. It’s a rough life as a traveler. =)

Waking up in London

**Currently blogging from South Africa! Which is super exciting, but also means I have limited Internet connection. Later this week I hope to have more reliable Internet. Until then, this post might be a little unorganized. Please bear with me! And happy MoFo-ing!**

I was back in Chicago just long enough to get that overwhelming itch to travel. The great part about being involved in global health is there is always some conference in a faraway place that offers the perfect excuse to do so. Back to the airport I went – this time heading towards Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Flight

A few airlines fly to Joburg from the US. I found a Virgin Atlantic flight with a long layover in London. A lot of layovers I’ve had before were either too short or occurred overnight, which meant I could only experience a country from the airport or hotel room. Luckily, my layover was from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, so I had the whole day to explore the city. The only thing I didn’t enjoy about the flight was the duration – it was actually too short! Flight time was about 7 hours, which meant most of that time had passed once the meal was over and there wasn’t much time for sleep. This might be a good thing for some people, but I have gotten accustomed to long flights and can also sleep almost anywhere. I wouldn’t have minded a few extra hours on the plane, but I imagine most people would disagree.

The Piccadilly Line

After clearing customs, I hopped on the tube to get to central London. The process was simple and straightforward. There are a few different transportation options, but I wasn’t pressed for time so I chose the cheaper route. A ticket into the city from the Heathrow airport was under £6 each way. If you are taking the tube during a layover, do allow sufficient time to return to the airport. Although the Piccadilly line can be reached from within the airport, keep on mind that it’s also a bit of a walk to get there. Some trains stop and terminal 5 and some stop at terminal 4, so you may need to wait for the appropriate train. There is also an 8 minute stop at terminal 4 before arriving at terminals 1, 2, and 3 and some of the gates also require a bit of walking (10-20 minutes). Give yourself enough time to get there.

The Food

I stumbled upon a restaurant just outside of the South Hampton station. Turns out it was actually a chain with locations all over London. They offered many healthier and fresh choices – lots of soups, salads, and sandwiches. I found another one later in the airport and grabbed a veggie sandwich. My stomach wasn’t quite convinced that it was time to eat yet, so I also grabbed some fruit and a few naked bars at a grocery store to snack on while I was out.

(Note: As usual, I didn’t really know where I was going and hopped off a random stop in central London. (It sounded English enough. And I knew I could always hop back on the tube or catch a bus if it didn’t work out.) This took me to an area near a few museums, including the natural history museum. But if there is something in particular that you really want to see, there are plenty of stations that can get you close to where you want to go.)

A Walk in the Royal Park

Just when you’re starting to feel overwhelmed with all the people, buildings, noises, and fast pace of the city, you can easily find a tranquil moment in one of London’s beautiful parks.

How cool is this tree?

In Search of the Muffin Man

Is he the muffin man?

I found myself strolling down Drury Lane. (Ok, I followed a map to get there. And it wasn’t easy because I’m horrible with directions. But naturally, finding the residence of Mr. Muffin Man was a top priority.) As I wandered down the street, I kept my eyes (and nose?) peeled for any signs of freshly baked pastries. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the muffin man. Someone really needs to open up a bakery over there. Drury Lane Muffins. Any takers?

Oh yeah, Happy Vegan MoFo!

If you’re here for Vegan Month of Food, welcome to Chreese on Toast! If you have no idea what that is, you can read more about it here. But basically, it gives me a chance to repeatedly say “MoFo” for 30 consecutive days, while also blogging about vegan eats and adventures. I jumped into it a few years ago when I first started this blog and I’m excited to be back again! This year I’m combining Vegan MoFo with another passion – travel!

If you haven’t noticed already, I get around.. So far this year I have been in 15 different airports in 10 countries on 4 continents. And in the last two years I have circumnavigated the globe twice – once in each direction. Throughout my travels, I have have come across so many delicious and unique dishes. My hope during this month of food is to share recipes, lessons, tips, and stories from around the globe. This week I will be blogging from South Africa! I hope to see you around!

And a question for all of you MoFo-er’s: What would you like to see more of this month (recipes, travel, nutrition?) and what countries or regions would you like to explore?Leave me a comment and I’ll try to incorporate your responses! It’s going to be a great month!

Bits and Pieces

A lot has happened in the last few months. I finished grad school (feel free to call me Master Nicole). I traveled around China with my family. I traveled to Cambodia by myself. I returned to the US. And now I’m trying to find my place in the world. There have been far too many challenges, accomplishments, struggles, surprises, reunions, and separations to contain in a single post. So for now, I’ll leave you with a few pictures and a promise for all the details later.

Enjoying street food in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bracelets left at the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Wandering through the streets of Siem Reap

I’m still in the process of sorting through all of my pictures, but I can guarantee that there will be plenty more. (And if you really can’t wait, you can also check out the Chreese on Toast Instagram page) Here are a few posts in the works:

• How to (survive) long distance bus travel
• Reviews of my recent travels in China, South Korea, Cambodia, and Thailand
• The truth about living abroad (and why I’m leaving again)
• A letter to my successor
• Things I learned from eating abroad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#ReverseCultureShock

The key goes in the ignition.

Turn. Breathe.

Seat belt. You’ll need that here.

Adjust the mirror, holding your own gaze for a brief moment.

Readjust your seat.

And then the mirror again.

This car doesn’t feel like the close fit you remembered.

Right foot gas. Left foot break.

Breathe.

12 Things I Have Learned from a Year Abroad

It’s hard to believe that over a year has gone by since I first left the US. When I boarded the plane last January, I knew everything would be changing, but I never could have imagined where I would be now. This weekend will mark my one year China-versary. This year in Asia has been absolutely incredible and challenging and frightening all at the same time. There is so much that I have learned outside of the classroom while living in China.

1. You can never prepare for how the experience will change you.

You can spend months preparing to travel. You can read every book ever written. You can create the perfect packing list and study culture and history. But there are just some things you could never anticipate. Living abroad comes with unique experiences and challenges.

2. You can get by with a lot less than you ever thought you could.

After months of carrying all of your belongings on your back, you begin to realize how much your baggage can weigh you down. Literally. It’s the perfect metaphor for life, but it really is amazing how freeing it can feel to let go of some of your stuff. When I was back in Chicago over the summer, I realized how much more stuff I had left behind. I never missed any of it, but there were definitely times when I wished I had brought less with me.

3. Living your life in two different countries is extremely difficult.

This experience has been amazing, but it has also come with a lot of sacrifices. There is so much more than the romanticism of traveling. Sometimes it is really hard. Sometimes you are homesick for two places at the same time. Skype is great, but there are times when I still feel so disconnected. I love knowing that I have friends in so many corners of the world, but that also means I am always missing somebody.

4. Living your life with an expiration date is also extremely hard.

I know that I won’t be in China forever. And this can help me get through the rough days, but it is also a constant reminder that my time here is limited. In some ways this can be good motivation to make the most of the time I do have, but it is also creates a lot of added pressure to fit everything in.

5. If you can convince other people that you know what you’re doing, eventually you can convince yourself, too.

Sometimes you really just need to fake it till you make it. When I started teaching at the beginning of last semester, I had no idea what I was doing. The thought of having to speak for 8 hours in front of a classroom of people was pretty overwhelming. But a little bit of confidence can get you pretty far.

6. The train may not be on time, but it’s coming.

I am a horrible procrastinator, and never quite on time myself, so you would never know that I am really also somewhat of a perfectionist. I hate it when things don’t go exactly as planned. But even when the train doesn’t arrive on time, remember that it will still get there eventually. Everything doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.

7. Living in a foreign country does not automatically make you an expert in the local language.

People always say that immersion in the best way to learn a language. And I thought living abroad would be a great way to learn a new language. The reality is I have a lot of great resources, but I still have to work really hard to learn Chinese. Even after a year in China, there are still days when I feel like an idiot when trying to communicate with people.

8. At the end of the day, we are all people.

Sure, culture between one country and another can vary greatly. But we all have the same wants and needs. We all feel happy and sad and nervous and excited. We all want to feel appreciated. You don’t need to speak the same language to understand the meaning of a smile. Some of my favorite travel memories are moments shared with people that I was unable to communicate verbally with. A smile can often express more than words ever could. When you look beyond the boundaries of a country, you can see that we are all just people.

9. Some things just don’t make sense, but we can learn a lot from each other.

When you live in a different country, you begin to notice a lot of things that are just, well, different. And you begin to realize that there are a lot of things that you are accustomed to doing because of what your society dictated was the normal thing to do. Sometimes we just need to accept that there will be things we don’t understand. And sometimes we learn that the way we do things isn’t necessarily the best way either.

10. Sometimes it is alright to take a break.

I spent the first three weeks in India trying to see and do as much as I could. By the time we reached New Delhi, my friend and I were both pretty burnt out. We spent a few days doing nothing but eating pizza and watching movies in our hotel room. Travel can be a lot of work sometimes. And while I think you should take advantage of every opportunity that you have, sometimes taking a moment to relax can help you recharge and appreciate everything a little more.

11. Life keeps going, no matter where you are in the world.

While I was away, everyone else continued living their own lives. Don’t expect the home you left to be exactly the same as it was when you left. And remember, while you were off traveling, big things happened to other people too. As much as you want to share your experiences with other people, don’t forget to hear someone else’s story.

12. Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers

There’s something about being a foreigner that automatically draws other people to you. I have experienced this in many of the countries that I have traveled to. Some people are genuinely interested in learning about where you come from and why you have chosen to travel to their country. It is important to always keep safety in mind and try to use good judgment and common sense, but I have encountered some truly helpful and friendly people while traveling. It’s a great way to get a deeper insight into a culture and enjoy traveling.

Jet Lag

This evening I was making oatmeal, but I was a little short on oats. (Which is an absolutely horrible problem to have.) I also had mix for a sweet bean drink, part of which contained oats. So I decided to add one of the little oat packets. It made perfect sense at the time. Except I soon discovered that it was actually a leftover spice packet from a package of noodles. After I had already dumped it’s contents into the rice cooker with my oatmeal. (China problems.)  (I’m so in love. I use that thing to cook everything.)

You’ll be relieved to know that I still managed to salvage most of the oatmeal and just added some powdered cappuccino mix and a chocolate euro. (best souvenirs ever.) Crisis averted. So that’s pretty much how my day went. My body has no idea what time zone I’m in now. (it was a very looong way back to China.) And tomorrow when I’m actually awake I’ll laugh at myself.

I had an absolutely amazing week in Berlin. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to attend the World Health Summit this year. It was such a great experience. I’m so inspired by the amazing speakers that were there. I plan to do a more detailed trip report about Germany. So in the interest of sleep, I’ll leave this post short. For now, here are a few pictures from a pretty fantastic week.

 

Daily Rice Coffee and Muffin