Friday: last day of work of what usually is a long week. So - relax is key! I might squeeze an exercise class / yoga / gym session / swim before heading home but once I am home I might spend a little longer than normal cooking one of my favourite meals, and relaxing with that book I wanted to read/serie I wanted to catch up on/shiny magazine I found somewhere or perhaps reading some of my favourite blogs to get inspired about new diy ideas or some fashion / interior design. If Miki is around, then sometimes it is nice to use Friday night as our date night, why not treat ourselves to a nice little cozy restaurant every now and then? (of course somewhere where you can find local/organic/healthy food! Saturday: my usual morning run, followed by a sitting down breakfast when I will catch up with the newspaper and particularly the weekend section in the guardian. Then some planning for the day ahead - all will be weather dependent but some kind of outdoor activity is usually present: a long bike ride exploring or a long walk are usually the case, and they will include a stop by some local farms for some 'zero km' weekly food shop. If weather doesn't allow then maybe a relaxing swim in the pool, or some other adventure (surf or climb anyone?) and a hunt for a local market to get some sustainable food! (And why not try their samples!). Also shops are still open on Saturdays so any chores to be done will be done then.. Saturday evening I am usually pretty tired, so depending on what others are doing it may involve some socialising or maybe a film at home under the blanket - better when Miki is here (falling asleep half way through the movie optional but totally recommended xD) Sunday: Sunday has become long run day - but this time is after breakfast! So again a relaxed wake up, breakfast and chill and after a suitable length of time is run time. By longer run I mean anything more than 5km, aiming for a min of 6 but would love to get that up to 8+ and eventually run 10 km every Sunday.. the rest of the day totally depends on mood and weather and what others are doing, but usually Sunday is my prep for the week day so it will involve some cooking for my lunches, planning for meals, some laundry, some work plans etc..
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My work is once again giving me some food for thought.
As my seasoned readers should know by now, I do research on mussel beds, and one of my lines of research, in short, concerns the understanding of how do mussel beds survive and sustain themselves over the years, with healthy populations made of young and older mussels in proportion that will keep the reef healthy and productive. Mussels have this particular way of aggregating themselves into clumps, attaching to each other with some filamentous threads made of proteins (called byssi, or byssal threads). This clump formation, also known as self-organisation, helps the mussels survive from risks of predation and dislodgement, allowing beds to persist overtime, and new recruits to attach to the bed from their planktonic stage and grow thicker shells while being protected from predators and negative environmental conditions. Of course, this behaviour does not only come with positive effects, but it does come with a compromise: a little bit of competition for food supplies! However, as beds do exist and this aggregative behaviour is displayed, it must be that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, at least in some cases and scenarios. Cooperative behaviours are observed throughout most of the natural world - from animals to plants, microbes, cells, genes... Both between same species and between different species. And then you open the newspaper, and you read about bomb-threats, immigrants being sent back to war places and being negated aid, countries leaving international accords trying to get selfish deals.. Even looking at smaller scales, people are less likely to help each other in difficult situations and selfishness tends to rule many societies. Which makes me think - as humans, have we lost all sense of our innate cooperation? Interesting papers: General cooperation Rubenstein, D. & Kealey, J. (2010) Cooperation, Conflict, and the Evolution of Complex Animal Societies. Nature Education Knowledge 3(10):78 Mussels Bertolini, C., Geraldi, N. R., Montgomery, W. I., & O'Connor, N. E. (2017). Substratum type and conspecific density as drivers of mussel patch formation. Journal of Sea Research, 121, 24-32. de Jager, M., Weissing, F. J., & van de Koppel, J. (2017). Why mussels stick together: spatial self-organization affects the evolution of cooperation. Evolutionary Ecology, 1-12. Also check this site for some great mussel movement videos etc As many of you are aware of, I moved countries last month and am now in the Netherlands!
After one month in temporary accommodation, I finally found a beautiful apartment in the centre of Bergen op zoom, a really cute and lively city... The apartment has a beautiful view which is a very big plus, but came with pretty terrible taste furniture - and it's open plan which means that yes I have space to move things around, but also makes it harder to organise. So how am I gonna fix the problem, and get the cozy apartment of my dreams in a sustainable way? Vintage & antiques Vintage shops and brocantes (antiques/old things), as well as markets are going to be my main providers. Why? A few good reasons include: a) uniqueness, b) with something little you can change the whole feeling of a room, c) quality, older stuff were made better!, d) sustainable- instead of creating new and increasing demand for more cheap things to be made, you use what is already there - much better, no?? Textiles Textiles will be my best friends. While I wish I could just paint some of the horrible stuff in black or in white to make them less horrible and more fitting, I don't think I will be allowed (saying this - I should ask nicely) so I will drape some nice fabrics where I can :) Upcycling Nothing better than some diy. A) because it gives the apartment a really personal feeling - you made it and none else has the same! B) you contribute to reducing waste, that pallet that was destined for the trash? Not in the trash! Same goes for any other items you can think of doing something with - including your plastic recycling! Pinterest is a great source of inspiration in this context... check my boards Smell And the last thing that really couldn't go amiss if the aim is a cozy home! Nice smell..as you might guess most commercial scented candles are a big Nono for me. Sadly, as I did see some that smelled great and even had a wick that made the sound of a crackling fire.. but scented candles are rarely made from natural materials (and I can tell you that the like of Yankee candles are definitely not! Katherine if you are reading I am thinking of you here xD). Actually many commercial candles are not even made from bees wax but from artificial waxes (originating from petrol sources) and the perfumes are also chemical! So no thanks I am going on a hunt for natural candles and in the meantime I will get a nice diffuser for my essential oils! The Plant life cycle is something most of us should be familiar with - seed germinates, plant grows, plant flowers, pollinators move pollen between flowers, fruit is obtained - fruit contains seeds that get dispersed in various mechanisms and the cycle starts again. There are some exceptions to this and here we are talking about flowering plants but more or less in simple terms this is what happens in nature, whether you believed the chicken came before the egg or viceversa... Seeds have the big task to germinate, and give rise to strong plants - which means seeds are full of very important nutrients.. and seeds in diets don't just belong on bird feeders but they can contribute greatly to our own diet! I feel super lucky to have won this amazing linwoods hamper: so many ground linseed (flaxseeds) mixed with other seeds (the pumpkin and sesame is one of my favourites) or nuts (walnuts and Q10 is definitely my number one!) and also some hemp seeds (no, I won't get high on it but surely it will give me plenty of well needed proteins for my sporty lifestyle) and chia seeds which I love to add to smoothies or baking inventions! The hamper also containes some of the new linwoods snackettes which are very low in carbs and gluten free (yay!) as they are purely made of seeds and there are no grains involved- I am truly a happy woman and cannot wait to test them out! Considering the majority of it is flaxseeds let's have a particular look at their nutrient content and benefits:
Nutrient wise in 100g they contain 27g of fibers, 18g of proteins and they contain 25% of your daily calcium, 25% of your daily b6, 30% iron and 98% magnesium! Not to mention the high omega 3 content! So they can be a healthy addition for hearth health, and the high fiber content means you will be fuller for longer but also will help you with some bloating and constipation should you suffer from it! Now, other seeds and nuts also have great properties and I invite you to mix and match for optimal benefits... just don't forget that they contain healthy fats but are still fats so they come with a high calories content, so enjoy them in small quantities to get maximum benefits without the caloric penalties! :)
Coffee.. as many worldwide I am part of the 'coffee-addicts': without my first morning cup I can barely make sense. But how can we coffee addict ensure that our addiction is as sustainable as possible??
First: choose fair trade
Those beans that give us so much pleasures comes from countries far away where workers can be exploited, so make sure not to contribute to their exploitation by choosing fair trade, look out for the symbol and remember that cheaper isn't always better!
Second: coffee machine
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New fancy machines have recently taken over the coffee market - these often use pods which are disposable... if you have one of those don't worry there are solutions: recyclable pods, recycling through the company, or buy a refillable pod!
Third: Give coffee a second life |
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Plants also benefit from coffee properties so revitalise your greens by giving them some of the leftovers or adding grain to the terrain !!!
I always do my best to recycle, however: how do you know your recycling actually gets recycled? (trusting the council? maybe we should but we all hear stories that instil some doubts).
The best way to ensure recycling is... DO IT YOURSELF! And doesn't have to be boring or ugly - somethings can be recycled into beautiful ideas..
So I will present you some of my latest Pinterest finds that I'd love to get started on, and invite you to do the same
Plastic bags baskets
Plastic bottles baskets
Jewellery beads
Self-watering seeding pots
If you want to find more, pinterest is a great source of inspirations, for example if you have a garden/open space you can find ideas for bird feeders such as this one, or if you are feeling artsy and are good with these kind of DIY projects you can try out these pretty lotus flower candles. As I said, there is plenty out there for everyone, so go on and challenge yourself! And let me know how you get on!!! :D
So - could we learn how to cook them and make good use of a nuisance species?
In Italy, for example, we eat a closely related species, Carcinus aestuarii, along the Adriatic. Fishermen harvest the crabs just before they molt, and these softshelled crabs, called Moeche, are placed in an egg mixture, then fried and eaten mostly as aperitivo - YUM!
On a really interesting website, called eattheinvaders,org (also amazing for recipes of other nuisance species, including herbs) there is
a recipe for soft shelled crabs:
2 soft-shell crabs per person
about 2 teaspoons of butter per crab, or enough to cover the bottom of the pan
Cleaning a softshell is easy, for in this condition it is far from being its usual belligerent self and can be handled with impunity. With a sharp knife remove the eyes and the stomach, which is the soft substance just below and behind the eyes. Make a slit along each side, fold back the top skin a bit, and remove the “devil’s fingers”—or gills—those spongy strips just under the back. Rinse the crab in cold water and the job is done.
Melt butter over medium heat in a pan equipped with a tight cover. Put in the crabs, cover, and sauté for about 10 minutes, shaking or turning them occasionally so they brown to an even golden color all over.
Soft-Shells should be served with French bread. Garnish the crab with lemon slices, parsley, and watercress.
And for the Moeche
As many soft-shell crabs as you can find
3 egg yolks
1 cup flour
3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste
Wash the moleche, or softshell crabs, in salt water. Beat the egg yolks and place in a bowl with a pinch of salt and Parmesan cheese. Mix the crabs with egg, allowing them to rest in the bowl for a few minutes to absorb the yolk.
Dip the crabs in flour and fry in hot oil (375 degrees for approximately five minutes or until golden brown). Dry them on paper towels to absorb the grease. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot.
From the same website, a comment from Mark Zanger says "I’ve hit only some big ones on the bay shore of lower Cape Cod, but find them so delicious they are worth picking from the shell. [...], I will stir-fry them black-bean sauce in the Cantonese manner.", and apparently chefs have been challenging themselves to try new recipes. Rich Vellante, executive chef of Legal Sea Foods in Boston, told the Boston Globe that green crab stock had a “pleasing ocean flavor.” He thought he could do something with it–and has started testing risotto and minestrone dishes.
So I am calling all "wanna-be-chefs" to try out new recipes with these nuisance, I for one will challenge myself to try out some new recipes and why not, maybe host a crab party (NIOZ people you are warned in advance now, put your cooking hats on!)
And keep your eyes open for some of my own trials on the recipe page (when I actually find some time to do so) and if you want more info on my work feel free to contact me :)
Some interesting articles of crabs effect on mussel plots in the meantime (will add one of my own once it gets finally accepted....):
Capelle, J. J., Scheiberlich, G., Wijsman, J. W., & Smaal, A. C. (2016). The role of shore crabs and mussel density in mussel losses at a commercial intertidal mussel plot after seeding. Aquaculture International, 24(5), 1459-1472.
Calderwood, J., O'connor, N. E., & Roberts, D. (2015). Effects of baited crab pots on cultivated mussel (Mytilus edulis) survival rates. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 72(6), 1802-1810.
Why? Because I care about the environment and I want to make sure I minimise my footprint, but I also love being active and particularly being active outdoors so I want to ensure I don't impact my surroundings while I enjoy myself...
Let's start with a water sport - SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding)
Where is it practiced?
Seas, Oceans, Lakes, Rivers - basically anywhere there is water!
What does it involve?
The name is pretty self explanatory - a board and a paddle. No engines or motorised parts, just human power or nature power when practiced on waves or rapids.
- Disturbing nature
As always when we are out in nature, we need to remember that we are the intruders. Often when you are paddleboarding you will enter some very peaceful habitats and may encounter wildlife. Remember to keep your distance and observe from far away, try not to disturb birds or mammals by getting too close. A
- Materials
Now, this is where some of these 'seemingly environmentally friendly' sports have some less-friendly impacts... SUP boards are often made from plastic materials which are very toxic in the making but can also leach out toxins (that act as endocrine disruptors with negative consequences for the aquatic life!), and include epoxy resins which are also full of toxic components..
Also where are these boards made? Often they are made with cheap labour from third world countries, with not only high environmental impacts but also negative effects for human welfare... really makes you think!
But.. what makes you think also makes you find some solutions:
Sustainable boards do exist
Sustainable materials include wooden boards, however make sure to choose sustainable woods such as bamboo! Technology is also advancing and new materials, such as cloth made from flax and bioresins are starting to become available, although maybe still too expensive (and it will reflect on the price of the board). If you are thinking of investing in your own board, think of going as environmentally friendly as possible, and why not go even community friendly and find a local shaper?
Inflatable boards are now also a thing, and while they are also very convenient for transport they are more environmentally friendly than their hardboard counterpart... so perhaps it could be an interim solution. And many surf school are now employing them, so you can always be eco friendly even if you are a beginner..
And talking of surf schools: if you live in South West England (or planning a holiday there), I recommend you to check out the 'Paddle Shack', Alana will coach you right from the beginning to get you up and going in no time! They offer a range of trips as well after you learnt the basics, which include a discovery trip (and Alana is a great marine biologist, which will introduce you to the marine life while guaranteeing it will be fully respected!) and also a SUP and SIP - tempted yet?? Go check them out on their Facebook page.
Some pics from the 'shack...'
And so here I am, ready to try my first weird and local cuisine (although I actually found out it's actually a German thing... neighbour enough!): Tongue ham!
Why do I believe is important to do that?
(1) Respect for the animal we killed
We need to remember where our food comes from. As a reformed vegetarian I still try my best to carefully consider and remember that the meat under my knife comes indeed from something that we killed. So, let's not throw the 'least liked' parts in the bin
(2) Combact food waste
In a similar manner as the respect for the animal, too much food gets wasted on this planet. It's time to stop, so let's use everything we can! This includes all organs and blood. Sorry for the grim aspect to this post (shouldn't be grim though, that's the point!)
(3) Can be healthy
Now, I don't know if my tongue ham with his processed nature (hey, everyone can have a day off..) is entirely healthy. However some 'less-liked' animal parts can be extremely nutritious. Kidneys, Liver, Tongue can be rich in essential vitamins and nutrients.
(4) Cheap
Not only healthy, but less-liked parts can also be cheaper, which means even in lean times you can be healthy and keep up your protein intake!
(5) Spark your creativity
Using less common ingredients should spark your kitchen creativity! What best than invent something new? And perhaps surprise family and friends? Go on... challenge yourself!
And remember to keep those bones and unedible by themselves parts (such as cartilage) to make nutritious stocks and broths for other recipes!
So... to summarise, in order to help the planet, contribute to less food waste, respect the animals, save some cash and spark your creativity: eat something unusual! (high grim factor preferred)
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