Apr 30 2022
This is a traditional Swiss meal (well, not the vegan version thoughβ¦ *haha*).Β
Typically, it’s cooked in central Switzerland and the Alps. In some cantons it’s accompanied with salad, in others apple puree is served instead.
Either way, it’s a delicious dish and this is my first attempt to do it as a one-pot and vegan version.Β
It serves 2-3.
Patrik and I unanimously agreed that the result turned out to be absolutely tasty π
This are the ingredients & how to prepare it:
200g Potatoes, waxy peel and cut into 1cm dices
1 Applecut into 1cm dices
3 Onions fine rings
300gPasta (f.ex. penne)
2.5dl Vegan Cream
6dlVeggie Bouillon
2dl Vegan Cheese grated
Salt, Pepper
Put pasta, apple, onion rings and potatoes together with the cream, bouillon in a wide pot, stir, bring to the boil.
Lower the temperature and let it simmer under a lock at medium heat, for about 8-10 minutes. Until pasta is al dente.
Mix cheese, stir and serve immediately!
Enjoy it with a glass of white or red wine β whatever suits you π·πΎ
Apr 23 2022
Did you all have a pleasant Easter weekend? We certainly hoppy so π°π·π₯
Naturally, we spent the days in Bella Italia, on our sailing yacht. The weather supposed to be sunny during the whole weekend, though windy with some nasty gusts in between. Temps were promised around 18-22 deg. C. Well, good enough for us π
Since we haven’t seen Luna Azzurra for such a long time, Patrik and I took two extra days off and left already on Wednesday, early morning. Two o’clock in the afternoon we arrived at the marina and got settled quite soon.
Then we went to a nearby grocery shop to buy a few veggies and salad.
We spent the evening on board and had an early night, tired but happy! π΄
The highlight was on Thursday, because my parents arrived in the evening at the Loano train station!
After two attempts – due to the pandemic – they finally made it!
Of course, Patrik and I picked them up (the train arrived 18.25, twenty minutes delayedβ¦. No surprise there π) and drove them to their hotel “Excelsior”, which is only a few minutes by foot from the marina.
An hour later I picked them up again and we went to our boat for a quick introduction. At eight o’clock was our table booked at the restaurant “Sacripante Osteria“. Patrik and I went there during lunch time and booked a table. I “warned” them then that I’m vegan but apparently it wasn’t a problemβ¦.
β¦..which they proved a hundred times worthΒ in the evening! We all agreed that this restaurant offers an outstanding service, excellent dishes and is hosted by incredibly amiable staff! It’s not cheap, but certainly worth every cent we’ve spent there! This surely won’t be our last visit β€
Afterwards my parents were tired and went back to the hotel, while Patrik and I returned to Luna Azzurra. Our plan was to sail out the next day. My dad hat to prove that he was seaworthy π€’
A sunny Good Friday morning greeted us. No more gusts, but sadly the wind was a bit chilly.Β
Nevertheless, at 10 o’clock my parents arrived in good spirits and half an hour later we were on our way out. Filling up the diesel tank first (surprisingly onlyΒ EUR 1.93/l) and off we went, towards Punta Crena.Β
Unfortunately, we only had between 3 and 5 knots and after a sad attempt to hoist the mainsail, we soon gave up again and motored to our anchor spot.Β
After we were safely anchored, we prepared some lunch and enjoyed the sunshine and the view.Β
Around 15.30 we were ready to leave and returned to the marina. My dad didn’t become seasick, by the way, a true seaman β My mum knew that she is a mermaid, so she didn’t have to worry π§ββοΈ!
Apr 09 2022
We extended our efforts to avoid plastic in our little two-person household.
A while ago I spotted these kitchen sponges and dishcloth.
As you may recognize, the scrubbing sponges are made of luffa, which is a genus of tropical and subtropicalΒ vinesΒ in the cucumber family.Β Surprisingly, they really are effective and remove burnt food residues without scratching the surfaces.
You can even wash them several times at 60Β°C and when they are used up, you just throw them on your compost.
The green dishcloth is made of cotton and cellulose, which means they too are 100% biodegradable and compost friendly. Of course, they can also be washed at 60Β°C.
In order to find an alternative to the dishwasher detergent in plastic bottles, I finally found these super practical and palm oil free soaps. And they do their job, let me assure you.
Not only are they fat dissolving and have a fresh lemon fragrant, but they actually produce a nice foam!
Patrik and I have tested all these products for a while now and we both can confirm that we are totally satisfied.
With regard to being on a boat, sustainable cleaning products are even more important, since there is no sewage treatment plant, between your cleaning and the sea!
And of course, on board – with limited space – you want to avoid waste, as much as possible β΅
By the way, on www.etsy.com one can find a good selection of sustainable cleaning accessories!
While I wrote this post, I was also on the Etsy page and in my opinion the “GreenHugShop” might be worth to try π
Well, I guess Patrik and I found a good solution after a long search, even if it seems like a drop in the ocean – for the oceans π¬π ππ¦
Mar 19 2022
A week ago, we received the eagerly awaited message from Maldimare Marine Upholstery, that their work in Luna Azzurra’s salon has been completed! *hurray*
This project started already a year ago. And continued last summer, with getting an offer and accepting it. Patrik and I even drove to their workshop in Andora once, while we were in Loano. We wanted to choose the exact colour and discuss all the details (thread colour, backside mesh, type of seam, etc). We knew we wanted to have an Alcantara-like fabric and, if possible, a turquoise/mint-green type of shade.Β
It was also decided that we could keep the existing pads, since they were still in good shape. Only theΒ backrest cushions would be upholstered, in order to get a straight and modern shape. Beside the salon we also wanted to have the bench cushions in the cabins newly covered, plus an extra one for the chart-table bench (the skipper must sit comfy of course π).
Maldimare’s professionality only confirmed that we indeed have contacted the correct people! Not only do they clearly know their trade, but both – Kla and Gualtiero – are heartwarming people and we immediately connected.
However, the pictures we now received from Kla were beyond our expectations and I must say, my heart made a double flip.Β
The result looks awesome, and it fits beautifully with the reddish wood. What a fresh and inviting appearance the salon makes now! No comparison to the old, faded upholstery. We can’t wait to see it live!
I also ordered four throw pillows, plus two running meters as spare fabric.
As mentioned before, the bench that sits between the galley and the table will be replaced by a custom-made cupboard. It’s already on board and waiting to be installed.
So, one more task we can tick-off! Feels great π₯³
Mar 12 2022
Last week my brother AndrΓ© and I decided spontaneously, to go out for dinner on Friday evening. So we did, together with his partner Nadia and I took Patrik with me.
AndrΓ© wanted to try the restaurant in our village, called “Frohsinn”, so I booked a the last table there.
At seven o’clock we met, and time just flew by! We had an exciting and funny time together πΒ
Ah and the food was as excellent as always!Β
We were (almost) the last ones who left the restaurant, it was around 11.30 p.m. Time to say good night and good-bye to everyone!
Since Patrik and I went by foot, the walk home felt really good and was refreshing!
We hope you all have a wonderful weekend too!
Feb 24 2022
Tomorrow, Patrik and I have the day off (me also on Monday, hehe). We decided it’s time to catch up with our friend Pascale from Luxembourg.
We’ll drive to Bussang, a village in the Vosges, a mountain range in France. There we know a lovely camping ground where Pascale has booked a chalet for us from Friday until Sunday. Since she knows the owner very well, we even received a little price reduction π
On our way we’ll pick her up at the trainstation in Mulhouse. She’s tavelling by train, because a good friend of her (Hans) is also coming on Friday evening. And since he’s from the Netherlands, he’ll give her a lift home on Sunday.
Pascale also takes some animal stuff with her, such as medicine, and old blankets. A friend of mine helps to support animal shelters and strays in Turkey and in the Balkans. Every now and then they drive there with vans, where they distribute the goods. Needless to say, how grateful they are πΆπΊ Most precious are donations in the form of goods and food. So, when Pascale heard about it, she wanted to help and startet to collect things, which we’ll take to Switzerland. THANK YOU π
Anyway, back to our weekend plans. We’ll spend good quality time together, talk and laugh a lot, eat π₯ and drink π₯ and simply enjoy eachothers company. If the weather is nice, we plan to go for a hike, let’s hope for a lot of π! Otherwise there is a spa and and indoor swimming pool on the camping ground and the village even has a casino π°π²….
Well, it won’t be boring, that’s for sure and time will fly by, as always!
We’ll present some pics next weeked, so stay tuned π
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