La Petite Ratatouille

Foodie Friday - Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

2013-01-25T15:13:00.000+01:00

Last weekend, I was invited to a brunch and volunteered to take dessert. I dug out a simple vegan chocolate cake recipe and used cupcake moulds for easier sharing.

On top of being easy to make, the ingredients of this recipe are very "normal" - nothing that you wouldn't find in a typical pantry. Sure, I make the odd vegan cheesecake using tofu and agar-agar, but for me, the best recipies are the simplest.

Wisdom Wednesday: How to be Happy

2013-01-16T17:20:00.000+01:00

I haven't come up with a concrete resolution for 2013 yet, but I have found a motto to live by :)

Source: imgfave.com via Yuri on Pinterest

Wisdom Wednesday - Something Wonderful

2012-12-19T14:50:00.000+01:00

Source: fitsugar.com via Yuri on Pinterest

Guinea Pig Monday: Échalotte

2012-10-22T18:32:00.002+02:00

Ballet: Adult Ballet in Geneva

2012-09-27T11:40:00.000+02:00

Like a lot of girls, I took ballet classes when I was a child but didn't continue for very long. I stopped when I moved from Spain to Thailand at the age of 8. I remember my mum trying to get me back into ballet in Bangkok. She took me to her friend's daughter's ballet class when I was about 12, but I was so demotivated by the higher level of the class - I can still remember how self-conscious I was thumping during jumps! - that I never returned. Of course, now I am a ballet-nut and I am kicking myself.

Looking for a fun way to exercise, I started taking adult ballet classes three years ago in Geneva, Switzerland. My first classes were at Ecole de Danse de Genève. I really enjoyed my weekly classes and, within a few months, I started taking another weekly class at Dance Area. From my second year, I've been taking classes exclusively at Dance Area because they offer more classes and more levels. This is important to me because I travel a lot, so it makes it much easier to make up classes that I miss. All the teachers that I have had are great and I like the friendly atmosphere in the classes. The location right by the river and the gorgeous view of the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices (BFM) from the studios is also a big plus.

source: website of the BFM

Taking up ballet has boosted the amount of exercise I do because on top of my classes (currently three times a week), I do cross-training to help me improve. I started pilates earlier this year to strengthen my core and tone my muscles. I also swim a few times a week to strengthen my muscles, improve my stamina, and keep in shape.

I started beginner pointe this month and I am very excited about it. More on this in another post ;)

To finish off, here is one of my favourite ballet photos.

Diana Vishneva in Swan Lake. Photo by Marc Olich

Ballet: Grand Jetés

2012-09-25T16:36:00.002+02:00

Here are some gorgeous grand jetés I've come across on Pinterest.

Darcey Bussell

Source: ballet.co.uk via Yuri on Pinterest

Natalia Osipova

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Yuri on Pinterest

Daria Khokhlova

Source: via Yuri on Pinterest

Iana Salenko

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net via Yuri on Pinterest

Maryellen Olson

Source: Uploaded by user via Yuri on Pinterest

Alina Somova (with her hyperextension)

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Yuri on Pinterest

Elena Lobsanova

Source: blog.fieldguided.com via Yuri on Pinterest

Guinea Pig Monday: Hay Day

2012-09-24T15:42:00.000+02:00

Courgette enjoying her Coop Bio hay

Style: Autumn Jackets

2012-09-20T11:10:00.000+02:00

It's that time of year again - summer is over and we are on the cusp of autumn. I'm loving the structured jackets that I'm seeing this entre saison.

One that caught my eye on Pinterest is the Chanel jacket below. I love the shape, length, and details (sleeves, collar, buttons). It's an updated version of the military jacket; elegant and feminine, with a touch of cute.

Source: style.com via Yuri on Pinterest

The French brand Tara Jarmon and its sister brand, Mademoiselle Tara, have a few jackets resembling this style.

They also carry some colourful options.

Guinea Pig Monday: Family Portrait

2012-08-27T20:50:00.002+02:00

It wasn't easy, but I finally got a pic of the three piggies posing together.

Courgette, Echalotte, Poivron

The girls were actually quite good about posing. The problem was little Poivron, who was convinced that there were treats hidden in the corner of the couch. Hence, while he was exploring, I got a cute pic of the girls.

I like Courgette's piggy smile in this pic :)

Guinea Pig Monday: Jappyland Thinning Comb

2012-08-20T10:26:00.001+02:00

To maximise my piggies' comfort over the hot summer and to minimise shedding in general, I have been looking for a grooming tool to thin their fur.

My first find was the Furminator for small animals. It looked like just the right tool for the job and was noted highly on wanimo, an online petshop I frequent. However, I noticed that the positive comments were from rabbit owners. After some googling, I found a few comments from guinea pig owners saying that the product is not adapted to the thinner hairs of guinea pigs.

Next, I came across the Jappyland Thinning Comb with three comb sizes. The comments on the product were from dog and cat owners, so they didn't help me much. Upon close inspection of the photos of the combs, though, I found that the smallest one may work for guinea pigs. I placed an order and the comb arrived within days.

Echalotte, who has especially thick hair, was the first to try the comb.

As you can see from the photos, the thinning comb (smallest comb) removed some fur. She didn't seem bothered at all about the combing itself. I am happy with my purchase, but it will take a few more weeks to tell if the shedding has decreased.

Foodie Friday: Rice Burger ASIA

2012-08-17T16:36:00.000+02:00

While browsing through my local organic store, I came across a mix for a rice burger. I checked the ingredients - vegan (see below) - and the price - just over 2 Euros. Intrigued, especially because it looked so easy to make, I decided to give it a try.

I first added some hot water into the dry mix, stirred, and left it for for 15 minutes. Then I formed the patties. Instead of pan-frying them as suggested on the packet, I baked them for 25 minutes at 180 degrees Celcius.

The verdict? I definitely liked how easy and mess-free it was to make these burgers. The texture also came out well - crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. However, I wasn't too convinced by the flavour. They didn't taste bad, but they were a bit bland. I couldn't taste anything Thai. All in all, it's a great product for those evenings when you're too tired to cook. It might also be worth experimenting with extra ingredients like fresh coriander and vegetables.

Speaking of ingredients, the ingredients of this mix are: rice (60%), wheat flour, whole rice flour, corn maltodextrine, soy flour, sea salt, sugar cane, bell pepper, sunflower oil, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, caramel, carrots, shitake mushrooms, spinach, leeks, celery, tumeric, chive, cumin, coriander. (all organic ingredients)

Style: Peplum

2012-08-16T17:13:00.000+02:00

I wasn't a big fan of peplum until very recently. In general, I like simple silhouettes, and the ruffle just seemed like unnecessary material.

However, after seeing it repeatedly in magazines, I came to see its appeal. If the cut is right and the frills aren't overdone, it's a cute way of highlighting the waist while keeping the overall look sleek. It could be nice for work, for example.

I don't think I will be incorporating this style in my wardrobe just yet, as I prefer the full-on, 1950s-style, A-line skirt - with a petticoat if the occasion permits! Nevertheless, I did find some pretty cute peplum dresses and tops on Asos...

Guinea Pig Monday: Postcard from Australia

2012-08-13T20:01:00.001+02:00

Courgette is still not convinced about the likeness...
Click here for more Couala pictures.

Foodie Friday: Boiling Tip

2012-07-27T21:39:00.000+02:00

I was cooking soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles) when I remembered a simple tip to stop a pot from boiling over.

Simply put a chopstick across the top of the pot. I assume you can use any long wooden utensil, like a wooden spoon. Don't use a metallic utensil, though, as it will get really hot.

Happy cooking!

Shopping: ASOS Summer Sale

2012-07-26T17:19:00.000+02:00

These last few weeks, my inbox has been bombarded with invitations to sales from all over the worldwide web. I have been pretty good this year, only visiting the pre-sale at Place des Tendances. Though I did visit that twice, ahem.

I am not looking for anything in particular and I most certainly do not need anything, but I finally gave in to temptation and took a peek at the ASOS summer sale. I must admit, they do have some pretty good discounts going on.

All of these items are £20 and under...

Guinea Pig Monday: Floor-time

2012-07-23T17:50:00.001+02:00

I love watching my guinea pigs during floor-time. They tend to be more shy out of the cage, but after a while, curiosity gets the better of them and they begin to amble about making little piggy noises. Here are some pics of my troop enjoying floor-time...

Courgette adores the extensible green tunnel in the last photo. I actually added it to my basket to make up the €29 needed for free shipping on wanimo, but it turned out to be a happy purchase. The tube stretches up to almost 1 metre and can be bent into various shapes. It's also easy to clean. The only inconvenience that I have found is that Courgette likes to nibble on it (well, she nibbles on everything), so I have to keep a close eye on her. All in all, it's a fun accessory for floor-time.

Foodie Friday: Vegan Tacos

2012-07-20T01:46:00.001+02:00

Even my omnivore beau enjoyed these tacos :)

Preparation: 25 mins
Yield: 6-8 tacos

Ingredients

1 red pepper
1 onion
1 tomato
200g firm tofu
200g tomato purée
1 tsp each of paprika, cumin, oregano
1/2 tsp dried chilies
salt to taste
cooking oil (I used canola)
salt, pepper, herbs to taste
tortillas
additional fillings (e.g. lettuce, beans, hot sauce)
nutritional yeast

Directions

1. Prepare the ingredients: dice the pepper, onion, and tomato, and crumble the tofu by hand.

2. Sautee the onions, then add the tofu and red pepper.

3. When cooked, add the remaining ingredients and cook on medium-low heat for 7-10 minutes to let the flavours seep.

4. Scoop a spoonful of the filling on a warm tortilla, add other fillings as you like, sprinkle some nutritional yeast, and serve.

If you like spicy food, I recommend smearing some hot sauce on your tortilla before filling it. I used my current favourite, purée de piment rouge by Albert Mènès - yum!

Guinea Pig Monday: Girlfriends

2012-07-16T18:05:00.000+02:00

The girls are getting along very well these last few weeks...

Foodie Friday: Breakfast Banana Smoothie

2012-07-13T12:08:00.001+02:00

This smoothie is great for breakfast because it is quick, filling, and the bananas will give you lots of energy for the day.

It reminds me of the "morning banana diet" craze in Japan a few years ago. According to this diet, you had to eat one banana and drink one glass of room-temperature water in the morning. Then, you could eat anything you like during the day and you would still lose weight. I'm not sure whether this diet actually works, but in any case, supermarkets in Japan sold out of bananas for weeks.

Preparation: 5 mins
Yield: 1 large glass

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas
1-2 tbsp kinako (soy flour)
1 tbsp agave syrop
1 tsp vanilla essence
2/3 cup rice milk

Directions

1. Chop the bananas.

2. Put all ingredients into the blender.

3. Blend until smooth.

Guinea Pig Monday: un bonbon sale par terre

2012-07-09T16:17:00.000+02:00

I recently discovered un bonbon sale par terre, a French artist specialising in small animals, including guinea pigs. Agnès, who is behind un bonbon sale, has a unique drawing style and a great sense of humour. She also has an active facebook page that's fun to follow.

My favourite pieces are the cartoons, which I find accurate and hillarious. Here are three of my favourites:

Last week, I caved in and bought myself a "guinea pigs on board" car sticker:

The sticker arrived within days and I am very happy. I'll post a pic of my car window soon ;)

Ballet: Polina Semionova

2012-07-05T11:30:00.001+02:00

Here are some of my favourite photos of the ballerina, Polina Semionova. Polina will join American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as a Principal Dancer in September 2012. All the more reason to visit New York!

Here are two videos of Polina...

Manon, coreografia Kenneth Macmillan. Polina Semionova - Igor Zelensky

Polina Semionova (HD - Ballet - H. Grönemeyer - instrumental)

Guinea Pig Monday: "Grain de Vie" Mélange Nature

2012-07-02T15:35:00.000+02:00

I got the piggies a new treat this weekend - a mix of dried leaves, flowers, and veggies especially for guinea pigs.

Here's the packet...

Curious Poivron wondering what's going on...

Stuffed in a toilet paper roll and ready to serve...

No surprise, Courgette is the first to test...

The ingredients are: blackcurrant leaves, coltsfoot, dandelion, sunflower petals, parsnip, apples, carrots, leeks,* chicory, rose petals, hibiscus.

All three piggies had some bites, but they didn't go crazy over it as I thought they would. After a few leaves, they left the roll and went to munch on some hay. Still, it seems like a good, natural snack for the piggies. None of those 'snack sticks' with honey, nuts, and other bad-for-guinea pig ingredients for my little ones. (It's incredible that they even fabricate that stuff!)

* I've always seen leeks in "do not feed" lists, so I've removed the ones that I've come across.

Foodie Friday: Vegan Barbecue

2012-06-29T16:06:00.000+02:00

Summer is here and barbecue season is in full swing.

Last year, I had my first pescaterian barbecue; this year, I will be having my first vegan barbecue.

I've been doing some research online and have found some mouth-watering recipies to try. Here are some of the options:

mushroom skewers

hot & spicy sweet potatoes

grilled corn on the cob with garlic soy glaze

eggplant mixed grill

chili lime grilled tofu steaks

Now, I just need to brace myself for all the "where do you get your protein?"-type questions...

Guinea Pig Monday: photo update

2012-06-25T15:50:00.000+02:00

Some recent pictures of the trio...

enjoying an afternoon snack

culprit Courgette fleeing the scene

Échalotte waking up from her siesta
(her foot infection is gone!:))

Foodie Friday: Philips Food Processor

2012-06-15T11:54:00.002+02:00

My new kitchen toy, the Aluminium Collection Food Processor arrived yesterday.

When, after one too many frozen banana ice-creams, my simple food processor called it a day, I decided to replace it with an all-in-one appliance. The Aluminium Collection Food Processor looked ideal for all the fruit and veg that I consume. It can slice, shred, grate, blend, whip, knead, press, even juice.

At first I was intimidated by the huge box that it came in and was of half a mind to return it for its size. However, once unpacked, I found that the base of the appliance itself is not so big. I like that the cord is retractable, so that it stays neat and compact to take up minimum counter space. I am a bit apprehensive about finding storage space for all the accessories, though...

In any case, I am excited about my new acquisition and I am sure that it will be making appearances in future recipe posts :)