The Omnivores Hundred

Check out this http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/uncategorised/the-omnivores-hundred/

Here is what I've eaten from that list:

The Omnivore’s Hundred

Here’s a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.

Here’s what I want you to do:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results (this is were this

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
x 23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
x 35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
x 49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
x 55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
x 63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
x 66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette (who can be sure ;-)
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
x 76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse (who can be sure...)
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Python Man - or Duathlon Fat Ass style in Germany

Because of a sudden and persistent Achilles Tendon injury I have not been able to run for the last 2 month. Have gingerly tested the waters a few times, but since I did not want to make this another chronic injury, I did not push very hard (not difficult to do as it feels like the tendon is going to tear when I am running more than 10m).

This injury did not fit well into my plans of running lots in the wonderful beech forests in Germany during my summer visit. I tried to get not to frustrated and managed to get out on a mountain bike a fair bit. The plan also was to participate in the Phyton Man, a CFA style Duathlon consisting of 1.8km run - 14km mountain bike - 1.8km run. A few weeks ago I figured that I surely would be able to run 3.6km by then...well Phyton Man was held yesterday and I am still not able to run. Here is my report:

I heard about Phyton Man last year, when our friends from Falkenbach, Germany, visited us in Vancouver for a week. It sounded a lot like a CFA event, complete with colourful characters and a party to round things off. When I received an invite to this year's Phyton Man and realized the date coincided with my visit in Germany I committed to participate.

The start details arrived by email, but were a bit sketchy, as several different start time were circulating. Turns out, the organizers wanted to make sure that everybody arrived in time (unlike the previous year) and therefore "faked" an earlier start time. Needless to say, my sister, my husband and I arrived via a 15km bike ride, well in time. Opportunity to catch up with our friends, Armin, an accomplished Triathlete (turned Cyclist because of busted knees) and Andrea, also a long time Triathlete. We learned where the name originated...something about milking a Phyton - don't ask. Despite her snake phobia, Andrea had donned fake phyton skin shorts and Armin sported a boa around his belly.

The hosts had organized cake and coffee for before the start and the whole thing seemed quite relaxed, despite some pretty chiseled looking bodies showing up. The boxes of bottled Franziskaner Wheat Bear under a table on the porch indicated a long party after the event.

At 15:00h sharp the neighborhood boy - Falkenbach is a village of about 200 and Phyton Man seems to be the social event of the year - sent us off by banging a garbage can shut and waving a German flag. Armin had assured me, that he would walk together with me since he cannot run anymore...well, the competitive spirit must have gotten the better of him. I saw him sprinting away and soon found myself at my customary spot at the end of the pack. The road led steep uphill out of the village into rolling meadows and fruit orchards. A brief dogleg allowed me to see everybody briefly again, before they left me in the dust for good. I limped-ran my way to the transition zone and figured that I could close in on Andrea during the bike ride. Down a steep 2km road stretch and then onto a forest road, known as Lahn Hoehenweg. I "learned" running on that path a mere 36 years ago ;-). It contours the Lahn Valley and winds it's way steadily upwards through dense beech forest for about 5km.

My hopes to catch up to Andrea did not materialize. Her bike skills were better than her running. I pedalled for all my might trying not to brush the stinging nettle plants lining the path, but by the time I reached transition again, some participants were already finished with the second run leg. Off I went on a lonely walk to complete what I had started out to do. The opportunity to turn around earlier appeared for a split second, but I wasn't sure if the German Phyton Man rules allowed for custom courses like Club Fat Ass events. Everybody greeted me at the finish line before fleeing a sudden rain shower and congregating under a tent in Armin and Andrea's back yard.

Husband and sister had done well, in case your wonder. Old Back in Action Jackson was still nursing his half severed toe (read his KK blog to find out what happened) and I had fixed him up with a beater bike with hopes I could catch him ;-) Despite the handicap he toughed it out and finished way in front of me. Sis, also rides a beater bike, but her faster run securely put her into second last position.

The post event party beat all my expectations. More cake and coffee, bionade (a new fashion drink, surely to hit North America next year) and an awesome BBQ of Pork steaks and German sausages, accompanied by potluck dishes we had brought along. Only hiccup was the weather, which changed from hot to stormy and wet and the fact that I had mistakenly poured myself an alcohol free wheat beer (another new fashion - not sure if it will catch in North America, though). The evening was rounded of with live music by the local bluegrass band Foxchase. Photo are here.

Oatmeal Granola Bars

These are great granola bars to take along hiking. I vary the type of nuts and dried fruits I add:

2/3 cup (150 mL) butter, softened
1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar (less is fine too)
1 egg
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) rolled oats
1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped dried apricots (or prunes, figs, etc)
1/2 cup (125 mL)chopped almonds (or walnuts, peanuts, etc)
1/2 cup (125 mL) dried cranberries
1/2 cup (125 mL) sweetened shredded coconut

Preparation: Grease small baking sheet. In large bowl, beat butter with brown sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. In separate bowl, whisk together rolled oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and stir in apricots, almonds, cranberries (prunes work well too) and coconut. Fold into butter mixture. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Bake in centre of 180 C oven for 30 minutes. (165 C convection) Let cool on rack for 10 minutes. Cut into bars. Keeps in container or saran wrap for a week.

I think I originally saw this in a Canadian Living magazine.

What Do Church Bells, Disposable Coffee Cups, German Advertising And Smokers Have In Common?

Nothing much, really...those are just a few things that I noticed since arriving in Germany three days ago. Read on to find out the connection.

We left Vancouver late Sunday night. Getting through security was an unexpected snap. No shoes to take off, laptop to be turned on, violin to unpack or permission for the children to travel with just one parent scrutinized. I hadn't flown for 3 years, maybe I can't remember the departure lounge, but it seemed greatly improved and the time to boarding passed quickly looking at the artificial salmon creek or ocean aquarium. There even was wireless access and the kids wrote their first email to Papa. The flight left YVR in time around 23:00. The kids were already tired, but got a second wind with the excitement of take off. The airplane was only 1/3 full. Because of balancing issues, all passengers were crammed into the last third of the Airbus 330, but we were told by the very attentive crew that 40 people could move to the middle of the aircraft and stretch out. Unfortunately, my kids did not want to move and we were very cozy for the next 10 hours. How did I end up with the seat in the middle? Before kids I always flew aisle or window...

Touch down was a bit wobbly. EJ and I didn't feel so good and JJ fled into one of the empty seats, but otherwise the flight was exceptional, especially considering AirTransats reputation as a cheap, no frills airline. Getting through customs and picking up our luggage (all three bags were already waiting for us) was a breeze.

Little sis and niece waited for us once we cleared customs. Tears and emotions all around.

I guess I better get back to the church bells and advertising and coffee cups...The jet lagged seemed to be harder to deal with this time around and I didn't venture far the first 2 days. Between chatting with my sis, being shuttled to and fro my parents place and getting the kids settled into school there was hardly anytime to head out...and running is off the books because of an Achilles injury.

All to say, that I didn't see much of Germany yet, what had changed and what was the same. The first thing I did notice once I managed to set my sis wireless network up and access it with my laptop, was that Facebook greeted me with a big pop up announcing that it is now available in German. What a coincidence, I thought ( I am so naive). The next time I noticed that the friend checker now offered all the big German email provider addresses. When I noticed the ads in German, I finally clued in. Facebook had me pegged via my IP address. Flickr, btw, asked me if it can route my info via a server in Great Britain to avoid delays...

Coffee cups, you wonder. Well, this morning I went for a walk over the hill to the next village to pick up a bike from friends for my daughter. Huffing up the road, I noticed a guy driving his car with a disposable coffee cup at his lips. Now in Vancouver I wouldn't blink an eye. But this is Germany. Aren't you supposed to sit down at a table to enjoy and savour your coffee? I guess you can call this change.

Smoking in Germany always bothered me, as there never were any protective laws for non-smokers and I hated the smell and stench you encounter where ever you venture in Germany. I was anxious to see how the tough new smoking bylaws are panning out. I guess, I need to wait a bit longer. I still see cigarette butts everywhere and I haven't been in a restaurant yet to see if the law is applied. What I hear is that restaurants and pubs are up in arms because of perceived drop in customers. Some states have loosened up the laws and made allowances for small neighborhood pubs...NOOOOO! Hang in there, please.

Church bells are easy. Every full hour, you here church bells ringing. Always was like this and still is...Memories.

Missing The Fools

The morning started with a loud knocking waking me out of deep sleep. "Oh shoot", I thought, "that is my running buddy... why did I not hear my alarm?" Still half asleep I glanced at my watch (but being half blind I didn't realize that it was way too early for my running partner to be knocking at my door), jumped out of bed, raced downstairs, opened the house door, set off the alarm, had trouble resetting it without my glasses...only to realize that my friend was not there.

The knocking came from a pesky Flicker woodpecker, attacking the side of our house. Yawn. Love the Flickers, but cannot tolerate them destroying our house...so out comes the sling shot (no worries - I have a poor aim, but it helps me get a pebble high enough to scare the bird away). Flicker taken care of I realize I still have an hour before my friend is scheduled to pick me up to meet the fools somewhere on the BP.

I reach Cheryl, who has been crewing through the night, via cell phone. She reports that the Fools are a bit ahead of schedule and she is expecting them around 8:00 at Lynn Canyon. Perfect.

We arrive at Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge well before 8:00. No sign of Cheryl, so I call her up again to find out that she is at the Pipleline Bridge...ahem. I thought the Fools decided last night to stay on the BP opposed to the KK course. Still not quite awake, I ask Cheryl if they had run downriver on the BP. Cheryl, of course is absolutely sleep deprived and I shouldn't ask her any questions at this point. Figure, we'll meet the Fools if we follow the BP upstream.

We set of down the stairs into Lynn Canyon. The morning is crisp and dry. Too cold for the seaon, but at least it's not raining. After a few minutes of running, it occurs to me that if the Fools were at the Pipeline Bridge, they probably were following the KK course. Oops. I call Cheryl again to confirm. Cheryl is ready for bed. I offer her to take a rest at our house before driving home, but she feels awake enough to drive... She confirms that the Fools crossed the Pipeline Bridge...

We turn around and hope to still be able to meet the runners. Hey, I even run up those stairs to the Suspension Bridge. On the other side of the Suspension Bridge, I make the mistake and turn left right away...instead of a right and then a left. We end up following the trail to the 30ft pool until I realize we are wrong...by which time it's too late to turn around and still meet the Fools. Sorry guys. I shall try again later today.

Double Black Diamond

Not much new to report about my running training these days. Hip is still inflammed, so my runs have been rather half hearted and unmotivated. Luckily there is lots and lots of fresh pow in the mountains behind my house... Now, I ski like I run, slow and careful ;-) BUT, yesterday saw me hurtling down my first, second and third Double Black Diamond ski run at Grouse Mountain. Yippeh! Thanks to EJ Powderhound for the hours of training and ActionJackson for pushing me off the ledge!

Tomorrow, the little Jackson's, OverTheHill Jackson (aka Action Jackson), the Montgomery's and this Turtlepace are snowshoeing up to Elphin Shelter in Garibaldi Provincial Park to spend the night. My only concern is the access road to the trail head (seems every year we almost go over the cliff) and how our language student from Japan will survive his first back country trip ever.

Hopefully, running form will return soon.

Shirt Packing Party

Your Chief Executive FA and the past membership chair, Michele, relaxing after 3h of stuffing the 2008 Club Fat Ass no-stink, environmentally friendly, long-sleeve shirts into envelopes for mailing. Thanks to Vanessa for handling the design and sewing of the new Club Fat Ass Wear line. Thanks to Jess for helping with the artwork and the Club Fat Ass Wear labels (so cute) . Thanks Michele for keeping me on track during the packaging.

The red shirt I am holding is the men's shirt, Michele is holding the purple women's shirt. Emails have been sent out to the proud new owners of the shirts either with pick-up instructions or to warn you that the shirts are on their way to your mail box...

Now, I need the poster children to pose. I hear Vanessa and John and Danielle and Ryne are going to strut their stuff.