Abrams Family World Travel

Melbourne: World Vegan Day

IT seemed only fitting that we should attend World Vegan Day. After all, we are all vegans, it was Jamie's birthday, the event was happening (for the 10th year running) in Melbourne (at Princes Park) and the sun was shining on a perfect day.

Although the journey (by public transport) required us to take the train, bus (because of maintainence works) and then tram, it was well worth it.

We shared the day out with our friends, who have three boys. There were activities for children, like min-golf, table tennis, toy racing cars, mini-skittles and a park play area. There was also live music, speed dating, workshops and talks. But best of all was the food. If I'm honest, that's the reason we decided to attend.

Arriving around lunchtime (of course), we surveyed the options. Jamie went for the burger and I opted for a curry feast, which was delicious, and Zenchai and Kobra just pinched from us what they liked. We found a spot on the grass and all tucked in. 

There were many other options, ranging from gourmet raw to wraps to salads to juice bars to cup cakes to raw food deserts to pizza. But the biggest queue of all was for vegan ice cream. The line never shortened and, for that reason, we never bothered to join it.

There were many other stalls, non-food-related, focusing on cruelty to animals, like horse riding over jumps and whale fishing. There were stalls selling vegan cosmetics and chocolate. 

Australia does well in so far as promoting vegan products and lifestyle. Regular supermarkets have lots of options (although groceries are expensive here). 

We headed home, satisfied but with a little space in our bellies reserved for the cake Jamie had made for herself (she's a cake-making fanatic - and genius - and had been planning this one for weeks), using organic chick peas, apple sauce, dark chocolate, coconut milk, cashews, maple syrup, cherries etc.

But we had to wait a little longer. With the temperature perfect and sun starting to descend, we first headed to the beach to let the kids expend more energy digging holes and running about in the (cold) ocean.

Then, needing to refuel, we all made a good attempt at polishing off that cake!

 

 

 

 

Chiang Mai: Why Birthdays Are Great

I LOVE birthdays in our family and not for the obvious reasons.

It's because my wife makes and invents great cakes. They're not ordinary cakes. Her recipes are delicious and I'm always encouraging her to produce a book. She uses healthy ingredients - or as healthy as can be for cake-making - and so I can indulge happily without any feelings of guilt or concerns about eating the 'wrong' stuff.

In fact, we encourage our kids to eat Jamie's cakes, which are full of protein, fruits, healthy fats and no cholesterol. She uses goji berries, cashew nuts, coconut cream and butter, dates (instead of sugar), strawberries, pumpkin seeds, spirulina, nuts etc.

For Zenchai's sixth birthday, she produced one of her finest. Zenchai asked for strawberry, vanilla and chocolate and that's precisely what he got. 

Nothing was cooked. And yet it looked - and tasted - like a dream. One of the best ever. The cake lasted more than two days. We had some for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Before Zenchai's birthday was over, Jamie was asking me what cake I would like for my birthday (two months down the road) - she's hinting at a durian one, by the way.

That's either devotion or obsession. Jamie likes to eat her own cakes, but possibly not as much as she enjoys making them. 

Zenchai genuinely enjoyed his day. Last year it was in Brazil and, the year before, Ecuador. But he told me the day after that he'd like to spend his next birthday in Thailand. We indulged him in all the things he enjoyed. We took him to his favourite restaurant for lunch - Punpun - where he wanted potato naan and a fresh coconut/cinnamon smoothie. He played all day with his new toys, we took a trip to feed some giraffes at the Night Safari and then topped things off at The Centre Of The Universe, an outdoor salt water swimming complex.

After that, we returned home, as it was dark, cooked Zenchai his favourite mashed potatoes, read him some stories and put him to bed. 

 

Kuala Lumpur: Breakfast Tales

WE aren't the kind of family that eats the usual eggs, bacon, sausage and toast breakfast. Nor do either of my children know what Cocoa Krispies, Frosted Flakes or even Weetabix are.

We seem to fall into a routine breakfast that is location-dependant. In Croatia it was heaping large amounts of watermelon. In Argentina we had fruit salads with tahini-honey dressing and bee pollen.

Brazil brought us chia seed/banana pancakes at first before we evolved to mouth-watering chocolate pudding with homemade granola. In India we all loved a good masala dosai and in England Zenchai always started his day with his grandmere's homemade bread followed by a (vegan) protein shake (we use the Sunwarrior brand). 

Since being in Kuala Lumpur our accomodation has been diverse, sometimes having a kitchen and sometimes not. When we didn't have a kitchen we ate masala dosai or fruits, then when we had a well-appointed kitchen, I made granola and smoothies (almost every store-bought variety of cereal is sugar-coated or well overpriced). Now we have a kitchen, but it is pretty lame. 

When we lived back London I used to make a scrummy, nutritious chia seed pudding. Zenchai used to lap it up. So I pulled out all the stops and created a travelling rendiditon of it. Fortunately, the stores here have a huge variety of health foods, so it was pretty easy.

However, I haven't used chia seeds even though they sell them here. Instead, I use Thai sweet basil seeds (we have some leftover from our last trip here), which react the same as chia.

Kuala Lumpur Breakfast of Champions:

2-4 TBS Thai sweet basil seeds or chia seeds

water or nut milk (enough to cover the seeds)

1/4 - 1/2 C coconut milk (depending on how coconutty you like it)

splash vanilla essence

dribble maple syrup or honey (optional)

one chopped banana

2-4 dates

chopped brazil nuts

dried mulberries

goji berries

Here is the skinny:

Pour the water or nut milk over the seeds, add the vanilla and maple syrup. Stir until well combined. Then add the coconut milk, stir well and place in fridge for 5-10 minutes. While the seed mixture is in fridge you can chop the banana, brazil nuts and dates. When the fridge time is up, add the remaining goodies. Spoon into mouth. Smile, it tastes naughty but it is packed with nutrition.

 

World Travel: Nuts For Coconuts

WHAT I missed most when back in England recently - and since leaving the tropics - is access to fresh coconuts.

They now sell packaged coconut water in western cities, but it's not the same as cracking one open straight from the tree, drinking the water and scooping out the flesh.

The packaged water doesn't taste quite the same, despite claims it is 100 per cent coconut water.

But there can be no denying the high nutritional and medicinal value of the coconut, partially processed or otherwise.

Although coconuts here in India so far haven't been up to quite the same standard we had a plentiful access to in Brazil last year, on hot days - and it's around a constant 34 degrees this time of year in Kerala - it's the best thing to drink to rehydrate.

In Piracanga, Brazil, Zenchai and I often used to set off in the morning with a wheelbarrow and return about 30 minutes later with it loaded with delicious coconuts. I'd cut them down and he'd push the barrow. 

Browsing a newspaper just the other day made me realise how special this nut is. I came across an advert for coconuts, listing its many qualities.

Coconuts are natural, packed with vitamins and minerals, have more potassium than most sports energy drinks and contain natural sugars.

The most amazing endorsement for coconut water, though, is the fact that during the Pacific War (1941-45) coconut water was used regularly, taken directly from the nut for emergency plasma transfusions on wounded soldiers!

With a blender, you can mix the flesh and water to make coconut milk, which has less fat than animal milk and no cholesterol. Coconut milk is used widely here in southern India in cooking as well as drinks (smoothies etc).

We often used the flesh to make puddings - which is a great way to ensure children get a regular intake of quality food. 

The flesh can also be eaten raw. Generally, the older the coconut the thicker the pulp, but less tasty the water. Sometimes you can find coconuts with perfect tasting water and nice flesh, too.

Luckily, our children love both the flesh and water. And here in southern India it's also ridiculously cheap - just R20 (about 35 pence).

 

Varkala Beach: The Lesson Man And Food Glorious Food

THE main reason we are here, in Varkala Beach, is because of my great long-time friend Bob Lesson. 

He introduced us, verbally, to this southern Indian town and, from his adventures here, sewed the seeds for us to plant ourselves in India for six weeks as we grow to discover Asia.

Bob first travelled to India back in the 1970s, when he was at school. I love telling the story of how, in his school summer holidays, Bob disappeared for six weeks, hitch-hiking halfway around the world - unbeknown to his parents, who couldn't afford to take him on holiday! Bob went through India, via Afghanistan, barely with any money in his pocket, on his way to Sri Lanka.

It was in India, where he was exposed to great poverty and, ironically, generosity, that Bob was most greatly influenced. 

Naturally, Bob can't get enough of this huge country, the seventh largest in the world, and for three of the last four years he has come to Varkala.

So when we planned our journey to Asia and knew Bob was intending to visit Varkala again, we exchanged notes and decided to rendezvous here. 

Bob's arrival was fairly typical - a knock at the door and a big grin at 6am after his early-morning arrival via Dubai.

Since then it's been fun, games and adventures. Zenchai loves Bob.

Bob introduced us to a wonderful Indian woman called Kumari, who at her home cooks the most fantastic Kerala-style meals (above), including a great banana curry. She has been doing it for over 20 years and doesn't advertise (and has refused to be included in the Lonely Planet). But by word of mouth visitors learn of her cooking and generous spreads (at a cost of R200 [approximately £3] per person). Everyone eats with their hands and on banana leafs instead of plates. She just comes round and dishes out the food until you can eat no more. On one recent occasion she served us 14 different dishes! We were all thoroughly stuffed and Kumari so happy.

She genuinely loves entertaining and pleasing people with her food. And there is always more than enough. We went once for dinner and again for lunch a few days later, when Zenchai, much to his delight, got to ride up front in a tuk-tuk. The food at Kumari's was delicious each time.

If you want to experience 'real' Kerala food, you can contact Kumari by telephone (9387911309). She takes customers for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, but needs to know in advance when you are coming. 

While in the food mood, Bob and I signed up for one of Varkala Beach's cooking courses (at the Bamboo Village).

Although the organisation was poor - the price wasn't made clear (we ended up paying R900 [£13] between us) and, when we arrived, we were told to wait in reception while the chef was impatiently waiting for us - it was worth it.

We very nearly didn't go through with it, though. When the chef lectured us about punctuality, Bob took great offence, which is unusual for Bob. He told the chef how he felt and was close to walking out. The chef didn't quite understand it wasn't our fault.

So we stayed - and I'm glad we did. So, too, was Bob. He and I served up some amazing nosh, as good as anything we have eaten in Varkala thus far (except perhaps for Kumari!) He taught us a few things, too, like putting a slice of onion over each ear to prevent tears when cutting it (look closely at pic above). And we adapted all the dishes to be vegan (except for Bob's fish, of course) by substituting coconut milk for cow's milk and vegetable or coconut oil for ghee.

On our menu was Masala Dosa, Vegetable Biriyani, Green Papaya Masala, Fish in Banana Leaf, Onion Pakora and Dhal Curry. It was all made from scratch and with (mostly) natural ingredients - in less than 90 minutes. This included preparation time.

Afterwards, Bob and I sat down and scoffed the lot (about 90 per cent of it) and didn't feel to eat again for the rest of the day. It was that delicious and satisfying. But if you choose to do the course, be sure to invite your friends and family. There is plenty to go around. 

 

Huddersfield: What To Do On A Foggy Day?

WHEN we wake-up and it often looks like this:

You may wonder what in the world we do. Well, wonder no more!

We do this:

Homemade muff-cakes.

You can try your hand, too. Here is our top secrect fingerlicking good recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk, rice milk or coconut milk
• 2 cups spelt flour
• 125g dates (soaked in water to soften)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1TBS chia or mila (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, warmed until liquid
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Optional toppings: blueberries and chopped hazelnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 12-cup muffin pans or line with 18 paper baking cups.
2. Measure the apple cider vinegar and almond milk into blender jug. Let stand until curdled - about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Put dates together with almond milk mixture, coconut oil and vanilla in blender. Blend until creamy. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
3. Drop in blueberries and top with chopped hazelnuts.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed (approximately 15-20 minutes). Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter. Frost with desired frosting.

Or we try someone else's recipe.

Click here to for the Black Bean Chocolate Chilli Cherry Cookie Recipe.

When we read the recipe, the chef Sarah Britton, promised they are so good you'll run around the kitchen in circles like a robot. It's true! These cookies are seriously addictive. It's hard to stop.

So I think you'll agree there is plenty to do on days like this!

London: From Greenwich Market to A Northwood Steakhouse

JAMIE likes to celebrate her birthday and this year was particularly special for her as it fell on 11-11-11. Last year there were just three of us (and Kobra sprouting in Jamie's belly) in Buenos Aires.

Back in London, she wanted to share the occasion with friends. So we arranged it - at Lomito, an Argentine steakhouse in Northwood, Middlesex, close to where we used to live.

First, though, we spent the day at Greenwich Market in south London. Neither of us had been there before. It was easy and relatively quick (though expensive at £8 per adult) to get to by train. Change on the Jubilee Line at Finchley Road for Canary Wharf, walk about 100m to take the Docklands Light Railway to Cutty Sark and the market is about 400m away.

It's a happening place. Zenchai loved it, too, because there were several stalls selling antique toy cars and he got to rummage through boxes trying to find a good deal. He ended up buying a couple of matchbox cars at £1 each and was satisfied with that.

Jamie went there for some vegan cupcakes. She'd read online about Ms Cupcake and thought they would make for a good dessert in the evening at the steakhouse. So we bought one each for everyone invited and a few extra.

They looked great even if they were a bit pricey at £2 each. But, to be honest, they were too sweet. If you need proof, even Zenchai couldn't finish his and what five-year-old turns away a pudding?

However, we did enjoy some Ethiopian nosh for lunch, though there wasn't really anywhere suitable to sit down and eat it, especially as it was so chilly (in the summer you can go to the nearby park). It wasn't what I'd call typical Ethiopian, though. There was so much else (foodwise) on offer that you'd be foolish not to revisit - next time we might try Brazilian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Carribean or Italian.

Aside from food, the market is great for arts, crafts, collectables and, as already mentioned, antiques. The stalls change on a daily basis. Check out their website for more details.

We headed back while it was still daylight with, amazingly, the London Underground running without a hitch. Then later in the evening, with Zenchai in bed, Jamie, Kobra and I spent the night with friends dining at a restaurant with a unique atmosphere.

After nearly a year in Brazil, it felt strange getting dressed up in trousers, shirt and shoes!

As for the food, even for non-meat-eaters like ourselves there was plenty to tickle our tastebuds, which is ironic given how I sometimes have a hard time finding something suitable in vegetarian establishments. The food matched the mood and setting. A great time was had and Jamie looked happy, which was the main thing. I won't mention her age, though!

 

 

Piracanga: What I'll Miss And What I Won't

10 Things Claude's Going To Miss

1. Outdoor Life

Regardless of the weather, getting out of the house each day was never a problem. Even if it rained, we often went out. There was fresh air, beach, river, forest, garden and most of the houses were built in a way that the air flowed through. Since returning to England, I've appreciated more just how fortunate we were to be able to experience the joys of being outdoors so much and with nature.

2. People

We made so many friends. People visit Piracanga from all over the world. It's an international community. We met so many visitors and residents who were alternative-minded, travelling like us and who took a similar approach to child-raising and education. The people were nearly always friendly and so many adults took out time to be with and nurture Zenchai. Also, I don't think I've been anywhere in the world where I've got to know so many people so quickly and easily.

3. Letting Children Roam Freely

Once you are back in a city, you understand and value how fantastic it was to have a child and feel comfortable allowing your child to come and go without us parents having to worry for his safety or whereabouts. Piracanga felt safe from that perspective. There were few cars and everyone seemed to know everyone. Often Zenchai would go for walks by himself and be gone for an hour or more. Frequently, he went to the houses of other children by himself. We were never concerned and nothing ever happened to him that gave us cause for worry.

4. Fresh Coconuts

They grew on the trees in our garden and were everywhere. There is a plantation next door and each week Alex, who works in the restaurant kitchen, sold and delivered them to your door. We would usually buy about 30 each week (at R30) and bolstered our supply with ripe coconuts from the garden. We drank the sweet juice and used the flesh for puddings, smoothies, soups, granola and just eating raw.

5. Beach And Ocean

Few days passed when we didn't visit one or both. The beach, especially at low tide, was brilliant for enabling children to let off steam and burn up some energy. We often had it entirely to ourselves. Whilst the waves were powerful, the water was usually warm. Zenchai would enjoy jumping waves.

6. Local Fruits & Vegetables

The choice wasn't exactly immense, but we will miss the size of the papayas, mangoes and avocados for certain. By British standards, it was all very affordable. The passion fruit was delicious and, when in season, Jack Fruit so delicious we would sometimes devour one in a single sitting. I shall miss other fruits like plantain, that are harder to get elsewhere, and vegetables such as mandioca.

7. Year-round Sunshine & Warmth

Only for maybe a few weeks of the nine months I was there did I need to where anything with long sleeves. Much of the time I had on just a pair of shorts and, at most, a t-shirt. In the summer it can get really hot, which makes sleeping uncomfortable, but I would take the heat and sun over cold and rain every time.

8. Clean Air & Limited Pollution

Piracanga had some cars and a tractor that was used by the workmen. But there was no traffic to speak of and, because of the forest, all the trees and being by the ocean where there was a constant breeze, the air was clean and fresh.

9. Living In Shorts & Bikinis

As an extention of No. 7, you don't have to pack much to visit here. The climate suits the minimalist. I had only two pairs of shorts and Jamie a couple of bikinis.

10. River

Zenchai preferred the river to the ocean. That's where he learned to swim and kayak - by himself. It's shallow at low tide and the perfect place for a child to begin swimming. Caution is needed when the tide rises and the current strengthens. We went to the river as a family all the time. When the water was warm it was like taking a bath.

 

10 Things Claude Won't Miss

1. Bicho De Pe

These little fleas, which are spread through the urine of animals, get into your feet (and sometimes hands), causing a slight stabbing pain and the only way to remove them is physically. Bichos are actually a type of flea - so they can jump, too. Kobra got one on her toe after only a few weeks of being born. We removed ours using a needle. I had about 10 in the nine months I was there. Zenchai had two and Jamie, somehow, avoided them all. Even though the first one I had taken out knocked me out - yes, I fainted - subsequently, I got good at removing them by myself and without fuss.

2. Poor Internet Signal

Having internet costs R50 per month or R5 per day. Where you live will have an affect on how strong your signal is, as will the weather. The internet signal is transmitted by radio. It's not fast. Some days we got nothing from our house and would have to go to the centre. On occasion the signal would be down everywhere. But in terms of using Skype and doing research online it was quite frustrating for us.

3. Driving On The Piracanga Road

This was a really bumpy journey, taking about one hour to Itacare going through deep puddles and large pot-holes. Zenchai threw up almost every time he made the trip. The road has recently been improved and the drive isn't as bad, but it remains a rally-type experience.

4. Humidity

Nearly all the clothes we took with us got ruined - they turned mouldy. The climate makes it difficult to keep clothing fresh, especially when it rains.

5. Mosquitos And Matukas

As much as you can get used to mosquitos, they can still drive you nuts at times. We certainly didn't react to bites as much at the end as we did when we first arrived. But outside of a mosquito net they would often swarm around you at night and, with a young baby, it wasn't fun. The bite of a matuka fly was more severe and matukas don't leave you alone. To clobber them, you have to let them land and sink their teeth in first!

6. Long Community Meetings

We got invited to many meetings during our stay, but soon found that most of them lasted two to three times longer than necessary.

7. 'Cold' Winter Nights

It did get chilly, relatively speaking. Some nights during the winter, with the homes open to the elements, we needed to wrap up under four or five blankets and snuggle together to stay warm.

8. Dusty, Sandy Houses When The Wind Blows Hard

It was hard keeping a house clean. Sand, dust and leaves would end up everywhere, especially on windy days.

9. Waiting For Laundry To Dry During The Wet Season

Sometimes the rain would last for days. With no washing machine, dryer etc, you have to either pray for the rain to stop or hang your clothes indoors. But even with the latter, it would take time for clothes to dry when the sun wasn't shining.

10. Insecurity

At first, we thought Piracanga was wonderful because there was no need to lock up your doors when you went out. Crime was almost unheard of. And then, as more houses were being constructed, workers came in from outside the village and the crime rate increased. We had a computer stolen during a burglary. Life never felt the same.

Piracanga: Vegan Breakfast Chocolate Mousse

When we first arrived in Piracanga in January, our staple breakfast was pancakes. However, we found that the pancakes not only took a lot of time to prepare each morning, but also we wanted some variety.

We came up with vegan chocolate mousse, which is not just delicious, but really easy to make if you have a decent blender.

The ingredients we use can be varied, but the base is fresh coconut (water and flesh), giant avocado, one or two ripe bananas and chocolate powder (cacau em po).

Usually, though, I throw in a ripe mango and/or a papaya and even a few drops of honey.

I blend it in stages, starting with the coconut water and flesh with bananas, then add the mango/papaya and blend. Then I add the avocado and chocolate and blend again until smooth.

We're lucky enough to have coconuts growing on trees all around us. If you can't get coconut, instead use less water and more bananas to get a thicker consistency with the avocado. You can always throw in some dates for sweetening instead of honey.

We top it off with some homemade granola, which consists of rolled oats, hard coconut flesh, raisins, dates (if we can get them), sliced ginger and toasted sesame seeds. If we can find nuts, like almonds, we add these, too. 

It makes for a great breakfast (especially the amounts we consume) - it's pretty healthy - and holds us all over until lunchtime. 

 

Piracanga: Drink, Gulp, Slurp

We have been getting a weekly fruit and veg box delivery. Sometimes the produce arrives a little worse for wear. In an effort to not waste anything this smoothie was created. It has quickly turned into Claude's favourite beverage.

Drink, Gulp, Slurp Smoothie Ingredients:

1 Papaya (small to medium)

1 Pineapple (small, or half of a large one)

1 Maracuya (large passionfruit)

chunk of ginger, to taste

Place all ingredients in a blender and whip until creamy smooth.

Drink, gulp, slurp and enjoy!