Men Who Cook

I've been to four dinner parties over the last few weeks and the theme I can't help but take note of is three out of the four meals were made by men. The ladies set the table, had some wine, caught up on each others lives, and the men were in the kitchen preparing the feast. This is definitely something I can get used to.

Men cooking is so common in Scandinavia it's almost not even worth noting to the average Dane. This isn't the typical American male making meat on the grill sort of "cooking" either. These are men that like to experiment in the kitchen, take pride in making a meal, and actually prefer to do the cooking. Not only for the family, but with their guy friends as well. Getting together with a group of guys and planning and preparing a meal is something you would never see in the US. Order pizza, yes. Prepare a three course meal together, no.

If you've been keeping up with me, you know that cooking has never been a strong talent or overwhelming desire that I possess. That's not to say I don't enjoy a nice meal, or appreciate the skill involved. I consider myself and my girls back home "foodies." Our favorite past-time includes checking out the latest and greatest restaurant and rating them on food quality, service, ambiance, and/or whether or not we would go back. Our very own "Check Please!" if you will.

However, my life and therefore past-time has taken on a different turn. I now live in one of the most expensive cities in the world, which means going out to eat is a rarity versus regular activity. Inviting people over for dinner is more common than making reservations at the hottest place in town. In my new circle of friends anyway. So I can't help but make the same restaurant rating observations and what I have come to conclude is: "Why pay extra when you can make better food at home?"

I am now hearing a gasp around the globe and I totally get it. Believe me, I myself, had a hard time writing that last sentence. I'm pretty sure every child has grown up hearing that a time or two, but I am now seeing the truth behind the words I have rolled my eyes over a thousand times in my youth. At least in my adult life in Denmark. The quality of the food here is incredible and provides a good base. Mix that with some actual talent, which men and women learn in school. Combined with warm and friendly service, which isn't always common in restaurants in Denmark. Topped with a cozy or 'hyggeligt' atmosphere and I leave thinking: "I can't wait to do that again next time!"

Fantastisk Food

As if the fashion wasn't enough nutrition to keep me coming back out to the streets for more, it should be noted the food in Denmark is divine, and deserves it's very own blog. For those who know me well, you know I have never been a Julia Child in the kitchen, and actually border on the lines of Carrie Bradshaw, using my stove for storage. However, I have turned over a new leaf in Denmark! (Literally).

I have never tasted such fresh food, happily free from chemicals and preservatives that we all pay the price for at Whole Foods in the US. The food quality found in Danish grocery stores remind me of the selection we have to wait until the weekend to get at a local Farmer's Market in the US. Healthy food options are as much a part of the Danish culture, as bicycles are as a means for transportation. Fresh produce is available to buy from farmers alongside highways in the countryside, and fresh fruit is available at work as a snack, in all the kiosks and 7 elevens, and is typically the cheapest food you can buy. Whereas in the US chips and candy and soda or in other words; sugar is always on sale.

After my last trip back from the US I decided to go on a detox and get all the chemically induced foods out of my system and start fresh with natural Danish nutrition as an experiment to see how I would feel afterwards. It's week 3 and my body is free from caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, dairy, wheat and sugar (for the most part) and I've never felt better. My skin and nails are noticeably healthier as well. Now, it hasn't been an easy process, it's forced me to cook, but it's also taught me to be creative in the kitchen, which as it turns out, is sort of fun. (Don't tell Tobias!)

Our first true "detox" recipe included stuffed peppers with brown rice and all sorts of vegetables and spices that got me excited for future dish potential, but when I realized the herbs didn't come by the batch readily wrapped in a plastic bag or already encased in portable plastic, but an actual plant that you had to buy, I had to take a picture! Our stuffed peppers turned out phenom, and our herb plants have now taken a permanent residence on our kitchen ledge, where I will continue to try to keep them alive while plucking at their leaves when needed.

After I thought about it, and laughing a little as well, I decided it made sense. It was the same price I have paid time and again for a small batch, parted from her mother plant, to only die 5 days later, and cheaper when you factored in how much more use you got out of the herb you just bought. Brilliant! Not only that, it was once again, very environmentally conscious. A theme that is alive and well in Denmark on a daily basis. More on that one later!

Danish Design

Last week was fashion week in CPH and it was fun to be in a city known for its design and feel the excitement on the streets as the models strut their stuff on a giant screen in Rådhuspladsen, the city hall square in the center of the city.

I couldn't help but notice the ladies stepped it up a notch on the sidewalk in regards to what they wore on an everyday basis. The 80's is alive and well in CPH just like it is in Chicago and any major city in the US, but the theme that is different here and hasn't quite made it across the pond is the big flowy, romantic shirts that seem to be on every Danish girl in sight.

From what I've been able to gather the tunic trend started right around the time skinny jeans and leggings came back and could have been Fall/Winter 2006 in Europe. It's not a sloppy look as the shirt seen on a rack would suggest, but rather angelic when worn. I've come to conclude it represents the overall laid back attitude of Danish people in general. Their look can best be described as finely dressed with a relaxed style. The clothes are high quality and effortlessly comfortable at the same time.

I think part of their style also comes from the way they feel. We all have a certain style that's our own, partially determined on a daily basis by our mood and what the weather looks like outside. Danish people have been known (and rated twice) to be the happiest people in the world. Part of that comes from having very little to worry about financially and keeping expectations in check. They flow through their days with little concerns, and it shows.

Makes my well advised "What Not To Wear" close fitting tops and tailored jackets seem sadly outdated and restricted in an odd way. Not to fear, I've managed to add a few flowy tops into my collection while trying to be smart about the selection, wondering when the trend will end - but everything in the stores so far indicate they're alive and well, for another season at least. Maybe the carefree attitude will rub off one of these days too.

We Are Family

Madison, WI - July 18, 2009. My thirty "faux" birthday and our wedding celebration in the United States. Not quite as sunny as June 20, but it was fantastiskly filled with family and friends.

As it goes with couples with two countries, you need to pay your respects to both. And happily so! My family had never traveled internationally until they came to Denmark for the wedding and the experience was "wonderful." For all of us! One for the memory books that we will laugh and talk about for years.

Then it was my Danish family's turn to come to the US and travel internationally for the very first time as well. They marveled at our portion sizes and tall buildings. Were impressed by our customer service and clean streets. A lot of firsts have happened on this entire experience, and Tobias and I embarking on the journey called marriage is just one of them. What has come out of all of the adventures so far is one great big happy family, and many future trips to look forward to!

This experience has also shown me that small towns and close families are pretty much the same all around the world. I come from a family of six girls and two boys, and just inherited the island of Møn! While Tobias' family welcomes me with open arms I continue to be amazed how two people from totally different worlds can have similar past experiences and share the same future goals. All cultural differences aside, what took us so long? I read a quote recently that sums it up. "It's luck and openness and timing and where you're sitting."

At Last

June 20, 2009 was a beautiful day to get married. It was sunny and the temperature surpassed 70. Two things that made me very, very happy!! Not to mention the man I married. He; or rather "we" are the reason I am in Denmark.

The morning of the wedding day went smooth as silk, with just a few rain showers that had cleared up by the time we left the house - perfect! We were even ahead of schedule. When does that happen? We followed Tanja and Mikkel down the bridal path so everyone would be present before the ceremony began. At the last minute, I see Lene running to make it. Lene is Tobias' former boss, and the reason we are together today. She had to be there! I stopped, laughed, gave her a hug, and a few minutes to get settled.

Mathilde began and was perfect. She had been preparing and took her job of flower girl very seriously! She walked very slowly, pausing after each step like a pro. She gave the crowd a knowing smile, focused her eyes on Tobias for the rest of the journey, and received a big hug at the end.

Sarah was next and had been my rock all morning. She is the reason things went so smooth. Helping me with my hair, the dress, the veil, the flowers. Looking stunning all the while.

And then it was my turn. Moon River wasn't playing, but I wasn't about to keep everyone waiting for our song as they had waited long enough, so I begin. In the middle of my walk down the aisle or 'dirt path' the song changes to ABBA. Take a Chance on Me....and all I can hear are the lyrics. "If you change your mind..."

Seriously. Is this some sort of joke? What's a girl to do? Laugh, twirl my flowers in the air, and keep on going...

June 20, 2009 was a beautiful day to get married, but the journey is what I am really looking forward to. "Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see."

Sandals in the Rain

It's summer in Denmark. Wait, there it just went.

I think I was spoiled shortly after my first week in; after the daze of the newness passed. We had three or four gloriously sunny and warm, practically HOT days where having the windows open (no screens, another difference) was not enough. Having two individual down comforters (no sheets, another difference) was too warm.

Those days were over before I knew it and then I really started paying attention to the weather. Waiting...willing the warmth to come back. The temperature dropped radically and all of a sudden that summer dress I had worn, and sandals I was planning to wear would have to wait for another day, or week, or...who knows how long.

So the weather I am now living with on a daily basis is wet. Maybe damp is a better word because it rains in short spurts and then the sun breaks and it dries up. One thing is for certain. It's cold. Cold for June at least. Correction, the June I am used to in Chicago. I can barely bring myself to wear flats, let alone sandals, and I see women wearing them everywhere! In 50 degree weather. Never mind the wind and rain.

It sort of reminds me of April in Chicago when you're brave enough to wear open toed heels out at night because you know the drinks you consume will make you forget about the cold soon enough. But there are no drinks to be had on Strøget!

Toughen up Heather. I'm sure my thin blood will thicken and before you know it I'll be wearing them too. Preferably, when the 70 degree (Fahrenheit) weather returns!

hlt

Red and White and Proud

Flag poles and their accommodating Danish flags are EVERYWHERE!! The Danes are very proud of their small country. Flags go on the buses when it's a national holiday, the Crowned Prince's birthday, and even double as shirts when the Danes play the Swedes apparently!

Even though a feeling of pride is everywhere, being humble is a virtue that is taught in DK. Take the country's pride and joy of beers' slogan for example: Carlsberg. "Probably the Best Beer in the World." This virtue can best be summed up by something called "Jante Law" or Janteloven which is described below, thanks to Wikipedia.

Jante Law is a concept created by author Aksel Sandemose where he writes about the small Danish town Jante in his novel "A Fugitive Crosses his Tracks." Jante is very typical of all small towns where nobody is anonymous. There are ten different rules in the law/town, but they are all variations on a single theme: Don't think you're anyone special or that you're better than us.

In the book, those who do not follow this unwritten 'law' are regarded with suspicion and hostility, as it goes against the communal desire to preserve social stability and uniformity.

The ten rules are:
Don't think that you are special.
Don't think that you are of the same standing as us.
Don't think that you are smarter than us.
Don't fancy yourself as being better than us.
Don't think that you know more than us.
Don't think that you are more important than us.
Don't think that you are good at anything.
Don't laugh at us.
Don't think that anyone of us cares about you.
Don't think that you can teach us anything.

Harsh.

Given the above and in general, it's not a surprise that people follow the rules in DK. Especially when it comes to traffic. No jay walking allowed! Even if there are no cars for miles around, you wait until the light turns green to go.

Danish design is apparent everywhere. I've noticed it especially in homes. Where we in the US would spend $15 on stack of Crate and Barrel coasters, the Danes choose to spend $25 on one coaster...if it's Danish design. I know this for a fact. We have two coasters.

Men cook...A LOT. It's very common for a group of guys to get together at someones house and cook a meal together. Bromance or budget consciousness? I guess in the end it all sort of makes sense. Copenhagen is the second most expensive city in the world and going out is expensive. So if you're going to spend most of your time at home, cooking for your fellow man, it's best to do it with style!

No selection of black teas can be found in your local grocery stores apart from Earl Grey. An odd difference to notice I'll admit, but coming from a big black tea fan, this is highly disappointing. Conversely, single selection of beer and liquor is available almost anywhere. Wait, are those antioxidants I don't know about?

It's extremley difficult for foreigners to buy anything in Denmark using anything other than cash. The Danes have a chip system put on all bank cards that they use everywhere. When you present a credit card to use they get perplexed at the counter and often times don't know how to switch the transaction to credit from debit. It's very frustrating and actually stops money from coming into the country if you ask me! On second thought, maybe that's a good thing. It's stopped me from buying many things I perhaps would have otherwise.

For more info on Danish culture, this is a handy little link that is pretty spot on:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_culture

hlt