Best Dutch Food You Must Try


You may remember this post from when I first visited the Netherlands four years ago, where I gushed about how much I love the country. I listed the top reasons why I must return, with "Beautiful Men" holding the number one spot......... Four years later I found myself eating stroopwafel in the Netherlands with the same enthusiasm but the shocking twist is that this time around I was accompanied by my tall handsome dutch boyfriend. I know ladies, miracles happen.

Number four on my list was the food, or more specifically the great restaurants. I have compiled a selection of the best snacks I had while in the land of bikes, tulips, and clogs. Have a look if you would like.

Poffertjes - Also referred to by the girl next to me in my Dutch class as: pancakes for Barbies. They are tiny little pockets of joy that are most often enjoyed topped with powder sugar and a huge heap of butter. You can get a plate of them at Dutch outdoor markets and pancake restaurants.

Kibbeling - Basically a better, lighter bite-size version of fish and chips with a little spice. Best enjoyed with copious amounts of tartar sauce. The whole country has amazing fresh fish due to the proximity to the ocean, so be sure to visit the fish shops.

Ice Cream - Dutch ice cream is almost custardy and extremely smooth. You know you've landed on a gem of a spot when there's only one flavour and a line up out the door. This was the single best thing that helped us survive the euro heatwave of 2018...

Fries - The snack culture in the Netherlands just gets me. They have little snack bars set up everywhere for after long days of biking when you just need a little something to hold you over till dinner, or at the beach, or after a night at the bar. I had mine with mayo, but to spot the real dutchies just look for those that have topped their fries with peanut sauce and raw onions. 

Appel Taart - A deep dish apple pie with a thick, almost cookie-like crust. Dutch pastries and desserts are so carefully crafted and you can find amazing bakeries even in the smallest villages. Most of the time when we stopped for a little dessert, I had mine with a mug of widely available fresh mint tea. Just hot water and fresh mint, simply perfect!

Stroopwafel - The first time I traveled to the Netherlands I used half of my precious packing space to bring home packages and packages of stroopwafel... they are THAT good. Two crispy thin waffles sandwiched with a thin layer of syrup. If you aren't eating a fresh one from the market, balance it on a mug of steaming hot tea for a hot, melt in your mouth treat.

I can't wait to be going back over the Christmas holidays to try a whole over slew of seasonal goodies. Know that I'm just counting down the days!

An Ode to Running


For some reason I know that running will never not be a part of my life. It helps that I’ve grown up around so many runners. Heck, my mom first threatened to not date my dad unless he ran a marathon with her! Some of my earliest memories are of my mom coming home from long Sunday morning runs (you know the ones) and lifting me up on her feet in “airplane” while stretching out her hamstrings. Over the years, I went from being pushed around in a running stroller as an early riser baby, to cheering on my cousins in races, and eventually crossing the finish lines of my own half marathons. Looking back, running has just been there. It has been my way of coping, celebrating, thinking through, or just plain enjoying life. 

When I started at my current job at Export Development Canada, I was so happy when I realized I was surrounded by like-minded runners who thrive on getting together to work up a sweat and pound some pavement. With running groups heading out on the coldest winter days, and coworkers making their way to Parliament Hill for yoga during the scorching summer months, I knew I found my people.

In early March, a group of 11 of us are spreading our infectious love of exercise and heading down Guatemala with Impact Marathon. The organization aims to unite runners in areas of the world that need a little love. In partnership with local organizations, we will set out to support two United Nations Global Goals – Quality Education and Reduced Inequality. 

Here’s where I need your help. 

As much as our enthusiasm and will to help is crucial, what we really need is money. Even though our 21k run up a volcano (high altitude! uneven ground! hot temps!) is going to be one of the hardest things I'll ever overcome, it doesn't even come close to the struggle that some of the locals face every day. Every single dollar will go straight to the community, so please please donate what you can right here on our team page.

I can't wait to tell you about how it goes! We are going to be sleeping on an avocado farm with views of this volcano that's currently erupting (!!) and helping families with a bunch of different projects (like this neat initiative revamping local kitchens with safer, more sustainable, and efficient stoves).


Thank you for helping my team with this xoxoxo


Gaby


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