The Hygge Life

2009-08-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

Today is Sunday, recipe day. The recipe I chose for today is a tomato and green bean salad. I like this dish for summer because both of the main ingredients are in season. I was able to find beautiful,organic green beans and tomatoes at the farmer's market yesterday in Boulder. If you are in the Boulder area, the peaches are amazing this time of year as well. So just like a Dane, I am keeping simple, organic and fresh!

In Denmark a bit more than 6 percent of the total arable land is under organic management!

This recipe in particular is from Bon Appetit

I hope you enjoy!!

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ingredients

1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives or other brine-cured black olives
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon anchovy paste
2 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 pint grape tomatoes, left whole, or cherry tomatoes, halved

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preparation

Combine olives, shallots, lemon juice, mustard, anchovy paste, lemon peel, thyme, and dried crushed red pepper in processor. Blend until finely chopped. With machine running, gradually add oil and blend until almost smooth. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.

Cook beans in large saucepan of boiling salted water just until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Refresh beans under cold water; pat dry with paper towels. (Vinaigrette and beans can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill.)

Toss beans, tomatoes, and vinaigrette in large bowl to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Day one of the Blog: What is Hygge

2009-08-28T14:24:00.001-07:00

The Hygge Life.

I am 21 year old girl born and raised in California. I lived in Copenhagen for six months this year and learned many valuable life lessons. This blog will be my account of living the Danish way of life in the U.S. Each week I will post blogs about simple and delicious recipes and about exercise, particularly yoga.

"Hygge" is a word describing Danish culture. At it's most basic level, Hygge is that warm fuzzy feeling people feel when they spend time in cozy places or in good company. Danish Hygge is at the center of the Dane's overall happiness. Time and time again, studies have shown that Danes are the happiest people on earth.

Danish Relationships:

Danes above all value personal relationships, and interaction between Danes is always respectful, loving, interesting and thought provoking. They are an open-minded people and enjoy spending time with one another.

Danish Lifestyle

Their value for personal relationships extends beyond interpersonal interacttion though, the Danish mentality is one of balance and simplicity for all aspects of life. They find something extrodinary in everything and learn to love what they have.

Lessons to Learn from the Danes

1. Keep it simple

2. Eat good food

3. Excercize - Do yoga

A Spring day in Copenhagen

2009-04-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

It is spring and there is brightness everywhere. The sun brings a new day early and bids her farewell late in the evening. She baths all life with her warmth and beauty. The daffodils spring up towards the sky in their yellow brilliance to soak up the all of the sun's goodness. The birds chirp celebrating another day of life in this wonderful fairy tale land called Copenhagen.

The bakers are smiling and the bikers peacefully riding along, minding the traffic rules. The flower stands are bursting with tulips of all colors, sizes and shapes. An older woman holds the hand of her granddaughter as they walk along the water front, admiring the graceful, white swans. A young couple sits on the river bank, holding hands and basking their faces in the sun. In the heart of the city, people stroll along Stroget at a relaxed pace, admiring the shops and stopping occasionally in one of the many squares to listen to live jazz or watch a street performer. The air smells of sweet sugar and roasting hazelnuts, the sky is bright blue without a spek of clouds. This is Copenhagen in spring.