Blast from the Past 1: Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon wasn't the first anime I've ever seen in my life. As a child I have seen Heidi made by Fuji Television but it never registered as being made in Japan for me.

My first run in with Sailor Moon was on the Turkish network. Back then we had access to it and I was just blown away about this magical girl while I couldn't understand a thing, my knowledge of the Turkish language is non-existent. Later on it was broadcasted on RTLplus in German, a language I could understand and I was hooked.

A lot of the super heroes in my youth were men, Batman & Superman. Oh yea, you did have Batgirl and Wonderwoman but they didn't have their own series. At least not on my television channels. And here you have these regular school girls turning into magical superheroes and kicking ass. I loved it! Eagerly I waited for the next episode and if I couldn't see it I begged my dad to tape it for me. 

Sailor Moon hit a lot of subjects that were very controversial back then. You had a same-sex couple and the Sailor Starlights whom were men in the human world but transformed to women to fight evil. Even the antagonists had a same-sex couple. Sadly the USA version took out all of this, because poor little kiddies can't handle the truth. So if you want to see the real stuff, check out the Japanese version. 

Sailor Neptune & Uranus

My favourite Soldiers are Sailor Mercury and Jupiter. While Sailor Mercury is the quite one with the brains and takes good care of her friends, Sailor Jupiter was the tall tomboyish one who just kicked ass. 

Sailor Mercury & Jupiter

Some of the episodes were brutal as you were confronted with death, deception, cruelty and loss of friendship. But no matter how bleak the future looked, the Sailor Soldiers never stopped fighting. 

Death of Sailor Venus

When it finally came out on the Dutch network, I had already become a bit of a snob when it comes to cartoons and anime and preferred watching it in the original language. Even the German voices sounded better than the Dutch dubbed version. I was 21 by then so they were just a bit too late with it.

I still have a soft spot in my heart for Sailor Moon, I still collect the merchandise. It's not bad to have a bit of a magical girl in you. ;)

Indonesian Brown Bean soup with Babi Ketjap

This is a simple dish full with nutrition, filled with vitamin B, calcium and iron. It is also good food for when you are sick, easy digestible and still gives you the vitamins you need. Every week my mother would bring over a pot of soup for my aunt who had terminal cancer.

While the ingredients are pretty straight forward, it tastes the best when you slow cook it. Because it is hard to get brown beans in the UK/Ireland and red kidney beans not a good alternative you can use borlotti beans. I prefer using the dried beans and leave them to soak for 8 hours but you can use the canned ones too.

Brown Bean Soup:

• 250 grams of brown beans (borlotti beans)
• 1,5 liters of water
• 3 beef stock cubes (vegan substitute: vegetable stock cubes)
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 leek, cut in thin rings
• olive oil

If you have dried beans, soak them overnight for at least 8 hours. First you cut your onion in half and slice it in thin rings and finely chop your garlic cloves. Heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a big pot and fry the onion rings and garlic over medium heat and set them aside when they are done.

Remove beans from the soak water and refresh it with 1,5 litres of cold water and put it to a boil adding the stock cubes. When the water boils, turn it on medium heat for an hour while gently stirring it every 15 minutes. After an hour, turn to low heat and add the fried onions and garlic and cook it for another hour or two. Add water if needed. During the last 30 minutes add the thinly sliced leek. 

Babi Ketjap:

• pork belly slices
• 5 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (can be found at the Asian supermarket)
• olive oil

Cut the pork belly slices in thin strips, about half a centimetre wide. Heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan on medium heat and add the pork belly. When the pink is no longer visible on the meat you will drizzle 5 tablespoons of sweet soy sauce over it and gentle turn the meat in the soy sauce. Turn your heat on low because soy sauce has the tendency to burn and let it stew for two hours. Keep checking it and add a little water when you notice the juices getting low. It will turn from light brown to dark brown while stewing in the soy sauce.

Vegan alternative: marinaded tofu

Serve it with either white rice or yellow rice. Yellow rice is a posh version of rice with cardamom and turmeric often eaten during celebrations. Top it with crispy fried onions and you are good to go. The crispy fried onions can be bought anywhere, Lidl, Tesco, Asda and Ikea have it but I prefer buying mine in the bulk at the Asian supermarket. They have kilo bags. ;) Also tasty on hot dogs and fried rice.

You will notice that I do not add salt. Indonesian food depends on the flavours of the ingredients and spices. I once had the horrible experience of making Soto Ayam (Indonesian chicken soup) and people adding salt to it. Blasphemy! 

Road Trip - Tollymore Forest Park: County Down

I love Tollymore Forest Park, I just wished I lived closer to it. Would be nice living in it too. ;)

Belfast has Cavehill County Park and Divis Mountain close by. County Down has the Mourne Mountains. C.S. Lewis was from Belfast and he loved the Mourne Mountains, and I have to admit I love the Mourne Mountains too. When reading the Chronicles of Narnia, you get the feel of the Mourne Mountains from them. He wrote "I have seen landscapes ... which, under a particular light, make me feel that at any moment a giant might raise his head over the next ridge."

Tollymore has a special place in my heart, I do admit I haven't been to Silent Valley yet so I am completely biased at this moment. You can have couple of fantastic walks through Tollymore, I've only done the River Walk for now because I love the stepping stones and I am not fit enough to do the Mountain Trail. But one day I will conquer that one too. Game of Thrones-fans: they filmed part of the series here. ;)

Instead of writing more about the beauty of this park, I'll give you the photos my dad took this time. And if you are coming over to visit me, I gladly take you to this forest park. It is such a punishment living so close to nature. XD

Vote with your heart - End the Veto

Just a few more days and the people of Northern Ireland are able to vote again, but I am hoping they are willing to chose for a better option than just sticking to your own groups like everyone always does because you don't care about the 'other side'.

Let me put it in another way.

For some the day they get married is one of the happiest in their lives. Some even dream about it when they are a child. But in Northern Ireland you are only allowed to marry if you are heterosexual. Now that is a slap in the face for homosexuals. No happiest day in your life for you because some people think you are an abomination. 

To be honest I don't mind religion if it gives you as a person guidance, comfort and peace in your life. But if you are trying to dictate life for others in the name of said religion, you have a problem with me. Because I believe all men are equal no matter what race or sexual orientation.

You don't have to worry, same sex couples won't invite you to their wedding night or have sex in the parks to shock your little wee ones. If you are disgusted with them showing openly affection then all affection no matter of your sexual preference should be abolished like holding hands or kissing in public. If one group can't have it, no one should. Have you thought about that?

The petition of concern was called into life to protect the rights of minorities but the DUP abuses this right by using the loophole to throw the rights of our homosexual friends out of the window. And for me that is abuse of power, which is not good if you claim to be a just government. One of the reasons why I think they are doing it, is to block Sinn Féin. Because we don't want to work together, even though the Good Friday agreement tells us too. So we are going to oppose them or any other political party every step of the way. To me they sound like a bunch of pre-school kids fighting over who gets the biggest piece of cake...so pathetic. In gamer terms it would be who has the biggest E-penis and they are waving it in everyone's face to show theirs is the biggest E-dick on earth.

I've heard their excuses over why they keep vetoing it.

It mocks the sanctity of the marriage. 

Divorce and adultery also mocks the sanctity of the marriage if you want to follow the Bible to the letter. But that happens, and no one has strung up their spouse at the town hall and stoned them to death now have they? You didn't go out and burn Robinson's wife on a stake when she was having a bit of fun time with her young leaf, now did you?

We are not the only political party that is against it.

No, that is correct but you are the political party who is abusing the veto, which came in power to protect minorities which you now use to discriminate against minorities. That is so unchristian in my book. Because you promote exclusion and discrimination and if there is a thing like heaven you won't get in it.

Other countries don't allow it.

But we aren't other countries, we are Northern Ireland, part of the continent Europe. Other countries allow girls to be wed at 12 or stone people for adultery. You want to be like them? Other heavily religious countries allow same sex marriages, because they saw that they had to move with the times and couldn't keep excluding part of their population. Making them feel alienated.

I was taught not to hate people, even if they don't share my views. But I am ashamed for the state this country is in, with people hiding behind ancient texts just so they can deny other people their happiness. Because that is what it is all about, happiness. Don't you want a person to be happy on their special day? It could be your daughter, son or relative that is denied the right to be happy and form the bond with their partner just like you were able to.

Have compassion and end the veto.

I love YoggieBerrie

Photo: Belfast Live

I must say I am ashamed that I haven't visited this place before, I already live for more than a year in North Belfast. 

Once a month it is recycle day for me. As we don't have many bins at the house I have to take my recyclables up to Alexandra Recycle Centre. So as a treat I decided to go to YoggieBerrie. I've cycled passed them countless of times on my way to Cave Hill but never stopped and tried their delicious treats.

So today was the day. When walking up to the store I noticed that they have bubble tea and I have been dying to get my hands on one since I moved away from the Netherlands. But today is froyo day so bubble tea will be on my list for next time.

The design of the store is absolutely smashing. The bear is their mascot and hats off to the designer because it made me want to get a T-shirt. Sadly I didn't see the totes they have on their website, but I will ask next time if they will be stocked again. Because I love totes.

The girl is super nice, I didn't ask for her name but she explained to me what they have on offer and how the froyos work. Basically you can pick your flavour, even a combo of flavours and then chose your toppings. Then your treat is weighed and you pay for it. Pretty simple. 

They have several froyo flavours like Chocolate & Cream, Marshmallows, Bubblegum, Watermelon, etc. but I went with plain Yoghurt because I want to savour the flavours of the toppings. The toppings are various sorts of chocolates, nuts, smarties, Haribo sweets, seasonal fruit and of course bubble tea bubbles. I didn't try the tea bubbles, a bit sad about that but I'll be back. 

My combo for today was plain yoghurt with grapes, raspberries, different chocolaty toppings and nuts. The combo was delish and I wished I bought a bigger tub. ;) All and all a great experience.

They do different coffees, cakes, smoothies, milkshakes, ice creams and did I mention bubble tea already? ;P The smoothies have a veggie version next to the popular fruit version so everybody can have their fill.

I've become an insta-fan today and if any of my local friends or visiting friends want to go I am game. 

Check them out on their website, Facebook and Twitter and don't forget to download the loyalty app which give you a free one after a few visits!

http://www.yoggieberrie.com/

https://www.facebook.com/YoggieBerrie/?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/yoggieberrie

551 Antrim Road

Belfast BT15 3BU

Movie blog: Under Sandet : Land of Mine

When the booklet of the Belfast Film Festival came out, this movie caught my eye. We all know our WW2 movies about the heroic liberation of Europe but not many movies are made about the aftermath of the war. But it is 71 years since the end of WW2 and more of these types of movies are popping up.

I was happy that a movie like Der Untergang was made in 2004. We all know what great evil Hitler was and he did turn on his own people when they started to rebel or just plainly disobey orders. Even before the Nazi regime took hold of the world, Germans had questioned his intentions but were met with violence and murder. When I watched a documentary about the roll of Russians and British soldiers marching in Germany at the end of the war, I was disgusted. Pillaging and rape occurred under the German population just because they were German, they were bad and they deserved it in the words of a British veteran. Committing such crimes make you no better than the Nazi regime, still don't understand why people justify these crimes instead of condemning them. And it never stopped because we do hear of events in current war torn regions where soldiers abuse their power of protection to hurt others intentionally.

Under Sandet (Land of Mine) is a movie about such events after the war. You follow 14 young prisoners of war that have to clean up 45.000 of the 2 million mines left by the Nazi occupation on the Danish coast. 

Great role by Roland Møller as Sgt. Carl Rasmussen who is in charge of this group in deactivating the mines. He is torn by his anger and hatred for the occupation and caring about the fate of these young boys. What was gripping is that these soldiers couldn't have been older than 19. And the books have taught us that even though some joined the army voluntary, a lot of young boys have been pressured or just taking in army service.

At times the movie tensions ran very high because you only hear the rolling of the sea and the squawking of seagulls when a mine goes off taking his unlucky dismantler with him. I was sitting on the edge of my seat when you see the shaking hands of the boy trying to get the pin out, known it could be the last thing he'd ever do.

When you hear a young boy scream for his mother when his arms are blown off because he made a mistake, you realise this is a gruesome reality and just hope the kid dies soon to end his suffering. 

All the actors who played the boys are excellent performers at such a young age. I hope to see them more in the future. Movies like this show us what happened after the war, that not even the allied forces worked without sin. The mistakes made in the past should teach us to be more cautious in the future. And empathy has no bounds not even between enemies. 

The Great Shore Road Bake Off

As a Dutch person I am spoiled. In what way you ask. Well we have so many great variates in bread only the Germans beat us in bread baking.

My second year anniversary is coming up next month, living in Belfast and a person can only stand so much toast in a lifetime before losing her sanity. The Ulster fry is great but the be honest your bread tastes like shit. I tried buying at the local bakeries and the problem with that bread that it needs to be consumed the day it was baked, the next day it is a dry piece of brick with no flavour and can be used to commit the perfect homicide. 

So I decided to make my own bread, because eating cereal, porridge and toast will drive me nuts if I want to live here longer.

Asda offers a wholemeal bread mix that only has you add warm water. First time baking so it is a trial and error process. 

One bag of mix needs 350ml of warm water, which was too much in my opinion making the dough extremely sticky. Next time I will try 320ml.

By lack of a loaf tin I used a oiled cookie tray and tried to shape it in a bloomer. 

After covering it with a damp cloth for over 45 minutes, the package suggested 30 but I ended up finishing my mission on Destiny. ;) It became twice the size and it was ready for the oven. As my oven is the oven from the hellmouth it is hard to get the temperature right. I turned it down a few degrees to make sure it didn't burn the loaf.

After 30 minutes this UFO was the result. The crust is nice and crusty and the smell is not bad, a tangy sour like wholemeal needs to be.

As the dough was a little too wet, the structure of the bread is a bit sticky, not as dry like store bought. I do not have a bread oven so I am not complaining.

Just a smudge of butter and good old Gouda cheese from Lidl (not that cheddar shit, that stuff is like plastic). And I am quite satisfied with my first loaf of wholemeal bread. The mix was good, just don't follow the instructions to the letter or you will end up with a slightly wet dough. 

Taste I give it a 3 out of 5 because it is too wet. Crust is awesome though. Overall waaaaaay better than toast. 

I am going to attempt to use different types of flour to find the one I like the best. Next up will be Tesco or Marks & Spencer.

'A good baker will rise to the occasion, it's the yeast he can do.'