Thursday, October 30, 2014

Happy Halloween from Korea where there is no Halloween

Korea doesn't  do Halloween.  Well, that isn't true...I mean they know what it is.  And some stores will sell costumes for the kids who go to English private schools.English Private Schools, like the one the Hubby works at, celebrate Halloween.  They do big ALL day events.  And there are a FEW very very very Halloween parties at certain foreign bars( bars arketed or frequented by the foreigner community).  But my friends and I are the only ones who dress up (I won second place in the costume contest last weekend.  Thank you very much for the bottle of Jaeger!! We drank it well)  In the foreign area in Seoul, there is a HUGE costume parade.

BUT keep in mind, I live in a very rich suburb that is known for it's amazing schools.  And Seoul is like New York...it is very international.  With that being typed, most places in Korea do not do Halloween. People know what it is from movies and tv, but they don't celebrate it.

Starbuck's does not have pumpkin lattes or pumpkin flavored coffee here. We can get candy here but if you love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or Sour Patch Kids, you are SOL.  You can find pumpkin flavored things but that is more traditional foods.  Like pumpkin rice porridge (I love this  and promise to write a blog about this soon), it is a creamy blended soup of rice and pumpkin but it does not make me think of Halloween the way pumpkin shaped sugar cookies do!!!  And some places even decorate...mostly the western restaurants and chain stores.

The leaves are falling...winter is coming...but there is no real Halloween.  No cute kids in costumes running around or scary music playing.  No onslaught of horror movies playing on TV and at the movie theaters.

So what is a lonely American to do??
        
Get together with her friends and dress up!!!  We will get crazy looks!  But that is nothing new.  In a country full of Asian people, the pasty Americans like me STAND out.

WIsh us luck as we bravely venture out in costumes!!! We will probably be the only ones!!!

Monday, October 20, 2014

My husband's new obsession-Protein Cookie Dough Yogurt


 Maybe I am the only one, but my body can only handle so much protein powder and supplements a day.  Seriously,  my stomach and dietary track get so upset.  So I have a cap on how much protein products I can handle a day.  However natural protein....my body has no problem with.   While doing research I came across this cookie dough yogurt recipe.
Girl Gone Country- Cookie Dough Yogurt
Now to be frank....this doesn't taste as absolutely fabulously sinful as cookie dough.  I mean I can eat a WHOLE batch of raw cookie dough by myself.  This is more like a yummy peanut butter chocolate chip yogurt.

First thing first- Make sure you are using Greek Yogurt.  Greek yogurt is higher in protein so you will get that extra bump for your muscles.

Next-Don't use sugar or a grainy sweetener.  You need a sweetener in liquid form...otherwise you get a sandy texture.

Third- You can use alternative extract like Almond, Banana, Rum, Coconut, Maple....ect

Last- Change the Chocolate chip to DARK chocolate chips.  This add antioxidants

Ingredients
1 small container of plain Greek yogurt
Heaping 1 tbsp nut butter (I used peanut butter)
1 tbsp sweetener (like maple syrup or honey)
1/4 tsp vanilla of extract of your choice
pinch of sea salt
1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
Directions
Combine the Greek Yogurt with the nut butter, sweetener, vanilla, chocolate chips and sea salt. Mix until smooth.
If you are having trouble with the nut butter- it can always be heated for a few seconds in the microwave to make it more malleable.


Sunday, October 19, 2014

I am back----with a Korean Twist!!!



Since I lasted type you,  I moved to South Korea.  At first, it was a crazy insane idea my Hubby had (yup- still married and HAPPY  95% of the time).  Then we stayed.

I now am a Visiting Professor at a major university.  The Hubby...well...he teaches babies. .  We built up a great group of friends.  And have been traveling all over from Japan to Thailand to hopefully Bali for winter break.

My entire world has changed.
  
1.)  I don't speak Korean (Well I am learning and have gotten kinda okay at it).

2.)  It is hard to find things that are common in America.  No Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. anchovies, Sour Patch kids, ranch dressing, Pop Tarts, or protein products.

3.) Pizza here has corn and potatoes...  Basically all food taste a little different.

4.)  Oh and they don't do Ovens.....I use a toaster oven..And most kitchens only have 2 burners!!!!!!!  .Everything takes longer.

Now that I have settled into my new life as an expat professor,  I am finally ready to start my blogging adventures again.

Here begins the new chapter in my life ...Somewhat Gourmet goes Korean