Running Around Dresden

My by the Basti bridge.. it is a very well know bridge down south of Dresden that used to lead to a castle situated on top of the rock outcropping.

So Ive been taking up running again because Ive just gotten tired of not being active.  A friend here mentioned the Oberelbe Marathon in May, which I think I might run in, or the half that goes with it.  I think it would be a good goal and help my activity level too!  Part of my not being active definitely was coupled with just eating a fair bit because I get to be home most of the afternoon.  Christmas time is another time where eating was a fun and great activity.  Well, and I just like eating… But the German diet, I think, takes a little different approach for me, because Im not used to it.  I think it may be that way when someone switches to another cuisine.  The typical german diet has a lot of salt, fat, pork, potatoes, etc.  Which is all well and good but when one eats as much as I do its a little more unfortunate.  I was making granola the other day (http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/?p=390  Great bread book btdubs. . Really easy and great results-- makes Pizza dough really easy too!) and one of my housemates told me that it was "too healthy."  I laughed and realized that I wouldn't have to make such healthy things if I didn't enjoy my food in quantity.

My other accomplishment has been Teriyaki chicken.. which really is about the simplest thing to make but quite delicious.  I've been trying to keep under 50 Euro a week on spending so its nice to have meals that are both good and last for a couple dinners.  I plan to try to do Pita bread soon (capitalized? I must be excited about it or something) but Im afraid my oven might not get hot enough to make it work.  We'll see though.  I was tipped off by Stephan that a local shop sells hummus so I figured that I would have to try to make pita bread work.  I definitely have the time on my hands too. 

I am finding that using my time to cook over here is both fun and rewarding.  Additionally, I have been able to find a lot more ingredients than the grocery store has to offer.  German grocery stores are typically smaller, with some exceptions, and stock about the same items.  Although there is variety the selection mirrors what Germans like, naturally. 

One of the castle(ettes) along the Elbe. It's also a winery :)

I finally was able to find black beans and several other types of oil.  The beans were hidden in an awesome underground asian market by the main train station.  After a helpful hint on where to look I found the little wonderland of Asian food.. including black beans, corn starch, pop corn, and different kinds of rice!  It was quite the excitement, let me tell you.  I also finally explored the "von Fass" (from tap) store where you can by assorted oils, wines, and even scotch by the milliliter!   I held myself back to just getting some s. . sesame oil (might have to try the scotch sometime though!). 

My final triumph of the last couple weeks was finding a Coffee Roster here in Dresden.  There is one not too far away, perhaps a ten minute walk from my front door.  They roast some pretty good coffee and I was able to have my first Oregon-quality cappuccino there.  The lady even did coffee art! 

Schloss Morlitzburg--on one of my several walks recently-No snow!

Its a little place tucked between a photo studio and a old (1820ish) Dresdener Café/milkery.. I walked past it at first and could smell the roasting coffee a block away (which mostly smells like burnt chaff but oddly good at the same time.  When I entered the café and saw that they offered French press coffee I felt a twitter of excitement: they must be legit.  I ordered the French press only to have the lady ask me if I was sure because it was a lot of coffee (280ml).  I "realized" my error and got a cappuccino instead.  As I was taking off my jacket and pulling myself up on the bar stool I thought about it.  My cup at home is .25l which equals 250ml, so 280ml is just a little bit more (about 1.25cups).  Which means they probably use the same size press I use at home… yet another reminder of how different cultures view things differently, but next time Im getting the French press.

The happy group at Morlitzburg. .