VeggieWorld Expo

VeggieWorld Expo

VeggieWorld is a consumer and trade fair for products and services all supporting the vegan lifestyle. VeggieWorld is the largest vegan expo and the longest running of its kind. Being a life-long vegetarian I just had to check out this expo!

I really had no idea what to expect when I was going to VeggieWorld. How many other vegan supporters could there be in this area? I thought it was maybe a small event with a few vendors. No matter what I thought, I was for sure going to check this out to show my support and also get some yummy veggie food! Well when I got there I was so shocked how huge this event was. There was parking all over an industrial area of the town and in every parking lot in the area. The expo was in a huge two floor event hall! Everything was so professional and organized I was so impressed. It cost 12 euro to enter the expo and my parking was 3 euro.

The first vendor I visited was a really popular one, maybe because she was cooking up some delicious samples. She was making small pieces of bread that was cooked with the seasoning they were selling. It tasted like scrumptious garlic bread but only better. You can use the ‘Wurzfee, Streuwurze und Gemusebruhe’ on vegetables, bread and make soup out of it. There was no way I was leaving without some of this magic seasoning.

I started on the first floor, which I later learned this floor focused a lot on mind, body and health rather than food. Regardless, it was very packed!

They had vendors that had items such as oils, books and clothing with representatives that were very informative!

The variety of the vendors was really incredible. In one corner of the expo you can learn and purchase items for your dental health, gong healing and get a massage. I actually saw several vendors where you can get a face/sinus massage, foot massage, and back massage.

They had a list of on-going seminars during the expo with topics from meditation to cooking classes.

The first floor was very interesting but we really wanted to try new food so we went upstairs. First stand was a vegan falafel/ middle eastern stand, which had a huge line so I just stared and drooled.

Of course the VIP of this event just has to be tofu! They had several tofu stands where they were grilling up samples of all different kinds of flavors. Don’t mind if I do! Even if you have had it a million times before you still have to take a sample and make a face like it is the first time.

Everyone was walking around holding coconuts, either chopped or with a straw sticking out, and then I found out where they were coming from.

We sampled delicious ice tea which has no sugar, one calorie and it is all natural. It is called ‘Naturbursche Stevia-Eistee’ and I am going to now buy it in bulk from a local supermarket.
 

There were tables with flyers with information about events and products. One of the most interesting flyers I found was information on was ‘Vegan Travel, Vegan River Cruises’. Such a cool idea to travel with like-minded people and most of all to be able to eat anything you want on the cruise that you are paying for! So many times I pay for dinners or events, and end up only having salad and the side of rice for dinner, but yet pay the same as everyone having steak.

We tried vegan ice cream that was being served by Veganz, a vegan store/ café in Frankfurt. The ice cream tasted so good and also healthy. I didn’t even know this store existed but I will have to go there now that I know it does!

Typical for any other German fest, they of course had (organic) beer and (vegan) sausage!

After all of the sample eating we still wanted to have some lunch so we went to the café in the expo hall. This was the first time in my life where I go to a café and everything is vegetarian! They had tofu curry and other hot meals, but I got an amazing salad from the salad bar.

We left VeggieWorld feeling great! Maybe from the information we learned, or the super-food samples we ate one toothpick after another, or from seeing there are so many vegan supporters in the area but I think it was because of a combination of all three.

VeggieWorld travels throughout Europe. You check out the expo at upcoming VeggieWorld events:

05-06 March in Utrecht
12-13 March in Hamburg
30 April – 01 May in Munich
02-03 April in Paris
23-25 September in Zurich
21-23 October in Dusseldorf
26-27 November in Berlin


Author’s Profile: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.

Wiesbaden Twinkling Star Christmas Market

Wiesbaden Twinkling Star Christmas Market

The Wiesbaden Christmas Market lives up to its’ charming name: Twinkling Star Market (Sternschnuppenmark). The warm lights, the musical sounds and scrumptious cuisine will leave you seeing twinkling holiday stars yourself. That, or you drank too much Glühwein...

Floating above the jolly crowd-goers are angelic, illuminated lilies which is the symbol of Wiesbaden and on the city coat of arms.
 

The Market is set up in the heart of Wiesbaden in the Schlossplatz between the Rathaus and the Stadtschloss.

Just like the shopping culture of Wiesbaden, the stalls at the market are all high quality. You can find items from hand-made wooden signs, beeswax creations, hand-blown glass and exquisite jewelry.
 

 

 

One of my favorite shopping stalls at the Christmas Markets are the star lanterns. You place a regular lightbulb inside of the lantern, which is available to purchase. They are so beautiful that I wish that I would hang a star in every window of my house during the holidays! 

On the stage, there is a wide range of entertainment for the little ones. They have plays, music and puppet shows for children. They will also have a baking event on 12 December at 10am to 1pm.

Here is the event program for children: http://www.wiesbaden.de/microsite/weihnachten-en/010/content/programme-children.php

Other highlights at this Christmas Market for children is the huge Christmas tree with a wooden nativity scene underneath, a gorgeous train ride and the incredible merry-go-round!

There is no shortage of choice of drinks! There are mostly hot drinks, but you can still find soda to drink. Remember there is a deposit on each mug (normally 2 euro) and you get it back once you return it to the same stall. Unless you want to keep it for a souvenir!

 

There is also a great variety of food to eat and I even had a rice ball, which I first tried at the Wiesbaden Food Festival this summer.

If you are a chili head and you like having your mouth turn into a blazing inferno, then try the hot sausage! However you might end up looking like Santa in the sign.

The best parking garage for the Christmas Market is right below the fest in the ‘Markt’ parking garage. http://www.wiesbaden.de/leben-in-wiesbaden/verkehr/verkehrsinfos/parken.php

The Wiesbaden Twinkling Star Christmas Market is surely not one to miss! It runs from 24 Nov – 23 Dec 15!

About the author: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.

8 Tips for German Christmas Markets

8 Tips for German Christmas Markets

It may be hard to believe but Christmas is upon us! While living in a Country that does not celebrate Thanksgiving, it seems like Christmas comes knocking at your door before you are done eating your kids Halloween candy after they go to bed. First, the advent calendars, stollen cakes, spekulatius cookies and decorations appear everywhere. Then comes what we have all been waiting for, which puts you right into the Christmas spirit and what could warm even the Grinch’s two sizes too small heart: The German Christmas Markets! 

There are so many wonderful markets to see in Germany so you actually must do some prior planning. Here are 8 tips for the German Christmas Markets:  

1. Make a plan: Think of briefing your family and friends like a coach in the locker room before a big game with chart and all. “We are going to hit up Stuttgart, hit Heidelberg the next day then swing over to Wiesbaden in the final hours”. Don’t miss your favorite city! Every town/ city has its own dates and are not always all December long. Here is the mother of all Christmas Market websites that I have used for years: http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/

2. See some big ones: There are a few remarkable big markets that you just must see during your time here. Here are some recommendations:

- Nuremberg (27 Nov-24 Dec) Highlights are the “Prune People” figures made out of prunes and the Nuremberg roast sausages.

- Rüdesheim (23 Nov-23 Dec) Try the famous Rüdesheim Coffee while watching boats float by in the upper middle Rhine Valley.

- Rothenburg ob der Tauber (27 Nov- 23 Dec) With enchanting medieval surroundings try the local “Schneeball

" pastry then visit the biggest Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store.

- Heidelberg (23 Nov – 22 Dec) Scattered over not one, but five gorgeous market squares where you can eat, shop and drink while gazing upon the Heidelberg Castle that hovers above the town.  

3. Make a weekend out of it: For either a local market or a road trip worthy city, try booking a room in the city center to spend the weekend there. Perhaps even a hotel or bed and breakfast that looks out onto the charming lights of the market. How romantic!

4. Go to your local small fest: Meet some neighbors and go to your local fest that may only be one weekend or one night. You will meet people at their best! They are in the Christmas spirit and they will have a good gluhwein buzz. You may make new friends for life!

 
5. Dress Warm: Seriously. Some of my coldest moments I can remember in my adult life is from standing at a Christmas Market not dressed properly for the cold. Do not let the smile in your gluhwein mug selfies say, “I am having so much fun but I can’t feel my limbs anymore”. Dress for the extreme cold and remember you might not be moving much at times, which would normally keep you warm. Layer with clothing that ensures no bare skin is exposed.

6. Bring the kids: The markets are very child-friendly! They even have rides, games and treats for kids. On a weekend, the markets can get very packed and I do not suggest trying to push a stroller through a crowd of people who are mostly standing in place. Try a body wrap or backpack carrier instead. (Extra warmth too!)

7. D.D, Cab or Train it: Unless you are going to warm your belly with cups of Hot Chocolate all night, gluhwein has alcohol in it and may affect you more than you expect. There is also a market specialty drink called Feuerzangenbowle (say that 5 times fast) and it has rum soaked sugar burned on top with sometimes a side of some more rum inside! The ceremony of burning the sugar is the attraction and the drink celebrates the gathering of friends… but for lightweights like me, there should be no driving after this drink.

8. Meet your friends: More than the shopping, eating and drinking, the fests are about being with loved ones and spreading holiday cheer. Germans have an expression for this feeling of being cozy, socially accepted and friendly called: Gemütlichkeit. It comes from the adjective of ‘Gemüt’, which means "heart, mind, temper, feeling".

So drop your shopping list, give your friends presents of your presence and share some Gemütlichkeit this year at a German Christmas Market!
 

About the author: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.

Follow her at: https://www.facebook.com/AJerseyBroadAbroad/

 

 

 

Appel Happel Apple Fest: Pony Rides, Apple Picking and more!

Appel Happel Apple Fest: Pony Rides, Apple Picking and more!

Pumpkins, apples, leaves falling, scarf and boot season…these are a few of my favorite things! I love autumn and what better way to kick it off than at the Appel Happel Apple Fest in Mainz!

Coming from the North East of the USA, going to a farm and having fresh squeezed cider at the end of September is very fond tradition for me. Luckily we have Appel Happel in Mainz so we can celebrate the beginning of another crisp golden autumn.

This wonderful apple orchard has a great store to buy fresh vegetables, fruit, wines and you guessed it, a lot of apples. You can even sample the different types of apples that will you buy for either eating whole or for baking.

 

  

After shopping for home items, it was time to eat! The best selection was the homemade apple, pear and plum cakes! So for this fest we made an exception and had dessert first. After that we went to the tent and had some German sausages on bread.
  

This is such a wonderful kid friendly fest with so much for them to do. Located in the back of the fest was 2 big bouncy castles and the very popular pony rides.

Most likely my daughters favorite treat of the day (or year) was the make your own chocolate covered apples!

Adjacent to the fest is where the apple orchards start and you can get a wagon or bring your own bag and start picking! Some of my earliest childhood memories are of filling up my own bucket of apples in the orchard. The apple and pear orchards are so well kept here, even if you aren’t picking that day, it still makes for a lovely walk through the trees.

What to do with all of the apples?

Below is a yummy recipe for German Apple Cake very similar to the cake I had at the fest. Lecker!

http://www.marthastewart.com/343813/german-apple-cake

Address:

Marienborner Bergweg 33, 55127 Mainz, Germany (Parking is located along the street. )

Happy autumn, everyone! Here I am wearing my apple hat that was knitted with love by my Nana. <3

Author’s Profile: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.

Short Video of the fest: