The Markets Of Bangkok

A month since my last post! Oy vey. Grad school has officially taken over my life. :(

But i'm back and ready to talk!

So you've walked the streets, eaten the food and have seen the sights. Now what to do? 

Well go visit the floating markets of course! Which is basically a huge market that is on little boats in the water. You navigate the waters with your own boat going up and down "aisles" like on land! Its a crazy awesome experience. Just make sure you bring a lot of bug spray! Which I did not. I'd rather not relive that thank you. 

When floating along these canals you will be bombarded with people trying to sell you anything they can. Food and non food items alike. I am not one who is sold easily so I said a lot of No's :)

Chachkies everywhere!

Food wise there were a lot of fruits and vegetables being sold off of peoples little boats. It all looked fresh, they cut and serve it in a plastic bag for you, so I would definitely try it there. Can't go wrong with some fresh Thai mangoes! 

Or that red thing...fruit? Pepper? Who knows! Shes selling so you're buying!

There was also the questionable food items....

Any type of meat on a stick!! And when I say meat I don't mean chicken or fish. Try at your own risk! 

I am for sure not the most adventurous eater, I kind of like to play it safe. But when your tour guide/taxi driver decides to take you to the most authentic Thai soup spot in Bangkok you obviously say yes. Even though its about 150 degrees outside and the last thing you want to do is eat a hot soup on a boat with mosquitos everywhere with utensils washed in the river you are floating on....but I digress.

Thats our soup being prepared. With some water from the river. But you can't say no! Don't even try.

Hesitant? Me?

I dont want to talk about it.......

Just take me back to the hotel......

Dinner and Markets

Shalom! The sun is setting, its almost dinner time here in Israel and this girl is hungry (shocking) so lets get to it! 

Dinner is NOT a heavy meal. A typical meal would consist of Schnitzel, lots of side salads, hummus tahini and lots of different freshly baked breads.

This my friends is a schnitzel

Deep fried chicken breast. Oh yes. Its greasy, its hot and it will shoot your cholesterol through the roof. But oh is it delicious! 

I would definitely suggest trying a bite or two just to say you've had it but other than that I wouldn't order it all for myself :) 

Stick to the nutritious and delicious cuisine of the Mediterranean! Fresh vegetables, salads, dairy, some whole wheat breads, grilled fish fresh from the sea!

My hubby enjoying some just caught fish, simply grilled

This is a typical dinner out, all these salads are given to you when you order your main meal.

You will notice a carrot salad, beet salad, hummus, pickles (they love their pickles) and fresh vegetable salads as well. It really is a healthy eaters paradise.....please don't mind the vodka, my family is Russian and we never leave home with out it! ;)

Here is another night out in Israel. The salads are typical to most restaurants.

Bottom line, eating out in Israel is not that much of a dieters downfall. There are plenty of options both healthy and unhealthy, you can always find something to eat whether you are a meat eater, vegetarian (hello falafel balls!) or vegan. The food is flavorful, fresh and abundant.

A must on any middle eastern journey is a trip to the market. Food and goods are sold in outside air markets and it is a must whenever you travel here. You will find things like meat, fish, dairy, breads, fresh fruits and vegetables.....

Challah challah!

Lots of candy and oh so many spices!

Just about anything a person would need! Brad? Is that you? 

You think he's collecting royalties?

Ok....I'll admit. Writing this thing is scary and intimidating. Hence the reason it took me over a year to write a second blog post. But seeing as its a new year and all I figured why not give this another go.

Food is my whole life.(Just don't tell my husband) I am a person whose whole day is spent on thinking about what to eat, when to eat, where to buy it and what fun new restaurants to try this weekend. 

The problem Ive had since I was young (as most people I assume do) is finding the balance between eating what I want and not gaining 20lbs while doing so :). I strive to be able to enjoy myself while still consciously making the right choices. Throughout my life my weight has been up and down and it wasn't until I really truly let myself "live" was I able to lose the weight and finally feel good about myself. Its all about that balance people!

Ok, so traveling. That is what I want this blog to really focus on. After food I would have to say that traveling is definitely my number 2 biggest passion. I mean come on we all dream about it. Different cultures, beautiful scenery, spending your days doing whatever you want, and eating all the delicacies that country has to offer! I mean who can resist this!? 

So If you are interested hook line and sinker I will make each post about visiting a specific country, city, restaurant etc. and give you my take on what to eat, what are the right choices to make and what to stay away from. Because life should be enjoyed!