22 Oct 2009

La Vida Organique

Cafe Pandau is organic heaven for all lovers of healthy food. Cool lounge music from the loudspeakers match any mood. 

The food is clean, fresh and fusion. Unlike many vegetarian restaurants they also serve non-vegetarian dishes like Chicken Breast Stuffed with Spinach and Ricotta. Today's Avocado delivered fresh directly from the mountains taste like heaven together with the Lemon & Shoyu Dressing

The Japanese owner, Ms. Noriko Yabata, recommends us to stop by on Sunday, October 25:th for some free Tango lessons. "People need a central hub to meet and enjoy together", she warmly ensures us. 

Just e-mail info@cafepandau.com for more info. I'm sure you'll be more than Welcome.

Explore the location on thenorthernrose.asia Veggie Google map here >

Adress: 118/1-2, Thapae Rd. Soi 3
Tel. 08-5715 3787
Web: www.cafepandau.com

^JF

Follow us at Twitter @thenorthernrose >

     
Click here to download:
La_Vida_Organique.zip (4546 KB)

 

14 Oct 2009

Daring to be Vegetarian

– Vegetarian Festival Chiang Mai, October 18-26

Every year sometime during the month of October the culinary life in Thailand turns in to a paradise for vegetarians. This is the time of the annual vegetarian festival held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. This year it falls on the nine-day period from October 18-26.

Based on Chinese Buddhist teachings the festival is a period of spiritual and physical cleansing in reverence to Kwan Yin - The Goddess of Compassion. Also often referred to as the 'female Buddha". The event's origin goes back to the ninteenth century when a wandering chinese opera group fell ill with malaria om the island of Phuket and only recovered by adhering to a strict vegetarian diet and by honoring the gods. Ever since it is believed to bestow good fortune upon those who strict ly observe the ritual. 

The rules of the festival prohibit the use of any animal products as well as ingredients like garlic, onions and cilantro. This kind of food is referred to as Chinese Vegan or 'Aharn Jeh' and it's available at many restaurants in Chiang mai. The restaurants are easy to recognize be the yellow flags with Chinese red letters on them. Beside "Aharn jeh' there is also the 'Aharn-mang-sa-wi-rat', which means include egg and milk products. Great to know if you wish to enjoy a delicious omelet :)

For those who are less concerned about the festival's religious aspects and simply wish to enjoy the eating of food that don't include the killing of animals will find a great opportunity to do so during this period. Many restaurants offer special vegetarian menus and there are plenty of street stalls that are set up specifically for this event. This comes in addition to the large number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants that are spread throughout the city. 

Please check out our adapted Google map for some of our favorite vegetarian eateries. Being a vegetarian for over 12 years i've had the fortune to enjoy Gourmet vegetarian food all over the world, but i have to say that Chiang Mai is probably my favorite place since it offers such a great variety and high quality vegetarian restaurants. 

 

Adapted by Jan Friman from feature article in Chiang mai Dining Guide, vol 12, oct-nov 2009

Follow us at Twitter @thenorthernrose >

Friman | Sundberg's Posterous

In late 2009 the neighbors and tennis partners, Jan Friman and Per Sundberg, thought it was time share the well hidden treasure and story of The Northern Rose - A Kingdom of Well Being.

The title describes an ancient region were people through the centuries have learned to live in peace and harmony, based on the Buddhist philosophy. The tribal people from this region have at the same time developed a unique sense of maintaining a delicate balance with nature.

To inspire people and visitors, contributing and spreading knowledge about this precious lifestyle in todays fast evolving society, they decided to start a common publishing project and business venture: The Northern Rose - A Kingdom of Well Being.

The project aims to awaken and grow travelers and peoples interest in South East Asian culture, to investigate and publish stories on the development of the Lanna region in Northern Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.

Contributors

Jan Friman