Ostende-The Belgian Coast

The finicky rain and cloudy skies did not deter us from a quick trip to Belgium's North Sea coastline.  Our destination was Ostende, which according to trusty Frommer's tour book, used to be "the Queen of the Coast and prestigious 19th-century royal vacation spot."  We found the town a little sleepy, but seeping with charm nonetheless!
Belgian chocolate?  Yes please.
 First pasta in Europe.  Lovely.
(Below) Chocolate from Estonia.  Snack for the train ride.
The internship at the European Food Information Council continues to go well.  I'm still working on content for the Food4U campaign, a healthy food video competition for adolescents funded by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture.  However the highlight of the week was a visit to the European Parliament for a brief lecture on food security in the European Union!
Cheers,
Rachel

Canal Tour of Brugge

 Brugge, a small town tucked in the northwest corner of Belgium, stands unravaged by time.  Cobblestones line the streets of this Medieval Gothic city, and horse-drawn carriages clatter beside the automobiles. However the most charming view of Brugge is captured aboard a small boat, drifting along the canals, pondering bygone days of chivalry.
My first week of work at the European Food Information Council has gone well.  Briefly, I've been working on a project called Food 4U, a competition where adolescents can express their view on food and nutrition through short videos of their own creation.  Funded by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forestry Policies, the competition is open to all teenagers from all 26 nations of the European Union, plus the Netherlands.  I think using multimedia (especially videos) is a relevant way to engage adolescents in the food-health conversation.

Au revoir!
Rachel

Les Frites

I am thankful to report a safe arrival in Brussels, Belgium!  After settling into the small room that I now call home, I spent the rest of the weekend greeting the city and getting lost on the subway.  While traipsing through the downtown marketplace, I indulged in the touristy street-side vendor selling frites.  Unfortunately I neglected to get the mayonnaise sauce, for which frites are simply incomplete.  I'll have to go again!
(Above) Place Royale
(Below) Dinner at home-I have no kitchen! 
I was anxious to try the white asparagus which is in season here.
Today was my first day at the European Union Food Information Council (EUFIC), where I will be interning this summer.  EUFIC is a non-profit organization which provides science-based information on food safety and nutrition to media, health professionals, and educators.  I will be a Science Communications intern, and I anticipate lots of research interpretation and writing.


Cheers to les frites!
Rachel  
Disclaimer. I am not a Registered Dietitian yet. I provide nutrition information intended for the general public, not for the treatment of a specific medical condition. I try to use scientific research and reliable sources when forming my opinions and messages.
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