Farm to Table in Sweden at Ängavallen

After a long journey from Germany to Sweden via planes, trains and automobiles... I found myself walking through a misty pasture towards one of Sweden's best Eco-Organic farm-to-table restaurants. I entered Ängavallen's quaint barn-like cafe through an old wooden door with hopes of indulging in a much needed farm-fresh lunch. 

Inside, the bright cafe was bustling with locals all hand picking their daily assortments of milk, cheese, and meat. The nostalgic smell of fresh baked bread, complimented the warm atmosphere of the staff behind the counter. 

I was approached by a sweet middle aged man asking (first in Swedish) if I needed any help or suggestions. When I explained I was from NYC and could use all the help I could get... His eyes lit up and he began a very heartfelt, educational explanation of Ängavallen's farming practices and procedures. It was around that time that I realized he was Rolf Axel Nordstrom, the owner of the farm. He explained his love for animals, which had developed at an early age, as well as his responsibility in insuring every living thing on his farm led a happy, uninterrupted, natural life. 

All the cattle and sheep are pasture fed, and the goats and pigs also maintain an organic vegetarian diet. Their regime and lifestyle naturally creates a slower growing animal, the result is premium dairy and meat quality, high in Omega 3's and essential nutrients.

Once he finished explaining the farms philosophies, he translated the daily menu and offered up his personal recommendations. I opted for a charcuterie and cheese plate to start. It was the perfect way to get a comprehensive sampling of the most recent products the farm had to offer. I then ordered the daily quiche, which was filled with market vegetables and beef, as well as a spicy pork sausage. 

I paired it all with an organic wine from South Africa that was a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The wine combined with the creamy cheese, cured meat, smoky sausage and hearty quiche was absolutely heavenly. I couldn't get over all the effortlessly rustic flavors, working together to create a knockout meal... And this was just their lunch menu.

Ängavallen is an absolute must-visit foodie destination in the south of Sweden, where the fare on the table is as harmonious and high quality as the farm itself. 

Treehouse Glamping in Tvärred

A few weeks ago, I stepped back in time. I traded in the luxuries of high-speed Internet and movies on-demand for a rural and romantic rendezvous in a treehouse in Northern Sweden. 

On our way up from Malmo, after landing in Copenhagen we picked up fresh cheese, sausages, ingredients for a killer salad, and of course marshmallows. Armed with old gas lanterns, a deck of Uno cards older than me, lots of wine, and a trusty axe... we setup camp under the full moon in an incredible treehouse complete with an in-ground grill/fireplace and wood floors.

It's so important to digitally detox every once and a while to appreciate the simple things around you. The fresh air, fresh food, and great wine suddenly made the monotonous trials of our daily, chaotic lives fade to a silence.

Escape to the Countryside

When living in a city like New York, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the hordes of pushy people, the constant invasion of privacy, and the complete lack of the great outdoors. To be fair, I have grown quite accustomed to being smashed into a sticky, crowded subway car, or left screaming and freezing on the corner while Mr. Wall Street steals my cab.

But as every true New Yorker will tell you, there is one crucial secret to striving and surviving… And that’s to get out of the city and back into nature. 

On a recent trip through Sweden, I got to go back to the basics. I found myself skipping through rows of raspberry fields, mooing back to the extremely loud, but beautiful cows, and hand picking wildflowers from the garden in rain boots to compliment the scones made from scratch. 

There is something so revitalizing about being out in nature. Where time moves slowly and everything is fresh and alive. This trip to quaint and tranquil surroundings was absolutely essential for me to feel balanced and happy. Every morning we prepared breakfast which consisted of: fresh raspberries (that tasted like candy, bought from Hallongården Trelleborg- a local farm) warm homemade scones, Swedish apples, fresh juice, and tea. 

Crisp morning walks followed by evening writing sessions by an old stand-alone wood burning fireplace was exactly what the doctor ordered. Miles away from all the hustle and bustle of modern civilization... sometimes it's just necessary to escape to the countryside.