#vegan in belgium

[theroamingvegan]

Beautiful little vegan cafe in Antwerp, Belgium: Plant B!

I have no idea what I ordered but it was delicious. Some kind of open vegan sandwich, with all sorts of yummy flavors. Highly recommend this place if you’re ever in Antwerp🇧🇪

[oediex]

Today I picked up my new ID card. I've been carrying around my last one for ten years and it sported a thirteen-year-old picture of me. For a decade I've had to stare at 22-year-old me, only just finishing her philosophy master's degree, and about to go on a seven-year-long adventure to England.

The person at the town hall desk who helped me was not very receptive to my nervous chatter. I had to press the fingers of both hands into a scanner to register my fingerprints, which is a first. The card is so shiny and new, gleaming in the light a bit, greenish and a little bit blue. It says "BELGIUM IDENTITY CARD" at the top, in our three official languages as well as English. On the day I took the photo for it, I wasn't wearing my signature dual braids, and I wonder if I'll regret this in ten years, or be relieved.

22-year-old Oedie was four years vegetarian and three years off from becoming vegan, but I'm fairly sure unconsciously she already knew it was the logical consequence. She wasn't a hippie yet, or a rebel, but definitely one in the making. She still wore shoes, had not yet died her hair with henna, had never shaved all of it off, yet still shaved her legs and armpits. She still owned a mascara wand and probably a lipstick, that she barely used. She still owned a couple of pairs of trousers. She was stupidly attempting to learn how to drive a car, because that's just what you did. She had not yet discovered the fashion of thrift stores, her love for fostering kittens, or her passion for gaming. She did not wear glasses. She was not yet clinically diagnosed with depression and took no daily medication. She had no idea she was probably gifted and possibly autistic. She had never heard of the word 'neurodivergence'. She didn't know the difficult journey the next decade would bring.

But like me, she was a philosopher, loved mathematics, believed in science, and had an eagerness for learning that could not be sated. She loved jigsaw puzzles, reading, chatting with online friends, and hanging out with real-life ones. She was already queer, though she didn't call it that and still had some thinking to do. She was kind, I think, spoke up for those who couldn't, hated injustice, was environmentally conscious (though she had much to learn), and loved helping people. And she was already known as Oedie.

She was me, but not fully. Oedie in development. Oedie in innocence. But Oedie. She was Oedie, and so am I.

[knife-em0ji]

Do you ever take a chance on a pre packaged sandwich from a national chain and get absolutely fucked up by how good it is. Anyway I could eat the falafel-tomato salsa broodje from panos every day for the rest of my godforsaken life

[ukmindcraftacademy]

Garlic N greens best vegan restaurant in Belgium

This is an eatery at the Excellent garlic n greens situated in Bruges, United Kingdom. They have stamped vegetarian things on their menu. I got the marinated tofu with lentils and following seven days of no tofu I was SO glad to get some back in my framework at last. it is counted on best vegetarian restaurant in Belgium

[raw1111official]

Hey #Lovers❤️‍🔥! Discover why Belgium 🇧🇪 is a vegan haven on 🌺RAW1111.COM🥑 🌿. Explore amazing plant-based delights and vibrant culture! #GVWU Go Vegan With Us 🌱💚

https://www.raw1111.com/1965498_belgium-a-vegan-haven

[pixels4cyrielle]

[ne-ka-flen]

Greens n beans, Brugge

[multifandomgirl08]

White Wedding (Mini Verstappen Series)

Dad!Max Verstappen x Wife!Reader (Established Relationship)

Summary: The Full version of the wedding.

Warning(s): N/A

Words: 4.9k

Previous Part → Next Part Mini Verstappen Masterlist

February 2, 2025

It had been a surprisingly warm day in Belgium for February. You had spent the morning at Victoria’s apartment getting ready for the wedding. You had coffee with Sophie before the hair and makeup lady came to get all three of you ready.

You and Max had chosen to have the wedding at a neoclassical castle in Kapellen. It was big enough given that the guest list had a little more than 100 people showing up. You have been a little concerned as it normally was still snowing in Belgium during this part of the year.

The woman who was doing your hair into loose waves pinned some of the ringlets back away from your face, spraying on the last bit of the hairspray when Victoria had walked into the room holding Luka.

“Ready?” She asked.

You gave her a nod back.

The drive over made some of your nerves come out. You were tapping your foot in the backseat. Sophie had eventually put her hand over your knee. You had stopped instantly leaning back, this was probably the longest you had gone without talking to Max since you had moved in with him.

Pulling up to the castle felt surreal. It had all been set up with white tent covers. You could see people outside, some straighten-ing chairs, and others moving around to fix flower arrangements.

Victoria had parked the car and got out.

“Come on, we should go up before anyone sees you.” Sophie said, opening the door.

You had walked through the back entrance of the house, taking in the fine crown molding just like you did the first time you and Max had walked through here together.

“It’s a little much, no?” He asked.

“Well you only get married once.” You said placing your hand on the banister that lead upstairs.

“Just once? What if I want to marry you again?”

“Then next time you can choose,” You said before feeling his hand grip yours.

You knew that this venue wasn’t exactly Max’s style. A beach Caribbean wedding was the original plan, but it fell through with the wedding date being a month before the start of the season and still wanting to go on a two week honeymoon.

“Fine, castle it is.” Max placed a kiss on your forehead. “I get first choice on food when we talk to the caterer though.”

You knew exactly what Max would want to serve everyone, kebabs with a few Italian inspired dishes added in.

“Okay, but we’re doing family style since it’ll be easier. We just need to make sure to have a vegan option for Lewis.”

“You always think of everything.” You leaned in a little more into Max’s side giving your shoulders a small shrug.

“Thank the wedding planner for being able to do this in less than 5 months.” Both you and Max shared a chuckle before walking outside to take a look at where the actual wedding would take place.

You had gone up to the master bedroom to see the dress that you had picked out was already hanging on the white silk hanger, in the Ivory color that you had chosen all those months ago forgoing the Dutch tradition of wearing white. Pnina Tornai really knew how to design a wedding dress. It was mermaid style with defined lace detailing that had a bone in strapless corset top.

“My brother isn’t going to know what hit him.” Victoria said, as she stood there in a blush pink dress of her own choosing.

You smiled at her before she helped you put on the dress, lacing up the corset strings, and tightened them just enough so you could still breathe. She had fastened the strings at the end of the corset and then left saying that she was going to check on Max.

“Can you tell him that I’ll see him down there?” You asked her. She nodded back to you.

“I will.” Before leaving the room.

Sophie had come in when you were putting in a pair of Van Cleef mother of pearl butterfly stud earrings in white gold.

You saw her from the mirror in the vanity. She was wearing a navy off the shoulder dress that cut off just after her knees and in her hands she was holding a black box.

“Halo, Y/N.”

“Hi, Sophie.” She walked further into the room, closing the door behind her. She moved to sit to the left of you pulling up a chair, before moving the black velvet box into your lap.

“I know, normally in the Dutch tradition the mother of the grooms don’t give the bride a gift, but I wanted to give you something that I wore on my wedding day to Jos... My marriage to Max’s father wasn’t the happiest, but it was a testament to how strong I became as a person as a result of being married to him. Marriage isn’t an easy thing, it’s constant work, you must take the bad with the good while you are together.” She took in a shaky breath. “My son is going to be your teammate in life, love, and in parenting.” She paused.

“So, I’m giving you this as a reminder to love Max with everything that you have, and with my hope that you'll make sure to listen to one another, and to be there when times are the hardest.” She finished, and then encouraged you to open the box.

You had pulled the lid open to reveal a diamond tennis bracelet, made of single carat stones in a white gold setting.

“My mother had it made for me, and I want to give it to you, and if you and Max ever have a daughter, I thought you could pass it down to her.”

You were a little blown away.

“Sophie, are you sure you don’t want to give this to Victoria? I’m sure when Tom is ready they’ll-“She didn’t let you finish your sentence and started to shake her head no.

“I have many pieces that will one day be hers. This is just for you.” Sophie took the bracelet out of the box and clasped it around your left wrist.

You didn’t know how to say thank you for this. So, instead you reached over and hugged her. She had slowly pulled away from you, taking your hand.

“Come, my son won’t wait all day.” You lightly laughed, quickly slipping on the 3-inch nude suede crystal encrusted Louboutin shoes onto your feet.

Sophie had walked down the stairs with you and ushered you into the living room but not fast enough that you didn’t see Max, who was standing there with Daniel, Martijn, and Max’s childhood friend Jack.

You could hear Nico’s voice, “Just walk and hold the pillow?”

“Yes, and when we need them, Daniel will ask for them. Just like in practice.”

“Okay Papa.” Nico said up to Max. “But why is Mama’s ring so sparkly?”

“Because Mama deserves a ring that’s pretty but not prettier than she is.” Hearing Max say that made a flash of tears fill up your eyes.

You only had a few moments before Sophie needed to walk out there before Max. You couldn't help but be a little nervous about walking down the aisle.

“Sophie,” Y/N said to her as they walked out of the room, hand in hand before the music started playing for her to walk down the aisle. “I just want to thank you. Thank you for raising Max the way that you did, and being there for him when Nico came into his life.”

You could see that Sophie was starting to tear up a bit. “My son loves you, and my grandson too. I couldn’t have asked for a better wife to my son even if I had a hand in choosing her myself.”

You gave her a nod and then she hugged you, pulling you in a little tight. She gave one of your hands a squeeze before walking out of the room, making sure to give you the bouquet of tulips, peonies, and hydrangeas all in shades of white or blue.

You could hear some of the music start from outside, with the hallway slowly clearing out after that.

Nico going first, hoping that he remembered to sit next to Tom just like at the rehearsal, and then with your friends moving to clasp arms with Martijn, and Jack. Victoria and Daniel went last as Maid of Honor and Best Man.

Sophie was supposed to walk out next with Max but you could hear her through the wall.

“I’m surprised that you’re not nervous.” She spoke.

“Nervous? No, everything feels right, like it should. I just want to see her.” You heard Max say.

“You will, and she looks beautiful.”

“Thank you for everything Mum, really.”

“She makes you happy, that is all a mother could want for her son.”

It fell quiet after that. The only sound was coming from outside, there was a key change and then the sound of an orchestral rendition of Lana Del Rey’s Young and Beautiful started to play.

That was your cue.

You had made your way out of the living room towards the doors that lead out into the lawn, through the open doors and saw everyone sitting there. You could see people from your side of the family, friends, co-workers, and Lewis (who insisted on sitting on your side of the aisle) sitting on the left side. Then on the right you could see a mix of Max’s family, the guys on the grid & Sebastian Vettel, some of the engineers from Red Bull, a few of the Team Redline guys, and then Christian and Geri who were sitting in the front row with Sophie, Tom, Nico, Luka, and Leo.

You looked down the aisle to see Max standing there, in a fitted black suit, giving you a watery smile, with a few tears falling from his eyes.

You gripped your bouquet tighter trying to move at the same pace of the song. You wanted to already be up there, standing next to Max.

A few more short steps before you were looking at Max, his eyes a watery blue, with a wide smile across his face.

You took a step up on the small platform, now standing next to Max. You gave him a reassuring smile.

Both you and Max looked at one another before the officiant started.

“Hello everyone,” The graying man said into the mic. “We are all gathered here today before friends, family, and loved ones to bring together Max and Y/N. By being here today in front of close friends and family, they are making a lasting commitment to one another, to love, to be present, to always listen to the other, to fight every battle as if they are one team, one family, to love the other with pure adoration, understanding, and a spark that doesn’t diminish over time.”

There was a silent moment before he continued, “I would like Max and Y/N to join hands for this next part so they may exchange vows and rings.”

You leaned down a little to hand over your bouquet to Victoria, who happily took it from your hands.

You stepped towards Max, mouthing a small, “Hi.”

He gave you a silent chuckle and a, “Hello.” back clasping your hands together.

“And the rings please,” The officiant asked, looking at Daniel.

Daniel gave a small shake of his head, silently saying that he didn’t have them and then pretended to check his pockets until Nico came up behind Daniel and pulled them out of one of the front pockets of Daniel’s suit.

Max laughed slightly, shaking his head at Daniel before the rings were in the officiant’s hands. You let out a small chuckle, same old Daniel. You had hoped that he would put his antics to rest on this one day.

“A circle is a symbol of Unity, Infinity, wholeness as well as eternal love. By wearing these rings, you are promising to uphold all of these meanings to one another from this day, until you’re last. Y/N if you will please?” He asked holding his hand open for her to take Max’s ring in her hand to slip it onto his finger.

“Max,” She started feeling the weaved carbon fiber that made up the design of his ring, slipping it onto his left hand. “I don’t know what my life would be like without you and Nico in it. I feel the most loved when I’m with you, and I feel lucky every day that you trust me, can joke around with me, and let me be your shoulder to lean on when you need it.”

She took in a small breath, “I’m in awe of the loyalty that you have for people, and then I remember that I’m one of those few lucky people who has it too. I love you; I just love everything about you, how you are never anything but yourself to people, that you're honest with everyone that you meet, and loving, to your sister, mom, nephews, our cats, and your son.”

You looked from Max to Nico, outstretching your hand towards Nico, asking him to walk closer to you so he could stand up on the altar with you and Max. You waited until Nico stood at your side and reached his little hand up to hold yours.

“Your son, our son means so much to me,” You could see that Max’s eyes were welling up with more tears. You kept a strong hold on Max’s hand while leaning down towards Nico, talking directly to him.

“Nico, I may not have been there when you were born, or when you experienced a few of your firsts. Regardless of those things, you’ll always be my son, and I won’t let anything, or anyone change that.”

Nico was quick to reach for you, wrapping his arms around the lace fabric at the bottom of the dress. “Mama.” You could hear him sob. He tightened his hold around your knees, and you looked up at Max seeing him give you the biggest watery smile that he could manage and pressed his lips together to stop his tears from falling.

You placed a kiss on Nico's forehead and then did your best to stand, but he didn’t let you go with his hands still on the skirt of your dress.

“You and our son are my family, and that will always come first to me. I promise to make this last, through every argument, every night spent away from one another, and every child that we may have in the future.” You finished off taking in a shaky breath.

The officiant just stood there and held out his hand for Max to start.

Max blinked trying to clear the tears from his eyes and then cleared his throat. “I remember when we first met,” He started and took a pause. “You told me that if something matters… I’d make time for it. I was surprised that you had given me a chance, and had been so patient with me, letting me set the pace through those eight months.” It had been hard, letting Max set the pace of the relationship early on. But you have been patient with him because you felt like he was worth waiting for. You felt him grip your hand tighter, his thumb tracing over your fingers like a track that he could drive in his sleep. “This was all before you had found out about Nico, when we were still trying to make us work, flying from London to Monaco just to spend a few hours together, it was also before you had become Nico’s mum.”

As Max spoke you could feel that he wasn’t as nervous to tell you these things. He wasn’t as nervous to let you know what going through those things was like for him. 

“Once you found out about Nico, I felt like I had finally found someone who I could let myself be goofy and joke with. You understand me without me having to tell you things. You don’t push me to talk about things unless I let you. You are my lioness, my mijn leeuwin, protecting our cub, and building us a home while I’m off racing. You are the barrier from the outside world where I don’t have to worry about anything else. I know that you’re there, waiting for me to come home, always.”

Max had reached for the diamond encrusted ring, slowly slipping it onto your finger and then lifted your hand up to his lips placing a kiss on top of the band. He pulled away and you ran a finger over his chin feeling the light stubble under your finger. He gave you a big smile to the point where his eyes crinkled at the sides and watched as his lips slightly trembled.

“I promise to protect that with everything that I have, never take you for granted, to always listen to you, and make you feel like you are the most important thing to me, more than any trophy, or the miles that may separate us when I’m gone.”

“I love you.” You whispered to him when you felt a single tear fall down your cheek.

There were a few silent beats, almost as if the words needed to sink in before the officiant started again.

“Do you Y/N take Max to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day on, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” The officiant asked.

“I do.” You said without any hesitation in your voice.

“And do you Max, take Y/N to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day on, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickedness and in health, until death do you part?”

“Yes, I do.” Max smiled wide with his words.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The officiant said and then took a small step back. “You can kiss the bride.”

Max took a small step forward and then you did as well. Your lips met Max’s with his hand holding your waist and then dropping to the back of your dress running over the lace detailing and ribbon that made up the back of the corset. Your arms went around his neck pulling him in deeper. The hoots and hollers from the crowd muffled in your ears.

A few seconds later you could feel Nico’s hand drop from the skirt of your dress before you and Max pulled away from each other. You looked out to see that Nico was standing next to Sophie now before you felt Max take your hand so you could walk inside. Max took a few steps and then helped you down from the altar so you didn’t trip in your shoes.

Half an hour after the ceremony, the guests were already inside. Martin was behind the DJ booth with Lando standing by his side.

“I still don’t know why Y/N and Max didn’t take my offer to DJ the wedding?” Lando asked Martin.

“Maybe because I already offered, and it wasn’t as an exchange for a wedding gift.” He said turning down the EQ levels to the track that was playing.

Lando just shook his head before taking a sip of his drink.

“Has anyone seen the bride and groom yet?” Daniel asked Victoria and Tom who were standing a few meters away from Martin

“Not yet. Grand entrance and all.” Tom replied.

Daniel kept walking through the room, making his rounds as best man until he stopped at Sebastian and talked to him for a bit.

“Hey Seb,” Daniel greeted him.

“Daniel,” He greeted the Aussie with a hug.

“Max told me he wasn’t sure if you were gonna come.”

“Last minute RSVP. I wasn’t sure if I was at first. But happy that I could be here to see him settle down and get married.”

“He’s happy that you're here. Just waiting to see him and the Mrs. come down soon.”

“Well, before that, how do you feel about a little bet between former teammates?” Seb asked, placing his arm around Daniel’s shoulders.

“What have you got in mind?” Daniel said, leading Seb towards the bar. He saw Sophie come into the room from outside while holding Nico’s hand. The wedding photographer must have been done with them outside.

A few minutes later the music changed again and two sets of footsteps could be heard against the wood flooring. There was a loud cheer from all of the guests seeing Max and Y/N walk out from under the doorway.

From there the room broke out in upbeat music with people eating and drinking, with people breaking into little groups of conversation while occasionally walking over to the bride and groom to give them their congratulations.

The second course had been placed down on the tables and everyone was sitting in their seats with Daniel moving to stand to the right of Max. 

Daniel gave a loud whistle trying to get everyone’s attention as they were all finally sitting down. “Thanks, thank you.” He started to say before moving to pick up his champagne glass.

“Hey guys, to those of you who don’t know me, I’m Daniel. The best man,” He said, holding the mic up to his lips with his free hand.

“I just wanted to get on here and say a few words about the bride and groom. Maybe a little more the groom then the bride, sorry Y/N.” Daniel saw her give him a little shrug. She didn’t take it personally.

“So yeah, Max. We’ve known each other a long time, since before you first started driving in F1, I think you were like 12?” Daniel joked knowing that Max was 13 the first time they met. “I couldn’t imagine then when we first met that I would be able to be the best man at your wedding to the fox that you just married,” The crowd gave off a few hollers and Daniel could see that Y/N only slightly shook her head at his comment with a light pink flush painting her cheeks. “You were a scrawny awkward looking kid when I met you, and now look at you. Married with a kid. I would be lying if I said there weren’t bets placed today on when there is going to be another one.”

There was a small round of chuckles heard from a few of the drivers in attendance.

“But I digress, mate, you’ve got yourself a good one there.” Daniel further raised his glass. “Y/N, you make Max happy, I just want to let you know that you’ve married into a family that not only loves you but has truly welcomed you with open arms. I hope Max, that you know how lucky you are to have her in your life. Women like her don’t come around every day.”

“To many more years for the two of you, to Mr. and Mrs. Verstappen.” Daniel finished off before everyone took a drink from their glasses.

A few moments later Victoria stood up next to Y/N and started her speech.

“To those of you who don’t know me, I’m not only Y/N’s Maid of Honor but I’m also Max’s little sister. I just wanted to officially welcome Y/N to the family, and let you know how excited I am to have a sister-in-law. I heard a lot about you when you and Max had first started dating. He would always want to talk about you, and when you met Nico it only seemed like he started to talk about you even more. Having said that, Max I love you. But if you screw this up, I get to keep her in the divorce.”

Max let out a big laugh and then reached for Y/N’s hand. She looked at him and he gave her a fake questioning look that said, Something I don’t know about. She just shook her head at him and then Max smiled at Victoria knowing that she was only joking.

“I don’t plan on letting that happen,” He interjected and heard a few chuckles from the rest of the wedding party. Max reached for Y/N’s hand and lightly kissed the back of it.

Victoria let out a laugh, “Regardless, as we’ve gotten to know each other really well over the years. You have truly become like a sister to me, being a sympathetic ear when I need it when it comes to the kids, and always being someone that I can rely on.” Victoria lifted up her glass, “To my brother and sister-in-law.”

Everyone drank from their glasses and Nico and Victoria’s boys drank from the little glasses filled with sparkling apple cider that mimicked the champaign.

Martin had stepped away from the DJ setup with an announcement of the first dance for the bride and groom with Geri taking the mic. Y/N’s eyes widened seeing Geri holding the mic as Max took her hand and led her to the center of the dance floor. Max pulled her into his chest as Geri’s voice filled the room to Ed Sheeran’s Perfect playing as they swayed to the music with him occasionally spinning her.

The song was coming to a slow close when Nico had walked up trying to slip between his parents. Max lifted Nico, dancing with them for a moment. Then set Nico down so he could dance with Y/N for a few moments while he went to dance with Sophie for the next song.

Nico ran off when the song had ended and Christian had walked onto the dance floor. “Do you mind Y/N?”

“Of course not Christian.” She said before he pulled her into his arms.

“I’m sure you’ve heard it plenty of times in the last few days but you’re good for him. Not when it comes to him racing but just for who he is as a person.”

She gave Christian a nod, “He’ll never tell you this, but you’re a second set of parents to him,” She said gesturing to Max who had pulled Sophie onto the dance floor, “and a great grandfather to Nico.”

Christian gave her a nod back and then turned his head to see Daniel standing there.

“Father daughter dance is over. Mind if I cut in?”

“There has been a lot of cutting in.” Y/N said to Daniel.

“You’re in a room full of F1 drivers, it’s going to happen quite a lot.” Y/N rolled her eyes at him and then let Daniel pull her in. Christian walked back to his table and offered his hand up to Geri.

Max had pulled Y/N away from the dancefloor after the fifth driver on the grid had pulled her in to dance with them so that the wedding cake could finally be cut. It was a three tier white cake with the groom in a race suit that was fashioned to look like a tuxedo and the bride standing at his side.

They both managed to interlock their arms taking a bite from the cake, Max’s lips covered in the white ganache frosting and then she lifted the plate to his face and let it smear all over his skin trying to avoid his eyes.

The plate fell away and he had a devious expression on his face and she knew that she was in trouble. He reached for her and pressed a cake covered kiss to her lips before wiping any of the excess cake from their faces.

They left to clean up further and came back to the party with Daniel having the photographer's camera in his hand. He started taking candid photos. Daniel had gotten a picture of most of the wedding party and went looking for Max and Y/N after they had disappeared for a little too long to see them making out by the service entrance to the house and snapped a quick picture before leaving them to their fun.

It was a while later that Max and Y/N rejoined the party long enough to throw the bouquet out into the crowd of young “single” women; Daniel’s longtime girlfriend of two years had caught it and then they made a final round of all the guests before leaving the party. Daniel was the only one whose eyes went to the couple noticing Y/N’s hair fall out of her pin backed look.

“Have a nice time.” Sophie said as Nico stood with his parents holding her hand.

“We will,” Y/N said before Nico reached for her as he pressed his face into the skirt of her dress.

“We’ll be home in two weeks, be good for Oma, okay?” Y/N asked Nico. As they left to get into the car to leave for the hotel for their early morning fight, Nico gave her a nod and hugged Max with a silent goodbye hanging in the air, giving his parents a final wave.

Mini Verstappen taglist: @karmabyfernando, @barcagirly, @sachaa-ff, @iamahallucinationnn, @glow-ish, @nonsensical-nonsence, @fanboyluvr, @champomiel, @gothicwidowsworld, @lighttsoutlewis, @itsalwaysgay, @minkyungseokie, @mynameisangeloflife, @ursforever129, @aundercover, @bborra, @mindless-rock, @cixrosie, @barcelonaloverf1life, @taylorslovesswifties13, @konsti081, @mellowarcadefun, @smnthnclj, @brekkers-whore, @lpab, @thedecalcomania-blog, @xoscar03, @em-gvf01, @haikyuen, @shelbyteller , @geniusalpaca, @princessria127, @mysticalnightenthusiast, @green-thots, @leah-also-known-as-creatoronwp, @ellelabelle, @lilypat, @dreamercrowd

[soopsiedaisies]

Hey!! Hey!!! Do you want to bake an easy snack?? Do you want something sweet and fruity, but not too sweet?? Boy have I got the thing for you

APPLEFLAPS

This is a treat that, as far as I know, is rather common in Belgium, The Netherlands, and some parts Germany. It’s one of the first baked goods that Dutch kids learn to make, shortly followed by peppernuts and apple pie and poundcake. It’s easy, only requires a couple of ingredients, and has quite a short baking time. You literally cannot go wrong with this I promise. Recipe under the cut

INGREDIENTS NEEDED:

Square puff pastry sheets, but round ones work as well. About 12cm by 12cm preferably (like 4 and half inches by 4 and a half inches). Each sheet will be one (1) pastry. If you get one massive sheet, cut it into smaller squares with like a pair of scissors. Idc I’m not your dad. 

Apples, for the filling. Ones you use for apple pie work best but any apples will do. Make sure you’ve got at least 4 large ones (you can eat the leftover filling by the spoonful) 

Lemon (or lime) juice, to prevent browning of the apples (and to prevent overwhelming sweetness, if the apples aren’t a bit sour themselves)

Sugar (to taste and for decoration) 

Ground cinnamon

An egg for the eggwash (if vegan or allergic to eggs or without eggs, water works as well)

Some lukewarm water

Optional: Vanilla sugar

Optional: (rum-)soaked raisins 

UTENSILS NEEDED

Baking sheet

Baking paper

Bowl (large enough for at least 4 cut-up apples)

Knife

Cutting board (covering my bases here) 

Spoon

Fork 

Lil brush for the eggwash

Your fingers

A fucking oven. 

To start

Preheat the oven to 175 Celcius, or about 350 Fahrenheit. If you got the kind of puff pastry that’s frozen, take that out to thaw a little bit. Line your baking sheet with baking paper. 

The filling:

Peel the apples. Cut them in half, then in quarters. Core them. Cut the quarters in half lengthwise, then gather a few together and cut these width wise: you want to end up with little triangles. The thickness of these triangles depends wholly on how chunky you want the filling to be. I usually go for about 5 millimetres, which means there’s still some chunk after baking. 

Throw the pieces in a bowl. Add a dash of lemon juice, maybe a bit more if the apples are really sweet and you don’t really like that. Throw in the (totally optional) raisins, add some sugar, and pound the bottom of the ground cinnamon jar. Mix with a spoon and give it a little taste. Not sweet enough? Add more sugar. Not cinnamon-y enough? Add more cinnamon. Is it too sweet, or too cinnamon-y? Don’t worry, if you’ve got another apple cut that one up and throw it in. Give it a taste. Still too sweet? Lemon juice. It’ll help. Not more apples? Just roll with it. It’ll taste great either way. 

You can heat the filling a little bit if you want, but it’s not necessary and will only result in extra dishes. 

Folding and stuff

Filling’s done, and puff pastry’s thawed? Great. Let’s get to filling and folding. 

The common shape of the appleflap is a triangle because we tend to use square puff pastry sheets. It doesn’t really matter what the shape ends up being, as long as it’s folded in half and forms a little pocket (you don’t want the filling to spill out a whole lot). 

What you do is grab one of the pastry sheets, put it down flat, and put a spoonful (a little less, a little more. It’s a bit of fiddling) in the middle of it. Avoid the edges. Then you use that jar of lukewarm water: using the brush or your fingers, wet one half of the edge of the pastry sheet. Then pinch the dry half and pull it a bit, folding it over. The filling shouldn’t burst out of the pocket or tear the dough: if it does only a little bit, it’s fine, but if it’s far too much simply peel the pocket back open and take some of the filling out. 

You’ll notice that when you press the wet edge to the dry edge, it’ll stick shut. Decorate/further secure the edge by crimping it with a fork. There. You’ve done it. That’s a fucking pastry. Carefully place it on the baking sheet, and just continue on until you’re out of pastry dough. 

(There will usually be some filling left. This is for you to eat, or for the kiddos you’re making it with) 

Finishing touches 

Stand before the overfull baking sheet and determine whether or not the pastries will touch as they bake. If they do, take some out. Two rounds of baking is also doable. It’s kind of like cookies. 

Brush the top of the pastries with the eggwash or water, then sprinkle some sugar on top. At this point you throw them into the preheated oven for about 25 minutes and just wait. Keep bit of an eye on them though, you don’t want them to burn. 

…and that’s it. That’s all there’s to it. They’re fantastic to eat when still warm, and they’re still fantastic when cold. The sugar melts and comes a bit caramel-y so the pastry is a bit tacky, yet the puff pastry itself is still fluffy and dry. The apple pie filling is just fruity goodness. Easy, fun. You can replace the apple filling with different fruits if you want (cherry and apricot is also brilliant). Enjoy!

[butchbarneygumble]

See, in the Netherlands and maybe Belgium too we have an official little emblem for things that are officially vegan: a little green V with a leaf on it. But restaurants aren't checked for it and play fast and loose with it, using it for vegetarian dishes all willy-nilly... and then having to use a thing of their own making for vegan dishes. It annoys me and my graphic design-oriented self, and I wish they would check on it more. But sadly, generally the general public doesn't really care about vegans.

Also Belgium defaulting to frying fries in beef fat. WHY. Sunflower oil is RIGHT THERE

[theroamingvegan]

that tastiest vegan breakfast sandwiches and strawberry cheesecake, found on a lovely walk through Brussels, Belgium

Lucifer Lives- Brussels, Belgium 🇧🇪

[oediex]

Vegan pastries from Belgium!

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 9.27

Holidays

Ancestor Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Honor Your Ancestors Day)

Answering Machine Day

Arbor Day (US Virgin Islands)

Banana Slug Day

Battle of Boquerón Day (Paraguay)

Bloodstone Day

Book Matches Day

Castor 927 Day

Crush A Can Day

Dave Matthews Band Day

Day of Preschool Employees (Russia)

Doris Day Day (Cincinnati, Ohio)

European Myeloma Day

1stLinePit Pitch Day

French Community Day (Belgium)

Fun and Fancy Free Day

GNU Day

Google Commemoration Day

International SEO Day

Julien Alfred Day (Saint Lucia)

Lendemain du Magal de Touba (Sénégal)

Manit Day (Culture Day; Marshall Islands)

Memorial Day (Azerbaijan)

Morning Show Hosts Day

National AJ Day

National Boccia Day (UK)

National Butt Plug Day

National Day of Forgiveness

National Doodle Day

National First Responder Appreciation Day

National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Mustache Day

National 911 Telecommunications Suicide Awareness Day

National No Excuses Day

National Prescription Take-Back Day

National Scarf Day

National Youth Day (Turks and Caicos Islands)

NICU Giving Day

Oski the Bear Day (Berkeley)

Polish Underground State’s Day (Poland)

Post and Telecommunications Service Day (Indonesia)

Shut Up and Let Somebody Else Talk Day

Venom Day

World Freight Train Day

World Pet Day

World Tourism Day (UN)

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Chocolate Milk Day

National Corned Beef Hash Day

National Cats Curry Day (UK)

Saloon Day

Tabasco Sauce Day

Independence & Related Days

Consumación de la Independencia (End of Independence War; Mexico)

Elleore (Declared; 1944) [unrecognized]

Glebiania (Declared; 2012) [unrecognized]

Mexico (Date Consummated, 1821)

Turkmenistan (from USSR, 1991)

Zekia (Declared; 2012) [unrecognized]

4th & Last Friday in September

Ask a Stupid Question Day [Last Weekday]

Butterbrot Day (Germany) [Last Friday]

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

Field Trip Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Finally Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Flapjack Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Flatbread Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Flirtatious Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

FSC Friday [Last Friday]

Go Gold Day [Last Friday]

Hug A Vegetarian Day [Last Friday]

Love Note Day [4th Friday]

Make Way Day [Last Friday]

Michigan Indian Day (Michigan) [4th Friday]

National BRAVE Day [4th Friday]

National Good Hair Day (Australia) [4th Friday]

National Hug Your Boss Day [4th Friday; also 9.13]

Native American Day (California) [4th Friday]

Save the Koala Day [Last Friday]

Sport Purple For Platelets Day [Last Friday]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

Vegan Baking Day [Last Friday]

World's Biggest Coffee Morning (UK) [Last Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning September 27 (4th Full Week of September)

National Drive Electric Week [f.k.a. National Plug-In Week] (thru 20.6)

Festivals Beginning September 27, 2024

Anderson County Burgoo Festival (Lawrenceburg, Kentucky) [thru 9.29]

Apple Festival (Gays Mills, Wisconsin) [thru 9.29]

Beach n' Chili Fest: ICS World's Championsihp Chili Cookoff (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) [thru 9.29]

Cannstatter Volksfest (Stuttgart, Germany) [thru 10.13]

Chester County BBQ Festival (Henderson, Tennessee) [thru 9.28]

Chicago Gourmet Hamburger Hop (Chicago, Illinois)

Chilhowie Community Apple Festival (Chilhowie, Virginia) [thru 9.29]

Coca-Cola Days (Atlantic, Iowa) [thru 9.28]

Downtown Chandler Oktoberfest (Chandler, Arizona) [thru 9.28]

Downtown Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival (Ithaca, New York) [thru 9.29]

Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival (Galway, Ireland) [thru 9.29]

Georgia State Fair (Metro Atlanta, Hampton, Georgia) [thru 10.6]

Harvest Festival & Parade (Arroyo Grande, California) [thru 9.28]

Harvest Festival & Street Fair (Emmett, Idaho) [thru 9.28]

Honeybee Festival (Paris, Illinois) [thru 9.29]

International Sandsculpting Championship (Virginia Beach, Virginia) [thru 10.6]

Irmo Okra Strut Festival (Irmo, South Carolina) [thru 9.28]

Joy of Jazz (Johannesburg, South Africa) [thru 9.28]

Las Vegas Greek Food Festival (Las Vegas, Nevada) [thru 9.29]

Marino Grape Festival (Marino, Italy) [thru 10.7]

Marion County Country Ham Days (Lebanon, Kentucky) [thru 9.29]

Mississippi Pecan Festival (New Augusta, Mississippi) [thru 9.29]

Monterey Jazz Festival begins (California) [Last Friday thru Sunday]

Morgan County Sorghum Festival (West Liberty, Kentucky) [thru 9.29]

New Mexico Prickly Pear Festival (Albuquerque, New Mexico) [thru 9.28]

New York Film Festival (New York, New York) [thru 10.14]

Oktoberfest (Waterloo, Iowa) [thru 9.29]

Oktoberfest (Yachats, Oregon) [thru 9.29]

Oktoberfest Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) [thru 9.29]

Oktoberfest in Canada (Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada) [thru 10.19]

Pumpkinfest (South Lyon, Michigan) [thru 9.29]

River Falls Bacon Bash (River Falls, Wisconsin) [thru 9.29]

Saint Charles Oktoberfest (Saint Charles, Missouri) [thru 9.29]

Sisters Folk Festival (Sisters, Oregon) [thru 9.29]

State Fair of Virginia (Doswell, Virginia) [thru 10.6]

Texas Rice Festival BBQ Cook-Off (Winnie, Texas) [thru 9.28]

Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, Boardwalk Weekend (Virginia Beach, Virginia) [thru 9.29]

Warrens Cranberry Festival (Warrens, Wisconsin) [thru 9.29]

WineFest (North East, Pennsylvania) [thru 9.29]

Feast Days

Adheritus (Christian; Saint)

Aequinoctium Autumnale I (Pagan)

Bernard Waber (Artology)

Birth and Rebirth Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Caius of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Cosmas and Damian (Christian; Martyrs)

Elzear, Count of Arian, and Delphina, his wife (Christian; Saints)

Feast of Eileithyia (Minoan Midwife Goddess)

Feast of Mashiyyat (Baha’i)

Fergus Mac Roith (Celtic Book of Days)

Festival of Namakungwe (The Originator; Zambia)

Festival of Varuni (Goddess of Wine; India)

George Cruikshank (Artology)

Horacio Sandoval (Artology)

Hieronymus Bosch Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Insult a Narcissist Day (Pastafarian)

Irvine Walsh (Writerism)

Jack Goldstein (Artology)

Jim Shooter (Artology)

Jim Thompson (Writerism)

Meskel (Discovery of the True Cross; Eritrea, Ethiopia)

Mookie (Muppetism)

Moon Hare Festival (Everyday Wicca)

Romano Scarpa (Artology)

Sesage (Positivist; Saint)

Sophie Crumb (Artology)

T.C. Cannon (Artology)

Thanksgiving Day for Disappearance of Kelp-Koli Again (Shamanism)

Thomas Nast (Artology)

Vincent de Paul (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

Abominable (Animated Film; 2019)

The Affair, 16th Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2011)

Bananaphone, by Raffi (Children’s Album; 1994)

A Bird in a Bonnet (WB MM Cartoon; 1958)

Bongo (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Boogie Woogie Man (Song Symphony Cartoon; 1943)

Born to Run, by Bruce Springsteen (Autobiography; 2016)

Caballero Droopy (Droopy MGM Cartoon; 1952)

Chilly’s Hide-A-Way (Chilly Willy Cartoon; 1971)

The Cleveland Show (Animated TV Series; 2009)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (Animated Film; 2013)

Cracker (UK TV Series; 1993)

Dolly! (TV Series; 1976)

Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert (Music TV Series; 1973)

Don’t Stand So Close to Me, by the Police (Song; 1980)

Elementary (TV Series; 2012)

The Fever Code, by James Dashner (Novel; 2016) [Maze Runner #5]

Fun and Fancy Free (Animated Disney Film; 1947)

The Garden of The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran (Poetry; 1931)

The Goal Rush (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1946)

Goodbye to Berlin, by Christopher Isherwood (Novel; 1939)

The Harlem Globetrotters Meet Snow White (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Movie)

The Invisible Mouse (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1947)

The Journey of Natty Gann (Film; 1985)

The Karate Guard (Tom & Jerry WB Cartoon; 2005)

King of the Mardi Gras (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1935)

The Last King of Scotland (Film; 2006)

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Novel; 1935)

Memphis Blues, by W.C. Handy (Song; 1912) [1st Blues Song]

Mickey and the Beanstalk (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Monster, by R.E.M. (Album; 1994)

Mumbo Jumbo (Ant and the Aardvark Cartoon; 1970)

New Jersey, by Bon Jovi (Album; 1988)

Nightmare, recorded by Artie Shaw (Song; 1938)

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (Film; 1939)

Ran (Film; 1985)

Ringo's Rotogravure, by Ringo Starr (Album; 1976)

Rush (Film; 2013)

Sand and Foam, by Kahlil Gibran (Poetry; 1926)

Secret Diary of a Call Girl (TV Series; 2007)

Silent Spring (Nature Book; 1962)

Sweet Home Alabama (Film; 2002)

Tepee for Two (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1963)

Thanks for the Memory, by Bob Hope (Song; 1938)

The Tonight Show (TV Talk Show; 1954)

2 Days in the Valley (Film; 1996)

Under the Table and Framing, by The Dave Matthews Band (Album; 1994)

The Village Barber (Ub Iwerks Flip the Frog MGM Cartoon; 1930)

We Didn’t Start the Fore, by Billy Joel (Song; 1989)

Wet Blanket Policy (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1948)

Today’s Name Days

Dietrich, Hiltrud, Vinzenz (Austria)

Berislav, Gaj, Vincent, Vinko, Vinko (Croatia)

Jonáš (Czech Republic)

Cosmus (Denmark)

Elo, Loone, Õrne (Estonia)

Vesa (Finland)

Vincent (France)

Dietrich, Hiltrud, Vinzenz (Germany)

Akylini, Epicharis, Kallistratos, Zenon, Zinon (Greece)

Adalbert (Hungary)

Cosma, Damiano, Vincenzo (Italy)

Ādolfs, Ilgonis, Ronalds (Latvia)

Adalbertas, Damijonas, Daugilė, Kęsgailė, Kovaldas (Lithuania)

Dagmar, Dagrun (Norway)

Amadeusz, Amedeusz, Damian, Kosma, Przedbor, Urban (Poland)

Antim (Romania)

Cyprián (Slovakia)

Vicente (Spain)

Dagmar, Rigmor (Sweden)

Cosima, Cosimo, Cosmo, Damian, Damiana, Damien, Damion, Damon (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 271 of 2024; 95 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of Week 39 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Muin (Vine) [Day 27 of 28]

Chinese: Month 8 (Guy-You), Day 25 (Jia-Wu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 24 Elul 5784

Islamic: 23 Rabi I 1446

J Cal: 1 Orange; Oneday [1 of 30]

Julian: 14 September 2024

Moon: 22%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 19 Shakespeare (10th Month) [Miss Edgeworth]

Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 6 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 6 of 90)

Week: 4th Full Week of September

Zodiac: Libra (Day 5 of 30)

Calendar Changes

Orange (Month 10 of 12; J Calendar)

[ukmindcraftacademy]

Vegetarian Indian restaurant Bruges

Garlic n Greens was an enormous treat for us: and I got to eat something that I have missed profoundly in constantly I have been vegetarian! We made a beeline for this veggie-Vegetarian Indian Restaurant burges for supper on a cold night in Bruges. In addition to the fact that this spot warmed us up, we ate some genuinely tasty plant-based food here as well.

The actual eatery is really charming, with cordial staff, yet entirely overall it's really downplayed and genuine: the menu communicates everything! Furthermore, I can't make sense of very that we were so eager to stall out into this menu: there were such countless delightful sounding dishes, reducing our options was truly troublesome! Eventually, Mike picked the Mattar Mushroom, while I went for the Tofu Tikka Masala. I have missed tikka masala sincerely, so I was truly eager to have the option to pick this veggie lover variant of the dish - however it was truly hard not to arrange three or four distinct things to attempt! My tikka masala was yummy, but excessively sweet for my taste. I had it with some basmati rice, which adjusted the flavors all around well. I don't know about tofu in a curry normally, yet as a substitute for the conventional chicken, I truly thought this functioned admirably! The victor, however, was Mike's mattar mushroom, which had such a lot of flavor and assortment from the onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and peas. Good gracious: this curry was so tasty, I needed to sneak two or three spoonfuls of it as well!

[bandomfandombeyond]

I fell down a Wikipedia hole surrounding Belgium and the funniest thing I learned is that the 90s hardcore punk rock scene in West Flanders was straight edge and vegan

[beardedmrbean]

1. Pricey train tickets and fewer e-scooters: What changes in Belgium on 1 February?

It doesn't seem all that long ago since the long list of changes was introduced on 1 January, but the start of a new month has already arrived. In February, fewer new rules will come into force in Belgium, but they are no less impactful. Read more.

2. Farmers occupy the streets of Brussels' European Quarter (photos)

Some 1,300 tractors have gathered in the streets around the European Parliament in Brussels, as farmers are expressing their dissatisfaction with their declining incomes and increasing. The atmosphere briefly turned grim, but the protest is overall happening peacefully. Read more.

3. Immigration Office told to stop revoking Belgian nationality from Palestinian children

The Federal Ombudsman has asked Belgium's Immigration Office to immediately stop instructing municipalities to remove the nationality of children born in Belgium from Palestinian parents. Read more.

4. Some 1,200 tractors in Brussels, EU Quarter closed off to traffic

The sounds of honking tractors have been heard since Wednesday night across Brussels and the European Quarter. More than 1,000 tractors have gathered in protest, causing traffic disruption around Place du Luxembourg. Read more.

5. EU agrees on €50 billion in aid for Ukraine

The European Council has voted unanimously to provide a further €50 billion in aid for Ukraine – this time avoiding a veto from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Read more.

6. Several Brussels vegan spots crowned best in Belgium

The food and drinks scene in the Belgian capital is becoming increasingly vegan-friendly. But four Brussels establishments in particular made a significant impact on the Belgian vegan offering, picking up prizes at the Belgian Vegan Awards. Read more.

7. On a wing and a prayer: The Belgian wartime hero who broke the Nazi defence

Baron Jean de Selys Longchamps pulled off one of the most audacious, unauthorised flying feats of World War II to earn his place in the pantheon of Belgian legends. Read more.