Trench warfare in Ukraine reminds me of what was learned in history lessons about world war 1. More than a century ago. The world has developed a lot since then, but evil in the world seems to remain the same. Europe is under pressure. What was decided at the Maastricht Treaty is more important than ever. At that time, 12 countries signed the treaty. Today 27 European countries are members of what today is the European Union. Great Britain did Brexit and is no longer a member. However, they are members of NATO.

The Maastricht Treaty paved the way for the Euro. Sweden is such a small country, and perhaps we have to become members to take part in various future global trade. It would be interesting to take part of the pros and cons. When the Euro was introduced to EU members, such as Spain and Finland, I remember people saying that everything got so expensive.

Religion has more or less played a role in European wars over centuries. It still is today. We have freedom of speech in Sweden, and apparently, the burning of holy scripture is allowed. Burning, to my opinion, belongs to traditional bonfires in Sweden in May.

During summer I always listen to some interviews and one of these was with Hans Blix. He has a lot of international diplomatic negotiation experience over decades. Blix summarized the future, and he believes that we need an additional globe for human life. Two globes.

I am on holiday, but couldn´t resist writing. Actually, writing is relaxing. Today I am going for a walk and I still got the Mediterranean in my mind. What is next in my cooking, which also is a great hobby of mine, is making a Moussaka.

Stay safe  🐾

It is a classic Swedish summer. Greenery, not so hot, rain interspersed with the sun. Sometimes it is as if the rain of the tropics has reached Sweden. It is like someone pouring water from the sky and suddenly it stops because the bucket is empty. Climate change is talked about on the news. Europe is about to reach a heat record. Tourists are evacuated from fires in Greece. These are probably small variations considering that there was an ice age a long time ago, in a time-space that is difficult to understand.

I was lucky. I had a few sunny days in France at the beginning of June. Just the right temperature for a walk to the harbour. As usual, I tend to talk a little with people I meet. Sometimes I ask for help with a photo. This photo happens to be taken by a real photographer whose profession was photographing boats. How lucky I am!

Every summer I think more about what I eat. Vegetables are so much tastier in the summer. It is like New Year’s when you have to think through your resolutions for the upcoming year. The last few summers I have been reading about anti-inflammatory foods. It is good to eat for example salmon, but preferably wild salmon caught directly in the wild sea. These salmon are almost impossible to find today. Organically (ecologically) farmed salmon exist that have had more room to swim in than conventionally farmed salmon. A bit like free-range chickens.

This summer I got inspiration from a friend about heart-friendly food as you can see below. My trip to France also made me remember the Mediterranean diet. It is fantastic to have a salad in the shadow in the middle of the day. Above is a salade niçoise. I got inspired and made tuna salad the other day. Moreover, it is important to have unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, the kind of fats that don’t solidify in the fridge. I have found a wonderful lemon oil dressing to go with my salad. All for my heart.

During summer life is more tranquil. There is time to change fast carbohydrates to slow carbohydrates. Nuts and not so much sweets. But, no summer without ice cream. I truly hope this heat wave stays for a few more weeks. The best season for my salad. Bon appétit!