indo food

Before I start the challenge, I check the birthdays. Fortunately, this time it works out. Furthermore, I hope that it will continue to rain and snow for the next 40 days, so that there is no holiday feeling. Because a holiday feeling means wine, or a glass of cognac. Now I don't get depressed from those 40 days of not drinking. On the contrary, our motto at home is 'Carpe Diem' with or without.

I've had it for a week now, and the temptations to have a glass of wine were already there.
You just can't escape it, because the world around you just goes on. I am married to Bea. She is a second generation Indo, so that means regular food from the toko, or it is simply made at home. At a high level, I might say. With age comes experience and finesse. This week we (corona-proof) said goodbye to my youngest son with his family. They have left for Bali for an indefinite period of time for their company. They have an online travel agency called 'Oaktravel' and they specialize in Southeast Asia. Farewell to us means eating and drinking. That food consists of nasi rames, chicken, and delicious sweet agar agar for dessert. Homemade of course.

As far as drinking is concerned, I will be looked at. My brother taught me that you should drink a white wine at Indofood. A Gewurtz tramminer. This is therefore always cool and there is a large stock in the storage room.

If you participate in IkPas, you should not keep it a secret. Then you have to announce it widely and also just let us know on Facebook and Instagram. The whole family knew about my challenge, because the moment I walked to the fridge I heard very softly around me: IkPas tralalala… IkPas…. IkPas tralalala… and it got louder and louder. Even the grandchildren joined in. Conclusion? Water also tastes great with Indofood. Add some lemonade syrup and it's like having a glass of rosé in front of you.

I'm really not seen in the family as an alcoholic, but as a fun drinker.

It is important to me that I share my participation in IkPas with others. The support you get, the look of not doing it, or 'a drink of water, grandpa', means that the challenge has already been successful in advance. Really do fellow IkPassers shout it from the rooftops and make no secret of it.

There was another temptation this week. You know them the Indo aunts. Yvonne Keuls has written about it regularly. There is even a statue of the Indian Aunts on the Frederik Hendrik square in The Hague. Aunt Toet, Aunt Lien, Aunt Mekkie. We also have an aunt in the family. Aunt Frieda. Aunt Frieda lives alone and has two parakeets: Charlie 1 and Charlie 2.

Aunt chats all day, especially about food. Staying overnight is not a problem, but you do have to eat, eat a lot, and not say no. Soto, rissoles, gado gado. In the morning two eggs for two cadet, because everything is said in the singular and the food is shared in plural.

If we want to visit aunt, we call first. 5 minutes later she calls back, with what we are going to eat and that she will buy me two bottles of rosé, and “Is it Henk's birthday too? Gall & Gall good right?” “No aunt, Henk is participating in IkPas”. “I PASS….. aunt”. "Ado, Kasian." When you arrive at Auntie's, there is still a bottle of rosé on the table. Often made from the right grape and no receipt, but a bottle of brandy for the birthday. I left the bottles for next time. "Forgotten Aunt, I'll take it with me next time." “Belanda bodoh” says Aunt.

I'm just saying temptation is lurking, especially in the first week of a challenge. Your body is still weaning and your head says, 'Just do it'. As a retiree you have a lot of free time. Time that you have to and do something with. The tennis club, the golf course, game of cards, billiards. There is plenty of time to make a trip and that often includes a drink. We're really not bad. According to the CBS, 50% of the elderly between the ages of 65 and 75 adheres to the alcohol guidelines, and above 75 this is 65%. Awareness is a good thing, and an alcohol break helps with that. You just have to do it. IkPas will also be available next year, so put it in your diary.