Household Stuff, Good Prices

I've mentioned it before but there is a hardware store called Din Isenkræmmer (this translates literally to Iron Monger) in the Amager (pronounced Amarr) Centret shopping mall. They have some of the best prices I have found on household electric goods - crockpots, irons, hotpots, sandwich makers, vacuum cleaners, etc. There is always a brand on sale. Just remember they don't take standard credit cards just cash or debit cards. They also sell all manner of household items such as dishes, wine glasses, cutting boards, measuring cups, mops, buckets, and much much more for good prices.  They are certainly worth a visit.

Just take the Metro to Amager Centret. Go in the entrance marked Apotek and it's three or four stores in on the left.There is another real hardware store in the same mall over by Irma that sells lamps, extension cords, and real hardware and their prices aren't bad either. If you want to compare prices there is another household store down by Føtex that sells things at normal Danish prices, the difference is huge!

Good shopping!

Bagels, Bagels and More Bagels - An American Lunch in Hellerup

We wandered into Hellerup looking for an affordable (always a challenge) and delicious lunch for two girls on the town. We didn't want to go fancy but we were looking for a treat so we found our way to The Bagel Co. on Strandvejen right across from Running Man Sushi, near the 7-11. What an unexpected treat! I had been there once before but it was just for a quick Chai and I am sorry I didn't go back sooner. Friendly staff, all speak English, American Bagels in a variety of flavors (a very difficult thing to find in Denmark especially if you don't want whole wheat) including PLAIN, sesame, cheddar and jalapeno, everything and more. You can't beat it.

The sandwiches are amazingly affordable, a small is 48 DKK and a large is 52 DKK, the variety is outstanding (pastrami, delicious and fresh salmon, hummus, cheese, tuna, three flavors of cream cheese, etc.) and the vegetables are plentiful and very very fresh. But hold on to your hats - they have fresh squeezed juices and cans of AMERICAN SODA FOR JUST 19 DKK - Dr. Pepper, Cherry Coke, and Root Beer. Nectar of the Gods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If that isn't enough there are DILL PICKLES (also impossible to find in Denmark) and French's yellow mustard. You can also buy both the pickles and the mustard there and the mustard is less then it costs at SuperBest so one less errand on my list.

On your way out pick up a bag of day old bagels for somewhere around 25 DKK. So so so so so good. Are you getting the impression that we liked it, because we did. No tables just two counters and high chairs so get there first! Surprised my picky eater with a plain bagel and cream cheese for breakfast this morning, it was like being home. Mom wins :)

Bare Minerals Beauty Products

Yes, ladies, they have them here! They are obscenely expensive but they have a limited selection including the cleansers and moisturizers. They are in a small section in the Magasin store. You can take the Metro, or Bus 1A to Kongens Nytorv. There is an entrance in the Metro so you don't even have to go outside.

A Bubble Bath and a Bag of Knorr

Well, I've already told you how good some of these Knorr bag meals are. Just add the chicken you stashed in the freezer when you found it on sale and presto instant meal! Now I have waited patiently for someone to try the BBQ one but no comments yet so in a desperate attempt to put something on the table instead of running across the street to the shawarma man (that's for tomorrow) - I bit the bullet and bought the bag of Knorrs BBQ.

I wanted the chicken nugget mix to coat a bunch of chicken breasts but apparently you all took me at my word and you bought all the ones that Netto in Hellerup had. But that's alright because I soldiered on. Knorrs BBQ and the chicken thighs that were the only thing for a reasonable amount of money (who eats chicken thighs, I didn't even know they had thighs). It was tasty good, even better then the Paprika or the Yellow Curry. Delicious, tender and good.

I worked very hard opening up that bag, you have to unfold it and everything, so I believe I will study for my Danish exam and retire early and gracefully. Wish me luck, the exam for my Module 1 is on Friday and I am for no good reason freaking out about it.

Oh yes, the bubble bath - don't mix the Knorr in it, I just meant that I deserve one :)

Awesome Ice Skating in Frederiksberg

That's right there is a rink in Frederiksberg so get up, put your boots on, and take the kids down there. It appears to be open 24/7 if you have your own skates but never fear there are a bunch of friendly people who speak English and rent skates from 11-19 on weekdays and 11-19 on Saturdays and I am not sure of the Sunday hours but I think it is 12-19. The rentals are 45 DKK a pair and you just need to leave an ID card until you return the skates. It is fun, even Mom RELUCTANTLY went. You can also rent these awesome penguins for the kids that don't know how to skate well or at all, they are 50 DKK for each 1/2 hour and they are heavy and solid have little handles that they hold onto as they push them around. When my kids were little they would use chairs to push around the rink, these are much cuter.

Just take the Metro to the Frederiksberg stop, go up the escalator towards the Mall entrance but go out to the street instead. Walk out to Falkoner's Alle and turn right (N I think with my girl brain, so I could be wrong). Walk down (here are girl directions - towards the McDonalds) and in about two blocks it will turn into Allegade. You will walk through a park across from a row of nice restaurants and then you will see it on your right. Remember they only take CASH. I have heard that there is another one in Svanemøllen by the train station but I couldn't find it.

We brought a small lunch bag with PB&J sandwiches, snacks, water and juice but there is a snack bar. They have pølsehornes (the little pigs in the blanket hot dogs), chocolate croissants, and a couple of other snacks. They also have beer, coffee, Chai, cold drinks and hot chocolate for the usual 25-35 DKK: If you have a picky eater DON'T buy the hot chocolate. Word of warning, neither of my kids liked it. It was a dark chocolate tasting more bitter brew :( There is also a Pølservagn (Hot Dog Wagon) across the street for a fun, inexpensive lunch. Of course, after we bought three of the 25 DKK hot chocolates I saw that the hot dog wagon had hot chocolate advertised for 13 DKK so if someone tries it let me know if it is good? There are also a bunch of restaurants and bakeries on your way back to the Metro if you want to stop for lunch.

Keep your eyes open on your way there and you will see a really cool brick tower on your right with what looks like an observation platform on top. The bottom was a Bar and I walked in but couldn't figure out if there was a way to go up to see. It's pretty cool looking so if anyone finds a way up, let us know!

Do You need a Rolling Bag?

Yes, I now look like the crazy old lady that I am or so my husband says? I gave given in and bought one of those rolly bags but I am no longer humping bags of groceries and my Danish class books and my iPad in my brittle old arms. I've wanted one for awhile but they are a minimum of 300 DKK and I just couldn't make myself do it, that's about $60. (can't do the math like me, just divide by 5 - you'll be a little low but because the exchange rate is usually closer to six but so what, you'll just be spending a little LESS than you think) I checked out EBay but shipping is too much and no one is scheduled to visit from the states to bring me one along with a suitcase full of Lucky Charms.

Well, Ikea has one for 120 DKK! So get yourself there and join the ranks of us crazy old ladies. I may mutter to myself on the Metro but at least my arms and back don't hurt and I can shove all kinds of crazy stuff in there. Well worth it, just divide by 5 ;) under $25

Is Denmark the Place for You?

Are you someone who is excited by change and you have the unique opportunity to bring your family to experience a new lifestyle here in Denmark? Or are you someone who is not so excited about leaving your current home and adventuring overseas but find yourself agreeing to move to Denmark however unwillingly? I have been both so either way let me assure you that if you have to go overseas that the friendliness and good heartnedness of the Danish people, not to mention their excellent command of the English language, will make your move as seamless as possible. If you have to go somewhere, this is one of the better places to be. 

The country itself is beautiful! The availability and quality of the parks and playgrounds, various amusements, night life, and culture including music and theatre are excellent. The ease of their public transportation is amazing but don't worry - if you must have a car, car rental specials are affordable and there is always one available from somewhere and they include the car insurance. There is also an enormous ExPat population and many many support groups for people of all nationalities. 

The rumors of difficult medical care are just that, rumors. Americans coming here will be amazed by the medical community's thoroughness and surprised by their treatment of you as a person rather than any catering to insurance companies. I can talk from experience as my medical issues made it necessary for me to find a physician within a week of my arrival, no problem.

It is not perfect here by any means but it is comfortable for a displaced American. Cost of living is very high but with a good understanding of your family budget, time spent finding the best prices for what your family enjoys, and some judicious online purchasing, you can do well. Shop for your kids next clothing sizes before you come. If you are lucky your employer may pay your rent or International School tuition (if you choose to go that route), a lot do. I will post soon on things you may want to negotiate for if you are looking for a job here.

I won't lie, you will have days when it's all just overwhelming and you just want to go home, grab a dollar coffee from McDonalds and a bag of Fritos (not be found here for love or money :) . You just cry a little then take yourself outside and you look around at the beautiful buildings, the goofy clothes, or the canals or heck, buy a ticket to Paris for $120 and realize that it's a fun, unique, and a not so unpleasant adventure.

If you are thinking about coming here, on your way, or already here and have a question - post it here and I will try to answer it truthfully or if I can't maybe one of the other readers can. So good luck and good travels.

Yami Sushi in Hellerup - Great Family Restaurant, Who Knew?

We just took my son to Yami Sushi in Hellerup (bus 14 from Nørreport, or 1A from Hellerup to either one or two stops past the Tuborg stop) for his 11th birthday and it was great. I had not heard great things about it but he wanted it for his birthday because he liked the conveyer belt, so we went. Well, first it's all you can eat for a really reasonable price and the sushi is good.

There is not a great variety of nigiri -  mostly salmon, whitefish, tuna, and fake crab so this is not the place for a gourmet sushi meal but what they had was really good quality. But they also have a huge selection of rolls, seaweed salad, beef or chicken curry, fried wontons, and many other goodies. We assumed my younger son, the picky eater, wouldn't eat and we'd grab him something later but we were more then pleasantly surprised to see plates of french fries and ketchup, grapes, oranges, pineapple and little fried chickens! Children are half price and he certainly found enough to fill up on.

Call ahead of time for a reservation on the weekends because they fill up, all you can eat starts at 5pm, and ask for a table on the conveyer belt. We are not fans of buffets of any kind but it is all closed off and really clean and well kept and the staff was great. We had dinner for four including a huge Tuborg and 3 huge glasses of soda for just over $100. They will also bring you big glasses of tap water if you ask, for those Americans who miss those free glasses of water. Perfect evening, fun birthday, good price.

Yami Sushi, Strandvejen 86,  3962 4118   www.yami-sushi.dk

Taking the Bus and a little on Ikea

Not something we do alot at home but it's a clean and efficient way to travel here in Denmark. If you haven't done it yet just stop at any bus stop and look at the signs, it will tell you exactly where the buses go and when they are scheduled to stop at that stop. DON'T FORGET - when you pass the stop before yours, PRESS THE STOP BUTTON. it is not for emergencies, its not like home - the drivers don't stop if there is no one waiting and no one has told them they want to get off. When someone presses the button an orange stop sign lights on the ceiling indicator and an orange light shows over the door, this indicates that the bus driver knows to stop at the next bus stop.

It's also an easy way to get to Ikea! Cheapest furniture and house goods here for the most part and for 300 DKK they will deliver anything to your house within three hours. They will also carry it upstairs to your apt WITH your help. If you don't want to help they will do all the work for an additional 300 DKK. So drop all kids below 11 years in the Småland playplace for an hour, do your shopping, take it to the register - IF YOU NEED DELIVERY TELL THEM AT THE REGISTER, if you don't you will have to go back in to pay for it - then wheel it out to the garage. There is booth right outside of the exit to the right, go there with your receipt and arrange delivery.

Don't forget that lunch at Ikea is inexpensive and GREAT! But remember to eat before you shop because once you drop your stuff at delivery you have to get home to meet the delivery guys. Also, if you have a picky eater grab their lunch downstairs next to Småland where they have the cheap but good hot dogs and take it to the upstairs cafeteria with you so you can buy the real food for yourself. Their meatballs rock but that salmon sandwich has some spread on it that is delicious. Get one of the Ikea Family cards and present it when you pay at the Cafe, you get at least a free tea or coffee.

If you are taking public transport, take the B Train to Gentofte and wait at the bus stop right in front. I cant remember the bus number but it's on the sign and it stops just a couple of feet away from the IKEA driveway. There is also a big Toys Are Us next door.

Picky Eaters and Denmark

I am trying to put this on a separate page along with a page of restaurant recommendations but I am having trouble with navigation to other pages so I will dump this here for now . . .

Are you an American with a picky eater, I am, so I will occasionally post some food tips and hints. My first one is for new American arrivals who are looking for hot dogs like the ones we have at home. I have an 8 year old who just wants no part of the Danish pølser with the crunchy outside and the mushy inside. I kind of like them, the red ones occasionally but he says Nej!

Well we have found a hot dog pretty close to the ones at home - try SuperBrugsen XTra Partypølser. They are about 16 DKK and he likes them fine. Don't forget the Helmann's yellow mustard from SuperBest. Also the SuperBest peanut butters that are REALLY smooth like home - Countess, Nick's, and SunPat also from SuperBest.

If you need a snacky food and they have them but they are both expensive and taste much different than the US. Their cheese flavor seem to be extra strong and don't even get me started on the strawberry flavor in the candy and baked goods. Keep it safe and buy their salt sticks, pretzels (4.5 DKK for two boxes) and the Tuks plain crackers for the picky eaters or the Sour Cream and Onion and the Paprika ones for everyone else. They rock! Food on the go here is expensive so keep a bottle of water in your bag and a pack of Tuks (pronounced tukes).

As I've said before, don't buy the 40 DKK chips. Bilka has a brand of chips and the ubiquitous bacon snacks that are always 10-13 DKK which are really good. Also, SuperBrugsen has the XTra chips in regular Salt and Sour Cream and Onion that are always 10-11 DKK. They look generic but they are good! However we are not a fan of the tortilla chips from Xtra, they are really thick tasting.

Like I said I'll try to make this a separate page when I can. Please go ahead and post your food recommendations.

Experimentarium in Hellerup worth a Look

I have been to Children's Museums all over the United States and now we have also been to the Nemo in Amsterdam so I have steered away from taking my boys to the Experimentarium in Hellerup. It looks small and I figured we've done it why do it again. Well, over the holiday break we got desperate enough for something to do on a rainy day that we met friends there and paid the 400 DKK admission fee. It is right where Tuborgvej meets Strandvej (Bus 1A or 21 from the Hellerup Station and get off at the Tuborgvej stop. There is also a big SuperBest right there in the round building.)

As a side note the restaurant next to the SuperBest in the round building is also pretty good but more for adults then younger children.

Yes, if my husband is reading, I was wrong to discount this fun fun place - enjoy it while you hear it because it doesn't happen often but though small, the Experimentarium is pretty awesome. Unlike the States, all the exhibits work and they work well! Two floors with a travelling exhibit on the first floor and a permanent exhibit on the second including a really weird, cool surfing activity where you ride surfboards on a rolling ocean carpet. Mom and Dad can ride too so try it at least once. It's silly but even at my very very advanced age the flowing shark shadows traveling the ocean waves with you make me giggle. And where else but Denmark would you find three kinetic race games that reward the children with strawberry punch?!

My boys are 8 and the other turns 11 tomorrow and I was surprised but they both had a blast. Each time you think they've seen everything including the giant water activity area, the child sized crane, and the ball pits, you find one more thing. For example, after a 2 hour visit we started to leave when the boys saw the Sense Tunnel and that was that - we stayed another 2 hours.

Even their food is reasonable. They have a large cafe and picnic area so you can bring your own but their prices are really good in comparison to anything else in Hellerup. They have cheese or JUST pepperoni (hard to find here) pizza for 20 DKK. Remember the drinks in the gift shop on the first floor are cheaper then the ones in the Cafe. I think they are smaller but they are cheaper. So pull up a chair, bring a book, and let the kids go wild.

Don't forget that if you like it, go right back to the ticket office and for about $70 dollars more (less then one more visit) you can get an annual membership. Your membership also gives a 20% discount to anyone else you bring during the year. Can't beat it!

Also check out the FREE indoor playground at Remisin. It is behind and to the left of the Trianglen in Østerbrogade. Take bus 14 from Nørreport (right outside the Netto) and get off at Trianglen (not Lille Trianglen). The address is Blegdamsvej 132A. The place has a bunch of indoor activities including a giant climbing pirate ship. Note that on vacation weeks they have even more indoor activites. When we went there was a clay room open but I am not sure if this is because it was a school break. Call them and check but remember to bring an empty box to take the masterpieces home in because they won't be dry. They also have a refrigerator and small kitchen that you can use while you are there and an indoor picnicking area, so bring lunch. You will find the details and hours at 

http://bornibyen.dk/places/103-blegdamsremisen-den-indendoers-legeplads

Make sure to note that there are regular hours reserved just for smaller children.

The Knorrs have it - Easy Dinner in Denmark

Well what do you do when chicken is $20 for four pieces, beef is crazy prices and not particularly good, and nothing is premade? How about when a quick dinner at McDonalds is $40 and pizza is not a whole lot cheaper? Well, check out the Knorr mixes to mix up your dinners at home. You don't have to think, you only have to buy some chicken when it's on sale and throw it in a bag. Heaven.

They are cheap and easy for all the working cooks out there and they are good! They range from 15 DKK to 10 DKK a bag. The yellow curry is one of the best but make sure you read the package because you need cream (piskefløde) and water. The Paprika chicken is also excellent and my youngest pickiest eater likes the chicken nugget coating mix. The nugget mix actually also has an attached salsa mix but I've never made it ;) It is all "in the INCLUDED bag" cooking except for the nuggets so I put one of the bags in for the rest of the family and cut up one chicken breast for my younger son and put some of the nugget coating on it and put the rest away for next time. Try it!

Knorr has a bunch of other mixes too but I have only tried the ones I described above and the Garlic Chicken, which none of us liked. Most grocery stores also carry the BBQ but I haven't got to it yet, so if you've tried it please let me know. Check it out at Netto because they have some beef ones too and they are only 10 DKK at Netto.

So you didn't think dinner could be easy, good, and affordable in Denmark but it can and you don't even have to work hard on your Knorr night. Just splash a little flour on your face when your family gets home and look tired ;)

If you are still looking for something to do with the affordable meats that they have in Denmark try making a Forloren Hare (artificial rabbit). I'm sorry, but as an American, that sounds god awful bad! It's not, it's cheap, easy and good. My husband had it at his daily "work lunch" and came home raving about it. Skeptical but willing to try anything that uses the local meat (what American grocery carries ground pork as their staple product?) I gave it a shot. It is really good so here's the recipe:

Hare
250 G minced pork
250 G ground beef
breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp salt
pepper
150 g sliced bacon (Super Brugsen sell a double pack for 14 DKK)
200 ml milk - 2/3 cup or a little less

Sauce
15 G butter
1 1-72 TB flour
pan drippings
cream or milk

CAUTION: Do NOT make this is a glass pan, putting the cold milk in to the hot pan after the first baking can shatter the pan! I promise it happened to me and we are still finding pieces of glass under our tiny little refrigerator.

1) Mix meat, breadcrumbs, egg, salt and pepper. Form the mixture into a rabbit shape.(My kids like to do this), you know pointyish at one end with two legs on the back. Now wrap the whole thing in raw bacon slices. Put into 250 preheated oven for 15 minutes. Add milk and turn heat to 180 and bake for additional 30-40 minutes. That's it, it's just Danish meatloaf but I like it much better then the beef one we make at home.

2) Sauce - Melt butter and mix in flour. Add pan drippings. Add milk-dream to desired consistency. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Let me know what you think?

A Good Week at Netto

The Netto "crap" aisles are partikularistiske good this week. I have only looked at the one in Hellerup so far but they have quite few electronics items at rock bottom prices this week. They also have toilet paper 8 rolls for 12DKK and even better the big bottles of Bio Tech laundry soap (Whites and Color) for only 38Dkk. It is 8 DKK more and at least double the loads of the small one. So take a look!

Also don't forget if your kids, or you, indulge in soda occasionally, Super Brugsen has Spirit (lemon lime) and Coop Orange which are pretty good and cheap!