Van Gogh’s Eeterie

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Last fall, Greg and I set off on an adventure in the nearby city of Springfield, MO. We walked the cute downtown area. Because I was working on a post on haunted Springfield, I took photos of specific destinations in the downtown area.

We had an early evening tour booked at spooky Pythian Castle. In between our walk and the tour, we decide to try a new to us restaurant on historic C Street just north of downtown.

I spent a solo getaway weekend a year ago, on C Street, (check out my fun accommodations), and during that trip enjoyed Peruvian food at Café Cusco. This trip, we chose another fun restaurant, Van Gogh’s Eeterie.

I’m so glad we stopped by!

Van Gogh;s Eeterie title

 

Van Gogh’s Eeterie

Joseph Gidman, the owner of Café Cusco, open a second restaurant at 334 E Commercial Street. Inspired by his time spent traveling abroad and living in Rotterdam, Joe opened Van Gogh’s Eeterie with his parents, bringing a taste of the Netherlands to Springfield.

Van Gogh’s Eeterie offers a variety of Dutch inspired breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Try traditional favorites such as bitterballen, snert, Dutch meatballs, stroopwafels and apple tarts.

Or, experience the restaurant’s specialty, Dutch pancakes. These large, crepe like pancakes come with savory or sweet toppings. Plus, Van Gogh’s Eeterie offers a full bar with beer, wine and kombucha on tap.

Meals are served in an early 1900s brick building with a vibrant, contemporary interior. During mild weather, enjoy a meal on the pretty outdoor patio.

Van Gogh’s also offers vegan and gluten free options.

Van Gogh's Eeterie interior
Van Gogh’s Eeterie’s contemporary interior
Van Gogh's Eeterie wooden shoe light
A wooden shoe serves as a light at Van Gogh’s Eeterie.

Hours of Operation

Hours of operation are:

Monday through Friday, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Saturday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm

Sunday 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

We dined at a time between lunch and dinner, and the restaurant wasn’t busy. However, normal breakfast, lunch and dinner times can be. Make a reservation HERE, to ensure you get to enjoy a meal at Van Gogh’s.

Van Gogh's Eeterie outdoors
Pretty outdoor dining patio at Van Gogh’s Eeterie

Our Van Gogh’s Eeterie Meal

To get the full experience, we ordered an appetizer, entrees and dessert, all vegan.

Check out what we ate.

Appetizer

To start our meal, we ordered Peace Fries as an appetizer to share.

These vegan fries are made from golden potatoes. The fries are topped with sunflower pesto, pickled onions and curry catsup.

Yum these fries were good! I enjoy trying new foods and this twist on a traditional food was marvelous.

Golden Peace Fries as an appetizer
Peace Fries appetizer

Entrees

We ordered two different vegan entrees, so we could sample two new meals!

Greg chose the Vegan Curry Mac. This tasty bowl contained cooked macaroni mixed with tofu, green pepper, pineapple, onion and green onion smothered in coconut lemon curry sauce. This was such a fresh take on mac and cheese and it was delicious.

I selected Vegan Boerenkoot. This bowl offered sauteed veggies, seasoned broccoli and sunflower pesto over mashed potatoes blended with kale, spinach and swiss chard. I loved this vegan bowl with its unique blend of flavors.

Van Gogh's Eeterie entrees
Vegan entrees at Van Gogh’s Eeterie

Dessert

As we did with the appetizer, we decided to share a dessert. Van Gogh’s Eeterie offers a delectable finish to the meal with Vegan Berry Lemon Tart with Vegan Ice Cream.

The lemon tart was served with a berry compote in a coconut date crust. We don’t often order dessert at restaurants so we savored this special treat. Truly it was the perfect way to complete the meal.

Van Gogh's Eeterie dessert
Vegan Lemon Tart with Vegan Ice Cream

Dutch Delight

We enjoyed our leisurely meal at Van Gogh’s Eeterie. The location on C Street placed us close to Pythian Castle for our tour. We actually had time to walk up and down the historic street after our meal and appreciate the sunset.

Have you eaten a Dutch inspired meal?

I laughed later when I remember that as a young girl, with the help of my mom, I prepared a Dutch dish and dressed in Dutch clothing for a Campfire Girls dinner. I believe we made apple dumplings. So perhaps Dutch food isn’t quite as new to me as I first thought!

Regardless, I look forward to another meal at Van Gogh’s Eeterie.

Sunset on C Street in Springfield

 

 

 

 

Walk in the Cold

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I admit that I am not a fan of cold weather. Normally I choose to stay indoors when temperatures dip into the 30s and lower.

However, on my December trip to Edinburgh, Scotland I knew I’d better change my mindset. I didn’t travel to Edinburgh to sit inside my temporary apartment. No. I traveled to Edinburgh to attend the city’s Christmas Market and to explore the city on foot.

It was fun to combine that trip with one of the walks from 52 Ways to Walk, the book I purchased last year.

This is Walk #1, Walk in the Cold.

Walk in the Cold title

Why Walk in the Cold?

Some people love the winter season and absolutely enjoy spending time outdoors in spite of the colder temps. In fact, those people feel exhilarated by the brisk air.

I’m not one of those people, or at least, I wasn’t. No, I’m more a snuggle up indoors person waiting for winter to shift into spring.

For many years however, I wanted to explore my favorite city during the holiday season and experience the Christmas Market. I researched the weather in Scotland during December and watched the forecasts on the Weather App. Expected day time temps were expected to hover in the mid 30s with night time lows in the 20s. That’s below average temperatures for Scotland in winter.

I adjusted my attitude about the cold, read Week One, Walk in the Cold in my book and prepared for those low temps by purchasing the proper clothing and outerwear. (Read about the essentials for cold weather that I traveled with HERE.)

I discovered there are benefits that come from spending time in moderately cold temperatures. Check them out.

Walk in the Cold coat
For my daily walk in the cold in Edinburgh, warm layers and a heavy coat kept me comfy.

Cold Reduces Inflammation and Pain

We know this is true. Injuries such sprains respond well to an ice pack. The cold eases painful muscles, joints and tendons while reducing inflammation and swelling. Cold also raises the levels of adiponectin in the body, a protein that combats inflammation.

Cold Increases Fat Burning

The body has stores of brown fat tissue, which is different from white fat. Brown fat burns calories and uses energy, essentially turning calories from food into heat. Cold increases brown fat activity and raises metabolism.

Researchers studying brown fat found that it also contains mitochondria, tiny factories inside the cells that convert food and oxygen into a form of energy called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP supports all the processes in the body, regulates appetite, improves insulin sensitivity and stops the premature death of cells.

Walk in the Cold boots
Walk in the Cold – keep feet warm and dry with wool socks and sturdy boots.

Cold Strengthens the Nervous System

An increase in fat burning modulates the sympathetic nervous system. The colder temps act as a mild workout for the nervous system, which in turns adapts and grows stronger.

The brain functions better as well, during colder temperatures. The brain needs glucose and when glucose is low, the brain becomes sluggish. That’s why we think more clearly when exposed to cold rather than heat. The body uses more glucose to cool down than it does to heat up. Studies found that we think more clearly, decisively and calmly when in cooler temps than we do in warmer temps.

Cold Improves Mental Health

Spending time outdoors, during cold temps, has powerful restorative and revitalizing effects. The cold calms the nervous system while slowing and steadying the heart rate, easing anxiety and stress. We build endurance as well, without requiring the body to work so hard.

Walk in the Cold st andrews square
Walk in the Cold – St Andrew’s Square, Edinburgh

Tips for a Walk in the Cold

First, we are talking about walking in moderate cold with temperatures above 0. Anything below that is considered extreme cold and great care should be used when outdoors in those temps.

Dress in layers to keep the body comfortable without sweating. The hands, feet and head cool down first so wear gloves, thick woolen socks, boots and a cap on the head. Make sure boots have adequate tread on them to prevent slipping on ice and snow.

Keep the body hydrated. Carry water or even a warm drink in a thermos. Caffeine, found in coffee and some teas, actually spurs on brown fat activity.

Fuel the body with frequent highly nutritious snacks or small meals. We burn more energy while out in the cold. The body needs the extra fuel.

Walk briskly. We use our arms for balance so keep gloved hands out of pockets. Use a walking stick to navigate slick areas and step sideways on stairs and when going downhill.

Walk in the Cold castle
I carefully climbed many stairs, some coated with a thin layer of ice, for this incredible view of Edinburgh Castle.

My Walk in the Cold

I spent a week in Edinburgh, walking in the cold daily. And you know what? I came to deeply appreciate my cold walks.

I dressed properly. I carried snacks and water. And when necessary, I walked with care in icy places. Every moment spent in that magnificent city was wonderful and the cold didn’t deter me at all.

My daily routine included breakfast in my top floor apartment (Check out CoDE Boutique Hostel), a morning spent exploring, lunch at a vegan restaurant and then more walking until dark, which occurred about 3:30 in the afternoon. Yes, the Scottish days are extremely short during winter. I ate dinners that I prepared in my apartment.

Some days I headed back to my apartment shortly after darkness fell. Other days I attended scheduled events such as Christmas in the Botanics at Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. And some days I just enjoyed wandering Edinburgh’s cobbled streets after dark, taking photos and marveling over lighted Christmas displays.

My last full day in Edinburgh was the coldest. Temperatures never rose above the low 20s. After days of walking in the cold though, my body acclimated and I like to think my brown fat was firing away! I did well that day, exploring Dean Village, strolling through the Christmas Market and saying goodbyes to beloved places in the city.

I did indeed feel energized and revigorated. And I learned that I can tolerate the cold and not only that, I can enjoy the outdoors in chilly weather.

Walk in the Cold circus lane
One walk in the cold took me to a new to me area in Edinburgh…Circus Lane.

Pick Up Your Copy of 52 Ways to Walk

If walking provides an important form of exercise and relaxation for you, in all kinds of weather, then this book is for you!

The activities are so varied and the information in each chapter is well presented and motivational.

I appreciate that the book contains a full year of weekly walks. You can read about my first walk from the book HERE. And my Walk in the Rain at this LINK. I intend to continue selecting different walks from the book.

Pick up your copy of 52 Ways to Walk. And watch for future posts. I’ll share occasional highlights of some of the walks.

Do you enjoy walks in the cold?

Walk in the Cold Edinburgh

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