These past few days have been gorgeous and catkin-free. But according to the Beijing Meteorological Service, that’s all about to change this weekend as the second wave of catkins hits the city. Starting from tomorrow (April 25) until the end of May holiday (May 5) areas inside the 6th Ring Road will be met with annoying fluffy catkins that’ll undoubtedly irritate those of us with seasonal allergies.

Beijing’s Yanqing, Miyun, and Huairou areas will be hit between April 27 and May 7. So if you’re planning some May holiday family time out in the countryside, be sure to pack your allergy medicine. Click here for a list of recommendations on how to best protect you and your family from catkin season.

For those with seasonal allergies, COVID-19 has made it a faux pas to cough or sneeze in public. But, the symptoms for seasonal allergies and COVID-19 are different. Click here to find out more about seasonal allergies in the time of COVID-19.

Photos: CGTN

As the crowds rush outside this time of year to take endless selfies with cherry blossoms and tulips, it may be that we neglect to take in another, lesser-appreciated site of Beijing spring: the city’s lively migrating bird population. Just as the capital’s parks are awash with endless varieties of pink, orange, and yellow flowers, there’s a multitude of wildlife up above to enjoy, if you know where to look.

We hit up the one-man ornithologist behind Birding Beijing, Terry Townshend, to walk us through which birds are gracing Beijing’s skies at the moment as well as where you can get a glimpse.

So grab the family and make your way around Beijing’s parks. Not only will it be fun, but you’ll learn a bit about our precious ecosystem in the process!

Beijing swift (Apus apus pekinensis, 普通楼燕 běijīng yǔyàn)

The Beijing swift has been associated with the capital since it moved in to make its nests in the original city walls in the 1400s. It spends almost all of its life in the air, eating, drinking, and sleeping on the wing, only landing to lay its eggs and feed its young. An incredible traveler, this bird will leave the capital in late July and spend the northern winter in southern Africa before returning the following April, and during that time it will probably remain airborne for nine months!

When? Mid-April until July.
Where? Tiananmen Square, Yonghegong, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven Park.

Indian cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus, 四声杜鹃 sì shēng dùjuān)

Well known for its four-note song “one more bottle,” this secretive bird arrives in mid-May and sings incessantly, sometimes at night, until departing for South Asia in July or August. In typical cuckoo fashion, it does not make its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds and leaves the ‘foster parents’ to raise its young. A favorite host is the resident azure-winged magpie.

When? Mid-May until September.
Where? Any urban park or large garden with mature trees. Often sings at night.

White wagtail (Motacilla alba, 白鹡鸰 bái jí líng)

This charismatic bird is often seen running along the ground, wagging its tail furiously as it catches insects. Often associated with water, it is a summer visitor to the capital and has a sparrow-like “chirp” call.

When? Late March and April until September or October.
Where? Anywhere with water, such as park lakes and rivers.

Yellow bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis, 黄苇鳽 huángwěijiān)

The size of a small heron, this secretive bird arrives in late May when its favorite habitat – reedbeds – have grown high enough for them to hide. Often seen perched low down in reeds waiting patiently for an unsuspecting fish to swim too close. Also seen flying low over reeds when commuting from its nest to feeding grounds.

When? Late May to September.
Where? Olympic Forest Park, Agricultural Exhibition Center Park.

Red-flanked bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus, 红胁蓝尾鸲 hóng xié lán wěi qú)

The size of a European robin, this attractive bird is a migrant in Beijing, passing through in April and again in September and October, on its way to and from breeding grounds in Siberia. The males (above left) and females are often seen perching low down in trees and scrubs with regular forays to the ground to catch insects, wagging their tails downwards.

When? April and again in September and October.
Where? Any park or large garden or even residential compounds.

Light-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis, 白头鹎 báitóu bēi)

A common resident in Beijing in urban areas, but most obvious in spring when it sings and calls frequently. You can usually find the bulbul perched high in trees to feed on fruit, insects, or even nectar from blossoming flowers. The size of a small thrush.

When? All year but especially prominent in March and April.
Where? Any park, garden, or area with shrubs and trees.

Oriental scops owl (Otus sunia, 红角鸮 hóng jué xiāo)

Owls migrate? Yes, this tiny owl arrives in Beijing in mid-April and a few pairs stay to breed in the larger parks and university campuses. Listen for its call at dusk and dawn and, if you are lucky, maybe you can spot one roosting during the day.

When? Mid-April to September.
Where? University campuses or larger parks such as Yuanmingyuan or Summer Palace.

Daurian redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus, 北红尾鸲 běi hóng wěi qú)

The daurian redstart is a summer visitor that breeds in the hills and mountains around Beijing. They can be seen in parks and gardens in spring and autumn as they make their way to and from their breeding grounds. The male (above left) and female look different but behave in the same way – often perching low in a tree or bush and bouncing down to the ground to collect insects, quivering their tails.

When? April to October, occasionally in winter, too.
Where? Parks, gardens and, in summer, the hills and mountains around Beijing.

You can read more about Beijing’s vast and varied birdlife via Birding Beijing’s website or Twitter feed.

This article originally appeared on our sister site the Beijinger.

Photos: courtesy of Birding Beijing

As both the weather gets better and restrictions start to loosen in Beijing, people are feeling the itch to venture out of their homes and get a fresh breath of air in the beautiful hiking spots scattered around the outskirts of Beijing.

Unfortunately, there is still a lot of confusion regarding government policies about social gatherings and there is still the looming fear of COVID-19 itself. On top of that, resources to find out more information about which hiking spots are available, or even which one is the best to explore during this time, may be limited.

Huijie Sun and her daughter Hayley

Luckily, there are many hiking experts around Beijing and we managed to speak with Huijie Sun, a Beijing mom of a 3-year-old daughter and organizer of Beijing Hikers, a group that specializes in family hikes all around Beijing.

Sun filled us in on what it’s like to explore the natural and historical beauty of Beijing’s hiking locations.

We’ve seen more families going on hikes as the situation and weather get better now. How do you usually prepare before a hike in the current situation?

We check in with park management and local contacts before going for a hike to find out if they have any restrictions or requirements, like having to wear masks, and we let the hikers know about it in advance so they can get ready. We usually do all this anyway, but we’re doing it more often right now because the situation has been changing quite a lot.

For our own hikes we added extra Coronavirus-specific precautions to our regular safety guidelines. These precautions are published on our website for people to go over before booking a hike. For example, the number of hikers is limited so there’s enough space between people on the bus, we ask people to sanitize hands and wear masks before boarding the bus, and the buses are disinfected twice a day. You can see all the info here.

Huijie’s husband Hayden, with their daughter

For hiking with kids, is there anything specific to be taken care of? Any tips?

Kids must wear a mask as well, just like the adults. Parents should bring extra sanitizer, wet wipes, or 75% ethyl alcohol and disinfect their hands more often than usual. Bring an extra mask for your kids when you go out, because most kids don’t enjoy wearing a mask and they will take it off or throw it away when they feel hot or uncomfortable.

Can you list the top three things to be careful during a hike, based on your hiking tours during COVID-19?

1. Keep 1 to 1.5 meter distance between you and others while you hike in a public park, especially when there are more people around.
2. Bring warm clothes to the hike, because you don’t want to catch a cold right now.
3. Bring your own food and snacks, because most places to buy food are still closed.

Do you have places (open to the public now) to recommend for hiking these days?

Beijing Xishan Forest Park (西山森林公园), Phoenix Ridge Scenic Spot (凤凰岭风景区), and Huanghuachuang Water Great Wall Scenic Area in Huairou District (黄花城水长城).

Photos: Courtesy of Huijie Sun 

The Easter Bunny has been hard at work, hopping around Beijing and dropping off deals and goodies at all of your local favorites. From brunch to afternoon tea, and chocolate to burgers, there’s enough here to ensure that your entire weekend is stuffed like an Easter egg.

Comptoirs de France special COVID-19 chocolate Easter Bunnies

Dine-in and Events

Frasca at The Opposite House

Take full advantage of an Easter set menu by Frasca at The Opposite House, including a selection of cold cuts as starter with traditional sweet Italian Easter bread, an Easter consommé soup filled with nutmeg Parmigiano and chicken bites, a homemade Swiss chard ravioli in butter sauce, a choice of roasted baby lamb Sardinian style or Patagonian tooth fish fillet marinated in Saba grape must wine as the main course. End the meal with a delicious Napolitano style ricotta candied fruit cake and not to miss the Easter chocolate egg! All ages. RMB 298/person. Additional RMB 188 per person for Free-flow Italian bubbles. 12pm-2pm & 6pm-9pm Apr 12-13. No. 11 Sanlitun Road. 6410-5210. frasca@theoppositehouse.com

Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center

All-You-Can-Eat Brunch at Signature’s Restaurant

Enjoy an All-You-Can-Eat Brunch on Easter Sunday at Kempinski Beijing’s Signature’s Restaurant including a la carte dishes, appetizers and salads, main courses, festive desserts, and even an egg hunt. RMB 288 gets you the whole spread with free-flow soft drinks or RMB 388 for free-flow beer and wine. All ages. RMB 288-388. Apr 12. 11.30am-3.30pm. Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center. 50 Liangmaqiao Rd. Chaoyang District.

Burger Box

Take a break from all the chocolate and sweets with Burger Box’s buy-one-get-one-free deal on their mouthwatering Stupid Egg Burger this Saturday and Sunday. Available for dine-in only. RMB 48. 10.30am-5.30pm. 1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang District.

InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun

Indulge in a special Easter Brunch all weekend at InterContinental’s Char Bar & Grill or Top Tapas. A 3-course meal runs RMB 258/person, or add another course for RMB 288/person. RMB 68 gets you free-flow soft drinks, coffee, and tea, whereas RMB 108 gets all of the above as well as bubbles. To reserve a spot, scan the QR code on the poster below. All ages. Prices vary. Apr 11-13. 11.30am-3pm. 3/F No. 1 South Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District.

The Peninsula Hotel

Bask in the glow of Easter with an afternoon tea set at The Peninsula Hotel, and dine on delicate treats such as white chocolate mango pudding, tradition and raisin scones, and crab and avocado salad in a sesame basket. To book your spot, scan the WeChat Mini Program below. All ages. RMB 248- RMB 598. Apr 10-12. No. 8 Jinyu Hutong. 

Xian at East Hotel

Xian is cooking up a special Easter set lunch menu this weekend that includes a main course, garden salad, and festive dessert. What’s more, diners also get to enjoy free-flow soft drinks, Xian Lager, Tsingtao beer, and house wine at no extra charge. All ages. RMB 198. Apr 11-12. 11am-3pm. For reservations call +8610 8414 9810. Walk-ins are also welcome. No. 22 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Chaoyang District.

Sweets and Treats

Comptoirs de France

Whether it’s dark, milk, or white chocolate you’re after, Comptoirs de France has you covered! Browse their extensive catalog of handmade goodies by scanning the QR code on the poster below, and then swing by one of their many locations across Beijing to pick up your favorite. They’ve got hens, bunnies, eggs, and more to satisfy those Springy cravings. Prices and locations vary.

Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center

Gourmet Easter Chocolates at Kempi Deli

Various delicious sweets in the shape of your favorite Easter icons are available at Kempi Deli. Delectable gourmet chocolate eggs are sure to be a hit with the whole family. Prices vary. Daily 8am – 8pm. Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center. 50 Liangmaqiao Rd. Chaoyang District.

Jiangmaitang (JMT)

JMT has three Easter chocolate boxes which include various confections such as rainbow ganache and praline eggs, hens, rabbits, and dinosaur eggs for the kids. RMB 45 – RMB 226. 9am-4pm. 6 Chaowai Street, Central Park, Tower 20, #102, Yong’anli.

The Bake Shop

On the lighter and more savory side, The Bake Shop will be baking up some steamy hot cross buns. To place an order, scan the WeChat or Mini Program below. Prices vary. 10am-5pm. 63 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng District. (located inside The Orchid Hotel).

Delivery

Sherpa’s

In addition to the various deals being offered by Sherpa’s partner restaurants (see flyer below), the favored expat delivery service will also be giving away a little token of Easter appreciation in the form of an Easter egg bottle opener.

Photos: Pixabay, Courtesy of the organizers

Springtime is here! As the leaves on the trees start turning green and the sun begins to warm our homes, enjoy the season as much as possible before the blistering heat of Beijing’s summer arrives.

To recognize how wonderful Spring in Beijing can be, here are some common Mandarin words and phrases about Springtime to appreciate the season, and even some tongue twisters to try out with your friends, partners, and kids!

Common words and phrases about Springtime

Warm 温暖的 wēnnuǎn de
Rainy 下雨的 xiàyǔ de
Spring 春天 chūntiān
Flower 花朵 huāduǒ
Tulip 郁金香 yùjīnxiāng 
Frog 青蛙  qīngwā
Ladybug 瓢虫  piáochóng  
Little bird 小鸟  xiǎo niǎo  
Duck 鸭子  yāzi 
Bee 蜜蜂  mìfēng 
Butterfly 蝴蝶  húdié 
Caterpillar毛毛虫  máomao chóng 
Seeds 种子  zhǒngzǐ  
Tree 树 shù
Fly the kite 放风筝 fàng fēngzhēng
Have a picnic 野炊 yěchuī

Tongue twisters about springtime

Butterflies Fly

Butterflies Fly
蝴蝶飞 húdié fēi

Black butterfly flies
黑蝴蝶飞 hēi húdié fēi

Gray butterfly flies
灰蝴蝶飞 huī húdié fēi

Black butterfly stops flying
黑蝴蝶飞完 hēi húdié fēi wán

Flies the gray butterfly
灰蝴蝶飞 huī húdié fēi

The Yellow Flowers and the Red Flowers

The yellow flowers are yellow and the red flowers are red.
黄花儿黄, 红花儿红。Huánghuār huáng, hónghuār hóng.

The red flowers and the yellow flowers are red and yellow.
红花儿黄花儿,  红又黄. Hónghuār huánghuār hóng yòu huáng.

The yellow flowers and the red flowers are yellow and red.
黄花儿红花儿, 黄又红。Huánghuār hónghuār huáng yòu hóng.

Photos: pixabay.com

The Beijing Flea Market

Oh yes! One of our favourite markets is back in town. Check old and new vendors serving delicious delights, artisan potions and lotions, arts and crafts, chutneys and spreads, and fashionista one-off buys for your summer wardrobe. All that you need to revamp, restock and revitalize with this season will be here. Stop by and get browsing and buying! For more information contact WeChat: @liubatje or email: thebeijingfleamarket@gmail.com.

Free Entrance. Saturday May 18. 12.00pm – 6.00pm.  TechTemple 3rd Floor, 80 Office, 4th Courtyard, Gongti North Road, Chaoyang District (behind Qmex) 朝阳区工体北路4号院机电研究院80office3层（Qmex后面）坐电梯上3层

Loreli Affordable Art Market

Loreli Affordable Market presents a spring market to be held at El Nido @ The Other Place, where all the art, booze, and music happens! This is one of the coolest and hippest markets in town, a kaleidoscope fusion of art and music, perfect for lovers of paintings, graphics and more.  You can look forward to tunes from DJs of the day Dan R, Bass Ventura, and Isastrongword. While browsing illustrations, cards, prints, originals, and paintings, groove to an eclectic mix of bass, percussion, and horn and enjoy the creative vibe of the day.

Free Entry. Sunday April 7. 1.00pm – 6.00pm. El-Nido, The Other Place, 1 Langjiahutong, Beiluoguxiang 时间 4月7日（周日）下午1-6点 地址 北锣鼓巷郎家胡同1号方糖隔壁

The BSB Shunyi Car Boot Sale

Come and grab a bargain and delight in shopping savviness at the British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) Car Boot Sale. There will be lots of interesting items for sale by parents in the parking lot, as they go old school and take you back to the weekends you spent with your folks looking through the boots of cars and finding treasure you didn’t even know you were looking for. A percentage of the proceeds from the event with go to the charity Roundabout. For more information call: 8047 3588 or contact: marketing@bsbshunyi.com.

Free Entry. Sunday 14 April. 10.00am – 1.00pm. BSB Shunyi, South Side, 9 An Hua Street. Shunyi District 顺义区天竺开发区安华 街9号南

Rumble in the Jumble, Blue Skies

Once again our resident star of the markets takes up proud space at Modernista with their Blue Skies edition Rumble in the Jumble! Everyone loves a good Rumble and once again you can look forward to the artisan creations of a whole host of awesome vendors who make up the wonderful community of creative, passionate, and driven creators in Beijing. The theme is Blue Skies, for wherever you are from, we all dream of beautiful skies and fresh air. This month’s market pays homage to those who are working to protect the environment. There will be handcrafted jewelry, tasty vegan treats, home remedies, aromatic spices, spreads, and books galore! Go and enjoy these and so much more on offer.

Free Entry. Saturday 13 April. 12.00pm – 6.00pm. Modernista, 44 Baochao Hu Tong 包超胡同44号

Photos: courtesy of organizers

When thinking of family picnics of childhoods past, closed soggy sandwiches with lackluster fillings may come to mind. Floppy iceberg lettuce, cheese, and tomato, or perhaps your family preferred the classic afternoon tea-style cucumber sandwiches, perfectly cut into bite-sized triangles?

Well, it’s time to do away with the old and switch up the picnic game a notch or two. Revolutionize your picnic basket this summer with some of the best artisan products in town, and take your alfresco dining from high street pickings to haute couture fantastic!

We are going to show you what to fill your picnic basket with, and not only will you be able to choose the right products to perfectly pack for your day out with the kids, we will show you how to cut your picnic prep time in half, if not completely. You’ll be able to have these items delivered straight to your door, and most of our selected products are freshly prepared and packed and ready for you to sling into your hamper.

There will be no buttering or layering before you leave the house and by the time we’re done here, we hope you will most certainly be convinced that Aperitivo- or tapas-style picnic snacking is the way to go.

Butcher Brouillette

Angus Tips, Jerky, Cracklings, and Spiced Sausage

Forget what you think you know about dried and cured meats, Kara’s generous meat-laden bags adorned with 1950’s tattoo insignia are not just a unique take on the humble bar snack but robust with flavor and texture. The cool and quirky brand is a wonderful reflection of the creator behind all the meaty magic. Orange hair, perfectly placed piercings and awesome body art are the signature attributes of our resident femme butcher.

My favorites have to be the Angus tips, moist with just enough textured bite to get your teeth into. Lightly spiced with Spanish smoked paprika, garlic, onion, and Kampot black pepper, these morsels of yumminess are oh-so-moreish and free of artificial flavorings. Partner with a premium lager or craft beer, and for the more luxurious palate I would stretch to popping these in the mouth while washing them down with a medium dry Prosecco.

The pork cracklings were a revelation. The light and crispy texture of the cracklings are unlike pork scratchings, which are usually a little more brittle. Seasoned with a unique spice blend that Kara has coined “Piggy Stardust”, the Butcher Brouilette pork rinds resemble and taste more like perfectly fried pork crackers that could easily accompany a bowl of Chicken Chow Mein or in the case of a picnic, a glass of Pimms!

The beef jerky has a slightly more traditional taste and texture, however, is more thinly sliced into wonderful shards perfect for gnawing at. Chew alongside the spiced sausage, which I would partner with a mini, picnic-basket-sized bottle of red Bordeaux (or a normal size – who’s judging!). The packaged cured meats are ready to go and can be slung straight into the basket or hamper. Slice up the sausage as you like and pass by a local deli for some olives to add to the mix.

WeChat: humantyphoon

Jar Jar Minx

Angus Tips, Provençal Tapenade, Roasted Garlic Tapenade, and Passion Fruit Curd

I bet you were wondering when bread would make an appearance in your basket? Well, gourmet food brand Jar Jar Minx brings you Mediterranean flavors with culinary flair and creativity. These spreads and dips are the perfect accompaniment to a crusty loaf or French baguette.

No. Don’t slice or butter your bread, no need. Simply rip a generous portion of your choice of artisan bread and lovingly spread with or dip into one of Charlotte’s scrumptious tapenades. Alternatively, stack an open sandwich with a spread of your choice and enjoy.

I would also pair these tapenades with beautifully thin slices of Italian Parma Ham, and wash it down with something dry like a crisp Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. Olives, nut and fresh herbs play key roles in Jar Jar Minx’s delicious creations, which also include a variety of unique jams and even rich liquors.

For the sweeter teeth in the picnic gang, spread some bread with the insanely sweet and potently rich passion fruit curd. Don’t go for shop-bought jars of curd, you can’t beat Charlotte’s homemade versions, which use premium, quality ingredients and of course are made with love. The passion fruit curd is epic and can be wonderfully matched with Elvira’s sumptuous jarred spreads (see below.)

The Provençal tapenade, made using black and green olives, dried tomatoes and herbes de Province is hearty and packed full of flavor. I am a massive fan of garlic and so, of course, the Roasted Garlic tapenade is perfect for those who like a powerful hit of flavor, which is beautifully partnered and slightly tempered by green olives and almonds. Yum.

WeChat: CharLouise

Elvira’s Nuts

Muesli, Spreads, Energy Balls and Coco Pops

Enter Queen of Nuts, Elvira! Free from artificial flavorings and with no added sugar, Elvira’s Nuts is the perfect brand for those seeking healthy but hearty nut-based products that can be perfectly matched with yogurts, fruit, and more!

Elvira has taken the health-conscious arena by storm without compromising on taste. There’s no shortage of choice when making a purchase of delicious items to fill your breakfast bowls, or to spread on breads, or sprinkle over just about anything of your choice. This brand is a crowd-pleaser, and your family can’t go wrong by including some of Elvira’s offerings in your picnic basket.

Elvira showed us how to stack a recycled glass jar with Greek yogurt and either her fruity muesli or crunchy granola, along with a layer of her sumptuous tooth-achingly sweet natural chocolate spread. Get the kids involved and perhaps partner it with a sustainability project (get the kids to collect used jars at home, wash them out and put to one side for picnic days). Don’t worry about doing your layering at home, get the picnic blanket down and get the kids to create their own DIY layered muesli and yogurt jars while at the park!

Elvira’s jarred spreads are equally delicious. Again, whip a bit of crusty bread from your baguette or loaf and get dipping, or get the kids to make sweet and sticky open sandwiches with almond and hazelnut chocolate spread, layered with one of Jar Jar Minx’s curds! Yes! Choose from passion fruit, Meyer lemon, and Mandarin Orange.

If the summer heat gets too much and the kids need a little pick-me-up, hand out the delicious energy balls, made with an assortment of dry seasonings, dates, goji berries, coconut, ginger, and sesame butter. Partnered with some fruit and a handful of Elvira’s homemade coco pops, they’re light and sweet and dissolve on the tongue. Save some for breakfast in the morning and serve with almond or soy milk.

You can expect so much more from this brand, including yummy muesli bars, lemon bars, and passion fruit Maracuya bars, perfect for snacking or adding to the kids’ school lunch box. Also check out her eclectic mix of homemade cereals, healthy cakes, relishes, and chutneys.

WeChat: asteroidelvira

La Factoria

Homemade Lasagna, Pasta Salad, and Artisan Pestos

So we’ve given you open sandwiches, artisan snacks, dips, and spreads and suggested what to match them with – it’s now time for a carb fest! Homemade pasta is the way to go. Don’t worry about overboiling your pasta penne, cooling and adding jarred mayonnaise, the kids probably won’t touch it and it’ll no doubt end up sitting lonely in Tupperware in plain sight of the sun, going warm.

Jorge will sort you out, with his beautifully prepared pastas and I kid you not, gastronomic Italian sauces. Founder of La Factoria, Jorge Cordero is the creator behind the brand that is a small factory churning out fresh and dry homemade pasta and sauces right here in Beijing. His passion for Italian food and flavors developed when he spent time working for a restaurant-pasta factory in Fuerteventura, Spain, owned by an Uruguayan family with Italian roots.

It might never have occurred to you to bring along lasagna to a picnic, but this a gourmet picnic after all, and when perfectly layered lasagna is made to order and delivered to your door – why not? Put under the grill for a few minutes, seal and bring along to enjoy with the family. Cooked pasta can be a joy to eat hot, slightly cooled or cold in a salad. Cordero’s Pasta Salad was prepared using his homemade fusilli, which made a wonderful addition to the artisan hamper.

You will be spoiled for choice when making an order for your picnic, and we recommend ordering some surplus for dinner! Choose from stuffed ravioli, chicken tortellini, spaghetti, tagliatelle, and robust pestos, including Genovese (made with basil), red pesto (made with tomato and nuts), pesto cream, rocket pesto (made with arugula), Bolognese and so much more!

On brown bread spread Cordero’s preservative-free Genovese pesto or red pesto, and wash down with white or red wine. You’re very welcome.

Cue slow-mo frame of you and the kids waltzing into your local park, gourmet picnic basket in hand, hair flowing in the slight summer breeze, as mouths catch flies when you bring out your epic artisan hamper. Open sandwiches? Cured spiced meats? Tapenades and homemade pestos? Yes – you’re winning! Share the gourmet love and get everyone on the epic picnic basket train.

WeChat: parrae

This article first appeared in the beijingkids April 2019 Exploring Beijing issue.
Photos: Uni You

The blossoms are out in full bloom, our below zero temperatures have given way to mid-20C heat waves in a matter of a few short weeks, and the city gardeners are watering the dead dry ground to bring forth the new growth that signifies spring is here.

There is no better time in Beijing than now to get outside into the many parks or to explore beyond the Fifth Ring Road. It’s the season of picnics and camping, and if you are familiar with these activities, you will also no doubt be familiar with the mountains of trash that these pastimes leave behind when happy campers move on from their picnic sites. Enjoy nature, and show your love for it, by adopting Zero Waste principles when you head out.

Buy your foods in bulk

Don’t be afraid to head into those wet markets that are scattered everywhere across Beijing. They are full of the best bulk snacks: nuts of all sorts, banana chips, sultanas, sweet seed snack bars, dehydrated dates and vegetable chips, sweet buns and pastries, and more! Take your reusable produce bags and fill those babies up!

Prepare your food in advance

So much picnic and camping food is pre-packaged. With some planning and preparation at home, you can eliminate the bulk of this packaging.

– For breakfast: pancakes or oats and bananas.
– For lunch: Frittata’s and quiche, loaf breads from the bakery, peanut butter, hummus, vegetables, fruits, or whatever else you can make at home. Meat, breads, and cheese can easily be purchased from Jenny Lou’s, April Gourmet, or Carrefour using your own containers.
– For dinner: tofu or bean burgers using buns from the bakery, chopped broccoli, and fire-roasted potatoes.
– Snacks: take your own homemade cookies or muesli bars.

Stay hydrated

– Take super large water dispensers or large drink bottles. You will always consume more than you need so take extra so that you don’t have to purchase plastic water bottles.
– Buy drinks that recycle easily such as soda cans or glass bottles, and remember to take them home and leave them out for your local recyclers to collect.

Ditch the disposable plates and cutlery

– Take some from your home, or if you are regular picnic people, get a set that you can use every time you go out.

Make cleanup easy

– Take cloth napkins from home, which you can dampen with water to clean up those sticky faces and fingers.
– Pack a cloth and tea towel from home, plus a little bottle of dishwashing liquid to clean up afterwards.
– Reuse the empty food containers to take home your compostable waste.

And finally, don’t forget your picnic blanket, a Frisbee or football, and a bottle of champagne. Happy picnicking!

The Latest Viral Social Media ‘Green’ Trend

If you use western social media, you will no doubt be aware of the latest viral hashtag, and this one is making the planet a cleaner place. #trashtag started trending in March this year, when teen Byron Román posted a ‘before’ photo of a litter-strewn wooded area, with an ‘after’ photo of the area and the bagfuls of garbage that had been collected. Since the post, many people, including teenagers, have responded to the challenge, posting photos of themselves with areas that they have cleaned up. If you want to take up the challenge, get your family together and send your before and after photo’s to the beijingkids team: editor@beijing-kids.com

Fashion Revolution Week: April 22-28, 2019

Fashion Revolution Week was born as a result of the Rana Plaza building collapses in Bangladesh, when 1,138 people (mostly young female workers) were killed under unsafe working conditions while manufacturing clothes for fast fashion brands such as Walmart, JC Penny, and Primak. Since then, the spotlight has been on the fashion industry, particularly on the people who make our clothes and how they live and are treated, and on the environment which is suffering greatly as a result of the production of clothes and our over-consumption – the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry on earth.

It’s a global movement that calls for a fairer, safer, cleaner, more transparent fashion industry, which protects and enhances the life of the people who make the clothes, and also using environmentally sustainable practices.

Over the course of this week, there will be various events across Beijing including documentary screenings, discussions, and second-hand clothing swaps and sales events.

At home

– Enter the discussion on social media #whomademyclothes.
– Hold clothing swaps for kids and teens outgrown/unwanted clothing.
– Watch The True Cost of Fashion documentary on Netflix.

Around the city

Youth Edition: LIVE WITH LESS x Inspire Citizens, Apr 21
The classic swap session with a twist – student leaders will open your eyes to more ways of being a conscious consumer. All ages. Free. 12-4pm. Crossboundaries, 4 Gongtibeilu, Sanlitun. WeChat ID: crossboundaries

The True Cost of Fashion: Who Pays the Price of Our Clothes Documentary Screening, Apr 23
Documentary screening followed by a panel discussion featuring industry experts.  All ages. RMB 50 (presale tickets include one drink). 7-9.30pm. The Bookworm, Sanlitun.  WeChat: becstarnz

Swap, Sweat, and Smile: LIVE WITH LESS x Heyrobics, Apr 27
A swap with a sports focus, so bring your exercise clothing and gear, or come and pick up some new stuff.  Adults. Free (half price pizza and drinks.). 1-4pm swapping; 4-5pm Heyrobics. Xian Bar, East Hotel. WeChat: crossboundaries

RiverBlue Documentary Screening, Apr 28
Documentary Screening followed by a group discussion about the film. All ages. 8pm. RMB 50 (presale tickets include one drink). 8pm. The Bookworm, Sanlitun. WeChat: becstarnz.

This article first appeared in the beijingkids April 2019 Exploring Beijing issue.
Photos: Adobe Creative Cloud, courtesy of event organizers

We’ve had too much of warming broths and comforting snacks during our winter hibernation! Thankfully, spring has arrived and it brings about an abundance of all things fresh and vivid, especially in food.

Greens and fruit are staples of a healthy diet all year round, but they get extra recognition during spring due to the idea of rebirth or rejuvenation associated with the season.

And that concept is just what Tribe wants to share in their new spring 2019 menu, themed “A New Life.” We’ve tried out some of the flavorful eats on offer, which best describe the feeling of new life this season.

That’s What She Baked Potato (RMB 38)

Tribe has their own take on this glorious carb-y treat: why not make it a complete comforting-but-healthy snack? People on the go or gym buffs will surely want this baked goodie, stuffed with bits of bacon and broccoli and seasoned with cheese!

Stir-fried for Success Brekkie Grain Bowl (RMB 48)

This grain bowl reminds me of a classic Filipino breakfast silog meal — sinangag (fried rice) and itlog (egg). This breakfast meal, however, is a savory mixture of five kinds of easy-to-digest and sugar-free grains (red rice, sticky rice, brown rice, buckwheat, and millet to be exact) that left me wanting more, without any guilt!

Tremendously Teriyaki Tofu Grain Bowl (RMB 58)

This Asian-inspired grain bowl is definitely a standout with its grilled tofu cubes that are just delicious. You may think it’s salty (wait, let’s cut down on salt, please) because of its golden brown appearance from the teriyaki sauce, but actually it’s not. Be ready when you begin munching on this treat!

My Little Miso Grilled Cod (RMB 158)

With my native islander roots I am always longing for seafood, so it’s always a must whenever I dine in restaurants. The combination of a citrusy punch plus the miso flavor that oozes in the juice of this grilled cod makes it an excellent and recommended entree.

So Kissable Cashew “Cheesecake” (RMB 38)

For people with a sweet tooth but still maintaining a healthy diet, desserts are always pleasant torture. So how will you balance the craving without thinking of the added layer of fats later on? Tribe has an answer: their cashew “cheesecake” – a vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free choice made from cashew milk and coconut oil.

These are some of the newest dishes on offer on Tribe’s new menu, available at their Solana branch. Check out this post for their full menu.

TRIBE Organic Solana
Daily 10.30am-10pm. Unit L-BS-51a, Bldg 9, Solana, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区蓝色港湾9号楼L-BS-51a 号. (5905 6256)

Photos: Courtesy of Tribe; Andy Penafuerte