Level Up Your Veggies

A love letter to the Père Lachaise

By Sophia Hadef

Have you ever been to Paris? Paris is a beautiful city to visit with its history, its architecture, and its romantic streets. But have you ever been to the Père Lachaise? The famous cemetery with centuries of history. I’m going to tell you about my love for this special place. It all started when I was a toddler and visited it for the first time. It is a very blurry memory, but I could never forget it. I remember being in a pram with my parents and grandparents by my side. I remember the grey alleys, the giant graves and the crowds of people enjoying a nice afternoon walk. I remember a guy with a beard who my parents gave a coin to, and I remember the sound of the ravens, the grey sky and the smell of the trees. I even remember the shop we went to after visiting the cemetery. (And I got confirmation from my parents when I told them I was in fact correct in my recollection.) They were surprised that it

Going to the Père Lachaise (even now when I can go there during my trips to Paris), I always have the feeling as though I am charging my batteries, like a deep meditation that rejuvenates my soul.

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stuck with me that much. I grew up in my mom’s apartment in Paris, just next to the Père Lachaise. I can see its trees from my mom’s terrace. I started going there by myself and with my friends when I was a teenager.

At around 13 years old, I would say It became my special place. I could walk and sit on a bench for hours – alone or not. The Père Lachaise is like a museum, a giant and old one. Situated on some 43 hectares, with more than 5000 trees, it is the largest park and cemetery in Paris. The number of people they say are buried there vary, some say 600,000 others say 1,000,000.

The cemetery is a famous tourist attraction renowned for its many celebrity graves. Among the famous people buried there are Molière, Eugène Delacroix, Georges Bizet, Frédéric Chopin, Honoré de Balzac, Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde, Sarah Bernhardt, Isadora Duncan, Gertrude Stein, Colette, Edith Piaf, Marcel Marceau, Richard Wright, Yves Montand, Alain Bashung and Jim Morrison. No wonder it is the most visited cemetery in the world. The oldest remains buried in the Père Lachaise are those of Abelard and Héloïse (who died in 1142 and 1164). Its hills make you feel as if you were in an enchanted and ancient city. That’s also why we call it the city of the dead. But let’s go back to the unique bond I have with that place.

I used to be a depressed and gothic teenager, listening to some dark stoner rock and grunge. I was also a huge fan of the Doors, and particularly Jim

By Ethne Tierney

We all know we should be eating more vegetables. They are packed with fibre, vitamins and minerals. But it can be hard to get your five a day if your go-to’s are steamed carrots and a salad. There is so many ways to cook vegetables to make them delicious yet nutritious. SIN has two recipes that you can try. We promise you will be looking forward to eating your veggies! Creamy white sauce for broccoli If you like creamy and cheesy textures, you may want to try this recipe. It’s surprisingly easy and quick to make, but it will make you feel like you are eating something you may find in a fancy restaurant. Forget about the boring steamed broccoli that has little to no taste, white sauce broccoli is so much tastier! INGREDIENTS • 50 g of butter • 50 g of flour • 500 ml of milk • A pinch of pepper • A pinch of salt • Onion powder • Garlic Powder • One broccoli head METHOD 1. Cut the broccoli into bite-size pieces and bring some water to boil in a pan at high heat. 2. Carefully put the broccoli into the pan and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes. 3. Drain the broccoli in the sink, while you put a pan at medium heat. 4. Melt the butter in the pan. Once it’s all melted, add the flour and mix them together until you get a thick paste and let it cook for about two minutes. 5. Add the milk, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder. Stir consistently, and after a couple of Morrison. I used to stay in front of his grave, listening to my favourite songs of his, and hoping to have a happier life. Going to the Père Lachaise (even now when I can go there during my trips to Paris), I always have the feeling as though I am charging my batteries, like a deep meditation that rejuvenates my soul. Do you know that weird feeling when you go to a church? A simple peace invades your body. That’s how I feel in that cemetery. I often brought books with me, and I know some exceptional places to sit and have an extraordinary view on top of its hills while reading. Being surrounded by those people who left the world we live in makes me think back on my life, my emotions and my pains. All those deceased who lived already, who felt what you’re going through is the most comforting feeling to be able to heal, to live better and fuller. I brought so many friends there, some of them who at first didn’t really enjoy the idea of walking between graves. They loved it, and they are going there by themselves sometimes even to this day. I’m a proud Parisian, and this part of Paris is definitely in my heart forever. I recommend that you go and visit it if you go to Paris one day. You will never forget it. The Père Lachaise is beautiful any time of the year, but I advise you to go between September to November. The thousands of burgundy and orange leaves will leave you speechless. Go there as a trip for your mood, as a free and healthy medicine for your spirit. A precious moment to press pause, a unique instant to be able to go back to the city of the living

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minutes the sauce should start to thicken. 6. Turn off the stove and add the broccoli and grated cheese to the pan. Stir well to make sure all the broccoli pieces are covered in white sauce. 7. Wait to serve until the cheese is melted. And voila! Enjoy it.

Wine Carrots If you haven’t tried this recipe, you don’t know how tasty carrots can be. This recipe is easy, but it takes a little longer than usual to make it. Therefore, we recommend making it on a special occasion. The wine will absorb into the carrots giving a sweet taste that is nearly addictive. Don’t worry, the recipe is alcohol free as the alcohol from the wine will evaporate completely while cooking.

INGREDIENTS • 500 g of carrots • 5 tbs of olive oil • ½ a bottle of white wine • A pinch of salt

METHOD 1. Cover your pan in your olive oil and peel and chop your carrots while you wait for the pan to heat up. 2. Put the chopped carrots in the pan at high heat. Add the salt and let them cook for 10 to 12 minutes. 3. Lower the heat to a medium to low temperature and add the wine. Then put a lid on and let the wine simmer for roughly an hour. Check the carrots every now and then to make sure they don’t burn. 4. You know they are ready when the carrots get a shiny golden coloured look. They should be slightly crispy. If they are too soft, add another splash of oil and fry them until you get the desired texture. 5. Enjoy them accompanied by your favourite foods.