How to upgrade your lifestyle when you go to Ukraine

As Ukraine is well-known for its low cost of living, many foreign visitors enjoy themselves very much while living in Ukraine. So, if you decide to go to Ukraine, you might learn a thing or two from seasoned tourists.

• You can forget “financial gurus”’ advice and buy your favorite coffee every morning in Ukraine.

In western countries, most “financial gurus” tell us not to buy a cup of coffee every morning. Their calculation looks like this: US$3 per coffee per day x 365 days = US$1,095 per year. However, that theory makes financial management so boring and unmotivating.

No wonder American money coach Ramit Sethi (author of I Will Teach You to Be Rich) argues that successful financial management should help people stop worrying about whether they can buy coffee or not – if you make US$100,000 a year, you are entitled to a cup of coffee per day! Stop focusing on small details that don’t make a difference and start focusing on big things such as negotiating a better salary, finding a dream job and starting a side hustle. In this way, you can enjoy what you like and achieve financial success at the same time.

When you go to Ukraine, you will realize that coffee is very cheap here because the cost of living is very low in Ukraine and Ukrainian people’s average monthly salary is just above US$300 per person per month.

Better still, there are many cafes in Ukraine. For example, Lviv has the most cafes in the world per capita. After visiting Lviv, a reporter who works for Telegraph Travel once said, “Although Livivians of today are known for both their fervent nationalism & for their churchgoing, their city has an easy-going, almost frivolous air, filled with university students, embellished by its frothy confection of Renaissance, Baroque, Belle Epoque, and Art Nouveau buildings & scented with aromas from its hundreds of Viennese style coffee shops. We only had to step out of our hotel, the Opera, and stroll with the crowds along Lviv’s central spine, Svobody (Liberty) Avenue, to find out how relaxed this Ukrainian city is.”

If coffee is your Money Dial (something that makes you extremely happy and you are willing to spend a lot of money on it), you shouldn’t hesitate to buy lots of coffee when you go to Ukraine. My philosophy is as long as you stop spending money on things that you don’t value and start spending money on things that bring you happiness & joy, you are a winner who knows how to savor the benefits of life.

• Learn some useful recipes when you go to Ukraine.

I understand that when you return back to your home country, you won’t be able to buy the Ukrainian ingredients that you could purchase while living in Ukraine. Therefore, I only recommend some modified recipes that you can easily use no matter you stay in Ukraine or go back to your home country. These recipes combine Ukrainian style and western flair; thus, they are quite universal if you think about it.

• Mezcal Kicker Cocktail

If you like sipping a good silver tequila on the rocks with ice as well as plenty of freshly squeezed lime, you should totally write down this recipe. It is said that tequila is the most crowd-splitting of drinks, yet mezcal has made its way onto fancy cocktail lists as well. This cocktail is definitely an upper for your energy and mood. Also, tequila’s naughty, long-lost cousin mezcal (also from the agave plant) is at the top of many young Ukrainian people’s list for a tasty drink. Of course, a lot of westerners like this cocktail as well. The taste is quite smoky and it is mixed with lime and some herbs, so it’s very refreshing without being too tart or too sweet. This cocktail is perfect for a Happy Hour with friends in the summertime.

Serves 2:

1. Juice of 4 limes
2. 4 ounces silver mezcal
3. Ice-filled shaker
4. 1 dried red chili
5. 2 tablespoons agave nectar
6. 2 sprigs of thyme
7. Lime wedge

Shake all ingredients except lime wedge and thyme in a cocktail shaker vigorously, and then garnish with the sprig of thyme and a lime wedge.

• Coconut Cashew Shake

Many Ukrainian youngsters find this smoothie tastes like a milkshake. The good news is this smoothie doesn’t have lots of calories. Of course, you probably need a high-powered food process to crush the cashews.

Makes 1:

1. Water and meat of 2 coconuts
2. ¾ cup raw cashews
3. 4 to 6 dates
4. 1 cup ice
5. 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Just blend the cashews for thirty seconds on high in a blender. Toss in the remaining ingredients and blend all of them together, and enjoy the best smoothie in the world. Life is good!

• Cacao Coconut Balls

This yummy dessert combines Ukrainian flair with a western style. It is a fantastic snack which can be served as a dessert at a dinner party. Make sure you melt the coconut oil on the stove for a few seconds so everything mixes together.

Serves 12:

1. ¼ cup raw cacao powder
2. ¼ cup of raw almonds
3. 10 fresh dates (pitted)
4. 1 cup coconut flakes
5. 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
6. 2 tablespoons agave syrup

Please preheat the oven and then mix the dates, almonds and cacao powder in a food processor for one minute so that it becomes a chunky and sticky paste. Toss in the remaining ingredients and then add 2 tablespoons of water. Blend one more time. Divide the mixture into 12 balls (every ball is about the size of a golf ball and then place onto a greased baking tray). Bake these balls in the oven for approximately ten minutes.

• Grilled fish, the Ukrainian way

If you are planning on having a double date, this dish is exactly what you want to serve on a dinner date. This dish is easy to prepare and looks seriously perfect. This grilled fish dish is served with bean puree and a side of greens. Of course, you can also serve it with mashed potatoes and a bottle of dry white wine if you like.

Makes 4:

1. 4 fillets of fish
2. 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3. ½ onion (chopped)
4. 1 garlic clove (crushed)
5. 2 cans cannellini beans (drained)
6. Juice of 1 lemon
7. 1 cup chicken stock
8. 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves (chopped)
9. 2 can-cured anchovy fillets (drained)

Use olive oil to brown the onions and then add beans, garlic, and stock. Put everything in a food processor and add lemon juice as well as extra-virgin olive oil. Preheat the oven. Then fry the fish for 2 minutes on either side with the olive oil. After that, transfer the fish onto a baking tray and cook in the oven for eight minutes. Make the dressing by chopping the parsley and anchovies and adding the lemon & stirring in the oil. Thoroughly mix them together. Serve the dressing in a jug. Now it’s ready to drizzle as you like. Plate the bean puree on top of the fish. This is almost perfect.

“When you go to Ukraine, don’t forget to bring its beauty home.”