Change to Vegan

Beet root juice has been found to lower blood pressure.  This is fantastic news, as people currently taking drugs to lower their blood pressure may get off of them if they eat beets or drink beet juice instead.  Having cardiovascular disease myself, I am now eating beets regularly to control my blood pressure.  My favorite way to eat them is to marinate shredded beets in fresh squeezed lime juice (lots), a dash of Braggs Liquid Amino Acids and a splash of raw apple cider vinegar.  I let the marinate for a few hours and then eat a heaping serving with chopped, peeled cucumber.  Yummy and good for me!

One of my favorite dishes to cook these days is Pad Thai Noodles.  These noodles are so versatile and delicious, no matter how I prepare them.  They are also wonderful left over, as they maintain their consistency.

(more…)

I just returned from a trip to the US.  One of the things that struck me the most was how wasteful so many of the people are.  I am not saying that people do not waste in Costa Rica, but it is so much less here.  Nothing that has any practical use is every thrown out by Costa Ricans.  Foreigners who live here typically become much more conscious of waste, if they stay any length of time.

(more…)

I am in the process of selling my lodging establishment in Costa Rica and moving to the mountains of Costa Rica. This has been an overwhelming process. We have located a new home and are moving through this, but it has taken much time and energy.

Once we are settled, in May, I will be offering vegan cooking classes. We will also be creating and selling vegan gourmet food products. And, I hope to make a vegan / vegetarian guide to Costa Rica. Still busy, working towards excellent health, energy and a healthy planet.

It can be very difficult to travel and manage a gluten free, vegan diet.  I was just in San Jose, Houston, Seattle and Austin.  I found a few restaurants where I could get amazing salads and some veggies, but not much else.  I would up eating refried beans, avocado, tomato, corn tortillas and salsa for many meals.  I did not have a vehicle to get to some far flung raw and vegan restaurants, unfortunately.  But I have learned  that wherever I go, I can usually pick up some refried beans, corn tortilla chips or tortillas, avacado, tomato and delicious salsas.

Last night I made polenta with NM Hatch green chili.  It was spicy and good.   Having lived in New Mexico for 9 years, I miss the green chili the most.  We roasted it, peeled it and froze lots of it every year – putting it on everything.  Now I have to use canned chili that friends bring me.  (Thanks friends!!!)

Hatch Green Chili from New Mexico

(more…)