Costa Rica a corner of Paradise

Sunny Costa Rica ~ The Power of the Sun over our Lives

2014-05-12T22:58:00.002-06:00

Do you remember the first sunset you ever saw in your life?

Do you remember the sunrise caressing your eyes while waking up on your first vacation day at the beach?

Do you remember the most romantic sunset you ever experienced?

And… what about that unbelievable sunrise infusing you with an energetic feeling within yourself?

I believe every one of us has had at least one extraordinary experience involving a sunrise or a sunset. I also believe each one of us has a different perception of the sun and its powers, what I think is undeniable is the powerful effect the sun has over our lives and every living being on earth.

Since we moved to Costa Rica, almost without noticing I started to develop a deep

appreciation for the beauty of nature and everything under the sun. I have learned to see life from a different perspective, and perceive nature not only with my eyes but also with all my senses.

For years, I have heard that people who live closer to nature do not suffer depression, or at least, they experience less depression than people living in highly structured environments do.

I believe there is an element of truth in that statement, perhaps…

· There is a deeper connection to life as a result of admiring the beauty of creation.

· Experiencing a sunset or a sunrise makes the soul happy, influencing the well-being of the body.

· The nervous system becomes relaxed when we take the time to experience nature, absorbing the energy gifted by the sun.

· Connecting with nature allows the living energy to penetrate our mind, helping to dissolve negative emotions and depressive thought forms; resulting in a renewed happiness that will carry us through the day.

Don’t you feel more alive when you can see the sun outside your window?

Our human nature requires the energy of the sun to move forward; we need to see its light, and we want to feel its energy as well as processing its power to support many of our daily activities.

In our little corner of paradise, when the sun shows its dazzling face, everything and everyone comes out to play, the hummingbirds, the squirrels, the monkeys, the butterflies; everyone is out there to share another beautiful day; it is up to us to join that energy.

Becoming one with nature is an easy thing to do when living in a tropical place like Costa Ballena, Costa Rica.

To benefit from nature’s energy; we can practice several enjoyable activities:

We can go to the beach and take the time to ‘listen’ the powerful ocean waves carrying the sounds of the sea-creatures, making us feel part of life with them.

We can walk barefoot on the beach and feel the sand tickling our toes, feeling every grain of sand and the life within it, letting all the energy run through our body.

We can also go to the river, and let the water run through our body or at least through our feet; it helps to balance the feelings, the thoughts, and the perceptions we may have around specific issues.

Drawing energy from the earth in whatever shape or form,

helps to strengthen our body and mind. That is something many indigenous cultures have used consciously as a powerful source of life. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/831035/6-ways-nature-can-boost-your-mood

The sun is the oldest and outmost universal theme

connecting the ancient wisdom traditions of the world, and yet its deeper meaning has continued to elude our modern and technologically oriented society.

We know the mind is a complex mechanism; according to some scientist, 40% of the human brain is devoted to processing vision, and for that to happen, the color spectrum is a vital component. Color attracts attention, sets the mood, and brings forth emotions. Color is influenced by wavelengths of light captured by the eye, and that light often than comes from the sun. http://www.ehow.com/info_8433029_factors-affect-intensity-color.html#ixzz2xtEMrqrI

Try to imagine life without the sun illuminating your days... It would not be the same!

Let’s enjoy every sunny day and benefit from the powerful gift of warmness, light, and life.

Recently, I stumbled upon the following description by Fr. Richard Rohr of what three different men saw in a sunset while standing by the ocean.

It made a profound impression me, and I want to share it with you.

One man saw the immense physical beauty and enjoyed the event in itself. This man was the "sensate" type who, like 80 percent of the world, deals with what he can see, feel, touch, move, and fix. This was enough reality for him, for he had little interest in larger ideas, intuitions, or the grand scheme of things. He saw with his first eye, which was good.

A second man saw the sunset. He enjoyed all the beauty that the first man did. Like all lovers of coherent thought, technology, and science, he also enjoyed his power to make sense of the universe and explain what he discovered. He thought about the cyclical rotations of planets and stars. Through imagination, intuition, and reason, he saw with his second eye, which was even better.

The third man saw the sunset, knowing and enjoying all that the first and the second men did. But in his ability to progress from seeing to explaining to "tasting," he also remained in awe before an underlying mystery, coherence, and spaciousness that connected him with everything else. He used his third eye, which is the full goal of all seeing and all knowing. This was the best.

It would be wonderful if the next time you come to visit Costa Rica, you have the opportunity of experiencing the full connection of your being with the enormous power of the sun, whether a sunrise, a sunset, or just its powerful light.

Going Bananas or Going for… the Bananas…

2014-03-14T22:49:00.002-06:00

Bananas are one of the oldest fruits known to man.

They are wonderful snacks made of sweet-creamy flesh; they come prepackaged in individual yellow jackets, and they are available all year–round almost every were in the world.

Some horticulturists have placed the banana’s origin in Southeast Asia, in the jungles of Malaysia, Indonesia, or the Philippines, where they have been growing since the year 500 BC.

Furthermore, some people give credit for the current name to the Arab world, apparently because the word banana derived from the Arab word ‘banan’ that means “finger.”

Whether this is true or only an interesting piece of trivia, the fact is that “Bananas” have become the most popular fruit in the world.

They are an essential source of income and employment for many households, as well as being a great source of nutrition and job security for more than 400 million people in producer countries. http://www.bananalink.org.uk/all-about-bananas

Most bananas are grown for export on large plantations in Latin America an increasingly in Africa.

Some of the big producers are:

Brasil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe & Martinique, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana.

The countries mentioned above are producers for the five international companies controlling the banana trade worldwide.

Now that U.S. banana producer Chiquita Brands International and Ireland’s Fyffes have agreed to merge, they will create the world’s largest banana company, displacing Dole from the No. 1 spot. (New York CNNMoney)

It has been said that the new company will continue listed on the New York Stock Exchange, but will have its legal headquarter in Ireland with the purpose of taking advantage of tax savings.

The deal is expected to go through this year. Even though it will be subject to review by U.S. and European regulators, it is unlikely to find any problem in the process.

This new deal between Chiquita and Fyffes certainly will represent changes for the producers worldwide, hopefully those changes will benefit the people working in the banana plantations around the world; they deserve to receive a fair treatment in exchange for the delicious bananas they produce with such hard work.

In Costa Rica is easy to ignore the controversy around the monopoly of banana trade, simply because this wonderful and tasty fruit can be grown almost in every house. In rural areas is common to see lots of banana plants growing wild along the roads, they feed anyone wanting to take the fruits as well as the monkeys in the area.

Bananas are fast-growing herbaceous perennials arising from underground rhizomes. The fleshy stalks formed by upright concentric layers of leaf sheaths constitute the functional trunks.

The true stem begins as an underground bulb, which grows upwards, pushing its way out through the center of the stalk, somewhere around 12 months after being planted, eventually produces the terminal “inflorescence” or group of flowers arranged on a stem, which will later bear the fruit. Each stalk produces one huge flower cluster and then dies. http://www.tropicamango.com/banana.html

The banana plant grows 10 to 26 feet in height and belongs to the family Musaceae. The banana fruit grows in clusters of 50 to 150, with individual fruits grouped in bunches of 10 to 25, and they are known as “hands.”

Bananas abound in many edible varieties, all of them falling into two distinct species: the sweet banana (Musa sapient, Musa nana) and the plantain banana (Musa paradisiacal). Sweet bananas come in different sizes and colors, and their names vary according to the specific region. The following link shows an interesting list of names.

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/nelsons/banana/BananaSynonymsHawaii.pdf

When we think of sweet bananas, what usually comes to mind is the yellow-jacketed banana; however, there are others with outfits going from pink, red, purple, and even black tones when ripe. Each color carries a particular flavor and texture.

The yellow bananas are known as Cavendish, they are long, and the flesh is creamy and sweet.

Red bananas are known in the US as Cuban Red, among other names, they are shorter and chubbier than the Cavendish; their skin is softer, they have a core and seeds, sweet and delicious with a light raspberry-apple flavor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_banana

Apple-silk bananas are chunkier and thicker than regular bananas; the skin has a pale gold color. These bananas are sweeter when their skins begin to blacken or even become very black.

Minis are the variety of banana half the size of an average one; their skin is thinner and when the tips are still green, they have a tangy taste; however, when the peel is covered with specks, they are sweeter than any other banana, at that point it is easier to peel them from the bottom.

Plantains are a member of the banana family.

They are firm, low in sugar, and starchy; they are used in savory dishes, sometimes as a substitute of potato. It has to be cooked before serving because it is uneatable when raw. It is commonly fried or baked; either way is excellent as a side dish or dessert.

They have a higher beta-carotene concentration than most sweet bananas.

Plantains are considered more a vegetable than a fruit.

This vegetable-banana has a different taste at every stage of development, for example, when the peel goes from green to yellow, the flavor of the flesh is bland, and its texture is starchy. As the peel changes to brown or black, the flesh becomes sweeter and the aroma and flavor are more like the banana. Even when they are very ripe, they never lose the firmness of the flesh, which makes them always easy to cook.

Bananas are good for your health

Bananas are a very good source of vitamin B-6 and an excellent source of manganese, vitamin C, potassium, biotin, fiber, and Cooper.

Cardiovascular protection is one of the gifts from the bananas; the content of potassium in an average banana is 400-plus mg and only one mg of sodium; this daily dosage can help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis.

Bananas have been known for their antacid effects that protect against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage.

Bananas help to nourish probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon; that beneficial bacteria produces vitamins and digestive enzymes that improve the ability to absorb nutrients; some studies suggest they also help to decrease the risk of colon cancer.

Bananas are also a great way to prevent osteoporosis, eating them frequently can improve your body’s ability to absorb calcium properly.

Wherever you are in the world; most likely, you have enjoyed the sweet and soothing taste of the bananas. They are awesome, aren’t they?

Instead going bananas, I decided to go for the bananas, and I hope you do it too, they are a versatile fruit, you can have a banana smoothie, bake them into banana bread or banana muffins, bananas flambé are delicious, and... think about a banana cream pie, and doesn’t it sound scrumptious?

When you come to Costa Rica, you will have the banana experience, bananas everywhere, all kinds, colors, and shapes.

You will find them in beverages, main dishes, desserts, snack, and of course, just hanging in there in their yellow jackets by the road, welcoming you to their tropical paradise.

What a gift from mother nature!

Why is Costa Rica so Special?

2014-01-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

Whether you come for a vacation, or you decide to move here permanently, Costa Rica will be the gateway to help you find yourself within a new reality.

There are many reasons why people choose Costa Rica as a vacation spot or as a new

home base. Some of the most common are: the natural beauty, the lower levels ofpollutions in the coastal areas, the informal lifestyle, and the way Ticos seem to live in present time, all the time.

This “Living in Present Time” is a concept that many of us consider a great spiritual achievement after years and years of inner work.

For Ticos, living today is all there is; tomorrow, well, God will tell.

For many of us, being in close contact with nature help us to open up to the world we always wanted and could not experience, mainly because of the work and social pressures. Here, we can relax, put aside those stereotypes that have been ruling our lives for so many years, and start being the amazing selves that we are. It may sound unbelievable, but the energy provided by nature in every one of its forms, is a propeller that will set you awakening in motion.

Costa Rica is often referred as the Switzerland of Central America, this description seems to apply to the sheer natural beauty of the country, and not to the overall development; reason why some people think it is only a cute slogan in a postcard. In the beginning of the 20^th century, that slogan was an optimistic caricature of a country with some sort of democracy and widespread poverty; however, in the second half of the century, the country started to live up to that image; the slogan in the postcard became more tangible and real. The country started showing a sustained economic growth, opening the path to a strong middle class and more generous social welfare, which benefited a great majority.

With economic changes, social changes followed. More women entered the workforce, the divorce rate increased, and family size shrunk. A large number of Ticos now, are seeking higher education, and they are doing it right here in their country, which means; the system is improving.

Such an accelerated growth has been great for the country, but at the same time, has created a gap in the roots and values of the new generations; they have been drifting and detaching from the ancestral beliefs and traditions, mirroring more and more the ever-increasing foreign population.

The traces of the indigenous civilization have been fading in the process.
Until recently, Ticos have shown little interest in their lineage; however, it seems, at least to me, that there is some renewed interest in the cultural origins, both by Ticos and foreign residents.

Humans have inhabited the rain forest of Costa Rica for about 10,000 years, and the region served as an intersection for America’s native cultures; however, the knowledge of these pre-Columbian cultures is very scant in the minds of Ticos. Perhaps, because the remains of lost civilizations were washed away by torrential rains, and no one took the time to pass through the generations the indigenous heritage.

A little bit of history tells us that Christopher Columbus, during his fourth and final voyage to the New World, in 1502, was forced to drop anchor in Puerto Limón after a hurricane damaged the ship. While waiting for the repairs, he met the friendly natives and exchange precious gifts. He returned expressing his amazement with the amount of gold he saw in what he considered a “rich coast,” that belief prompted him to give the region the name of “Costa Rica."

After his death in 1506, Columbus descendants visited the area and found out that it wasn’t abundant, and the natives were not so friendly. Then, during 1513, the intercontinental germ warfare cause outbreaks of deadly fever. Spaniards finally decided to leave the area after they noticed the scarcity of gold and other minerals.

In 1560, a Spanish colony was established in Cartago with the purpose of cultivating the rich volcanic soil of the Central Valley. Costa Rica's mainly focused on agriculture, growing corn, beans, and plantains, also producing sugar, cacao, and tobacco. By 1821, the Central America colonies declared independence; however, Costa Rica, being a little laid back, learned of its liberation a month after the fact.

Costa Rica kept moving forward at a very comfortable pace; by the 1840s, the country was able to send several hundred sacks of coffee to London; this was the beginning of a great relationship. The Costa Rican coffee was embraced with extreme enthusiasm creating a wonderful boom.

The coffee-trade, spontaneously gave bird to the banana boom.

As the story goes, to be able to get the coffee out to the world markets, it was necessary to build a railroad to link the high lands with the Port of Limón, located in the east coast of the country. The project started, but the insufficient funds turned it into a disaster, the contractor, Minor Keith, started to grow banana plants along the tracks as a cheap source of food for the workers. In a desperate move to recover his investment, he shipped some bananas to New Orleans with the hope of starting a side venture.
His ideas became a moneymaker. By the beginning of the 20^th century, the banana export surpassed the coffee industry, unfortunately; great percentages of the profits from this venture were exported together with the bananas. Keith associated with another American importer to found the well-known United Fruit Company (Chiquita); it became an empire; they imported labor from Jamaica, and this move also changed the country’s ethnic complexion, provoking racial tensions.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica/history

In 1913, the blight attacked the banana plantations, and the whole industry relocated to the Pacific coast. By the 1940s that United Fruit Company, had been heavily invested in the banana production when the banana blight reached the Pacific coast, so it became urgent to come up with an alternative crop to save the company.

The African palm turned out to be a very profitable choice. By the 1970s, the palm oil production was in full swing in the Quepos area, and by 1995, the 'United Fruit Era' ended, after being sold to a local-private investor known as Palma Tica. http://ecopreservationsociety.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/a-brief-hisory-of-african-palm-production-in-costa-rica/

Costa Rica embarked in a green revolution somewhere around 1975, and became stronger a little bit at the time, by 1999, more than a million tourists visited Costa Rica, and the numbers continue soaring every year.

People come to Costa Rica for many different reasons. Some come because it is a beautiful topical place, others, because it is a cheap place to visit, others, because they can hide from the emotional noise from the big cities in the world, and some others because being in close proximity with the elements allows them the possibility of a further development and awakening.

Since we know that happiness and well-being is an inside job, it really helps to choose an environment that promotes and nourishes the fertile grounds for further physical, emotional, and spiritual flourishing.

If you have had any interest in visiting Costa Rica, I would suggest that you follow your intuition. It will help to open-up a new world of possibilities for you.

After over eight years of living in this country, I still find it full of surprising gifts that keep paving the road for my continuous growth.

It has been a wordy endeavor, and I believe you too, will find the precious present in this country.

~ Fresh-Water ~ Shrimp, River Prawns, Langostino, and Crayfish

2013-11-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

Why does it seem so confusing?

It can be greatly confusing, especially in places where cultural diversity is a way of life. Costa Rica embraces a great number of cultures, and every one of them contributes to the tropical cuisine experience.

It is somewhat normal to have a “where am I” experience when we try to buy seafood in Costa Rica and/or order from the restaurant menu. Many times we end up feeling a little disappointed and confused when we are sold or served something we do not recognize as the ‘fresh water shrimp’ we have been expecting to enjoy.

I think it is important to acknowledge that the same delicious crustacean can be known

by several different names in different parts of the world, and to make matters a little more complicated, the same name can be given to different variations of the species. That rather explains why is almost impossible to lift the veil of confusion all at once.

To begin with, the terms' shrimp and prawn originated in Great Britain.
Shrimp is applied to smaller species. The word prawn is never given to the very small species, but always applied to most of the larger forms.

There are some exceptions in Australia, where small species are called prawns, and some prawn-like crustaceans are referred as shrimps.

Nevertheless, it is fair to say: that most commonly, shrimps are the small crustaceans with a length of three inches or less, often found in shallow waters and caught by net. Prawns can be as large as twelve inches long, and sometimes harvested by trapping and trawling.

Interestingly enough, in the United States the term shrimp is used for almost all species, including the most commercially attractive. The word prawn is not very common, and it usually applies specifically to large shrimp living in freshwater.

Even though sometimes the freshwater prawns and the saltwater shrimp, look very similar, and even their texture is alike, the freshwater prawns don’t have the strong flavor of the saltwater shrimp.

River prawns have a fresher taste, and their bodies absorb any type of marinade in a manner of minutes. It is a real treat!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshwater_prawn_farm

Here in Costa Rica, we have the variety of fresh water shrimp (Macrobrachium carcinus) also known as langostino de río, camarón de río, or camarón de agua dulce, and it is one of the largest freshwater shrimp of the east coast of the Americas, it is commercially fished in certain parts of the region.

In exceptional cases, after several years of growth, the adult M. carcinus can reach up to 18 inches (45.7 centimeters) in length and may weigh up to 1 pound (.45 kilograms).

Langostino or River prawns come in different shapes and colors. The average langostino is never larger than 15 cm; the body is long and slender with a big head and protruded eyes. Their abdomen is somewhat flat, and the most common color is pale pink. It has 10 legs; the first three pairs resemble a pincher, and the last pair has some sort of nail. Their antennas are quite long.

Farming fresh-water shrimp or river prawns has been a growing practice in many countries, before the year 2000, the only species farmed was the giant river prawn, marobrachium resenbergii; currently, there are around 200 species of the genus' marobrachium living in the tropical and subtropical climates of many countries and continents except Europe and Antarctica.

The river prawn (marobrachium resenbergii) is known for it large size. Depending on

the climate, it can have blue or orange claws, blue, brown, or gray bodies.

They have 10 legs; the second pair of equal size legs is the biggest and has a pincher. Its head is as big with stalked eyes. It has two sets of antennas, the second larger than the first.

Species of the freshwater prawn are distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical zones of the world. They are found in most of the inland freshwater areas, including lakes, rivers, swamps, irrigation ditches, canals and ponds, as well as in estuarine areas. Some species prefer rivers containing clear water, while others are found in extremely turbid conditions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapoda

Now, let’s talk about the Crayfish; many people believe it to be the same than the River prawns; however, it is not. It is a little confusing, and to make it more puzzling; these creatures are also called crawfish, crawdads, mudbugs, and even freshwater lobsters, since somehow they are related to the lobster. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfish

Crayfish is technically a decapod crustacean, related to lobsters, and crabs.

Crayfish is found in lakes, streams, and rivers, just like the fresh water prawns and langostinos.

Keep in mind; however, that the crayfish in other countries around the world is probably a different species, and may have quite distinct habits.

“Prawns” and “shrimps” are pretty much the same; the only biological difference is that

prawns have their second abdominal flap (counting from the head towards the tail) overlapping the first and the third. And "Crayfish" and "crawfish" are names given to both of those freshwater crustaceans.

At the end, prawns, crayfish, and shrimp seem to share similar space and identity.

http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/faq/fishfaq4a.html

Hopefully, this will help you to see the difference where there seems to be only similarities. One thing I can tell you for sure, when you taste it, you will experience the difference.

Enjoy Costa Rica and its Seafood Gifts.

Papaya ~ “Believe it or Not” ~

2013-10-02T22:07:00.000-06:00

Papaya

It is one of the user-friendly fruits available worldwide.

I consider it user-friendly because every part of the plant, from “top to roots” can be consumed, and what is even more interesting is that each one of those parts has nutritional and healing properties.
Personally, I think papaya is the gentle spirit of nature giving itself to us in a very colorful and sweet package with the purpose of nourishing and healing our bodies.

It seems like no one knows the exact area of origin of the papaya; however, many believe it is native to tropical America, perhaps southern Mexico, and Central America. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/papaya_ars.html#Origin and Distribution

There are some records suggesting that before 1525, the papaya seed arrived in Panama and Dominican Republic, and spread through warm elevations in places like South and Central America, Southern Mexico, West Indies, Bahamas, and Bermuda buy 1616. Around 1550, Spaniards introduced the papaya seed in the Philippines, traveling to Malaysia and India from there. In 1626, the seeds were sent from India to Naples, Italy. As you can imagine, this user-friendly plant spread like the wind all over the world.

The papaya thrives under warm and humid conditions.

Some people believe papaya is a tree; some others consider it a large herbaceous plant. It is usually a single straight trunk reaching up to 30 ft. Its leaves are big and lobed. The old leaves fall as the new ones emerge, maintaining a palm-like shape. The flowers and fruits arise from buds growing on the trunk at the base of the leaves.

I never thought about papaya plants having gender, and of course; it didn’t occur to me that besides male and female, they have that “one-gender fits all (hermafrodite)," well, it actually makes sense.

By now, you might be asking yourself “why would that matter?”

Well, it only really matters if you want to grow your own plants. You could actually grow them from the seeds of the fruit you eat; in this case, if you buy the papaya at the store, it would be convenient to buy the kind with an elongated shape, since it comes from hermaphrodite heritage, you will have a better chance of growing a producing papaya plant. Unfortunately, neither a female nor a male plant can produce fruit on their own, they need help, you know! The great thing about the bisexual plants is that they self-pollinate and produce fruits without additional help.

Lets look into the benefits of all the papaya parts.

To get a better idea of why papaya is so well-known and appreciated by most of the world, I want to start talking about the health properties of the fruit since it is the most familiar part to many of us.

The ripe papaya always shows beautiful orange color and a delicious sweet smell; it is

extremely rich in potassium and help us to meet our daily potassium requirements. Eating papaya on a regular basis can help to keep your blood pressure within the normal range, reducing the risk of heart disease. It is also rich in vitamin A, C, and B complex, amino acids, calcium, iron, and enzymes. The protein in papaya is highly digestible, and helps to break up hard-to-digest proteins. Among the many compounds found in papaya, the two most important ones to provide health benefits are chymopapain and papain; they can be found in the fruit, latex, leaves, and roots.

Surprisingly, the papaya skin is edible and contains the same properties as the fruit; so if you are able to overcome the thought of eating the peelings, try eating your papaya with the skin on; it is good, especially if you sprinkle some sugar or honey over it. Yummy!

Ripe papaya is often used to promote good digestion. It is also used as a laxative and diuretic.

The unripe fruit is not usually eaten raw; it is commonly cooked either with honey or made into some savory dish where the chopped green papaya is the main ingredient, in Costa Rica ~picadillo de papaya~ is a traditional dish. This green fruit has higher nutritional value than the ripe one.

Let’s talk about the flowers; they are very fragrant and have five petals, ranging
from cream-white to yellow-orange, and the stamens are bright yellow.

The flowers are different in the male, female, and bisexual plants.

Female flowers are large and round at the base. They have a stigma, but lack the stamens. They have a miniature papaya fruit inside the base of the flower petals. They need to be pollinated to become productive. These flowers grow from the trunk.

Male flowers are thin and tubular. They seem to be perfect, because they contain the male and female organs, but the small vestigial ovary is nonfunctional. These flowers grow on a long flower stalk.

Now, the bisexual flowers have it all. They look identical to the female ones; however, they have the stamens around the miniature papaya inside the flower petals.

Surprisingly, the flowers are edible; some people in Costa Rica use them to prepare traditional dishes. More commonly, the extracts of the flowers mixed with honey are used to treat respiratory problems. http://www.medicalhealthguide.com/articles/papaya.htm#b

The leaves, to my surprise, are edible too, and plentiful in vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene, calcium, carpaine, fats, flavonols, niacin, papain, tannins, and vitamin C, in higher concentration than in the fruit.

Some physicians in the nineteen century used papaya leaves to treat bloating, nausea, and flatulence caused by the excessive consumption of fermented foods.

The “West Indian medical Journal” published in 2008 the use of papaya leaves extract in the treatment of gastric ulcers.

Papaya leaves are good for the digestive system due to their content of chemical compounds that help to eliminate microorganisms. http://www.gaiahealthblog.com/2012/05/28/the-power-of-papaya/

Tea made with boiled papaya leaves is used to treat heart problems and fever.
Decoction of dried papaya leaves is used to treat stomach problems.
Papain extracted from the fruit, and leaves, is the main ingredient in many ointments destined to cure rashes, cuts, stings, and burns.

The papaya roots are less used than other parts of the plant because the healing properties are not very clearly determined; however, since ancestral times, the roots have been cooked as a tea, and used with the purpose of getting rid of intestinal parasites, alleviate kidney colic, and as aid in cases of jaundice.

Decoctions of pounded papaya roots are used as a digestive tonic, also to cure dyspepsia.
Papaya root extract can be used to treat insect bites.
There are some stories about women in the old days, using the extract from papaya roots to stop early pregnancy.

The papaya seeds are edible, and they have a peppery taste, sometimes they are dried, grounded, and used as a substitute for pepper.

The seeds are full of two super enzymes: papain, myrosin, and the alkaloid carpaine. Some people use them to eliminate parasites because they have antihelminthic and anti-amoebic properties.

Papaya seeds have been used successfully in the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

The seeds have antibacterial properties; they can be used in the treatment of skin wound and ulcers. Whether they are fresh or dried, the seeds do not lose their healing properties.

Papaya plant may not be the most beautiful, outstanding, or scrumptious fruit in nature; however, it is without a doubt, a continuous source of healing nutrients in every bite and in every form you take it.

Here in Costa Rica, we have been blessed with great availability all year round; it is amazing to see the papaya plants growing in a wild fashion on the side of the road, on pieces of property that are empty because they are for sale or no one owns them. Of course, with a bit of love and care, homegrown papaya plants are spectacular. They are a gift of nature for so many of us, in Costa Rica and the rest of the world, and all we need to do is reach for them and enjoy them.

Talk about a cornucopia of natures’ wealth, “that is Costa Rica.”

"SQUIRREL" The cutest fast-forward moving animal in the forest...

2013-09-01T11:09:00.000-06:00

Have you ever taken the time to observe a squirrel moving all over and through the trees? Wow! Talk about fast- forward movement… they seem to be in a hurry or on some sort of deadline to accomplish whatever it is that they are doing.
No wonder we call "squirrely" a person who acts in a way that shows too much energy, hype, and a bit of craziness.

Do you remember Chip and Dale, the cartoon chipmonks? They are, in fact, part of the Sciurus family, which are also cousins of cute squirrels we have here in Costa Rica.

Squirrels come in all sizes, colors, and combinations. Here in Southern Costa Rica we are blessed with an abundance of variegated squirrels (Sciurus variegatoides). This squirrel belongs to the family of tree squirrels; it has large bushy tail and a shiny and bristly coat. There are 14 different subspecies, exhibiting a wide range of colors and color patterns. For example, the dorsal-area color ranges from blackish to reddish brown to yellowish-gray to white. On the belly side, the color ranges from white to Cimarron-buff. Every subspecies have different combination of dorsal and lateral stripes, and forehead patches; the underside is rarely banded. They have a bushy tail and its underside usually, is lighter in color.

Whatever the combination of their coats, it is an amazing camouflage when they are commuting for food on the palm trees.

This type of squirrel consumes nuts and fruits of various kinds, including hard-shelled and soft, thin-shelled seeds, as well as some vines, flowers, and fungi. The squirrel visiting my house seems to enjoy coconuts. It is a cute one and it works for hours on the fibrous exterior of the coco until the shell opens up. When the water starts pouring, then it makes the hole bigger, sometimes big enough to go for a dip inside the coconut and drink the water. It loves to eat the meat, sometimes I see it just nibbling directly from the coconut, other times it breaks a larger piece to take it to a more comfortable place.

A very important collateral contribution resulting from the squirrel eating habits is the dispersal of seeds.

This type of squirrel tends to be solitary; they often build their nest in tall and slender

trees, usually in the junction between a limb and the main trunk of the tree. Squirrels are diurnal; therefore, they are more active during the early morning. They spend most of their time in the trees; it is amazing to see them running and leaping from one branch to another with great agility. When they need to cross an open area, they do it via fences and lower trees.

There is very little information about the mating system of this type of squirrels. What we know is that because of their solitary personality, when they get together, it is with the sole purpose of mating. The female goes into estrus once a year and only for one day. The male knows when the female wants to mate with him by reading the olfactory cues and her behavioral changes. During that, one day a year, more than one male might enter the scene, if that happens, they will fight in order to mate. After mating the male and the female go their own separate ways, there is no “happily ever after” bond.

The female squirrel builds a nest high up in a tree, where she will have her babies.

The nest is typically made with twigs and leaves, and is usually waterproof, something very important in tropical areas. The gestation period lasts between 33-46 days. The newborns are blind and naked; their digits are fused together, and their weight is less than one ounce. At four days old, they become vocal, emitting squeaky noises. The fur starts developing during the third week. The babies develop teeth and open their eyes after 30 days of being born. Then the road to independence begins, by the fourth week they learn to groom themselves, and when they reach the sixth week, they leave the nest. These squirrels become mature somewhere between 12 and 15 weeks of age.

Squirrels have a lifespan between 8 and 14 years in the wild, and up to 16 years or more in captivity. Unfortunately, it is also known that a large percentage of them do not live past their first year in the wild, becoming victims of opportunistic predators such as wildcats, eagles, owls, and snakes.

These cute variegated squirrels live in tropical regions, specifically in the forest and rain forest. They can be found in North and Central America, from southern Chiapas, Mexico to Central Panama.

When you visit or move to Ojochal, Costa Rica; you will receive frequent visits from Mr. Squirrel and many of his amazing friends. If you are a nature lover, you will be in for a treat, and if you are not used to nature, you will fall in love with it.

A bit off the beaten path, it is a worthy vacation choice!

Aloe Vera - Myths and Realities about this Misterious Plant

2013-07-14T21:36:00.001-06:00

Aloe Vera is without a doubt a very extraordinary plant.

Aloe Vera is a plant with a long history; some of the most ancient cultures like the Greek, Egyptian, Indian, Chinese, and Roman talk about it in their writings; they describe the therapeutic advantages and healing properties of this plant. According to some historians, the earliest records were found on a Sumerian tablet from 2100 BC. For example, Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes. Alexander the Great, and Christopher Columbus used it to treat their soldier’s wounds. By the early 1800s, Aloe Vera was in used as a laxative in the United States, but in the mid-1930s, there was a turning point, and it started being used for chronic and severe radiation dermatitis with enormous success.

Aloe Vera continues being an alternative source of healing. You might remember your mom, grandma, or any friend of them talking about how Aloe Vera helped to cure some illnesses or heal skin problems, or simply to calm down the sunburn after spending the day at the beach.

I remember seeing my mom scraping the jelly from an aloe leaf, and using to heal my abraded knee, after I had fallen of my bicycle; Doctor Mom knew what she was doing, it always worked like a charm.

Living in Costa Rica, has taught me to appreciate the natural resources that Mother Nature has set up for us in each one of the plants, fruits, and many other living beings in the jungle.

Aloe Vera has been a wonderful and continuous source of health and healing for me. For the last two years, I have been growing my own plants.

Healing Powers of the Plant

Aloe Vera gel contains active compounds that help to reduce inflammation and prevent bacteria from infecting damaged and vulnerable organs, including the skin. Some people believe that the gel can aid cell regeneration, reason why the healing time seems shorter after using aloe gel.

One study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in Jun 2010, found that the Aloe Vera gel/cream reduced patients’ postoperative pain, sped up wound healing, and reduced significantly the need for analgesic and painkillers.

Aloe Vera also shows to be a natural healing aid for gastric ulcers; according to other studies, Aloe Vera can be used internally to reduce gastric inflammation, induce ulcer healing, and help to protect the intestinal lining.

Another promising benefit of taking Aloe Vera internally is its anti-diabetic effects. A paper published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal in July 2009, points to several studies that support the plant’s blood sugar-lowering effects in patients with type-two diabetes.

http://www.wellnesstimes.com/articles/aloe-goes-beyond-burn

There is also scientific documentation that Aloe Vera is useful for the following health issue:

Dermatitis
Psoriasis
Herpes simplex virus-2
Burns type-2
Diabetes
Wound healing
Acne
Frostbite
Constipation

Traditional literature suggests empirical evidence that Aloe Vera can be used in the treatment of alopecia (hair loss and baldness), parasite infections, and arthritis.
thehealersjournal.com/2012/09/05/mainstream-doctors-finally-recognize-the-incredible-properties-of-aloe/

Aloe Vera structure

Aloe Vera is a stem-less plant with thick and fleshy green to grey-green and serrated leaves. The leaf structure is made up of three layers:

The Rind – is the outer protective layer.
The Sap – is the layer of yellowish-bitter fluid; it function is to protect the plant from animals.
The Mucilage Gel – is the jelly-like substance we have come to know for its healing qualities.

Aloe plants contain two key substances with therapeutic properties: gel and latex.

The gel is the translucent, kind of gooey substance found in the inner leaf, and the latex is the yellowish layer found beneath the skin in most aloe varieties.

How can we grow Aloe Vera?

The Aloe Vera plant can be reproduced from pups and from seeds.

When the Aloe Vera plant reaches maturity, produces tiny plats called pups, which sprout from the base of the plant. The pups can be safely removed from the mother when they are over 2 inches tall. When you detach the pups from the other, make sure the root system remains intact.

Aloe plants can also be reproduced from the seeds released by the flowers.

Unbelievably, the Aloe Vera plant produces flowers; they come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. The truth is that most people are not very familiar with the flowers because a plant can take several years to produce one, and sometimes, some varieties of Aloe, do not produce flowers.

The Aloe flower is slender and tubular, growing in massed groups at the top of thin spires. It is a very peculiar type of flower; it is made up of a tall stem, a peduncle, and a colored flower. The flower is supported by the peduncle. It is called a raceme and can be open or compact.

Most flowers are not self-fertile. It requires a mobile pollinator; birds are the most common pollinators, being the most usual, and the hummingbird. The seeds are fertilized and then dropped on the soil, then transported by the wind or water run-offs.

Since the aloe plant has powerful regenerative abilities, a broken stem, leaf or rosette can also create a brand-new plant. Many gardeners choose this technique to grow new plants.

Many uses of the Aloe Vera Plant

Aloe Vera is used in alternative medicine, and as home first aid. People in different countries acknowledge its properties as wound healing, burn recovery, laxative, antiviral, antibacterial anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, moisturizing, etc.

In markets all around the world a variety of Aloe Vera products are available, which are used in many remedies and cosmetics. Those products are sold as Aloe gel, shampoo, body wash, body lotion, sunscreen cream, soothing night cream, arthritis cream, and soap among other.

Even though Aloe Vera has been commercialized in yogurt, beverages, and skin products, the greatest benefit is obtained when it is fresh from the plant.

It can be used topically as well as taken internally. It is especially helpful on a variety of skin diseases.

It has a rejuvenating action.

It acts as a moisturizer and hydrates the skin.

As you can see, Aloe Vera is an old fashioned, and still in fashion aid for everything that needs some help in the healing process of our body.

I can’t be anything but grateful to Mother Nature for such a multifaceted gift that seems to be timeless.

Could Bamboo be one of the best sources of well-being in our future?

2013-05-26T18:43:00.000-06:00

What is it really? Is it, a tree, a plant, or something else?

Bamboo is a kind of grass with a hard, woody, and hollow stem. It is green and grows straight up. The bamboo actually has leaves; however, there is not much energy going into them until the plant matures, then, and only then, the leaves start showing up on the top of the stalk. In tropical climate, bamboo grows and stays green all year round.
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-bamboo.htm
The main stem of the bamboo is called culm; it is the support structure for the branches and leaves, culms are the main vascular system and storage organs. The culm has sections called nodes, and the space between the nodes is called internode. The nodes are always solid and the internodes are hollow. The hollow internodes give the bamboo flexibility and the nodes give it the strength.
The Branching occurs at the nodes.
The culms have leaves, also called culm sheaths, and their purpose is to protect the new culms in the early stages of its growth. When the new shoot is strong enough the culm sheath dries up and falls away.

Where the bamboo has its origins?

According to some records, seven thousand years ago, this “grass” was used to make arrows, paper, building materials, books, and as many other products needed by different cultures given the fact that bamboo was, and still is readily available, and a quickly renewable resource.
Many people have thought through the years that bamboo originated in China, mainly because there is where the first records of items made with bamboo were found. Subsequently, bamboo bicycles started to show up in India, as well as a variety of products and ornaments that rapidly spread through Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Bamboo grows almost everywhere, except in super cold climates; nevertheless, some species are able to withstand frost in North Europe. Asia is by far the biggest producer of bamboo products, with China as the biggest exporter.

The main markets for bamboo products are the US and Europe. The interest in bamboo cultivation is growing around the world, and many countries in Latin America have started to develop technologies for processing it; in view of the fact that almost 50% of the world’s bamboo biodiversity is from South and Central America.
Brazil has the largest number of species, around 134, followed by Venezuela with 68 species known.

There are some estimates showing that around 11 million hectares of Latin America are covered with bamboo. That could represent a multibillion-dollar market.

Have you ever wondered how bamboo can reproduce so fast?

Bamboo can spread by root division, single node cuttings, and air layering. If we remember that it is a kind of fast-growing grass, we need to be aware that once we have planted bamboo, we will start seeing individual stems or shoots emerging from the ground. They tend to reach their full diameter and grow to their total height in a single growing season of three to four months, depending on the climate. During this period, each shoot grows vertically with no branching out until it reaches most of it maturity. Then the branches extend from the nodes and start leafing out. During the following year, the wall of the shoot starts hardening. During the third year, it reaches full maturity and
hardening.

Bamboo shoots or culms grow from the dense root rhizome system.
There are two main categories: monopodial and sympodial.
Monopodial rhizomes grow horizontally, and very often, at a surprising rate, reason why they are known as “runners” or “running bamboo.” They generate open shoots with a good distance from each other, and they can be invasive.
Sympodial rhizomes are short and thick, and the shoots above the ground are close together in a compact clump, which expand evenly around its circumference. They are known as clumping bamboo, the development of shoots around the core is predictable, and they are non-invasive.

Spiritual value given to the bamboo by ancestral people

Bamboo has a significant cultural and religious connotation such as the need to remain morally straight. Bamboo makes a great symbol for spiritual living. It is sturdy and strong, but also flexible without being easily breakable. These are the qualities we need in our spirituality.Since bamboo is hollow, it could represent the hollowness of being a conduit to the divine for healing, compassion, guidance, wisdom, and self-awakening.

Another very important symbolism of the bamboo is in relation to developing a spiritual backbone.

The Parable of the Chinese Bamboo Tree

"In everything you do in your family, keep in mind the miracle of the Chinese bamboo tree. After the seed for this amazing tree is planted, you see nothing, absolutely nothing, for four years except for a tiny shoot coming out of a bulb. During those four years, all the growth is underground in a massive, fibrous root structure that spreads deep and wide in the earth. But, then in the fifth year the Chinese bamboo tree grows up to eighty feet!

Many things in family life are like the Chinese bamboo tree. You work and you invest time and effort, and you do everything you can possibly do to nurture growth, and sometimes you don't see anything for weeks, months, or even years. But, if you're patient, and keep working and nurturing, that "fifth year" will come, and you will be astonished at the growth and change you see taking place.

Patience is faith in action. Patience is emotional diligence. It's the willingness to step aside so that others can grow. It reveals love. It gives birth to understanding."
http://spirituallythinking.blogspot.com/2012/03/parable-of-chinese-bamboo-tree_13.html#ixzz2Sg1gUpgs

Types of Bamboo

There are hundreds of varieties growing around the world; however, for practical understanding, we can say there are two major classifications of species: clumpers and runners.

Clumpers grow from the soil in a slowly expanding tuft. Clumpers are generally short, and slow growing.

Runners send underground rhizomes to produce shoots several meters from the parent plant.

Uses of Bamboo and Economic Sustainability

People around the world use bamboo on everything they can think of, from construction to source of food. For centuries, it has been used in the construction of houses in the eastern countries. It was not until 1920 that started to get some traction in the western cultures because of a research conducted with the purpose of finding alternative material to replace some types of wood starting to become scarce.

http://www.guaduabamboo.com/bamboo-construction.html
Besides being used as construction material, bamboo is being used as an erosion control system. Planting bamboo in tropical areas where the rain is abundant and the land is susceptible to erosion, allows the land to create a cohesion trough the connection of the thick, strong, and continuously growing root system.
Growing bamboo is considered eco-friendly agriculture because unlike other crops, it needs very little or no pesticides to grow, holds the soil together, and the debris falling from a growing clump of bamboo actually fertilizes the ground where the clump is growing. Call it self-nourishment.

Different countries grow bamboo for different purposes:

Ornamental – landscaping, gardens, and decorative items.
Food – bamboo shoots.
Construction Material – bamboo lumber, fencing, scaffolding, pipes, and roofing tiles.
Musical Instruments – flutes, drums, and saxophones.
Furniture and crafts – chairs, tables, sofas, armoires, picture frames, weapons, rugs, bed frames, blinds, curtains, baskets, and jewelry among others.

Some other practical uses of bamboo in agricultural farms are:
Irrigation pipes

Shade laths

Irrigation ditch linings
Fencing

Edible Bamboo

Bamboo shoots are harvested in a similar fashion than asparagus; it is cut just at the underground stem. The shoots are very common in Asian dishes, for example, in China; they love it stir-fry; in Indonesia, they boil it in thick coconut milk, and in the Philippines is the basic ingredient of a dish called lumpia.

In Costa Rica, the consumption of bamboo shoot is not as popular as it
is in the Asian countries; however, it is starting the make its appearance in some dinner tables. Editable bamboo is a low-calorie source of potassium.
Always keep in mind that not all bamboo shoots can be eaten. Make sure you buy them from a trustworthy source.

It is simply unbeliebable to realize that "Bamboo" has alway been by our side, and always willing to give us everything we need.
All we need to do is to apreciate it, study it, and decide how we can use it to improve our life.

It could be one of the best sources of well-being in our future!

The Natural Miracle Worker called “COCONUT”

2013-04-12T18:35:00.001-06:00

It might be a little eccentric to say that coconuts are miracles in a shell. However, the longer I think about it, the more I believe the miracles inside each coconut, are ready to deliver themselves to those willing to open the package.

COCONUT WATER

Coconut water is also known as “agua pipa” here in Costa Rica.

This refreshing water contains two outstanding healing
substances:
· Potassium, which helps to prevent the occurrence of leg cramps, helps to reduce the risk of kidney stones. It can help to control the high blood pressure by increasing the levels of potassium in the blood; people experiencing high blood pressure, often show low levels of potassium.

· Lauric acid, which helps to fight some intestinal viruses, and some track infections; it also helps to ease the digestion.

Agua pipa, with all its minerals and electrolytes is known to have health properties like the following ones:

o It re-hydrates your body because it is a natural isotonic beverage.

o It brings nutrients and oxygen to the blood cells.

o It raises your metabolism.

o It boosts your immune system.

o Detoxify and fight viruses

o It cleanses your digestive tract.

o It boosts poor circulation.

There is a story that has its origins in World War II, when British and Japanese soldiers were given coconut water intravenously because saline solution was in a short supply. It worked well, considering the specific situation. In the current environment, and under normal circumstances, doctors would not be inclined to set up a coconut water IV for dehydrated patients. However, they agree that coconut water is a good drink for hydration. Those electrolytes we just mentioned are salts that play a major role in the biochemistry and physiological processes of the human body.

COCONUT MILK

The coconut milk is often made from the shredded meat of the mature coconut. After crushing, shredding, and grinding the coconut meat, some people add boiling water, kneading the grated coconut to extract as much liquid as possible from the meat. Since coconut milk does not come from mammals, it is not a dairy product, and does not contain lactose. It has also great health value:

It is rich in antioxidants helping the body to fight ageing, sagging of the skin, poor vision, and low bone density.
It contains lauric acid, which provides anti fungal, anti bacterial and anti viral properties.
It is good for the heart; the lauric acid helps to unclog the arteries.
It can be effective as an anti-ulcer agent.
In spite of the fact that coconut milk contains saturated fats, it helps to control cholesterol levels.

In addition, of course, it is a common ingredient for cooking because it makes delightful dishes.

COCONUT OIL
There are three main types.

Virgin coconut oil
Refined coconut oil
Skin care coconut oil

The Virgin coconut oil is one of the best things you can give to your body, internally and externally. In my experience, it is a “the miracle worker.”

The saturated fats in virgin coconut oil have anti-microbial properties that help your body fight bacteria, fungi, or parasites that often cause a variety of digestive problems, going from indigestion to severe pain. Try it; the pain can disappear as magic, and using it regularly, might help you to heal the digestive system.

The virgin coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs, instead the long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) contained in the common oils. That attribute makes it an easy fuel for the body, being able to burn it without turning it into fat. By adding coconut oil into the regular diet, you might eat fewer calories because you may feel satisfied eating less.

It is also known to help to ease the pancreatic function; therefore, increasing the metabolism. These fatty acids assist with nutrient absorption and digestion. Moreover, it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic properties.

It can help to kill the bacteria that cause throat infections, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia.

Still under investigation, researchers from Payap University in Thailand have reported in 2010 that virgin coconut oil can be used as an anti-inflammatory in certain conditions.

It can help to improve the cholesterol levels within the blood if it is consumed regularly.

The virgin coconut oil is obtained through the process called cold press, which preserves its nutrients and nutty flavor; maintaining a high content of Vitamin-E, proteins, antioxidants, and minerals in addition of the fatty acids and lauric acid mentioned above.

This kind of oil is used in the culinary world in many different ways. It is used as a replacement for animal fats; it has a nutty sweet flavor, great for salads and sauteing vegetables. It has an indefinite shelf life.

The Refined coconut oil is extracted from the copra, or dried coconut kernel.
The first byproduct obtained from the copra is the coconut milk, then the milk is filtered or strained, to remove impurities; the next step within the process is boiling gently for a long time to evaporate all the liquid, living only the oil behind. There is a second filtering, and sometimes a bleaching agent is added.

Since the oil is obtained from the dried coconut meat, which is frequently dried in open air, and may grow bacteria, it only makes sense to eliminate all the impurities before it can be safely consumed.

This type of oil is more suitable for cooking because it has a desirable smoke point of about 450 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the way this oil is processed often disrupts the favorable balance of the fatty acids, diminishing some of its health benefits. Nevertheless, coconut oil has been called “the healthiest dietary oil on earth.”

If you can substitute regular oil with coconut oil in your daily cooking, this miracle worker will help you to:

Reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, and related illnesses.
Reduce the risk of cancer and other digestive conditions
Support your immune system functions.
Prevent osteoporosis.
Control diabetes
Support healthy metabolic function.
Obtain an immediate source of energy.
Improve the absorption of nutrients, vitamins, and mineral.

The coconut oil for skin care has in an incredible number of applications, and when used sparingly, it absorbs quickly, leaving the skin silky but not greasy.

· Some people warm it slightly to rub their scalp to prevent dry, brittle hair, and dandruff.

· It can be used as a moisturizer.

· Because it absorbers easily, nourishes the skin’s underlying tissue, healing it, and repairing it, some people say it has anti-aging properties. It also rejuvenates the skin by removing the outer layer of dead skin cells.

· It can be effective in the treatment of athlete’s foot, diaper rash, or any other skin infection.

· It can help to speed up the recovery from burn injuries.

· It can be used as massage oil, if it is applied to the forehead and temples with a gentle massage, helps to relief the mental fatigue.

· It can help to prevent skin cancer and other blemishes.

As you can see, it does not matter in what form you choose to consume and use the coconut. It offers wonderful healing properties; they can reach whatever part of your body is in need of help. No wonder many call it “the natural miracle worker.”

Living in Costa Rica, we became very attached to our friend the Coconut. We were lucky, inheriting several already grown coconut trees; and we have been planting and nourishing many more during the eight years we have been in this country. They are part of our lives, and we actively enjoy all the miracles they provide for us every day.

We hope you enjoy them too!

REFERENCES

www.coconutresearchcenter.org/Coconut%20Research-Coconut%20Research%20Center.pdf

www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/13-evidence-based-medical-properties-coconut-oil

www.ehow.com/how_5618090_treat-cramps-natural-home-remedies.html#ixzz2NRNn0suQ

www.livestrong.com/article/22890-types-coconut-oil/#ixzz2NSILplxM

"Coconut" The All-Inclusive Gift from Mother Nature

2013-03-12T13:50:00.000-06:00

Before we came to Costa Rica, all I knew about coconuts was how much I enjoyed the delicious macaroons I used to buy at the store, and the canned coconut milk required to cook some of my favorite recipes. After living in Costa Rica for many years, I came to realize there is much more to the coconut than just sweet treats. It is very normal to think that there are several types of coconuts; however, there is only one species of coconut plant, and its scientific name is Cocos nucifera; only this type of palm tree produces coconuts. The interesting thing is that within this species, there are dozens of varieties of coconuts.

To make it a little simpler, let’s say that there are two main groups: tall and dwarfs.

Tall coconuts, also called typical, is the most common group, its Polynesian name is Nui Kafa; they can cross-pollinate, which opens the door for many variations in the characteristics of the fruit. They can grow between 65 and 100 feet high, and have a canopy up to 30 feet across. They have a swollen base known as bole. The fruit has an oblong and an angular shape; they hold a small amount of water, but produce a double amount of meat than the dwarf ones. Their husk is very fibrous, allowing them to float extremely well; that is the reason why over the years; they have been great commuters, traveling from Polynesia to every shore in the world.

Dwarf coconuts, also called nana, and its Polynesian name is Nui Vai; they are mostly self-pollinated; therefore, there is a lesser number of varieties within this group. They produce more fruit than the Tall coconut trees. The fruit is usually smaller, round, and features bright colors like green, yellow, and sometimes golden color with reddish tone when they are young; they have an abundance of sweet water, but half the volume of meat than the tall ones. The meat in the very young coconuts looks like custard. Their husk is much thinner than the ones produced by the tall coconut tree. The trunks are slender, and lack the swelling around the base (bole) that characterizes the tall ones. Dwarf trees mature faster than the tall trees; they tend to germinate sooner; which means they do not spread to other shores the way the tall coconuts do.

Several studies have found that most coconuts belong to one of the two genetically distinct groups. The population of tall coconuts had its origins along the Indian Ocean coastline, and the dwarf population developed in the Pacific, from the Malay Peninsula to New Guinea. The species were domesticated in both places, and since then, a lot of crossbreeding of the two strains has taken place.
http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/products/afdbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=545

Dwarf coconuts; tend to be used for “eating fresh,” and the tall forms for coconut oil and fiber.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110624142037.htm

Both, tall and dwarf coconuts are usually named by their country of origin. On many occasions, the color of the young fruit is included in its name. The varieties of the young coconuts come in three colors: green, yellow, and red, all coconuts no matter the color when they are young turn brown when they mature.

In many tropical countries like Costa Rica, street vendors sell the young coconut with the top cut off, cold, and with the straw, they call it “agua pipa” or coconut water, it makes a deliciously refreshing drink.

It is quite interesting to notice the coconut is one of the amazing creations of Mother Nature. This plant has been on earth for centuries. Always available to feed, cloth, and provide shelter and utensils to anyone willing to explore its numerous qualities.

The young coconuts provide sweet water full of electrolytes, and delicious meat that can go from custard texture to a semi-firm type of meat. This meat can be eaten raw or used in the preparation of dishes.

The mature coconuts provide less sweet water, also full of electrolytes. Some of its water has been incorporated into the meat, giving it a firm density, and a noticeable nutty flavor.

Many people use the term coconut water and coconut milk as interchangeable terms, but they are not. When you open a coconut, you find water, not milk. Coconut milk is a by-product. It is usually made from the meat of a mature coconut blended with its own water, and sifted through cheesecloth.

The “copra” or meat from the mature coconut, is the source of the coconut oil. Depending on the process used to obtain it; the resulting product is either virgin coconut oil, with its innumerable healing properties, or regular coconut oil, which has a wide range of applications, going from cooking oil to cosmetics and soaps. The coconut cake, which is the solid material left after extracting the oil, is used in the making of cattle feed and fertilizer.

http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/aisa/level-c/many-uses-of-coconut-tree/

The fibers from the coconut husk can be used to make mats, brushes, cordage, and packing material for plants.

The coconut shell is used as cups or containers. Some artisans polish it and turn it into ornamental souvenirs, accessories, or decorative objects.

The coconut leaves from the tree are used to thatch roofs, make hats, baskets, and fans among others. The ribs of these leaves can be used to make spears, arrows, and torches.

The coconut trunk can be used to make canoes, post, rafters, and fences.

As you can see, the coconut plant gives its all to all of us. Personally, I think the most amazing attribute of the coconut is “Its Healing Power,” something we have experienced first hand. In my next post, I will give you interesting information on how you can use coconut to heal yourself.

Indigenous Celebrations in Southern Costa Rica.

2013-02-09T22:34:00.000-07:00

Many of you might wonder why there are two celebrations under the name of “Dance of the Little Devils” One of them from December 31 to January 2 and another one on the first week of February.

Well, the thought did not cross my mind until a close friend asked me that specific question. I started looking into it, and what I found out is that the “Dance of the Little Devils” (JUEGO DE LOS DIABLITOS) is celebrated in two different indigenous reservations, both are located within the area of Buenos Aires, on the south west of the country, and these two reservations belong to the Brunka Tribe.

Over the years, and because of the physical separation created by a sharp turn to the west along the Interamerican highway; they became known as two separate groups.

Currently, you can find the Boruca Village north from the highway, and the Rey Curré Village a few kilometers to the south.

The Rey Curré Village has the Celebration of the Little Devils during the first week of February; they have been practicing this tradition since 1978.

The Boruca Village has the same Celebration at the end of the year; officially accepted by the Boruca Elders in1981.

These two groups of the Brunka Tribe, established themselves around 1680 by the Boruca river, which provided them with the water they needed for drinking, cooking, washing, and irrigating the fruit trees they had planted.

The Brunka Tribe is very well known for their art and crafts, and they play a leading role in the survival of the group. The Tribe is most noted for the ornamental masks, which are carved in balsa wood, and sometimes colored with natural dyes and acrylic paint. Those are the famous masks that are used in the “Dance of the Little Devils” (JUEGO DE LOS DIABLITOS). The Brunka women, until recently were still using pre-Colombian back-strap looms to weave colorful, natural cotton bags, table mats, and other interesting, and useful articles.

The Boruca Village displays their crafts in the museum, a thatch-roof Rancho by the entrance of their town.

The Rey Curré Village is about 30km south of Buenos Aires right of the highway. It is easy to stop by the cooperative where the crafts are for sale.

The Rey Curré language is known as Yimba CAJC.

Their Brunka territory is approximately 10,000 hectares, and the population somewhere between 1,000 and 1,200 people. Less than half of the inhabitants belong to Rey Curré reservation.

The tribe works very hard to maintain their ancestral traditions.

Historically, their territory has endured several occupations. Around the year 1500 BC, the shores of the Terraba River were occupied by human groups for the first time. For centuries, Curré was a small village, important producer of corn. Around the year 700 AD, was ruling the territory, always maintaining good relations with the other villages along the river.

In the beginning of the 20th century, several families migrated to the other side of the Interamerican highway, establishing what we know as the Boruca Village.

The Brunka Tribe lives on the fruits from the land, like bananas, beans, corn, oranges, coffee, watermelon, and rice among others. They also have domestic animals like chicken, pigs, cows, and horses. The river provides them with a variety of fish, that enhances their diet.

This tribe also grows and harvest cotton; it is turned into thread, colored with natural pigments, and used in the weaving of a variety of traditional and beautiful crafts. Additionally, they make decorated jicaras, which are small cup-like containers used for drinking.

As I mentioned earlier, some of their most popular creations are the cedar or balsa-wood masks used in the “Dance of the Little Devils” (JUEGO DE LOS DIABLITOS). They sell these masks to the visitor as souvenirs, or house ornaments.

The long-established “Dance of the Little Devils” is the representation of a historic episode lived by their ancestors during the Spanish invasion. Its purpose is to preserve the traditions, habits, beliefs, and language.

Its origin goes back to the colonial times, and has been transmitted from generation to generation as an oral tradition, keeping most of its original meaning.

There are two main protagonists; one is the Bull, representing the Spaniards, and the other one is "the little devils," representing the indigenous community.

The little devils have their own hierarchy. There are elder devils, one of them is the boss, and the others are the helpers. They are responsible for the success of the event by establishing disciplinary measures, and punishing those young devils breaking the rules.

The event starts at midnight, announcing the birth of the little devils. They start their rendezvous through each house in the community, receiving traditional food and beverages. All of it has a background of music and dancing.

With the first morning light, the appearance of the bull is announced. The elder devil directs the fights between the little devils and the bull during three days. Once again, all of it happens with music and dancing as a background.

On the third day, the bull kills all the little devils; the elder devil is the last one to die. Somehow, he returns to life and makes a very special call to the little devils, commanding them to come back to life, just as he did. They start chasing the bull which has retreated to the mountain. Once the little devils catch the bull; they proceed to burn it, doing it repeatedly, with the purpose of proclaiming their victory over the enemy.

The representation of this historical event ends with the showing of the bull carcase. The pieces of the bull’s custom are sold or given as a souvenir. The leftovers of the bull are incinerated, and everybody drinks chicha (a beverage made with fermented corn), toasting for the victory of the Brunka Tribe over the Spaniards.

When you visit Costa Rica, make sure to take the time to visit these indigenous reservations. You will enjoy the richness of their traditions, and the beauty of their heart.
http://www.boruca.org/en/

Costa Rica is one of the ' Safest Countries’ in 'Latin America.'

2013-01-13T18:11:00.002-07:00

No wonder many people choose to relocate here!

Have you ever visited a country for the first time and fallen in-love with it? You know, like love at the first sight!

Well, I have to tell you that it was exactly what happened to us.

Almost eight years ago, we decided to visit Costa Rica. At that point, we had several friends who had visited the country; one of them used to fly a couple of times a year in his experimental aircraft; other friends stopped in Costa Rica during their cruising adventure; they loved it, and others, simply came on a vacation which they truly enjoyed, thinking that it was a beautiful tropical paradise. Some people even call it The Switzerland of the Americas.

Since we love adventure and had heard so many good things about Costa Rica, it seemed like the perfect place to visit and explore the possibility to establish a new address.

At first, we fell in-love with the beaches of the central pacific, and is where we established a new address in Manuel Antonio only seven months after we visited the country for the first time.
Time went by and we explored the beaches of the southern zone, now called Costa Ballena. The beaches are unspoiled, full of wildlife. Everything was new, exotic, and exciting.

Just imagine a place so verdant you will need to make up new words to describe all the different shades of green… A place with so many unusual kinds of butterflies, an incredible variety of orchids, and more birds that you have ever seen together in a lifetime living in a big city. Imagine a land were staying well is a matter of living simply in healthy surroundings as opposed to having regular visits to the doctor, or having your medication right on time.

Besides the economic factors, and the longing for a better quality of life, there are some mysterious reasons why people come to Costa Rica.

Every time I hear friends talking about how they made the decision of relocating; I feel transported to a parallel world, where the logic has been replaced with a deep sense of self-nurturing.

It is common to hear phrases like:

·         ‘While walking on the beach my inner voice told me that I needed to move here to heal myself and those around me.’
·         ‘I had been visiting every year for several years, finally I decided to move permanently’
·         ‘I followed my heart/gut/dreams’
·         ‘The God/Spirit/Macaws, told me to come’

Even though, all sorts of people end up in Costa Rica, there is a distinct group that feels they have come to this country answering a higher call. Some are here to save the world, others just to save themselves from a lifetime of ‘all work and no play.’ A reason I find very valid. I am talking about average, logical, restless and driven people who have chosen to pay attention to the signals we all get, but often ignore, the message to slow down, open up, live life, enjoy being without the need of doing.

Many of us have come to the country hoping to live in harmony with nature and to learn from the slower, less driven culture; of course, these efforts are met with varying degree of success by different individuals.

The bottom line is if a voice is telling you to come to Costa Rica, you might want to listen, as crazy as it may sound; it could be the sanest choice you could ever make.

Costa Ballena specifically has a beauty that not only lies in a gorgeous landscape, but in its people, both, Ticos and residents from other countries.

The landscape is spectacular; ocean or mountain views are almost like a postcard picture, always bright, colorful, and vibrant.

It is quite common to see a group of people stopping in the middle of an aisle in the market, or at the side of the road to greet each other, exchanging hugs and kisses.

Not all this exchange of affection may be politically correct for some people, or in some places, but in Costa Rica, it is a way of life, a life that makes us feel like we are part of the whole. A happy ‘melting pot’

Many people coming to Costa Rica, including ‘Baby Boomers,’ have chosen this country not because it is dirt cheap, but because on top of being somewhat cheaper than their own countries; it is a safe and stable place where they can live in a supportive community, having excellent and inexpensive health care and even be able to afford household ‘help.’

Costa Rica has gotten the attention of the word’s stage in the last few years.

1. Could it be because the temperatures fluctuate around 80 degrees F all year-round?

2. Maybe it is because the affordable health care system is rated in the top 20 nations of the world.
3. Perhaps being out of the hurricane zone is quite appealing.
4. Or, is it because the taxes; which are in place even for foreign residents, are much lower than in other countries?

Whatever the reason, Costa Rica, besides being a well-known tourist destination, is also one of the most desirable retirement havens, with the highest standards of living in Latin America.

According to the recent Global Peace Index (GPI), Costa Rica has remained one of the safest and most peaceful countries in Latin America.

http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi-data/

The GPI evaluates multiple factors at the time of determining the ranking.

They look into aspects such as:

n Violent demonstrations
n Access to weapons
n Homicides and terrorist acts

They also take into consideration:
n Functionality of the government
n Civil liberties
n Literacy rates
n Gender Equality

According to Steve Killelea of the Institute for Economics and Peace, “what comes across dramatically in this year’s results and the six-year trend, is a shift in global priorities. Nations have become externally more peaceful as they tend to compete making use of economic means, rather than military ones.
http://economicsandpeace.org/about-us/research-committee/steve-killelea

One of the reasons why Costa Rica continues to grow as one of the world’s top destinations is because it is one of the few places where travelers feel safe exploring, almost any part of the country.

In this country, the wealth is not evenly distributed; however, the gaps are much smaller than they tend to be in other countries. People live simpler; without great material excess, and education, health, and welfare are available and affordable.

Costa Rica does not have a standing army maybe that is why it has not had the conflicts the neighboring countries have had. http://2costarica.com/safety.shtml

Drugs are not a big factor either, since Costa Rica is not a convenient pipeline to North America from Central America drug distribution. Crime is much lower than in many other countries.

The truth is if you are a conscious traveler, you will be able to apply the common sense rules, whether you are in Costa Rica or in your own country, for example:

n Be aware of your surroundings.
n If you drive around the country, always keep a can of fix-a-flat in the car, so, if you have a flat tire, you can take care of it right away until you can get it fixed permanently.
n If possible, get a cell phone when you are traveling.
n If you can, avoid traveling at night.
n Listen to your inner knowingness and your gut feeling.
n Be kind to the locals, they respond to it with kindness.
n Do not flash large wads of money.
n Keep your valuable jewelry in the safe; there is no need to advertise.
n Do not walk alone in secluded areas at night.
n Do not get into unnecessary arguments or fights.

Costa Rica, and in particular, Costa Ballena, is a safe and wonderful place to visit and or live in. We love the tropical and wild surroundings, the pristine beaches, the majestic views, and of course, the local and foreign people.

Besides, this gorgeous part of Costa Rica has been considered as one of the best the travel destinations for 2013.

From January 2013

By Heidi Mitchell

Appeared as "13 for 2013" in T+L Magazine

A pristine bay in Costa Rica has been a secret favorite of backpackers and migrating whales. But it couldn’t stay under that shroud of cloud forest forever. The opening of an eco-resort makes Bahia Ballena more inviting and accessible, and 2013 the right moment to visit.

The world is still vast, and even as you check iconic places off your bucket list, there’s a craving to set sail for the new, the next, the undiscovered. To determine which destinations like Bahia Ballena are coming up on the radar, T+L asked safari experts and art dealers, cutting-edge chefs and even branding agencies where they’re seeing a new neighborhood emerge or wineries getting more acclaim. Read more…

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/hottest-travel-destinations?xid=TLDaily010913HottestDestinationsOf2013

We have found in Costa Ballena, our home.

We want to invite you to visit us using the memorable phrase

“Mi CASA Es Su CASA”

The Shamans of Costa Rica...

2012-12-06T20:57:00.001-07:00

Costa Rica has many amazing National Parks. Today I want to talk about a very special and mystical National Park located in the south pacific area.

The Chirripó National Park. This is one of the wildest parks, it protects a large number of important ecosystems. The National Park takes its name from the mountain by the name of Chirripó, which is the highest mountain in Costa Rica; it reaches 3820 m (12,533 ft).

In the Talamanca Indian dialect, Chiripó means “Place of Enchanted Waters.”

The park is located approximately 30 km northeast from the city of San Isidro Del General; it is quite large, covering about 50150 ha (123,918 acres).

Chirripó was considered a sacred mountain by the pre-Colombian Indians.

According to the stories, only the tribal leaders and shamans were allowed to the summit. In fact, some interesting looking rock formation, known as “The Crestones” were considered as a shrine.

Some people say that, 25000 years ago, the summit was covered with glacial ice. Today, the highest levels are marked by bare rock with glacial features such as U-shaped valleys, ribbon lakes, and moraine deposits.

Chirripó means “Land of the Eternal Waters.”

Tribal leaders and shamans performed rituals atop the lofty shrine; lesser mortal who adventured up to the mountain were killed. Some say that there are magnetic fields swinging wildly at the top, particularly near the "Crestones." This is a very powerful reason that keeps drawing visitors to this place and its surrounding areas.

http://www.costaricaweb.cr/en/category/by-province/page/59/

The indigenous groups that lived in the shadow of Chirripó, allegedly referred to the peak as “the Magic Mountain.” On clear days at the summit, it is said that you can see both the Caribbean and the Pacific coastlines; you might even feel as if you were floating above Costa Rica, admiring the many layers of mountains descending to the ocean.

The clouds surrounding the mountain peaks, create a mystical visual experience.

At night, the stars glow just beyond the mountains, and if you observe the sky during the earlier morning, you might see stars cascading across the sky.

The Bribri Indigenous Tribe of the “Cordillera of Talamanca” is one of the few remaining indigenous group in Costa Rica. The Cordillera of Talamanca is the most rugged and unpopulated area of the country. The centerpiece of this mountain is the great mountain of Chirripó.

The Bribri social structure is organized in Clans.

Each clan is composed of an extended family. The clan system is matrilineal, which means; the child’s clan is determined by the clan his or her mother belongs to. This gives women a very important status within the tribe. For example, they are the only ones who can inherit the land and prepare the holy cacao drink, which is a sacred part of their rituals.

The legend says that the cocoa tree used to be a woman, and Sibu (God) at some point turned her into a tree, ever since, they consider it divine and for instance, they never use the branches of that tree for firewood, and just women are allowed to prepare and serve the sacred drink.

Men’s roles are defined by their clan.
Some roles are exclusive for men, for example,
* the roll of “usekor” or supreme shaman, the one connection between sibu-sura (god-goddess) and the tribe
* the role of an “awa” or the healer shaman
*the “oko” or person allowed touching the remains of the dead, singing funeral songs, and preparing the food eaten at funerals.

There is a very specific hierarchy among the Bribri tribe, and it is highly respected.

http://www.monografias.com/trabajos914/estructura-politico-religiosa/estructura-politico-religiosa2.shtml

The Shaman or “awa” holds a very important place within the Bribri society.

The Awa, are trained from the time they are 8 years old, that training lasts between 10 and 15 years. Only certain clans are allowed to become awa. Interesting enough, since the clan comes from the mother’s side of the family, an awa cannot teach his own sons, but rather the sons of his female relatives.

To this day, all the knowledge is transmitted orally from an older awa to the apprentice. Some of those valuable pieces of knowledge are the healing practices; they combine herbal medicine and spiritual healing. In order to heal, the shaman must learn a special song that allows him to connect to the trinity represented by the spirit of the plant being used, the disease, and the person. The shaman establishes the perfect connection with the three spirits, initiates the conversation, and with the aid of the plant spirit, convinces the illness to leave the person.

The Bribri spiritual center is a conical house. These Conical houses can also be found in many Amazonian groups. The conical house is a symbolic representation of the Universe; it is supported by pillars, symbolizing the animals that help Sibu (God) in the building of the Universe.

The Bribri believed the universe is shaped like a diamond, “as above so below." Therefore, the conical house has the physical part above ground, built with local materials. The invisible part of that diamond is beneth the ground and mirrors the material one.

On the physical part, Sibu has his realm; the top three layers belong to him; his helper is his faithful King Vulture; the one that can fly high enough to reach the top of the universe and serve as a link between Sibu and other worlds. The fourth layer represents the forest and sky. The fifth layer in the middle of the diamond represents the earth. Interestingly enough, the most maligned spirits known to them lives in the same, place. Sibu says that is the only way to keep them under control, locked up.

On the mirrored part, below the earth, lives Sura, the one who receives the souls of the Bribri after death, because she was their creator.

It is truly fascinating, that even in current times; Costa Rica has indigenous groups that have managed to preserve their traditions, and beliefs. This, of course, has come at the price of being isolated; additionally, they have seen their number diminishing over time.

Fortunately, there are some non-profit organizations working in the area for the benefit of this exceptional tribe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bribri_people#Culture_and_Spirituality

Next time you come to Costa Rica, make sure to spend several days in the southern zone. That will allow you the opportunity to visit the Chirripo Mountain, and experience the magic of the shamans living in the area.

If you want to obtain more information, and make arrangements for a tour to this fabulous place, contact http://www.uvita.info/tours, they will take care of all the arrangement needed during your vacation.

Who doesn't love Toucans?

2012-11-12T20:21:00.001-07:00

Once you have seen a toucan in person, it is very difficult to avoid falling in love with it. It seems like many of us have some kind of cartoon–like image of a toucan from our childhood, like Toucan Sam, or the most recent lovely toucan in the movie Rio, Rafael.

The truth is, the human mind has the tendency to remember a toucan, because it a very colorful, carries an enormous beak, which looks like it is bigger than its body length, it has the sweetest most vivid eyes, and looks like a stuffed toy.

When I saw my first toucan in Ojochal, happily perching on a tree by my house, I kept waiting for it to move, since it looked so cute, I could not believe it was a real toucan, and then to show me, he started flying.

Costa Rica is home for six of the 40 species currently living around the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toucan

Toucans live only in the tropics. The keel-billed and the chestnut-mandible are the largest spiciest of toucan in Costa Rica.

Toucans are most famous for their large and colorful beaks. The size and color differ from specie to specie and from male to female; however, in general, the beak alone represents one-third of the body length, and it is surprisingly light, because it is hollow. It is also their nature given protection against intruders. When it comes to defending against large predators like the harpy eagle, toucans prefer to hide in a hollow tree cavity until the predator leaves.

Toucans have very few predators in the rainforest, as I mentioned the harpy eagle will actually eat a toucan if it can catch it; other predators are the snake, but more often than not what they eat is the toucan eggs. Toucans are able to hide from predators because they have excellent eyesight that allows them to distinguish friends from enemies.

Toucans eat mostly fruits, nuts, and seeds; however, they eat some insects and small reptiles like lizards, spiders, frogs, snakes, and sometimes they eat the eggs of other little birds that seem to give them a crucial addition of protein to their diet.

I remember one of my friends telling me “you don’t even want to know what toucans eat,” then she said with great disgust, “They eat other bird’s eggs.” I can see why she felt so uneasy about it; even so, if we think about it; it is the natural process of life, part of the food chain. It does not change how much I like them; they are only doing what they supposed to do. Some people say that toucans have such enormous beaks to be able to eat a wide variety of foods.

Toucans live high in the treetops around lowland forest or mangroves close to the beach. During the hottest part of the day, they seek the shade in the deep foliage.

They have short feet; each one has four claws, two that go backward, and the other two forward. That configuration allows them to have a better grip on the branches, and hold the food without dropping it. Their short feet help them to move from one tree to another by jumping with a brief opening of the wings.

Toucans are usually seen in pairs, or in small groups; they have unique ways of reproduction. The males attract their mate with a very loud matting call, which can be heard from long distances. After they get together and mate, the female starts the pregnancy period, which goes from three to 10 days. Once she laid the eggs, it takes about a month for them to hatch. The female lays from one to four eggs on the nest, usually all of them survive unless a snake gets them. The period of incubation could last up to 18 days. The male and the female share the task of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. The baby chicks look just like the adult toucan, but have brighter feathers and smaller beaks in proportion to its little bodies, which are around 10 cm, and their color is dark yellow. It takes about nine weeks for the new born to become self-feeding, and ready to move on.

Toucans live up to 20 years. They are very vocal some people call them noisy. They love to congregate in large groups, perching on the mangrove trees between our house and the beach. It is like being in the front seat at a concert.
Listen to the Toucan call

Toucans have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years, and they had been considered sacred by the Incas and revered by the Maya civilization. These two indigenous tribes considered the Toucan as a mystic symbol and a tribal totem. In their belief, this bird could teach people to speak up and express themselves. The Shamans considered the toucan as the connection between the worlds of the living and the spirits.

It is interesting to see how toucans have been appreciated throughout the centuries for many different reasons. Personally, toucans are part of my everyday life, and even though I see them often, I find them more fascinating.

Every time I see them; I take a photo, or record their call in my cell phone; I feel joyful.

When you visit Costa Rica, make sure you ask the locals, where you can see the toucans in their natural habitat, you will love the experience.

Have you ever wondered where your coffee comes from?

2012-10-29T17:08:00.000-06:00

Every morning I enjoy the beginning of a new day in this beautiful Costa Rica, invariably with a cup of coffee in my hand. For the most part, I am simply content with having my coffee, not thinking about where it came from.

I have always been a coffee lover, and Costa Rican coffee is one of my favorites; it is actually very common to hear that it is one of the best in the world. When a friend of mine mentioned she liked the flavor of the coffee fruit, I became very curious, since I never thought of coffee as a fruit. Therefore, I decided to look into what is behind that aromatic cup of coffee I enjoy so much.

If you are not visiting or living in Costa Rica, your coffee probably has undertaken an amazing journey from far en exotic places, and gone through the incredible process of harvesting, sorting, drying, roasting, shipping, and brewing into your cup.

Without being a connoisseur, it is hard to know what the coffee tastes like, based on its name or the region of origin; however, the experts say that the specific region where the coffee was harvested has a lot to do with its taste.

According to the experts, there are four highly productive regions in the world, where each type of coffee grown has very distinctive characteristics of aroma, flavor, acidity, and body.

1 Latin America

2 Africa/Arabia

3 Asia-Indo-Pacific

4 Hawaii~Jamaica

http://www.universityofcoffee.co.ukIn Latin American Region, there are six countries with outstanding quality product, and each one of them has different characteristics.

Region/Name	Acidity	Body	Aroma	Flavor	Roast
Brazilian	Mild	Medium	Complex	Dry, Spicy, Sweet	Medium-Dark
Colombian	Medium-Strong	Medium-Full	Fully	Rich, Sweet, Caramel-like	Medium
Costa Rican	Subtle	Full	Fragrant	Rich, Smooth, Sweet, Smokey	Medium-Dark
Guatemalan	Medium-High	Heavy	Pleasant, Invigorating	Rich, Chocolaty, Mild, Subtle	Medium-Dark
Mexican	Low-Medium	Medium-Light, Smooth	Faint	Dry, Sweet, Hints of Hazelnut	Medium- Light
Nicaraguan	Low-Medium	Light	Faint	Mild, Pleasant	Medium- Light

The coffee production in Costa Rica started in 1779 in the Meseta Central. This area had the perfect type of soil and climate conditions to promote the cultivation of the Arabica blend.

Arabs were the first ones cultivating coffee, and trading it. As the story goes, the knowledge of coffee spread to the Arabian Peninsula from Ethiopia during the 9^th century. A monk by the name of Kaldi, observed a group of goats eating berries from a certain tree in the Ethiopian field close to his monastery. His curiosity led him to notice that after eating the berries; the goats would become energized, not wanting to sleep at night. Kaldi reported his finding to the head of the monastery. He decided to make a drink with the berries. To his delight, the drink turned out to be a great energy booster, allowing him to be alert during the long hours of evening meditation. The discovery immediately started to spread through Arabia, where the deliberate cultivation started.

How do we get from the coffee berries to the Aromatic cup of coffee?

Well, it all begins with the coffee plant; it produces a berry that turns red when it is ripe. That is the best time to harvest it. That same day of the harvest, the pulp must be removed to avoid fermentation; it is done using the wet process because it allows the coffee to be washed easily. After removing the pulp, the beans are classified to assure quality, they are cleaned to avoid any fermentation of any pulp remnants. Costa Rica uses the sundry method, which is the next step; in it, the beans rest under the sun during seven days. At the end of the seven days, the bean is dry but “green,” and it needs to be roasted.

Roasting is the last step of the process, and it is the most essential. It requires impeccable timing and setting of temperature to provide the perfect product. While the beans are roasting, they will split and their coating will be released. The strength of the coffee flavor depends greatly on the bean roasting formula. For example, the longer the bean is roasted, the more intense the flavor will be. Ironically, it is assumed the stronger the flavor the more caffeine is in it; however, it is actually the opposite. The longer the bean is roasted; the more caffeine is removed. During the roasting process, the natural sugars in the bean brake down, they emerge and caramelized when exposed to high temperatures. There are several roasting methods and each one helps to enhance specific features of the coffee beans.

Here is another interesting question I had for years. If the bean is the seed, and it is being roasted, becoming a cup of coffee, how do you grow the plant from a seed?

Well, here is a picture of the berries, when they are red; they are ready to process into the roasted coffee beans; however, when they are overripe, the color read turns into almost purple, and that seed can be used to grow a new plant.

It takes around 60 days from germination to sprout.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/growingcoffee/Growing_Coffee_at_Home.html

Between 3 and four months, you will have a funny-looking sprout with a bean as a helmet. After the 4^th month, the sprout grows into a plant, it is only around the 9^th month that the plant starts looking like a coffee plant; they grow as tall as 4.5 feet.

The coffee plant starts producing the berries as early as the 3^rd year, and as late as the fifth. It will be productive for a period between 15 and 20 years.

Costa Rican coffee is high in quality and caffeine content. In some cases, the pure-high quality coffee is blended with inferior varieties with the purpose of providing a local product at an affordable price.

Coffee has been vital to the Costa Rican economy. Most of the coffee growers were prominent members of society. Most recently, since the price of coffee dropped in the global markets, Costa Rica has been feeling the impact; nevertheless, the “Coffee Institute in Costa Rica” http://www.icafe.go.cr/ingles/ is working with other organizations to promote it around the world.

In fact, an International coffee symposium will take place on November 11, 2012, at the Ramada Plaza Herradura, Costa Rica. This event is being organized by the Association for Science and Information on Coffee. This event is particularly important because it is the first time the coffee specialist will meet in Central America and only the third time in Latin America since 1966. http://www.ticotimes.net/Business/Coffee-symposium-to-give-growers-a-boost_Friday-September-28-2012

Whenever you visit Costa Rica, make sure

you have the “Coffee Experience”

Passion Fruit or Maracuyá is a delicious tropical fruit, plentiful in Costa Rica. It is also a great aid for anxiety and Insomnia.

2012-09-29T17:01:00.000-06:00

Passion fruit it is also called Maracuyá. It is the fruit of a tropical plant, well known for its vines, and its flowers. I know; it is a bit confusing when people talk about the fruit, the vine, and the flower as if they were interchangeable. To a certain extent, they are… each one of the parts can be consumed by humans, and each one of them provides some kind of medicinal benefits.

Many people recognize this plant by its scientific name “Passiflora.”

It is a hardy wood vine. It can grow up to 10 meters long and puts off tendrils, enabling to climb up and over other plants in the rainforest canopy. It bears striking large white flowers with pink or purple centers. The flowers are actually the ones giving the name to this plant, mainly because the Spanish missionaries thought they represented some of the objects associated with the passion and crucifixion of Christ.

The vine produces a delicious fruit, which is the size of a large lemon; its smooth skin starts to wrinkle when it is ripe, and that is the best time to eat it. The name given to this fruit in the Amazon is maracuyá, and it grows from South to North America. There are hundreds of species of this vine, but the most known are the incarnata and the edulis.

In 1569, Passionflower was discovered in Peru by a Spanish doctor by the name of Monardes. He documented the indigenous uses, and shared the information with the old world; it quickly became a popular calming and sedative herbal tea. The Spanish conquerors also introduced the plant to Europe, where it became widely cultivated, and is currently a part of the herb medicine systems.

Chemical analysis indicates Passionflower contains three main groups of active substances: alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids. It also contains maltol, which has been documented with sedative properties. A group of harmane alkaloids demonstrated, antispasmodic- activity as well as the ability to lower blood pressure. In addition, a flavonoid by the name of chrysin has proven significant anti-anxiety action.

Passionflowers are edible; they are used in tropical cuisine as an addition for salads or a garnish for food or beverages.

Benefits.

· Passionflower is used to relax hyperactive children.

· It has disinfectant properties.

· It provides the same benefits than the herb, in a mild version.

The use of the Passion vine (Passiflora incarnata) has a depressing effect on the central nervous system. In other words, it slows the action on the nerves. That is why the herb is very helpful in cases of insomnia and muscular spasms. It seems to be the best natural drug to slow down over-activity of the nervous system as well as any condition resulting from it, including severe spasms, epilepsy, tetanus, hysteria, and even obsessive thinking can be reduced using this herb.

The herb, (vine, and leaves) may be made into tea, dried and into capsules, or distilled into a tincture for higher potency.

The leaves are typically prepared in standard infusions; the traditional dosage is 1 cup 2-3 times daily; however, it can be substituted with 2-3 grams in tablets or capsules, also 2-3 times every day.

Benefits.

· It is known to calm nervousness and anxiety.

· It acts as a mild sleep aid.

· It can help to relax the digestive system.

· It is anti-hypertensive.

· It may be helpful for asthma.

There are two types of Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), purple and yellow, they look very different in appearance, but they actually taste the same. The purple is the smaller of both, being the size of a large egg, also has an oval shape. The yellow one, is round in shape, and can be as big as an orange.

Both contain a jelly-like pulp inside with hundreds of small black seeds.

It is important to eat them only when they are ripe because the unripe fruit may contain toxins. The way to know if the fruit is ripened is by the extent of wrinkles in the skin. The fruit with more wrinkles is better and sweeter.

Passion fruit is a healthy fruit, due to it high content of potassium, vitamin C, beta-carotene, lycopene and dietary fiber.

Benefits.

· The juice is delicious and may be helpful for those with high blood pressure.

· The juice contains the same alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids than the flower, but in a milder amount.

· Therefore, if you drink a glass of cold passion fruit juice, you may experience a relaxation of your mind as well as a sense of calmness and happiness.

Since we are living a fast-paced life with increasing uncertainty, it is very common to find ourselves experiencing some level of anxiety and irritation towards the daily events that seem out of our control. Sometimes, our nervous system gets so unbalanced we cannot fall asleep, even though the nervous system desperately needs sleep. The use of passiflora, simply gives the nerves a break when they need it. It will gently slow the system down so we can drift off to sleep without fear of a hangover the next day, and much healthier than sleeping pills.

Of course, when you visit Costa Rica, you might find yourself in an environment that helps you to forget about the daily troubles, and makes you feel you are in the physical and mental vacation you have been dreaming of for a while. If that is the case, then you do not need passiflora, but you can still enjoy a delightful Maracuyá mimosa. Cheers!

Costa Rica is waiting for you with open arms and its many gifts of nature.

“Whales” Their gift to Life...

2012-09-11T21:35:00.000-06:00

“Whales” If they are our friends… shouldn’t we acknowledge their contribution to our well-being?

Whales are amazing creatures, and they have been immortalized by writers like Herman Melville with his classic Moby Dick, and most recently in the story about Keiko the star in the Free Willy Movie.

We have always been fascinated by whales; they are amazing beings, and we have been very lucky having the opportunity of seeing them and their calves, near to our boat while going fishing. “Who does not love the thrilling experience of seeing them very close and in person?” We think of them as our colossal friends.

History has revealed there was a time when whales were an important part of the aborigine’s diet. For some indigenous groups like the Alaskan natives, they are still a key element of their livelihood. Somehow, over the years, whales began to play a significant role in the economic system. The whaling industry emerged in the 16^th- 17^th century due to the increasing need of goods and advances in technology. By the 18th and 19th century, whaling became a highly competitive business. Furthermore, in the beginning of the 20th century, the world saw the introduction of factory ships, created with the sole purpose of hunt, capture, and transport whales more effectively.

Of course, during that whaling era, many species became endangered. The huge reduction in their numbers caused all sorts of environmental changes, which have affected the earth eco-systems. Some of the consequences can be seen in the increased levels of carbon dioxide to global warming, in addition to the changes of feeding habits in many aquatic life forms due to the destabilized food chain.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5981109_effect-whales-ecosystems.html#ixzz24fB7RWxU

Fortunately, in 1986 the International Whaling Commission banned the practice of commercial whaling in certain countries. http://iwcoffice.org

The IWC is an organization created to prevent the over-hunting of whales, and create policies as to how people are allowed to interact with whales.

Despite the efforts of several organizations, there are countries that are not part of any agreement to stop killing whales. Some of them are still, hunting them to this day. It is the reason why, many individuals and organized groups are playing catch up to protect as many endangered species as possible.

If we could grasp the magnitude of the great contribution whales make to our every-day life; we could consciously decide to think about being more responsible in our interaction with them.

I found four reasons why whales are important to our environment, and I think they are good reasons.

http://www.whale-and-dolphin-facts.com/arguments-against-whaling.html

1. Whales play a huge role in stabilizing the aquatic food chain and reproduction of other species. For example, if a blue whale consumes as much as 40 million krill per day, what do you think would happen with the oceanic ecosystem if this type of whale was extinct, and no other specie would eat that much krill?

2. By studying whales, scientists have made great advances in issues like echolocation, marine biology, marine mammal intelligence, aquatic environments, etc.

3. Believe it, or not, whale poop, plays a huge role in stabilizing the carbon levels within the atmosphere by stimulating the growth of phytoplankton. This type of marine plant pulls carbon from the air, providing a healthier environment for both land and aquatic life form.

4. In many countries like Costa Rica, Whale Watching has become a very important source of tourism and income.

This type of activity often stimulates the country's economic growth. http://www.dolphintourcostarica.com/

Let see how many years a whale supposed to live if given the opportunity:

Humpbacks live about 125 years.

Gray whales live 30 to 60 years.

Blue whales live between 80 and 90 years.

Fin whales live about 85 years.

Minke whales 40 to 50 years

The Sperm whale lives about 75 years.

In general, most whales can live to be 50 if their environment is not altered.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_long_do_whales_live

I do not belong to any pro-whale organization; however, living in Uvita, Costa Rica, has given me more appreciation for these majestic mammals.

Marino Ballena National Park is one of the sanctuaries the humpback whales visit every year.

They come to have their babies, because the warm waters of our southern pacific coast are very nurturing to them.

We are fortunate to be in a place where these magnificent creatures come for their annual visit. That makes me realize, that if we all think of all the “Good” these animals bring to our lives, and the key role they play in our well-being, we might be willing to help them to reach their full maturity. These intelligent creatures are our friends! As long as we treat them with respect, they will continue making our world a balanced and happy place for all.

“Guanabana” This delicious Tropical Fruit could be the free cure for Cancer.

2012-08-20T14:22:00.006-06:00

Guanabana is an odd- looking tropical fruit; it has an oval or heart-shape; the sizes range from 4 to 12-inch log and up to 6 inches wide. The weight could be from 10 to 15 lb. The skin is covered with curved, soft, pliable spines; it is bright green when is still immature and turns yellowish as it ripens.

The ripe fruit has a snow-white flesh beneath the skin; it is like a compound of juicy segment that separate easily from the soft-pithy core, and some of them harbor a dark-brown seed. The flavor is a unique, sub-acid, sweet, and the texture is custard like.

The guanabana tree is a tropical tree that grows in Mexico and in the rain forests of Central and South America.

The guanabana is known by different names like Graviola and Soursop. The scientific name is annona muricata, and it is in the Annonaceae family. The apple custard, fruit that might sound more familiar to you, belongs to the same group. The guanabana apparently was first found from Mexico to South America by the Spaniards; they introduced it in Europe, and by now, the fruit grows in Asia and the Pacific Islands. This fruit is extremely abundant in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Bahamas, Colombia, and Brazil.

Costa Rica is also blessed with the abundant presence of this delicious fruit. It is easily recognized on the market or fruit stands with their heart-shaped form, green, spiny skin and a white, creamy pulp with oval black seeds.

The guanabana tree is a relatively small, growing up to 10 meter. It can be a good candidate for a home garden. Its yellow flowers and its glossy evergreen leaves have a peculiar odor and have proven to be valuable as natural medicine.

http://www.thenewdawncenter.info/2/post/2012/06/guanabana-a-tree-for-all-reasons.html

You can start your own trees, simply saving the seeds of the guanabana after you eat it. Plant one seed per pot filled with fertile soil. Germination takes over two weeks. After few years, some people say between 3 and five years, you will be able to eat the guanabanas from your own trees.

The pulp of the guanabana can be described as custard-like, with a taste similar to strawberry and pineapple.

Guanabana tree is one of those tropical trees from which each part of it can be consumed, and each part has specific medicinal-like properties.

Some of the medicinal benefits are:

Part of the tree		usage
Seeds	Emetic properties	To stop vomiting
Leaves	In infusion -3 cups a day. In tincture -8 ml a day In capsules -6 grams a day	To kill bacteria and viruses To kill parasites To reduce blood pressure, lower heart rate, stimulate digestion
Leaves	Crushed	To apply on skin rashes, eczema, and helps to on rheumatism pain.
Fruit	Juice form	To help liver problems
Flesh	As a balm	To speed healing of wounds
Young shoots or leaves.	In infusion	To help with gall bladder troubles, coughs, dysentery, fever, and indigestion.
Root bark	Extract	As an antidote for poisoning

In general, Guanabana has been used by ancestral central and southern American groups, acknowledging several health properties:

It has antimicrobial properties, for bacterial and fungal infections.

It is effective against internal parasites and worms.

It helps to lower high blood pressure.

It has been used in the treatment of depression, stress, and nervous disorders.

It protects the immune system, and helps to avoid infections.

It boosts your energy, improving outlook on life.

Most recently, research has been conducted by National Institute of Health, the National Cancer Institute, Purdue University, and the Catholic University of South Korea. The Outcome of the research shows that a compound extracted from the leaves and stems of the guanabana tree were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells. It only kills the cancerous cells without harming the healthy ones. It can actually be compared with some chemotherapy drugs because it attacks cancer effectively without causing extreme nausea, weight loss, and hair loss.

The National Institute of Health created in 1998 the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine has studied the healing properties of natural supplements like herbs and fruits.

John Hopkins University has one of the five top medical schools in the U.S., apparently they have treated and cured their students with herbs and other natural food supplies, under the argument that they do not have the side effect pharmaceutical drugs do. Apparently they tested over 20,000 different plants, and found that the leaves from the guanabana tree can kill cancer cells. Some people say that the institutions researching the Guanabana determined it to be the best cure for cancer.
If that is true, then why that information is not widely available to the public?

Good question, it could be for a number of reasons, the one I prefer to consider is the fact that it considered an “unproven therapy.” Being “unproven" does not mean it has been disapproved; therefore, I like to think about the following points:

1. It works

2. It is in-expensive

3. No negative side effects

4. It is non-patentable.

Guanabana has not been considered more seriously by any drug company. Maybe that is the good news!

That assures us that this delicious fruit tree will always be out there for the world, to provide us with its God given benefits while we enjoy the wonderful flavor of its fruit.

“The Ojoche Tree” This magnificent tree has saved many lives

2012-07-24T15:30:00.013-06:00

Every time we tell friends and family, we live in Ojochal; the look in their eyes is priceless; some times they can hardly repeat the word. Of course, the next question is: what does Ojochal mean? Does it mean anything, or is just a made-up word?

Since I did not know the answer when we first moved to this beautiful town; I decided to research and find out what Ojochal means:

Ojochal is a name given to a large area of land populated with ojoche trees. In fact, this beautiful town by the name of Ojochal was a non-populated area, only covered with these trees during the mid 1930's.
The first families moving into the area appreciated the trees for their fruit and shade and decided to call the place “Ojochal.” These pioneer families acknowledged the nutritional and overall value of this magnificent tree. Unfortunately, during the 1950s, the town had grown a lot, and the need for cattle land promoted the logging of the ojoche trees, running them into extinction.

A group of women of Ojochal, under the group name of “AMO” (Asociación de Mujeres de Ojochal), recently started the Ojoche rescue project, it consists on planting ojoche trees in some strategic areas within the town. They started with the first Ojoche tree near the Public Library. This rescue program is aiming to provide Ojochal with part of its historic identity, and most importantly, provide the community with the high nutritional and economic benefit this species has to offer.

The scientific name to the ojoche tree is brosimum, and it is known as Maya Nut. The commercial names for their wood are letterwood or snakewood.

This tree is a proud giant of our forests. Sometimes; it produces a red hearthood of incomparable quality and appearance; however, nobody knows why some trees do not have that kind of wood.

According to some sources, there are two kinds of ojoche:

1- Brosimum guianense, this is the ojoche with the heartwood, which color ranges from dark red to reddish brown with irregular radial black markings, or black vertical stripes alone or in conjunction with speckles. Its wood has been used for quality furniture.

2- Brosimum alicastrum, this is the ojoche with no reddish heartwood; the wood is entirely white-yellowish. Its wood is much lower in quality, and has been used in construction.

Both types are considered as heavy wood, and both represent an important source of food. It is a big tree, usually up to 20 to 40 mt. (65.5 to 131.2 ft) in height, and a diameter of 50 to 90 cm (19.7 to 35.4 inches). These trees grow in hot-humid and sub-humid tropical forests. You can find them from sea level to about 1000 mt. (3281 ft.) above sea. They grow better in well-drained soils; however, they are very adaptable.

The Ojoche is an amazing tree; it does not need special irrigation or specific care. It is drought resistant, and it has a good performance despite the climatic changes within the country. It provides habitat and food for animals and birds.
This is one of the tropical trees, of which one can take advantage of all its parts, whether foliage, bark, branches, sap, fruit, and seeds.

The Ojoche or Maya Nut was the staple of the pre-hispanic cultures throughout the tropical areas. They protected the trees because their fruit attracted their favorite game species like deer, wild pigs, among others. In recent history, thousands of villages have survived drought and war by eating Maya Nut when no other food was available. Over the years, the use of the ojoche as the mean of food source got lost in time, giving place to the corn, wheat, and rice because they were easier and faster to cultivate.

The ojoche tree takes between 25 and 30 years to bear fruits. After such long waiting time, the ojoche tree provides an abundant production of fruit and seeds; somewhere between 50 and 75 kilos (110-165 pounds) per tree.

Between 1953 and 1954, the North Pacific of Costa Rica experienced a long drought. During that time, all the crops were lost; the wells and springs dried up, but providentially, ojoche trees (Maya nut) produced enough fruit throughout the 24-month period, feeding thousands of families.

The little fruit is round and orange in color, and has a citrus smell; the pulp can be eaten raw or made into preserve.

The seed is full of nutrients, including antioxidants. One can compare this seed to quinoa, soy, and amaranth. It contains good levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. It is also high in calcium, potassium, fiber, protein, iron, zinc, and folic acid.

http>//mayanutinstitute.org/page.cfm?pageid=18914

The seeds can be eaten boiled, roasted, or raw. If they are boiled, the nut has a taste similar to the mashed potato, and they are commonly used in soups, puree, burgers, tortillas, etc. The toasted seeds taste like coffee or chocolate, and they are used in drinks, cookies, breads, cakes, and other sweet desserts.

Here are some other interesting facts:

- The sap of this tree is used to cure asthma and anemia in central and South American Countries.

- The dried nuts can be stores up to five years.

- It helps in the preventions of osteoporosis and arthritis.

- It is a good remedy against insomnia and anxiety.

In Costa Rica, there are several organized groups, already working towards the goal of bringing back the “Ojoche Tree” as an integral part of the culture and economy in this country.

http://www.fincaleola.com/ojoche.html

http://www.haciendabaru.com/Plants.htm

http://amojochal.blogspot.com/

Perhaps our generation may not be able to enjoy the benefits of the reforestation. Nevertheless is good to know that our kids will receive a better, and more plentiful Costa Rica.

“Mango, The King of the Fruit World”

2012-07-10T13:55:00.000-06:00

Mango is a sizable oval tropical fruit with a smooth skin that goes from green to red in the color spectrum. The pulp of this delicious fruit is juicy and aromatic, enveloping a large and hairy seed.

The scientific name of the mango tree is mangifera indica. The mango is native to East Indian subcontinent, from where it has spread all over the world over hundreds of years.

The mango trees were introduced in Costa Rica in early 1800s from travelers coming from other Latin American countries. There are large mango farms in Alajuela and Orotina area; however, mangos are very easy to find along the pacific coast. Almost everybody in Ojochal, Uvita, Dominical, and Manuel Antonio have at least one mango tree, and virtually every vacant lot has one or two. That means there are mangos for everybody in Costa Rica, and enough to export to other countries.

The most popular varieties grown in Costa Rica are:

http://www.mango.org/varieties-and-availability

Ataulfo. It has a small seed, sweet and creamy flavor, and smooth firm flesh with no fibers. Its color is vibrant yellow.

Keitt. It is sweet and fruity, firm juicy flesh with limited fibers, large oval shape. It color is dark to medium green with a pink blush over small areas.

Haden. It has a flavor full of rich and aromatic overtones, firm flesh due to fine to medium fibers, average to large with oval to round shape. Its color is bright red, green, and yellow.

Tommy Atkins. It is mildly and sweet, firm flesh with fibers throughout, medium to large with oval or oblong shape. A dark-red blush often covers much of the fruit with green and yellow-orange accents.

It is worth to mention that Ticos have a very informal and easy way of referring to the mango categories, regardless to the above classification:

Mango Creole, also called by the locals, Manguito Criollo, this is the little mango of Costa Rica (manguito is the word used for small mango.)

Manga, this is the large mango of Costa Rica.

Both kinds are sub-classified as green or ripe.

It is a culinary tradition to eat the mango when is still green; as a refreshing snack, they peel it, slice it and eat it with salt. Yummy!

We have those two kinds in our properties. One of them appears to be the Haden kind; they are delicious, and this year; we harvested several of them with a weight up to 1.5 kg. We started calling them huge-mango-mangos. The other kind we have in the property seems to be what locals call “mango Creole” it is small, yellow, and a little stringy. It is the kind you can roll in your hand to make it super soft, then pierce and suck out their refreshing sweet juice. What an experience!

This link shows varieties of mangos. http://toptropicals.com/html/toptropicals/articles/fruit/varieties_mango.htm

In Costa Rica, mango trees start flowering in January through March, being triggered by the summer time in this region. The mango tree produces thousands of tiny pink-yellow flowers, a large percentage of them self-abort, and the flowers left will mature and produce fruits. The tree produces fruit between February and July; some people say that length of the harvest can go from 90 to 150 days. This year has been particularly abundant in the mango production.

The commercial mango growers in Costa Rica do not use the mango seed to grow brand new trees. They consider this practice undesirable for the production of quality fruit. Nevertheless, the fertile land in Costa Rica allows new trees to grow from seeds that have been left over the ground, after being stripped from their flesh by a monkey or squirrel.

Everyone loves mangos, sometimes; we even have to fight over them.

It is fascinating to find information about mango trees and the mango fruit, for example:

- The mango tree is sacred in India. It is a symbol of love, and is used at the weddings to ensure the couple will have plenty of children.
- Some people in India believe that the mango tree can grant wishes.
- In India, the mango leaves are use to make garlands and runners to be hung at the doorway of the home during Hindu new year, wedding, or birth of a child.
- Mango wood is used to make furniture, carving, and wood paneling.
- Burning mango wood, leaves or debris, is not recommended because it toxic fumes could irritate your lungs and eyes.
- Some people say that mango leaves could be toxic and kill or other grazing livestock. However, some others process the mango pits to use in the cattle feed.

It seems like every part of the mango is beneficial, and they have been utilized in traditional remedies in one form or another. Bark, leaves, skin or pit, have been connected to various types of treatments throughout the centuries.

Here are some of the medicinal properties attributed to the mango tree over the centuries: Anti-viral, Anti-parasitic, Anti-septic, Anti-asthmatic, Expectorant, Cardio tonic, Contraceptive, Aphrodisiac, Hypotensive, Laxative, and Stomachic. Whether a myth, or not, one thing is for sure, when you eat the mango fruit, you feel better.

Health properties:

There has been extensive research about mangos, and they seem to be rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants, and very low in calories. Mangos are rich in iron, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, contain soluble dietary fiber; they are low in sodium and high in potassium; they also contain good amounts of b-complex vitamins.

- Mangos contain an enzyme similar to the one found in papayas that helps to sooth your stomach acting as a digestive aid, and can actually be held responsible for that feeling of contentment experienced after eating them.

- Mangos are good to replenish lost salts, vitamins, minerals, and energy after you exercise. Reach for a mango instead of an energy drink after you exercise; you will feel better, and it is natural.

Mango Nutrient Information

Serving size: 3 1/2 ounces mango slices

Calories
Protein
Total Carbohydrate
Fat
Cholesterol
Sodium
Potassium
Vitamin A
Vitamin C

66
0.5g
17g
0.27g
0mg
2mg
156mg
3,890IU
27mg

Source: http://freshmangos.com/aboutmangos/index.html

Mangos are a healthy and delicious way to stay in shape.

Do you remember that all saying about “one apple a day, keeps the doctor away”? Well, we have replaced it for “one mango a day, keeps the doctor away.” Of course, this is the tropical version.

We have been very blessed by having so many mangos in our properties; we have had enough to share with our friend. Besides eating them fresh, we have used them in sauces; we have prepared pudding, smoothies, mango cobbler, and mango pie.

Some people believe that mangos should not be stored in the refrigerator; however, living in a tropical paradise, were temperatures are high, we refrigerate them, and they still taste good. We have also freeze them, and they are awesome. In my opinion, no matter what your preferences are, mangos are always delicious.

Next time you come to Costa Rica, make sure you enjoy this wonderful fruit.

“Mango, the King of the Fruit World”

"Geckos," when you get to know them, "you love them"

2012-06-13T16:26:00.000-06:00

The very first time I saw a gecko was in the shower of one of my friend’s beach house. I got out of there as fast as I could; since I had no idea what kind reptile could look like a mini-dinosaur, my mind started wondering if it could be dangerous. Looking back, I believe I experienced fear based on lack or knowledge.

Now that I live in Costa Rica, in a tropical environment I have learned to live with them, yes, we share the same house and facilities. Unbelievably, we live in total harmony with them, some sort of unity in diversity.

Some people say that having geckos in your house is a good omen; whether that is true or not, I believe they are great roommates, simply because they control the insect population in your home. Of course, this comment is somehow difficult to understand until you see this picture…

You might not like lizards, but you have to admit that some of them are cool, and geckos belong to the lizard family. These gecko guys have an astonishing ability to climb, so amazing that they can cross a glass window, scurry up a wall, and even walk along the ceiling. Can you think of another creature able to do that? I can't; that is why I like them so much.

Geckos are equipped with “tools” that only geckos possess!

When we think about geckos climbing a well-polished glass window, we have to discard the possibility that the glass has crevices for them to climb. The suction theory is not possible either because the gecko’s feet do not have a cup shape to push out air; friction might work for the wall, but not on the ceiling; sticky feet could work, but the feet do not have any glands to produce a glue-like substance.

How can they do it? Well, some scientists have analyzed closely and thoroughly the gecko feet, in order to find a good explanation for this amazing ability, and they have come up with the theory that the magic lies in the interaction between the molecules. This is what scientists call van der Waals force. For geckos, being able to stick to the wall, or walk across the ceiling does not necessarily depend on, what the gecko toes are made of, but the shape. Each toe has a network of millions of tiny hairs; at the end of each hair, there are thousands of tiny pads. There is a very amazing, and very small attraction between each tiny pad and the molecules on the surface beneath or above the foot; however, the force is multiplied by having millions of tiny molecular attractions. I could actually say that those tiny pads acted like hooks. A gecko can even hang by a single toe, and some researchers, say that if all the pads of a gecko were touching the surface at the same time, the gecko could hold almost 300 pounds. That is what I call GECKO POWER!

Geckos can be found on almost every continent except in Antarctica; they do a lot of good; they play a major role making our lives and environment more comfortable, as they include in their diet cockroaches, mosquitoes, termites, and a wide array of insects. Geckos have three very distinctive characteristics; one is the ability to camouflage by changing their color that helps them to blend with the environment while looking for food; they also change colors to reflect emotions such as fear, excitement, or anger. The second impressive characteristic is their detachable tail; when they are touched or bitten by one of their predators, they just drop the tail and escape; subsequently, they grow a new tail. The third amazing characteristic they have is the ability to change the aperture of the pupil to a single vertical row of pinhole openings in bright sunlight, making the iris resembling the color of their skin in order to increase their camouflage. Talk about being fitted to survive!

Have you heard the “chuck, Chuck” sound that seems to be unique to geckos? The first time I heard it, I thought it was coming from a larger animal, but to my surprise, it was coming from a tiny gecko. They make this noise when they are defending a good feeding territory, or when they are calling their mates. The female geckos normally lay eggs two at a time; however, females lay their eggs somewhat collectively in secure places; I imagine they feel more sheltered in community. The incubation usually takes 5-8 weeks, and their lives span may be 7-9 years.

We enjoy our geckos, their swift movement on the wall, the bird-like sound; their chuck, chuck call, and the amount of mosquitoes and cockroaches they devour make them our favorite house lizard.

Costa Rica harbors nine species of geckos out of the 750 species worldwide. On your next vacation to this tropical paradise, make sure you get to enjoy them and take some pictures home.

Happy as a Hummingbird!

2012-05-22T19:16:00.001-06:00

When I think about hummingbirds, I find myself thinking about a sweet beverage, and a happy-active day. My husband often tells me that I am like a hummingbird, because I love to have my coffee extra sugary every morning, some sort of coffee nectar.

In reality, hummingbirds are very small birds with a high metabolism. They spend a great deal of energy when they are flying; therefore, they have to feed constantly, consuming up to twice their body weight in nectar every day. Their diet is very simple, nectar and insects. Some people believe that hummingbirds have a hollow tongue like a straw to lap up the nectar. The research shows that their tongues have grooves on the sides to collect the nectar. When the bill constricts, the hummingbird can swallow the nectar from flowers and feeders.

The life of a hummingbird resembles a survival-dinning adventure. They need to eat more than any other bird in the animal kingdom, and since they have to eat over their own weight in food every day, they eat several times every hour; of course, they have to arrange their lives around eating, to minimize the danger of starvation.

Hummingbirds are amazing creatures; they can float in mid-air, and fly deliberately backwards, forwards, horizontally or vertically, and always maintaining their position while drinking from the flower blossoms.

Hummingbirds have the ability to perch, but they rarely do it in the wild; they do it, mostly when they find a home feeder, or go to sleep. Because they fly so much, and usually eat while flying, their feet are poorly developed; therefore, they can barely walk, that might explain why they look happier when flying.

Costa Rica has 52 of the 320 species known within the Western Hemisphere.

The Life Cycles of Hummingbirds | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8667870_life-cycles-hummingbirds.html#ixzz1v3d9TvCL

Hummingbirds are in my experience, magical fairyland creatures, with their brilliant plumage and their tiny whirligig wings; they are fascinating performers.

Here are few of the fun and amazing facts about these birds:

They fly forward, backward, shift sideways, and stop in midair
They can fly up to 60 miles per hour
They can live 5-6 years in the wild
They can beat their wings 60- 200 times per second
They have between 1000 and 1500 feathers, being the fewest number of feathers among all birds in the world.
Their pectoral muscle carries 25 – 30 % of their total weight
They lay the smallest eggs in the bird kingdom; they measure less than ½ inch long; however, they represent as much as 10% of the mothers' weight at the time of being laid.
They eat 5-8 times per hour
The average hummingbird’s heart rate is more than 1200 beats per minute
At rest, a hummingbird takes an average of 250 breaths per minute.

Surprisingly, most hummingbirds are solitary creatures; they do not seem to need a social network. They do not cooperate in food searches, nesting, or any other activities, simply because they do not need to do so. Therefore, when you see two hummingbirds chasing each other in the garden, it may be a competition for food, and not any kind of socialization.

Hummingbirds communicate through a variety of vocalizations and visual displays. The males tend to defend vigorously their breeding grounds by sparring and jousting with their long, slender bills. These battles, according to National Geographic, are often punctuated by a “raucous chatter and the shrill, metallic wing trill of adult males."

According to the Smithsonian’s Migratory Bird Center, the closest hummingbirds get to socialize, is when they form the so-called “leks” in the tropics. This can be described as the grouping of different species of male hummingbirds with the purpose of singing songs to attract a mate. As the female birds begin to arrive, the males put on a special air show to attract the ladies’ attention, going as high as 49 feet before going into top-speed dives while doing patterns on the air. Once they attract their female, they complete mating with her. It is worth adding that each male may mate with several females.

The solitary tendencies of the hummingbird extends even to the mating behavior. After they mate, they do not form pair bonds. The male flies off and the female is left to build the nest, protect, and feed the baby birds.

Hummingbird nest in tress, and rarely do it in birdhouses. The nest itself is very small, in general not bigger than a ping-pong ball; of course, their eggs are extremely tiny. Females usually lay two eggs, and they take from 11 to 17 days to hatch. While the babies are in the nest their diet must be high protein; therefore, the mama hummingbird must work hard to keep the baby birds alive. After 21 days, the nestlings are ready to fly away and begin their own hummingbird lives.

Have you thought about how and when hummingbirds sleep? Well, it is a fascinating process; they sleep through the night, around eight hours, just as we do. Since they could not survive more than two hours without eating, Mother Nature has bestowed them with a great tool called Torpor. This is a state much like a mini hibernation. During this state, their metabolism lowers to one fifteenth normal. Their body temperature drops to a point of becoming hypothermic. Their heart rate drops to about 50 beats per minute. Their breathing slows to the point that it looks like they have stopped breathing. By sleeping this way, they can save up to 60% of their available energy.

When hummingbirds sleep and are in the Torpor state, they have been known to hang upside-down. If you find a hummingbird that is hanging inverted, and they appear to be dead, it is actually more likely that they are just asleep. They will probably not even respond if you touched them. If possible, leave them alone, and they will wake up when they get warmer.

It is a very special gift to be able to see these beautiful creatures. I feel truly blessed when I receive the visit of a hummingbird coming for breakfast at my window frame while I am having my sweet coffee in the morning.

When you visit Costa Rica, remember that a hummingbird might come to say Good Morning to you! I assure you; it will make your day sweeter.

Just what the Doctor ordered. “Sun, Seabreeze, and Ocean"

2012-05-09T18:51:00.000-06:00

Every time I say that spending time by the beach is, “Just what the Doctor ordered,” I know it sounds like an excuse to take a nice vacation on the beach; however, it has been known for centuries that exposure to the Sun, Sea breeze, and Ocean water, provide the body with elements that not only help to heal, but enhance life.

Personally, I love the ocean, because the sound from the waves, help me to feel calmed. Interestingly enough I found that some researches show that the wave patterns within the brain are altered by that specific sound from the ocean waves, inducing to a state of calmness. It might be a reason why many people choose to listen to calming CDs of ocean waves just before they are going to bed. Some may argue that the calming effect from the waves helps to lower high blood pressure.

Sea Breeze helps you to feel healthier.

The fresh sea air helps you to sleep more soundly. Do you remember spending the day on the beach, and having a restful night sleep? Well, apparently the sea air is charged with healthy negative-ions that accelerate the absorption of oxygen into the body. These same negative ions also balance the levels of serotonin, that body chemical that has to do with the mood and stress. No wonder, after a nice weekend on the beach is common to feel more alert, and energized.

Coastal cities are best for asthmatics because the ocean breeze blows away pollutants, pollen, and other irritants. People with asthma also tend to do better in areas that have mild climates with little humidity or extreme weather temperatures.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5344575_places-live-asthmatics.html#ixzz1tS2VjPqh

Patients with cystic fibrosis could benefit greatly by spending time receiving the ocean breeze. This is not a cure for the disease, but the ocean is a natural treatment. Research has shown that the salty mist from the water can help break up thick mucus in the lungs and makes breathing easier. Doctors suggest that cystic fibrosis patients live near the coastline, and take advantage of the health benefits found on the saltwater air.

Some doctors argue that inhaling a high salt-containing air into the lungs helps draw fluid out of the tissue and create a surface lining that these patients would not have. Read more about this topic...www.cbsnews.com/2100-18563 162-6840072.html

Sea Water can be more beneficial than we think.

For centuries, seawater has been considered a great healing ailment; seawater contains beneficial components like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Therefore, seawater could help to heal wounds, reduce pain, improve skin condition, and flush toxins.

Some dermatologists explain that sea water can heal some cases of dermatitis, like skin rash often caused by contact with household chemicals, poisoned plant or any other skin irritants. Some of them argue that the salt and potassium chloride contained in the seawater seal the damaged skin and allow it to mend. The natural ingredients harvested from the waves (sea salts, algae, and seaweed) are packed with nourishing minerals. Its healing qualities detoxify, feed the nervous system, relieve muscular tension, and have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Sun, and its healing qualities

We all wonder at this point, how can sun exposure could be beneficial? That poor Sun, lately has been getting such a bad reputation that no one seems to trust it anymore. Well, we all know that anything our body receives has to be in good balance “not too much, not too little.”

Excessive sunlight can put you at higher risk for skin cancer and cataracts. It can also make your skin wrinkle, and age way-too early in life.

Being cautious does not mean that you should avoid the sun altogether.

Sunlight happens to be one of the greatest healing remedies that you can find in nature. The sun provides the energy that all living things need in order to exist on this earth. Take advantage of this wonderful natural and free remedy…

Here are some of the benefits you can receive from conscious exposure to sunlight:

· It is men’s primary source of vitamin D.
· It gives you a healthy-looking complexion. It will make your skin smooth with an irresistible healthy glow.
· Allowing your skin to be moderately tanned, will make it more resistant to infections and sunburns than if your skin is not tanned.
· Ultraviolet rays from the sunshine, act as a natural antiseptic. These rays can kill viruses, bacteria, molds, yeasts, fungi, and mites in air, water, and on different surfaces, including your skin.
· Moderate sun exposure helps to clear up different skin diseases such as acne, boils, athletes-foot, diaper rash, psoriasis, and eczema.
· When you feel down, one of the major benefits of sunlight is that it will soothe your nerves and boost your mood leaving you with a renewed sense of well-being. Exposure to the sunlight increases the production of endorphins and serotonin in your brain, which will definitely leave you feeling much better.
· Sunlight improves the function of your liver, and helps it to brake down toxins and wastes that could lead to serious diseases.

Find more about this fascinating topic, and research about the healing powers of the sun: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-18851/Discover-healing-power-oceans.html#ixzz1tSAuFGdR

We have been living by the beach since 2009. Ever since we have included the sun-sea breeze-sea water therapy to our daily lives, experiencing the multiple health benefits. I personally enjoy enormously the sunny days; the rainy days are welcome with their drop in temperatures; even the lightning on stormy nights makes me appreciate the beautiful skies, free of pollution.

I love the living in Costa Rica, going to the beach as much as possible, receiving the benefits of the warm Sun, fresh- healing Sea breeze, and the rich Ocean water.

Next time you think about a vacation, come to Costa Rica and give your

“Mind and Body” “Just what the Doctor Ordered”

Beach, Sun, and Beauty are waiting for you in Costa Ballena!

2012-04-15T18:00:00.003-06:00

It is the summer time in Costa Rica, and every cell of the body screams, “let’s go to the beach." It is that time of the year, when, it feels wonderful to have all the senses experiencing the fulfilling, purifying, and healing presence of the ocean around us.

Costa Ballena has so many beautiful beaches along the pacific coast. Costa Ballena is the coastal region that includes the beaches in Dominical, Dominicalito, Puerto Nuevo, Hermosa, Uvita, Piñuelas, Ventanas, Tortuga, and all the area south to the Térraba River in Coronado.

This Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica features unspoiled beauty and natural charm that give its unique character to the region.

Of all the beaches in the Southern Pacific, starting with Costa Ballena, and all the way to The Border with Panama, nine beaches currently hold the Blue Flag Award.

Some of them are part of a National Park called Marino Ballena National Park. http://www.marinoballena.org/pnmarinoballena.html

Some others are, outside the National Park; nevertheless, they are beautiful beaches that deserve attention, and you should visit them when you are in Costa Ballena.

The Beaches that hold the "Blue Flag" in the Southern Pacific are:

Playa Hermosa (Costa ballena)
Playa Colonia (Costa ballena)
Playa Arco (Costa ballena)
Playa Ballena (Costa ballena)
Playa Piñuela (Costa ballena)
Colorada (Drake)
Blanca (Puerto Jiménez)
Nicuesa (Osa)
Pavones (Osa)

Let me explain what is what the Blue Flag means.

Costa Rica’s “Blue Flag” Ecological Program was launched in 1996 by the National Water and Sewer Service (Instituto de Costariccense Acueductos y Alcantarillados, or AyA), with the support of the Ministries of Environment and Energy, Education, and Public Health, as well as the Costa Rican Tourism Institute and Costa Rica’s Tourism Business Chamber. Under this program, all the Costarrican beaches are evaluated and assessed according to specific criteria like quality of the Ocean water and purity of the drinking water, waste disposal, and sanitary facilities, and involvement of the community in the beach maintenance. Only beaches that score 90% are awarded for the “Blue Flag.”

The “Blue Flag” award is rated with one, two, or three stars.

One Star is given if the beach meets 90% of the environmental criteria.

Two Stars are given if the beach meets 100% of the criteria, and contributes to the reduction of pesticides in the environment.

Three Stars are given to the beaches that have met the Two Stars, and have initiated programs promoting social responsibility in schools and communities.

From the time, the beach receives the “Blue Flag” will be monitored on the monthly basis, to ensure sustained maintenance. Every year, the Blue Flag Commission grants or revokes the award.

Believe it, or not, the program has been very successful, and every year; more coastal communities are getting involved; therefore, more beaches are awarded every year. What does this means to you? It means that you can go to those beaches, and feel comfortable knowing that you are in a safe and clean beach environment.

At the end of March 2012, the beaches of Costa Rica were evaluated and 13 beaches were added to the list that now includes 80 "Blue Flag" Beaches.

The 13 new beaches are:

North Guanacaste: 1-Copal, 2-Jobo, 3-Manzanillo, 4-La Cruz, 5-Rajada, 6-Morro, and 7-Coyotera.

South Guanacaste: 7-Frijolar, 8-Cocos (Marbella), 9- Buena Vista, 10-San Miguel.

South Pacific: 11-Arco, 12-Colorada (Drake) 13-Blanca (Jiménez).

Here is the complete list of all the 80 Blue Flag beaches in the whole country, provided by http://www.ameliarueda.com/contenido/articles/4394.html

“Blue Flag” or not, you should always be aware of your physical needs and tolerances; it does not matter where you are, make sure you know your requirements to deal with the environment. If your tolerance for the sun is very low, you need to make sure you have the protective gear that will make you feel comfortable. Whether your skin is very sensitive or not, you should always have sunscreen with you. Mosquitoes, and sand flies are very common on the beach, make sure you have the insect repellent that suits your needs.

Come to Costa Ballena, Costa Rica, and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer; it is a privilege.

Costa Rica - "Pura Vida" - The "Tico" way

2012-03-17T09:19:00.000-06:00

"Pura Vida" is the national slogan, have you heard that phrase before? If you haven't, it only means one thing: you have to come and visit “Costa Rica.”

“Pura Vida” is the most commonly used phrase in Costa Rica, and literally means “Pure Life,” but the saying goes beyond its simple translation: it is a way of life for all Costa Ricans; it actually symbolizes the idea of simply enjoying life and being happy, regardless of the circumstances surrounding them.

If you look up the Urban Dictionary http://www.urbandictionary.com, and search on the phrase “Pura Vida,” you will find the following description: The law of the land in Costa Rica. The expression is used in many forms, from a greeting, to a synonym for "excellent." Ticos follow this lifestyle and are some of the most easy-going people on earth. It is a synonym of the "hakuna matata" this is a phrase in the Swahili language, which means, “there are no worries.”

In My Opinion "¡Pura vida!” -means- “all is good!”

Every tourist and foreign resident can hear this Spanish expression in informal settings as a greeting, a farewell and as a way to express gratitude or satisfaction. It can also refer to someone who is nice and friendly.

Let’s see some examples:

¡Buen día amigo! ¿Cómo vas? Pura vida, ¿y vos?	Hey, my friend! How’s it going? Pura vida, and you?

¡Nos vemos mañana! Pura vida, ¡chao!	See you tomorrow! Pura vida, bye!

¡Muchas gracias! ¡Pura vida!	Thank you very much! ¡Pura vida!

¿Usted conoce a Marta? ¡Claro! Ella es muy pura vida	¿Do you know Martha? Sure! She is very pura vida.

After a while, the question that kept popping into my head was; how did Costa Ricans come up with this phrase? Well, after doing a little research I found out that a film called “Pura vida came to Costa Rica from Mexico in 1956, directed by Gilberto Martínez Solares. While a small population used it then, the phrase “Pura vida” was used nationwide by 1970.

In this movie, the phrase “Pura Vida” was used as the expression of eternal optimism, played by the comic actor Antonio Espino, who unfortunately can’t seem to do anything right (the staple of his character). He was a Mexican comedian (1910-1993), known by the artistic nickname Clavillazo; he used the phrase "pura vida" as a crutch in all his films, which were numerous.

All the research about the “Pura Vida” phrase, lead me to observe how the majority of the Ticos I have met, use that phrase in the regular basis and sometimes even as a substitute of more elaborated responses to any issue at hand. In all fairness, the common denominator is always that sense of “don’t worry, be happy,” after all, life is too short to worry about things we cannot change. That is the state of mind, I want to achieve this lifetime.

The other interesting question many visitors seem to have when they visit this country is why Costa Ricans are called “Ticos.”

During the mid XIX century, people born in Costa Rica were known and called Costarricans; however, during the Central American war against the filibusters led by William Walker (1856-1857); the allies, noticed that Costarrican soldiers had the peculiar habit of using the diminutive form in many of the words they used in the regular basis. In the Spanish language, to create the diminutive form, the ending on the word (o or a) is substituted with ito or ita; somehow, costarricans decided to use the ending ico or ica.

English word	Spanish word	Diminutive	Costa Rican Diminutive
Cat	Gato	Gatito	Gatico
Duck	Pato	Patito	Patico
Kid	Chico	Chiquito	Chiquitico
Brother	Hermano	Hermanito	Hermanitico
House	Casa	Casita	Casitica

Since Costarricans during the mentioned war, called each other hermaniticos, with the intent of showing affection; soon, the word tico emerged as a nickname for those brothers-hermaniticos in war. The nickname took a life on its own, becoming the synonym of Costarrican.

Now you know as much as I know, Costarricans are Ticos, because they chose to call each other that way as a demonstration of affection within their group.

Next time you plan your vacation, think about Costa Rica, where life is “Pura Vida” surrounded by “Tico” kindness and natural beauty everywhere you look. It will be “a different way to experience life.”

After living here for almost seven years, I can tell you that I have learned to see life from a different point of view. It is worth it!