I had my Every-And-A – Half Clothes Share/Potluck. Twenty adults and four kids came, wonderful! Everone brought something to give away and food to share. They took some home, and there is still a bag leftover for the needy. What beautiful people there are here, and their generosiy is overwhelming. I really feel …filled. Like a full cup. Continue reading “Avocado Ice Cream”
You know, you can complain wherever you go. That everything is not perfect for you. That there’s violence, or meanness. But then you’re at Carmita’s. And a little penny falls out while you’re searching for change. A penny that your son carved ten years ago, carved out in metal shop so that only the face of Lincoln remains. And you laugh and tell Carmita that story, and that that penny has been in your wallet for ten years. And she pauses, then takes the penny, moves to the side, under the counter, and comes up with your little precious penny in a tiny, perfect, sealed bag. So that it will always be protected, and never confused with your other change. She did that.
Recipe of the Day – Vegan Petit Fours Continue reading “Raw Petit Fours”
First my daughter took the pain away. Then, several days later when it returned – another Reiki friend took out another layer. Then Thom – the Body Alignment Specialist. I think he healed me in one session. i really do. people stopped in the streets to tell me how amazing I looked. It’s amazing what being free of pain can do to your face. He presses gently, with strong hands, into the muscles that are incorrectly tensed, relieving the pressure with zero pain. And engages the muscles that need engaging. I’ve never had my sacroiliac put back with such ease. He also taught me to stand, sit, bicycle and swim correctly. And I am still out of pain, whoaaa…
Recipe of the Day – Tom Kha Gai
Ingredients:
Using the back of a knife, lightly smash lemongrass and ginger, then cut into 4” pieces. Bring lemongrass, ginger, lime leaves, and broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer until flavors are melded, 8–10 minutes. Strain broth into clean saucepan; discard solids.
Add tofu or chicken and return to a boil. Reduce heat, add mushrooms, and simmer, skimming occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and mushrooms are soft, 20–25 minutes. Mix in coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar.
Divide soup among bowls. Serve with chili oil, cilantro, and lime wedges. Sprinkle with peanuts.
Word of the Day – ayudame – help me
Tip of the Day – You can also do light surface cuts along the sections, which helps release the lemon flavor. Then blend them in a food processor.
Thanks to my gorgeous guests who give me papayas, oranges and now…avocados from their land, woohoo! Organic and delicious!
Recipe of the Day – Grain-Free Mocha Brownie Bites
Ingredients:
4 eggs
3/4 c. cacao powder
1/4 c. coconut oil
1/4 c. coconut milk
1/4 c. coconut crystals
2 tsp. coffee
Pinch vanilla powder, or 1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Options: handful coconut, handful cacao nibs, walnuts , 1 c. yucca flour, 1 c. oats, (But honestly, I like it better without the grains – fudgy!)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the eggs, oil, milk and coffee.Add the cacao, baking powder, salt and then the vanilla. Pour into a greased pan and bake for 25 minutes. Let cool completely. They will be fudgy!
Word of the Day – pusimos – we put
Tip of the Day – Use honey or coconut nectar, and they will even more fudgy! Add an avocado for chocolate avocado bites. You won’t be able to tell it’s there once you mix it with the cacao.
I’ve been doing my water therapy for two weeks, and have been out of pain nearly the entire time. Maybe one hour of day with ice after working out. Oh, my gosh! It’s a friggin’ miracle!
Okay, Here’s the skinny on the pools in Vilcabamba. -Hotel Paraiso – $4, never warm, but you get to use the sauna, steam room and jacuzzis. -The new Old Folks Home. $3, heated by solar panels, so wait for the late afternoon when the sun has heated the pool, but you get to use the workout room and if you wait 5 minutes the shower is hot. But you can’t use it weekends when they clean the pool, and evenings are reserved for the residents. And a 100-year old man may hit on you, but it’s okay. -Hosteria Vilcabamba – $7. Free if a group eats there. If you tell them ahead of time they’ll heat the jacuzzi and steam room, but not the pool. They need two hours to heat the others. -El Rio Chamba – Across from the Zoo, in a beautiful setting. They often have Saturdays free swim! La Molinda – Before the Hotel Izchcayluma, on the right. Not only is it the warmest pool, but it’s $2 to use the pool. The showers are HOT. The jacuzzi is nice and warm. The steam bath is extra, but it looks wonderful. And you can eat there, too! Open 7 days a week and they will give me a monthly discount.
Recipe of the Day – Green Smoothie Bowl
1/2 ripe avocado
1 lg ripe banana, frozen and sliced
1 c. berries of choice
1 handful spinach or kale, stems removed
Directions: Put 1/2 c. of your nut or seed milk in the blender. Add 1/2 of the bananas, 1/2 of the berries, and 1/2 of the pineapple or mango, and all of the spinach and avocado. Blend well. Divide smoothie mixture between 2 bowls and garnish with the rest of the sliced fruits. Add t opping options like granola, cacao nibs, chocolate, granola and coconut.
After coming home from the pool and bike riding, having your dinner made sure sounds good. Do this in your crockpot, if you want!
Recipe of the Day – Pineapple Chili
Tip of the Day – You can leave out the beans, adjust the spices to make it hotter, if you like.
“I ordered a new computer cable, Clare,” I said to my daughter. “You know how to do that, there, Mom?” she asked. I realized, all of a sudden, how comfortable I was here. “Oh, yeah! You just Whatsapp the guy in the Cuenca store and ask him if he has it. Then he gives you his Pinchinca bank account money. They you go down to Patricia’s store and give her the money and his name and account number. Then when he gets it, he sends it to you! Piece-a-cake.”
Recipe of the Day – Date Cookies
Ingredients:
Directions:
Word of the Day – pedir – to order
Tip of the Day – You can make this with any type of nuts – cashews, almonds, peanuts. Taste them with the dates first, if you want, to see the combination.
I saw a package of White Sauce in the store, and as usual, thought I’d just go home and make it! Great for your gluten-free noodles and breads, pizzas, etc….!
Recipe of the Day – Garlic Coconut White Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the oil. Reduce the heat and add the onions and garlic. Simmer 10 minutes until tender.
Allow to simmer for 3-4 minutes or until tender Add the cream , miso, herbs and salt and stir until smooth. Blend, if you like it more creamy.
Store in a sealed jar or container in fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Word of the Day – salsa, sauce
Tip of the Day – A lot of my friends would use butter or ghee in this recipe.
Here’s what my famous Neurologist brother says about the herniated disc: “Swimming is ideal for a herniated disc, Dot. Start with waist-deep wading 15 minutes, three times a week. Then progress to either holding on to the side of the pool or kickboard and kicking. If you can get up to freestyle swimming, you should be in good shape. Advil is far safer than other meds.”
The non-impact element combined with the exercise and blood flow will do wonders. Just be careful not to over fatigue the muscle groups. Maintain an easy adaptive stage.
is it true that it can actually start healing, Pat?
P -Absolutely……just slowly…..
Recipe of the Day – Oat Yucca Bread
Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C). Mix dry ingredients. Then make a well in the batter and add the egg and water.Pour the batter into a nonstick baking pan (I used a non-stick 8-inch cake pan). Spread the batter out evenly Bake for 30 minutes. Allow the bread to cool before removing from pan.
Note: I placed the bread in the oven under the broiler for a few minutes before serving the next morning to warm the bread.
Word of the Day – yucca – cassava
Tip of the Day – Okay, Vilcabambans, there is yucca flour in Jesus and Nancy’s store, right now!
Recipe of the Day – Liver cleansing TeaGinger helps control blood sugar. Studies have also shown that ginger can help treat nonalcoholic fattly liver disesase (NAFLD)
Roselle is a species of hibiscus with a cranberry-like flavor. It has diuretic effects on the body and may assist with kidney filtration.
Parsley can also help protect the liver. It helps the kidneys get rid of waste. Throw a leaf in your tea!
Dandelion is a diuretic, which helps filter waste from the blood and improves liver function.
Green Tea improves liver health by reducing fat deposits, which is why a lot of people use it to lose weight. Drink at least four cups a day.
Directions: Put a teaspoon of the fresh or dried herb in a cup, and pour almost boiling water over it. Let steep for twenty minutes.
Word of the Day –hígado – liver
Tip of the Day – Drink at least four cups a day, of your choice liver cleanser. And vary them throughout the month/ Sweeten with a little stevia or honey, if you want.