La Gran Vista farm

Currently you are in a sinking boat, what are you going to do to help it stay afloat? In this situation, the world is the sinking boat and as citizens, we have the responsibility to invest in sustainable practices and help the boat (world) stay afloat. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit an agro-ecological farm in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica called La Gran Vista Farm (http://www.lagranvista.com/).  The mission of the farm is to create a self-sustainable farm where each element works in harmony. The focus is on organic farming, soil regeneration and conservation, pasture rehabilitation, managing free ranged poultry, cultivation of California red worms and composting. Donald, the owner of the farm was great at explaining every practice on the farm and how each element of the farm works in harmony to be self-sufficient. The farm consisted of countless types of fruits and vegetables; bamboo that was planted and used in construction on the farm; cows, chickens, pigs, and horses and beekeeping operation.

The roof was made out of bamboo they grew, hammocks out of old rugs and recycled metal poles

What I learned this weekend:

One of the most interesting aspects of the farm is their use of biogas. The waste from the pigs is washed with water into a filter. The methane gas from pig waste is collected through anaerobic fermentation of organic matter and then travels to the kitchen through a pipe, and the family uses it for the stove.  The kitchen used 50% propane from the biogas production and 50% wood as fuel. The natural biogas (methane) is the preferred way to cook in the morning and I got to experience cooking some gallo pinto on pig waste for breakfast.

The farm has 2 pigs which they eat every year. These pigs waste helps power the stove in the kitchen.

In Costa Rica and tropical areas, soil erosion is a huge issue because of all the rainfall and inappropriate farming practices. Donald, who is an agricultural engineer, started putting in place practices that would eliminate soil erosion on his farm by constructing terraces and planting soil-binding grasses. Now the farm has eliminated the problem of soil erosion and has created an example for local farmers to follow. 

Fun Fact: This is how pineapple grows

The Medicinal herb plot was my favorite part of the farm. The plot had approximately 75 plants which were used in many ways from spicing food, herbal remedies, making natural shampoos, insect repellants and curing cancer. For example, Zamia is a plant that can be used for glue and acts like stitches to hold your skin together.  Other plants include Cardo Santo which naturally kills bacteria when you have a cut on your skin. Donald also showed us a plant named Rosa de Jamaica which is packed full of vitamin C and can be used to make tea or even wine like they are currently doing on the farm. A tip I learned is that if you are ever sick, combine jengibre (ginger), lemon grass, and honey and you will be “singing” the next day. My two favorites were the zevia plants and the cinnamon tree. An interesting fact that I didn’t know before coming to Costa Rica is that you can eat Aloe and it is very beneficial to the digestion system. While visiting the farm, we got to sample freshly sliced aloe mixed with papaya and honey to create a sweet little snack to enjoy. 

Cinnamon Tree

The Vegetable gardens were beautiful overflowing with a variety of tomatoes, beans, lettuce, radishes, chiles, and cilantro. A challenge in this area is to get good soil and maintain it so one thing the farm does is use California Red worms to keep the soil full of nutrients. By using a vermicomposting system, the worms are placed in a worm bin with proper bedding and waste material.  They produce nutrient dense dirt that is added to the raised beds. The dirt contributes to better tasting vegetables grown in the garden (I tried the tomatoes and they were out of this world). 

California Red worms

The meals we got this weekend consisted of delicious Costa Rican food. On Sunday morning, they asked for some extra help cooking and I gladly volunteered. I got to practice my Spanish while cutting up fresh vegetables from the garden for the gallo pinto and learned how to make coffee the Costa Rican way. The food we made for breakfast was all so fresh and consisted of: Eggs gathered from the chickens, gallo pinto made from onions, peppers and cilantro from the garden and plantains from a tree outside. Also to top the breakfast plate, La Gran Vista had homemade HOTSAUCE. My new goal for this summer is to make some of this hot sauce because they were nice enough to give me the recipe. What a great "farm to table" breakfast we got to enjoy!

Early morning cooking

 

Fresh Coffee Creamer!

Fish Pond: Used as a source of protein “ Tilapia fish” are raised here. Additionally, La Finca is growing its own natural Azola algae to serve as another nutritional component to the Tilapia´s diet.

Always supporting each other!

Visiting the farm was one of my favorite activities being here in Costa Rica. I learned so much about the farming process and sustainability. Not only did I learn more, Donald motivated us to help the sinking boat in anyway we can. This summer,  I really want to do more gardening and create a chicken coop with at least 5 chickens. Any advice or knowledge on these subjects that anyone has would be super helpful and I would love it if you would be willing to share. Thanks again for reading! PURA VIDA

How to make Gallo Pinto!

Gallo pinto is the national dish of Costa Rica, a dish composed of rice and beans and is commonly served at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even though Gallo Pinto is served very frequently, it often comes with different sides and toppings, for example , for breakfast it usually comes with avocado and a fried egg.  For lunch it is put on corn tortillas and topped with sour cream and tomatoes and for dinner it is frequently served as side dish to chicken or fish. Gallo Pinto literally translates to “spotted rooster” in Spanish.

In order to make the best tasting Gallo Pinto according to my ‘tico’ teacher here in San Jose, the rice needs to be made at least a day in advance so that it is dry and can absorb all the spices of the dish. The day before making gallo pinto, make the rice in a rice cooker or crock pot by combining 2 cups of water,  1 ½ cups of rice, 1 bouillon cube and ½ tablespoon sugar.

Ingredients:

• 4 15oz canned, low sodium black beans
• 1 yellow Spanish onion, finely diced
• 1 red sweet pepper
• 2 cups (350 ml) white rice
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 Tablespoons ketchup
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tablespoon lizano salsa
• 2 bouillon cubes (Chicken, Beef, or vegetable)
• 8-10 sprigs cilantro (coriander leaf) fresh or frozen

Start by mincing the vegetables for gallo pinto

Add the vegetable oil to a large saucepan and heat to medium heat. Chop onion and sweet pepper very fine and add to pan. Sauté for 2 minutes over medium high flame

Crack open 1 can of black beans and add the contents to the saucepan. Drain the other 3 cans, rinse the beans and then add to the sauce pan. The liquid from one can is enough to season the dish and will keep it from drying out.

 

Add the Worcestershire sauce, bouillon cube, ketchup, salt and lizano sauce(needed in Costa Rica) to the beans, cooking for a few minutes until slightly thickened.

 

Add the rice slowly to the bean mixture, stirring well to make sure the rice is well coated. Depending on preference, you can add more or less rice.

 

Season with cilantro just before serving

 

Gallo Pinto enjoyed on a corn tortilla with tomatoes

Enjoy Gallo pinto anytime of the way with a variety of toppings!

This past week, I got to enjoy some Gallo Pinto time with my sister who came down during her spring break to visit me. Together we went to Montezuma and spent a few days there together. We got to enjoy hiking up waterfalls, horseback riding and snorkeling at Tortuga island.

Enjoying a Casado which is a typical Costa Rica meal of rice,beans, chicken, salad and plantains

During the week, Mary got to visit the market, the gym and even came to a class with me. I love having my sister her to and I am so excited that she can experience a little bit of the PURA VIDA lifestyle away from Michigan. 

During out visit to Montezuma, I was reminded of the the friendliness of people in Costa Rica from an older man I met. The man was watering the road (a common thing because they have all dirt roads) and he stopped me and started asking some questions.  We ended up talking in Spanish for over 30 minutes about living simply off the land, loving others and providing for those who do not have enough. The little lessons he reminded me of were so humbling because he literally only had a shack for his house yet he was going to cook food for some neighbors down the road who didn't have electricity! 

Living in Costa Rica for over two months some things seem normal to me because I am becoming accustomed to the culture but according to Mary the top 5 differences are: 

1. TRANSPORTATION: The bus stops for everyone and their brother (we were even a school bus in the morning) on the public bus and you are never guaranteed a seat on the bus. Also taxi drivers are very aggressive and constantly ask "Taxi? Taxi? Taxi?" but they don't understand (according to Mary) if she wants a taxi she would ask for a taxi.
2. RICE... RICE... RICE: The amount of rice that Mary has consumed has been over her yearly allowance. Rice has been eaten at almost every meal yet served differently every time. 
3. WALKING: It is completely normal to walk a few miles into town everyday and then walk around to complete an average of 8 or so miles a day. It is a different style of life as people take their time getting around and don't need to get from point A to B in such a hurry. BUT being using our long legs, we tend to take a little longer strides than the average tico stride. 
4. COLD showers: When you are told you only get cold showers it sounds refreshing until you jump in the ARCTIC cold water. The cold showers are common here but we call it going "swimming" because you jump in, quickly do your think and jump out because of the freezing cold water.
5. SPANISH: You learn it quickly how to stay afloat. Learning hand gestures and digging deep into your memory for those old Spanish lessons. Spanish is widely spoken and many people don't know English. The most important things to know are numbers (for food prices in colones), Pura vida and basic Spanish phrases go a long way.

PURA VIDA

becoming like children

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus said in Matthew 18:3 and then later in Matthew 19:14 he said  “Let the little children come to me, and stop keeping them away, because the kingdom from heaven belongs to people like these.” This past weekend I was brought joy through so many children. When I arrived at the hostel in Monteverde, a little boy came up to me and handed me a piece of candy with the biggest smile on his face. Throughout the next few days we got to interact a little more with these children because their parents owned the hostel. Later in the weekend, I was relaxing in a hammock when suddenly something tapped me on the forehead. I looked up to find the cutest little girl looking at me while holding an orange. I asked her a few questions in Spanish to find out that her name was Ava and she was three years old but then she ran away and I was very confused. BUT don’t worry, every five minutes after that she repeatedly came up to me, tapped me with her orange and said “me llamo Ava” and ran away. The interactions I was able to have with children this weekend reminded me of Jesus’ preaching on how we need to have faith life children. I have realized that children hardly ever have Stress, Money or advanced technology to distract them from what God is calling them to do in life. This weekend was a wonderful reminder through children to LOVE GOD above all and not let life get in the way.

Other weekend happenings:

1. Went Zip-lining in Monteverde which included rappelling down some trees, the Tarzan Swing and the Superman Zip Line (The superman cable allows you to feel like a bird while you soar

   

   Repelling down the tree!

   over the mountains and pasture land. It is a 1 kilometer cable with a height of 180 meters.  
2. Hiked Cerro Amigos Trail: The trail was more or less a Jeep trail to the highest point where a cell station resided. The word Cerro means hill but this was no hill that I have ever hiked. It was straight up for over an hour and it was such a steep incline I had to take many breaks. The hike was beautiful though and I got to see blue morpho butterflies and see the gulf of Nicoya and all the way to Nicaragua (I think).  The next day and even today my legs are feeling the hike straight up the hill.
   
   

   

   Believe it or not but that is me way out in the trees

   
   
   
   

   

   Superman style!

   
   
   
   

   

   Hiking in Monteverde
3. Got to eat dinner in a Tree at the Tree House Café. The Tree House was a unique choice for dinner since it literally is a restaurant built around a tree. I enjoyed a great dish of shrimp, squid and roasted potatoes while dinning in a tree.
   
   
   

   

   Tree restaurant at night I just love trees that much I wanted to eat in one!

4. Meet many travelers during the weekend from places such as Australia, Germany, Norway, England, Sweden, Ontario, California, Belize and a few other places I don’t remember. It was super fun just to talk and meet unique people at our hostel from all over because everyone is so unique and has some crazy stories about what they are doing. One woman I met decided she was going to take two years off of teaching (she is 28) and travel the world. She has been gone for over a year now and all she knows is that she needs to be back in Australia in December.
5. Went hiking in the biological reserve of monteverde. Our goal for the hike was to finda  Quetzal bird but we were to cheap to pay for a tour guide which cost about $50. We set out on a three hour hike over hanging bridges, by waterfalls and trekking through mud yet we had not seen the Quetzal yet. Nearly fininshing our hike, I saw a small crowd pointing at the trees (that is when you know something is there, so I ran over and to my surprise I saw a beautiful QUEZAL. Let me tell you I have never been more excited to see a bird in my whole life.

   

   Yes mom, you told me before I left to find a Quetzal, just listening to you!

     
6. Climbed a Strangler Fig tree. The history of this tree is that the fig seed germinates on the host tree. As it grows, the young tree emits roots towards the ground following the trunk of the host tree. Year after year, the fig tree’s roots get bigger and bigger, more and more numerous and start to strangle the host tree. The tangled roots are like a natural ladder, making it very easy (and very fun) to climb! My friends Abbie and Paige climbed up to the top with me and the view of the town was spectacular. It reminded me of a movie scene and was one of my favorite things I have done here, plus it was free. 
   

This past week has been filled with adventure, adrenaline and amazement of God’s beauty. I am constantly reminded of the beauty of God and strive to experience it as a child would in constant amazement. Psalm 19:1 states “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” AMEN!!! Pura Vida 

Answering some question about life around here during the week of school
What are classes like? 
 - Classes are two hours long twice a week for all electives and four hours a day for Spanish classes. The Spanish classes are only for one month but  the elective courses are for three. I did my Spanish class during the first month so I only have my three elective classes right now. On Monday and Wednesday I have Environmental Sustainability and Food Systems from 6:00-8:00 pm. On Tuesday and Thursday I have Human Rights in Latin America from 3:00-5:00 and then Alternative Health Approaches from 5:00-7:00 pm. The classes use a ton of hands on learning or note taking. I have also noticed that I have had a lot of presentations in my environment class but I have been learning a ton. 

In class!!

Who is in your classes?
 - All of my classes are made up of Study abroad students which are mostly from the United States. The elective classes are all taught in English yet sometimes the teachers randomly start speaking Spanish or use the Spanish word if they don't know it in English.
Do you take any field trips? 
  - Yes for the elective classes they all have two field trips each. Depending on the class they can be weekend trips or day trips. For example, my environmentt class took a field trip to a wildlife refuge for the weekend and we have another one to an organic farm next week. For my Human Rights class we took a day field trip to the court and got to learn about the court system.  

Class field trip to Ostional!

What is your Favorite class and why?
My favorite class is Alternative Health Approaches because I get to learn about alternative medicine and techniques. Last week in class we learned about message and so we had to practice on other students with massage tables. The teacher for the class is the school doctor and he has such a heart for God it amazes me every class.

Spice girls at the University talent show. They said we needed to create a bio for a group so this was our story: we met at Juilliard our freshman year and started doing small acts around campus. Then we got signed for a European tour which we just finished. Now we are kicking off our Latin American tour at Veritas in Costa Rica!! Go spice go!!

#15 rocked (but seriously all the other acts were really cool too)

Vishnu vegetarian restaurant enjoying a healthy,exotic and local salad made with a lot of new vegetables which included chyote, pejibaye, squash, yuca, beets, carrots and red pepper. It also came with the juice of the day which was guanabana juice (say that 5 times fast).

New fruit of the week: mamon chino 

Best thing is that I get to see MARY in 5 DAYS after she does some of this on the plane!!!!