tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63829319862527528682024-03-04T20:39:57.807-08:00The Baking BiologistBaking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-80900944828359658202014-05-21T06:19:00.001-07:002014-05-21T06:19:58.372-07:00Going Green in the Kitchen Part 2: Reducing Food Waste + a Recipe<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z0DvMmTBrAY/U3yn5whiM-I/AAAAAAAABl4/LL4b3l9QQRE/s1600-h/Green-Header4.jpg"><img title="Green Header" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Green Header" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DoM4yv4zlB8/U3yn6nBIzlI/AAAAAAAABmA/0y7Oas5YOM0/Green-Header_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="562" height="209"></a></p> <p>By now many people have heard the statistic about how ridiculously much food Americans waste each year; as much as 40% of all food in the US is wasted. This not only has real environmental effects but also economic effects; this doesn’t consider how this food could contribute to ending hunger in America. I could probably go on and on about the effects of America’s consumption habits and wastefulness but I will get down off of my soapbox and tell you small ways that I try to reduce food waste.</p> <p>1. Learning to Love Leftovers- I could wax poetic about leftovers. Nothing makes me happier during the work day than opening my lunchbox and heating up leftovers of a good meal that I cooked (or didn’t cook) the night before. In some cases, leftovers are even better than meals prepared the night beforehand; the flavors have married and sometimes I add some extra veggies or seasoning, perfecting the flavor. I cannot imagine how much food I would throw out or how much less I would cook if I didn’t eat leftovers. For us, it is so much easier to make a dinner for four and then eat leftovers once or twice than only cook just enough for the two of us. If you don’t eat leftovers, I would encourage you to start by repurposing leftovers. For instance, if you cook pork carnitas in the crockpot, have tacos with it one night and burrito rice bowls another night or Mexican lasagna the next. </p> <p>2. Reduced Produce- I love to shop the reduced produce shelves at some of my favorite grocery stores. Something about snagging ten apples for $2 or a dozen bananas for less than a dollar makes my heart sing. As a college student, buying reduced produce at my favorite health food store allowed me to eat really healthy, organic food for less than most of my peers were paying for not so healthy food. Shopping from those magical shelves also gave me a Chopped-style challenge. How do I use up two peppers, spinach, apples, peaches, and herbs before they go to the bad? And, in case you were wondering, this food is perfectly edible, although often the fruits and vegetables have a few bumps or bruises (only affecting the aesthetic appeal) or need to be eaten in the next day or two. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-88S6uzpWnlk/U3yn7ujr1yI/AAAAAAAABmI/Cw8fO9Mnlno/s1600-h/20140514_174341%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="20140514_174341" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20140514_174341" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Al2JbUDMUqk/U3yn8G4uaMI/AAAAAAAABmM/LEt8iJnrSG0/20140514_174341_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>This is a picture of a bag of apples I purchased for about a dollar. I would guess that this same amount of apples normally would be around $3 or $4. </p> <p>Recently, I nabbed a lot of reduced produce from Harris Teeter. In my money-saving high, I didn’t think about how I would actually use this fruit that I bought for a total of maybe $5; my loot included two bags of apples, a bag of oranges, and a dozen bananas (a lot of food for two people, especially since I eat most of the fruit in the house). I normally do not buy bananas but was excited to get to use these in baked goods; immediately my wheels started turning about what to make. The bananas ended up being eaten plain, with peanut butter, in pancakes, and finally in these baked goodies that are a Sarah original but turned out surprisingly well. They are not very sweet because I do not like to feel like I am eating dessert for breakfast (most of the time). They are easy to make without the hassle of using a mixer and have a great texture; the flavor has a hint of banana with a chew from the cereal and oats. Two of these cookies and a glass of almond milk were hardy enough to hold me over until lunch! Hoorah for reduced produce, bruised bananas!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0lSsIsMsscM/U3yn8738hCI/AAAAAAAABmY/2HilMKfbeIo/s1600-h/DSC_0660%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0660" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0660" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xUBETFiS5tY/U3yn9TtnBlI/AAAAAAAABmg/5orADkwWHns/DSC_0660_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="265"></a></p> <p><strong>Banana Cereal Breakfast Cookies</strong></p> <p>1/2 c. whole wheat flour</p> <p>1/2 c. all-purpose flour</p> <p>1/2 c. plain cereal (I used 1/4 c. Grape Nuts, 1/4 c. Corn Flakes)</p> <p>3/4 c. oats</p> <p>1/3 c. pecans</p> <p>1 tsp. baking soda</p> <p>1/2 tsp. salt</p> <p>1 tsp. cinnamon</p> <p>1/4 c. coconut oil, melted</p> <p>1 banana, mashed</p> <p>1/4 c. maple syrup</p> <p>1/4 c. sugar</p> <p>1 egg</p> <p>Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients, from flours to cinnamon. Combine the coconut oil, banana, maple syrup, sugar, and egg in a small bowl and stir to combine; add wet ingredients to dry and mix. The dough will be somewhat crumbly. Take about 1/4 cup of dough, roll into a ball and then press slightly with a fork. Bake for 12 minutes. Yield 10 medium-large cookies.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QDjHcIwJKKo/U3yn-YPOPMI/AAAAAAAABmo/68Z6kvdYW68/s1600-h/DSC_0671%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0671" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0671" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WESnR6xVgTo/U3yn-wXH3oI/AAAAAAAABmw/N_PRMcuDXTM/DSC_0671_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="296" height="216"></a></p> <p>**To learn more about reducing waste, the documentary Dive (available on Netflix) is very interesting. Although I am not planning on dumpster diving anytime soon (the whole illegal trespassing thing is holding me back), the movie is very informative and as a lover of all food documentaries I found it interesting.</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-27661696843751966092014-04-21T12:54:00.001-07:002014-04-21T12:54:00.752-07:00Going Green in the Kitchen: Homemade Nut Butter<p>Growing up my mother made a famous “Chex Mix,” strictly by the recipe printed on the box many moons ago. This mix was the main reason that she would buy an infamously large, tempting blue can of mixed nuts. Standing in the kitchen, talking to my family or just grazing hungrily afterschool, I could put a major dent in that blue can of mixed nuts. Granted, I mainly picked out the good stuff, the non- peanuts coated in salt and roasted to perfection. When I finally summoned the willpower to stop eating the mixed nuts, my fingers would be covered in a thin film of oil and salt. Needless to say, mixed nuts have a special place in my heart.</p> <p>Recently, I found a new kind of mixed nuts to get hooked on. This huge container of roasted, lightly salted mixed nuts is sold at Aldi for a great price. This particular kind of mixed nuts are a real winner for me because they are not too salty and contain no peanuts, just the good stuff! Inevitably, I cannot leave well enough alone and just eat the mixed nuts. So, I made these deliciously simple mixed nuts into nut butter and I wasn’t disappointed by my experiment. Below are my wholesome and simple ingredients, agave nectar (organic, fair trade), roasted and salted mixed nuts, coconut oil (organic), and vanilla extract.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KHV8l0skhTY/U1V3SDVhQQI/AAAAAAAABlA/5MXlCPhr-V8/s1600-h/20140408_161946_resized3.jpg"><img title="20140408_161946_resized" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140408_161946_resized" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lMWM-45Z42g/U1V3S_ZvioI/AAAAAAAABlE/0Lt8CxS0k8o/20140408_161946_resized_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="263"></a></p> <p><strong>The formula: </strong></p> <ul> <ul> <li>2 cups salted, roasted mixed nuts <li>1 Tbsp. coconut oil <li>2 tsp. agave nectar <li>1 tsp. vanilla extract</li></ul></ul> <blockquote> <p>**cinnamon and cocoa powder would also make delicious add-ins</p></blockquote> <p><strong>The process:</strong></p> <p>Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Process for 10 to 15 minutes, until the nuts begin to release their oils, instead of looking chalky or chunky. Pack it into a mason jar and tada! it is ready for apple dipping or putting on toast with good jam. Keep in the fridge for long-term storage; the nut butter can be microwaved to soften to a spreadable consistency.</p> <p>This mixed nut butter is a little sweet with a definite hit of vanilla flavor that goes well with the richness of the roasted nuts. In the past, I have always trusted the fun grinders in the bulk section of grocery stores (I know I am not the only one to find these somewhat amusing, right?) to grind my nut butters or defaulted to Skippy Natural Peanut Butter; this is only my second attempt at nut butter. During this process of making my own nut butter, I found that making your own is a true test of patience. During the middle of the process, I was afraid that I had messed up somehow because I didn’t think it looked right, but it had been in the food processor for over five minutes! However, I refused to proceed with processing the nuts until Jerry reassured me that our food processor was still covered under its first year warranty and that if it conked out I wouldn’t be responsible and we could get another one. Phew! Back to business, I continued using the food processor until the nuts turned into a creamy butter. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d1b3VZHpcTY/U1V3Tv_BEaI/AAAAAAAABlQ/E--JP60dy2g/s1600-h/20140408_160918_resized-13.jpg"><img title="20140408_160918_resized (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140408_160918_resized (1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mk4Ia8rjve0/U1V3UGTZHPI/AAAAAAAABlY/lVDaV7Fdl0w/20140408_160918_resized-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="305"></a></p> <p><font color="#91d206"><strong>The green</strong></font>: Anytime I can use bulk ingredients, such as a humongous container of mixed nuts or bag of bulk nuts, I jump at the opportunity. You can save disposable packaging and often recycle or reuse the bag/container. Next time, I would possibly try this recipe with organic nuts which do not contain the pesticides applied to conventionally grown nuts. This leads me to my next reason why making your own nut butter can be more environmentally friendly, not only can you reduce packaging but you can control exactly what goes into your nut butter. Peanuts can absorb pesticides especially well and are one of the plants with higher concentrations of pesticides that are ingested (no peanuts in mine though). I am not advocating that you use organic ingredients (I only purchase some things organic) but it at least makes me feel better to be familiar with what is in the food I eat, instead of ingesting mystery partially hydrogenated oils that are often found in the old-fashioned peanut butter I grew up eating. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KGYJQ9qTBXM/U1V3U3znyCI/AAAAAAAABlg/F8IX-2cs2M8/s1600-h/DSC_0645%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0645" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0645" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYyetalVHJ4DbqcW8ueT20ryHF-wK9GEc1fF2b5JTBuWol3g-LR0UojlF76aLLwC_hr2I43SnLOm66m-j-paWZJi1NZuZnWKD1t2m2XEcfjN_1Z1RJW88QlkkPvCcH4frx2rPY9oby3I/?imgmax=800" width="399" height="287"></a></p> <p>So, if you have time to spare and the ingredients on hand, consider making nut butter as a delicious, “green” staple for your household! Enjoy!</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-58268516651794299602014-04-10T12:52:00.001-07:002014-04-14T15:53:21.683-07:00A New Series and Catching Up<p>Just to catch you up on my life in the last several weeks, I will share five highlights:</p> <p>1. Free Cone Day on April 8th at Ben and Jerry’s! I first tried Ben and Jerry’s at Davidson and fell in love with both their ice cream and the company’s purchasing principals (organic, fair trade ingredients whenever possible). Basically, Free Cone Day was my motivation while I was taking the GRE that morning. FYI, ice is always good motivation, at least for this girl.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oZ6pU9U4oMY/U0b2SomqQrI/AAAAAAAABjA/f3ZPBpLazE0/s1600-h/20140408_122320_resized%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="20140408_122320_resized" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140408_122320_resized" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1O1ijxdX_AU/U0b2TpKHAXI/AAAAAAAABjE/IKCKfrxW1As/20140408_122320_resized_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>2. Mornings made glorious. For breakfast, I have been eating a lot of these morning glory muffins that although not photogenic were quite tasty. I also have been eating a lot of a cranberry apple bake that all the women in my family make (imagine the most delicious concoction of cranberries, apples, oats, butter, and sugar that can be eaten as a side, dessert, or breakfast- YUM!). </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IlV1QvkntCg/U0xm0QQYcXI/AAAAAAAABkY/DxJ9ehhpYG4/s1600-h/DSC_0610.jpg"><img title="DSC_0610" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto; src: "file:///C:/Users/Sarah/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter393614076/supfiles416CCC1C/DSC_0610.JPG"" border="0" alt="DSC_0610" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bckYmvp_Rf8/U0b2VaAbh-I/AAAAAAAABkg/9-xyakGPZL8/DSC_0610_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="154"></a></p> <p>3. Homemade bread. In the last month, I have been on a homemade bread kick, baking homemade whole wheat buns, the no-knead whole wheat bread pictured below, and whole wheat sandwich loaves. I had the idea of making a double batch of sandwich bread last time and freezing one. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that before because it makes homemade bread during the middle of the week very do-able. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BBse52UkYWs/U0b2V0XmNtI/AAAAAAAABjg/8VUyPg2E4p8/s1600-h/DSC_0607_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0607_thumb" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0607_thumb" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CRoty4ZQsmo/U0b2Xe6zAYI/AAAAAAAABjo/UJW1cql709g/DSC_0607_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>4. Spring flavors. Jerry and I used our citrus juicer attachment to make lemonade. I had never made homemade lemonade. It was delicious but I never knew lemonade required so many lemons! I am planning on making some Easter favorites, like challah, hot cross buns, carrot cake, and/or pineapple upside down cake in the coming week.</p> <p>5. Finding joy in the little things. Lately, I have shifted my mindset from anxious because of uncertainty about a job for next year to just savoring each moment. I know it sounds cliché but it is so true. Lately, I have enjoyed taking our dog Louie for long walks, savoring “me” time, exploring the Charlotte area with Jerry (new restaurants or grocery stores, hiking, etc.), catching up with friends, volunteering for a good cause close to my heart, and reminiscing about the past while anticipating the future.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B1xejBL_hzk/U0b2YNIpP_I/AAAAAAAABko/YnGPVHovixc/s1600-h/DSC_0587.jpg"><img title="DSC_0587" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0587" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_pcxPT0RH4I/U0b2Y5XMs-I/AAAAAAAABks/EDDx8viAQyA/DSC_0587_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="295"></a></p> <p>Also, I want to announce a new series that I will be doing on my blog, Going Green in the Kitchen.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AhXGSGhmQVY/U0b2ZgYySuI/AAAAAAAABkA/KbyufoAzsNM/s1600-h/Green%252520Header%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="Green Header" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Green Header" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DJl9vhXiiZQ/U0b2amwFNcI/AAAAAAAABkI/wGyxwWi35QY/Green%252520Header_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="698" height="276"></a></p> <p>I am embarking on this project in the hopes of becoming more mindful about how I consume products in the kitchen. As an environmental studies concentrator at Davidson, it always seemed easy to be active in environmental clubs and walk to the health food store or the farmer’s market, both right down the road. However, living in an apartment with someone else to feed is much harder. I can’t just buy the things I want to buy, some of which have been deemed “strange” by Jerry. Also, Healthy Home Market and the farmer’s market are not quite so close and I have to be deliberate about where I spend my money. With all of these things in mind, I am launching this series, as both a personal challenge and hopefully an inspiration to others. Disclaimer, I am not sure how long this series will run but I plan to post weekly.</p> <p>Coming up soon, homemade almond butter!</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-76733417104963973982014-03-05T16:30:00.001-08:002014-03-05T16:30:23.315-08:00Kahlua Black Bean Brownies<p>I normally research what kind of cake I want to make for my birthday months ahead of time. Since I wasn’t able to bake my own cake last year in Costa Rica, this year I wanted to really make my cake count. Needless to say, I had my recipe picked out a month in advance and braved rush hour, pre-snow storm traffic for my first trip to the ABC store. You could say I was pretty invested in this cake by the time February rolled around. I had my recipe for the cake that I found <a href="http://www.thecollegiatebaker.com/2012/12/chocolate-kahlua-cake-with-white.html">this blog</a> and an icing recipe from <a href="http://www.thecollegiatebaker.com/2012/12/chocolate-kahlua-cake-with-white.html">Southern Living</a>. </p> <p>Let me preface this baking adventure by saying that even though I am a scientist and a loyal follower of Alton Brown’s book about the science behind baking, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Im-Just-Here-More-Food/dp/1584793414">I’m Just Here for More Food</a>, I can be a bit imprecise in the kitchen and don’t follow a recipe to a tee. I am also that person that gets so excited about having company over that she runs to her folder of recipes to try or to a new cookbook and pick out something to make that she has never tried before (my mother and grandmothers will never understand this). But, on February 22nd, with less than twelve hours to bake and ice my birthday cake before company arrived, I was leaving nothing to chance. I was very precise and followed the recipe exactly. It paid off and the cake turned out better than I imagined, both in taste and in appearance. It was chocolate-y and dense without being overly sweet and the hint of Kahlua in the icing and cake really set it apart from the run-of-the-mill chocolate cake.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WauL4JpY7nY/UxfBiczQCSI/AAAAAAAABiA/dPC1bBTU50o/s1600-h/Sarah%252520Pictures%252520314%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sarah Pictures 314" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Sarah Pictures 314" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OBu-PsgTvXc/UxfBjphRBiI/AAAAAAAABiI/524EpQiOOoU/Sarah%252520Pictures%252520314_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="219"></a></p> <p>This cake solidified Kahlua’s role in baked goods produced in my kitchen. So, I wanted to use it in something else, although I hoped it would be a slightly healthier. I thought what better way to use it than in chocolate-y lightened up brownies? I had tried <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/09/06/no-flour-black-bean-brownies/">this brownie recipe</a> from Chocolate Covered Katie months ago and loved it. I made the brownies more fudge-y and chocolate-y with a very subtle hint of Kahlua that enhanced the chocolate and added a little something extra. Mission accomplished.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DSnG4KzB37Q/UxfBkkgo5fI/AAAAAAAABiQ/QAw6h6TJzGs/s1600-h/DSC_0581%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0581" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0581" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PHFOdSi1umE/UxfBlHFtl1I/AAAAAAAABiY/F1hmhxWVrII/DSC_0581_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="250"></a></p> <p align="left"><strong>Kahlua Black Bean Brownies</strong></p> <p align="left">Adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie</p> <p align="left">1 1/2 c. black beans (1 15 oz. can, rinsed and drained well)</p> <p align="left">3 Tbsp. cocoa powder </p> <p align="left">1/2 c. oats (quick cooking or regular)</p> <p align="left">1/4 tsp. salt</p> <p align="left">1/2 tsp. baking powder</p> <p align="left">1/3 c. + 1 Tbsp. agave nectar</p> <p align="left">1/4 c. coconut oil, melted</p> <p align="left">1 Tbsp. Kahlua (Baileys Irish Cream may work too, but I haven’t tried it)</p> <p align="left">3/4 c. chocolate chips</p> <p align="left">Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8 x 8” pan. Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips in the bowl of a food processor; process until very smooth. Mix in the chocolate chips. Pour the brownie batter into the pan and cook for 15-18 minutes. The brownies will still be gooey (so do not rely on the toothpick test), let them rest in the pan for 10 minutes before cutting.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oN1S2T1Z07KkCJMZsmFT14NjHshg5wsGKhDacPnpmKqL4_gjr2OJNktWzNl3zslITyptVibvyTeNZQo1u-G1iYGBNdld_Mm66Bx4vMVf12SiHMTlGlsvcKpUyFE1Kdj6V2KFSZHdgl4/s1600-h/BB%252520Brownies%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="BB Brownies" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="BB Brownies" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IVkqdzygySM/UxfBnCne3nI/AAAAAAAABik/HI_qVdDWjDo/BB%252520Brownies_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="152" height="118"></a></p> <p>Another way I have found to enjoy these brownies, with leftover birthday cake icing!</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-78033584667761635852014-02-19T20:17:00.001-08:002014-02-19T20:17:42.267-08:00NYC Eats: Part 2<p><font size="2">As you can tell, I kind of enjoyed eating nonstop on my honeymoon. So, below are some more of my favorite meals and bites from the Big Apple.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Ethnic Eats</font></p> <p>On our last night in New York, we wanted a really delicious but not too fancy meal that we could chase with a wonderful dessert eaten on the red steps in Times Square. After consulting Yelp, we decided on a hole-in-the-wall Mexican spot called El Centro with charming decor. My entrée, the vegetable chilaquiles, was ridiculously delicious. For those that haven’t eaten chilaquiles, they are tortilla chips smothered in sauce and topped with cheese, vegetables, and/or a protein. Mine were topped with grilled vegetables and fresh avocado slices. It was the perfect textural combination with the creamy avocado and sauce, smoky grilled vegetables, and a slightly sour drizzle of crema. These were hands down the best chilaquiles I have ever had. If only I hadn’t filled up so much on guacamole and chips beforehand…. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QSxfClKzVSE/UwWBxNCUkoI/AAAAAAAABgY/_cpu_ui-858/s1600-h/20140115_175557_thumb2.jpg"><img title="20140115_175557_thumb" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140115_175557_thumb" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L1N4SXRBM80/UwWBxiNePJI/AAAAAAAABgg/w4QqlSqzPWU/20140115_175557_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>We also chose ethnic food before we went to see the play Matilda. We ate at a French-Moroccan restaurant that I had heard was a nice sit-down restaurant, Marseille, which was very close to both our hotel and the theater and turned out to be a good choice overall. I could have easily filled up on the bread that was brought out to start the meal, a rustic multigrain and a French bread with olives, served with good quality olive oil. We restrained ourselves to only two baskets (we were trying to be refined to blend in with our surroundings). I ordered a seafood stew in a flavorful tomato broth served with a side of couscous. I was served so much seafood, including clams, mussels, squid, shrimp, and monkfish. No picture because like I said we were trying to keep it classy.</p> <p>Also, while we were on our ethnic food kick, we had to eat Chinese. I have visited several Chinatowns and enjoyed taking in the sights and smells that are so exotic to me. Yet, I was determined on this trip to New York’s Chinatown to do more than gawk and smell, but to actually eat a meal there. So, we had a multicourse lunch that left me filling stuffed but blown away by how cheap our culinary tour of Chinatown was. First, we started at Vanessa’s Dumplings. We ordered fried pork dumplings and a red bean steamed bun. Both were delicious. The pork filling was flavored with chives and melted in your mouth with the fattiness of the pork and the crisp exterior. The steamed bun was delicious but very different from anything I had ever had; the filling of the steamed bun was sweet but was flavorful. Our tab at Vanessa’s was a whole $2.20. Next, we went to a noodle restaurant that at first looked pretty sketchy (we later learned was visited by Guy Fieri), called Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles. I had the pan fried duck noodles. The skin on the meat was rendered to become crispy and so rich. The noodles were unlike any other I have ever had; they were decidedly doughy but very fresh and coated with a light sauce. I hadn’t planned on having dessert because I was absolutely stuffed but I had never been in an Asian bakery and one of them called my name. I went inside with the most innocent intentions of “just looking” but of course came out with a steamed egg custard bun. At $.85 it was a cheap but delicious dessert. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oCsOXDFngbY/UwWByeuNYfI/AAAAAAAABgo/28j2frR4Hjg/s1600-h/20140113_123945_thumb2.jpg"><img title="20140113_123945_thumb" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140113_123945_thumb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wSl7FQwHYeM/UwWBzTqKQ_I/AAAAAAAABgw/dLfuDQWVD9o/20140113_123945_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="4">The Best of Breakfast and Dessert (pretty much interchangeable here)</font></p> <p><font size="2">Our last morning in New York, I knew I had to try one of the famous waffles from <a href="http://www.wafelsanddinges.com/">Wafels and Dinges</a>. Unfortunately, we were a long way from the actual waffle shop so walked to a cabana location in a small green space. Although eating waffles outside in 30-degree weather wasn’t the ideal situation, the waffles still proved worth the walk and cold weather. I ordered the Liege Waffle, which is known as the “other Belgian waffle”. It was light and soft, a perfect palate for dinges, or toppings. I ordered mine with Speculoos cookie spread and bananas. It was warm and not overly sweet, perfect for a light breakfast (soon to be followed by a bagel). </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-05biSLOiuq8/UwWB0LI2yjI/AAAAAAAABg4/xpnK5eykXGY/s1600-h/20140116_095517_thumb32.jpg"><img title="20140116_095517_thumb[3]" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140116_095517_thumb[3]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PZ4AGUY60YQ/UwWB01gp-pI/AAAAAAAABhA/F9cqb-SKatY/20140116_095517_thumb3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>While in the Chelsea section of the city to visit the infamous foodie mecca, <a href="http://chelseamarket.com/">The Chelsea Market</a>, we had to stop by a place we had seen on Unique Sweets, a show on Cooking Channel that I cannot get enough of, <a href="http://doughnutplant.com/">Doughnut Plant</a>. There were two doughnuts in particular that I had seen on the show that just called my name, the Crème Brulee doughseed and the Carrot Cake doughnut. Normally, I do not go for cake doughnuts but I LOVE carrot cake, so I went for it. The doughseed was a small yeasted doughnut hole with a crisp, caramelized sugar exterior and a creamy interior. It was very good, but the carrot cake doughnut stole my heart with its cream cheese filling and fresh nuts and carrots on the outside.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rm7-XvrEfEc/UwWB1OCIq8I/AAAAAAAABhI/Pa1kUnCz8js/s1600-h/20140114_094029_thumb2.jpg"><img title="20140114_094029_thumb" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140114_094029_thumb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f31OvkLmbnA/UwWB26rIpWI/AAAAAAAABhQ/Nnrt2SXOwfI/20140114_094029_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://bouchonbakery.com/rockefeller-center/">Bouchon Bakery</a> is that place that you see in the background on NBC’s Today Show. But, it is not just a bakery in the background, it is a magical little shop created by one of the French baking greats, Thomas Keller. We snuck in right before it closed and I am so glad we didn’t arrive fifteen minutes later. I have been an éclair fan for basically my whole life but I am admittedly picky about them. Don’t even think about putting whipped filling in the middle and calling it an éclair, there must be a perfectly creamy vanilla custard in there. But, when I saw a dulce de leche éclair, I knew that this matchup of two things I love could be delicious. Dulce de leche, a custardy cream, candied pecans, and then a caramel chocolate bar. It was very sweet but the different textures made it a truly unique éclair.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fv3uZGnNRdw/UwWB3WZfy0I/AAAAAAAABhY/JW1azQwj7tU/s1600-h/20140115_195250_thumb2.jpg"><img title="20140115_195250_thumb" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140115_195250_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NJLI1EXZsUw/UwWB3_NLyYI/AAAAAAAABhg/BjKPaJoN4OY/20140115_195250_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Last but not least, is Magnolia Bakery. Magnolia Bakery is well-known for their cupcakes; but, since I am not much of a cupcake person, I opted for a slice of one of the elegant layer cakes. First of all, I have never been handed a slice of cake that was so large. Although it was also one of the more expensive pieces of cake I have ever ingested, I literally could not eat the whole thing in one sitting and that is saying a lot because I have a well-known tolerance for all things sweet and rich. I ate a piece of gingerbread cake with meringue frosting. It was a delicious, airy cake with a very balanced pairing of flavors.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s4vBaYhDTfY/UwWB4WcvCzI/AAAAAAAABho/eHVfzouECiA/s1600-h/IMAG05093.jpg"><img title="IMAG0509" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMAG0509" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PtDE_OIhe1E/UwWB5AAkXiI/AAAAAAAABhw/ATpIUaLT5LE/IMAG0509_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a></p> <p>That’s all for now! I hope to bring you a recipe post soon!</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-2542274882944856592014-02-04T17:18:00.001-08:002014-02-04T17:18:26.368-08:00NYC: The Honeymoon Eats<p>It seems as if my honeymoon was eons away, especially as I am interning, substitute teaching, trailing behind our new puppy with a green “dog waste” bag, washing laundry, and in general getting back to the real world. Before I get to the food, I just have to share a picture of our Boxer-Pointer mix puppy, Louie, from the Humane Society. He has the sweetest face and a personality to match. Jerry and I are so in love with him (except when he pukes in his cage, whines constantly, or tears his bed to shreds)! Now to the food!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yD8XU895VCQ/UvGROpYfmjI/AAAAAAAABfQ/wDTnJ3dEdBU/s1600-h/20140130_1605384.jpg"><img title="20140130_160538" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140130_160538" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V0X0wiGgSzo/UvGRPxmjz5I/AAAAAAAABfY/KoUogMEFaFA/20140130_160538_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="173" height="244"></a></p> <p>We ate some amazing food in New York City. In fact, there were times that Jerry said he felt like we were always eating. But, I know that I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed it. I had been looking forward to honeymooning in New York for a long time; aside from the ice skating, exploring, and seeing Matilda on Broadway, the food was definitely one of the things I was most looking forward to. I called on the help of several friends familiar with the city and did my research on Serious Eats and Yelp. Overall, I was very happy with what we ate and glad that we walked miles around the city and exercised in the workout room every day to keep from gaining five pounds in our five days there. </p> <p>There were a few things that were quintessential New York foods that we had to eat. These included bagels, pizza, cheesecake, and black and white cookies. We also hit up restaurants and bakeries I had heard about. We only had two negative experiences and those were at quintessential New York delis, no names but in my opinion those types of establishments aren’t worth it on a visit to the city. So, on to the good stuff!</p> <p><font size="4">New York Favorites</font></p> <p>After some research about good pizza in New York, I chose Angelo’s Pizza. It wasn’t traditional New York style pizza but I daresay that I liked the coal-fired pizza served here better than I would have liked a super thin-crusted New York style slice. This was a Margherita style pizza with mozzarella, a not-too-sweet red sauce, and fresh basil leaves. The crust was crisp with a little bit of a char around the edges. It was simple but one of the freshest pizzas I have ever eaten. I was able to eat my whole half of the pizza, as a result of both the deliciousness and hunger from eating lunch at 2:00. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J4Y9e2AJ6ss/UvGRQyXs9DI/AAAAAAAABfg/8Mw6mdpttII/s1600-h/20140112_1410115.jpg"><img title="20140112_141011" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140112_141011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-75Ah_JImISU/UvGRRp9XYDI/AAAAAAAABfo/641xQ_WPwFo/20140112_141011_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Half plain and half with added pepperoni, I think you can guess which side was mine.</p> <p>Again, I did a lot of research about what bagels were the best; naturally, they had to be hand-rolled and freshly made. I decided that we would try Murray’s Bagels. The shop was cozy with so many different types of bagels to choose from. Jerry and I split this whole wheat bagel with cream cheese as a second breakfast before our flight out. The bagel was delicious, with a slightly tough exterior and a tender inside. There was a bit too much cream cheese for me, but I don’t really like plain cream cheese, I much prefer it in icing. We took home half a dozen bagels, including cinnamon raisin, multigrain, and a seed and nut bagel. I loved mine toasted with almond butter.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FaiYsE2UUIw/UvGRTHNtBOI/AAAAAAAABfw/SR1M4NZ77vQ/s1600-h/20140116_1031403.jpg"><img title="20140116_103140" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140116_103140" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o5fwn6DhCjQ/UvGRT2NV1GI/AAAAAAAABf4/3gvwN7u7iG0/20140116_103140_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>After seeing the magical, took-me-back-to-my-childhood play Matilda, Jerry and I knew that a dessert to take back to the room was a must. I suggested an old favorite, Junior’s cheesecake. I had eaten it on other trips to New York and knew that Junior’s rich cheesecake with a thin sponge cake crust was well worth the trip and the almost $7 a slice. I chose cherry because although I like to eat super fancy desserts, sometimes a simple but classic dessert hits the spot; this was one of those. I forgot to take a picture before I dug in so please forgive me. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xmQ6fSrgFWc/UvGRUvBOAuI/AAAAAAAABgA/LX5cqcPq4Dc/s1600-h/20140114_2200234.jpg"><img title="20140114_220023" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20140114_220023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cXxeSnl4FQc/UvGRVICyVPI/AAAAAAAABgI/Q4-FpDBxHiY/20140114_220023_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>In my next post, I will explore more of my favorite foods from the trip. </p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-19603061747678793802014-01-26T18:57:00.001-08:002014-01-26T18:57:36.147-08:00I’m Back!<p>My long hiatus from blogging is over and I hope that I am here to stay. Through the years I have figured out that this blog is something that gives me personal happiness and gives me an outlet for writing and, more importantly, gushing about food. Jerry (my new husband, in case you didn’t know) really probably gets tired of me talking about food, reading bloglovin, and spending countless hours in the kitchen baking or cooking (maybe he doesn’t get tired of that one, just the dishes that result!). But, for those of you that do read this blog, thank you! Although I do the blog for me, it is nice to be heard. </p> <p>There is no way to properly catch you up on everything that has happened in the last six months or so, but three of the most notable would probably be finishing at Davidson (this was definitely the hardest out of my seven semesters of college), getting married, and moving into an apartment in Charlotte. Although I didn’t blog, I did do some writing and lots of eating. Over the next few months you will certainly see bits and pieces of this time. For now, I want to tell you about some of the best eating I have done EVER. </p> <p>Jerry and I got married on January 11th. It was a beautiful winter wedding that I thought was absolutely perfect. Although it probably wasn’t flawless, it was the best day of my life thus far and I will cherish the sacredness of the service and the good times (and food) had with friends and family at the reception. I could gush on and on about the food for the rehearsal dinner and reception, but I won’t bore you, especially since there are no pictures….yet. But, I will say that the wedding cake was a complete success. I ordered it from Maxie B’s, a bakery in Greensboro, NC. It was decorated simply but beautifully with frosted fruit, a rustic icing finish, and an “L” topper I bought on Etsy. We got so many compliments on the cake. Everyone said it was the best they had ever had. This was music to my ears. I loved the compliments I got on my dress but compliments on the cake validated my love for and knowledge of cake. Basically, I can be easily won over by complimenting my taste in food. The only sad part was that Jerry and I split a piece. I don’t know what I was thinking not asking for another piece from a different tier, obviously I was a bit busy receiving friends and family. The bottom layer of the cake that we cut from was carrot cake, the next layer was strawberry buttercream, and the third and anniversary layers were red velvet. I am happy to report that there was no smushing of cake in each others’ face. I had threatened Jerry with an annulment if he did and cake got on my dress, not a good start to a marriage. </p> <p>More to come next time on our honeymoon food in New York. And, more in the way of pictures too!</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-76837608536239112582013-08-26T20:36:00.001-07:002013-08-26T20:36:31.735-07:00Back to Blogging<p>It’s been awhile. And, since today is my first day of classes, it may seem like a very strange time to post again, but sometimes I need to escape to my own little perfect world of food, especially comforting, tasty food that has good memories associated with it. This is especially the kind of escape needed from a non-stop busy day of seeing long-lost friends (it has been over 8 months since I have seen some of them), reading too many syllabi, vacillating between excitement and anxiety over new courses and their associated work, and sending about a million e-mails. My tiny kitchen and lack of a food processor, cookie sheet (mine wouldn’t fit in our microscopic, slightly-larger-than-an-Easy-Bake-Oven oven), and mixer also makes me a little anxious. But, this blog reminds me of delicious homemade food that I made last week and the loved ones that helped me eat it, namely my parents and Jerry. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w_LT46UnKEI/Uhwessfc_iI/AAAAAAAABeY/lMfIboKdwMo/s1600-h/DSC_0226%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0226" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0226" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yOgPExWrsjw/Uhwes0RV3pI/AAAAAAAABeg/aakAVNPfCJQ/DSC_0226_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="201"></a></p> <p>Because I “borrowed” Jerry’s pizza stone for a pizza party and the subsequent two weeks, I thought I may as well try to take advantage of having it. Since, I hadn’t made an actual loaf of bread in a while, I decided to venture into the “hearth breads” section of my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Reinharts-Whole-Grain-Breads/dp/1580087590">Peter Reinhart Whole Grain Breads</a> book. This was new territory for me; the recipes in this chapter required not only a pizza stone but also a steam pan. This entails placing a pan filled with several inches of water on the oven rack above the pizza stone. The steam created from the water poured in the very hot oven creates steam and therefore more of a distinction between “crust” and “crumb” (Bread is so fascinating, there is always more to learn!). </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fe9reu2WFhY/UhwetlKDo0I/AAAAAAAABeo/1EOI88awCl0/s1600-h/DSC_0230%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0230" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0230" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-avyW8_DypuY/UhweuH4bI5I/AAAAAAAABew/gGUD-_dR5LE/DSC_0230_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="192"></a></p> <p>After the initial nervousness of spilling the water either in the oven and creating a steamy, possibly dangerous mess or spilling it on the oven door window the book warned which can cause shattering wore off, I worked up the courage to just pour the water in and slide the bread onto the pan. After a 40 minute bake in the steamy oven, several hours of waiting for it to cool and for my parents to come home, and taking a million pictures of it, I sunk my serrated knife into the bread. I was happily surprised to find a contrast between the crust and the interior of the bread. It wasn’t nearly perfect, but I was pleased with it and was able to enjoy a delicious homemade appetizer (accompanied by basil olive oil) with my parents.</p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5eY7dx_3vQo/UhweuocNaiI/AAAAAAAABe0/VHYNi5PZL6Y/s1600-h/DSC_0232%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0232" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0232" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0iM66Q4YBkE/Uhwevg4S9HI/AAAAAAAABfA/BNo3fpBh_hQ/DSC_0232_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="238"></a> <p>I also got this crazy notion that since I was near the Whole Foods in Winston last Wednesday, I should get hazelnuts and make <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/01/09/better-than-nutella/">this recipe</a> from Chocolate Covered Katie. I had been salivating over the recipe ever since I first saw it and it didn’t disappoint. It tastes more wholesome and less sugary than Nutella but is certainly a refreshing change. It seemed that my new Nutella-like spread and hearth baked bread were destined for each other in a sweet breakfast with a cold glass of almond milk. It was a comforting, and seemingly indulgent, way to start the day. </p> <p>The bread is sadly long gone, used for dipping and for toasting, but I can only hope I have the good sense to ration out my “Nutella,” as a breakfast staple with bread or oatmeal, an easy snack with pretzels, or or an end of the day comfort in this time of readjustment and transition.</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-91838418830445691222013-07-18T19:19:00.001-07:002013-07-18T19:19:10.294-07:00My Favorites, Part III<p>Favorite Cooking Shows:</p> <blockquote> <p><u>Technique:</u> Barefoot Contessa- Ina Garten is an entertaining goddess. I think that everyone who watches her show at least subconsciously wishes they were distantly related to Ina or one of her posh friends. She makes fairly simple but elegant and always delicious recipes. Her tzatziki, granola, and sticky buns have never steered me wrong.</p> <p>Kelsey’s Essentials- Kelsey is so personable and has a sunny disposition. Her recipes are fairly basic and I like how she breaks down all the ingredients and equipment necessary. You can learn both technique and about her life from the show.</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><u>Competition:</u> Chopped- 1 mystery basket, 4 ingredients, 4 chefs that all want to win $10,000, and a short time period to make an appetizer, entrée, or dessert. What could be more gripping? The addition of the witty host Ted Allen and knowledgeable but sometimes harsh judges, check.</p> <p>Iron Chef- The host, the Chairman is always a delight to watch. And, the secret ingredient which all of the dishes have to highlight is always interesting. My favorite chef to cheer for is Michael Symon, although all of the Iron Chefs are very talented.</p> <p>Top Chef- There is more reality show drama in this competition but the mini-showdowns and competitions are very entertaining. I also really like Padma and Gail, host and judge of the show.</p></blockquote> <p>Favorite Cookbook: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1580087590/ref=asc_df_15800875902607251?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=msnshopping-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=1580087590">Peter Reinhart’s Whole Grain Breads</a> is without a doubt my favorite cookbook. I have made it a personal goal of mine to bake my way through the book, trying everything from bagels (success) to breads with foreign names that I have never heard of. </p> <p>Ingredients I Swear By: Local Eggs (preferably straight from someone’s backyard), Ghirardelli Baking Chips 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate (there is nothing wrong with eating them straight out of the bag), King Arthur flour (unbleached all-purpose, whole wheat, or white whole wheat), and most items from the farmer’s market</p> <p>My Favorite Kitchen Tool: My KitchenAid Mixer</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5rj0ty6XyjY/UeiiG_StCSI/AAAAAAAABd8/uKH0NArEIow/s1600-h/DSCN53973.jpg"><img title="DSCN5397" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN5397" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zcy5xv7UQsc/UeiiHRziU9I/AAAAAAAABeA/rjCf78iem1E/DSCN5397_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <blockquote> <p align="center">Isn’t she (the mixer) beautiful in that stunning cornflower blue?</p> <p>Runner-Ups: Cuisinart Food Processor, Garlic Press</p></blockquote> <p>That officially wraps up the series of my favorite food-related things. I promise I will start including more pictures and recipes in posts. I am ashamed that I have hardly taken any pictures since Costa Rica, but I am working on curing my picture burn-out. </p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-55939141820207149692013-07-01T18:44:00.001-07:002013-07-01T18:44:58.242-07:00RIP Google Reader (aka My Favorite Food Websites)<p>My name is Sarah and I am addicted to reading food blogs. </p> <p>There, I admitted my addiction. Those of you that know me best know the sadness and betrayal I felt when I heard that Google Reader was shutting down (How can you do this to me, Google?). I am still trying to find the best alternative to replace my beloved Google Reader but honestly a little break from reading food blogs might not be so bad and might even build some character (don’t all things that you really don’t want to do but know you should?). Nonetheless, I will get to the actual blogs that provide me such enjoyment.</p> <p>My Favorite Blogs:</p> <p>Peanut Butter Runner- yoga, fitness, and a mixture of healthy and decadent recipes makes this one of my favorite food blogs. Also, Jen is from Charlotte so I know many of the restaurants she talks about.</p> <p>How Sweet It Is- over the top recipes are matched by an over the top personality in this blog. But, I can totally relate to Jessica’s obsession with Boy Meets World and not feeling like a grown up. Read this one to have fun.</p> <p>Joy the Baker- beautiful pictures and well-crafted stories compliment the wonderful recipes that Joy crafts. I have probably tried the most recipes from this blog of all the blogs I read and I have never been disappointed.</p> <p>Girl versus Dough- at first this blog was all about a girl exploring the mysteries and delights of yeast. Now, the blog has a broader scope but still is very interesting to read and to my delight yeast resurfaces occasionally.</p> <p>A Pastry Affair- a blog with an artsy feel and a thoughtful quote to go with each recipe posted. The perspective of a young woman who has actually worked at a bakery is unique and she also hits on deep, very real emotions connected with the food she has made.</p> <p>Willow Bird Baking- a fellow Davidson student is the author behind this blog. She does a wonderful job of telling a story and tying it back to a decadent dessert. I also just love her personality and the kindness that comes through in person as well as on her blog.</p> <p>The Amateur Gourmet- read this blog for comic effect or for good how-tos. He freely admits to being amateur and writes simple-to-follow recipes, both of which are good for the rest of us amateurs out here.</p> <p>Chocolate Covered Katie- this healthy, vegan dessert blog will surpass your expectations created by that crazy combination of words (healthy + vegan + dessert). I have made several recipes from this blog before and successfully sampled them on unknowing friends (mug cakes and black bean brownies- both amazing!).</p> <p>Other Fun Food Websites:</p> <p>Serious Eats (especially the Sweets section): I love this website! It has sections for different cities, and food topics (i.e. pizza, sweets, burgers). The writing and photography are also top-notch with significant humor; I also feel like I really know the main contributors from their personal style reflected in posts/articles.</p> <p>Healthy Aperture- my favorite “food porn” website. I think I could stay on this site for hours. New pictures with linked recipes are posted daily. Everything is somewhat healthy but also beautiful and, from my experience, tasty.</p> <p>The Kitchn- an all around amazing food website plus so much more. The recipes are wonderful but the how-tos, recommended products, and food news pieces are just as good. Bonus: its sister site, Apartment Therapy, is all about the home, including decorating, DIY, and interesting products. </p> <p>Food Network- Ina’s recipes are on there, enough said. But, for those of us who watch lots of Food Network, it is a great repository of all those recipes that we see chefs cook on TV and then want to try to replicate.</p> <p>My next post will be my last and will include everything else I can think for which I can give my meaningless stamp of approval, including television shows and some food. </p> <p>As a final note, I just made <a href="http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/whole-wheat-buttermilk-biscuits?ecd=wnl_dab_100412&ctr=wnl-dab-100412_hdln_4">these</a> whole wheat buttermilk biscuits. They were my first totally successful batch of biscuits; now I am a true Southern lady (we’ll just overlook the omission of lard/Crisco and white flour for the time being)!</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-57287675057930938482013-06-16T16:10:00.001-07:002013-06-16T16:10:34.857-07:00My Favorite Food Literature<p align="left"><strong><u><font color="#666666" size="4">Books</font></u></strong></p> <p>-Michael Pollan: <em>An Omnivore’s Dilemma, Food Rules, </em>and<em> In Defense of Food</em><br>-<em>A Thousand Days in Venice: An Unexpected Romance</em> by Marlena de Blasi<br>-<em>Best Food Writing of 2009</em>, edited by Holly Hughes<br>-<em>In Search of a Perfect Meal</em> by Anthony Bourdain<br>-<em>Julie and Julia</em> by Julie Powell<br>-<em>My Life in France</em> by Julia Child<br>-<em>A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table</em> by Molly Wizenburg<br>-<em>Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</em> by Barbara Kingsolver</p> <p><font color="#666666" size="4"><u><strong>About to Read</strong></u></font></p> <p><em>Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners, and Smart-Cookin’ Mamas</em> by Mark Winne</p> <p><u><strong><font color="#666666" size="4">My Reading List</font></strong></u></p> <ul> <li><em>Yes, Chef</em> by Marcus Samuelsson</li> <li><em>Cooked</em> by Michael Pollan</li> <li><em>Chocolat</em> by Joanne Harris</li> <li>The Man Who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten</li> <li><em>Watching What We Eat: The Evolution of Television Cooking Shows</em> by Kathleen Collins</li> <li><em>Fear of Food: A History of Why We Worry About What We Eat</em> by Harvey Levenstein</li> <li><em>Fast Food Nation</em> by Eric Schlosser</li> <li><em>The Physiology of Taste</em> by Jean Brillat-Savarin</li></ul> <p><u><strong><font color="#666666" size="4">Magazines</font></strong></u></p> <p><em>Cooking Light</em> is my favorite. I don’t make any recipe just because it looks easy; if so, I wouldn’t have spent hours making cinnamon rolls and waking up at 4 am to start their last rise. But, the recipes in Cooking Light seem doable and are dishes that I want to eat, elegant but not fussy, are made with whole, fresh foods, and and have some consideration for health. I also love their feature stories which incorporate the culture of food, how it shapes our lives, and some humor (one story was about a passionate home cook testing some of the hardest cookbook recipes from the top-rated chefs in the world). </p> <p>My close seconds are <em>Bon Appetit</em> and <em>Food Network Magazine</em>. Let’s face it, these magazines also bring a smile to my face on that glorious day when they are delivered to my mailbox. I get seriously antsy if it is that time of the month and I haven’t gotten one yet. These two are very different but I enjoy reading them both nonetheless. I admittedly have not tried many recipes from either of these magazines, but the artsy pictures in <em>Bon Appetit</em> and hint of the exotic will keep me reading while the random food facts and familiar chef faces fuel my love for <em>Food Network Magazine</em>.</p> <p><em>Edible Charlotte</em> has become another one of my favorite magazines. The best part is that it is free; but, that also means that I have to scavenge at my local health food store or farmer’s market to find a copy. The reward is worth the trouble to obtain a copy. This month the Mediterranean-inspired and raw recipes caught my eye but the spotlights on local farmers and chefs also make the magazine a must-read for Charlotteans.</p> <p>Next up will be my favorite cookbooks and then I will end with my favorite food websites. </p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-7418218245683522012013-05-27T12:26:00.001-07:002013-05-27T12:26:33.677-07:00A return to food blogging<p>I have officially returned home, safe and sound from Costa Rica. I think I have finally gotten adjusted to life in the U.S. again after 18 days of furious baking (bagels, granola, cinnamon rolls, red velvet cake, black bean brownies…), serious napping, a little bit of cleaning, a lot of bumming out at home, not enough catching up with friends and family, and hard-core food magazine reading and Food Network viewing (sometimes at the same time). Things that seemed strange at first: throwing my toilet paper in the toilet (it goes in the trash can in Costa Rica), hot showers (strange in a good way, trust me), not having rice and beans served at every meal, not being surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Costa Rica, and being apart from my SFS family. </p> <p>But as far as food goes, I am definitely glad to be back. Now I have control of what I eat and can cook my own food. Plus, food in America is generally better; in Costa Rica, all desserts are insanely sweet (and this is coming from someone who has built up a very high tolerance for sweets) and most savory things are either fried or involve gallo pinto (rice and beans). I am obviously so fortunate to have studied abroad in Costa Rica, but after a while the already bland cuisine gets mundane.</p> <p>So, here is my first post back to just food blogging from the U.S. I hope you will keep reading, or will start if you haven’t stayed up to date on my travels.</p> <p>I think to kick off the summer I am going to do a series of superlative posts, including my favorite food-related quotes, books, and more. On to post #1….</p> <p><strong><font size="4">Quotes</font></strong></p> <p>As a cook, tastes and smells are my memories, and I'm in search of some new ones. So I'm leaving New York and hoping to have a few epiphanies around the world. I'm looking for extremes of emotion and experience. I'll try anything. I'll risk everything. I have nothing to lose." –Anthony Bourdain</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aTxl6ZKEji4/UaOzUMEAjDI/AAAAAAAABbY/9BlGdU25LQY/s1600-h/IMG_36893.jpg"><img title="IMG_3689" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3689" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oxYGGMt3UXA/UaOzUQ5IVSI/AAAAAAAABbg/YK95rgtlkds/IMG_3689_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dwsmax0wfac/UaOzU55gKAI/AAAAAAAABbo/v4h3MFroeKc/s1600-h/DSC001583.jpg"><img title="DSC00158" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00158" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WYKz4o8EWRE/UaOzVLUyarI/AAAAAAAABbw/IVQy2qez40k/DSC00158_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2WV6ZBt9OMs/UaOzVqLm1VI/AAAAAAAABb4/llBuqC_g1TI/s1600-h/IMAG01193.jpg"><img title="IMAG0119" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMbRjV_teFHt-mb9afgUNYXhS6biirQztHf9AduboW6CMl4SNgpdTTdBUkHs_gYoGqnYX0mAGf7cfMUu14INnAipfr9nF4x439gc_IoYrOJNhLtHaSLK77XtMHFUHOtNi04P9hLP56Yk/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uQDo1ZLM64E/UaOzWIon_jI/AAAAAAAABcI/4ZxLgvoGq8I/s1600-h/IMG_33487.jpg"><img title="IMG_3348" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3348" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lYbfpIJ2Ni0/UaOzWr5ZdXI/AAAAAAAABcQ/XalcYUxKzhw/IMG_3348_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br></p> <p>“This is the product that everyone in the world eats, that is so difficult to give up. It’s so deeply embedded in our psyches that bread is used as a symbol for life.”<br>-Peter Reinhardt</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-55wugOVXSHg/UaOzXJtkjpI/AAAAAAAABcY/NSONSZ0UEUs/s1600-h/DSC_06487.jpg"><img title="DSC_0648" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0648" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fG-hiFLd3P8/UaOzXqu-_CI/AAAAAAAABcg/MI7vhvJaWCg/DSC_0648_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JnLiCRpBl7s/UaOzX5r3jSI/AAAAAAAABco/OPgsKR3uaSM/s1600-h/DSCN57233.jpg"><img title="DSCN5723" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN5723" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RfAgWT86jtg/UaOzYWg649I/AAAAAAAABcw/_n96HCePik4/DSCN5723_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>“The smell of good bread baking, like the sound of lightly flowing water, is indescribable in its evocation of innocence and delight...</p> <p>[Breadmaking is] one of those almost hypnotic businesses, like a dance from some ancient ceremony. It leaves you filled with one of the world's sweetest smells... there is no chiropractic treatment, no Yoga exercise, no hour of meditation in a music-throbbing chapel. that will leave you emptier of bad thoughts than this homely ceremony of making bread.” <br>-MFK Fisher</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-803U_ieohjw/UaOzY_zoMiI/AAAAAAAABc4/hU2ZuHV9Sgg/s1600-h/DSC_05784.jpg"><img title="DSC_0578" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0578" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eo8Ym9qycQA/UaOzZPwIFqI/AAAAAAAABdA/t-bKfFmd82Q/DSC_0578_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="198"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>"Your fate is like a new jar of peanut butter. It may be sealed, but you can choose whether it is smooth or crunchy."<br>-Jarod Kintz</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LDpF1_e97a4/UaOzZnUyvrI/AAAAAAAABdI/PXW7Q-zOxWs/s1600-h/DSC_00103.jpg"><img title="DSC_0010" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tFfRlJtu7L0/UaOzaL7OaWI/AAAAAAAABdQ/Ni-uSBq2d0s/DSC_0010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p> <p>I am still collecting more food quotes, especially as I read more food books and blogs. Do you have any favorite quotes about food? </p> <p>Next I will compile a list of my favorite food books.</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-91856924510668357722013-05-05T18:42:00.001-07:002013-05-05T18:42:16.385-07:00Lessons Learned in Costa Rica<p>As I prepare to leave Costa Rica on Thursday, leaving the comfort of SFS (“The Compound” as we affectionately call it) at 3:30 in the morning, I have been reflecting back over my experience here. First of all, thank you for reading about my time here. I blog for me; it helps me process things and I like to share my thoughts with anyone who might be interested. But, it is even better to blog knowing that people you love and that are several thousand miles away are reading. So, thanks! Second, this will be my last post from Costa Rica. Tomorrow and Tuesday, we have Directed Research presentations and lots of wrap-up activities. Wednesday will probably be crazy with final preparations and such. Then, Thursday I arrive in North Carolina at 4:17 pm. </p> <p>In light of this big change, I wanted to write about what I learned during these really meaningful three months. Warning: there are probably so many things I am leaving out but this is my best attempt at summing up the semester.</p> <p>I don’t have to plan everything, sometimes the best things are serendipitous. Some examples include finding a hotel in Manuel Antonio which turned out to be perfect, our whole time in La Fortuna, and an unplanned but amazing Lord of the Rings marathon.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-teiMuh06p5g/UYcIU9JytqI/AAAAAAAABYY/IYSuZruQuic/s1600-h/DSC_08165.jpg"><img title="DSC_0816" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0816" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AX1e4cGGtTU/UYcIW4brTLI/AAAAAAAABYg/YE_AZeBj3iU/DSC_0816_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="183"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oTVWFKwVjTc/UYcIYGQPKBI/AAAAAAAABYo/LPC5Fsv5Iw4/s1600-h/IMG_44047.jpg"><img title="IMG_4404" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u-0bAvRVRzI/UYcIZI9j0cI/AAAAAAAABYw/pCXg6vWf73s/IMG_4404_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I need alone time to reflect on the day, to think and just be with own thoughts; journaling daily has really helped me with this.</p> <p>Costa Rica is wonderful but I also need to get know the United States better. I have been to more national parks in Costa Rica than the US and I have lived there for 21 years; also, there are many places that I want to go and things I want to see. Traveling with friends/family is definitely a priority. At the top of the list are: New Orleans, Seattle, and the Northeast (Boston, Maine, and all of my SFS friends in the vicinity).<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zRfpS06ZwZ4/UYcIaR-wrSI/AAAAAAAABY4/YzyK2lTnP_E/s1600-h/IMG_47033.jpg"><img title="IMG_4703" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4703" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sGV9yT51Hp4/UYcIb8oyOsI/AAAAAAAABZA/52xbPyDvquw/IMG_4703_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Me at Volcán Mombacho, my favorite volcano we visited</p> <p>Mangoes are pretty good, ripe and unripe….. until their sap gives you a rash (akin to poison ivy).</p> <p>I can eat beans; they are still not my favorite and I don’t eat them without hot sauce and/or Lizano sauce, but I can eat them and sometimes enjoy it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qYiYJFNYPL4/UYcIii-IhKI/AAAAAAAABZI/mCoM_7FJjSQ/s1600-h/DSC_08513.jpg"><img title="DSC_0851" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0851" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-azR50mwCxXQ/UYcIj-97DOI/AAAAAAAABZQ/s8G16sNIROI/DSC_0851_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">A typical breakfast of gallo pinto (with natilla, similar to sour cream), fried plantains, and tortillas with cheese</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-icJxBjOD7-Y/UYcIuis2jdI/AAAAAAAABZY/xrBPZHxhZm4/s1600-h/IMG_44803.jpg"><img title="IMG_4480" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f1TEGAGcSqc/UYcIvyLIchI/AAAAAAAABZg/glCaDFLqqvc/IMG_4480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">The sunset on Ometeppe Island</p> <p>Yoga brings me a sense of peace and generally adds to my quality of life. One of our leaders led a yoga class that helped keep me sane and in shape. She was also such a peaceful presence and I am glad that I was able to spend that time with her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M_tyHrtA3kM/UYcJ5I8TpCI/AAAAAAAABZs/RnXsrFbewYU/s1600-h/IMG_43514.jpg"><img title="IMG_4351" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4351" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mZyGsHntwa4/UYcJ_6ctTFI/AAAAAAAABZ0/XECPgzoeVQw/IMG_4351_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="223"></a></p> <p align="center">At Finca Magdalena, a good view of Volcán Concepción </p> <p>Walking and running are my pura vida times; everyone needs their own pura vida time. (Pura vida is the Costa Rican equivalent to the Southern saying of “stopping to smell the roses,” basically taking your time and enjoying life.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1cdHQGvyBNQ/UYcKCqL2C2I/AAAAAAAABZ8/NrbN6Gq9gEk/s1600-h/DSC_00335.jpg"><img title="DSC_0033" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0033" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LkQZw_mViOU/UYcKEok5g4I/AAAAAAAABaE/86RylcCfHmA/DSC_0033_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" height="315"></a></p> <p align="center">At the trapiche in El Sur, making tapa de miel (a sweetener made from sugar cane)</p> <p>Living in a different country with a unique culture is one of the biggest learning experiences you can have; the culture/language barrier has made me feel:</p> <blockquote> <p>-like an utter fool: that time when I asked for soup to wash my clothes in at the local convenience store and got a very strange look (sopa= soup, jabon= soap)</p> <p>-frustrated: when I couldn’t express my thoughts in Spanish</p> <p>-uncomfortable: at my homestay, eating the most rich food and in such abundance that I thought I would have to fast for a few days, or when sketchy Costa Rica men tried to strike up conversations at El Sports Bar</p> <p>-at home: relating to my host family about the everyday things dear to our hearts like family and food</p> <p>-gratified: speaking to locals like taxi drivers and tour guides and learning firsthand about the culture (I surprisingly even got a few compliments on my Spanish)</p> <p>-stretched: on those days when I really wanted a hot shower, my own bed with crisp, clean sheets, the smell of whole wheat bread wafting through the air, and to be surrounded by the familiar faces of the people I love</p></blockquote> <p>Everyone that can, should study abroad for all of the above-mentioned reasons. It gives you a new outlook on life and makes you more culturally aware. Although it is cliché, you really do learn a lot about yourself through such an experience.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nyQacacvuCU/UYcKHonFhNI/AAAAAAAABaM/HvgClEwNa28/s1600-h/IMG_47314.jpg"><img title="IMG_4731" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4731" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BAEnNecQ7xY/UYcKJsCU3lI/AAAAAAAABaQ/odR04TcLj04/IMG_4731_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="215"></a></p> <p>I really do like all four seasons like you find in North Carolina. Costa Rica has two distinct seasons, the rainy and the dry season. I have been here only for the dry season and the very first hints of the rainy season. There have been a lot of hot, dry days, especially for February, March, and April. I think I will be very ready for fall when it comes to NC. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RNHpn-daoV0/UYcKPnBVgVI/AAAAAAAABaY/CK4ATSYwGqc/s1600-h/IMG_46743.jpg"><img title="IMG_4674" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4674" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mEmeVy19IC8/UYcKQZ90aJI/AAAAAAAABag/Se-1AlWnP0Y/IMG_4674_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I am independent; I always have been. I was that kid that wanted to do things for themselves. I wanted to make my own sandwich for lunch or go to summer camp by myself, assured that I would make friends and be ok. College has made me even more independent but being in another country, especially traveling on your own in a foreign country where you aren’t fluent in the language, will make you feel even more independent (especially when nothing seriously bad like muggings, injuries, assaults, etc. happens). </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lu2JTwgKfQs/UYcKZUYB7sI/AAAAAAAABao/i6YQ708cic0/s1600-h/IMG_44615.jpg"><img title="IMG_4461" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4461" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3S_Eg-K92Pg/UYcKd8GKrZI/AAAAAAAABaw/CXwqB10k9v8/IMG_4461_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="229"></a></p> <p align="center">My friend Kelly and me on Ometeppe Island</p> <p>Explore as much as possible, try as many new things as possible, spend as much time learning from others as possible, read as much as is politely possible, and go on facebook as little as possible.</p> <p>Tapirs and red-eyed leaf frogs are unfortunately not very easy to spot in Costa Rica, especially in the dry season. These were the two animals that I REALLY wanted to see while here because they are both endemic to Costa Rica but they eluded me.</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-86797702585219032562013-05-02T18:09:00.001-07:002013-05-02T18:09:54.764-07:00Directed Research in Monteverde<p>Directed Research was one of those concepts that was very abstract to me when I first learned it was a key component of SFS. It sounded like an amazing experience but I did not have a concept of what it actually would be when I signed up for this program. Would it be a completely independent project? If so, would I be ready for that? I don’t consider myself an expert in anything really. Or, would we have lots of direction? Also, I have found in my time at Davidson that research is not something that I am particularly good at or am passionate about; I have accepted that it is completely okay for me to be a biology major and not want to do research, it just rules out some career paths which is something I have a hard time choosing. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_qo4AgSHX4k/UYMOJAel5fI/AAAAAAAABWw/aTx88wEI64M/s1600-h/IMG_5145%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5145" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5145" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-02wHGW6irxQ/UYMOKMxm7dI/AAAAAAAABW4/IPLHZePEN-s/IMG_5145_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">The hummingbird garden at Selvatura, one of our sampling sites</p> <p>Because of my lack of expectations, I was pleasantly surprised by the research options we were given. Working with professors in their area of expertise was a unique opportunity. Our Directed Research counts as a whole 4-credit class crammed into less than a month, so it is pretty intense; Directed Research consists of a week of preparations which included meetings and lectures, a week of field work, a week of data analysis and writing, and two days of presentations. Right now, I just turned in the first draft of my paper, fingers crossed! Obviously, the week of field work and data collection has been my favorite part. A few years ago, I never would have guessed that I would work with hummingbirds in Costa Rica, holding, measuring, swabbing pollen from, and learning about them. Nor could I have imagined how many different species of hummingbirds live in Costa Rica; around fifty species inhabit the country which makes North America, especially North Carolina, seem kind of lame in terms of hummingbird diversity. But, now I can easily tell the difference between a Green Violet-ear and a Coppery-headed Emerald, a Violet Sabrewing and a Purple-throated Mountain-gem, among others. I have to say that I think the Purple-throated Moutain-gem is my favorite! The males have beautiful purple throat and a iridescent blue spot on top of their head that you can only see if the light hits it just right. The females have an amber colored breast that is still beautiful although not as flashy as males. Also, these hummingbirds are petite and were very abundant at the places we sampled. </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=SfkfpPnhJ4uJNM&tbnid=Ir-qBCbNZVnKLM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2F500px.com%2Fphoto%2F19987327&ei=CQuDUd7tFYim8ATS_IGoBA&bvm=bv.45960087,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNHMxa18pmsMK3AORfJRrjrVj4ppmA&ust=1367628778956943"><img src="http://pcdn.500px.net/19987327/42785089b9cb3abb5975866509d6ae8aba30544f/3.jpg" width="280" height="280"></a></p> <p align="center">Photo courtesy of: <a title="http://500px.com/photo/19987327" href="http://500px.com/photo/19987327">http://500px.com/photo/19987327</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=tle08LPXF-SnlM&tbnid=EWLixnmUwyBIEM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmonteverdemanakin.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fless-than-week-to-go-list-of-birds-i.html&ei=eQqDUe-MAoPs8gTwq4D4Bw&bvm=bv.45960087,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNHMxa18pmsMK3AORfJRrjrVj4ppmA&ust=1367628778956943"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51knXsNI-A-KzJHA3i18KFT-27jdgro-HPa6Diwj3Odrp3kLhKsmTfBVe-IrMZSUl9YWr-tubIv1DB_225rcqIYwKSHBc3PoUKK17PrQjd5QlLkGTOUXxmkml7rxLunea6CzWMCWhTlrF/s1600/Purple-throated_Mountain-gem_female.jpg" width="300" height="237"></a></p> <p align="center">Photo courtesy of: <a title="http://monteverdemanakin.blogspot.com/2011/01/less-than-week-to-go-list-of-birds-i.html" href="http://monteverdemanakin.blogspot.com/2011/01/less-than-week-to-go-list-of-birds-i.html">http://monteverdemanakin.blogspot.com/2011/01/less-than-week-to-go-list-of-birds-i.html</a></p> <p>The week also provided lots of time for bonding with our group. I feel fortunate to have gotten to know some people far better than I did before. When you work with people catching and observing birds and riding around in a packed van for a week, you see their real personalities and get to share lots of laughs (especially from creating hummingbird jokes). Also, I played so many hands of Hearts and loved it. I also had some really good food, like fig with condensed milk ice cream from the Monteverde Creamery, a humongous banana and dulce de leche crepe, a Peruvian seafood and yucca dish, so many slices of the best pizza Costa Rica has to offer (at Tramonti in Monteverde/Santa Elena), and enough bean and avocado sandwiches to be sick of them by the end of the week. </p> <p>Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9uc8pRHNOXk/UYMOLcaB4BI/AAAAAAAABXA/gt6PZSGRgss/s1600-h/IMG_5105%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5105" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5105" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gaPcbnGBXnE/UYMOMhdIqhI/AAAAAAAABXI/vKSdcAZoQm0/IMG_5105_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="319"></a></p> <p align="center">That’s my finger, with a Green-crowned Brilliant on it!</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vz9E38vKITY/UYMONngrE8I/AAAAAAAABXQ/h3Q7SN10ZcM/s1600-h/IMG_5102%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5102" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5102" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IXuBkEUXlU4/UYMOPjmHi0I/AAAAAAAABXY/m00uS-Xt3lA/IMG_5102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yvKspqINyqc/UYMORgN9D5I/AAAAAAAABXg/rFGrrCSV9pM/s1600-h/IMG_5109%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5109" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5109" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RRDV9byhXhE/UYMOSYS1B2I/AAAAAAAABXo/3o8ZVuYRaIk/IMG_5109_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Left: we were obsessed with waiting for hummingbirds to land on our feeders, these were not shy around people, they would zip right past your head and after a while land on your finger if you were still enough. Right: we set up mist nets to capture hummingbirds and take morphological measurements of them. During our measurements, we had a few escape artists. G, our program director and DR supervisor, said that you have to treat hummingbirds like children and be firm but gentle. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZeKVT1-s15E/UYMOVRKcymI/AAAAAAAABXw/mHGH4e40gjA/s1600-h/IMG_5123%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5123" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5123" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fPrHcMLhW5Y/UYMOWKNEayI/AAAAAAAABX4/FJkvsyKBnBc/IMG_5123_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju69n9ZnI4Rhrqp6WnMIMzQz8YVeQNLEn9sxaCjLfZpjAcXKDlCaMBikKCZJmRNzoa_YMYfg9N3er3WCoB8bqquMjMsYGlzlu2BSnlodnRuDC9jc3q6NGXtn7eWYK2bjn3kKb0jzT7Bss/s1600-h/IMG_5121%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5121" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5121" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gRyfcmTH9I8/UYMOYLqxeiI/AAAAAAAABYI/b11fQECO7Aw/IMG_5121_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Left: our data collection table; yes, it is a kid’s table that we bought in Monteverde because G forgot to pack a real table; right: Hannah and Hillary measuring a hummingbird’s wing length.</p> <p>Directed Research ended up being a very memorable experience and I have learned so much more about not only hummingbirds but the research process in general. </p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-79079459734913037102013-04-28T19:23:00.001-07:002013-04-28T19:23:24.693-07:00Vamos a la Playa<p>Last weekend was our last weekend away. Being the last one of three, I think that everyone was a bit torn about where to go. For those of us going home right after the program, this was our last chance to see Costa Rica on our own and for everyone it was a last fling before Directed Research began. My group of friends decided to go to Manuel Antonio for my friend Lauren’s birthday. For most students, a requirement for destination was that it had to have a beach. Ours fit the bill, and had a national park with lots of monkey spottings to boot. </p> <p>We set out for Manuel Antonio early on Saturday morning, arriving at the bus stop before 7 (although I was sweating it, sometimes it is hard to get everyone out the door at such an early hour). I was a admittedly dragging because I had stayed up watching Lord of the Rings the night before as a part of our three movies, one day LOTR marathon (this isn’t a regular thing for us, but it was pretty epic). But, I was able to sleep away an hour of the bus ride and read or look at scenery for most of the rest. When we got there we literally didn’t have a game plan which made me nervous. But, we figured out the connecting bus to get Manuel Antonio and then wandered upon a very pretty, inexpensive hotel that had vacancy. I have definitely learned to be more relaxed about traveling while here. Also, the hotel offered Wifi, hot water, clean towels, and air conditioning which is about all that a student traveling in Costa Rica could want.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XQgKsDijHXk/UX3Y0iCfHWI/AAAAAAAABSc/LOTeLP367qA/s1600-h/IMG_50203.jpg"><img title="IMG_5020" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aHJD8MRc-TY/UX3Y1rTXxsI/AAAAAAAABSk/wZ2AfvXG7oA/IMG_5020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L61KEWW5QjQ/UX3Y3xcF4DI/AAAAAAAABSs/w5PMSW18ajA/s1600-h/IMG_50213.jpg"><img title="IMG_5021" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ENlkpv3X_Yw/UX3Y4vA1R_I/AAAAAAAABS0/Z4jP_h7vW6w/IMG_5021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Hotel Almendros: left, the blue tiled pool; right, the rows of rooms</p> <p>We went to the beach for the afternoon. The stretch of beach near where we stayed was very unique, it had nice sand but also lots of pebbles and small shells right along the shore. It started to rain around 2; afternoon rains are a regular occurrence during the wet season. We still stayed on the beach for a while though. I went back and took a shower and then napped in the cool room. Later, we went to a restaurant for warm beverages and birthday cake. The drinks were good but the cake was amazing! It was vanilla cake with a dulce de leche filling and lots of sugary colored icing. Lauren was not surprised (because we hauled the cake around for much of the day) but loved the cake nonetheless. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-poYKtEvQ_VE/UX3Y7sIfGkI/AAAAAAAABS8/K1HdjO4rP8A/s1600-h/IMG_50163.jpg"><img title="IMG_5016" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYL2TFwBsAY__MFlb1fXE14KiJaDxIofjSSz7DRqxG2u2B3NsxQP-9yjftLdNr5Pwmlwbd0QdKixMyH9o1GRPEyDgyAKYfiCKQE221YKLAY2sy8JrR2eTpwIscR71z1XF7PKOypRVUxNE/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Lauren and Cynthia as we sang “Happy Birthday” to Lauren </p> <p>That night, we went to dinner and then went out on the town because the birthday girl wanted to find a place to dance. We went to nearby Quepos, where there was much more nightlife than Manuel Antonio, and found a place called Republik, a Cuban disco-lounge. We danced for several hours; I will readily admit I am not a great dancer but it was fun to dance with my friends and the Costa Rican music was fun to listen to regardless. I crawled into bed around 2 or 2:30 which is very unusual for me. But, my old soul needs to branch out every once in a while. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BMXoYqYaS-4/UX3Y_Vd4VQI/AAAAAAAABTM/pZ9Y9NO8Wh0/s1600-h/IMG_50913.jpg"><img title="IMG_5091" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5091" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L1O6Oj-dOPg/UX3ZArqhuPI/AAAAAAAABTU/tQzox7XhfE8/IMG_5091_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZY0yLlxhlA4/UX3ZCDEbvtI/AAAAAAAABTc/tk-b1deJRvk/s1600-h/IMG_50223.jpg"><img title="IMG_5022" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kEPTuFwBz9s/UX3ZDYpHHSI/AAAAAAAABTk/Ap24rm6tf38/IMG_5022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The next day, my friend Elizabeth and I were eager to go to Manuel Antonio National Park. On the way to the park, we stopped a hostel with a sign out front advertising a big breakfast for $4. We figured it would be fast and cheap so decided to go for it. It surpassed my expectations! I had black tea, a pancake, watermelon, pineapple, a banana, gallo pinto, and eggs. All of it was actually good quality and the two plate breakfast was very filling. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3dXEYrayuGs/UX3ZEooPliI/AAAAAAAABTs/11vGTlAF9vs/s1600-h/IMG_50603.jpg"><img title="IMG_5060" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5060" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uiw4qLikNWM/UX3ZFjyhlFI/AAAAAAAABT0/BKo274r5wRs/IMG_5060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>We bought some snacks, including aloe water (a new favorite of mine), at the grocery store and then kept walking to the park. We paid the entrance fee and then started to walk to the main trails. We scanned all along the trail for animals; the park is known for sloth and monkey sightings. Some cool animals that we saw included a treeful of playful squirrel monkeys, a well-disguised green vine snake, clever white-faced capuchin monkeys, crab-eating raccoons, and some crabs. After we first saw the squirrel monkeys and watched them for fifteen minutes, I already knew that my ten dollars was money well spent. Squirrel monkeys are officially my favorite kind of monkeys.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T9bNcJeRs6E/UX3ZH_uXH0I/AAAAAAAABT8/u-Ze5cWJDVU/s1600-h/IMG_50284.jpg"><img title="IMG_5028" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rhlIvYG1B1E/UX3ZI2jj5lI/AAAAAAAABUE/rapax77VT1U/IMG_5028_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vzBm8Nl5D0E/UX3ZK1AOT8I/AAAAAAAABUM/MIwtbxZKecM/s1600-h/IMG_50613.jpg"><img title="IMG_5061" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5061" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZUXU0EsMUgS18ZC5TnhjdmGhAQ1rThmgfAE-AxDrlyp8xapYnKZC4Y-gMbnyaaFw0lou7b1r6KXYnX3CYyo4Cod4ACGyPIicuojg_AWKNksygNNWmoyFoXB_Ne5ituPJSlLKJ1S_6Mw/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Left: a squirrel monkey in a tree that was full of about ten monkeys; right: a capuchin monkey laying on a limb</p> <p>We followed cool, shady trails down to beaches that surrounded the park. We hiked to Playa Gamelas, Playa Manuel Antonio, and Playa Espadilla Sur. The beaches were beautiful and all unique; Playa Gamelas was rocky and hidden in a cove, Playa Manuel Antonio was sandy and the most crowded, and Playa Espadilla Sur had beautiful views of islands right off the coast. We spent our last hour in the park playing in the water and building a sandcastle.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VOPz23FQV-I/UX3ZOaVsmbI/AAAAAAAABUc/WP0sftu79yQ/s1600-h/IMG_50303.jpg"><img title="IMG_5030" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iQmcm0rV_S0/UX3ZPVycoVI/AAAAAAAABUk/VB2KWlM0BKs/IMG_5030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Playa Gamelas</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4VGrlbP43mM/UX3ZSj_yb4I/AAAAAAAABUs/-OBLwfSA8IM/s1600-h/IMG_50353.jpg"><img title="IMG_5035" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iw2zavlUrhE/UX3ZUT1s9XI/AAAAAAAABU0/xx2js1Kf-Dk/IMG_5035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Elizabeth and I at Playa Gamelas in the national park</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zT2MY1sUTHI/UX3ZWfTIEHI/AAAAAAAABU8/2xDcBM0vtkw/s1600-h/IMG_50433.jpg"><img title="IMG_5043" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPv7BUQyUVfFYDk_U5djPI4PrQkV0txtB1Fmrwaj1IRC0DFhN04w0kIkdfeUwtfnaKHBkf_MhjK18PTsph6rrohUFdGICD3ybl_MRa7h9KQtF_eSSZDWdp2qNgb-a03Pe_fHKOG51Cno/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">A map of the park</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XqX8yekyaH4/UX3ZZapoZ5I/AAAAAAAABVM/jo733qadApg/s1600-h/IMG_50663.jpg"><img title="IMG_5066" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5066" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kpcamPpeeKc/UX3ZawUBhYI/AAAAAAAABVU/EOgQyIL1-NQ/IMG_5066_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HiNHsAgbAYg/UX3ZcKSdm9I/AAAAAAAABVc/93B4q-iAyGQ/s1600-h/IMG_50713.jpg"><img title="IMG_5071" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5071" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pNLG20ffq7o/UX3ZdL8rR4I/AAAAAAAABVk/PPuBvEG8R4E/IMG_5071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H_QyuqWOTWg/UX3ZhWujI_I/AAAAAAAABVs/m3fwyxMc1Vw/s1600-h/IMG_50773.jpg"><img title="IMG_5077" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5077" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkfW4DarQ3AOu6_QdSNkPD8rlxeVn6o872180b6y-BClNcHh3oo4YaX12Av2kId_ChrhyphenhyphenQz_zSx8xpaSa3Y0MJHe7nn2zUdJ4Rds3zW-pzd_i53IhoQ7Aww4mjK-ZXdb5KYKdUrOaRNw/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WAZIhMJWLQ0/UX3Zj_9SmmI/AAAAAAAABV8/2qaSj6_FWC0/s1600-h/IMG_50863.jpg"><img title="IMG_5086" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5086" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S3_-XDq0JEc/UX3Zkr8bKoI/AAAAAAAABWE/YJuYMlvKEbg/IMG_5086_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Left: a view of the beach from the trail; right: snails on rocks lining the shore of the beach</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qUP63ZxC6VY/UX3Zl_uMXtI/AAAAAAAABWM/sLlE969jUVk/s1600-h/IMG_50693.jpg"><img title="IMG_5069" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5069" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-csmNLmr_BsE/UX3ZmhqbHbI/AAAAAAAABWU/xkif7tM5cXw/IMG_5069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">A brightly colored crab on a tree</p> <p>I just got back yesterday from a directed research trip to study hummingbirds in the Monteverde area, more on this soon!</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-83500683419325328272013-04-19T10:09:00.001-07:002013-04-19T10:09:27.859-07:00Getting Some Culture in San Jose<p>San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica. It is the historical and cultural center of Costa Rica. Therefore, when I was thinking about what I wanted from this day trip on the bus I wasn’t exactly sure but I knew I wanted to see the cultural and historical side of Costa Rica that I frankly hadn’t seen much of yet. I had seen no real Costa Rican art or music; only three movies have ever been produced in Costa Rica and I had been fortunate enough to watch one of those in Spanish class; the architecture didn’t really stand out in places I had visited; the food was good but didn’t seem embedded with history and tradition or even tons of flavor. Although I had been living here for over two months, I wanted to make sure that in my last month, I had gotten a true taste of what Costa Rica is. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4jpF7TUtmCI/UXF52PitAOI/AAAAAAAABO0/8ro0gzhDuDQ/s1600-h/IMG_50083.jpg"><img title="IMG_5008" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d_KFWug2H2E/UXF528urb_I/AAAAAAAABO8/D4UKzZ4Lhrk/IMG_5008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">The Artesans’ Market</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MX6Xo1vQrU0/UXF53ZLYShI/AAAAAAAABPE/k2w_LZWVZFs/s1600-h/IMG_50064.jpg"><img title="IMG_5006" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Db1FJpm_Fgc/UXF54s8zVJI/AAAAAAAABPM/Qq0uNE6blJQ/IMG_5006_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="332"></a></p> <p align="center">La Avenida Central</p> <p>Fast forward a few hours and I was sitting in the classiest Pizza Hut I have ever visited, in San Jose. It was about the last place I had imagined myself; but, I cannot say that begrudged the cheese personal pan pizza that I ordered. Also, I was with five of my closest friends here and we were simply sticking to our theme for the day, “Everyone gets what they want.” Lliterally everyone got to pick something that they really wanted to do and we did it. My request was to “get some culture” by visiting the Teatro Nacional and getting warm beverages/dessert there. My friend Lauren’s was to go to Pizza Hut; thus, we ended up at Pizza Hut and not having eaten pizza in two months, I have to say that enjoyed the reliably good pizza(certainly not spectacular, I will have to wait for Mellow Mushroom for my favorite).One of my other friends, Sarah D., had a burning desire to go to Subway for her lunch (Sarah S. shared this wish too). It was interesting to see how a Costa Rican Subway varied from a United States Subway; it looked basically the same but there were more exciting options like a seafood sub or gallo pinto for breakfast. Tori wanted to get her second holes and cartilage pierced. By the time we found the least sketchy piercing place, everyone else had decided they wanted piercings too, except for me and Lauren (she was scared of getting an infectious disease while I just didn’t have a desire to get another piercing). Unfortunately, Tori had to have one of her holes pierced twice to get it in the right place, but eventually everyone was happy with their new piercings. Sarah S. wanted to go shopping and we did lots of that; she even ended up with a leopard print romper. We strolled down the Avenida Central which was a pedestrian street (we didn’t have to worry about crazy Tico drivers thankfully) and stopped at clothing stores, shoe stores, and markets. I only got some last souvenirs (a patch for my backpack) and gummies from a store called Bee Sweet. The British candy store had every kind of gummy you could imagine; I bought frog, dolphin, egg, pepper (it actually had a hint of spice), and a slice of pizza gummies. All were delicious but I especially enjoyed the dolphin and frog. Louisa is very chill and didn’t really have a burning desire, although she jokingly said that it was for us all to get our tongues pierced. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uf-I_iPeAvo/UXF55_07t8I/AAAAAAAABPU/Zw_ZJS9KKbk/s1600-h/IMG_49673.jpg"><img title="IMG_4967" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4967" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XB2IzQFFDok/UXF56RcEpqI/AAAAAAAABPc/n2iu9TeJyFM/IMG_4967_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kn0pUB0V_I0/UXF57DI-DhI/AAAAAAAABPk/xACIOAnLQUU/s1600-h/IMG_49683.jpg"><img title="IMG_4968" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4968" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V5sMPFNVgEY/UXF5701wWRI/AAAAAAAABPs/Z9D18nKLAco/IMG_4968_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Correo Central- the old Post Office Building</p> <p>For what my wish, we walked to the Plaza de Cultura and were amazed by the regal Teatro Nacional. It is considered the most historical building in San Jose; its construction was finished in 1897 and there are still performances held there regularly. It starkly stood out from the stores in the vicinity and the plaza full of people. I was so excited to be there. The theater is a symbol of wealth from the time when the “coffee oligarchy”informally ruled Costa Rica’s political and social spheres. Going inside, it was very ornate; there were frescoes on the ceiling with angels and clouds. Beautiful marble statues of famous composers like Beethoven lined the lobby. Rather than paying to enter, we explored the lobby and spent just as much on dessert and drinks in the fancy café instead. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Aow6oCDx1tE/UXF58sd3geI/AAAAAAAABP0/mhGoatCgLSU/s1600-h/IMG_49723.jpg"><img title="IMG_4972" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4972" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aIWEyVDBBUk/UXF59Xk4KLI/AAAAAAAABP8/P4joyBugBkA/IMG_4972_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rMkgS_vyFJ4/UXF5-vp-vmI/AAAAAAAABQE/bBjLloWDYMA/s1600-h/IMG_50043.jpg"><img title="IMG_5004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BZfLiQRyHns/UXF5_C-linI/AAAAAAAABQM/c9R04nJV1HE/IMG_5004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KVQtlfgIwBU/UXF6AGhfE8I/AAAAAAAABQU/GUIyClxUz-U/s1600-h/IMG_50003.jpg"><img title="IMG_5000" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5000" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IJtMfM15mE4/UXF6An81lmI/AAAAAAAABQc/LgAodZw_TkA/IMG_5000_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3A9B1oTJZYw/UXF6CENBTeI/AAAAAAAABQk/XcGJeWvdi5M/s1600-h/IMG_49943.jpg"><img title="IMG_4994" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4994" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mJ7u-SWoZGE/UXF6Dd3TlJI/AAAAAAAABQs/SmQBFM4FsTE/IMG_4994_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Left: the entrance to lobby of the theater; right: the fresco on the ceiling in the café featuring the Costa Rican flag</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AOthdnog534/UXF6GcuV0BI/AAAAAAAABQ0/CyBdOAUXpEI/s1600-h/IMG_49863.jpg"><img title="IMG_4986" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4986" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OJ1EHvETx3Y/UXF6HG8XcTI/AAAAAAAABQ8/xJLebU-npy8/IMG_4986_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RA6cYH5ZRIw/UXF6IdpRR3I/AAAAAAAABRE/3Pj3nd6rrf0/s1600-h/IMG_49903.jpg"><img title="IMG_4990" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4990" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jh4M8IQN5AA/UXF6JjOnGXI/AAAAAAAABRM/eSblVc88FFo/IMG_4990_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Left: queque zanahoria (carrot cake, with cream cheese frosting and slivered almonds); right: agua dulce con especias (sugar cane tea with spices)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VYdp3_ZnYaM/UXF6LOX1SrI/AAAAAAAABRU/f3pHWulSi6c/s1600-h/IMG_49783.jpg"><img title="IMG_4978" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4978" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nm4alsGdnus/UXF6NyOXsUI/AAAAAAAABRc/9ehv-iFySQI/IMG_4978_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qKtGtum_eVI/UXF6Ol7QKtI/AAAAAAAABRk/OUevwUEyyU4/s1600-h/IMG_49793.jpg"><img title="IMG_4979" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4979" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oAagoPpy5x0/UXF6PHobyGI/AAAAAAAABRs/QvhjkmhOxmc/IMG_4979_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Left: the café; right: Tori and Lauren sampling each other’s desserts</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6bwtV3Dq4kM/UXF6Ph4oPNI/AAAAAAAABR0/nIshhdiSe5s/s1600-h/IMG_49833.jpg"><img title="IMG_4983" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4983" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TDoP2PiVyt8/UXF6Qbgik1I/AAAAAAAABR8/VcKnYIOWjDc/IMG_4983_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Sarah D. and Sarah S., it seems like the three Sarah’s always sit beside each other</p> <p>I ordered the carrot cake and agua dulce with spices (sugar cane tea). The carrot cake was really good, it was slightly less sweet but more spiced than the American version (I had already found this out though so my expectations were adjusted) and more like a quick bread than a cake. It also didn’t have as much icing because it was baked like a bundt cake. But, regardless, it was still very delicious with the cream cheese frosting and large shreds of carrot and lots of raisins. I definitely would order it again (although they also had some caramel mousse and tiramisu that I had my eye on); I also sampled a friend’s apple pie which was surprisingly good and served warm with ice cream. The agua dulce was less sweet than the last time I tried it (and I opted for the version without milk) but tasted akin to spiced cider. It was a nice complement to the cake. I think it has become obvious why we joked that we ate every hour (we also went to a café before lunch but I just can’t eat/drink tea all the time).</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h5JMNzZdx1c/UXF6ROtHNGI/AAAAAAAABSE/hb1jbVU_XSw/s1600-h/IMG_50093.jpg"><img title="IMG_5009" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oKKm7qwmsuM/UXF6RnBfutI/AAAAAAAABSM/JqX0vfcjSXg/IMG_5009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Gummies: dolphin, frog, pizza, egg, and chile pepper</p> <p>We got back to the Center by 8 at night and it was nice to make a relaxing dinner and just hang out. Overall, it was a great girls’ day in San Jose. I couldn’t have asked for a better Saturday; it is always nice to be independent and just explore. </p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-18847977677565574812013-04-16T19:47:00.001-07:002013-04-16T19:47:57.924-07:00Santa Rosa: A Visit to the Dry Forest<p>Santa Rosa National Park was the first national park established in Costa Rica. The park is located in Guanacaste, in the very Northwest of Costa Rica. As we embarked on our trip there, one thing in the back of all of mine and my friends’ minds the whole time was that this was our last field trip all together. Although saddened by this remembrance, we were all very excited to actually camp out. Most of us had camped and had some wilderness experiences; we had expected to do more camping this semester so we were extra ready to be out in the wilderness. I personally was ready to use the sleeping pad and sleeping bag that I had yet to use but that had taken up half of one of my suitcases.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BsHuonF52-g/UW4NHGjl1rI/AAAAAAAABMs/CzKr74lrMes/s1600-h/IMG_4942.jpg"><img title="IMG_4942" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4942" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-leLDUTmGqz4/UW4NIB06NsI/AAAAAAAABM0/NAVGsARECFk/IMG_4942_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="228"></a></p> <p align="center">A view from the lookout that we hiked to on the way to our second campsite</p> <p>When we arrived at Santa Rosa National Park, we rode through a forest unlike what we had seen so far in Costa Rica. Most people imagine Costa Rica as a country covered in rain forest with brightly colored flora and fauna, full of life. However, this was not at all like that typical view of Costa Rica.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NJx0hDpEpT8/UW4NJVFCNRI/AAAAAAAABM8/LSBS8OXxiFE/s1600-h/IMG_49093.jpg"><img title="IMG_4909" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4909" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-beo_YbeobfM/UW4NJ_OON-I/AAAAAAAABNE/Libpq1ibPGg/IMG_4909_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Our campsite</p> <p>When we first got to our campsite, it hit us just how hot it was here in the dry forest. We set up our tents and had lunch. Then, the lethargy set in as the heat escalated after lunch; some of us slept and others read (I was obsessed with <em>Divergent</em> at the time). We hiked through the dry forest. It was so different from anything else I have seen here, most of the trees drop their leaves as an adaptation to the six-month dry season so the trees were bare. There were also cacti and the vegetation was not lush or particularly beautiful. But, the highlight of the hike was seeing a tree full of white-faced capuchin monkeys! They were so cute; there were lots of babies too. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KTfaKMvmpCg/UW4NLIz_nUI/AAAAAAAABNM/LrLkH6mNcyA/s1600-h/IMG_49163.jpg"><img title="IMG_4916" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4916" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sj1gIiTaeaA/UW4NLy_jZZI/AAAAAAAABNU/_80myRZgJeI/IMG_4916_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="center">Hiking through the dry forest</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8ftVHdOdGNI/UW4NOEv1gfI/AAAAAAAABNc/tRE-mVtGpGw/s1600-h/IMG_49373.jpg"><img title="IMG_4937" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4937" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VaQM0vsAFIA/UW4NOuz1CZI/AAAAAAAABNk/xWNYBjk8RVA/IMG_4937_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Monkeys!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L-DSyp_Ba9g/UW4NQoVxVBI/AAAAAAAABNs/PiQS71q3hyc/s1600-h/IMG_49133.jpg"><img title="IMG_4913" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4913" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V-nJv1c1in8/UW4NRXrR-aI/AAAAAAAABN0/NUbe5JdaFXw/IMG_4913_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Students that act like monkeys</p> <p>We hiked to La Casona, a museum that is a replica of the original house (it burned to the ground by arsonists in 2001). William Walker fought against the Costa Rican army here in 1856 and was quickly defeated. The museum takes visitors back to 1856 and a day in the life of a cook or a cowboy of the time that would have been at La Casona. It also detailed the battle and William Walker’s manifest destiny-driven campaign across Central America, mainly Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We had a Natural Resources Management class outside of La Casona and then hiked back. There was spaghetti for dinner; seriously, always having spaghetti is the main thing I don’t like about camping. An after dinner lecture and then a night hike. My professor, Edgardo who is a bird expert, caught a Night Jar (a kind of bird found in Costa Rica that nest on the ground) with his bare hands. His agility and ability to handle the bird was amazing. They have a really large mouth and interesting coloration. We also saw a spectacled owl; the way that it could move without sound was slightly unsettling but also fascinating. No tapir though; I was really holding out hope for seeing one of these unique mammals but alas it didn’t happen. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lP3fwUo-Ucc/UW4NS6rBqdI/AAAAAAAABN8/mYFKx1P3ky8/s1600-h/IMG_49333.jpg"><img title="IMG_4933" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4933" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--gV43Htukv4/UW4NTeLGnyI/AAAAAAAABOE/TBjeTJFD0oA/IMG_4933_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">La Casona</p> <p>The next day we hiked 13 kilometers to our campsite by Playa Naranja. It was a really easy but nice hike. When we got there, the beach was our first priority; I walked out onto the beach and then down to La Piedra Bruja (The Witch’s Rock). The waves were huge and the ocean (Pacific Ocean) ranged in color from aquamarine to emerald green. It was mesmerizing to just watch the braves break in this place with renowned surfing and infamous rip tides (we were not allowed to swim for safety reasons but were allowed to wade in to our knees). After the nice long walk on the beach, with sore legs I settled into reading for a bit before lunch. Then, I collected tamarind from a nearby tree with some other students. This is a fruit that comes in a pod; you eat the flesh around the seeds by sucking on the sour fruit. It is delicious and some people even add it to water to give it flavor. Class and then another lazy afternoon. I played hearts with some friends, helped prepare dinner, and took a short walk on the beach. Most of us went on the beach to see the sun set. It was breathtaking; I don’t think I had ever seen the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. I was struck by a fierce dragon and unfortunately the only bathroom was an outhouse. We had to carry our own toilet paper and then use our own hand sanitizer. I think it might be a long time before I can venture into an outhouse or port-a-john again.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s5juxjkQQ_I/UW4NUxNzrGI/AAAAAAAABOM/ABByQGF3RzI/s1600-h/IMG_49453.jpg"><img title="IMG_4945" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4945" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VAu6fxAPNVc/UW4NVte8JqI/AAAAAAAABOU/gzgp88SFAAk/IMG_4945_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Rip tide warning sign by the beach</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c7_u84HIRLY/UW4NWZWsHqI/AAAAAAAABOc/tDzBDn7xv5M/s1600-h/IMG_494912.jpg"><img title="IMG_4949" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4949" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dp5ejsieatM/UW4NXCL_3TI/AAAAAAAABOk/mm63Y5z6EFA/IMG_49491_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="257"></a></p> <p align="center">Tori and me in the ocean</p> <p>Another early morning (“breakfast” or whatever food was left was at 5) so that we could pack up and hike back before it got too hot. Another nice walk and interesting conversation. When we got to the main park building, I joined everyone else in eating ice cream. I had some of the best I have had here. It was a prepackaged Cero Grados (Zero Degrees). This is dulce de leche ice cream in a ring shape, covered in chocolate, and mounted on a stick. It was amazing after being so hot and tired. We played cards and read until lunch. The trip back to the Center was quiet, as most people sleep on the bus, and I was able to reflect on my time abroad. I thought about how fortunate I was to be there and although it was our last field trip together and with the professors, we have so much to look forward to. Long weekends away, directed research (I am studying hummingbirds at Monteverde), making pizza in the pizza oven, and just bonding with my friends, learning from each other.</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-90441030164633207712013-04-07T13:28:00.001-07:002013-04-07T13:28:26.415-07:00Spring Break Part 2: Adventures in La Fortuna<p align="left">By the time we got to La Fortuna, we were tired from traveling and it had started to rain. We went to a random hostel and inquired about staying there because our reservations for La Fortuna Backpackers Hostel did not start until the next night. Unfortunately, the first hostel we tried was full. We were very fortunate though to meet a nice lady working there who called almost every hostel in La Fortuna trying to find a room for six soaking wet girls with a mountain of luggage standing desperately in front of her. She eventually found us a room at Chill Out Backpackers’ Hostel. We had our own private room with three bunks and a bathroom in the room. We were most excited about the lukewarm water in the shower and fresh towels (ours smelled like a a mixture between stinky feet and must from not drying in Puerto Viejo). I was very tired and not feeling well so stayed in the room with Hannah to watch Quantum of Solace and eat snacks in our pajamas. It was exactly what I needed.</p> <p align="left">The next morning, we woke up and had a free breakfast of eggs and toast at the hostel. But, what was more exciting than the free breakfast was the puppies that belonged to the owners. I was just eating breakfast when I spotted three adorable chow mix puppies clumsily walking through the grass. We played with them for at least an hour while discussing spirit animals; my friends said I was a dolphin (I was very flattered!). After breakfast, the kind owners of the hostel personally drove us to the clinic so that Hannah could get her toe checked out (she had stubbed it badly and didn’t want it to get infected). We went to a coffee shop called My Coffee Lounge to use the Internet and indulge in smoothies and hot beverages. I had wonderful hot chocolate that was definitely homemade but not too rich. It was served very hot in a glass mug. My other friend Tori wasn’t feeling well so we checked into the next hostel, La Fortuna Backpackers, so she could rest. We were not a very healthy group, but I consider myself fortunate that I only had small bouts of stomach troubles. The healthy ones of us went to La Choza de Laurel; it ended up being a huge authentic meal, although it was one of the most delicious I ate the whole trip. I split an order of patacones (fried unripe plantains, mashed and fried again) and a typical chicken plate with two friends. Both were great choices and I was very full after eating all of my food. I also really enjoyed the costumes of the waitresses which I assume were traditional Costa Rican dresses. Everything there seemed rustic but very Costa Rican including the drip coffee on tables; this was a spectacle in which waitresses brought huge kettles of hot water to tables and poured it the drip coffee makers to make steaming hot Costa Rican coffee. Also, the small touches like hot pickled vegetables and homemade hot sauce really elevated the meal. We figured out our activities for the next few days in the afternoon and then ended up shopping and going to a chocolate shop (the Bailey’s truffle was decadent!). I think you can tell that I fit right in with my group of friends!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vEGm6CduMIA/UWHV7JWSe9I/AAAAAAAABGU/EALqB2FsUc0/s1600-h/IMG_48023.jpg"><img title="IMG_4802" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4802" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sCz0n2fr5EI/UWHV8vadTaI/AAAAAAAABGc/y13lBmBDo2I/IMG_4802_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Sarai, Sarah S., and Hannah with the puppies</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhyphenhyphenu4OneuuQi_CdsNqJDjurRXjt5j-CRJlSbjMA1N4bhL2QbO5VBudizEbpd85uAvTG5xHreJZiAt-uce_Mu2gl-BuHyBhksLwfWUi3jTQSz2rb8SO-RlmdDanNGu8kexHx5oZN-GuhI/s1600-h/IMG_47963.jpg"><img title="IMG_4796" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4796" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mGBsfWQVjGk/UWHV-YLG6xI/AAAAAAAABGs/SyJQ_mS7qiE/IMG_4796_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="249"></a></p> <p align="center">The tan one was my favorite, it was so fluffy!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WBamE0H76SA/UWHWAVNBSgI/AAAAAAAABG0/1pQxNmWmOUs/s1600-h/IMG_48063.jpg"><img title="IMG_4806" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4806" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-17gWoPtsKbU/UWHWBVuV7fI/AAAAAAAABG8/jNmYi5ajGbg/IMG_4806_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Ready to go outside our hostel</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eaa7MwNOnhk/UWHWCknxXuI/AAAAAAAABHE/UQuqEbKXZdk/s1600-h/IMG_48073.jpg"><img title="IMG_4807" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4807" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-83g0ZCjed4k/UWHWDVxog4I/AAAAAAAABHM/dZWFU7D32SM/IMG_4807_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CdRkecCLmJw/UWHWFH_HtFI/AAAAAAAABHU/EIr4zRS1YvU/s1600-h/IMG_48093.jpg"><img title="IMG_4809" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4809" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e238k3YeBCk/UWHWF7jlF3I/AAAAAAAABHc/vg-WsV338ck/IMG_4809_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Hot Chocolate at My Coffee Place; it was a deliciously creamy and scalding hot </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OzllgIlyOyA/UWHWHkcnCdI/AAAAAAAABHk/Wseg_jHFToA/s1600-h/IMG_48103.jpg"><img title="IMG_4810" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4810" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eCDDC1VSL8U/UWHWIeqtwxI/AAAAAAAABHs/VazYHm9eHKs/IMG_4810_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wSg48kdrIqo/UWHWJZGYKWI/AAAAAAAABH0/0dMSRRrbEd4/s1600-h/IMG_48123.jpg"><img title="IMG_4812" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4812" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k_2FNMQTrAs/UWHWLdl3__I/AAAAAAAABH8/FhnNtiaQEnc/IMG_4812_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NhvFut5K1nQ/UWHWMhFYuwI/AAAAAAAABIE/-M7pqqUioAQ/s1600-h/IMG_48153.jpg"><img title="IMG_4815" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4815" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5vFDL5LtJ1k/UWHWNhXWz3I/AAAAAAAABIM/h-uIMDc5z9M/IMG_4815_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gQzn-sFsXJg/UWHWO5UVZ8I/AAAAAAAABIU/swasTJ5foXM/s1600-h/IMG_48183.jpg"><img title="IMG_4818" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiYgnCqOhIstVxGQNT5r_l-aKclMZjBt7Ymh0az9-UX4pA_VslB0T7rkfg_2nMDlHTGHbihsVhS3RF6R1YqoO5uZW2hEGRnOMqqmsC60jnjlMbNSCt47lUNwayRcZeUPp0tpsk8V_gZI/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Lunch at La Choza de Laurel; clockwise from top left, patacones with guacamole, pico de gallo, and refried beans (it came with three huge patacones but Cynthia and I couldn’t keep our hands off of them before I took the picture), La Choza Typical Plate (I split it so it was twice this much food- rice, beans, grilled sweet plantain, mixed chayote and corn, salad, corn, hardboiled egg, and chicken), the huge dining area in the restaurant, hot pickled vegetables (I liked the onions and carrots the best)</p> <p align="left">On Friday, we tried a new restaurant for breakfast called Rainforest Café (not in at all like the one at Disney World). I tried the Agua Dulce con leche caliente (Sugar Cane Tea with hot milk), a specialty drink that I had wanted to try ever since we helped use the trapiche to extract sugar cane juice at El Sur. Although it was very sweet, I did enjoy the distinct flavor of the sugar cane as opposed to regular processed sugar. That afternoon, I went horseback riding. My horse’s name was Palomo, which means pigeon in English (still trying to figure out the reasoning behind that one). He was a heather gray color and made a nice ride although he always wanted to be near the front of the pack. Under the instruction of two local guides, we rode about 30 or 45 minutes to a place where we dismounted and changed into our swimsuits. We hiked about 20 minutes to the La Fortuna Waterfall. It was beautiful and more awe-inspiring than other waterfalls I had seen so far this semester. We waded a little ways and then climbed some rocks to get to the pool with the waterfall. The water was crystal clear but took my breath away when I stepped in it was so cold. The rush of the waterfall created a strong outward current in the water and made for fun swimming as long as you didn’t get too close. On the way back, we stopped at a Maleku village; Maleku is the only indigenous tribe in the North of Costa Rica (there are 23 in the South, mainly on the Caribbean side). We learned a little bit about their culture (“capi, capi” and holding up your fist means, “Hello, I hope you are doing well”). During the trip, I was able to have some surprisingly good Spanish conversations with one of my guides, Alonzo, and my shuttle driver. I think that much of my improvement in Spanish is just being more confident and not worrying too much about the correct tenses, etc. but just trying to speak without reserve. Later, all of us went to Restaurant Los Nenes for a nice dinner (it was Sarai’s last night with us). We ended up seeing a friend there with her parents; it’s a small world. The restaurant itself was very nice; the waiter was very attentive (unlike most other restaurants in Costa Rica, but tips are included in the bill so that could explain it) and even set in front of each of us the exact pieces of silverware we would need for our meal. Also, some dishes were brought out on fire and they would dim the lights as the whole restaurant focused on the table and excited patron the dish was destined for. I ordered a heart of palm salad, which was very fresh and beautifully presented, and the fish ceviche, one of the house specialties for a reason. Although already full, we got ice cream afterwards. I had a scoop of dulce de leche and a scoop of passion cake ice cream. I especially loved the latter, I want to try to make that cake!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T3uXiy1lRSU/UWHWS3wN1OI/AAAAAAAABIk/R1IXI8RCwvY/s1600-h/IMG_48413.jpg"><img title="IMG_4841" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4841" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqoq_GnaK7XATa6FnKyu34zoxgVZiTyUT1LV_eMPJPmPetsB2ekilRLTAsqNzGYgFVe8bfyOM2uemozsaIk6H3M88LDCzfHibTkyyrwzWHiGRB2XH5kaY6wCtNzeSQloDsPUoFLYT1Qo/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Agua dulce, a good start to the morning</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rcSkP4bTnHQ/UWHWUeKsbrI/AAAAAAAABI0/u85aTpdhNzw/s1600-h/IMG_48433.jpg"><img title="IMG_4843" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4843" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NONR5ikAUaQ/UWHWVTLNbkI/AAAAAAAABI8/J-RH5i4w6nI/IMG_4843_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1_j_d2ChjYg/UWHWWupzfFI/AAAAAAAABJE/L23ZZ1yx7Xo/s1600-h/IMG_48663.jpg"><img title="IMG_4866" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4866" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0ZNAPiHMWx8/UWHWXomUh9I/AAAAAAAABJM/blZK4GkalK0/IMG_4866_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Left, a view of the mountains (Arenal Volcano is to the right out of the frame); right, La Fortuna Waterfall, where we went to swim</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fdbekMDNGlw/UWHWZCRmkmI/AAAAAAAABJU/b9HsvHIW6yM/s1600-h/IMG_48533.jpg"><img title="IMG_4853" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4853" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Lii6Qv1mZ4/UWHWZ5BIeQI/AAAAAAAABJc/Jv-dua3Y1iU/IMG_4853_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lM9xUuLYS6U/UWHWbM6npdI/AAAAAAAABJk/YnGbb4jmI60/s1600-h/IMG_48693.jpg"><img title="IMG_4869" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4869" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FF_HQCarPVk/UWHWbxk8E3I/AAAAAAAABJs/uasFMg7R7y0/IMG_4869_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Left, the horses; right, me and Palomo</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AVpQhOFxTMI/UWHWc0nCvZI/AAAAAAAABJ0/yopS-4ZTOTI/s1600-h/IMG_48813.jpg"><img title="IMG_4881" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4881" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xOQSaTOWd10/UWHWdawuSdI/AAAAAAAABJ8/TehgjGPGnm0/IMG_4881_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G9vu0R0pgyo/UWHWiHGPp9I/AAAAAAAABKE/AxeXCpLSEpo/s1600-h/IMG_48883.jpg"><img title="IMG_4888" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4888" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D6l8UAKB7iM/UWHWjY_s67I/AAAAAAAABKM/unIyH_Pyv2s/IMG_4888_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Left, masks hand-painted by members of the Maleku tribe; right, huts at the village</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WkykNh-A_kc/UWHWl2NJqSI/AAAAAAAABKU/LprB4e16TUs/s1600-h/IMG_48933.jpg"><img title="IMG_4893" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4893" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dGnQ66xDSH0/UWHWnFvpZYI/AAAAAAAABKc/DicNfpdDjRM/IMG_4893_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_SrszKRz2gs/UWHWqM6HFNI/AAAAAAAABKk/qsY9N2Y_0CU/s1600-h/IMG_48963.jpg"><img title="IMG_4896" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4896" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6XJbDRxr5-A/UWHWrhBhyXI/AAAAAAAABKs/vuCoLspdu24/IMG_4896_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Left, heart of palm salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil; right, fish ceviche with tortilla chips and a creamy sauce</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-smK6npfOSFw/UWHWtqmukKI/AAAAAAAABK0/HhIi5Ydh-k8/s1600-h/IMG_48233.jpg"><img title="IMG_4823" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4823" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9xACs5v8B7c/UWHWu0ZBktI/AAAAAAAABK8/KSGWoD038Lw/IMG_4823_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Arenal Volcano with a halo effect created by afternoon clouds</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JWZDzedulQg/UWHWvt0O2MI/AAAAAAAABLE/PSyloj5Jz24/s1600-h/IMG_48291.jpg"><img title="IMG_4829" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4829" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3jbktiQyj-g/UWHWwZv7VII/AAAAAAAABLM/_UgT4UU7JXA/IMG_4829_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="219"></a></p> <p align="center">Spring break group</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PbV-Rl4yJ5M/UWHWxViiaMI/AAAAAAAABLU/milLkjLQGR8/s1600-h/IMG_483611.jpg"><img title="IMG_4836" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4836" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XjtYJe8s-jY/UWHWycCqMYI/AAAAAAAABLc/Yr2mY0uoEeU/IMG_4836_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="225"></a></p> <p align="center">All three “Sarah”s</p> <p>Sunday morning was Easter. As I was eating breakfast (typically guayaba, trail mix, and tropical fruit yogurt), I heard singing coming from a nearby church; it was really beautiful and made me feel connected to the holiday and my faith. I had never spent Easter with people that don’t celebrate but that moment and my own personal time that morning were really important for remembering the importance of the day. We said goodbye to Adopted Sarai early in the morning. Around 11, we went to Baldi Hot Springs for the day. Our passes were for 10 am to 10 pm and included a meal; we were determined to make the most of the much anticipated hot springs and spend all day there. There are 25 pools that were heated by hot springs and had varying temperatures; also, in case the hot pools were not enough, there was a huge jacuzzi, several cold pools, water falls, three slides, a sauna, and several swim-up bars. We explored everything there and I absolutely cannot pick a favorite part. I could literally sit in hot water until I am about to faint but tried to pace myself and took some time to lay out on the chairs and explore the gardens. I treated myself to reading a Costa Rican food magazine, Sabores, I bought at the MegaSuper and we all had a ridiculously expensive but delicious cocktail at the swim-up bar. The buffet dinner was also wonderful; I enjoyed the plethora of options, especially the salad, fruit, hummus, and tea.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NFaE-xnltEI/UWHWz41eJxI/AAAAAAAABLk/WNfRYPtAE4A/s1600-h/IMG_48993.jpg"><img title="IMG_4899" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4899" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Odzeq1mYtcY/UWHW0XyaWfI/AAAAAAAABLs/4l7StaMYqNs/IMG_4899_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--CGpEuwCFhQ/UWHW1oyzlrI/AAAAAAAABL0/cFw_c3BhdQw/s1600-h/IMG_49003.jpg"><img title="IMG_4900" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4900" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sir3PUGuAG8/UWHW2SS8PeI/AAAAAAAABL8/0vS4_UpSJm8/IMG_4900_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OozFkQ4b4ZI/UWHW4M0RzSI/AAAAAAAABME/2iUgwcFbV7k/s1600-h/IMG_49023.jpg"><img title="IMG_4902" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4902" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GtYdv6F4R30/UWHW4yzP7_I/AAAAAAAABMM/qYqAi6-XXT4/IMG_4902_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PoGIgvcmd_s/UWHW5gbKqgI/AAAAAAAABMU/QU2-cENyI4I/s1600-h/IMG_49043.jpg"><img title="IMG_4904" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4904" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7zCiqooEr2Q/UWHW6GdHbwI/AAAAAAAABMc/vG1ZqO4xgyM/IMG_4904_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Baldi Hot Springs (it still eludes me why the fat lady is placed at the entrance)</p> <p align="left">Monday was April Fools’ Day. Unfortunately, no pranks or practical jokes were played. We did have a delicious brunch at Soda Ara. Sodas are small restaurants that serve cheap, authentic food and usually have quick service. I ordered an omelet with the fruit plate. I did not realize how much food I ordered until my plates came out. The fruit was some of the best I have had in Costa Rica; it was all cold and arranged beautifully on the plate, including banana, mango (which I think I might actually like now), pineapple, and watermelon. The omelet was a classic combination of ham and cheese; it was also far bigger than I had guessed. But, I managed to clean my plate and be full the rest of the day. Two buses, two taxi rides, and six hours later we were back at the Center. All of us were very tired but excited to see our friends and hear about their spring breaks. Like all good things, spring break had to come to end but it is definitely a week that I will always remember and cherish.</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-31405386585440177762013-04-03T21:04:00.001-07:002013-04-03T21:04:32.292-07:00Spring Break Part 1: Chilling in Puerto Viejo<p>Spring break fell during Semana Santa (Holy Week); this turned out to be both a blessing and a curse. It fell at a nice time during our semester, so that it seemed like we got back from Nicaragua, had a rough few days, and then got to leave again for an amazing adventure. But, we soon found out that Semana Santa means that transportation is very difficult and that most things in less touristy places are closed (not just for Easter Sunday but Thursday through Sunday). Despite the inconveniences, I was simply amazed at the importance and sanctity given to observing this holiday, the most important in the Christian calendar. I really liked that the Ticos aren’t afraid to close down everything so they can spend this special time with family and friends at church and at home. The Ticos that I spoke with on the bus and back at the Center spoke of spending lots of time with family and eating a lot of really good food, especially desserts (I think I would fit it minus the Spanish speaking!). </p> <p>There was a large group of us that left for Puerto Viejo at 7:00 am last Monday (Tico time meant that we didn’t really leave until 7:45). The ride was uneventful until we pulled off at a rest stop for Chan to use the bathroom; as I walked past the front of the bus I saw the driver’s husband using the fire extinguisher on the front left wheel. But, we just kept going and made it to Puerto Viejo around 1. On our way in, we realized we were no longer in Atenas. Poverty could be seen in the shacks that lined the road and contrasted with the palm trees and beautiful clear blue ocean. When we arrived, the driver proceeded to rip us off by saying that we agreed to pay 13 colones rather than $13, which we had all already paid. 13 mil colones is $26 dollars (1 mil colones= $2). But, we were happy to be there (although sweating profusely) and on spring break. We checked into Rocking J’s, the mother of all hostels. They had tents, hammocks, rooms, or beds in a dorm for rent. My group stayed in a dorm which proved relatively comfortable although my locker was mouse-infested. I found out about the mouse that night when there was granola all over my locker and my backpack had a hole chewed through it. The mouse even opened up completely sealed, unopened snacks. For lunch, we waited for our meal of pizza and salads for at least an hour and half. We even saw one of the workers leave on his motor bike and come back with straws and napkins for our order. We learned that long meals were the norm and not the exception here. After lunch, we went the grocery store and then out on the beach during the late afternoon. It was very relaxing; I had a strawberry daiquiri cooler and my friends and I listened to live music. The water was so clear and very warm. But, I got devoured by sand flies. I stayed in that night; it had been an overall good day (mainly because of the beach), but definitely trying. I think I came pretty close to having a bit of a breakdown. I distinctly remember praying for a good attitude about spring break; looking back, I am very glad I did because it was the best spring break I have ever had.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HwCgvuRSJgA/UVz6CysfykI/AAAAAAAABC4/oRwy43C1qJU/s1600-h/IMG_47433.jpg"><img title="IMG_4743" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4743" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eCn4ajDUKUg/UVz6GGwBlTI/AAAAAAAABDA/BrgsFc668lg/IMG_4743_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">The sign in front of our hostel, Rocking J’s</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yqQvjIhfpDc/UVz6QVomamI/AAAAAAAABDI/V3FqY4mhoGY/s1600-h/IMG_4744.jpg"><img title="IMG_4744" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4744" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vEqdg9ubIoM/UVz6Sy9g3NI/AAAAAAAABDQ/_zWv-qM6SAc/IMG_4744_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="227"></a></p> <p align="center">My first sunset in Puerto Viejo, spent listening to music with friends</p> <p>Each day, I woke up around 6 am. This is due to some inherent alarm clock that I was blessed with; once I get in a routine of waking up early, it is impossible for me to sleep in. But, I enjoyed quiet mornings reading by the beach and eating a first breakfast. My group went to Puerto Viejo Bakery for breakfast (my second of the day, but who’s counting). It was one of the highlights of my trip. I was in bread heaven! I split a multigrain baguette with a friend that was almost as excited about it as I was. Disclaimer: good whole wheat bread doesn’t really exist in Costa Rica. But, this was amazing!!! It had poppy seeds, flax seeds, golden flax seeds, whole wheat flour, and probably other things. The chew of the bread and the slight nuttiness was beyond comparison. I could have easily eaten the whole thing. I also met someone from the town of Davidson that was studying abroad in Costa Rica; I know her father and worked closely with him in my internship last summer. It was truly a small world moment but it was amazing to make this connection and new friendship. My group had a morning of shopping that led to many of my friends buying splurge outfits and all of us getting hair wraps or braids (I got a braid with pale pink string and shell on the end). I also got some fruit at a fruit stand and proceeded to eat half of a watermelon and some homemade trail mix for lunch; it was light and perfect! We went to the beach for the afternoon. That evening we went to a vegetarian restaurant for dinner. I got the raw veggie ceviche which was a combination of unripe plantains, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and lime served with plantain chips. It was delicious but not super filling. We got caught in the pouring rain while trying to find a place to listen to live music; kind of an epic fail but fun regardless.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y1BO5JqeYoU/UVz6UWzSrrI/AAAAAAAABDY/v3UhKhk4uCk/s1600-h/IMG_47513.jpg"><img title="IMG_4751" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4751" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JbpxVrczTDE/UVz6WmhZZwI/AAAAAAAABDg/1Oohwtgb3Ls/IMG_4751_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_LQzwWF-3so/UVz6Y6nySFI/AAAAAAAABDo/fAKC9vJZR7M/s1600-h/IMG_47533.jpg"><img title="IMG_4753" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4753" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NX-ZYCF9hwI/UVz6aMUePiI/AAAAAAAABDw/25Z8TMw1gHg/IMG_4753_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">The bakery that we visited three times and my half of the multigrain baguette</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hhzBMmM94zU/UVz6fEMXSII/AAAAAAAABD4/kUVnzrHdkMk/s1600-h/IMG_47553.jpg"><img title="IMG_4755" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4755" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jlpSq3cK1A4/UVz6gLDZGbI/AAAAAAAABEA/9pkbEh0hxGc/IMG_4755_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">View from the street along Puerto Viejo</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iHIc8N773T4/UVz6heCOkeI/AAAAAAAABEI/jwzipVsbSTk/s1600-h/IMG_4757.jpg"><img title="IMG_4757" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4757" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-00P2ZZyM7LA/UVz6iODxuCI/AAAAAAAABEQ/LZtwi2bFXdY/IMG_4757_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="213"></a></p> <p align="center">My friend Hannah and I after getting our hair done, she got a wrap and I got a braid</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jzaaAPInwsI/UVz6jROosBI/AAAAAAAABEY/erh_nBNBst0/s1600-h/IMG_47583.jpg"><img title="IMG_4758" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4758" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9bIBaNcOb4o/UVz6jwBANUI/AAAAAAAABEg/WiMm_Gq1SUo/IMG_4758_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">My wonderful lunch, eaten on the beach</p> <p>On our second full day in Puerto Viejo, I went to breakfast with two of my friends to a place I had read about in the travel guide, Bread and Chocolate. We were completely baffled as to what to get because everything on the menu sounded so delicious. All of the ingredients were natural and homemade, especially including the bread and chocolate. Our meal was amazing and we were pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and speed of the service. After breakfast, my friend Sarah S. and I went to look for the bus station and an ATM. We were going at a leisurely pace and stopping at shops, etc. At the bus station, we asked another English-speaking girl about the buses. One thing led to another and we just adopted her into our group. It turns out her name was “Sarah” too, but spelled Sarai. She was from Canada and here for her sister’s wedding to Tico man but traveling before the wedding.She hung out with us the rest of the day and then went with us to La Fortuna; so glad I got to befriend her! We had a late lunch at a restaurant called Monli. I had fish that was really delicious and had a Caribbean twist; the fish was served on the bone with the skin on but had tons of flavor and was piled with Caribbean spiced sauteed vegetables. I also really appreciated the extra spicy hot sauce. It was a slow meal so we finished lunch at 4 (this is very bizarre for a girl used to eating at 7 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm on the dot every day) and then went to the beach for a few hours. On the way back to our hostel, we stopped at the bakery again. I got a whole wheat baguette that I ate for dinner later because no one felt like a real meal. We had a chill night because some people were not feeling well but we mainly played cards and talked.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L38VTfiV17M/UVz6pn6yGnI/AAAAAAAABEo/km1GEZ-YM0k/s1600-h/IMG_47663.jpg"><img title="IMG_4766" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4766" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TpJFdpZYQdQ/UVz6q5xx4oI/AAAAAAAABEw/yn7wJzA-kdc/IMG_4766_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oe59OVkkaYs/UVz6uOrrp-I/AAAAAAAABE4/PwY3ETvNqmA/s1600-h/IMG_47683.jpg"><img title="IMG_4768" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4768" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uH5Jp9wRFsk/UVz6uvrbJhI/AAAAAAAABFA/V8hz7bjrqUA/IMG_4768_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NUqsI55i-HY/UVz6wjymRFI/AAAAAAAABFI/xfmRoq9NS1k/s1600-h/IMG_47693.jpg"><img title="IMG_4769" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4769" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--QsjmYBF_5g/UVz63OeKWAI/AAAAAAAABFQ/2R_lGaXI2ic/IMG_4769_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YvaF0H9gQjo/UVz7n3BIkuI/AAAAAAAABFc/TP9V4KD9xy8/s1600-h/IMG_47703.jpg"><img title="IMG_4770" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4770" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nDBnYAMrb3w/UVz7u_uUmwI/AAAAAAAABFk/ztBj9uSJStw/IMG_4770_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Needless to say I got, both bread and chocolate for breakfast at Bread and Chocolate, an amazing restaurant/bakery where we breakfasted. I ordered tea, French toast (with cream and very fresh strawberry preserves) and a Chai truffle; all were wonderful choices (and breakfast dessert is my absolute favorite!)</p> <p>The last day in Puerto Viejo was a short one because we had tickets to leave at 9:30. We carried our luggage (never have I packed so light or been so happy I did) in the rain to the bakery/restaurant Pan Pay near the bus stop. I had a delicious breakfast of sunny-side-up fried eggs and toast. The bakery specialized in croissants though so on the way out I snagged a croissant filled with cream (again, I succumb to the temptation of having breakfast dessert). It was very good, although I was more impressed by the quality of the cream, which tasted like an excellent chocolate éclair custard filling, more than the croissant (they aren’t my first choice of baked good though, to be fair). We had a long day of traveling ahead of us. We first went to San Jose. Little did we know that San Jose would be a ghost town, with all restaurants, stores, and museums closed for Semana Santa. Our taxi drivers in San Jose convinced us it would not be a good idea to stay there (we wouldn’t be able to take public transportation to get out until Saturday) but that it would be a good idea to pay them $30/person to drive us to San Ramon in order to catch the last bus of the day to La Fortuna. We made a quick decision to do it. More of this epic tale in my next post, so stay tuned….</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C1NLEoygSp4/UVz7ws8rbVI/AAAAAAAABFs/xUUxWyDF9hk/s1600-h/IMG_4782%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4782" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4782" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hPVmBrZdJR4/UVz7yIqelfI/AAAAAAAABF0/q7WhertY2Kw/IMG_4782_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">One last walk on the beach</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-abWQEP71uOI/UVz7zExilZI/AAAAAAAABF8/qbo7_LME4dA/s1600-h/IMG_4787%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4787" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4787" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BnEq13EGspQ/UVz7zpQWOVI/AAAAAAAABGE/XTPFyTGmHZU/IMG_4787_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">View from the bus of the countryside near La Fortuna</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-46156424182303654442013-03-22T20:39:00.001-07:002013-03-22T20:39:08.674-07:00Trip to Nicaragua<blockquote> <p>The bus stole off into the darkness on Wednesday morning, pulling out of the SFS driveway at 3 am on a mission. We would be at the Nicaraguan border near sunrise. When we got to the border, we turned in our customs forms and got our passports stamped. We got our first real taste of Nicaragua after we walked to the other side. There were people selling food, purses, shoes, and trinkets. Some were very old but desperation was on all of their faces. We exchanged money and tried to avoid eye contact with the Nicaraguans trying to sell us their wares. I learned that we would get used to having to say no to children and elderly vendors alike, accosting us on the street, in the park, and at restaurants. The poverty of this new country was very blatant and we could already see clear differences between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xrmtyIfoQ5k/UU0jTd5K0wI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/sMN8j7VhiUg/s1600-h/IMG_43213.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4321" border="0" alt="IMG_4321" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ymKStZntHf0/UU0jT3NOfxI/AAAAAAAAA9g/HYGu14u1jXE/IMG_4321_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a>The ferry to Ometepe</p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4327" border="0" alt="IMG_4327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UpX4JbIJdUA/UU0jUk9CufI/AAAAAAAAA9o/eCecR9VFu0A/IMG_4327_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></p> <p>After crossing the border and driving to Puerto San Jorge, we boarded a ferry to Ometepe Island. I stayed at the bow of the boat, enjoying riding the waves for most of the ride. It was exhilarating, especially when we could see our destination, an island in the middle of freshwater Lake Nicaragua. There are two volcanoes on the island, Maderas and Concepción. They both loomed over the island with clouds all around the top, making them look like they were wearing wooly toboggans. I was impressed by the massive mountains and could not stop smiling as we approached the island. </p> <p>Ometepe Island was far better than I expected. It was beautiful and very Nicaraguan; although tourism is on the rise, the culture felt so intact. We were able to talk with locals, get accustomed to not drinking the tap water, and bump along on the unpaved, rocky roads. We ate Nicaraguan food and found it to be a more flavorful change from Costa Rican food, but weren’t surprised that gallo pinto was still a staple. Some highlights of the island were: visiting Finca Magdalena to see 1700 year old petroglyphs and the beautiful old coffee cooperative; swimming in the lake at sunset; swimming at Ojo de Agua, a swimming hole in the forest; and a visiting a beautiful waterfall. </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E5MQrT6IEn8/UU0jWLH-SHI/AAAAAAAAA9w/eAUPMUua4QM/s1600-h/IMG_43824.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4382" border="0" alt="IMG_4382" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bxR_x8pMr7c/UU0jXNsaasI/AAAAAAAAA94/xWhWTo1M0RQ/IMG_4382_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="261" height="202"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JZN9l8UcZ60/UU0jYWzrXFI/AAAAAAAAA-A/JdUD1ozFoWo/s1600-h/IMG_43853.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4385" border="0" alt="IMG_4385" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gdVJtjKVR_g/UU0jZTiC7nI/AAAAAAAAA-I/3qQYzjOvBNU/IMG_4385_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p></blockquote> <p align="center">Two of my favorite petroglyphs</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YGdMIzh8UAY/UU0ja-ApD1I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/LxdM2hRH3DI/s1600-h/IMG_44123.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4412" border="0" alt="IMG_4412" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JSiJF7XvF1k/UU0jbogIV8I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/_jUXm7bE-08/IMG_4412_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Finca Magdalena</p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ktY725ISLy0/UU0jcrtAmTI/AAAAAAAAA-g/lvmkEp_Ln_M/s1600-h/IMG_44783.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4478" border="0" alt="IMG_4478" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7NhrMH6Gfqo/UU0jdBfurkI/AAAAAAAAA-o/KYErKFyK460/IMG_4478_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jROyH0L_Jmg/UU0jeXmjXUI/AAAAAAAAA-w/oGLxh7Qi8Bg/s1600-h/IMG_44263.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4426" border="0" alt="IMG_4426" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AZBMHKw1IUY/UU0jfDn3svI/AAAAAAAAA-4/_E-WhIDwBVA/IMG_4426_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Ojo de Agua</p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ged81OqQck_eAoMT1Fl0sFKZOqfavU5ACsxRzHT32x1E8tn2q9w4h-44Pi1up3kPSeoxByYDhw1wzdxf1vxwEnv5ptGbJaP1ozzdQ4jc_hNBvFxZX3AA_YRWxKHgS63yjfOwhElI-kY/s1600-h/IMG_44633.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4463" border="0" alt="IMG_4463" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t0shWYaksUc/UU0jhU2fmUI/AAAAAAAAA_I/vLPktUGDk_w/IMG_4463_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">La Catarata (the waterfall)</p> <p align="left">Over the next few days, we went back to the mainland of Nicaragua and were based out of Granada at La Posada del Sol. We visited Masaya and Managua as day trips. Managua was especially interesting; it is the capital city that was destroyed by a 1972 earthquake. It was eerily quiet and seemed deserted. There is no city center and it is one of the most forested capital cities. We went to an artisan's market in Masaya and finished buying most of our souvenirs. Both were unique experiences, but I really fell in love with Granada. It was a city that charmed us all with its colonial architecture, cheap prices, and outdoor cafes. However, there was a certain lack of authenticity from the comfortable attributes of the city and the fact that we only saw non-Nicaraguans on La Calzada (except those trying to sell us grass flowers and bracelets). But, the decaying colonial buildings, brightly colored houses situated side by side like horse stalls with family names beside each door, and the local market where I felt the most uncomfortable but alive and authentic all captured my heart. I also loved hiking Volcan Mombacho, the excellent food (especially baba ganoush and goat cheese), seeing the sunset from a bell tower, and visiting El Museo Nacional. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrdTBv1QZXkUJTgsXwtFWucBKkS60EUHwJoiiiZnQ83dhU-Ela0hGGvZhfL6lLIkoNf8pgyQH8omV4gl0uZNxxbSiKK1EGEHw6kJGaG4tG6ziVPTRjz22A7CJ9DSgytz56VObYuqq8v0/s1600-h/IMG_45083.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4508" border="0" alt="IMG_4508" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jLaTuWHYly0/UU0ji_gPyqI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/xJEehB739o0/IMG_4508_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">The view I woke up to every morning from my kitchen window</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nhGV-fpyTJw/UU0jjTTX1TI/AAAAAAAAA_g/R2TtlAdyIHg/s1600-h/IMG_45923.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4592" border="0" alt="IMG_4592" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HuB4lOnCJus/UU0jkAIWPlI/AAAAAAAAA_o/6sF6nyV-TFo/IMG_4592_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Volcan Masaya</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-URGSeHTX2XI/UU0jk5EC3lI/AAAAAAAAA_w/Xh4yXtsiPJw/s1600-h/IMG_46203.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4620" border="0" alt="IMG_4620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IB034oqh-GM/UU0jlktzssI/AAAAAAAAA_4/Soz2Pk9jV4I/IMG_4620_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">El Museo</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WxOMwCuZItY/UU0jmqYQSCI/AAAAAAAABAA/ju_A0dpqVW0/s1600-h/IMG_46793.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4679" border="0" alt="IMG_4679" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QtsAgOVDqOc/UU0jnXmd6EI/AAAAAAAABAI/s7ZVKh4M4Pg/IMG_4679_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Volcan Mombacho</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKi7ETV4GokmCPf3PCUHwzgnxrKUWjHNf7bjMtJeTZ6pjsqkBDJBjudLYtoV2W-FqVQjnBDZ5BMMkNX1ZMXWO3D3RCxR0rmhq4ZBTWUkd0HlGyrckFoCZge8NT1bVi1M6pSI0HfCEzsXU/s1600-h/IMG_46673.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4667" border="0" alt="IMG_4667" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2zt3w9hlZEU/UU0jpBF7wxI/AAAAAAAABAY/ZKYsci2dWCY/IMG_4667_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q1eOq3uUep0/UU0jp_oIkII/AAAAAAAABAg/WlMcyX2gD_I/s1600-h/IMG_47123.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4712" border="0" alt="IMG_4712" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ddIsY_ibCeU/UU0jqmfgW_I/AAAAAAAABAo/DDdzpvlh4vg/IMG_4712_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Sunset in Granada</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YPkCTDIGkPs/UU0jrMlKEuI/AAAAAAAABAw/b4OZIDB92Mc/s1600-h/IMG_47313.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4731" border="0" alt="IMG_4731" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArXE8024QoFt8D0bdmNX5aNki1m6IDlq2V4qj6muvz_B47TRIE7V7n9JwTigcAI2dmU5jmskv9AXI5JAMpS0TGb0WfpLkNwgb-C76wdpw1yQ4etAlfiw6yM_P8YPv5U9hKR5R7HDdnWI/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="left">Food Highlights:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPENHpiCEnz_K6HnkiJrJ9dpADDqhGKy2QyK-kRzXVtTDGvJ3yA3XwBvrzTj1rDcOgJohT0gzUKMTcsVcZkBIlsUwLvIflNcpgYlqITt2TH1AusLdxmOce7bRdIqxVewKn8-IpH_XnSk/s1600-h/IMG_44233.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4423" border="0" alt="IMG_4423" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-070fBdXv4zc/UU0jtGDI4TI/AAAAAAAABBI/m__f4kbQddI/IMG_4423_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Watermelon juice</p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JG4bsxw7iRU/UU0juK8xHCI/AAAAAAAABBQ/Xb0ZJXT_TgU/s1600-h/IMG_44563.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4456" border="0" alt="IMG_4456" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pcgz0nSspvg/UU0ju5KS_pI/AAAAAAAABBY/EhdjJRXwAH8/IMG_4456_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">A typical Nicaguan meal of beans, plantain chips, potatoes (these were very good- with onions and garlic), avocado salad, and delicious chicken</p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-vPEA8c-Kpki7EhEKTxxJqzfeueA2bVhPnRVxBJyVjTcHXtoE1r_y3eREmfuF6xeq1B7yVKp6uwq8K6mK4_K2n5BcGvTqfnlvIvg6iAvD_h5xH7ed6yBI-KzkN43jTJHuk4blHOjOa8/s1600-h/IMG_45013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4501" border="0" alt="IMG_4501" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YaoLJgsuoLc/UU0jwVPrrlI/AAAAAAAABBo/GUpuoTLmNYg/IMG_4501_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Shrimp chop suey- a nice change from Central American food</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s1arpn-8DbE/UU0jxhs-ZiI/AAAAAAAABBw/8HGc0VQdnSM/s1600-h/IMG_45323.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4532" border="0" alt="IMG_4532" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0gXf7L1TF9M/UU0jyIxON8I/AAAAAAAABB4/XOnefbvedH4/IMG_4532_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Homemade ginger ale at a John Lennon-inspired restaurant</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xaw8hELGz0g/UU0jyy0cTeI/AAAAAAAABCA/JP-t-03qi4E/s1600-h/IMG_46063.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4606" border="0" alt="IMG_4606" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Kzd9qKXtufc/UU0jztu9ddI/AAAAAAAABCI/PizcD9Yp-Vw/IMG_4606_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Happy hour sangria</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I75D45h9Ad0/UU0j0ZoFEcI/AAAAAAAABCQ/pdcpizy_KVA/s1600-h/IMG_46073.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4607" border="0" alt="IMG_4607" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f3_bZEj8XQU/UU0j04D32TI/AAAAAAAABCY/kKu1yyh7hfA/IMG_4607_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Some of the best gelato I have ever eaten, a mixture of dark chocolate and a sweet almond flavor (turrón)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SGaQXsnSLdc/UU0j13sgYaI/AAAAAAAABCg/OHToWUUp0e4/s1600-h/IMG_47423.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4742" border="0" alt="IMG_4742" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mnS71bcU4SM/UU0j2vCRo_I/AAAAAAAABCo/Yw0wMinCnLo/IMG_4742_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">The largest chocolate bar I have ever seen; my friend and I got this bar at the duty free shop at the border. It is very hard to find dark chocolate here so we jumped on this opportunity.</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-76665581291055128532013-03-12T19:40:00.001-07:002013-03-12T19:40:42.271-07:00Chocolate Tour<p>Right now I have the post-vacation blues. It seems like this especially always happened when I was a kid, the day we came back from the beach seemed like a joyless, rainy, gloomy 4 hours. We were leaving my favorite place in the world and headed back to Lexington, to unpacking, to dreaded swim team practice, and long hot days.Right now, I am really struggling to not feel the same way. Yes, it is true that I am in Costa Rica and that I am getting ready to go to Nicaragua Wednesday and that I have an all around extremely blessed life with friends and family that I love. But, still after this personal pep talk, I just keep comparing the now with the past 48 hours. </p> <p>This weekend was everything I could have dreamt of. A month ago, a chocolate tour was just an idea that I was slightly overzealous about but was lucky enough to have friends that seemed almost as excited about the idea. I had seen an <a href="http://traveltips.usatoday.com/costa-rica-chocolate-tours-27430.html">article</a> on USA Today about chocolate tours in Costa Rica. I was thrilled that USA Today had already done the dirty work and found out reputable places. So, on my first real weekend off from my study abroad program, the chocolate tour became my top priority. Me and my three friends decided we would stay at the eco-lodge at the <a href="http://www.tirimbina.org/">Tirimbina Reserve</a> and go on the chocolate tour. It would be a splurge but after a week here we realized that good dark chocolate wasn’t easy to come by in Costa Rica, so we were looking forward to the tour like addicts needing their fix. Needless to say, we came back with dark chocolate burning a hole in our suitcases with elaborate plans for how to make it last the rest of the trip.</p> <p><em>Theobroma cacao- </em>the species used for making chocolate; theobroma translates to mean food (broma) of the gods (theo) as derived from the Mayan use of chocolate. </p> <p>Below are some pictures of the experience (I apologize for the poor quality, it was very overcast and shady so not ideal lighting):</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qbm6nxjFbu0/UT_k8xzpbkI/AAAAAAAAA6g/m8W8Fp5I_84/s1600-h/IMG_42593.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4259" border="0" alt="IMG_4259" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rJWJhrJO7qk/UT_k9nww39I/AAAAAAAAA6o/xpqnStvuPN4/IMG_4259_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Tirimbina Reserve, the lodge is behind the sign. We had a comfortable (hot water in the shower and a nice quilt on the bed), affordable 4-person room with screen doors.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bcJ6IUDHcec/UT_k_hImmMI/AAAAAAAAA6w/L6cm0ESBbvY/s1600-h/IMG_41763.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4176" border="0" alt="IMG_4176" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fLyIdW6iCz8/UT_lAD0WrGI/AAAAAAAAA64/h-PlPHiKbNY/IMG_4176_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">A cocoa tree in an old plantation that is sustainable and uses sustainable practices like inter-cropping (there are plantains and bananas planted there). This cacao tree is bent over because of age; it can live to be 50 years old.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T8V11EULXyE/UT_m6E8ehSI/AAAAAAAAA7A/kPpVV9kG1GQ/s1600-h/IMG_41773.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4177" border="0" alt="IMG_4177" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eOpvn2qicbw/UT_m672MjEI/AAAAAAAAA7I/OaP2XU0_j5I/IMG_4177_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">A cacao pod</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G5eGrBdKKwA/UT_m762tpuI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/yyj51AapJKg/s1600-h/IMG_41783.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4178" border="0" alt="IMG_4178" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pOWQY7S5Tnk/UT_m8e37RlI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/YV6ywAY-a8I/IMG_4178_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">An open cacao pod with the seeds exposed; the seeds had a fruity, slightly tart flesh that we sucked off and then spit out the seeds. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l1-AGcQAru8/UT_m9X3OENI/AAAAAAAAA7g/1VE1OZoE9kY/s1600-h/IMG_417911.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4179" border="0" alt="IMG_4179" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_69BaAtDakU/UT_m-KxhvEI/AAAAAAAAA7o/SN8-LA73qFA/IMG_4179_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="286"></a></p> <p align="center">A map with the location and general timeline of cacao production and chocolate making</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pizxwUwTcxA/UT_m_RaOZfI/AAAAAAAAA7w/2Nf5XXJUxtk/s1600-h/IMG_41803.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4180" border="0" alt="IMG_4180" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s9Jx9fqJSAA/UT_nBWrA3jI/AAAAAAAAA74/VGlKUt9IE58/IMG_4180_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Different stages of cacao production; this box is covered with banana leaves and the bacteria are allowed to grow.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pg5mluuwuSo/UT_nCdSLLMI/AAAAAAAAA8A/9R_8jh-mFfY/s1600-h/IMG_41873.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4187" border="0" alt="IMG_4187" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FrZ7OIWyrpc/UT_nDv0YxGI/AAAAAAAAA8I/WIc-2j4rWIw/IMG_4187_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">The cacao, fermented and roasted, is ground with brown sugar and cinnamon in a volcanic rock mortar with a river rock.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9wSPs4CEKpU/UT_nEeJX_2I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/izSmrGLmJM0/s1600-h/IMG_41933.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4193" border="0" alt="IMG_4193" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mKz4f-QOAJo/UT_nFW_xgCI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/mwYz0nnQC4E/IMG_4193_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">This was a delicious mixture, it was so different from anything I had ever had. We went back for another handful! One of my favorite things of the tour; this would be dangerous for me to have around.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4y4DR070fXE/UT_nGX0l0VI/AAAAAAAAA8g/vM5sAQuawtc/s1600-h/IMG_41967.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4196" border="0" alt="IMG_4196" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vruUVKsfe-k/UT_nGzRYM6I/AAAAAAAAA8o/Rdx_56GxnKE/IMG_4196_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="294"></a></p> <p align="center">The whole process of making both chocolate bars and cocoa powder</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-th_2JAJkcoY/UT_nH6WfrYI/AAAAAAAAA8w/Tv7ZwTOTdDQ/s1600-h/IMG_41973.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4197" border="0" alt="IMG_4197" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z07YQ8WGS5s/UT_nImOvsuI/AAAAAAAAA84/Ux9DMPQTtb8/IMG_4197_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Liquid chocolate in the stage right before it is poured in molds; I had 5 spoonfuls of this warm, magical chocolate.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AXUxw7JAHNc/UT_nJsT3XnI/AAAAAAAAA9A/m9Qi_fBPfoo/s1600-h/IMG_41983.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4198" border="0" alt="IMG_4198" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_Ah6UBwD3qc/UT_nKWI5rMI/AAAAAAAAA9I/Klpbd_sMozA/IMG_4198_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">The final product, pieces of chocolate in earthy shapes like this leaf.</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-57182809870812015252013-03-05T17:33:00.001-08:002013-03-05T17:33:46.529-08:00Los Sabores de Costa Rica<p>Chocolate and caramel (chocolate y caramelo) gelato. Rich and creamy; the chocolate is intense and deep brown, tasting of Fudgesicles of summers past while the caramel has a slight saltiness but a richness that is hard to forget. Best when eaten together, but delicious separate as well. The three miniature scoops in my pequeño disappeared too quickly, leaving behind only a mixture of different shades of brown liquid lining the plastic cup and a small silver spoon. </p> <p>I have admittedly tried at least half of the flavors of gelato at Gelly’s, in the 29 days that I have been here (no judgment please). And, I hope to try all of them except dreadful, dreadful coconut (and maybe not coffee either). I justify it because trying flavors at Gelly’s means that I am having a gelato date with friends or Skyping with those I love back home. So, maybe it isn’t such a bad thing to try all the flavors. <p>Also, I want my experience at Gelly’s to be like my experience here in Costa Rica. I want to try out all the flavors of this beautiful country, getting a taste of the culture, natural beauty, people, beaches, and language. This is especially true as I am planning my spring break. I want to experience everything possible. A chocolate tour and stay at an eco-lodge is coming up soon. Let me know if you have any ideas! Below is a quick recap, in pictures, of what I have been up to. <p>Carara National Park- El Sur: <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-55gQ9KSYsjg/UTacd1WO6HI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/OcuV3Pch3BU/s1600-h/DSC_12343.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1234" border="0" alt="DSC_1234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Skfzn7jCYn_PR9kzPJh4bRyFhY0efIdK609rRFBFnregqOX24dRKxHwS8ZI8H2kttnbF1UepYt9bZWnHTzXSGby-3YX5RDqkXw7q8v6LqfWnTZyiO7o7iFn30lthRDBU7YdSqMPvswA/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <p align="center">A crocodile in the Rio Tarcoles <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qa0cECu25jI/UTacgMUEDkI/AAAAAAAAA2o/0Vz66WBiQIQ/s1600-h/DSC_12895.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1289" border="0" alt="DSC_1289" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-scUSpN5YdUI/UTacgy0ARuI/AAAAAAAAA2w/4L6aACrslkw/DSC_1289_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="202"></a> <p align="center">A tree frog, I love this picture for some reason! <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DX6Lfai4WNk/UTacjB76GjI/AAAAAAAAA24/3P36iqUUucY/s1600-h/DSC_12623.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1262" border="0" alt="DSC_1262" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vHYcfQvuiDg/UTackXCKWUI/AAAAAAAAA3A/86STRjTIsjI/DSC_1262_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <p align="center">At Playa Azul, a trash-covered beach that still has a beautiful view of the ocean and mountains <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h97uT-bWwek/UTaclyuTyVI/AAAAAAAAA3I/LJNH8EYbPBc/s1600-h/DSC_12673.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1267" border="0" alt="DSC_1267" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tb5xUPi-6nw/UTacm4Gu3dI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/3XIYxYZuIk0/DSC_1267_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <p align="center">The trashy part of the beach, sadly this is what it looks like on a good day <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIamNaL3ZXo3fXC7jpuEdj52gahyd5KVDISnAzpkZW3aZYUPax4hHfLp95YpR7nuhkcAnD_H5Kue3iaQn62h5YxGtInbacyfjP5VUx_ojRxZ2oPcVxFH2sSnWbO7K7uo9IhpMct1GPPs/s1600-h/DSC_13153.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1315" border="0" alt="DSC_1315" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qgbf7TuBzeE/UTacpVc0arI/AAAAAAAAA3g/yKpmOe8ZF70/DSC_1315_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <p align="center">Milking a cow <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uanvwKf-cxE/UTacrF6Xp2I/AAAAAAAAA3o/r4QOpg1GpEw/s1600-h/DSC_00113.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0011" border="0" alt="DSC_0011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4kvZf94HFH0/UTacsBdMc8I/AAAAAAAAA3w/yItTAJvVQmI/DSC_0011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> <p align="center">Extracting juice from sugar cane <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nusS4ZKGysw/UTactGVQWqI/AAAAAAAAA34/G87b8zZMkYg/s1600-h/DSC_00263.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0026" border="0" alt="DSC_0026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DYhhRUc0DOhMbWpL8bjUFxWu7IByw-qz3kscXjSy_maVh2VhPAfnca7FTF4CLo8fhWLHjznETaaJFZwNZyupYNcz1yOWDAxrQepTpXwRgod4l2nhdlj6qmqD_dY3gtaqkzSoSc-viQU/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yi0yPX9b56c/UTacvIK9h3I/AAAAAAAAA4I/-JdW_57yh6U/s1600-h/DSC_00473.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0047" border="0" alt="DSC_0047" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cOgNII9RnMw/UTacvmdKLEI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/diYy50uUC7w/DSC_0047_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="center">Left, the drink from the raw sugar cane juices that we extracted. Right, the final product, after being boiled down for seven hours, was blocks of brown sugar-like sweetener. <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GoKWq1M6VK4/UTacww1h9kI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/r_DxST-z4_8/s1600-h/DSC_00674.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0067" border="0" alt="DSC_0067" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nVZWP6vOADo/UTacxkLpObI/AAAAAAAAA4g/q2X9kibzghA/DSC_0067_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="196"></a> <p align="center">At a waterfall (catarata) on my birthday <p align="left">Volcan Poas: <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T01jRF6cESo/UTacyyUqvZI/AAAAAAAAA4o/6KyD3FTp5b4/s1600-h/DSC_01103.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0110" border="0" alt="DSC_0110" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mGPzmugyY7k/UTacz-Sc-nI/AAAAAAAAA4w/wENmVxJVkLI/DSC_0110_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <p align="center">The outline of the lagoon, it was very cloudy <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YoHi5WFL-yg/UTac0_fXrMI/AAAAAAAAA44/3ste4DjjP8k/s1600-h/DSC_00983.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0098" border="0" alt="DSC_0098" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6QRNBPC1M6o/UTac1aZUmEI/AAAAAAAAA5A/HY2AgbttYt4/DSC_0098_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zJ6osBzmtY8/UTac2HZbIoI/AAAAAAAAA5I/PMfUB9ImSUA/s1600-h/DSC_00953.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0095" border="0" alt="DSC_0095" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NY6SOlYJbME/UTac2gDcUpI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/XxA9Xxby07w/DSC_0095_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <p align="center">The crater, very cloudy! <p>Whitewater Rafting (2/24/13): <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ff5Cfg12QEY/UTac4NmWBiI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/0g7Hx09Cq6o/s1600-h/IMG_03111.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0311" border="0" alt="IMG_0311" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kDLlammoNew/UTac47QSkeI/AAAAAAAAA5g/mJKHbNiolUg/IMG_0311_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oOvp_ebXp_Y/UTac6MqIVtI/AAAAAAAAA5o/2S_YNRsPmG4/s1600-h/IMG_045711.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0457" border="0" alt="IMG_0457" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JaS02PGNjiQ/UTac64oTkeI/AAAAAAAAA5w/fQMf7kIWrsk/IMG_0457_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="185"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gI9PFwhczqc/UTac7jwKFFI/AAAAAAAAA54/231AoAYOcRk/s1600-h/IMG_04873.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0487" border="0" alt="IMG_0487" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PgLXbRukZVY/UTac8aMZZXI/AAAAAAAAA6A/tSj_AKTS32E/IMG_0487_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HodQ-Vv8PIo/UTac9izArhI/AAAAAAAAA6I/aQiD_3Q46FM/s1600-h/IMG_05621.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0562" border="0" alt="IMG_0562" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZKiuqndQw0I/UTac-D63tQI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/H4y6uWyz4m8/IMG_0562_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="241"></a></p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-4318601986572023002013-02-17T12:36:00.001-08:002013-02-17T12:36:07.038-08:00Tostada Francesa con Guayaba<p>I have been in Costa Rica for almost two weeks now. It is hard to believe that I have been here in this paradisiacal tiny country for that long. Yet, I have done so much in these thirteen days. Below are some pictures with highlights of my trip. </p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Food (Comida)</strong></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eKdcQUbu2yk/USE9bk_ODtI/AAAAAAAAAyM/84DXEYq6OYc/s1600-h/DSC_0746.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0746" border="0" alt="DSC_0746" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e4aAAUBcCwE/USE9fK2QKXI/AAAAAAAAAyU/I_yfMdlMVT4/DSC_0746_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="178"></a></p> <p align="center">Dulce de leche gelato, I plan to become a regular at this gelateria in Atenas. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zlViFF5Y1Hs/USE9lzHhtWI/AAAAAAAAAyc/rrho12v2w9I/s1600-h/DSC_07594.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0759" border="0" alt="DSC_0759" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLwhSblbDFNTXjGbsZLPKZCjH1Ei7iIVhCEwkuIoYntr19Hv-GUqouOAXbNvfNYhrQBLQy1nHKOA9Ghw-q2YLR4bX8bA41-FtPk1NXGW2LP9K0I3l5K92iedz-QiAYiIlh2Han8RIw10/?imgmax=800" width="313" height="216"></a></p> <p align="center"> A typical meal (minus beans)- avocado, salad, rice with salsa, a spicy zucchini-squash mixture, and plantains</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eUYz75tgL_8/USE9w-TTanI/AAAAAAAAAys/5ZQpIQwBOMs/s1600-h/DSC_08513.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0851" border="0" alt="DSC_0851" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x-WsxVfHbbc/USE9zfw_JBI/AAAAAAAAAy0/NGlV_sCnD0I/DSC_0851_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">A typical breakfast of tortillas with queso fresco, gallo pinto (rice and beans cooked together, often with herbs, onions, and/or tomatoes), crema (sour cream), and fried plantains (I will never get tired of these)</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZS-DQGYrXL0JMME6YmSkshPmouUdz8x8HzgQQcI4I5WcUyQBd74nCBsTfo27IFesvBkpiLrVzEYNvQEg3LiXR143zkyfYA89E4Q2KOyF37ZPF3ceFHT6w_70rQ7I1mi2C8nlwPJ4nFc/s1600-h/DSC_09903.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0990" border="0" alt="DSC_0990" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-piO_HsLqXKc/USE9_2DKoGI/AAAAAAAAAzE/tnQ2F_Ycs84/DSC_0990_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">Chicken on a homemade tortilla with salad, avocado, and a boiled plantain</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ON4pbctLDRE/USE-F6Rjp-I/AAAAAAAAAzM/kdlUvBP11jY/s1600-h/DSC_09883.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0988" border="0" alt="DSC_0988" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z8LOvhlzpKs/USE-IXuVnYI/AAAAAAAAAzU/xkdQv6F6S6o/DSC_0988_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">Banana liqueur at the Dole Plantation</p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Me (Yo)</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EOmUb9UbZy0/USE-MVbtsDI/AAAAAAAAAzc/HWr9xXbDcGA/s1600-h/DSC_0870.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0870" border="0" alt="DSC_0870" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0PWGM132lCs/USE-OoUSAEI/AAAAAAAAAzk/f1WJNI7Dk-c/DSC_0870_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="182" height="277"></a></p> <p align="center">Holding a cacao pod, the seeds from inside are roasted and used to make chocolate</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P7Wlm60-_O0/USE-SXFtILI/AAAAAAAAAzs/oK3GOzu2O8w/s1600-h/DSC_1062.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1062" border="0" alt="DSC_1062" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0MICfrqvHWU/USE-WDLT3bI/AAAAAAAAAz0/Nkf1XenBb9Q/DSC_1062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="173" height="263"></a></p> <p align="center">On the hanging bridge at Monteverde</p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Places (Lugares)</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R_3i2QF50Y0/USE-aFa409I/AAAAAAAAAz8/2XcVmFxttcI/s1600-h/DSC_07753.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0775" border="0" alt="DSC_0775" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VXms9JvRTwg/USE-cYEhKEI/AAAAAAAAA0E/0_D1tdyauF4/DSC_0775_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Braulio Carillo National Park</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-utTtCUxZ5jU/USE-gm4kuzI/AAAAAAAAA0M/zZfa9zQSiIg/s1600-h/DSC_07953.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0795" border="0" alt="DSC_0795" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5Bl9HxdjDso/USE-itP2SxI/AAAAAAAAA0U/bzypZyWH9ec/DSC_0795_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">El Rio Sucio, The Dirty River</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--Zm3tdsZi-Q/USE-o2kLRSI/AAAAAAAAA0c/EKxpV4kpWcY/s1600-h/DSC_08143.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0814" border="0" alt="DSC_0814" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-evqSFMu0kSo/USE-rvOvYEI/AAAAAAAAA0k/Po0bvvv_z-E/DSC_0814_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">A stream that we ate lunch by in Braulio Carillo</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Animals (Animales)</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AYd2Zjw4YA8/USE-yGMtfNI/AAAAAAAAA0s/5AuWktk14tk/s1600-h/DSC_08393.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0839" border="0" alt="DSC_0839" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_ZmhRjlZLEQ/USE-z2flo0I/AAAAAAAAA00/nC9UVzYhGvI/DSC_0839_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">Catching a bird at Centro Manu where we stayed</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h41V2P_4cHc/USE-4eFfsrI/AAAAAAAAA08/pymgHzQx47E/s1600-h/DSC_10024.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1002" border="0" alt="DSC_1002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pYPzDbyoS8E/USE-6C3NafI/AAAAAAAAA1E/7pgUVvEzEWw/DSC_1002_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></a></p> <p align="center">Hummingbird feeding at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ksIkuuRRE3A/USE_BIdsobI/AAAAAAAAA1M/NWSfzXyWvuo/s1600-h/DSC_11194.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1119" border="0" alt="DSC_1119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBnPh4yn0FT7gA1mM5gAkLVYRjFe5psQor3SCt_ZGWbv-siPVNyI6_H6C4vgE4ZWmflnsA0v6CnPluGI7_VRTqxmmW7aqpN4RSacUZwiYXB0D1G1emMAi4lVbsdE_xzomIFAhcOJPB9s/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></a></p> <p align="center">A coati, a relative of the racoon</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PGmjXI6TdUM/USE_GFJvKhI/AAAAAAAAA1c/0m2GiVk5e2M/s1600-h/DSC_11834.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1183" border="0" alt="DSC_1183" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c0H_R1XY9Ng/USE_IOd8m3I/AAAAAAAAA1k/x1YYNcVCjMI/DSC_1183_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="243"></a></p> <p align="center">White-faced capuchin monkey that followed us looking for food</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-an9kMLx3C2U/USE_La9qn9I/AAAAAAAAA1s/P2jlqW6aE4o/s1600-h/DSC_10403.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1040" border="0" alt="DSC_1040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--LWjGgchba4/USE_NN1nqMI/AAAAAAAAA10/WQtDbMmqrVk/DSC_1040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">One of the 500 species of orchids that live in Monteverde</p> <p> </p> <p>But, back to the title, tostata francesa con guayaba or French toast with guava. I had been dreaming about making French toast since I got here and learned that we could use the kitchen to cook on Sundays. So, I had already planned on making French toast this morning and decided to put guava jelly on the inside so it was like a French toast sandwich. This morning after rising early at 6 am I got to the kitchen and realized that we were out of eggs. I was devastated. I tried to think of a solution, should I try to make it with something besides egg, abandon the idea completely, or go get an egg. I had already spread the guava jelly on bread and made it into a sandwich. So, I couldn’t abandon the idea completely; somehow, a stale jelly sandwich didn’t compare to the idea of eggy, hot French toast right out of the pan. So, I made a quick decision to run to the chicken coop and get an egg. I sprinted down the hill and battled some chickens to get an egg. I ran back to the kitchen and cracked the egg in some milk. I added honey and vanilla, giving it a good stir with a fork. I fried the French toast in butter in a hot pan and ate it right after I took it out of the pan. It was definitely some of the best French toast I have ever had, a welcome taste of home with a Tico twist. </p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-57352567676539722732013-02-05T19:17:00.001-08:002013-02-05T19:17:43.815-08:00Safe and Sound in Costa Rica<p>I arrived yesterday in Costa Rica at about 12:45. So far, highlights have been eating very fresh food, as in the eggs and grilled chicken were from the chickens on the farm and fruit comes from the trees beside our dorm rather than the store. Also, everyone here is fun and ready to have a Costa Rican adventure. Also, today we went to Atenas. It was really fun, the people were very friendly and the shops were fun to explore, checking out the foreign food and random products. But, the best part of Atenas may be that they have an amazing gelato “jardin” (garden). I got a cup of dulce de leche and it was decadently creamy. Next up to try, Nutella.</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382931986252752868.post-24356285201893863042013-01-29T08:50:00.001-08:002013-01-29T08:50:43.566-08:00Cookbook Baking and a Trip to the Ritz<p>Christmas changes as we age. I have grown into a young lady of almost 21 and unfortunately I do not derive as much joy from things I enjoyed as a child. For instance, empty boxes, sugary candy, Sarah Specialties (a meaty, cheesy, carb-y sandwich that I created and named after myself over ten years ago), and dolls such as <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LYWekNUUu0">Suzy Stretch</a> (if you don’t know what I am talking about, please watch the linked video!) don’t make give me the simple happiness that they used to. Now, I really don’t want a lot of stuff for Christmas; instead, I have come to cherish experiential gifts, books, cooking/baking equipment, and everyday things like warm slippers the most. </p> <p align="left">This year, my sister and I picked out what we wanted from each other. This seemed easier than trying to figure out what to get each other and she doesn’t like surprises anyway. I asked for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Reinharts-Whole-Grain-Breads/dp/1580087590">Peter Reinhart’s Whole Grain Breads</a>. It teaches techniques for evoking flavor form whole grains to create nutritious breads with a sweet, not too dense crumb. I read through the book completely and have tried three recipes. So far my consensus is this, I want to meet Peter Reinhart! Based on this book and other things I have read about him, I have so much respect for him as a person and as a baker that makes use of science and a little bit of creativity. Below are the three recipes I have tried so far, they are all healthy but span the range of taste and technique. Next on the list to try: pizza dough, cinnamon rolls, and bagels. Needless to say, the book was an excellent gift.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oFSznuhvfRM/UQf9n57tsXI/AAAAAAAAAvU/MtzqxWu5Ch0/s1600-h/DSC_0682%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0682" border="0" alt="DSC_0682" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7PIj_EuIDxo/UQf9ofbFc7I/AAAAAAAAAvc/cUo0_cJIEBw/DSC_0682_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="145"></a></p> <p align="center">Transitional Whole-Wheat Sandwich Bread: this was the first recipe I tried and it was perfect for just that. I kept thinking that I was going to burn the bread, but trusted the book’s guidance about cooking it until it was a rich brown because it was perfectly baked inside. This bread was great for sandwiches, mopping up egg yolks, or just eating plain.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-75L2TiGRGyE/UQf9pVJmC4I/AAAAAAAAAvk/pKgL7t7Hpb0/s1600-h/DSC_0719%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0719" border="0" alt="DSC_0719" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uZEQF5w-4U4/UQf9qGxLLgI/AAAAAAAAAvs/L58IjvBdZo8/DSC_0719_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">Seeded Crackers- I still have to master rolling dough out to an even thickness, so my crackers were not uniform. However, these are great spread with peanut butter or hummus (homemade curry hummus pictured). </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-debOoNbZg64/UQf9q44aziI/AAAAAAAAAv0/88Myv-mkDwM/s1600-h/DSC_0707%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0707" border="0" alt="DSC_0707" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fNAl3Tt-cLI/UQf9rWwiyOI/AAAAAAAAAv8/K9_571dxaPE/DSC_0707_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">Steamed Boston Brown Bread- This bread is one of the most unique in the whole book. It requires no yeast, but depends on baking powder and soda for leavening. Also, it is steamed in a tin can (in a pot of water) on the stove rather than baked in an oven. The bread itself is sweet because of the addition of molasses and raisins; the denseness of the bread comes from a combination of whole wheat flour, rye flour, and cornmeal. I found this bread best eaten for breakfast toasted with butter.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">Below are some pictures from a recent visit to <a href="http://barcocoacharlotte.com/">Bar Cocoa</a> in the Ritz-Carlton Charlotte. My mom, grandmother, and I had the chocolate tea as my early 21st birthday present. There was recently an <a href="http://www.ourstate.com/tocs/february-2013/">article</a> in Our State about Bar Cocoa (although I have wanted to do this for a year, I am no follower). Needless to say, we had excellent service. We were able to try as many teas as we liked and I especially enjoyed learning about each one before making my selection. The food was delicious, from the finger sandwiches to the plethora of desserts. I couldn’t choose a favorite dessert but I especially enjoyed the layers of flavor in the Bar Cocoa, the creaminess of the tiramisu (my first time), and the playfulness of the s’mores macaron. Also, at the end I was given a box of truffles to take home since it was my birthday. Although it took me a few days to want chocolate again, the truffles were delicious; the flavors included white chocolate strawberry, dark chocolate mint, milk chocolate, cinnamon roll, and caramel (my favorite).</p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JXbpcG77Trg/UQf9scUeI7I/AAAAAAAAAwE/xSrXUJ9F7xk/s1600-h/DSC_0685%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0685" border="0" alt="DSC_0685" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9BUFQSGrSas/UQf9tH1t0SI/AAAAAAAAAwM/TsIza4es5MQ/DSC_0685_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u7PoXQMRgk0/UQf9uJcTC1I/AAAAAAAAAwU/QkIbsHbzSLA/s1600-h/DSC_0690%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0690" border="0" alt="DSC_0690" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OlGmRShihkY/UQf9u3NkeBI/AAAAAAAAAwc/z1Jxriikar0/DSC_0690_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">Earl Grey Tea, left, and Hot Chocolate, right</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZSfQdX4Dc-8/UQf9v65U-oI/AAAAAAAAAwk/I_Eg__2x7UU/s1600-h/DSC_0693%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0693" border="0" alt="DSC_0693" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rKcwl1okoM4/UQf9waWiIHI/AAAAAAAAAws/Qm_pdaE1K7M/DSC_0693_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="364"></a></p> <p align="center">Madame Cocoa- elegant and fashionable, she is completely made out of chocolate</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vEWYBjPbp90/UQf9xfeXE6I/AAAAAAAAAw0/OxP3gUh0OMo/s1600-h/DSC_0687%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0687" border="0" alt="DSC_0687" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eaxCRKwU0Pg/UQf9x1dfM-I/AAAAAAAAAw8/XSd7hMtdkCM/DSC_0687_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">Vegetarian finger sandwiches, clockwise from front: salmon and dill; roasted red pepper hummus; cucumber; mozzarella with roasted tomato and olive tapenade; ratatouille (center)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AZ5gSBRcamQ/UQf9zZ7_LFI/AAAAAAAAAxE/sSJADSrmwhU/s1600-h/DSC_0688%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0688" border="0" alt="DSC_0688" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qYDm6kllCV4/UQf90DJUk0I/AAAAAAAAAxM/9RWibwOC36M/DSC_0688_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="center">Dessert tray: top: Opera Torte, Bar Cocoa; middle: peanut chocolate tart with caramel (reminiscent of a Snickers), s’ mores macaron, tiramisu; bottom: white chocolate and orange scone (served warm with lemon curd, Devonshire cream, and raspberry jam)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zbS4AcYaTfA/UQf91s1UkPI/AAAAAAAAAxU/76v2f7WkHNM/s1600-h/DSC00200%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC00200" border="0" alt="DSC00200" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KMyeXui5if8/UQf92QpYwrI/AAAAAAAAAxc/vF0VnZQxEmU/DSC00200_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="208"></a></p> <p align="center">The three lucky ladies- my grandmother, me, and my mother</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPRVx-FUnC7eta9HKufLe4QmfQ0dFERephnZvOSbQuVYE7teUcz19kKbMPvIGhjAEas5NXLLK5XPCzLQJepL5b0mQR1PstnZBQwbMQW5HeQp2OnNdtMkiuATzjwMMo0fHRWAOtZRs_4g/s1600-h/DSC00203%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC00203" border="0" alt="DSC00203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh3-yuLZHR5xS_LOgSWHukRN_p_WmHCGc8SA-m-UWfN2YiLhYVyC51F6ND1MF6OcKbh5kVmUZ2O61M0-b4QSYPBr98VxcxiUnpOElI3nMoggRMEMJM6M5SBWUkL7aU2kb5ZTGWx3hp-Y/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Peering in the display cases with my grandmother after our tea</p> <p align="left">I would highly recommend this tea for anyone who wants a decadent meal to treat themselves. I am off to pack! Enjoy!</p> Baking Biologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07850539849918738230noreply@blogger.com0