David Wolfe en Costa Rica

Ayer en el Hotel Holiady Inn en Escazú tuve el placer de presenciar a la charla del "Guru" de la nutrición cruda David Wolfe. Muchas caras conocidas... la charla muy interesante, concentrada sobre los "super foods" o super alimentos, muchos de los cuales autóctonos de nuestra amada Costa Rica.

        
• Chocolate: reduce del 50% la mortalidad por paro caridaco, No 1 como fuente natural de magnesio, rico en calcio. Además el cacao fortalece y blanquea los dientes.
• Semillas de Chan y Chia: ricas en fósforo y magnesio, eliminan las toxinas presentes en nuestro organismo.
• Semilla de Marañón: una proteina completa.
• Espirulina y Chlorella: ricas en minerales, clorofila (10% en chlorella) y proteinas (siendo la espirulina el único vegetal conocido que posee todas las proteinas además de el complejo de Vitamina B completo).
• Flores de maracuya: en té o en alcohol para crear un elisir de longevidad.
• Noni: todas las parte de la planta del noni son comestibles y ayudan a fortalecer nuestro sistema inmunológico. Receta: 3 nonis maduros y agua de pipa. Licuar, filtrar y tomar!!!!
• Moras!!! Antintioxidantes, al tomarlas nos hacen más adaptables.
• Hongos Reishi: crecen en los árboles de nuestros bosques y ayudan a fortalecer nuestro sistema inmunológico 

  

  Hongos Reishi

• Aceite de Coco: Fotalece el sistema inmunológico
• Cúrcuma: ayuda a bajar el colesterol y es un excelente anitinflamatorio.

Además recuerden que tomar agua con Sal Marina nos protege contra las tóxinas presentes en el ambiente!
La mayoría de estos productos los podrán encontrar a la venta en nuestra cafetería o en la feria orgánica de los miércoles!
Los esperamos!!!
Laura y el equipo Buena Tierra (Agradecemos a Carla y Juanpa por la organización de este importante evento)
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Yesterady at Hotel Holiday Inn in Escazu I attended the event of the year: David Wolfe, the raw food "Guru",  in Costa Rica.
Many known faces and very interesting tips about all these wonderful "super foods" the majority autochthonous of our beloved Costa Rica.

Reishi Mushrooms

•  Chocolate: reduces of 50% the chance of dying from heart attack. No1 natural source of magnesium, rich in calcium. Eating chocolate makes our teeth brilliant and strong.
• Chia and Chan seeds: rich in fosforous and magnesium, they help get reed of toxins.
• Spirulina and Chlorella: They are rich in minerals and chlorofilla (chlorella 10%) and proteins, being Spirulina the only vegetable known to have all the proteins and the complete vitamin B complex.
• Maracuya flowers: in alcohol or tea is a longevity drink.
• Noni: every part of the noni tree is edible. It helps our immune system to get stronger. Recipe:blend 3 soft nonis in "agua de pipa" (green coconut water), strain it and drink it!!!
• Mulberries (blackberries): they have 308 chromosomes!!!! This makes them very adaptable, they can actually grow anywhere and they can make us very adaptable too!!!
• Reishi mushrooms: red mushrooms that grow on trees of our forests. They feed our immune system
• Coconut oil: makes our immune system stronger.
• Turmeric: reduces high cholesterol and it's an exellent anti-inflammatory

Also remind that drinking water with Sea Salt  protects us against environmental toxines!!!!
You can find the majority of these products for sale at our organic Cafe or at our Wednesday organic market!
We wait for you!!!
Laura and all the Buena Tierra Staff! (many thanks to Carla and Juanpa for organizing this important event!)

Okre's benefits

Our today's special at Buena Tierra Cafe:

"Squash & Green Bean Soup, Okre, Zuquini and Carrot Curry w/Virgin Coconut Oil and Organic Tamari, Organic Brown Rice and Mixed Salad"

A delicious combination of flavors that benefits our organism!
(Now Okre is available at our organic market!!)

okre

Other Names:  

Okra, Okro, Ochro, Okoro, Quimgombo (Cuba), Quingumbo, Ladies Fingers, Gombo, Kopi Arab, Kacang Bendi, Bhindi (S. Asia), Bendi (Malaysia), Bamia, Bamya or Bamieh (middle east), Gumbo (Southern USA), Quiabo, Quiabos (Portugal and Angola), okura (Japan), qiu kui (Taiwan)

History:

Okra traces its origin from what was known as Abyssinia (Ethiopia) spreading right through to Eastern Mediterranea, India, Africa, North America, South America and the Caribbean. Though long popular in the South, it is becoming increasingly common and well known in Western Countries.

Description:

Okra is a tall-growing (3 to 6 feet or more in height), warm-season, annual vegetable from the same family as hollyhock, rose of Sharon and hibiscus. The immature pods are used for soups, canning and stews or as a fried or boiled vegetable. The hibiscus like flowers and upright plant is very pretty.
When cut, okra releases a sticky substance with thickening properties, useful for soups and stews.

Parts Used:

Immature pods

Constituents:

Nutrition Information

For 1/2 cup sliced, cooked okra	For 1 cup raw okra
Calories 25 Dietary Fiber 2 grams Protein 1.52 grams Carbohydrates 5.76 grams Vitamin A 460 IU Vitamin C 13.04 mg Folic acid 36.5 micrograms Calcium 50.4 mg Iron 0.4 mg Potassium 256.6 mg Magnesium 46 mg	Calories: 33 Fiber: 3.2g Total Fat: 0.1g Protein: 2.0g Carbohydrate: 7.6g Vitamin A 660 IU Vitamin C 21mg Folate 87.8mcg Magnesium 57mg

Medicinal Applications

According to Sylvia W. Zook, Ph.D. (nutritionist) Okra has several benefits.

1. The superior fiber found in okra helps to stabilize blood sugar by curbing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.

2. Okra's mucilage binds cholesterol and bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the filtering liver.

3. Okra helps lubricate the large intestines due to its bulk laxative qualities. The okra fiber absorbs water and ensures bulk in stools. This helps prevent and improve constipation. Unlike harsh wheat bran, which can irritate or injure the intestinal tract, okra's mucilage soothes, and okra facilitates elimination more comfortably by its slippery characteristic. Okra binds excess cholesterol and toxins (in bile acids). These, if not evacuated, will cause numerous health problems. Okra also assures easy passage out of waste from the body. Okra is completely non-toxic, non-habit forming, has no adverse side effects, is full of nutrients, and is economically within reach of most unlike the OTC drugs.

4. Okra fiber is excellent for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics). This contributes to the health of the intestinal tract.

5. Okra is a supreme vegetable for those feeling weak, exhausted, and suffering from depression.

6. Okra is used for healing ulcers and to keep joints limber. It helps to neutralize acids, being very alkaline, and provides a temporary protective coating for the digestive tract.

7. Okra treats lung inflammation, sore throat, and irritable bowel.

8. In India, okra has been used successfully in experimental blood plasma replacements.

To retain most of okra's nutrients and self-digesting enzymes, it should be cooked as little as possible, e.g. with low heat or lightly steamed. Some eat it raw.
Specific Ailments
Acid Reflux and Constipation
A person, suffering from constipation for the past 20 years and recently from acid reflux, started eating 6 pieces of Okra. Since then, has not taken any other medication. Now, his blood sugar has dropped from 135 to 98 and his cholesterol and acid reflux are also under control.
Asthma
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. This anti-inflammatory activity may curtail the development of asthma symptoms. A large preliminary study has shown that young children with asthma experience significantly less wheezing if they eat a diet high in fruits rich in vitamin C. 1/2 cup of cooked Okra contains over 13 mg of vitamin C.
Atherosclerosis
Diets high in insoluble fiber, such as those containing okra, are associated with protection against heart disease in both men and women.
Cancer
The insoluble fiber found in Okra helps to keep the intestinal tract healthy, decreasing the risk of some forms of cancer, especially colo-rectal cancer.
Capillary fragility
Eating plenty of flavonoid and vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables such as okra helps to support the structure of capillaries.
Cataracts
1/2 cup of cooked okra contains 460 IU of vitamin A. Some studies have reported that eating more foods rich in beta-carotene or vitamin A was associated with a lower risk of cataracts.
cholesterol
A study (JAMA July 23, 2003) showed that consuming a "dietary portfolio" of vegetarian foods lowered cholesterol nearly as well as the prescription drug lovastatin (Mevacor). The diet was rich in soluble fiber from oats, barley, psyllium, eggplant and okra. It used soy substitutes instead of meat and milk and included almonds and cholesterol-lowering margarine (such as Take Control) every day.
Depression and Lack of Energy
Okra is a supreme vegetable for those feeling weak, exhausted, and suffering from depression.
High homocysteine
A controlled trial showed that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables containing folic acid, beta-carotene, and vitamin C effectively lowered homocysteine levels. Healthy people were assigned to either a diet containing a pound of fruits and vegetables per day, or to a diet containing 3 1/2 ounces (99g) of fruits and vegetables per day. After four weeks, those eating the higher amount of fruits and vegetables had an 11 percent lower homocysteine level compared to those eating the lower amount of fruits and vegetables. Okra is a storehouse of vitamins and folic acid.

Los beneficios del Okre

Nuestro Plato del día hoy en Cafetería Buena Tierra:

"Sopa de ayote y vainicas, Curry de okre, zuquini y zanahoria c/aceite virgen de coco y tamari orgánico, arroz integral orgánico y ensalada mixta"

Una deliciosa combinación de sabores que aporta además muchos beneficios a nuestro organismo!
(Ahora disponible en nuestra feria organica!!)

okre

La okra, llamada también gumbo, ñajù, bamie, ají turco, calalú, quimbombó y gombo, es una planta anual que mide de medio a1 metro y medio de altura y es una especie que crece de forma silvestre en países de clima cálido.

Su fruto tiene la forma de un pequeño tubo o vaina  verde el cual tiene un sabor especial, algo parecido a la berenjena y el espárrago. Además al cocinarse suelta una sustancia pegajosa que presenta propiedades para espesar haciéndola muy apta para guisos y sopas.

Se cree que la okra llegó por primera vez a América a través de Brasil cerca del año 1658, más tarde llega a los Estados Unidos en especial en el estado de New Orleans donde los esclavos africanos lo utilizaban en su dieta diaria.

En la actualidad es muy cultivada en la India y en muchas partes del Mediterráneo, se puede comer crudo, asado, marinado en ensaladas o cocido. Combina muy bien con tomates, cebollas, maíz, pimentones y berenjenas.

Los frutos de la okra se deben seleccionar de color verde brillante, sin manchas, suaves, pero no aguados, se pueden conservar en la nevera hasta por una semana y no se deben lavar sino hasta el momento de usarlos.  Para saber si están frescos, se recomienda oprimir la uña contra la cáscara de la vaina, si no la atraviesa con facilidad está demasiado duro para comerse.

Propiedades nutricionales de la okra

Además de ser una hortaliza muy sabrosa, la okra posee grandes propiedades nutritivas, ya que es rica en fibra, vitamina B6, ácido fólico, vitamina C y A.

Una servida de aproximadamente de 10  a 11 vainas que pesen cerca de100 gramos, proporcionan sólo 36 calorías y una gran fuente de vitamina C y A,  2.0 gramos de proteína,7.6 gramos de carbohidratos, casi 0 grasa (0.1 gramo) y3.2 gramos de fibra. También es una buena fuente de magnesio y sodio.

Propiedades curativas de la okra

La okra contiene dos tipos de fibra. La soluble y la insoluble la cuales son beneficiosas para la salud.

La fibra soluble disminuye el colesterol malo o LDL y ayuda a estabilizar el azúcar en la sangre debido al efecto de la fibra en el intestino ayudando así a las personas que sufren de diabetes.

Por otra parte, la fibra insoluble ayuda a prevenir el estreñimiento trabajando de una forma muy similar a las semillas de linaza  y al psyllium.

En los casos de dolencias gástricas y de garganta, se recomienda tomar tibio el líquido donde hirvió la okra e incluso hacer gárgaras con él.

La okra, al contener magnesio (media taza cocida tiene más o menos 46 miligramos), ayuda a evitar  las enfermedades cardíacas y, además, combate el síndrome de fatiga crónica y reduce la presión arterial.

La okra ayuda incluso, según estudios, a prevenir algunos tipos de cánceres como el del colon al ser rico en fibras, vitamina C y al poseer glutatión; sustancia antioxidante que aleja los carcinógenos de las células al eliminarlos mediante la orina.

La Feria Orgánica de Escazú se va de vacaciones!

Hola queridos amigos,
quiero informar a todos los que se quedarán en la ciudad la semana entrante, que la Feria Orgánica no se tendrá el próximo Miércoles 15 de Julio.
Estaremos de vuelta con el mismo horario el Miércoles que sigue, 22 de julio.

Recuerden que nuestra Cafetería Buena Tierra estará abierta toda la semana:
Lun-Jue: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Vie: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sab: 9:00am - 2:00pm

¡Los esperamos!

Escazú Organic Market goes on holidays next Wednesday!

Hi dear friends,
I want to inform all those of you that are going to stay in town this coming week, that our organic market won't take place next Wednesday July 15. Will be back with our normal schedule on Wednesday July 22.

Don't forget that our Coffee Shop Buena Tierra will be open the entire week:
Mon-Thu: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Fri: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am - 2:00pm
See you there!!

Enjoy your holidays!! - Buena Tierra Coffee Shop

Hi dear friends! I hope you are having a great time during these holidays!!
Many of you already went back to their countries while others are enjoying the natural beauties of wonderful Costa Rica. Nevertheless some of you are still in town and don't really have anything planned.
I want to inform you that Escazú Organic Market will take place as usual next Wednesday, July 8th, starting at 8.00 am.
I also want to invite you (if you don't know it already), to come and visit our new Coffee Shop Buena Tierra. We are located one block South from the main entrance of San Miguel Catholic Church, downtown Escazú in the new shopping center Buena Tierra. It is a green double story building decorated with amazing mosaics made by artist Rebeca Fernández (who has her workshop in the same mall).
In our coffee shop we serve breakfasts and lunches all made with high quality ingredients, organic and natural. You will also be able to taste our delicious home made cakes, organic coffees and teas, take home our gourmets dishes or just order them, buy cosmetics and biodegradable cleaning products.

¡La Cafetería Buena Tierra ya está abierta!

Buena Tierra Coffee Shop is now open

Coconut oil's secret

For many years I was convinced that being coconut oil a saturated fat, it was very unhealthy if used for cooking purposes.

15 days ago I decided to ask Monica, a friend who sells at the market, a few questions about this issue, as I saw she was promoting coconut oil as excellent for stir frying.
She was very clear explaining to me how mistaken I was.
In fact recent studies have proved that coconut oil can be of great benefit to our health.
According to researchers the secret to health and weight loss associated with coconut oil is related to the length of the fatty acid chain contained in it. Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids which are different from the common long chain fatty acids as they are not stored in the body as fat, but they are burnt for energy. MCFA burn up quickly in the body.
Not only do MCFA raise the body metabolism leading to weight loss, but they have special health giving properties as well, being lauric acid the most predominant. Lipid researcher Dr. Jon Kabara states: "Never before in the history of man it is so important to enphasize the value of Lauric Oils....The medium chain fatty acid and monoglycerides found primarily in coconut oil and mother's milk have miraculous healing power". Outside of a human mother's breast milk, coconut oil is nature's most abundant source of lauric acid and medium chain fatty acids. These acids also have anti-microbial and anti-viral properties.
Coconut oil is also a good source of folic acid, group B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

If you are interested in purchasing coconut oil don't miss the organic market next Wednesday.
If you can't make it you can contact:

Coco Rico Ltd
Tel: 2203-3423, 2582-0164
Fax: 2582-0019
E-mail: cocorico@racsa.co.cr
jabonescocorico@gmail.com

See you at the market!!!
Laura Barra

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BuenaTierra Staff

El trabajo de Joan

Hola queridos/as amigos/as,
espero hayan pasado un buen fin de semana. Mañana como cada Miércoles es día de feria. Favor recordarse que abrimos a las 8:00, no antes.

¿Se acuerdan que hace 2 semanas escribí sobre una amiga y clienta de la feria que organizó el Festival de Yoga en el CENAC?

Ella se llama Joan (o Vimala) y hace también parte de un grupo de personas que cada mes organiza una COCINA SOPA.

Muchos de Ustedes se preguntarán: ¿Qué es una cocina sopa? Bueno, ellos compran, cocinan y alimentan a los indigentes hambrientos de la zona roja cerca de la Coca Cola en San José. ¿Que les parece?....

El Domingo pasado, 28 de Setiembre, también salieron a la calle. Además ahora se ocupan de CENTROS DE ATENCIÓN AL ANCIANO y de ORFANATOS.

Si quieren unirse al grupo contribuyendo con tiempo o dinero, con donaciones o servicios en ayuda de estas causas tán valiosas, por favor contacten a uno de ellos.
Pueden actuar en su propio barrio, o salir a la calle con el grupo. Pueden dedicar el tiempo que tengan disponible sea eso una mañana o tarde por semana o por mes, unas horas de vez en cuando para dar de comer y cuidar a estas personas acompañándolas, leyendo y hablando con ellos.
Si hay alguna especialidad que pueden compartir con el grupo, favor comunicársela.

• Vimala (Joan Martha) 8393 0995 - Cocina Sopa & Centros de Atención al Anciano, Santa Ana
• Vaishnavi 8302 1499 - Cocina Sopa & Orfanatos, Escazú
• Kumar & Khullood 2282 6922 - Centro de Cocina Sopa, Santa Ana & Escazú
• Ekhart 8834 7924 - Orfanatos, San José
• Maribel 2271 4337 - Centros de Atención al Anciano & Orfanatos, Curridabat

Laura Barra
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BuenaTierra Staff

La Feria Orgánica se está populando

Hola queridas/os amigas/os,
muchas gracias por hacer de cada Miércoles un día de feria muy especial.

Hoy estuvimos bien ocupados y varios productos se terminaron antes de las 10.00. Entonces recuerden llegar temprano para aprovechar de toda la variedad ofrecida. Si creen que no pueden llegar a la feria, ya saben que me pueden llamar (Laura 8840 8414) y con gusto les entregamos. Eso sí, tienen que contactarme a más tardar el Lunes a las 12.00.
Cobramos ¢1.000,00 para entregas en el área de Escazú, ¢1.500,00 en Santa Ana y Rohrmoser, ¢2.000,00 en Mora y Ciudad Colón.

También quiero recordarles que ya no nos permiten parquear al interior del lote que hospeda la feria. Muchos carros hacen que la pintura de la cancha de basket y el cesped se lastimen. Lo siento, pero sé que nos entienden.

Eso es por el momento.
¡Ah!.....me encantaría conocer su opinión sobre la feria..... si tienen sugerencias o críticas... por favor envien sus comentarios, así podremos mejorar.

Hasta el próximo Miércoles
Laura Barra

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BuenaTierra Staff

Organic market is getting busy!

Hi dear friends,
thank you again to help us making every Wednesday a great market day!!!

Today we were pretty busy and many goods were already sold out before 10.00.
So remember..... the earlier you come the better.

If you think you cannot make it and you still want to do your shopping you know you can call me (Laura 8840 8414) and have it delivered, but please call within Monday 12.00.
We charge ¢1.000,00 for deliveries within the Escazú area, ¢1.500,00 Santa Ana & Rohrmoser and ¢2.000,00 Mora & Ciudad Colón.

I also want to remind everybody that parking inside the property where the market takes place is not allowed anymore.... the fact is that cars cause damage to the paint of the basket rank and to the grass. I am sorry, but I know you understand.

So that's all for today, but I really would like to know your opinion about the market.... if you have any suggestion or critic to make.... please post your comments they will just help us to improve!!!

See you next Wednesday!

Laura Barra

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BuenaTierra Staff

Buena Tierra Organic products list

Hi,
here follows a list of our products.

Usually at the market we have a greater choice, but it can also happen that if it rains a lot or if , on the contrary, the weather is too dry, some products are not available.

Please, try to understand... this is part of what organic means (fresh, vulnerable to weather conditions, local, typical of the season)

• Baby Carrot
• Beetroot
• Blackberry
• Bokchoy
• Broccoli
• Brown Rice
• Cabbage
• Carrot
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes
• Chocolate
• Coffee 500gr
• Coriander
• Cucumber
• Dry black beans
• Dry red beans
• Fresh kidney beans
• Green bean
• Green Lettuce
• Herbs (Basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley,…)
• Lettuce Lolo
• Onion
• Orange
• Parsley sauce
• Pesto sauce
• Pineapple
• Potato
• Red Cabbage
• Romain Lettuce
• Rucola
• Spinach
• Spinach American Kind
• Spring onion
• Squash piece
• Strawberries
• Sweet Pepper
• Sweet Potato
• Swiss chard
• Tomato

Laura Barra
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BuenaTierra Staff

Weekly Market of organic veggies and herbs

Hi everybody, my name is Laura Barra, I come from the North of Italy and with my husband I moved to Costa Rica 15 years ago. In this country was born our lovely daughter Sarah, who is now 12. With my friends Honey and Fiona since 2 months I run the weekly market of organic veggies and herbs. It takes place every Wednesday from 8.00am to 11.00am. in the garden opposite the Red Cross building located downtown Escazú, 1km South of Paco Mall (going towards the Cemetery).

Now, let me introduce our group!

Honey Akerson is a wonderful lady who came to Costa Rica from the U.S. with her husband 30 years ago. They fell in love with the little village of Pochote, near Tambor in the Nicoya Peninsula where they settled and grew up a big family. The need of feeding her 8 kids the best and healthier way, pushed Honey to organize and help a group of local farmers in order to get organic certifications. She then started selling their products in Montezuma every Saturday giving birth to the first organic market in the area (but I think in the whole the Country), which later on she extended to the beach towns of Malpais/Santa Teresa and Tambor.

Fiona Lamont 18 years ago moved from England to Costa Rica where she got married to Alex and had 3 lovely girls.

Like Honey, Fiona and I were also living close to Montezuma, in Cabuya, and both were good customers of Honey's organic market. Once moved to the Escazú area we kept on buying organic products in supermarkets, but we were kind of missing the quality and freshness we were used to in Montezuma.

For this reason and being aware that such a market was necessary in a community like the one of Escazú, Fiona decided to contact Honey and see if she agreed to start selling her veggies in this area too. Honey's answer was positive and immediately Fiona started looking for the appropriate place that could host the market. Finally she managed to get all the permits from the Municipality and have it happen in the garden opposite the Red Cross Building.

As far as I'm concerned, I help with the sale of the goods every Wednesday, I accept orders and do deliveries whenever people cannot make it to the market and with Fiona I take care of the promotional side of the project.

The purpose of this blog is to give voice to the market. Please tell us what you think about it, give us your suggestions, post your questions. I will be glad to know your opinion and to answer your enquiries.

If you are new to the market you probably don't know that other people joined us with their products:

Carola sells exquisite goat and cow yogurts and cheeses made in her farm in Coronado. Maria Fernanda delights us with her body and face soaps, creams, essential oils all made from organic herbs. Ena and Jaguar bake uncomparable bromate free brown bread flavored with organic herbs, seeds and nuts. Otto and his wife Melanie offer excellent biodegradable, ecological cleaning products.

So, don't wait any longer!!! Come next Wednesday! The earlier, the better.... great variety!

Laura Barra
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BuenaTierra Staff