In Costa Rica, there’s an old expression locals abide by: pura vida. It means “the pure life,” and the country embraces this lifestyle that promotes healthy living, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Pura vida works well for the small country in Central America: it’s regarded as one of the happiest places in the world, life expectancy there is one of the highest and sustainability and green efforts are a part of life!
On a recent trip to Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, I had a taste of the pure life with the resort’s new Pura Vida for All wellness program, designed to help guests immerse in the country’s effortless knack for longer, happier and healthier living. Among nutrition workshops and wellness activities, I cooked up fresh (and delicious!) meals with the resort chef using his recipes loaded with antioxidants. Here are a few of my favorites.
ANTI-OXIDANT SALAD
- Prep Time
10 min - Serving Size
2
Ingredients
- 1 bowl mix of lettuces
- 1 cup strawberries
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- 1 Tbsp tamari (non-gluten soy sauce)
- ½ cup uchubas (golden berries)
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 Tbsp goji berries
- Sea salt to taste
Main Antioxidants
– Strawberries: Vitamin C, manganese, and omega-3 fatty acids
– Sunflower seeds: fatty acids, Vitamin E, copper, B Vitamins
– Golden berries: Vitamin A, carotenoids
– Goji berries: beta-carotene, Vitamins C, B1, B2
Preparation
- Cut the strawberries in layers or in quarters; set them apart.
- Roast the sunflower seeds in a large sauté pan at medium heat. Once they are golden brown, add the tamari sauce and quickly sauté to create a soy coat to the seeds. Let them cool.
- Add water to a pot. When it boils, add the goji berries and turn off the heat. Let them hydrate and then remove from water and let them cool.
- For the vinaigrette, add all ingredients (sans goji berries) in a blender. Blend until you have a smooth consistency. Place in a bowl and add the goji berries on top.
- For the salad, put the mix of lettuces in a large bowl. Add the strawberries. Sprinkle the sunflower seeds and enjoy!
SUPER HYDRATING JUICE
- Prep Time
5 min - Serving Size
2
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut water
- ¼ bulb fresh ginger
- 1 pcs lime
- 1 Tbsp bee honey
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup ice
Main Antioxidants
– Coconut water: Calcium, potassium, essential amino acids
– Ginger: Gingerol
– Lime: Vitamin C
– Bee honey: Niacin, riboflavin
Preparation
- Cut the whole lime in quarters and the ginger in big chunks. Put them in a blender (including the lime skin).
- Add the coconut water, then the rest of the ingredients. Blend.
- Use just half of the ice; the rest use in a glass serving the drink. (Note: Blend in pulses; the lime turns bitter with high speed.)
- With the help of a strainer, strain the drink into a pitcher and then serve.
PEPPERMINT LIME MARINADE FOR BBQ
- Prep Time
5 min - Serving Size
2
Main Antioxidants
– Peppermint: Vitamin C, beta carotene
– Olive oil: Polyphenols
– Garlic: Bioflavonoids, selenium, enzymes
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh peppermint
- 1 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup lime juice
- 1 pcs jalapeño chile
- 1 tsp sea salt
Preparation
- Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until everything is smooth.
- You can marinate seafood and meat.
NON-GLUTEN BANANA & CACAO MUFFINS
- Prep Time
10 min - Cook Time
15 min - Serving Size
2
Ingredients
- 5 pcs ripe bananas
- ½ cup almond powder
- ½ cup raw cacao nibs
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1 Tbsp bee honey
- 1 tsp baking powder
Main Antioxidants
– Bananas: Beta-carotene, Vitamins A, C, E, lutein
– Cacao nibs: flavonoids
– Coconut oil: Medium Chain Fatty Acids
Preparation
- Peel the bananas, add the cacao nibs and use a fork to smash them together until you have a smooth consistency.
- Add coconut oil and bee honey, stirring all the ingredients.
- Then add almond powder and baking powder. Mix.
- Place the mixture into a muffin tray and bake at 350F for about 15 mins or until they get a nice brown color. Let them cool and enjoy!
