We are very happy to support this very good cause for good health with organic vegetables & fruit from our local farmers. On top of using our own garden fruits & herbs, we also buy from the local farmers who are passionate about their organic products.
This is their story:
Our Purpose
Talamanca Gardens is an open source community movement creating organic home and community gardens in the Talamanca area of Costa Rica. Based on inter-dependant participation where each home and community garden acts independently and is free to cultivate in any chemical free style they choose. Collectively we achieve the finest training and education programs available on organic agriculture, community involvement, shared inspiration and detail management.
As a hub we also act as a cultivation clearing-house helping match varied needs with available resource sponsors. As an example, if you have some knowledge about food growing but don´t have the right conditions where you live we can help match you with a person or farm who is needing your help. As a resource sponsor you have part of the yield. Or, say you are looking to start a home garden but would like the confidence seasoned training provides we look to offer you the tools you need to get it. As we grow we will build a sustainable nutritional existence for our community through the very shared efforts and participation of our community. Each day we are making low cost high quality, toxin free food a reality for every child, grand-parent and person you love around you.
We have a long term vision of working with local family farms in a community sponsored agriculture format where the farms know clearly in advance what crops are needed from them and how much. The local farms will have direct access to a resource sponsor network where their needs and risks are heavily reduced before planting and their yield guaranteed a market at harvest.
This is our immediate purpose and is subject to change based on the needs of our community. If you would like to participate we would be happy to hear from you, send us a message totalamancagardens@gmail.com.
Our flagship year is starting out with very intense passion and commitment, we hope to see you join in and share with us all your wonderful energy. Even if you don´t have a place to plant that's ok we will eventually team you up with someone who does, right now its time to get involved and get educated because we will be planting and harvesting beyond our wildest dreams in the near future.
Here we are at our local organic fruit & vegetable market in the little village of Cahuita! Every Sunday morning we bicycle down our little beach road into town and see whats going on. See the neighbours, chat and get the local gossip, of course!
Old fashioned scales, set back in time, take your shoes off and chill to the beat of Cahuita!
Papaya, this highly loved tropical fruit was reputably called “The Fruit of the Angels” by Christopher Columbus.
I love these heavenly fruits, my favourite, the Hawain type that they are growing here too.
These golden, yellow and orange fruits are rich in Anti-oxidants, the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber. Together, “these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer.” In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a similar enzyme found in pineapple, to treat sports injuries, other causes of trauma, and allergies. Vitamin C and vitamin A, which is made in the body from the beta-carotene in papaya, are both needed for the proper function of a healthy immune system. Papaya may therefore be a healthy fruit choice for preventing such illnesses as recurrent ear infections, colds and flu.
Mung beans,tiniest dried beans ever!
The Chinese are big users of the Mung beans. Truly I have never seen these little teeny dried green beans, they are power houses of protein, I was told!
A very famous Chinese herbal pharmacist, Li Shi Zhen, stated in his book, Ben Cao Gang Mu, that “mung beans are highly recommended not only as a rich source of nutrients but also as medication” and described that mung beans can help to clear heat and toxins from the body, balance the organs and skin, and tonify Qi. Mung beans also improve circulation in the twelve meridian channels throughout the body.
You can cook them in water, then use them cold in salads, or hot with spices & chilli pepper and in soups. Careful, they cook very quickly into a mush, I know from personal experience, my salad ended up being a soup, but a very good soup I must add!
Cacao Beans
Powder these dried cacao beans and make a very healthy shake of powerful nutrients! Don't be expecting the flavour of chocolate, that is not happening! A little bitter & strong, it is an acquired taste.
Here is some interesting info on cacao beans.
Cocoa beans are known to have more than 300 healthful compounds. Some of these include, phenylethylamine, theobromine, and many polyphenols, like flavonoids. Cocoa beans also contain many vitamins and minerals as well as healthy doses of potassium and copper, which support cardiovascular health, and iron, which transports oxygen through the body. Calcium and magnesium is also found in cocoa beans, which are necessary in order for all the major organs to function properly.
They are good for many things, look at all these little guys can do!
Antidepressant, antioxidant, improve cardiovascular health, weight loss (yes, eat chocolate and loose weight, like that one!)
Cocoa beans, in their raw form, may be purchased at health stores. It is possible to purchase and consume them in that manner however many people find it difficult to deal with the harsh, bitter taste. Luckily there is a more pleasant tasting option, dark chocolate. There are specific characteristics that dark chocolate, selected for health, should contain: Healthy dark chocolate needs to have no less than 70% cacao. No milk or any other dairy products should be present in the chocolate as they inhibit the body's ability to absorb antioxidants. The chocolate should be made from cacao butter and not coconut or palm oil.
Chocolate is a tasty food source that we can enjoy all the more knowing that is has health benefits as well!
Mustn't forget to pick up some fresh honey cake & gingerbread!
After finishing our shopping ,its off to pick up some of Cahuita's patties. These little Jamaican spicy meat patties are the best in the whole country, thumbs down, you will find it hard to have anyone disagree with you. They are a MUST when visiting Cahuita. That with a little homemade mango chutney I make a home , just yummie!
One of those typical days in Cahuita, life just gets so hard sometimes!
Can it get any better!
