Cultivating curiosity and wellbeing in Mexico
Vegan Colcannon with Sweet Potato. Colcannon is a hearty Irish dish traditionally made of mashed potatoes, cabbage or kale, butter, and sometimes onions, scallions, or ham. The first time I made my own vegan version of Colcannon, I used potatoes mashed with unsweetened almond milk, a touch of olive oil, Continue Reading →
Now that the hot, hot weather has set in here in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, the intense sun quickly dries out the soil in the garden even while the humidity in the air increases as we move toward the rainy season. Many of the garden greens and other veggies are past their Continue Reading →
This morning, I stood in my little tropical kitchen looking out into the garden as I skinned raw peanuts, readying them for roasting and grinding into peanut butter. It crossed my mind that some people would think that what I was doing was a waste of time, that they had Continue Reading →
I was shocked to discover last week that one pot of my precious arugula, which has been growing so well this season and has been a joy to devour in salads and other dishes, had become infested with the persistent parasite, Cuscuta, more commonly known as dodder. Dodder is a Continue Reading →
Amaranth is awesome! Tropical gardeners, if you want greens (and nutritionally rich seeds) and don’t want to pull your hair out trying to cultivate spinach and lettuce and other more delicate greens in the heat, then try amaranth in any of its seed or vegetable varieties. Amaranth loves the heat Continue Reading →
Gardening has been somewhat difficult this year in Zihuatanejo. The heavy and late rains of November and December, when we usually have little or no rain at all, flooded out my seedlings, and I had to replant more than once. It was a little discouraging to watch the tender plants Continue Reading →
My tropical garden right now is at what must be the height of lushness for the season. Most of the plants are fully grown and providing me with wonderful organic fresh produce. I harvest splendid bunches of greens daily, enough for my smoothies and salads and soups, but not so Continue Reading →
Last summer, I was looking for vegetable seeds suitable for cultivation in the tropics: things that would accept (and hopefully thrive) in a climate of hot, damp, and salty. One summer’s day while garden shopping, I was inspired by a friend of mine (thanks, Kat!) to pick up a packet Continue Reading →
Last Saturday we took a stroll through the Zihuatanejo market to pick up a few things we needed. My favorite part of the market is the area out back, along Calle Mangos, where the local vendors tend to hang out selling their produce. Walking along the crowded sidewalk we came Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I made a very simple green smoothie that’s sweet and satisfying and downright yummy. Really easy. Greenya Colada water from one small, fresh coconut (about 1 cup)1 thick slice fresh pineapple, trimmed and diced1 handful (about 2 cups) fresh, young spinach leavesagave syrup, maple syrup or honey to taste, Continue Reading →