Art Totality

Do you know what the English translation is for Gallo Pinto?  Spotted Rooster!  Only because of the appearance. Gallo pinto is vital to Costa Rica as the national dish, embodying the "Pura Vida" lifestlye. Most Costa Rican families have leftover beans and rice to reuse the next day.  Making this dish does represent a healthy and simple lifestyle.  Lizano is a very poplual sauce in Costa Rica as well.  I LOVE IT. The protein is AMAZING in this bowl:  Fresh Farm Egg (7 grams), 1 cup of Long Grain White Rice (4 grams), 1/2 cup Avacado (2 grams), and Black Beans (1 TBS 1 gram)!  What an amazing way to start your day! For the book I am writing, The Confused Rooster of Jaco :   Alba's mother Megan LOVED Gallo Pinto, especially the way that Gabriel made it, Alba's father.  This is why he was up early, in celebration of Alba's mother's birthday (March 21st).  Ironically Coco hatched on March 21st as well.  He will get a special treat of Gal...

  Batle De Los Diablitos:    DANCE OF THE LITTLE DEVILS The mask you are seeing on my Scape was a gift to me while in Coasta Rica.  I treasure for several reasons, the monarch is near and dear to my heart ot name one. Traditional wooden masks made by the indigenous Boruca tribe from Costa Rica were used to scare off the Spanish Conquistadore in the early 1500s. The Boruca Tribe was successful in maintaining their independence even though Costa Rica was colonized by the Spanish. To this day, the Boruca's celebrate their rich history in an annual festival where the new masks are made and battles and rituals are recreated. Traditional masks depict a scary figure to ward off invaders while a newer style shows that man does not own nature, we are a part of it. In the story of The Confused Rooster of Jaco, the Monarch Rainforest mask was given to Alba along with the cross necklace, the travel journel with a Mother's Blessing, and the picture I Cry A Lot.  Alba is clo...

  Please make sure to always wash your hands after touching fresh farm eggs.  Wash the shell before cracking. Unwashed farm eggs  retain a natural protective coating called the " bloom " or cuticle, which seals pores to block bacteria and maintain freshness . They can be stored at room temperature for 2–3 weeks or in the refrigerator for up to 3–6 months. Washing removes this layer, requiring immediate refrigeration.   If you are unsure if your eggs are good, there is a quick and easy test.   Fill up a bowl of water and submerge your eggs.  If they stay submerged, they are good!

  I can smell the eggs and now hear Coco.   My eyes dart to the alarm clock.   It is only 4:27 am.   Dang, I could have laid in bed for at least another hour.   Slowly I raise my hands above my head and take a deep breath.   Here it goes, another day.   Not sure if it is Monday or Tuesday.   Ugh.   Oh well.   Normally I have time to just sit and think about it for an hour.   Not today! I swing my legs off the bed till my toes touch the ground.   Do I want to go to the kitchen?   I sit for a moment then scratch my brain.   Almost as if that is going to help me make my decision.   Am I the only person that talks to themselves? Yep, I am hungry, going to see what the heck is going on. Good morning sunshine.   My dad says as I arrive at the kitchen table.   Wow dad, how long have you been at it.   Well, I couldn’t sleep.   So, I decided to make breakfast.   I didn’t mean to wake you, if I...