Los Tamarindos

Green Goddess Bistro

June 22, 2016 by Akiba 1 Comment

Green Goddess Bistro located in El Encanto Hotel, San Jose’ Historic Art District

Green Goddess Bistro serves a sprightly array of veggie dishes that even the most dedicated meat-eater would happily devour.

The menu is split between veggie and non-veggie dishes so there’s no need to feel guilty about inviting carnivorous pals along.

Daily Specials

Set in the peaceful courtyard of the El Encanto Hotel, the stylish Green Goddess Bistro grew out of a desire to make it easy and affordable to eat delicious healthy local organic food. With a certified vegan chef, an organic chef and a health coach, they are promoting the well-being of people and the planet and providing an avenue to support healthy choices and sustainable practices. Everything served at Green Goddess Bistro is made with organic ingredients whenever possible. The food is unfussy, unrefined and gluten- free. The produce is seasonal from the local farm, Los Tamarindos, the poultry and eggs are free range and organic from Baja Natural and the breads and wraps are from our local bakery, Panaderia Punta Espiritu. Everything served is made from scratch in their kitchen to ensure freshness and quality. Items range from freshly made juices and smoothies, fritattas, salads, sandwiches, wholesome grain dishes, poultry and 100% organic house-made raw vegan pastries and desserts. The broad menu aims to provide outstanding food with options for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike. They believe what one puts in their body affects health and long-term well- being of self and environment. We are creating a new chapter in the way we eat and Green Goddess Bistro is in the forefront of a new food revolution and an ethical way of life which includes non-violence for all living beings and changes to how animals are seen and treated.

Health Coach Isabelle Gagnon is a Professional Health Coach and Certified Lifestyle Educator in an ongoing private practice, in addition to being Managing/Brand Development Partner at Green Goddess Bistro. You will find her there most days greeting customers with her sparkling smile that exudes her love of life and healthy living. When she is not biking or swimming at sunrise, she is inspiring and motivating people to get to their best and healthiest self by choosing highly nutritional food for increased energy, vibrancy and optimal body composition. Her motto is: eat less, but eat nourishing real food and move!!

Chef Maria Amore is passionate about animals, nature, books, holistic health, meditation and cooking. She graduated from the Living Light Culinary Institute in Fort Bragg, California where she was certified as a raw vegan chef and a nutritional instructor. Before moving to Mexico, she taught vegan cooking at McGill University in Montréal. She is working to create a new chapter in the way we eat at Green Goddess Bistro. She is in the forefront of a food revolution overtaking the world with an ethical way of life of non-violence for all living beings. Before Maria was a vegan chef, she was a corporate lawyer and she got sick from the stress. She decided to change her diet and researched nutrition and Ahimsa. Ahimsa is the practice of refraining from violent words, actions and thoughts. Ahimsa is the total and complete absence of violence from one’s mind, body and spirit. Maria published a cookbook, Cooking With Amore, with over 100 vegan recipes and feels she is making a difference in the world through her true love: vegan cooking!

Maria Amore with her Vegan Cookbook, Cooking with Amore

Chef Omar Hernandez started out the hard way as a busboy and eventually worked his way into the kitchen, where he discovered his passion for cooking. He went back to school and graduated from a 2 year International Chef Program at Vancouver Community College (BCC). He then went on to become a head chef before opening his own restaurant. As much as he loved to cook, one of the downsides was the pressure to make the food taste delicious at the expense to the health of the consumer. He lost touch with his roots and what it takes to create healthy food. He was born in the State of Chiapas in a farming community and is completely inspired by growing his own food to be used from seed to table. His passion at the moment is growing 19 different exotic species of chilies from all over the world with no GMO so that he can make his fiery sauces. He believes he is living in a very interesting time creating honest food that is not fancy but still tastes delicious and is healthy. Omar is excited to be involved with the new breed of young chefs who let the food shine in its most natural state. His motto is: Be true to yourself and eat more thoughtfully.

Chefs Maria Amore and Omar Hernandez

Breakfast Options Made with Love

Immune Boosting Elixer made with fresh ginger and turmeric roots, fresh Jamaica, lime and organic mint – anti-inflammatory, antioxydant, energizing and detoxing.

Flat Bread Friday, Fava Bean Soup with Nopal, 3 Bean Lime Mint Pesto Quinoa Salad with a nice glass of wine.

Black Bean Burgers with Vegan Mole

Chef Omar’s Mini Organic Veggie Frittatas

Future projects include vegan cooking classes and special dietary dishes prepared and delivered to businesses and homes.

Located in the Historic San Jose’ Art District at the El Encanto Hotel

Open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday – closed Sunday

Fino – Spring/Summer Collection from US and Europe

May 12, 2016 by Akiba 4 Comments

As Los Cabo continues to grow and acquire its own unique personality and global style, it holds its place as Mexico’s premier destination. Fino Mex-US boutique at the Shoppes at Palmilla has a clothing and accessories collection that makes beauty effortless, stylish and easy. Impeccable service and its refined modern setting reinforces the complete experience. You can shop for everything that inspires you and have that smug feeling that you are wearing something no one else has – this is fashion to help you stand out from the crowd.

Owner Marsha La Tessa is constantly keeping the pulse on the market and this is Fino’s Spring/Summer 2016 Collection from US and Europe:

Dorit “Dodo” Bar Or is an Israeli designer with stores in Tel Aviv and an international following. Dodo launched her brand a year a half ago at the Silencio club in Paris where she got great coverage from all the best magazines like Vogue Paris, Vogue Italy, British Vogue, Purple Magazine etc. Celebrities from all over the world love wearing Dodo Bar Or. Dodo’s penchant for bohemian silhouettes and traditional Middle Eastern patterns is clear in her chic sexy dresses, funky flouncy skirts and long hippie draping gowns. Think sky-blue peplum tops with matching trousers, floral blouses with criss-cross lacing and vibrant silk kaftans embroidered on orange, fuchsia and blue. Much of her new line is based largely on the fabric of a Palestinian Keffiyeh.

Dodo Mini Dress

Dodo mini dress It’s crafted from breezy plissé cotton and intricately decorated with claret embroidery.

Dodo Kaftan

Totême NYC is a refined yet casual luxury line established by a Swedish couple Elin Kling and Karl Lindman. It is inspired by classic American sportswear and timeless European minimalism with artfully disheveled tee’s made of cotton and cashmere in classic shades. Marsha is very excited about the women’s jeans which are crafted in Italy with a slim and skinny fit and a mid-rise waist.

Totême

Totême Toulon Trousers

Totême Havana Dress

SUNO NYC – Kenyan born Max Osterweis joined forces with Erin Beatty, a designer for The Gap and Generra, to launch a high-end collection with a conscience. Since its inception, SUNO has evolved from its original African roots to include production in Kenya, India, Peru and its home base of New York. SUNO utilizes the local talent of each country it works with to create unique prints, textures and embroideries layered together to build a bright and modern wardrobe. SUNO is both quirky and practical, stand out yet measured.

Suno

0039 Italy has a rock star attitude and loving attention is lavished on every detail throughout the entire manufacturing process, from the design to the hand finishing. The fabrics all originate from Italy and are only ever produced in Italy and Portugal. The result is flattering, stylish and timeless pieces to treasure.

0039 Italy linen summer dress

Flagpole Swimwear: Flagpole’s co-founders, Megan Balch and Jaime Barker collection is all about the fit. “The fit of a suit is everything. Color and novelty are important but the fit trumps everything. We wear our samples and test them over and over to make sure that the suit is comfortable and keeps its shape.”

Flagpole Swimwear

Whit is the brainchild of Whitney Pozgay. Her clean shapes are energized by playful details, achieving an aesthetic that is both feminine and modern. She designs in New York and the production facility is across the street. Marsha describes this line as “Urban Girly.”

Whit

Bluma Project is a Brooklyn-based contemporary jewelry and accessories company. While the collection is designed in Brooklyn, it is inspired by global culture and is produced by artisans in Peru, India, Guatemala and other developing nations. Utilizing jewelry as an inspirational tool to spark social change, Beth Schaffer launched the Bluma Project, an initiative that was built on the mission to support women’s employment and empowerment on a global scale. Every time you slip one of these unique, custom designed bead creations around your neck or wrap them around your wrists, you are helping a woman earn a sustainable wage to support herself and her family.

Skin Organic – Tees, slips and undies made from soft natural materials and organic cottons. Skin creates a defined wardrobe and fits like it was made for you alone. Skin Lookbooks

Christina Lehr – From thoughtful designs to superior fabrics to the family-run factory in Belgium that manufactures her line, Christina Lehr’s line is always a cut above. “A perfect t-shirt is basic, timeless and clean,” Christina said. “I concentrate on fit and proportion, make them in beautiful colors from great fabrics, and wash them in a special blend of enzymes to give them a silky feel.”

Fino also carries shoes for every occasion, work out clothing, hats, bags and natural cosmetics.

Everyone wants to wear great clothes and it is a bonus to feel sexy and cool. With Fino Boutique, the details make the difference. From the beach to a casual cafe or elegant dining, Fino has you “covered”.

Fino is located in the Shoppes at Palmilla, San Jose’ del Cabo

Tel: 624 104 0103

U.S.: 011 52 624 104 0103

Fashion and Shrimp Curry

August 8, 2014 by Akiba 3 Comments

One thing my family and friends know about me is that I like fashion almost as much as I like food. I have made some fashion mistakes in my life and my boss and dear friend suffered through some of those mistakes while I worked as his assistant in the late 70’s and early 80’s at the largest law firm in Oakland. Much to his disdain, I came to work more than once with my hair corn rowed, harem pants and I had a drawer full of shoes. He cautiously commented on my bizarre attire and actually sent me home a couple of times to change but we always had a good laugh about it. We are very fond of each other and he is reading my posts so I am sure he will get a chuckle out this. My children have also had their issues with my fashion choices but they have come to the conclusion that mom is a “above the curve” when it comes to fashion and when they really do not understand what I am wearing, a few years later they “get it.” My husband has saved a lot of money with me living in Los Cabos as there is very little shopping here and I live in workout clothes, bathing suits and sarongs. But I still have the shopping bug – so here are a few of my favorite boutiques.

Maliparmi is my absolute favorite boutique located in the Luxury Mall at the Puerto Paraiso Shopping Center in Cabo. It is quirky Italian and this store is not for everyone but it appeals to my wild side.

Lulu’s Oaxacan Boutique located at Huerta Los Tamarindos Restaurant and Organic Gardens. Lulu is absolutely charming and she wears her traditional clothing beautifully so when I see her, I want to buy it all. The shop carries textiles, silk rebozos, bedspreads jewelry, handbags, cotton tops and long skirts. The shelves are full of beautiful mason jars filled with goodies from the Huerta’s gardens. It is a special treat for me to go to Los Tamarindos because I eat in one of my very favorite restaurants, drink a yummy Tamarind Margarita, mingle with Lulu and, of course, shop. More on what is happening with the Los Tamarindos Restaurant, Gardens and Cooking School in a future post.

Sax in the Palmilla Tiendas in San Jose’ del Cabo, where I am always greeted with a friendly smile and the helpful assistance of Citalli. She never fails to bring out something to tempt me but she is not overly pushy and I like her personal style. This store has a lot of beachy tunics, dresses, hats, bags, jewelry and darling children’s clothing and accessories for adults and children.

Thank you for indulging me with my other simple pleasure – fashion – now on to my Shrimp Curry Recipe. For all of my followers who requested this recipe, enjoy!

The first bite of this Indian Curry causes a light sweat to break out on your brow. Then a breeze blows by, and —- ahh —- you are instantly cooled off and refreshed, able to fully enjoy the sweetness of plump shrimp and the harmony of spices.

SHRIMP CURRY

Ingredients

½ inch peeled garlic
1 or 2 serrano chiles
2 stalks of lemon grass (can substitute zest of one lemon)
3 cloves of medium garlic
1 small can of diced tomatoes (400 ml/14 oz) or 1 large fresh tomato diced
1 small cinnamon stick
1 clove
2 cardamom seeds
1 tsp of cumin seed
2 tsp turmeric
1.5 teaspoon of garam masala (can substitute curry powder)
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp tamarind paste (can substitute zest and juice of two limes)
Soy sauce to taste
½ medium onion sliced into thin half moons
1 cup of fresh shelled (or frozen) peas
1 medium potato cubed
1 medium sweet potato cubed
Variety of fresh vegetables on hand diced: eggplant, zucchini, red peppers or mushrooms
1 can of unsweetened coconut milk (400 ml/14 oz)
Fresh cilantro

Preparation:

Blend the garlic, chili, ginger, lemon grass and tomatoes until smooth – set aside
In a thick bottomed pan, add the cinnamon stick, clove and a couple of cardamom pods and dry roast for a minute. Add a couple of tablespoons of oil to the pan and cook until fragrant – be careful not to burn – then remove seeds from the oil and discard.
Add sliced onion to hot oil and simmer for 2- 4 minutes then add cumin seed and cook until onion just starts to brown.
Add white and sweet potatoes and cook while tossing for about 3 minutes. The potatoes will be coated with oil and look glazed. Then add the tomato, ginger, lemon grass and garlic puree to the pan and stir well.
Add whatever vegetables you have on hand and toss again to get coated with the puree.
Combine soy sauce, garam masala, and turmeric with ¼ cup of water and add to the pan. Cook everything together for about 15 minutes until potatoes are almost cooked.
Add peas , tamarind (or lime) and coconut milk and simmer for another 10 minutes or until everything is cooked through.
Serve with rice and a dollop of yogurt.

Baja Beat - Inspired by My World

Los Cabos Mexico

Green Goddess Bistro

Fino – Spring/Summer Collection from US and Europe

Fashion and Shrimp Curry