Costa Rica Cooking and CNN at Rancho Margot

Talking sugarcane with a worker from Rancho Margot.

 Costa Rica Cooking was at Rancho Margot the same day CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta was there doing a story on Rancho Margot's owner and founder, Juan Sostheim.

*Not sure where or what Rancho Margot is?  Rancho Margot is located about a 40-minute drive from La Fortuna to a little town beside Lake Arenal called El Castillo.  Ranch Margot says this about themselves:
  

"At Rancho Margot, we make choices everyday to achieve greater and greater self-sufficiency with the ultimate goal of living sustainably."

 And they're doing this by such means as; generating their own electricity, creating biogas and using compost ovens to heat water.  But that's just the tip of the iceberg at Rancho Margot, they also make their own soap, furniture etc..... well I'm sure you get the picture.  For more info on Rancho Margot.  Or better yet, watch the video below and it will tell you everything you need to know about the Ranch.


Hey Everyone!  It was so COOL to be part of the bigger picture that is Rancho Margot.  I had contacted Juan a few weeks before to tell him my idea about doing a cooking video using the beautiful Rancho Margot as the backdrop.  Juan was all for it.  It was only coincidence that we were out there the same day as CNN.  But I have to say, it was exciting.

We had a great day filming with michael alan & D'Angelo, at Rancho Margot and if you watch the video, you see Juan and Elizabeth really LOVED the food... which is really what it's all about.  The second video was put out by the folks at CNN about a week ago and is a great overview of Juan and his vision that is Rancho Margot. Enjoy both videos. Pura Vida.

Here's me cheffing it up at Rancho Margot:

And here's CNN's story, which is very good I might add.

Until next time. Pura Vida from Costa Rica.

Costa Rica to California Our First Successful Dog Adoption

SUCCESS! One of our dogs straight off the streets of La Fortuna, Costa Rica has been adopted in California.

First, a little background.  When you're as passionate about dogs as I am, you often meet others with an equal passion, which is  exactly what happened with Shannon, the owner of LA's, Bark n' Bitches. 

From Shannon's website:

"Not only do I have this amazing Dog Boutique in the heart of hip L.A., but I created "Jimi's Angels Rescue" to continue my work to support the homeless dogs of Los Angeles."

Shannon said she'd love to help us anyway she could and now she's instrumental in helping to rescue not only LA's homeless dogs but the homeless dogs in Costa Rica as well. With our fingers crossed, we  began sending a few of our 'street dogs' to Shannon  in hopes of finding them good homes, because as you can probably imagine, it can be hard for dogs to make the transition from a life on the streets to the boundaries of a home.  But great news for 'Reina', one of our first dogs to make the trip to Cali, she's been adopted into a loving home.  *That's her above with her new owners.  

Our first report on how Reina is adjusting-

 "At first the transition was a little difficult for Reina as you might have guessed.  But now she's bonded with our family and she's turning into a great dog who loves to give kisses".

This is great news and hopefully will be the first of many more successful adoptions to come.  Thanx so much Shannon, we truly appreciate your help and support.

 Until next time- Pura Vida!








Reina has found her forever family. She turned into a great dog. It defin

itely took her some time to really bond with humans after living on the street. At the beginning she would barely tolerate people butnow, she just loves people and gives plenty of kisses.

The couple has another dog that Reina will be playing with and she will be very well cared for! http://www.barknbitches.com/