I hope your holidays were filled with laughter, good cheer, family and friends.
On the subject of friends, our long-time BFFs of some 30-odd years, David and Karen Shelton, are heading down to visit us from northern California.
We were part of a larger community of about 20 friends who lived in Hermosa Beach, CA ages ago where we all bonded through an active style of beach volleyball, bike riding, running, boogie boarding, skating, etc. Though most of us eventually moved away our friendships have all endured through the years, for which I am grateful, grateful, grateful. See you soon David and Karen!
Featured in our video guest spotlight is the Brent McFarlen Family. Shortly before they were scheduled to come down last year Brent was in a car accident and spent some touch and go time in ICU. They were forced to postpone their trip but Brent's wife, Bronwyn, kept me posted on his progress. All of us here at the Discovery Beach House were rooting for him and were thrilled when Bronwyn finally reported that Brent would make a full recovery.
Meanwhile, in this issue Chef Desiree talks about the Christmas Eve dinner she prepared for the Clark Family in our Discovery Beach House. I've been getting a lot of enthusiastic feedback about Dez's recipes. This go round you get to choose which recipe from the Clark Family dinner menu you'd like her to share in our next issue. Just be sure and leave your request in the Comment box at the end of this newsletter.
Next, Evelina, our Health and Wellness Concierge, talks a bit about DEI, a holistic mind-body therapy. We all go through stressful times and during one of mine I went to Evelina for a few DEI sessions. My intention was to deal with a pesky issue at hand but during one of our sessions I ended up healing my BIG issue from childhood. It was a huge relief to feel the rock hard place in my shoulder where I carry my tension melt away under her healing hands. All of Evelina's spa and holistic treatments are available right at our Discovery Beach House private nature reserve. Imagine a poolside spa treatment and the bragging rights you'll enjoy when you get back home.
Finally, please let me know what you think about this newsletter by leaving me a comment below. Is there anything specific you'd like to see in future issues? If so, I'll respond asap.
Paradise Awaits!
P.S. A warm PURA VIDA welcome to each new reader since our last issue and a huge GRACIAS to all of our faithful readers - you make this fun!
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WHAT'S COOKIN' IN PARADISE?:
Clark Christmas Eve Celebration of Costa Rican Cuisine 2010
By Chef Desiree Brassert
After a worthy farewell to 2010, I'm looking forward to preparing delicious meals I have in store for you in 2011.
Meanwhile, our "holiday highlight" of 2010 was Christmas Eve dinner at the Discovery Beach House with the Clark family. Their oldest daughter Brianna had just spent several months in San Jose studying Spanish and living with a family there. Her eagerness to share her fascination for local foods with her family was the driving force behind the "Clark Christmas Eve Celebration of Costa Rican Cuisine 2010" prepared by Brianna Clark and myself.
Menu
Heart of Palm salsa
Mixed seafood ceviche
Corn chips and patacones (crispy fried green plantains)
Lomo relleno (rolled pork loin) with dried fruit, apple and roasted almond filling, jus with hints of rosemary and sage
Creamy yucca puree
Green papaya picadillo
Arroz con Leche (rice pudding) infused with orange peel, nutmeg and cinnamon
Vote for your favorite dish from the menu above in the Comment box below and I'll share the recipe with you in our next issue!
YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS CONCIERGE:
Diagnostic Energy Integration (DEI)
by Evelina Bolognini, Founder of Holis Wellness Center www.spaholis.com
In holistic medicine there are several types of treatments. When applied by a committed and responsible holistic practitioner they can be very effective. There is one type of holistic healing approach called Diagnostic Energy Integration (DEI) that I find to be extremely effective.
HOW DEI WORKS
As diagnostic tool DEI uses specific muscle testing techniques called Arm Reflex. Through a very precise protocol a DEI therapist can find out which emotional, structural or chemical type of blockages are preventing your body from healing. The Arm Reflex technique will also lead the therapist to choose whatever treatment your body may need to restore health.
Treatments may include one or any combination of: Craniosacral Therapy, Bach Flower Therapy, Chinese medicine, Bioenergetics, Chakra balancing, Pressure Point, T.R.O.A. and more. These treatments will be highlighted individually in upcoming issues.
The Discovery Beach House private nature reserve is the most perfect environment to support any healing process - guaranteed!
Nobody says it better than our guests. Will you take 5 minutes to post your guest review on one or more of our vacation rental directory listings?
Brought to you by the vacation rental home specialist who provides a serene and private nature reserve experience in Costa Rica in a beachfront luxury villa setting where guests feel relaxed, relief from their stress-filled lives and pampered with 6-Star Customized Service.
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I'd love to hear from you. Did you take a special video or favorite photo you want to share? Send it to: evegal22@gmail.com
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