Natural Recipe For Longer Life

Costa Rica is home to one of the world’s Blue Zones, where people live longer and healthier lives than average. The region of Cartago, called Llano Grande is known for its rich agriculture.
According to a cookbook author and cooking teacher a diet of “pura vida”, lifestyle is our secret to longevity.
Beans
Beans are a great source of protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, prebiotics, vitamins and minerals. They have been linked to reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Black and red beans are the most popular, usually served as part of a casado (our traditional dish of rice, beans, veggies and protein) or as a soup consisting of beans and vegetables.
Chickpeas and lentils are popular there and can be used as a substitute for the traditional black beans.
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables in Costa Rica are generally eaten fresh, not out of a can or a freezer. We typically get our fruits and veggies from local markets called verdulerias.
Some of the most common ones in their diet are papaya, mango, banana, watermelon, pineapple and passion fruit, and they are either eaten on their own or made into drinks and juices.
They use a variety of vegetables in Costa Rican cooking, including potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, avocado, onion, beets, yucca and zucchini. Veggies are either eaten raw, in simple salads dressed with lime, or prepared as picadillo, chopped and boiled, occasionally with some animal protein mixed in for flavor.
Picadillo de chayote is probably another favorite. Chayote is a type of squash that is native to Central and South America, and not very common in the United States. It is green and crisp, and it tastes similar to a jicama.
Rice and corn
Grains like rice and corn are present in diet Costa ricans but mainly as a complement to the beans and vegetables that we eat.
For instance, the tortillas are used to eat the picadillo popularly called “gallos.” Arroz con pollo is a traditional Costa Rican dish consisting of rice, a lot of chopped vegetables and different pieces of chicken.
This meal is a very popular at celebrations like birthdays, but it is also very commonly enjoyed day to day.
Coffee
In Costa Rican coffee is known for being high in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation. Sugary drinks are generally not a big part of the coffee-drinking culture.
Coffee here is enjoyed black or with a bit of milk. And as much as any other meal, a cup is best enjoyed slowly — we do take our time to drink.
It’s a favorite Costa Rican longevity recipe.
They eat rice and beans, either black or red, two to three times a day. For lunch this meal is called casado. For breakfast, it is called gallo pinto and consists of rice and beans mixed with onions, peppers, and cilantro, accompanied with corn tortillas and coffee.
Thanks to its combination of whole grains, protein, amino acids and antioxidants, longevity researcher and Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner considers gallo pinto to be the healthiest breakfast in the world. It is amazing how such a simple dish can be packed with so many health benefits.
Here is my recipe for Gallo Pinto, so you can make it at home.