Latin America has been renowned for its stunning cultural diversity, profound heritage and exquisite cuisine. Therefore it is no surprise that seafood dishes are particularly common in many Latin American countries due to their extensive coastlines and a wide variety of edible fish species. In this article, we will explore three hotspots for getting an authentic taste of the region’s seafood delicacies – Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru!

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a stunning Central American country that offers an abundance of seafood delicacies, thanks to its unique location between the Pacific and Caribbean seas. Here you can savor many delectable dishes such as ceviche – raw fish marinated in lime juice – or grilled seafood specialties cooked with fresh catches from the day. From Quepos to Puerto Viejo, explore this paradise’s vivid coastal towns offering a myriad of seafood eateries! For a unique experience, try the traditional Costa Rican dish of sopa de mariscos, a hearty seafood soup made with coconut milk and vegetables.

Mexico

Mexico is a premier destination for extraordinary Latin American seafood cuisine. With succulent shrimp cocktails, delectable fish tacos and more, Mexican seafood dishes are celebrated across the world for their vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients. You’ll often find some of the best Mexican food near the coast in towns and resorts like Puerto Vallarta and Cancun. In Baja California, you can try the local specialty of fish tacos, made with battered and fried fish, shredded cabbage, and a variety of sauces. For a more upscale experience, head to Mexico City and try the seafood platters at high-end restaurants like Contramar or Pujol.

Peru

Peru, located in South America, is becoming an increasingly coveted destination for foodies around the world. The country’s coastal cuisine has gained a stellar reputation and is particularly renowned for its seafood dishes stemming from the abundant fish and shellfish that swims in the Pacific Ocean. A fan favorite dish of Peruvian cuisine? Ceviche: fresh raw fish marinated to perfection with lime juice before being served alongside onions, chili peppers, and sweet potato! Other popular seafood dishes include arroz con mariscos, a rice dish with mixed seafood, and chupe de camarones, a creamy shrimp soup. Lima, the capital city, is known for its excellent seafood restaurants, including La Mar and Pescados Capitales.

Latin America is a paradise for seafood fans! From Costa Rica and Mexico to Peru, there are endless options for delightful meals like ceviche, fish tacos or shrimp stews. Dining on the local cuisine can be an exciting way to explore this vibrant region’s distinct cultures and flavors – it will surely tantalize your taste buds in fresh new ways!

Check out this article on how to get a better grasp of a country’s culture!

With the start of the new year, your thoughts have likely turned to how you can improve your life and health. Remember, your dietary choices not only affect your weight and physical health but also affect your mental health, reproductive health, and ability to avoid disease as you age. Here are a few ways to make better diet choices to improve your health. 

Eat Complex Carbs

One change that you can make to your diet to improve your health is to eat complex carbs instead of refined carbs. Complex carbs consist of long chains of sugar molecules and contain lots of nutrients. On the other hand, refined carbs are full of sugars and refined grains and all nutrients, bran, and fiber have been removed from them. 

Complex carbohydrates are found in foods such as whole unprocessed grains, beans, starchy vegetables, peas, and brown rice. Including complex carbs in your diet will help you to feel full, energized, and satisfied when you eat. Instead of avoiding carbs altogether, make sure you’re eating healthy carbs, like complex carbs. 

Reduce Fatty Meats

Another healthy diet choice that you should make to improve your health is to reduce the fatty meats in your diet. While all kinds of meats include protein, which is essential to your health and development, some types of meat are quite fatty. 

A few examples of fatty meats are red meats such as pork, beef, and lamb, particularly fatty cuts such as bacon. Eating lots of fatty meats can raise your cholesterol and increase your risk of developing diseases such as heart disease. Eating more lean meat can improve your heart health and reduce issues as you age.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

When you’re trying to improve your diet, don’t forget to eat more fruits and vegetables. The majority of adults don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, which can be quite detrimental to your health. Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins and nutrients that are essential to the growth and development of your body. Even if you take daily vitamins and supplements, you likely won’t receive the amount your body really needs. Eating more fruits and vegetables each day can lower your blood pressure and your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney disease, and other issues. It can also improve your digestion and energy levels. If you have difficulty eating fruits and vegetables, find creative ways to work them into your diet. 

So, if you’ve realized that you need to take your health into your own hands, remember these healthy diet choices you should be making. Try to eat complex carbs instead of refined carbs, reduce fatty meat intake, and eat more fruits and vegetables. These are just a few changes that you can make that will have a huge impact on your long-term health.

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Food is one of the best things about traveling. Different cultures offer a rich variety of various cuisines, tastes, and textures to explore. Here are some of the absolute best locations for trying some of the best local food in the entire world outside of the United States.

Italy

When it comes to European cuisine, it’s hard to beat Italy. While some places on the continent can offer choices that lean a bit bland (hello there, England), Italian food is world-renowned for a reason. It also happens to be quite far removed from cheaper American equivalents. 

What makes Italian food shine is the freshness and quality of its ingredients. You’ll find pasta that’s been hand-stretched by a chef who’s been making it his whole life. You’ll find tomatoes, garlic, wine, and olive oil that’s produced locally and also happens to be some of the best in the world. 

Mexico

Mexican food is similar to Italian cuisine in the sense that the American version doesn’t hold a candle to the authentic, homegrown reality. Mexico offers an incredible variety of delicious foods. Even options that might sound familiar—burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and chimichangas–will often be radically different from what you’re used to seeing. 

Other foods that aren’t as well known in the states merit a shoutout; chilaquiles, elotes, and mole definitely deserve your attention. Visit major cultural centers to get the very best options. Mexico City is a fantastic choice. Punta de Mita in Mexico has many great restaurants that serve great local cuisine. Make sure to try some local drinks as well!

Japan

From the American perspective, Japanese food might not always seem the most accessible. Common food like sushi or seaweed can sometimes be off putting to some of the pickier eaters in the west. But you will never regret trying to widen your culinary horizons in Japan. Why? Every region has unique, seasonal delights. Everywhere you go, the food is unusually high quality. The street vendors at festivals may have options that you find unfamiliar but you will never regret trying them at least once. Both the savory and the sweet are exemplary–and Japan has mastered the use of the elusive umami flavor.

The U.S. has great cuisine–there’s no doubt about it. We contain a wide variety of foods from a huge range of international countries. New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia–we could go on and on! But it simply is not the same as getting the authentic option on the shores of the country itself. 

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Traveling abroad is one of the greatest experiences you can have. The opportunity to explore a new country and culture is a great learning experience and it can help you expand your view of the world. When you travel, there are a few things you should do to make sure you get a full experience of the culture.

Experience Local Arts and Entertainment

Local art and entertainment are great ways to experience a country’s culture. Art is shaped and influenced by the cultural happenings around it and learning about the local art can give you a great insight into the history of a country and what they value. Different cultures value and produce different forms of art, so make sure you take in a variety of experiences. 

Entertainment is also a great way to see what is important to the people who live in different countries. You can often find performances that are meant to introduce tourists to different forms of dance, singing, and other performing arts. These are great opportunities because they include explanations of what you are experiencing.

Understand the Local Food Culture

Food is a unique experience while traveling and one that many people love. Having the opportunity to try locally prepared cultural dishes is a great way to expand your taste buds. While traveling, try to avoid fast food. Look for local places that are popular and well-established restaurants that focus on authentic food. 

You should also expand into the less touristy areas to find food that is truly local and less of a tourist trap. If you enjoy cooking, you can also attempt to make some of the popular local dishes. Taking a cooking class can help you learn how to use fresh local ingredients. It can also help you figure out how to replicate your favorite recipes once you return home.

Talk to the People You Meet

One of the best things you can do to learn about the places you are visiting is to talk to the people around you. Many people are willing to talk about the things unique to their home. They want to have a conversation with you! If you try to experience a country’s culture without talking to anyone, you will likely miss out on some of the wonderful things that aren’t as obvious, or you may form an incorrect impression. If you are a little worried about talking to strangers, look up local tour guides. Not only will they be great at helping you understand the area you are visiting, but they can also give you tips for the best places to visit on your trip.

Make sure to take the opportunity to learn about the cultures around you while you travel. The world is a wide and fascinating place, and you never know what you may encounter. You may find your new favorite food, or you may find somewhere you want to retire to when you are older.

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Approximately 22% of all meat purchased in the United States goes to waste and is thrown away. This is not only a waste of good food but also a waste of money, especially since meat is one of the more expensive food items to buy. By being more conscious about the meat you buy and how you store or use it, you can cut down drastically on meat waste. 

Find Creative Uses

One of the reasons why you might be letting meat go to waste is because it can be overwhelming sometimes to cook a full-on meat dish. Instead of thinking that you have to prepare a fancy steak dinner every time you have meat in your fridge, think of the meat as just another ingredient to add to any meal. 

You can be very creative in using your meat like making rice bowls with meat, putting meat in sandwiches, adding strips of meat to salad, or having a taco bar with various types of meat. By using your meat creatively in smaller portions, you won’t be stressed or uninspired when using your meat. 

Freeze It

If you can’t eat all the meat you buy before it goes bad, you should save it in the freezer instead of throwing it away. Make sure that you mark how old the meat is and vacuum seal it. Vacuum-sealing meat in the freezer can preserve it for longer and prevent freezer burn. 

Whenever you choose to thaw the meat, take care to thaw it properly for optimal texture and taste when you cook it. Avoid refreezing meat since this can degrade its quality. 

Buy Smaller Portions

If you notice that you are constantly throwing away bad meat, that means you aren’t finishing the meat you buy before it spoils. A simple solution to this problem is to buy less meat. When you are at the grocery store, don’t be pressured to buy the largest package of meat just because it may be the best value. Only buy what you know you will be able to finish. 

Once your meat has spoiled, you need to throw it away. Spoiled meat has many bacteria and fungi that can make you or others who eat it very sick. By properly freezing or eating meat before these bacteria and fungi can grow, you prevent these pathogens from entering your fridge and food. 

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