It’s so hard to keep that vacation feeling. That feeling that lets me linger in bed to read a book instead of jumping up to chase the alarm and caffeine. The smell of sunscreen, the sound of the ocean, the beauty that I don’t immediately need to Instagram. Clean sheets, card games, lazy laughs. It’s so good. It always feels like waaaaay more than I deserve, with a teeny-tiny sprinkle of something that I’ve earned, but really it’s just a big fat blessing.
I spent some quality time on a tiny stretch of beach on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica last week. Way more than I deserve. I learned a lot.
I learned a lot about sunsets and how to sit and enjoy them with surfers and beach dogs.
I also learned some how to survive the heat of the dry season in Costa Rica: liquids! For real. I spent the entire week flailing around in the waves with a surfboard tethered to my leg and developed a healthy thirst… totally undeserved based on my surfing skills, but healthy nonetheless.
One of my favorite smoothies of choice in Costa Rica was Bananas y Leche: a simple mixture of bananas and milk. Of course, because few things are just left to be as they are in my kitchen… of course I added coffee and chocolate.
This smoothie is just what I needed to help that vacation feeling linger a bit. The cancelled flights and rushed airports can really harsh the vacation buzz. Nothing a little Banana, Leche y Cafe con Chocolate can’t help! I mean… right?
We stayed in a beautiful house that was indoors and out. The walls were bamboo. Monkeys liked to linger outside. Awesome and AAHHHH!!
Also, that pineapple was part food and part room fragrance. Beyond!
Down the hall, far and away.
Late breakfasts at Zwart Cafe, where the pineapple cilantro smoothies would make any juice-loving Californian want to weep just a little. They were that good.
Art and surfboards at Zwart Cafe because…. duh!
We bought super fresh fish from a market and restaurant called Product C.
They buy fresh every morning from the local fishermen, clean the fish up right, serve really lovely fish bowls with brown rice, and have ceviche flavored with just the right amount of dill. All worth the little bit of snark you might receive from the chef when you order.
We roasted a fresh Red Snapper, made brown rice, and a spicy caper and garlic tomato sauce.
It was the best meal of the trip due mostly to the fact that the fish was straight from the ocean (and I’m an awesome cook) (and really really humble).
A hike through rocks and shade to Montezuma Falls.
I know you only live once but I still didn’t jump.
If only I took the time to make this colorful, well-diced, and juicy a breakfast everyday. Also… more bread baskets please!
Hanging vines and purple petals.
Dogs everywhere in Costa Rica! Some with owners. Some strays.
This dog attached herself to us. We named her Low Tide and she liked to guard me while I watched my friends surf. She also followed us home and chased away spawning Halloween Crabs. I dunno… there was a lot of nature happening!
The last sunset with pinks and purples and silhouettes. The last before the airport dash and passport panic (I always think I’m going to lose that dang thing mid-trip!).
Back home and back in the mix! It’s weird and cool to come home to a new home in New Orleans. It feels like an extra vacation and that at some point I’ll have to make my way back to California.
Until I settle and adjust, I’m going to stack banana, milk, a dash of honey, coffee, and chocolate in my blender.
I’ll extend the vacation flavors as long as I can. I’d also like to extend the rather pathetic tan I acquired. Here’s hoping.
This drink exists somewhere in the world between a smoothie and a milkshake. It’s definitely rich with bananas and milk. It has hints of breakfast with the addition of coffee. Chocolate just makes the whole dang thing totally over the top.
This smoothie is the perfect refresher after a morning spent flopping around in the waves trying not to embarrass myself. The trying not to embarrass myself part of the trip was actually the most challenging. This smoothie serves as a necessary and delicious reminder.
Banana, Leche y Cafe con Chocolate
makes 2 drinks
5 ice cubes (mine were medium in size)
2 small ripe bananas, sliced
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped dark chocolate
2 tablespoons used coffee grounds
2 tablespoons lukewarm coffee
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup cold milk
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and well combined, about 3 minutes. Add more ice or more milk to create your desired consistency. Divide between two glasses and enjoy immediately.
Travis C
Wow, can’t believe you made it to Playa Santa Teresa! Stayed there in summer of 2011; what a magical environment. The local restaurants were amazing – first rate meals like almond-crusted seared tuna with freshly crushed mojitos for the price you might pay at Applebee’s here in the states. Howler monkeys were fierce. Hammock siestas. Barefoot trips down the ragged road. Best of all was the surfing in warm Pacific water. Such good memories.
Been following your blog for several years now & especially enjoying the vegan recipes. Peace, love, pura vida.
– Travis
Jbmckeon
Hi Joy,
My family and I are planning a trip to Costa Rica, any chance you would provide me with the house details you rented? Thank- you!
emmajeanne16
I would be pretty happy to start my day with one of these. Heck I would end it with one of these too. I went to Costa Rica on my honeymoon. A marvelous place!
Fallynn
Thank-you so very much for sharing your life and yourself! It is always a JOY to read about your life. Thanks for taking care of the dog in CR! I love kindness and animals. Thank-you SO MUCH for all that you do in the world. You are amazing!
Fallynn
ragdoll
I actually ran to the kitchen and made this! Or a version of it anyway…Frozen bananas are a brilliant way of “rescuing” old bananas and make fantastic smoothies whenever!
Claire
Oh my god, not to get all Fatal Attraction on you but I SAW YOU at the airport in Costa Rica! Specifically, I saw you go into a cafe next to the airport and eat with a group of people. I am a long time follower of you and your podcast, and wanted to say hi, but I assumed I was just jetlagged (plus I feel creepy bum-rushing strangers). That is so crazy. Anyways, hi! Hope you enjoyed your trip!
lizykat
ok I MUST tell you I have made this delicious combo 3 times already… fortunately I am sharing so I have had only ONE glass per blending! I wanted to offer that I used frozen bananas in my Vita Mix and no ice was needed. deliciousness. thanks for the recipe.
Barbara
Oh! You found my bucket list……and I will prolong that vacation feeling with your smoothie; it sounds absolutely perfect.
Gigi
It took me a minute, but then I realized I went to the same area of Costa Rica last year! I went to Zwart Cafe too! Santa Theresa/Malpais is a magical part of the country. So happy to see it brought back to life in the smoothie. Xo
Arielle Moore
your trip sounds so relaxing and wonderful! The heat. the food. The ocean. I could get into that. You’ve become quite the traveller lately! I love all the long distance posts! you write them beautifully