Yummizz restaurant in Costa Rica {Wordy Wednesday}

These past 4 months we've discovered and tried new foods, we are recently obsessed with a local restaurant that offers true Caribbean flavor and they are located just a couple of miles from our area. Yummizz is a Caribbean Cuisine restaurant in the Lindora area of the province of San Jose. It is located next to the main highway that leads to Alajuela. 

We first tried in September mostly due to friends telling us it has the best "rice and beans" now if you aren't familiar with Caribbean Cuisine, one of the main sides is a mixture of white rice with red beans cooked in coconut milk. It is similar to the Cuban "congri" and the Costa Rican "gallo pinto". However the taste is very different as well as the texture. There are different spices that add to the flavor and you can definitely taste the coconut milk.

That first time we enjoyed Yummizz food we did take out since we were on a time crunch for an after school event. We ordered the fish with the house rice and beans, shrimp with rice and beans and some patty's. I have to admit that we were surprised when we were handed the take out bag to see a whole fish, we were thinking it would be a fillet but it was a whole fish and it was delicious!

The way Yummizz has their orders is that most dishes include rice and beans with a main dish such as fish or shrimp your meal includes a garden salad with house dressing, plantains "patacones"  and a Caribbean drink. 

We chose "Agua de Sapo" literally translates to Toad Water however there is no frog or toad  involved. It is a drink that originated in Costa Rica's Puerto Limón which is located on the Caribbean side of the country. It is water and ginger based, includes lemon juice and sugar cane. 

As we got home and got ready to enjoy our meal we could not believe the amount of food in addition to it being just made so it was hot. Just how we like it. The mixture of coconut milk with the rice and the beans and the spices has me hooked, the ginger based drink in reality is an acquired taste but it's also good. I had the shrimp and they were a good size and delicious, tender and juicy in flavor they also had some thinly sliced onions topping them off. The fish was cooked just right and because it was a whole fish it was served with some fresh tomato on top. Patty's are a sort of empanada filled with beef, these are my husband's favorite! 

Yummizz is a great place for dining in, take-out or for delivery! Yes they will deliver. Since the first time we tried Yummizz last September we've had their food a couple more times and we are always order the same: fish {pargo} with rice and beans, the shrimp and patties. I can't wait until we eat rice and beans again. 

Our first restaurant experience in Costa Rica {Wordy Wednesday}

One of the first Costa Rican meals we had when we had just arrived back in June was at Rostipollos, it is a family restaurant that is widely recognized for their roasted chicken and ambience. They have big screen tvs so families can enjoy the soccer match or special events on tv.

They mostly have booths that seat up to 5 people and an outdoor patio that has tables with chairs, it is a nice restaurant and they are find nationwide. Yes it is a chain restaurant, typically for a family of four dining out in Costa Rica will cost anywhere around $40 - $60 dollars at a sit down restaurant {not fast food}. It is a bit pricey compared to the U.S. but average here in Costa Rica.

We went a few times while getting settled into our new home to many restaurants and tried different dishes at each one so we could learn about Costa Rican cuisine. 

On our first trip to dine at Rostipollos we ordered: 

It is rice with palm heart and celery topped off with melted cheese and red bell pepper, a side of refried black beans with tortilla chips and fried yucca root. The taste is something different, but good. It is a baked dish and I truly enjoyed trying it. 

We also ordered:

Patacones are plantains that are deep fried when they are not yet ripe, then they add refried black beans, lettuce, cheese, tomato and you can top it off with some cabbage type salsa. The are delicious, but then again I grew up enjoying plantains so I may be biased ;)

This restaurant experience is nice, they also have a kids only menu and many dessert options. One thing we liked about them is while you wait for your meal you get a corn on the cob with melted butter, the kids loved this! We've been to 2 different locations one in Escazú and another one in Lindora. The one in Escazú had the best service, they were very friendly and quick. Our meal was delicious and we enjoyed the outdoor seating to watch the rain at sunset. The Lindora location has had slow service the 3 times we've been there and food didn't feel freshly made. We did leave suggestions with their staff and hope that next time we visit they have made the needed changes. 

Kids are welcome with a smile and our kids received an activity booklet with a set of crayons, something they and us highly appreciated. 

Next time you are in Costa Rica make sure you visit Rostipollos to have a feel for Costa Rican culture, food and ambience with your family. 

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, we are in no way affiliated to Rostipollos. Although it would be nice to have the opportunity to work with them in the future. :D

Wordy Wednesday {I see progress!}

When you are on a weight loss journey, some days are easier than others. There are days that I feel I am the same as I was a year ago and then there are days in which I feel accomplished and proud. Losing weight and making lifestyle changes is definitely not easy, there are daily decisions to be made and with so many choices that can make you lose focus on what you are working towards. At least in my case I've had my ups and downs. The scale sometimes doesn't move and that makes me feel sad or frustrated, then there are moments when I realize how far I've come.

This past weekend I felt happy to wake up on Saturday, prepare a nice breakfast for my family and then head out for a nice walk. A nice walk that turned into 2.5 miles, that resulted in me burning 385 calories and what made me happier was that my daughter joined me. :D This made me feel accomplished as it was her choice to stay home with dad and brother but she wanted to join in on the walk so off we went. 

As I got home I realized that my top felt different from what I remembered it feeling it snug. It's no longer snug. In fact while walking I felt the wind move it a bit, that is one of the best feelings for me! It meant I've been doing something right and that maybe I have been making progress in the last 2 weeks. I sat down at my desk and searched for the first time I wore this shirt and all I could see was progress. It may be a year difference in the photos, however I see progress! 

Then going through more pictures from the last couple of months and I'm beyond myself excited! I didn't realize I had let go so much when we were moving! The one in the middle was taken the day after we landed in Costa Rica and whoa! not a good image. But then look at the most recent one in August, I'd say I've turned it around pretty good! 

I see a happier, healthier me. A more confident and active me... and that is awesome! 

This past week I began journaling what I eat, this time I'm using My Fitness Pal app. I've also been walking the last 3 weeks at least 3 times a week anywhere from 2.5 miles to 5 miles a day{my total miles walked to date in August only are 26.6 miles!}. Most recently I've been in contact with the amazing Diana who blogs and has a design shop called Livy Love, I found her on Instagram through other friends I follow and she is keeping me inspired. She's lost 60+ pounds in 6 months by watching what she eats and exercising daily! If you are on instagram I highly suggest you follow her for inspiration, she is super sweet! Thank you Diana, for all the communication we've had and all the support and encouragement you've been giving me and others. 

Another big supporter of my journey has been my friend Melissa who blogs over at The ValentineRD, she is amazing and always finding new ways to workout. I love her dearly because not a week goes by in which she is cheering me on! Thank you my dear friend! 

So here's to progress, even if it was choosing to eat fruit instead of chips. Drinking water instead of a sugary drink. Cheers! ;-)

Wordy Wednesday "Date Night"

Since last Spring {April} my husband and I had not had an actual or should I say formal date night. We had been focused on our move, then getting settled in. I had done some research online in the past about date nights at home which is why I started a pinterest board called To Celebrate Us, but somehow we had been focused on our move, then getting settled in. 

Last week we found a babysitter with whom we felt comfortable, we planed for our date night. I was very excited about this. It's nice to be a family, be together for dinner and have conversations together. Yet sometimes you just want to have a deep meaningful conversation without interruptions. Get dressed up to go out and enjoy a nice meal with your significant other. I used to think this wasn't that important, but as time has gone by I feel it is very important to make time to have these outings just us. No kids. No friends. Just my husband and I. 

These outings "date nights" are when we get a chance to reconnect and talk about the present and our future. I'm very thankful we had this opportunity and got to enjoy some great sushi! :D

Since our move we've only had sushi once and it wasn't the best sushi I've had, but it was sushi. Glad we found a new place where our meal was great and the service was excellent. Thank you hubby for a nice dinner and great conversations. You made me very happy. I can't wait for our next date night! :D

How often do YOU have date nights with your significant other? 

Wordy Wednesday "Getting there is the Adventure"

The first month we were living in Costa Rica our weekends were busy with house hunting, then with moving and getting settled into our new house. This past weekend was THE weekend to have a family adventure with nature, it certainly was lots of fun. 

We decided last Friday evening that we would do something different on Saturday and explore one of the 5 active volcanoes that Costa Rica has. I have to admit I was very nervous! {the kind of nervous that makes me quiet!..}. We got up, had an amazing breakfast and got ready. We used our gps app waze {it is fantastic in case you haven't heard of it check it out}. The adventure began as we got closer to the airport and the app was sending us through a road we'd never seen or been on. 

Now this was our first time heading to the Poas Volcanic region which is roughly an hour from our house, but nonetheless an adventure in itself. The road has parts where you have 3 different options and although we kept telling our kids we were having a "Dora the Explorer" kind of day we didn't think we would actually be like her. With directions like: "Over the hill, through the airport and up the mountain that's how you'll get to Poas Volcano!" If you've seen Dora you know what I'm talking about. ;-)

We kept driving up the mountain and passing coffee plantations, strawberry fields and as we went higher we didn't know what to expect. Suddenly we were stuck in what felt like traffic until a few minutes later we realized we had arrived. We now know how to get there a different way than the one we took up, so when you visit we will not take the wrong road -oops!.

I love enjoying this kind of outing with my family, it's fun and a great learning experience for all of us. I will soon share about our day there and what we saw. 

What has been your latest family adventure that you enjoyed the most? 

It's #WordyWednesday and I'd love for you to link up! This week I'm leaving the linky open for a few days. Can't wait to read your Wordy Wednesday posts!

Wordy Wednesday "Fishing"

Yes that picture of that very proud little girl is me. I was about 3 years old and I used to go fishing with my dad. I loved going fishing with him, so many great memories of every time we went. Sometimes we teamed up with other dads and their daughters mostly family friends, we'd have so much fun. 

It was a "daddy and me" day, lots of fun for sure. We'd usually go fishing in remote areas, most of them required you climb down a big mountain full of rocks and back then there were no gps or cell phones. We would stop at the local convenience store to pick up everything we'd need: tortillas, key limes, salsas, fresh veggies, water and bait of course. 

In Ensenada we'd like to go fishing to a place called "Los Arbolitos" or "El Zepelin" which are very close to the world famous blowhole. We'd pack up the car and then hike down close to the Ocean, sit on rocks and enjoy the scenery. We'd sometimes get to see dolphins. Those memories have always been there and the time we spent together. 

I remember walking around to see the tide pools. After a couple of hours and catching several fish, it was time to eat and my dad would clean the catch and prepare a place to cook it. We'd enjoy our fresh fish tacos right out of the ocean and we were proud to have caught fish to take home for my mom to cook. 

Thanks dad, for all those great memories you helped create and made for me. I truly cherish them.

This week we are starting a new link up, because I know there must be more bloggers that can't just post an image without sharing about it. Right? :-) We got you covered, you are invited to link up with us on Wednesdays for "Wordy Wednesday" grab our button below and add your link to the link up. Make sure you visit the blogs that are on the list for more "Wordy Wednesday" and when sharing use hashtag #wordywednesday so we can read everyone's post.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

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The Dishwasher {Wordy Wednesday}

This week I realized that I can't stop talking, I just can't post an image and hit publish. Which is why I have decided to call Wednesdays: Wordy Wednesday. What do you think? Will it work?

I have to keep Stroller Adventures real, what you see is what you get from me. I'm very talkative, if you've met me you already know haha, so I'm keeping it real. Here's my Wordy Wednesday, enjoy!

I want to share with you my new dishwasher, it came with the house we rented in Costa Rica. 

It's state of the art technology! This reflects the dishes, pans and pots used to prepare dinner. Yes friends this was only from dinner and yes they are all clean I just finished washing them. I do have a system that helps me not feel overwhelmed. As I'm cooking a meal or preparing it I place each tool, spoon or pot that I finish using in water in the sink. When I get a quick second or five I go to wash whatever is in the sink, it helps cut down the overwhelming task of washing dishes all day or even after a meal when all you want to do is enjoy some family time. 

Do you have a dishwasher? Please share tips on how to keep this under control in the comments section. ;-)