REGIONAL - JACÓ
Living Longer, Healthier & Happier — Recipes from Costa Rica Cookbook Captures Flavors and Pura Vida Lifestyle By David Karr Photos courtesy of Melissa Guzman
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orn and raised in Costa Rica, Melissa Guzman has always had a passion for great food. Originally from a small, traditional farming town in the mountains of Cartago, she grew up with many traditional recipes that were shared together with friends and family. Melissa Guzman’s cookbook is sold online and throughout Costa Rica.
Working in the tourism business in Jacó Beach, Melissa would often have requests from foreigners asking her about local foods and some of her recipes. One day a traveler told her, “you should make a cookbook.”
WELLNESS FEATURE
A couple of years later, Guzman published Living Longer, Healthier & Happier - Recipes from Costa Rica, which has been one of the top selling cookbooks in the country. In addition to being a collection of traditional and modern Costa Rican recipes, the book showcases the healthier and happier pura vida lifestyle centered around Tico food and culture. While the recipes are one step towards improved well being, foodies also receive bonus tips for living longer, in a happy and healthy state. More ways to share
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But Melissa did not stop there. Over the past year, she has been offering private cooking classes in Jacó. She shares not only her recipes but their underlying stories, all while providing a full immersion into the culture of Costa Rica. howlermag.com
Melis