The Island Experience is very proud of it's delicious mini herb garden!

Well, plant sink actually! Yes, after reading a rather inspiring book called ‘Growing Stuff, an alternative guide to gardening’ by Duncan McCorquodale we thought we’d try to find some new ways to reuse what we have around the house instead of buying new plant pots.

Hiding away at the back of the kitchen was a beautiful ceramic sink that didn’t have a home. Until now it had been posing as a fruit bowl but it always had much more potential just waiting to be discovered. So, we placed a few stones in the base for drainage, added some rich soil, a little compost and finally three plants. You’ll see in the picture that we used Basil, Thyme and Chilli Pepper. We think you’ll agree that it looks beautiful, and we can confirm that it smells amazing!

Here are our top three favourite things about creating this mini herb-garden;

1. it’s easy to handle and can be easily moved from table to kitchen
2. it’s the perfect way to start off seeds or small plants which can then be transferred to the garden
3. best of all it’s vibrant and visible and reminds us to use the herbs we’re growing!

A leafy addition to the table at the Brazil lodge

So, we urge you to take a look around the house and find something redundant which you can bring back to life as a plant pot. Other ideas from the book include; saucepans and teapots, wellington boots, old handbags or suitcases and old drawers!

We’d love to hear from you about other unusual places to grow your own…

Change is good for everyone and even those who live on a paradise island wonder what life is like out there in the wider world. That’s why for a couple of weeks each year the team from The Island Experience head for the mountains of Patagonia, to dip their toes in something different to the gorgeous Brazilian sea water!

Martin and Adriana, respectively our Program Director and Nutritionist have already set off for their working vacation but before they went they had just enough time to give us the lowdown on what makes their latest project so special.

You’re about to head off to the breathtaking mountains of Southern Argentina for two weeks of The Island Experience in Patagonia. How do you feel?

Martin - I’m so excited about taking the program to my homeland! To share this wonderful place where I grew up with a group is a dream come true.

Adriana – And for me, it’s a nature and food heaven!

So tell us about the location… 

M – This is a real hidden gem. We chose a lodge tucked away in a valley where two glacial rivers meet. It’s simply stunning and the perfect spot from which to explore the area on foot, by horseback or by mountain bike.

A – I love this lodge because it’s both beautiful and totally eco-friendly. They have taken ‘reuse, recycle and replace’ as far as possible with clever and subtly designed systems. These include one that brings brown water to the garden to irrigate the plants and fire heated showers, hot tub and sauna. And of course, the garden is organic and provides nearly all the ingredients for delicious meals.

And what sorts of adventures await you and the group in Patagonia? 

M – We’re going to get high on nature! The plan is to enjoy working our bodies on various trails that take us through dramatic forests and alpine meadows, along and over crystal clear rivers and of course up those incredible mountains. For those who wish to, there will be the option of horseback riding and mountain biking too. It’s an action packed week…

A – Yes, Mr. Action-Man, but let’s not forget the relaxation! As always, we’ll offer two yoga classes each day to wake up and restore the body. And the lodge has a fantastic spa and many resting areas with stunning views to enjoy. Taking the time to turn our focus inward is also an important element of the program.

What are the highlights for you? 

M – During the pilot last year I loved reconnecting with the good old Andes range. The feeling of getting to the summit of a mountain and enjoying the never ending view of peaks and valleys reaching through the Pacific Ocean is unique. You feel so small compared to these majestic giants. It is a very special place to reconnect with your inner self and reenergize your spirit. And of course, it brought back some good memories of the old days, when I would be there with my friends exploring the mountains, camping in the forest and playing guitar around the fire. A complete connection with nature.

A – What stands out for me is the power of the landscape there. The island jungle is green and constantly renewed which generates a certain kind of energy. In Patagonia the environment and altitude reflect a different kind of depth and its ancient forest has a real sense of wisdom.
And it’s such a pleasure to go to the garden each day to see which fruits and vegetables are in abundance and then create the program menu with them. It’s so special to cook with home grown produce ranging from all types of greens, to eggs and the whole grains that are ground to make extraordinary bread. And the taste is out of this world!

And what’s next on the adventure agenda? 

M – We’ll be back on our favourite island from March 18, kicking off with two different yoga retreats followed by our regular program until December.  Later in the year we’ll head back up to Costa Rica during September and October to complete the trilogy.

A – We are looking forward to an action packed 2012…and we hope to see you all there!

Join the fun in Patagonia between February 19 and March 3.

Visit www.theislandexperience.com for more details on all programs or email information@theislandexperience to make a reservation.

This beautiful eco-lodge becomes our home for a week

The Island Experience in Patagonia

A wonderful place to relax and unwind

The hot-tub at the lodge used by The Island Experience in Patagonia

The backdrop for this adventure is incredible

Horse riding at The Island Experience in Patagonia

Fresh organics are gown at the lodge for your detox menu

The Island Experience in Patagonia

Take to the trails on two wheels

The Island Experience in Patagonia

Horse ride with local guides

The Island Experience in Patagonia

With this subject in mind, Adriana thought it would be a good idea to make regular posts, on Fridays, with recipes you can try over the weekend. Making something new can take longer the first time you try it, so setting a aside a part of the day for cooking is a good way to take the pressure off, especially if you have other people to feed! This way you are free to experiment and remake the dish if it doesn’t quite go to plan! It’s also the perfect way to bring your attention to your nutritional needs for the week by sourcing ingredients, doing some home cooking and thinking about how you will fuel yourself over the coming days. With soups and bakes you can make a batch to freeze and use when you have less time to prepare meals – a much nicer option that cereal, toast or microwave meals when you get home after a long day.

Here is today’s delicious offering…it’s always a popular starter with guests at The Island Experience!

Adriana’s Zucchini Soup

2 small zucchinis (chopped into large pieces)
1 small leek
1 cup of chopped celery leaves
2 cloves of garlic
½ chopped onion
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 glass of water (500ml)
Salt to taste

Sauté the garlic in olive oil until golden, then add the other ingredients. Boil until the vegetables get soft. You can play around by adding other herbs or seasoning that you like and just add a little more water if the consistency gets too thick. Blend the ingredients well and return to the stove for a final warm through.

Decorate your soup ‘Adriana’s style’, as seen above with a little beetroot juice, or for a quicker option a sprinkle of grated carrot or a few sesame seeds look just as pretty.

Enjoy the feeling of creating and tasting your own food!

We wanted to share with you the latest news about our two pilot weeks in Costa Rica!

It was simply AMAZING!

What else can you ask for? Beautiful hikes to unspoiled Caribbean beaches with unbelievably clean water, climbing challenging mountains ending at massive waterfalls and taking a shower or even swimming in natural pools in the middle of the lush rainforest.

And every day, at any moment, spotting all kinds of animals, including howler monkeys, cappuccino monkeys, sloths, toucn, pelican, raptor, king vulture, red and green frogs, colorful lizards and iguanas and of course we can’t forget the armadillos.

The forest is so full of life!

We were surprised by the amount of primary rainforest that still remains, with majestic trees and so much diversity.

During the two fantastic weeks, in the company of our great groups we kayaked on the ocean and up river, snorkeled on incredible coral reefs, surfed on perfect waves, took fun bike rides by the ocean, breathtaking zip lines and much more.

Back at the lodge, it felt like being on a natural sanctuary, surrounded by the jungle, with a breathtaking view of the ocean.

When we practiced yoga we were serenaded by howler monkeys and saccades!

The cultural side of this region is so interesting to experience.The Bribri indigenous people still keep their ancient traditions and lifestyle and they showed us how they use different plants for medicinal purposes and handcrafts. The Afro Caribbean people were equally inspiring and showed us how to dance to the sound of Calypso!

We left Costa Rica with a sweet taste in our mouths and the certainty that we will be back next year for more adventures.

After Costa Rica we visited New York City. We must confess that it took us a while to adapt and keep up with the city rush, but in the end we understood what’s behind all those t-shirts with the inscription “I LOVE NY”. We ended up loving it! What an amazing city! We spent only a few days checking out the tourist sites and busy with some work commitments. Unfortunately we couldn’t get in touch with all of our New Yorker friends, but for sure we will be back sooner than later, as from Costa Rica it’s just a short hop, and hopefully we can meet everyone. Now we’re hoping to make a trip to California one day….we have the USA bug!

All of our dreams little by little are becoming true, so we will keep on dreaming!

Big hugs,
Martin and Adriana

At the top of the highest trail on the island with The Island Experience

An encouraging gesture from a family member or a friend is one thing.  In some ways, it can be limited. Don’t get me wrong; I thrive on my dad’s words of hopefulness and my best friend’s cheers of praise. I would not be the person I am today without my family and friends or their undying display of encouragement. But, isn’t it something else to receive encouragement from strangers? For me, encouragement from strangers is unexpectedly productive. Strangers do not often have the context of your entire life’s history, which can lead to biased opinions. Strangers often say things at face value (things you sometimes don’t want to hear!). However, most of the time, these are the exact things that you need in your life to move forward.

Fresh, vibrant, new...The Island Experience

There is no shortage of encouragement  on Ilha Grande at The Island Experience. You are encouraged to try new things. Encouraged to see, taste, smell, touch, listen and experience new things. As well, there is no shortage of wonderful strangers at The Island Experience. Strangers who call the island their ‘office’ (the amazingly dedicated management and staff). Strangers who come from around the world, crossing oceans and roads, to make the island their home – if only for a few days and / or weeks.

Fun and friendship at The Island Experience

Adriana leads the way!

Over the last week Adriana and I have been scouting trails and Paola and Alice joined us a few days ago to complete the team. Everything is ready to spend two amazing weeks guiding our guests around one of the most wonderful eco systems on the planet. This area of Costa Rica aslo  has a special mix of cultures. Native Indians from the Kekoldi and Bribri tribes lived in peace here together with Afro Caribbeans, who arrived later, for a number of centuries.

Their unique cultural expressions of language, food, music and dance remain in tact and are here for us to explore. We met some very interesting and knowledgeable local guides from these different cultural backgrounds who will join us during these next two weeks, sharing with us their culture and all they know about the Costa Rican wildlife. We will learn about medicinal plants, local foods, how they prepare arts and crafts, attend a shaman ritual and much more, adding an rich cultural flavour to the experience.

As you may see in the pictures, we have been hiking in dense rainforest, spotting (and sometimes hugging!) some awesome trees, beautiful flowers and colourful wildlife – including howler monkeys, sloths, frogs, lizards, toucans, pelicans and butterflies. We have discovered some beautiful rivers and secluded beaches where the temperature of the water is unbelievable!

I hope that you enjoy the pictures and please stay tuned in as we will be posting pictures and comments from the guests along these next couple of weeks.

We’re sending a big hug to you all!

Martin and the gang…

What we eat affects us in a number of ways physically and mentally, both in the short and long term. The combination of ingredients, when and how we choose to eat them can make a huge difference to whether we feel energised in the body and quick of mind, or lethargic and uninspired. To eat well and at the right times ensures that we can function effectively in our daily lives and ready ourselves to rise to any challenges that present themselves.

Taking time to consider which foods to eat each day is an important part of living healthily.

Eating unconsciously – at the desk, watching TV or even whist driving, really doing anything else at the same time – means that we are not focused on the essential task of refueling and encouraging growth in our system. When the mind drifts or we eat when we are stimulated by the stress of our jobs or the traffic, or excited by the movie or music we’re enjoying we run the risk of eating high sugar, high fat food that our body doesn’t really need.

And, this is not about the numbers. It doesn’t mean counting every calorie or gram of fat that you put into your body because it’s about paying attention to what we really need to function each day and being mindful that good quality food at the right time is the most important factor.

Take a little time to think about your day.
If you plan to exercise in your lunch break take some fruit and handful of nuts mid morning to give yourself sufficient energy to go the distance. Make sure to have a good balanced lunch and, if you have a challenging afternoon ahead add some pumpkin seeds or some oily fish to fuel the brain. And when you eat dinner, feel satisfied before settling down to that documentary you recorded, taking away the need for snacks you won’t even notice you’ve eaten.

With all this in mind, I decided it was a good time to give you a group of recipes to try as a three meal plan for a day, or to try one at a time. They require just little time and thought in the making, leaving you every opportunity to relax and digest the goodness in your bowl.

All recepies make 2 delicious serving

Boost your breakfast
Papaya releases a digestive enzyme making it the perfect for the first meal of the day.

Papaya Museli
1 papaya
1 banana in slices
5 table spoons of rolled oats
180g (1/2 cup) plain low fat yoghurt (liquid consistency)
1 table spoon of ground flax seeds
1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons of mixed nuts
1 tablespoon of raisins

Combine the yoghurt, mashed papaya, banana, raisins and oats, mixing well. The liquid yoghurt will hydrate the oats. Add flax and sunflower seeds and your favourite nuts – keeping to the suggested portion size.

Lunch can be lushious
Try finding a place outside to eat, this way you’ll enjoy two natural elements at the same time!

Quinoa salad
1/3 cup of bulgur wheat
½  cup of quinoa
½ cucumber peeled and diced
1 small diced onion
2 seedless diced tomatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil

Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup of finely grated purple cabbage
1/3 cup green onion
½ cup mint
½ cup parsley

Soak the bulgur wheat in water to hydrate it for about 10 minutes. Drain well, squeezing it with your hands or using a clean cloth. Set it to one side. Using a small pan, add water to the quinoa and boil it for about 10 minutes or until it gets soft. Strain well and use cold water to stop the cooking process. In a big bowl, mix all the ingredients adding the salt and the lime little by little. If you don’t like raw onions, add some hot water on the diced onions to soften the taste. You can add some yellow peppers if you like, to give it a colourful touch. Serve cold with green leaves.

Note – it can be prepared the night before. In that case, leave the lime juice for the moment you eat

The ‘inbetween’ bit
Think of your island in the sun as you sip this powerful ‘suco’.

Jestive Juice (yes, as in degestive!)
2 oranges
1 apple
½ carrot
¼  small beet
¼ cup of anis

Juice the oranges. Add the beet, carrot and apple in cubes. Now add the anis. Blend it all together, adding some water if needed.  The orange is rich in Vitamins C and complex B, potassium, and zinc. The beet offers a good boost of iron with is better absorved on the presence of the Vit. C. Apple is rich in pectin witch stimulates the peristaltic movements, helping on the good work of the digestive system.

A tasty little number for dinner
Prepare a batch of soup each weekend which will last a few days and can also be frozen to whip out in an emergency!

Cardamom and curry soup
1 carrot
1 zucchini
1 squash
2 small inhams or 1 sweet potato
3 garlic cloves crushed
½ onion (optional)
1 teaspoon of curry powder
½ teaspoon of cardamom powder or 4 seeds

Wash, peel and roughly cut the vegetables. Put them into a pot and cover with water. Boil until they are soft but not soggy and then use a blender to liquidify. Add some more water if needed. Season with salt, curry and the cardamom, adjust according to taste. Serve it warm with some sesame seeds to decorate, and some wholewheat bread.

Enjoy thinking about your food and making these wonderfully simple recipes! Beijos, Adriana.

At last here we are with our very own blog and it feels great to be communicating with you in this new way. For anyone who hasn’t been to Ilha Grande to take part in The Island Experience, I’m Martin, officially known as the Program Director. To those who know me, I’m all kinds of things – the wild man of the jungle, aspiring film maker and musician, sailor, the list goes on. Basically, I love making, doing and being involved whatever is going around me!

As this is my first blog entry it got me thinking about the idea of first times. Is it amazing how, when we face new challenges, we grow more than we can ever realise at the time. When most of our guests arrive on the island they are facing a least one first. Maybe it’s their first time in Brazil, travelling alone or taking the plunge and booking an adventure program holiday. Seeing how people interact with an environment which is unusual to them and the benefits they gain from this is a very special element of my role here. From trying new activities to eating in a different way, for me, it’s a privilege to take a small part in their experience.

Recently, after spending some considerable time perfecting my island lifestyle, I decided to put my explorer’s hat on again and head off in a new direction myself. Together with Adrianna, my partner and the programs nutritionist, I went in search of new places to run our program for a few weeks during each year. We went up to Central America and found ourselves in love with the beautiful Southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Here we found the same stunning scenery and enchanting nature that we enjoy on the island, with the injection of some different and interesting cultural flavours. And of course, we both enjoyed lots of new experiences which gave us a new perspective on things we thought we knew.

One example was an interaction with nature that we had not previously encountered, despite living on an island inhabited by the mammal in question. The Howler Monkey. Here on Ilha Grande, these wonderful creatures live apart from humans, having been hunted by them in the past they keep their distance meaning that most visitors only hear their call through the jungle rather than actually seeing them. At the Jaguar Rescue Center in Playa Chiquita near Puerto Viejo, we were able to come into direct contact with some baby Howlers, not to mention a host of other incredible species who needed rehabilitation before release back into the wild. It was a magical day and we learnt so much more about the Howler, as well as making new friends with sloths, frogs, snakes, wild cats, raccoons, anteaters, marsupials, and reptiles! For me, it was such a special moment to have a baby Howler cling onto on my head. I would never imagined how that would make me feel, it really bought out a protective and paternal instinct in me. I admit, I was pretty tempted to put that little guy in my backpack!

We can’t wait to return with our program guests in September and October this year, to see how the project is going and introduce human friends to animal friends.

First times, are indeed, good times!

For more information on the Jaguar Rescue Center visit their website – http://www.jaguarrescue.com/jag_site/Home.html

And for full details of our Costa Rica program see – http://www.theislandexperience.com/locationCostaRica.htm

Hey friends, thanks for taking the time to visit our blog!

This space is our totem pole. A place where we will share our latest news, exciting ideas, wonderful recipes and pretty much anything that we think you’ll enjoy reading.

We’ll update the page with something new as often as we can so that you don’t miss out on all the goings on here at the lodge. And we’ll ask friends of the program to write for us to create an interesting and varied space.

We invite you to comment on our articles and send a link to the blog to your friends. Get involved, spread the word and most of all -  enjoy!