Okra or Lady Finger

I think of Okra as a South Asian Vegetable however it also seems to have African origins.  The Okra is also called a Lady Finger.  It is beneficial and contains antioxidants, fibre, calcium, vitamin c and folate.

Okra Curry:  Ingredients Onion, Curry Powder, Turmeric, Curry leaves, Chilli and Salt to taste.

The seeds of the Okra when roasted can be used to make caffeine free coffee.

Helping Others Quote Dalai Lama

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.  And if you can't help them at least don't hurt them.

Dalai Lama

Spice Chocolate Chai

So having made Bolivian Chocolate I decided one morning to make a Spice Chocolate Chai using my Spiced Chai and Chocolate.  First I made a black spiced Chai, then added pieces of the chocolate and finally Soy Milk.  It tasted delicious.... My favourite drinks for winter are my Spiced Chai Chocolate and Tumeric Tea.

Cacao Tea Or Cacao Tisane

Cacao Tea can also be made from the shells of the Cocoa Bean.

Cacao Plant takes 3-5 years to grow and Cacao Pods take 5-6 months to open.  Its amazing what teas or Tisanes can be made.

Bolivian and Peruvian Chocolate

The Peruvian and Bolivian Chocolate was amazing.  Cacao originated in Central America.  Peru is the largest exporter of Cacao beans while Bolivia is a large producer of Organic Cacao...  I was lucky enough to taste both chocolates.  You can also make a tea out of the Cacao Shells.

Coca Tea or Mate De Coca

Coca tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Coca plant.  Hot water is poured over the leaves and allowed to steep.  Native to Peru and Bolivia this Tea along with oxygen are given to those people suffering from altitude sickness.

But BEWARE this Coca Plant contains alkaloids which when extracted chemically is the base for cocaine.  (The coca alkaloid content of coca tea is such that the consumption of one cup of coca tea can cause a positive result on a drug test for cocaine).  So don't drink it in excess. 


(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_tea)

Peruvian Vegetables

The Staple diet in Peru is Potatoes, Corn and meat.  As I don't eat meat I survived on Vegetables Empanadas, (which are pastries fried or baked) Corn and Potatoes.  Now look at the colour of the potatoes and corn...