OW TO GET THAT HOLIDAY FEELING AT HOME IN FIVE EASY STEPS

Next Saturday (or Sunday, your choice) you are going to get that holiday feeling, at home.

Think back to the best holiday meal you ever had, maybe it was in a fancy restaurant overlooking the sea (the type of restaurant where all the staff actually look like models), or maybe it was in a backstreet cafe, somewhere you stumbled across and could probably never find again.

Did you find yourself smiling at the memories, its a nice feeling isn't it, so how do you recreate that feeling at home?

Firstly you need to give yourself permission to create some time to do this, not three hours in between emailing, cleaning the house, washing the dog, worming the cat, some real time, like a whole day and try not to invite google along, google can come to the next party. Here we go, ladies, grab your (beautiful vegan) sandals, guys, get out those sexy bermuda shorts it’s time to:

2. Challenge Routine
Start the day by wearing something nice, you know that favourite top / skirt / dress, the one you save for special occasions, well get it on - see, you look great and whilst everyone else in the coffee shop (thats you’ll be going to in a minute) has hedgehog hair, you are going to look and feel like a rockstar, a rockstar on holiday! The kids can join in too, kids love dressing up, let them wear their holiday hats and (for added entertainment value try and walk around the house in fins, snorkel optional).

3. Breakfast Time
This step is crucial, go somewhere you have never been before, don’t google it, just surrender to serendipity and see where you end up. Make this breakfast long and lazy, take a magazine, read a book, chat to your partner / friends / family about where you would like to go in the world, what you would like to see and experience and why. use this time to catch up with yourself and if you are in the mood, have a chat with friendly looking stranger, are there any foreign staff in the coffee shop, have a chat with them, ask them what vegan friendly dishes they have in their country, the answer may inspire you.

4. Time to hit the shops
Now, head towards the nearest farmers market / health food shop / supermarket and have a really good look around, check out what goodies are in the international section and make a note of one unfamiliar item that looks interesting, something you would like to experiment with in the future. 

Pick up a couple of ripe avocados, a few tomatoes, one small onion, two limes, a bunch of fresh cilantro (coriander), a packet of tostadas and some cooked black beans, its party time! (also, picking up your favourite desert is optional).

5. Back at base camp
Get home. Don’t stress about anything dull and head straight to the kitchen (because thats where the best parties always happen) and youtube Marimba music / salsa sounds and crank the volume up high enough to make you want to dance, (not in a crazy Michael Jackson way, more of a Shakira like gentle hip swinging way). 

It’s time to make tostadas, these wonderful Latin American street food snacks

are eaten in Guatemala and throughout Central America, practically impossible to eat in any kind of graceful fashion as all ingredients are piled on top of each other and they dribble down your chin when you tuck in, its unavoidable and part of the fun. Finely chop the cilantro (coriander) Blend your black beans into a paste, mash your avocados with a fork, add finely chopped tomatoes, onion, lovely lime juice and salt to taste then lay everything out on your kitchen table so everyone can get stuck in.

Hold on, lets have a quick moment of gratitude for all the farmers around the world that produced your meal.
Done.

Tostada construction time; don’t be shy about it, get stuck in and messy if necessary, take a tostada, spread the black bean paste on, a good dollop of guacamole on top, a sprinkle of chopped coriander you’re away! 

OVER TO YOU

Happy holidays at home! I would love to hear about your favourite holiday meal, what was is, where were you, why was it so special.

NOVEMBER EXPERIENCES

There is plenty more amazing, vegan friendly street food to try in Guatemala and here’s the great thing, if you don’t fancy doing the whole street food thing then I'll take you to a fabulous restaurant in Antigua that offers traditional Guatemalan street food all in a restaurant setting, the choice is yours! More on November experiences here >>>