I’ve decided to start a series of posts dedicated to healthy hostel meals, because let me tell you, it’s going to be a work in progress. I look forward to looking back on this post months from now, and laughing at how ridiculous some of my meals have been. It’s going to be an awesome learning process.
As soon as Shaun and I checked in, we decided are best bet was to do a grocery shop. The fact that I was borderline hangry, and he needed a beer may have helped drive us to the store. Luckily, there is a SuperCompro right next store to our hostel, so off we went! Here is what we ended up with.
Our first grocery run!
- Rice- brown, much to my insistence, and Shaun’s dismay. Not a time saver in the least, but so much better for you. I kept telling Shaun, we’ve got no where to be!
- Instant Noodles- You can guess who those are for!
- A pineapple-You can bet this will be the first of many!
- Cervasa- Of course
- Laundry Soap
- Can of black beans
- Head of cabbage
- Salad Dressing
- Eggs
- Bananas
- Mixed Veggies (more on those in a later post!)
- Tortillas
- Apples
I had a couple strategies for our shopping. First, find things that had protein that would have some staying power, but that won’t go bad right away (eggs, beans). Second- look for ingredients that we could make mass amounts of and keep in the fridge, (rice, beans, boiled eggs). Third, keep in cheap! Getting cereal and milk would be easy, but its expensive, goes quickly and doesn’t have staying power. Fourth and the most challenging is fresh veggies. We have made a pact that every dinner will include veggies (and in my case lunches too!). I can tell already this will be challenging, but it’s so worth it. It’s amazing how much better you feel when you’ve got veggies in your system!
As soon as we got home with our grocery goodies this happened:
Let me tell you, with my hangry hovering at a dangerous level, this meal was amazing. Banana, almond butter (brought from home) on a mini tortilla. A quick protein burst to get us through to the evening. A perfect start to our Costa Rican hostel dining experience!
Any tips for eating healthy while living in a hostel?
Pura Vida
Kate
Hostels and Hot Rollers 
I saw Lizano Salsa in your last post. YES! We can’t seem to get it in Panama any more so we were thrilled to find it here. Dinner tonight was chicken cooked in Lizano, green beans, chayote, and fruit (pineapple and papaya) for dessert. We usually bring a little bottle of oil, another of vinegar, and a couple spice mixtures. Then, we eat mostly produce and protein – eggs scrambled with veggies for breakfast, some fruit. My husband brought a little bag of pancake mix too. Lunch – hamburger patties with sauteed onions and peppers (should have bought garlic too), zucchini, fruit (is there a pattern with the fruit? 😀 )
We’re in Puerta Jimenez (Osa Peninsula) at the moment. But, we’re only staying 3 nights. You are an inspiration with the backpack and months of travel! We’re working up it, so we shall see. There is so much I want to see and so many places I want to go in this country and others!
Great tips! We are slowly accumulating spices. It’s amazing what a difference they make! Although for now it’s just Lizano on everything (with a side of fruit as well!!)
Perhaps our paths will cross during our adventures!!
Lizano on everything? That works for me 😀
We may come back to CR in the next few months. It sure is beautiful here and we are enjoying where we are at now, so who knows. We’ll keep an eye on each other’s travels and see where we end up.
Love this post so much! I’m a fellow gym-rat who let the routine at home for a backpacking lifestyle (though I’m across the world in SE Asia), and it’s been a struggle so far to stay on track. I’ve managed to set up a good routine that’s keeping me in shape, but I find food to be the most difficult to deal with. I wish there were more hostels here with kitchens–instead most have a restaurant, full of not-so-good-for-you foods. Thankfully there is a ton of fresh fruit around here to enjoy 🙂
Keep up the awesome hostel-food posts, I look forward to them!
Ahh yes, fruit is always amazing!! Do you have Guanabana there?? It’s my new fave fruit discovery! I’m so glad you like the blog, there will be lots more healthy centered posts to come! There is lots more on my Facebook page too!! Facebook.com/hostelsandrollers.
Can you post a link to your facebook page? I can’t seem to find it by that name. Thanks!
Here Kris, try this! There is also a link on the side of my main blog page if it still gives you trouble! Pura Vida!
https://facebook.com/hostelsandhotrollers
That worked. Thanks! I don’t want to miss any of your adventures 🙂