food – Happier Than A Billionaire

BUILDING UP AN APPETITE

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:21-04:00 February 22nd, 2014|Categories: food, Uncategorized|Tags: building up an appetite, cooking, show|

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Misc. PVC parts and glue to fix a garden faucet that exploded outside—$26 (Rob said men would like to know this.)

Our first episode of Building Up An Appetite is almost finished! Here is a sneak preview of the cooking segment. This clip was shot in a gorgeous house, Villa Bougainvillea, with a ridiculously beautiful pool and view. I could have filmed there all day.

It’s also the place where Rob periodically yelled out, “Stop sounding so Jersey.” I’m not quite sure what that meant. I didn’t say, “Badda Bing” once throughout the shoot. Nor did I tease my hair or discuss waste management.

I did wear lipstick, as per my mother’s advice. She had also advised me not to talk about monkeys, since according to her, “I’m heavy on the monkeys.” Apparently, my mother has become my publicist. My sister just told me not to say anything stupid. It’s the same advice she has given me for the past 20 years.

Thanks for watching. We can’t wait to release the entire episode . It was so much fun and I’m already teasing my hair for another segment… FuhGetAboutIt.

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A HAPPY COSTA RICAN APPLIANCE THANKSGIVING

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:24-04:00 November 27th, 2013|Categories: Cost of Living, food|Tags: appliance, Thanksgiving, toaster oven|

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Hamilton Beach Deluxe Toaster Oven— $170

My oven is not working. In fact, I think it might have exploded. Rob turned it on and heard a loud bang. This isn’t uncommon: most of my appliances expire with this type of fanfare. They never just stop functioning but instead go out like a Chinese New Year.

But I shouldn’t worry. A repairman came to our house and ordered the correct part. He said it would arrive in a week. That was four months ago. Perhaps I should have asked what week he had in mind. A week in mid-December? Maybe the week the next Explorer lands on Mars? These pressing questions always slip my mind.

So I gave in and splurged for a super duper Hamilton Beach toaster oven. “Horno de Mostrador!” it states on the box. How can I resist an appliance with that kind of advertising? “Maxima versatilidad,” it promises. I have to agree, when it comes to choosing a toaster oven, maximum versatility is prominent in one’s expectations. To think, I would have settled for it to just cook things.

It even includes a rotisserie. That part got shoved in the back of my cabinet… who am I kidding.

I’m happy to say that I’ll have a warm meal this holiday, and I wish a warm Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. It doesn’t matter what we eat, as long as we enjoy the people we are eating it with. And I’ll be enjoying mine with my husband and a bunch of howler monkeys, and doing it all with maximum versatility.

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EATING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:25-04:00 September 19th, 2013|Categories: Cost of Living, food|Tags: groceries, produce|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Produce Bill for the Week—$18

When not smashing his scooter or getting stitches, my husband joins me grocery shopping. This is our score for the week: eighteen dollars’ worth of fresh produce.

It’s easy to see that the food in Costa Rica is affordable if you choose healthier options. You’re going to pay a lot more if you buy Trix Cereal, Doritos, or any other imported American products. I love that I’m enjoying a healthy lifestyle while sticking to my budget.

And you’ll save even more money by loading it all on your fuel efficient scooter. That’s if you don’t factor in the medical bills after your husband smashes it—and his hand—into a ditch. But even that was a bargain.

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IT’S BETTER THAN CHILI’S

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:27-04:00 February 1st, 2013|Categories: food|Tags: costa rica food, food, infinity pool, restaurant, the club at mar vista|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Bacon cheeseburger, french fries, ocean view, with a side dip in an infinity pool—$8

Last night our internet was down. Rob and I got restless so it was the perfect time to grab our camera and check out a new restaurant that recently opened nearby. I like supporting new businesses because I know firsthand just how difficult running one can be. I remember when my book went on sale and I wondered if anyone would ever purchase it. I’m so grateful readers found me that I want to spread acts of kindness and help someone else out as often as I can.

The Club at Mar Vista is perched high on a hill with panoramic views of the ocean. Rob was anxious to catch the sunset so he raced up the hill so fast I’m pretty sure something important fell off our car. Lately, a lot of things are falling off our car. One day I’m going to fall off this car.

To our surprise, the owner of the restaurant turned out to be our friend, Bryan Campbell. He also happens to be the owner of the popular Café Mocha. I go there often, not just because of the coffee but because he makes the best brownies in Costa Rica. I knew he was starting another business, but he wanted to keep it under wraps until he was ready to open. I can see why. This is not your ordinary place. This restaurant has an infinity pool that spans the entire establishment with an underwater lighting system that makes it irresistible to jump right in. (more…)

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A MOUTH FULL OF AIR FRESHENER

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:28-04:00 October 28th, 2012|Categories: food|Tags: cereal, food, froot loops|

Cost Of Living Update: Weird Raccoon Cereal—$2

Since the 6.6 earthquake (the second big one in two months), I’ve had the craving for Froot Loops. It’s a happy cereal that reminds me of Saturday morning cartoons and feety pajamas. It’s the perfect comfort food for when the ground just won’t stop shaking.

Of course, my budget prohibits me from actually buying Froot Loops. I purchase what looks like the cereal, only instead of a jolly Toucan Sam on the cover this one had a juggling raccoon. Of course, I think to myself. Whenever anyone imagines an early morning meal, festive garbage-rummaging raccoons always come to mind.

My husband is the first one to try it and says, “It tastes like a mouth full of air freshener.” I can’t tell you how delighted I am about this. As a proud New Jerseyan, our state has the highest concentrations of artificial flavoring factories in the world. Just thinking about it gives me goose bumps.

I pour myself a bowl and turn on some cartoons. When I’m done eating, my breath—and the entire room— smells like a can of Febreeze. You have to hand it to that juggling raccoon, he definitely knows how to impress on a budget.

Don’t miss out on the podcast interview with Emily Chase Smith. It was a lot of fun and I discuss a little more about my life here in Costa Rica.

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BUILDING UP AN APPETITE

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Misc. PVC parts and glue to fix a garden faucet that exploded outside—$26 (Rob said men would like to know this.)

A HAPPY COSTA RICAN APPLIANCE THANKSGIVING

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Hamilton Beach Deluxe Toaster Oven— $170

EATING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Produce Bill for the Week—$18

IT’S BETTER THAN CHILI’S

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Bacon cheeseburger, french fries, ocean view, with a side dip in an infinity pool—$8

A MOUTH FULL OF AIR FRESHENER

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