The Alto Atacama Desert Lodge’s outrageously good “Mojito Atacameño” is featured in Gadling.com’s article “Cocktails, Chilean Style.” The writer goes on to praise the mojito, made with the syrup of a local fruit called the chañar berry, which is something akin to a tamarind paste. The Mojito Atacameño is an original cocktail invented by the bar staff of the hotel, as well as our famous pisco sour rica rica. Gadling.com is a popular travel site owned by AOL.com’s travel division. http://aol.it/oFyF2V

Chile is a country with a wide range of fish and seafood. The great news is that this food is very beneficial to the body, especially thanks to the presence of omega-3, the fatty acids that help prevent cardiovascular diseases among other things.

Fish are classified into 3 types according to the amount of fat:

* Oily fish or blue: High in polyunsaturated fat, reach a 10% fat. Like salmon, tuna, sardine, eel and others. They are the tastiest.
* Semi-fat fish: They reach up to 6% fat. They are fish like sea bass, sea bream, and more.
* Lean fish or white: not exceeding 2.5% fat. These are fish that live in deep water and will not travel far, so do not store fat. This group is the sole, hake, conger eel, among others. They are softer, ideal for children.

The more fatty acids containing more benefits: lowers lipids include cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and decreases the formation of plaques in blood vessels. It is also an easily digestible food, rich in protein, low in calories (almost no presence of carbohydrate), high in vitamins A and D and vitamin E (antioxidant) and B12. It is rich in minerals such as sodium and potassium, and calcium in smaller amounts.

Not only that. A Swedish study says that women who consumed 2 servings per week of fish high in fat reduced by 40% the chance of getting cancer of the uterus, as well as men eating 1 meal reduce the risk of prostate cancer. In another aspect, the French researcher Pascale Barberger-Gateau found that just taking one serving of fish a week reduced the risk of developing dementia by 30%.

You see it is beneficial for everyone, especially pregnant women and growing children. So when in Chile, eat fish!

Image: fotoosvanrobin

A delicious syrup, sweet like honey, made from small-sized fruits from the Chañar tree, known for its resistance to drought that flourishes so well in this area of the country. Perfect is the syrup to sweeten drinks and yoghurts, and as sauces for various preparations, as a base for puddings and mousse, among others.

This delicacy that can be found at the fair next to the square in San Pedro is of great contribution to the Atacama kitchen. Well known to our chef Rodrigo Villarroel who daily stresses its flavor in a dish prepared either as steak sauce in parfait or my favorite, chañar homemade ice cream. This, served in a crispy sweet tulip becomes the icing on the cake …me, as a major fan of  desserts, could not stop asking for it at least once a day and neither should you! A unique taste, a jewel of the highlands.

Hydration plays a key role in keeping our body healthy and feeling good, even more in a climate as extreme as in Atacama.

There are two common forms of hydrate: Drinking water, we drink 1.5 liters of water daily just to balance the losses and maintain adequate level of hydration. And eating fruits and vegetables, which typically contain about 90% of water.

In San Pedro there are several reasons for increasing the hydration, excessive sunlight, temperature changes, lack of oxygen by altitude, the desert and the intense activities that Atacama has for you and you will not want to miss. For all that it is important to follow these simple tips to not miss any minute of your stay.

Increase water intake and supplemented with iced tea and juices, avoid sodas and alcoholic beverages. Eat fruit, you will cool the heat and help you add fiber, vitamins and minerals to your diet. Some contain more water, as the watermelon, cantaloupe, cherries, peaches, kiwi, orange and apple. And in salads you can mix what you like, such as lettuce, cucumber and tomato all very moisturizing.

For details on skin care in the desert, click on this link.

With a balanced diet and plenty of water you will be ready to face the magnificent wilderness experience. Enjoy!

Picture: (cc) Northerngit