Five star authentic Mexican food. Owners are Miguel and…read moreVeronica. Stop by and say Dave sent you.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this…read moreplace!!!! I have had really good vibes, and luck, with the products from Tropical Traditions. I buy online when they have free shipping promos. Everything always arrives in good shape. One of my aunts has been hippy holistic since the 60s. She worked for a natural doctor for a long time and introduced me to Tropical Traditions over a decade ago. The products are well priced for all natural, but not exactly inexpensive. If you're used to buying natural and organic, you're used to it anyway. I shop at Whole Foods all the time and I've tried comps on various items that Tropical Traditions sells. I have to say I am more impressed with quality and effectiveness from Tropical Traditions. It is a notch above what's on the shelf at WF (of things I've tried). True, WF offers many organic and non-GMO labels, and the items I get from TT do not have that, but they are still MOSTLY organic, and definitely natural, and in the case of my toiletries, that's good enough! The insect repellent is so awesome I have given it away as gifts. It smells minty, and is like a lotion you rub into your skin. No chemicals! The first time I wore it I thought it was just a non-buggy day because nice natural lotion had to be too good to be true. But when I go without it (like yesterday, I hiked in a swarm of bugs and forgot this stuff), I definitely see the difference. It has organic essential oils in it, which soak in and don't sweat off in the heat, so it lasts a long time. I put it on once a day when I plan to be hiking or outside and it lasts the whole day. I feel fine about putting it on my baby too, no worries about chem yuk. So, this is a huge star in my toiletry cabinet! Love it! I am loving the lip balm too. Used to get the 365 stuff from WF, but I was addicted to it. My lips needed more, more, more, all the time. I need the TT version a lot less, and I love the coconut flavor! The next thing I am going to try is their deodorant. My doctor told me to go for a natural one without aluminum (med advice against breast cancer), so this is an important switch. I've not had great success with some of the options at WF. They don't feel right, or I don't like the scent, etc. So I hope I have the same pleasing experience with TT on their deodorant as with everything else!

I had to hold my horses too. Saturated fat isn't the devil we've been taught it is? Whoa!…read moreIf you're watching your carbs and the amount of sugar you eat, and insisting on only high quality proteins like grass-fed, pasture raised, organic meats and wild seafood, saturated fats get to do what they are meant to do which is to provide us with energy and health benefits, not heart disease and big butts. With that in mind, I've been doing a lot of reading and researching about the particular wonders of coconut oil. Coconuts in general are taking center stage in a way they really haven't before outside of life in the tropics. Coconut water seems to be the drink du jour now. Dr. Oz has jumped on the bandwagon too and has touted the wonders of the coconut and coconut oil on his show. And it's easy to find information and books now extolling all the coconut's many virtues. Tropical Traditions has been recommended to me by many (particularly in the paleo community where coconut is king) and I've been very pleased with this company since I've started ordering from them. I buy their Gold Label Virgin Coconut oil made from organic coconuts used within 24-48 hours of harvesting and which are then cold-pressed without any chemical or high heat treatment. Although T.T. also sells expeller-pressed oil as well which cost less, I believe the Gold Label is the way to go. I've learned that coconuts and their oil are far healthier than I'd been led to believe once upon a time. Coconut oil is considered a superfood. Once eaten, coconut oil has anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-protozoal properties. In addition to now using coconut oil (alternating with extra virgin olive oil) to cook with, I keep a jar of it in the bathroom to use as a body and face cream, as a salve when mixed with essential oils, as a daily part of an ancient Aryuvedic health technique called oil pulling and right out of the jar as an overnight hair treatment. In addition to the oil, Tropical Traditions sells other organic foods and health care products. But for me, it's the taste and quality of their organic, virgin coconut oil that has me returning as regular customer now. http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/article%20oil%20pulling.htm

Flavorful tacos with a Cuban twist!…read more Stopped by La Fonda Mexican Restaurant in East Bakersfield and ordered one shrimp taco and one barbacoa taco. Both were packed with flavor, but the shrimp taco was definitely the standout. The barbacoa was tender and flavorful, and their homemade roasted red salsa took it to another level. I used the verde salsa on the shrimp taco, and it paired really well. What really caught my attention was the marinade on the shrimp. It immediately reminded me of a Cuban mojo, the kind of marinade I grew up eating in Ybor City, Florida. That familiar citrusy, garlicky flavor was such a pleasant surprise and gave the taco a unique flavor that I really enjoyed. I also loved the texture of the shrimp taco. It came with a soft corn tortilla with a crispy tortilla underneath, giving you that great combination of soft and crunchy in every bite. Definitely worth stopping by if you're looking for flavorful tacos in East Bakersfield. The shrimp taco is one I'd order again!

Wow!! The best Menudo I've had in a long time and the beans and rice were impeccable! They had to…read moremake their corn tortillas and they were absolutely the best. It's a small intimate spot, but clean and nice. The staff is friendly and the food came out fairly quick. This is definitely my new go to Mexican restaurant in Bakersfield when I'm visiting