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Spain itself it's already known for its Mediterranean food, and lifestyle. But how is this lifestyle truly lived? Next week will be practically two months since my arrival in Spain, Málaga. From my experience, I think there are many pros and cons, but just like anywhere else. I'll talk a little bit about some things I've been learning, and show you what we've eaten so far.
Eat well, and pay less!
Food (in general), can be cheap, and what is good about many restaurants is that it is well served. Of course, there are places in which food is more expensive, and it really depends on where you'll go. But, compared to many countries, I really found interested foods' prices, at least from Malaga. (Years ago I went to other places in Spain, but just as a tourist, and I only spent two weeks there. Prices have changed. So I can't speak literally about the whole country.)
If you are a beer and wine lover, you'll love Málaga! There are a lot of good wines you can find and buy the bottle for just 1 euro. There are higher prices, of course, but just so you can see that it is cheap, and good! My mother loved “Victoria Málaga” beer, and she found a version of the beer that is with lemon. Tonight she'll try it, and later on I'll update this page based on the results, hehehe :)
"Victoria Malaga" Beer. Image owned by
Unstoppable lifestyle.
Seafoods and Jamón.
Spain has amazing typical meals. But from my perspective, when I think about their food style, the first two things that pop up in my mind are seafood and their ham. Although they are known to have a “Mediterranean lifestyle,” we cannot deny Spain also has red meats, and in Madrid, for example, they have some typical meals which contain red meat, including the ham, known in Spanish as “Jamón.”
I used to think paellas only contained seafoods, but I came to learn that in many restaurants (at least from Málaga), offer paellas of chicken, and of red meats. I don't have anything against red meats, in fact, sometimes I eat, but I cannot hide that my favorite kind of meat is fish. So, to me my paella will always eat with seafood, no matter what! hahahah
Two Spanish teachers, of mine, told me Spain is one of the most fishing countries. When we go to the supermarkets, we see many times frozen seafoods, including frozen paellas. It is much easier to eat fish on a week basis in Spain, for example, than in other countries, like Brazil or United States. We see that, at least in Malaga, there's more access to buy these kinds of foods.
"Seafood Paella." Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Vegetables and fruits
I don't remember how are other vegetables and fruits' stores from other cities in Spain. I had higher expectations about it, and from my experience, Málaga at least didn't exceed them. I don't know if it there were other places I could have gone to buy my foods, but I suppose, I went to all of the good ones. El Mercado Central de Atarazanas, is one of them. And also, the English Court.
The reason why I got a little bit upset, it's because I expected to find more variety than what I did. For example, I tried to look for beets everywhere, and only at the end of my second month I found one, which was cut and preserved in a small bottle. Many times, I also found the vegetables and fruits at some markets that I went, not even close to being organic. The vegetables and fruits taste good, but like I said, perhaps I didn't find what I was looking for due to my location. I can't speak for the whole country, especially since the Mediterranean foods are also part of Spain.
Although in Brazil we don't eat too much fish, and we don't have a Mediterranean lifestyle, I think it is much easier to find vegetables and fruits, since we have many fairs everywhere, compared to Málaga, for example. But again, there are these contrasts, because although some foods can be cheap in fairs, foods in Spain (in general), can be cheaper than in Brazil.
Atarazanas Central Market, Malaga-
I mage owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Atarazanas Central Market, Malaga-
I mage owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
El Corte Inglés, Málaga- Image owned by
Unstoppable lifestyle.
Interesting Restaurants' care with their Customers.
I cannot say for all restaurants, because I didn't notice in every single one of them, but many ones, will show you in the “carta” (=menu), their meal ingredients. For people who have gluten issues, allergies, or have celiac disease, this can be very helpful! I personally loved this care, because it's not really common in every restaurant from Florida, or São Paulo. I think it shows respect to your client, and consideration.
Image from Place #1 Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Image from Place #2 Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Variety of Foods
Malaga is full of tourists the whole year, say the people. Right now, I can say that in the past few weeks, and still today, it has been raining a lot. Yet, there are many tourists visiting Malaga. It results that there are many types of foods in Málaga, including Arabic restaurants.
Business Hours
I still haven't figured out how the businesses work here. I am aware that in many places in Spain, they have the 'siesta.' At least in Malaga, it usually happens from two-four/five in the afternoon. This means that many businesses close, and re-open at five-six o'clock. But, I can see that after the 'siesta,' other businesses simply don't open again. It was a day of the week, I tried to contact a clinic in business hours, and they were closed. Meantime, in Brazil businesses begin six-seven am, and close eleven pm. Many Brazilian restaurants, in fact, begin seven pm, and close after midnight. So, as a Brazilian woman, seeing closing businesses earlier in Málaga was very curious.
This is a little bit about what I lived so far in Málaga, and I hope to keep sharing this experience with you all!
Written by Health Coach VPD.
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Spain itself is known for its Mediterranean food and lifestyle. But, how do you really live this lifestyle? Next week will practically complete the months since my arrival in Spain, Malaga. From my experience, I believe there are many pros and cons, but as in any other place. Talk a little about some things I've been learning and show you what we've been eating so far.
Eat better and pay less!
Food (in general) can be cheap, and many restaurants are well served. Of course, there are places where the food is more expensive, and it really depends on where you go. However, in comparison with many countries, you actually find good food prices, except in Malaga. (A few years ago I went to other places in Spain, but only as a tourist, and only spent two weeks there. Prices have changed. So I can't speak literally from all over the country).
If you are a lover of beer and wine, Malaga will enchant you! There are many good wines that you can find and buy the bottle for just 1 euro. There are higher prices, of course, but so you can see that it's cheap, good! My mother loved the “Victoria Málaga” beer, and found a version of the beer that is with lemon. This evening you will try, and later update this page based on the results, fast :)
"Victoria Malaga" Beer. Image owned by
Unstoppable lifestyle.
Seafood and Jamón.
Spain has incredible typical foods. But from my perspective, when I think about your style of food, the first things that come to my mind are seafood and jamón. Even though it is known that it has a “Mediterranean lifestyle”, we cannot deny that Spain also has red meat, and in Madrid, for example, it has some typical foods that contain red meat, including jamón.
Before I thought that paellas only contained seafood, but I understand that in many restaurants (even in Málaga), they offer paellas with pollo, and with red meat. I don't have anything against red meats, sometimes I eat them, but I can't hide that my favorite type of meat is fish. So, for me my paella will always sell with seafood, no matter what! jajaja
Two Spanish teachers, my friends, told me that Spain is one of the worst fishing countries. When we go to supermarkets, we often see frozen fish and seafood, including frozen paellas. It's much easier to eat fish a week in Spain, for example, than in other countries, like Brazil or the United States. We see that, at least in Málaga, there is more access to buying this type of food.
"Seafood Paella." Image owned by
Unstoppable lifestyle.
Vegetables and fruits
I don't remember how there are other fruit and vegetable stores in other cities in Spain. I had higher expectations in this regard, and from my experience, Malaga at least didn't surpass it. I didn't know if there were other places I could have gone to buy more food, but I suppose I went to all the good ones. The Atarazanas Central Market is one of them. And also, the English Court.
The reason why it bothers me a little is because I expected to find more variety than I found. For example, I tried to look for remolchas everywhere, and at the end of the second month I found one, which was cut and preserved in a small bottle. Many times, I also found vegetables and fruits in some markets I went to, not even about being organic. The vegetables and fruits taste good, but as I say, I may not have found what I was looking for due to my location. I can't speak throughout the country, especially because Mediterranean foods are also part of Spain.
Although in Brazil we don't eat too much fish, and we don't have a Mediterranean lifestyle, I think it's much easier to find vegetables and fruits, since we have a lot of holidays everywhere, compared to Malaga, for example. However, again, these contrasts exist, because even though some foods can be cheap on holidays, foods in Spain (in general) can be cheaper than in Brazil.
Atarazanas Central Market - Malaga
Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Atarazanas Central Market - Malaga
Imaned owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
El Corte Inglés- Malaga- Image owned by
Unstoppable lifestyle.
Taking care of Interesting Restaurants with their Customers.
I can't decide for all the restaurants, because I don't see each one of them, but many will show you on the menu the ingredients of your food. For people who have gluten problems, allergies or celiac disease, this can be very useful! Personally, I was enchanted by this care, because it is not very common in all restaurants in Florida or São Paulo. I believe that I show respect and consideration to my client.
Image from Place #1- Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Image from Place #2- Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Variety of Food
Malaga is full of tourists every year, according to everyone. At this moment, I can decide that in the last few weeks, today, I have been loving it a lot. However, there are many tourists who visit Malaga. It turns out that there are many types of food in Malaga, including Arabic restaurants.
Working hours
However, I didn't find out how the business works here. I am aware that in many places in Spain there is a 'siesta.' At least in Malaga, it could be from four days later. This means that many companies will open and open to five and six at once. But, I can see that after the 'siesta', other businesses simply don't open again. It was a weekday, I tried to communicate with a clinic during business hours and it was closed. Meanwhile, in Brazil, business starts at six and seven in the morning and ends once in the evening. Many Brazilian restaurants, every day, start at night and close after the middle of the night. So, as a Brazilian woman, seeing deals close before in Málaga was very curious.
This is a little of what I've lived in Malaga for now, and I hope to continue sharing this experience with everyone!
Written by Health Coach, VPD.
-
Spain itself is already known for its Mediterranean food and lifestyle. But how do you actually live this lifestyle? Next week will be practically two months since my arrival in Spain, Malaga. From my experience I think there are a lot of pros and cons, but like anywhere else. I'm going to talk a little about some things I've been learning and show you what we've eaten so far.
Eat well and pay less!
Food (in general) can be cheap, and the good thing about many restaurants is that it is well served. Of course there are places where food is more expensive, and this largely depends on where you go. But compared to many countries, I actually found the food prices to be good, at least in Malaga. (Years ago I went to other places in Spain, but only as a tourist, and was only there for two weeks. Prices changed. So I can't speak for literally the entire country).
If you love beer and wine, you will love Málaga! There are many good wines that you can find and buy a bottle for just 1 euro. There are higher prices, of course, but for you to see, it's cheap, and good! My mother loved the “Victoria Málaga” beer and found a version of the beer that is made with lemon. She'll try it tonight, and I'll update this page later based on the results, hehehe :)
"Victoria Malaga" Beer. Image owned by
Unstoppable lifestyle.
Seafood and ham.
Spain has incredible typical foods. But from my point of view, when I think about their style of food, the first two things that come to mind are seafood and ham. Although they are known for having a “Mediterranean lifestyle”, we cannot deny that Spain also has red meat, and in Madrid, for example, they have some typical foods that contain red meat, including ham.
I used to think that paellas only contained seafood, but I discovered that in many restaurants (at least in Malaga), they offer chicken and red meat paellas. I have nothing against red meat, in fact I sometimes eat it, but I can't hide the fact that my favorite type of meat is fish. So for me, my paella will always come with seafood no matter what! hahahaha
Two of my Spanish teachers told me that Spain is one of the most fishing countries. When we go to supermarkets, we often see frozen fish and seafood, even frozen paellas. It's much easier to eat fish during the week in Spain, for example, than in other countries, like Brazil or the United States. We see that, at least in Malaga, there is more access to buying this type of food.
"Seafood Paella." Image owned by
Unstoppable lifestyle.
Vegetables and fruits
I don't remember what other fruit and vegetable stores are like in other cities in Spain. I had higher expectations about it, and in my experience, Malaga at least didn't exceed them. I don't know if there were other places I could have gone to do my shopping, but I think I went to the best ones here. The Atarazanas Central Market is one of them. And also, Corte Inglés.
The reason I was a little upset is because I expected to find more variety than I did. For example, I tried to look for beets everywhere, and only at the end of the second month did I find one, which was grated and preserved in a small bottle. I also often found the vegetables and fruits in some markets I went to were not even close to being organic. The vegetables and fruits taste good, but like I said, maybe I didn't find what I was looking for because of my location. I can't speak for the entire country, especially since Mediterranean food is also a part of Spain.
Although in Brazil we don't eat much fish, and we don't have a Mediterranean lifestyle, I think it's much easier to find vegetables and fruits, as we have lots of markets everywhere, compared to Malaga, for example. But, again, there are these contrasts, because although some foods can be cheap at markets, food in Spain (in general) can be cheaper than in Brazil.
Central Market of Atarazanas- Malaga.
Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Central Market of Atarazanas- Malaga.
Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
"El Corte Inglés"- Málaga- Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
The care of Restaurants for their Customers.
I can't speak for all the restaurants, as I didn't look at each one, but many will show the ingredients for their meals on the menu. For people who have gluten issues, allergies, or celiac disease, this can be very helpful! Personally, I loved this precaution, as it is not very common in all restaurants in Florida or São Paulo. I think this shows respect for your customer and consideration.
Image from Place #1. Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Image from Place #2. Image owned by Lifestyle Unstoppable.
Variety of food
Malaga is full of tourists all year round, people say. Right now, I can say that in the last few weeks, and even today, it has been raining a lot. However, there are many tourists who visit Malaga. Consequently, there are many types of food in Malaga, including Arabic restaurants.
Work hours
I still haven't figured out how the trades work here. I am aware that in many places in Spain there is a 'siesta'. At least in Malaga, it's usually from two to four/five in the afternoon. This means that many businesses close and reopen at five and six o'clock. But, I can see that after the 'siesta', other businesses simply won't open again. It was a weekday, I tried to contact a clinic during business hours and they were closed. Meanwhile, in Brazil, business starts at six and seven in the morning and closes at eleven at night. Many Brazilian restaurants, in fact, start at seven in the evening and close after midnight. So, as a Brazilian, seeing businesses closing early in Málaga was very curious.
This is a little of what I've experienced so far in Malaga, and I hope to continue sharing this experience with all of you!
Written by Health Coach, VPD.