Why Living in Popoyo Changed the Way I Think About Food, Health, and Home

“How lucky I am to live somewhere I can't wait to come back to."

As my plane descended into Nicaragua after a recent trip back to Arizona, I felt something I hadn't expected quite so strongly: relief.

There is something deeply healing about returning to the jungle.

Sure, it's hot. This year's unusually dry season (thanks, El Niño) has left Popoyo hotter and dustier than usual. I'm perpetually a little sweaty and sticky. But somehow, none of that matters.

Because this place feels good.

A Trip Home That Made Me Appreciate My New Home

Recently, I flew back to Arizona to surprise my mom for her birthday and spend time with family and friends.

Like many visits back to the U.S., nearly every social gathering revolved around eating out. Restaurants became the meeting place, the entertainment, and the way we connected.

I'll admit—I was thrilled to reunite with one of my longtime favorites: a classic bean burrito.

But after just a few days, my body started sending me a very clear message.

My stomach wasn't happy.

Even now, days later, it's still recovering.

I did my best to make healthy choices while I was there, but eating well can be surprisingly challenging. Even when you order the "healthy" option, it's often difficult to know where the food came from, how it was produced, or what oils and additives were used during preparation.

It made me realize how much I had unknowingly taken for granted in Nicaragua.

The Gift of Eating Local

One of my favorite things about living in Popoyo is knowing where so much of my food comes from.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are grown nearby.

Eggs come from local farms.

Many restaurants source ingredients from neighboring communities.

Grass-fed beef, freshly caught fish, and ethically raised meat are often far more accessible and affordable than what I was used to in the United States.

There's a connection between the land, the farmers, and the people eating the food that feels increasingly rare.

When you know the person who grew your papayas, caught your shrimp, harvested your lettuce, or raised your chickens, food becomes something much more than fuel.

It becomes community.

A Different Pace of Life

The trip also reminded me how much my daily lifestyle has changed.

Arizona in the middle of summer was simply too hot for long walks or hiking. Most of my days revolved around shuffling from various air-conditioned buildings, vehicles, and the occasional escape to a gym (travel tip: many gyms offer free trial passes if you're visiting!).

Back in Popoyo, life naturally happens outdoors.

Morning surf sessions.

Walking to meet friends.

Yoga in open-air shalas with epic views of the ocean.

Fresh air instead of recycled air conditioning.

Even though it's warm, I'm moving more naturally throughout the day.

My nervous system notices the difference.

Supporting Local in Popoyo

One of the things I love most about this community is how many incredible local businesses are working hard to provide fresh, healthy food and handmade products.

A few of my personal favorites include:

• Abby and Karen’s Place- A hidden gem offering international-style raw milk cheeses made from the milk of one local, humane, sustainability-minded farmer. You'll also find fresh breads, homemade sweets, and comforting, old-school meals. Their chicken and beef come from a single local farmer who raises animals ethically and sustainably, with all butchering done by Abby and her team. If you'd like Abby's contact information, send me an email—I'm happy to connect you!

• Miranda's and Dale Pues Market for locally sourced products.

• Finca Veranera for sustainably grown food and community-focused agriculture. Here’s the Whatsapp group to stay informed.

Supporting these businesses doesn't just benefit your health—it helps strengthen the local economy and keeps Popoyo's unique community thriving.

Visiting Popoyo? Here's Something You Might Not Realize

If you're planning a yoga retreat, surf trip, or wellness vacation in Popoyo, know that many of the meals you'll enjoy aren't traveling thousands of miles before reaching your plate.

They're often grown, harvested, or produced just down the road.

It's one of the quiet luxuries of this little corner of Nicaragua.

Fresh ingredients simply taste different.

Your body notices.

Many visitors tell me they sleep better, have more energy, experience less bloating, and simply feel better after spending time here. While everyone's experience is different, slowing down, eating more simply, and spending time in nature can have a profound effect on how we feel.

Home Isn't Just a Place

This trip reminded me that home isn't necessarily where you grew up (or where your mom is, sorry mom!).

Sometimes it's the place where your body exhales.

Where you know your neighbors.

Where your food has a story.

Where your days are guided by the tides instead of traffic.

And where, every time you leave, you can't wait to come back.

If you're looking for a place to reconnect—with nature, with your body, and with a slower way of living—I hope you'll come experience Popoyo for yourself.

And if so, there is a high probability I’ll see you in the lineup or on the yoga mat.