Today is Blog Action Day where bloggers are uniting to post about the environment. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future. So what better way to get kids interested in the environment than with a book about turtles?

Turtle Feet, Surfer’s Beat by Marina Kuperman is a the story of an American teenager, Penelope, whose family moves to Costa Rica due to her father’s job. He’s been assigned to take pictures of endangered leatherback turtles.

Upon their arrival Penelope’s mother informs her that she’s been registered to do a two-week volunteer session at the Leatherback Turtle Biological Center. She’s not thrilled at the prospect, and can’t stand the bugs or the accomodations.

However, that’s soon forgotten when she has her first encounter with the turtles. Soon, Penelope promises to do all she can to help save the species from being wiped out. But the turtles aren’t her only interest – there’s Kendall, a gorgeous surf champ. He too is passionate about the environment and shares his goal to preserve South American marine life with Penelope.

Fall in love, learn to surf, save leatherback turtles, and defeat black market poachers – sounds like an adventure that will appeal to Young Adult readers worldwide.

Click here to order. (You can order the e-book now or wait until November 15 to get the paperback). 10% of all the proceeds go directly to saving the Leatherback Turtle and other marine animals.

More About the Turtle Feet, Surfer Beat Website

I’ve been in touch with Marina, the author, who told me why the book’s website is directed more at building community rather than focusing directly on the book. (Check out her blog, Backstage Pass to Turtle Feet, Surfer’s Beat, too.)

I figure, a good read helps to get us all hyped-up to take action and make a difference, especially if it’s for a good cause. And that’s exactly what my book intends to do. Since, we are all in the know about the conditions of our oceans, and really wanna do something to start making a difference.

Plus, we also know that everything is so much more fun to do when you’re having a blast at it with friends. So, that’s exactly what www.turtlefeetsurfersbeat.com is all about. It’s not your typical site of more information thrown at you, but rather a way to get involved and join forces with your favorite surfers, musicians, artists, conservationists, and other cool people already taking action.

Marina was also kind enough to share recipes for two Costa Rican dishes, Arroz Con Leche and Gallo Pinto.

Arroz Con Leche
(rice custard)

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups rice
2. 1 can condensed sweetened milk
3. 1 can evaporated milk
4. 2 cinnamon sticks
5. 2 whole cloves
6. dash of salt
7. 3 cups of water

Directions:

1. Cook rice in salted water until tender.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix with a fork, simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Remove cinnamon sticks. Serve warm.

Variation:

You can add 1/2 cup of canned pineapple, shredded coconut or raisins. Try sprinkling with cinnamon, too.

Gallo Pinto
(rice and beans)

Marina says this is the most traditional Costa Rican dish. It is mainly served for breakfast, but if you enter any Costa Rican house there will always be Gallo Pinto to serve!

Ingredients:

1. 3 cups cooked rice
2. 2 cups cooked black beans
3. 2 Tbsp. onion, finely chopped
4. 1 Tbsp. bell pepper, finely chopped
5. 2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
6. 2 Tbsp. oil
7. salt to taste

Directions:

1. Saute onion and bell pepper in oil on medium heat.
2. Add beans and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add rice and stir. Cook for 3 minutes.
4. Add cilantro and mix well.
5. Serve. If desired, you can top with lots of sour cream. Marina says that most Costa Ricans eat it with lots of sour cream.

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