A funny thing happens when I visit Colombia… I eat well. I don’t just mean I eat a lot. I do that all the time. When I travel to South America, I tend to eat stuff that’s actually good for me. It’s not something I do intentionally. It just is more convenient.

Just like how here in America, it’s more convenient to hit the drive thru, when I visit Bogota and Medellin in Colombia, you have to go out of your way to find junk food. Everywhere you go there are fresh fruits and vegetables. Meat is sourced locally. And the food is so darn fresh everywhere you go. It’s the norm.

I notice a big difference when I get back to the U.S. After a few days of eating heavily processed foods, my mood starts to sour. I get sluggish and fatigued faster. I’m not blaming our country. It’s all my fault. Healthier more natural foods are out there. It’s just not as convenient. Just as it’s not as convenient to find junk food in Colombia.

• Freshly Squeezed

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  We tried to visit a big tourist spot Comuna 13 in Medellin. Being the type that never wants to ask for directions, we got lost and ended up in some tiny town center. We were the only Americans for miles and don't speak a lick of Spanish. But we were thirsty and this fresh squeezed juice hit the spot. She must've squeezed a dozen of these for each drink and it was like $2 for 2 drinks. As we sipped we were getting stared at because clearly tourists don't come to this part of town. We tipped her like $5 and you'd have thought we just handed over the keys to a car by her reaction.

• Bacon Cheeseburger at Lauras BBQ in Medellin

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  OK doesn't get more American than a bacon cheeseburger. This BBQ spot had football on on Thanksgiving Day so we stopped in. It was my second visit. Red meat isn't as popular in Colombia and there aren't a lot of great places but this is one of them. Laura's in Poblado (Medellin).

• Tokuma Free App

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  Takuma Cocina Show is a must visit every trip to Bogota. It's one of those Japanese steakhouses where they grill and prepare everything in front of you. A meal with apps, dessert and drinks that would cost probably $75-100 here costs about $15-20 US per person. This is the free app they give you... the presentation of everything is artsy.
• Pan de la Abuelo in Bogota

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  This doesn't look all that photogenic now that I look at it, but it's a must for me every trip. "Pan de la abuelo" I believe... which means grandmother's bread. It's kind of a cheese danish... so so so so so so good. One of my favorite foods anywhere in the world. The sweet custardy cream sauce is out of this world.

• Another eye catching creation at Betty’s Bowls in Medellin

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  I am going through my pics and honestly don't even remember what this was but it looks great. It must've been ordered by one of the others in our group. But I can tell by the dish it was from Betty's Bowls.

• Filet Mignon at Brije in Medellin

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  I had one of the most incredible steaks I ever had at this place in Medellin called Brije Restaurante. Whatever they marinated the steak with or topped it with had this incredible flavor. I assume it was lime because they put lime on everything in Colombia and I love it. This place got me to enjoy guacamole for the first time. I've never cared for it, but they had a spicy version that I devoured. I even ate the asparagus which I never eat.
• Il Forno Italiano Pizzeria in Bogota

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  This little pizza shop is in the food court of the incredible luxury apartment building we stay at in Bogota. The apartment is on the 27th floor and overlooks the mountains and entire city. It's under $40 a night. The pizza isn't the best you'll have, but a legit wood fire oven baked pizza for about $5 US ... can't hate on that.

• Dessert at Takuma Cocina Show in Bogota

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  I posted video of the chef show at Takuma with fire and steak and chicken on my Instagram... but this is the free dessert they sent over after the meal... deep fried Oreos with ice cream and some kind of chocolate crumbly thing. Insanely good!

• Caprese

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  Tried a new place in Medellin after reading rave reviews about this Italian restaurant that everyone said had amazing pizza. It wasn't. But the staff was nice and food looked good for Instagram. But the pizza was a C- so I'll just show you the caprese app we had.
• Smoothie Bowl at Betty’s Bowls in Bogota

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  If you ever visit Medellin, seek out Betty's Bowls. I usually get the smoothie bowl with yogurt on the bottom. All those chunks of fruit and I always add a scoop of natural REAL peanut butter. It's awesome... and a rare healthy meal for me. On the unhealthy side, the waffles are great too!

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