Chili Peppers

I attended a big literary event (FILEY) with some writer friends this week, and on the way back we had a conversation about chili peppers. My spicy-heat tolerance is mild-to-medium. They were telling me different health benefits of peppers and you can build your tolerance. That sounded like something I could learn more about and experiment with, especially while living in Mexico. (Thanks Martine!)

So I bought three peppers at the produce market today: I can't remember the name of the yellow one.

I started googling about peppers: health benefits, different kinds, how to cook with them, etc. So far the tips I've read are that it's recommended to wear some disposable gloves when cutting the peppers and removing seeds and membrane. And if you burn your mouth to avoid water and use dairy - drink milk, have some yogurt, or even ice cream.

Chili peppers contain the molecular compound capsaicin which apparently aids in weight loss and fighting cancer.

Some health benefits include:

Increase circulation
Contains lots of vitamin C
Help lower bad cholesterol
Help improve digestion
Help lose weight
Help lower blood pressure
Help fight inflammation

 I plan to make some vegetarian chili and chop up Serrano, or maybe a a bit of all three, and add just a bit. I now the Poblano peppers are commonly roasted, and can be stuffed. I have to start out slow! Any suggestions or recipes are welcome.


I found this site to be interesting and helpful; http://www.chilipeppermadness.com/
Dr. Axe has an article about capsaican here: https://draxe.com/capsaicin/
 

g r a t i t u d e

Attention to gratitude might be a trendy thing, but I just finished reading, 'The Gratitude Diaries, How A Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life' by Janice Kaplan. I enjoyed her stories, studies, and interviews about the positive affect gratitude can make in your health, attitude, and life, as well as influence on others. It's a year-long project exploring and practicing gratitude.

I've tried gratitude practices in the past like noting one-to-three specific things from the day to be grateful for in a journal, and another time via email with a friend.

What I like about this book is how she made gratitude a lifestyle by daily actions. It can be retraining yourself to pay attention, notice and acknowledge the good, the blessings.  And learning to re-frame your responses when life hands you challenging or frustrating situations.

Clever planter!

I also like how she began the year by noticing and appreciating her husband each day. By stopping to appreciate things he did, and not taking anything for granted had a very positive influence on their marriage. Counselors confirmed practicing gratitude strengthened neural circuits for love and connection, like fitness strengthens your body. (note to self: good place to start.)

Of course it's easier to be grateful for nice people, good circumstances, favorable conditions.... but she also has examples of people going through loss and hardship, and how they still choose to be positive, and make the most of their lives.

 Being an impetus of appreciation and kindness, and helping others goes a long way. It is very reciprocal, usually you feel better in return, and those touched by gratitude tend to be pay-it-forward. Gratitude is an action.

Así es la vida.

Recently

Here is a little photo update. We took a walk and saw they still do that video mapping on the Cathedral and saw the pretty flowers/colors.

 
This morning we passed by Parque Santa Lucia and noticed they added a Merida sign by the 'Edith Ann' chairs.😁












We took a ride on the scooter and rode through a colorful cemetery. Seriously, the colors and mausoleums everywhere make it seem, dare I say, cheerful, considering it is a cemetery.

And then we drove around the park area that goes on for blocks. Paseo Verde.

There is an area that looks like a playground, but it's crazy really! Look at those swings. I don't even know how you get on them. George walked up the stairs but it's kind of scary.

 There are many places we have not been yet and will have to make some effort to get out and explore more. 

ayer y hoy (yesterday and today)

Yesterday I went to the English Library to hear a Writers Group panel speak about writing. I got there late and missed half, but I was in the presence of writers, which often inspires me to write. It's been breezy here in Merida lately. I can still hear the wind blowing strong against the trees.

Martine's Basil Plant

I also visited my friend Martine yesterday. She has the biggest basil plant growing that I've seen. I am going to move my small basil plant into a bigger pot!

pancakes with side of mango

 This morning I tried one of the those recipes I've seen on Facebook where you watch the short video of it being prepared. It was two-ingredient pancakes and it worked well! Mash one banana, then mix one egg in with it (I added some chia seeds) then pour in pan to cook. I thought they came out pretty good. If you like, give it a try.

These two Sisters were walking in front of me. I don't know why,
 but I love when I see them on the streets in any city.

Today I walked to the Slow Food Market, I picked up salad greens, brown eggs, ginger root (to make ginger iced-tea), pumpkin seeds, and radishes. Then I had lunch with two friends Martine, and Alex, at the yummy Korean restaurant in that area. I love meeting with these two expat friends. We enjoy each others company, and offer each other support and different perspectives. Actually, that is true with most of my friends!

I also got to see another amigo Jerry for a little while. He's smart and funny and we had some good laughs. 


This social community, plus staying in contact with other good friends around the world has added so much to my life. It's worth the time it takes for writing long emails, and having skype calls. Is there someone you have in mind, or would like to hear from? If you choose, take a few minutes and let them know you are thinking of them.
Namaste

muscle fascia

Travel size foam roller

Are you familiar with muscle fascia? It's a band of collagen-connective tissue beneath the skin that wraps around internal organs and connects to muscles and bones. Many years ago at a gym I remember using a foam roller, and rolling on it with my quads and sides of my legs. It hurts, which shows how tight that can get. I continue to use my travel size foam roller which helps stretch and loosen things up a little.

Dr. Christiane Northrup posted a good article about it here: http://www.drnorthrup.com/muscle-fascia/?utm_source=9988964_A_CN&utm_medium=email&utm_content=5612&utm_campaign=email_Newsletter_Northrup_2016&utm_id=5612

densely-packed collagen fibers that wrap around each of your internal organs and connect them to your muscles and bones - See more at: http://www.drnorthrup.com/muscle-fascia/?utm_source=9988964_A_CN&utm_medium=email&utm_content=5612&utm_campaign=email_Newsletter_Northrup_2016&utm_id=5612#sthash.kAvVIKRX.dpuf

densely-packed collagen fibers that wrap around each of your internal organs and connect them to your muscles and bones - See more at: http://www.drnorthrup.com/muscle-fascia/?utm_source=9988964_A_CN&utm_medium=email&utm_content=5612&utm_campaign=email_Newsletter_Northrup_2016&utm_id=5612#sthash.kAvVIKRX.dpuf

densely-packed collagen fibers that wrap around each of your internal organs and connect them to your muscles and bones - See more at: http://www.drnorthrup.com/muscle-fascia/?utm_source=9988964_A_CN&utm_medium=email&utm_content=5612&utm_campaign=email_Newsletter_Northrup_2016&utm_id=5612#sthash.kAvVIKRX.dpuf

densely-packed collagen fibers that wrap around each of your internal organs and connect them to your muscles and bones - See more at: http://www.drnorthrup.com/muscle-fascia/?utm_source=9988964_A_CN&utm_medium=email&utm_content=5612&utm_campaign=email_Newsletter_Northrup_2016&utm_id=5612#sthash.kAvVIKRX.dpuf

yellow

Apparently Holly is a prophet and predicted the Pats win, and on top of that we won the little Superbowl pool for the first time.

What a game!

If anyone can pull a win off like that, it's Tom Brady. He has a gift for scoring points in very little time.

This is bad selfie at the movie theater. We went to see La La Land at the VIP theater in the mall that has recliner seats, and waiter service. Just the experience makes it worthwhile. We all enjoyed the movie, but I liked it more than George, and other other two friends. There is something about going for your dream, and the reality of not always believing you can have it, and not giving up, that inspires.

I wish I had the determination and confidence of Tom Brady, but I don't. Some days are just a challenge. I am more clear on what I want to do, but then I get bogged down with how to do those things 'here'. Or I get questions regarding the newsletter (as my new position as editor), that I don't know how to answer, and have to get a few others involved.  Yes, there is a learning curve.

I can't complain, I am still happy and grateful with our choice to reside in Merida. I just want to share that it may seem like an easy or cush life, but believe me, your own personal challenges and struggles do not disappear. Or times when you have do some some undesirable research or task, it can feel too heavy.

Have you ever heard, that 'motion can change your emotion'? It's a great tip. Sitting and thinking rarely helps, for me at least. But if you literally get up and move your body, do some stretches (or exercise) or take a walk around the block, or go out and meet a friend, it will create a shift.  Or at least take a few conscious, deep breaths. (It's amazes me how often I need to be reminded to do just that!) Your mood may lift, the task becomes bearable.

Adriene, (in Yoga with Adriene) always says to take responsibility for your own happiness. I would include well-being. Whatever that means for you. Sometimes it means to temporarily, physically remove yourself from a situation so it doesn't get worse (I heard that from my friend Alex). Sometimes it means choosing to make someone else's day better simply to smile at a stranger, or give your undivided attention to a partner or friend.

You catch my drift..... even sharing these thoughts has lifted my own spirit.

Bright yellow I noticed on my walk yesterday

As Julian of Norwich said,  “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” One way or another, I know it will.

Some vignettes from the past week

Last Friday George and I went to visit our talented-artist friend Kreso, at an art gallery event. Afterwards walking back we saw the new 'big chairs' in Parque Santa Lucia. It totally reminds me of Edith Ann, for those of you who get the reference!


We also happened to walk by Mercado 60 which is a newer trendy sort of food court, with a variety of food options and live music on certain nights. The seating is mostly shared picnic benches and tables. It was the perfect time to check it out since we were hungry. We opted for burritos. Mine was a veggie burrito - served like a salad in a tortilla wrap, loved it. George liked his meat burrito as well.


 The band quickly had people dancing, and I thought the place had a great vibe

Tuesday morning George and I drove to Centro on his scooter and had breakfast at our old favorite place, Cafeteria Pop. We had our usual coffee, fruit parfait, and hotcakes. We discovered that they slightly raised their prices. That dish is now 65 pesos, but obviously still extremely budget friendly. After breakfast I headed over to attend a Women's Club board meeting.

After the meeting I went to visit my friend Martine, as we decided to start our own little informal writing group. She prepared a lunch for us - cucumber and tomato salad with pita-like crackers, and humus to spread on top. She also shops at the slow food (farmer's market). It's a great place to get organic produce, specialty items, and even fermented products, which I already mentioned. I have tried the kefir (which is a fermented milk) a couple of times now as well.

It turned into a full day, as our friend Alex joined us later in the afternoon. As evening began to cool the air and darken the sky, the three of us went our for some local Yucateccan comida. It was actually cold enough to enjoy sopa de lima, and salbutes.

(A salbute is a puffed deep fried tortilla that is topped with chopped cabbage, pulled chicken or turkey, tomato, pickled red onion, avocado, and pickled jalapeño pepper. Salbutes originate from the Yucatán peninsula- from Wikipedia).

On Thursday George and I were out, and stopped by to see our friend Jerry, and the one-and-only Holly.


Later, I was at a grocery store with my pal Mario and we noticed this young blonde woman, and her tattoo on her leg of a palm tree. It had sand below and a compass in the middle. Mario asked her about it and we learned she was visiting from Denmark, and just got that tattoo here in Merida this week!

It's nice to remember that people visit Merida from many different places. And someday when Mario and I have plenty of extra money, we know where to get our next tattoos.