ejercicios en el agua

My new article is up on The Yucatan Times about pool exercise. If any fitness enthusiasts know of other good pool exercises or info, feel feel to comment.

Here is a short video of bicycle-movement in the water:

clouds

butterfly?

heart

Chia Seeds

Did you know that chia seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition?
They are loaded with omega 3, antioxidants, fiber, and more. Just google it and you'll find tons of info.

I also read that they were originally grown in Mexico, and in Mayan chia means 'strength'.

I occasionally add chia seeds to oatmeal, cereal, eggs, sauces, smoothies, yogurt....you can sprinkle them on almost anything. When you mix the seeds with milk (rice, almond, coconut...) and let it sit in the fridge covered overnight, they turn to a gel texture. I googled recipes and made a chocolate-chia pudding:

6 tbsp of chia seeds
1 cup rice milk
a couple tbsp of honey (or maple syrup)
2 tbsp of cocoa powder
1 tsp of pure vanilla extract


The next day it was thickened and really had a pudding texture. I thought it came out pretty good even though it's not very sweet. You can use more honey, syrup, or sweetener of choice.

Top it with fruit, nuts, or if I had whipped cream, I would put a dollop on it. I topped it with a few pieces of mango, and served it with a mini pain au chocolat for fun.

FYI, these are the articles I read:

 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/07/06/chia-seeds-benefits.aspx

 https://draxe.com/chia-seeds-benefits-side-effects/

Southern CA

We spent a couple of weeks in Southern California taking care of various things and spending time with family. One day we drove to downtown Los Angeles to request an apostille to bring back to Mexico. The drive wasn't bad until we got to the 101 freeway, then the traffic was super slow.

We were going to try and visit someplace like Universal Studios, but the admission is at least $100! (The last attractions I remember are from the 70's like the parting of the Red Sea, the Jaws experience, and the Ice Tunnel) Too expensive, we didn't go.

Los Angeles - freeway

Downtown LA

Downtown LA

Driving by the Wiltern Theater on Wilshire Blvd., I remembered going to a few concerts there, like Peter Murphy, back in 1990.

Downtown LA Wiltern Theater

Lamp post installation at LACMA

Along Wilshire Blvd., we stopped at La Brea Tar Pits which George had never been to. I remember going on a field trip there way back in elementary school (and probably enjoyed it more then).

The La Brea Tar Pits are a group of tar pits around which Hancock Park was formed in urban Los Angeles. Natural asphalt has seeped up from the ground in this area for tens of thousands of years. The tar is often covered with dust, leaves, or water. Wikipedia

La Brea Tar Pits

La Brea Tar Pits

My cousin Corey has an Optometry practice on Pico Blvd. It's a beautiful office with high tech equipment, friendly staff, and he's not only a great eye doctor who loves what he does, but is fluent in Spanish!

Eye exam and visit with my cousin Corey (Hodes Vision Optometry)

So Cal Family Collage

We managed to take care of everything, including selling our car. Now we are in the process of becoming temporary residents, and living in Merida full-time for the time being.

CA Road Trip

Below are more photos from our road trip. We spent time with family in the Bay Area, visited Filoli Gardens, and went for a hike in Elmwood Park.

On our drive back to So Cal, we stopped for views along the Central Coast and the Pacific ocean was a more beautiful shade of blue than I remember. We also stopped for a night in the charming and quiet Dutch town of Solvang, in Santa Ynez Valley.

Me and my amazing sister-in-law

George and the adorable Elmo






















 FILOLI GARDENS

 CENTRAL COAST

SOLVANG

 

Postcard from California

We are in California...taking a break from the Yucatan heat, to celebrate a graduation, visit family,  and tend to other pieces of business.

Amazing niece Katie graduates with honors.

Two of my favorite peeps! (proud Aunt)

Errands in downtown Santa Ana

CA hills on drive to Bay Area

Venetian Carousel in Casa de Fruta, near Gilroy

My latest article was just published in the Yucatan Times (see link on right side).

pep talk

Today,
I surrender
I trust God
I b-r-e-a-t-h-e
I create
I love
I care
I give
I am energized
I am abundant
I have love and faith in my heart
I shine
I share
I write
I strengthen my mind, body, and spirit
I will not give up
I will rise
I will speak the truth in love
I will listen more carefully
I will be kind and patient
I will smile

not perfectly, but I will try
and if you choose, you can too.