Café Grano Café

Today Dan and I walked to downtown Ajijic to an organic coffee shop to enjoy a cup of coffee.

THE ONLY DRAW BACK IS THE PIES AND CROISSANTS ARE NOT ORGANIC OR GLUTEN FREE

Café Grano Café

At Café Grano Café, the daily grind means only one thing: the intense aroma of freshly ground and roasted coffee wafting in the air.

This little café has an atmosphere that's inviting enough for staying the afternoon or just stopping by for a quick espresso. The traditional drip coffee you might be used to is not served here, so order an Americano instead if you're looking for a cup o' joe (that's a shot of espresso in piping hot water).

Teas are also served, along with croissants, and pies such as lemon meringue.

However, the main draw here is the whole bean coffees delivered fresh from three different Mexican states: Veracruz, Chiapas and Oaxaca. All are extraordinary, but the Oaxaca is especially rich, without being too strong to down several cups in a row. It's rounded out with a hint of a chocolate undertone. Beans are available in two different roasts (medium and French) and if you stick around the cafe for very long, you'll see a number of folks coming in to buy their weekly fix.

Prices went up a little recently, but are still dirt cheap compared to what you might be used to north of the border. It's about $150 pesos per kilo (2.2 pounds).

 

 

El otro pan: Productos que ofrecimos en el mercado

El otro pan: Productos que ofrecimos en el mercado

El otro pan: Productos que ofrecimos en el mercado: Aquí hay una lista con fotografías de los productos que ofrecimos en el mercado, ¡con gran éxito! También hemos llevado brownies, galletas...

The other pan: Products offered on the market: Here is a list with pictures of the products offered in the market, with great success! We have also brownies, cookies ...

 

Productos que ofrecimos en el mercado

Aquí hay una lista con fotografías de los productos que ofrecimos en el mercado, ¡con gran éxito!
También hemos llevado brownies, galletas deliciosas mucho mejor que las que se venden en centros comerciales, (casi todas las compraron personas que comen trigo sin problema y nunca notaron la diferencia).

1. En la foto 1 le mostramos otro pan muy suave que lleva una mezcla de harinas que hace que se infle y quede muy rico, además en lo personal puedo decir que me cae muy bien al estómago. Cuando nos quitan el gluten, nos hace falta fibra y este es muy sano. Cada pan tiene un costo de $15 pesos.

2. En la foto 2  aparecen los Bagels. Este es un experimento reciente, también muy sano que quedó buenísimo. Salen muy suaves y con una consistencia deliciosa. Cada bagel cuesta $12 pesos.

 

3. No se si les guste la pizza, pero a mí me encanta. Ésta la hacemos con queso deslactosado. Puede llevar carne, jamón o simplemente tomates deshidratados. Dependiendo de los ingredientes puede ir de los 120 a los 150 pesos (carne, jitomate deshidratado, jamón dulce, jamón serrano, o bien la pizza precocida para hornear al gusto).

 4. La lasagna de la foto 4 también está congelada, por eso se ve rara. Pero doy fe de que es buenísima. También la hacemos con queso deslactosado y todos los ingredientes son sin gluten, incluyendo la pasta, obviamente. La carne es de excelente calidad, para no correr ningún riesgo. $135 pesos. 

5. Y por último la torta de elote... esta sí lleva leche condensada. Si se tolera un poco de lactosa,es deliciosa.  Individual $12 pesos. Grande $60 pesos. 

Este pan de arroz es ideal para hacer tapas estilo español. Con queso de cabra o queso deslactosado para quienes no toleran la lactosa, quedan unas tapas deliciosas. También puedes ponerle tortilla de papa, antipasto, escalibada o hacer pruebas con los ingredientes que gustes.

El otro pan, lleva una cobertura de nuez con sal riquísima y picona.

Puedes acompañar tus tapas con una buena botella de vino tinto.

otropan@gmail.com

  

Today we went to an open market to purchase our foods.  Who would of thought that   right around the corner there were gluten free breads?  The one item that I was worried that I would not find in Mexico was gluten free breads.  Well El OTROPAN saved me from not having breads and other gluten free products.

I would like to thank this vender for providing me with delicious waffles.  I created a masterpiece and added color by supplying berries for favor.  Check out there web site http://elotropan.blogspot.mx/ 

THE HEART OF AJIJIC

Ajijic (pron.: /ɑːhɪ'hɪk/; IPA: [axi'xik] ( listen)) is a town about 3 miles from, and a part of, the municipality of Chapala, in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. Situated on the north shore of Lake Chapala, surrounded by mountains, Ajijic enjoys a moderate climate year round. The population is around 15,000.

　
Ajijic is located (at 20°18"N, 103°15"W) 5046 feet above sea level in the vast central Mexican plateau that is home to the Sierra Madre mountain range.

The Chapala Lake basin has a year round average temperature of about 72 degrees. Due to Ajijic's tropical latitude, the sun is warm year round; due to its relatively high elevation, it is seldom unpleasantly hot or humid. The rainy season begins in June and lasts until October with an average rainfall of approximately 34 inches. Even during the rainy season, precipitation generally occurs during the evening or at night.

December and January are the coolest months and May is the hottest, just before the onset of the rainy season. Overall, there is very little temperature variation year round: daytime highs in January are around 75 degrees; daytime highs in July are around 80 to 90 degrees.

Up until the arrival of the Spanish, the region was occupied by nomadic Indian tribes, probably the Cocas tribe that settled the northern shore. There seem to be many explanations, and meanings for the names Chapala and Ajijic, all of which are Indian place names, probably derived from Nahuatl, the native language of the area.

The Chapala region, especially Ajijic, has become a destination for Americans and Canadians

Living in Ajijic Mexico, the first thing that comes to my mind is my daughter Danielle. The beauty and the art remind me of her and the talent that she was gifted with. She is truly my sunshine and Ajijic is full of sunshine and is very peaceful with lots of art. The culture and nature is amazing and full of life.

I wanted to point this all out in a movie with my daughter’s favorite song of all time, YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE. The capture of the up beat song adds to the beauty of Ajijic.

 

 

In Mexico, April 30 is Children's Day: el Dia del Niño

Today at where we are living they are celebrating Kids Day. There is lots of music and fun at Hotel Perico. I could not help but go down and watch the kids have fun on some blow up games. It’s a big celebration and everyone takes pleasure in participating in this event. Check out some of the video I took along with pictures to capture how much fun the day brought.


　 Written by Sergio Wheeler explaining what Kids Day is all about in Mexico.

Mother's Day and Father's Day are widely celebrated throughout the world. But Mexico is such an inclusive culture. Children's Day is always filled with activities, and children look forward to a holiday all their own with fun, gifts and special events.

Many schools celebrate the day before and parents are invited. Of course, there are usually no classes on Children's Day itself, April 30, even though it is not an official holiday in the school calendar.

On Children's Day, the main focus is on the children and making them feel special. In shopping malls all over Mexico, special events with clowns, magicians, music, shows and balloons take place. Amusement parks as well as zoos and children's museums usually offer discounts or special deals for children on this day. Water parks are a popular option for spending the day, taking advantage of April's warm weather. Lines for the water slides can be quite long, but the reward of a refreshing splash in a swimming pool waiting at the end are truly worth the wait.

Large movements are organized by different civil associations that collect toy donations from citizens. On Children's Day, they give them out to orphans and needy children as a way of literally "making their day." Toys related to war or that require batteries to operate are generally not accepted.

It is a festivity that is quite unique, full of laughter and play, when adults are reminded of the importance of childhood and children teach us how joyful and simple life can be.

Nowadays, the gifts children of the middle and upper classes ask for are very different than when I was a child though. I would ask for sport equipment, helicopters, and simple toys that were fun and involved playing outdoors. Today, children seem to be more inclined for Blackberries, iPods and video games, as technology has become an important part of contemporary lifestyles.

If you want to be a part of this celebration, why not buy individual packets of cookies to carry in your handbag or glovebox and give out to street kids in Mexico? Dollar store toys can also be affordable gifts.

Family is supremely important in Mexico, with Grandparent's Day on August 28th, Family Day on the first Sunday in March, and even a day for brothers and sisters. Of course, people come first, and there are also days dedicated to professions, like the Day of the Doctor, Day of the Teacher and Day of the Secretary, among others.



Have an awesome day KIDS….

MY DAY LIVING IN MEXICO

MY DAY LIVING IN MEXICO

 

If you know me, I like to make where I live mine by adding my own touches to where ever I am. It is no different now in Mexico. With the help of Dan we chose to brighten up our place with colors. So we decided to add many bright colors to the masterpiece of our home.

We started with our bed room and of course our bed. At first the thought of poke a dots was not in the picture, but after looking at it with the other items, it grew on me. So here it goes ~ the fitted sheet is dark purple and the sheets are white with big poke a dots with a blanket of orange and an over blanket of many colors. The rug is bright with many colors with a parrot as the picture. I know when I wake up from a nap or even in the morning I will feel so much alive. This is a great piece to the puzzle of Dan and mine healing process.

 

I have started to purchase my first live plant, a cactus. I decided that our table which we eat on would need a center piece and what fun would it be to have a cactus plant since we are in Mexico. HAHAHA

What would it be like to not have an area to cook in, especially when I like to create different dishes? I like to make it simple, but at the same time my very own masterpiece. The other day Dan wanted to have something sweet, but we could not find any gluten free sweets at the store. However we did find gluten free brownie mix. I am using an electric skillet and I thought how can I make brownies in the skillet? Well I came up with something, by using my imagination I decided to make miniature pancakes that look like cookies. YAY they came out real good and tasted just like a brownie. So you see anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

 

Its time for me to go out and enjoy the awesome site of the mountains from afar and the sweet sound of the birds tweeting with the flowers blooming all around.

Check out the pictures, I have been here three weeks already and feel like I can truly call this my home…..

Went last week to get my two year residential card, It is going to be official soon that I am legally stating that my home is Mexico….

INVITED TO A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

INVITED TO A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Dan and I were invited to a birthday celebration in the complex that we chose to live in Mexico. It was an amazing night and we met a lot of great and interesting people from Oregon, Manhattan, Hawaii, Colorado, Los Angeles, and New Orleans and all the way to New Zealand. As I talked to each of them I realized that this world is really and truly small. They all have a story to tell and I found each one very interesting.

The celebration was a birthday party, but I felt that it was also a celebration for each one of my new friends and their new beginnings. The weather was calm with an occasional breeze which made for a lovely night.

I am amazed with the friendships that I have met; everyone is so helpful and willing to give Dan and me suggestions regarding the products and where to shop. I already feel like I belong and have started to decorate my home my way by adding color everywhere. The other day I went to Wal-Mart and purchased sheets and a blanket which were purple and orange. I will be getting some rugs for the bed room. My colors are purple, lime green, orange, and yellow. It will not lack in brightness and will cheer us up. I can’t wait to post some pictures once I get it all fix up with my décor.

Tomorrow is Sunday a day of rest and exploring the complex. Until next week take care.

 

 

 

 

 

INVITADOS A UNA FIESTA DE CUMPLEAÑOS

Dan y yo fuimos invitados a una fiesta de cumpleaños en el complejo que hemos elegido vivir en México. Fue una noche increíble y conocimos a un montón de grandes e interesantes personas de Oregon, Manhattan, Hawaii, Colorado, Los Angeles y Nueva Orleans y todo el camino a Nueva Zelanda. Como ya he hablado con cada uno de ellos me di cuenta de que este mundo es real y verdaderamente pequeño. Todos ellos tienen una historia que contar y yo encontramos cada uno muy interesante.

La celebración fue una fiesta de cumpleaños, pero me pareció que era también una celebración de cada uno de mis nuevos amigos y los nuevos comienzos. El tiempo estaba en calma con una brisa ocasional que hizo para una noche maravillosa.

Estoy sorprendido con las amistades que he conocido, todo el mundo es muy amable y dispuesto a dar Dan y yo sugerencias con respecto a los productos y dónde comprar. Ya me siento que pertenezco y he empezado a decorar mi casa mi camino por la adición de color por todas partes. El otro día fui a Wal-Mart y hojas compradas y una manta que era morado y naranja. Voy a estar recibiendo algunas alfombras para el dormitorio. Mis colores son morado, verde lima, naranja y amarillo. No faltará en el brillo y animarnos. No puedo esperar para publicar algunas fotos una vez que consiga todo arreglar con mi decoración.

Mañana es domingo, un día de descanso y explorar el complejo. Hasta la próxima semana cuidar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOVIE

 

ENJOYING MY NEW ADVENTURE

ENJOYING MY NEW ADVENTURE

ENJOYING MY NEW ADVENTURE

As I lay down tonight I am thinking how blessed I am to be alive for it is going on three years since I was DX with breast cancer. I am not only celebrating this event being cancer free but now enjoying a new life in another country. It has been a long road and for the one’s that have been following my progress with Functional Medicine I thank you for being there by my side. For others I invite you to explore my blog on how I managed cancer without surgery, chemo and radiation. As you browse through you will get educated on natural ways to take care of ones body.

As you continue to follow my new journey in Mexico, I would like to capture the adventure and culture of another country. Dan and I have heard from several people that they were concerned with our well being. I want to express as I explore my new home that I feel just as safe here as where I was living before in the States and the statistics I have read seem to point that out.

 

 

 

 

Every time I go out my front door, I hear birds tweeting and see the beauty of the mountains that surround me with nature of the land, with trees and flowers all around. I hear dogs barking, trying to say something and see the horses coming up to eat the green grass and drinking the water from the sprinklers while the sun beats down on my skin giving me the natural vitamin D that one needs to keep healthy. The rocky road going down to the end of the road is hilly and is great for exercise. It is so peaceful here looking over the cliff at the town below us; this is just what our doctor ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

Next week I will be going to Ajijic to explore and will be reporting what we have discovered. So until then enjoy the rest of the week.

 

ORGANIC FOODS