Experiencing "A Day of Taste" in San Ignacio

Our theme for the day was TASTE. We started off with a tour of the market in San Ignacio. Minor was our tour and chef, we purchased vegetables and spices to use for our cooking class. And when we didn't have an herb, he just went outside and harvested the Chaya!

THE KITCHEN

After the market, we joined the kitchen staff to create Belizean Cuisine for lunch,
the menu:

• Salbutes
• Fish Empanades
• Cilantro Slaw
• Bollitos de Chaya
• Escabeche
• Picado

The Bollitos were steamed in banana plant leaves that we also took from the groups of the resort. The staff at the Maya Mountain Resort made this a VERY memorable day. And the food, tasted fantastic.


Janice, Val and Melinda rolling bollitos.

Packing Smart

Choose outfits in which you can mix & match and wear individual items more than once. This will save you from packing multiple articles of clothing.

Research your trip; consult the weather channel and know the activities you will be participating in during your trip. http://www.belizenet.com/weatherix.shtml
It is probably going to be high 80s with lows of 75

Start by packing your bag with shoes first. They are known to take up the most space in a suitcase. Coordinate several outfits to utilize the same shoes.

Rolling your garments is known to be the best solution to get the most space out of your luggage.

Purchase travel-size toiletries. This will not only save room in your bags, but is necessary if part of your carry-on luggage. Using the hotel provided toiletries or packing samples (perfume, shampoo/conditioner, etc.) is another space-saving option. Even better – purchase your favorite brands in travel sizes at your destination and eliminate the need to pack them.

If you are filling a travel-size container with shampoo – only fill ¾ of the way full. This allows room for pressure during the flight and saves you from cleaning up a mess. In addition, make sure to pack all toiletries in a zip lock bag.

Pack any medication in your carry-on luggage so you aren’t stranded without them if your checked baggage is unexpectedly delayed or lost. Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs.

Leave your valuables behind. If you don’t want to chance losing it, it isn’t worth taking on your trip.

Include an extra set of clothing in your carry-on luggage if needed for an unexpected baggage delay, etc.

International Travel Tips

Know if your medical insurance fully protects you when traveling abroad. Call your insurance company and ask if your policy covers for emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.

Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.

Leave a photocopy of your passport and itinerary with someone at home. Should this be lost or stolen, it may be sent to you to avoid delays returning back home.

Familiarize yourself with your destination and ensure you understand the 'lay of the land' – understand their culture, laws and needed vaccinations.

Do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.

Do not bring excessive amounts of cash while site seeing. Leave what you don’t need behind in a hotel safe, not in your room unattended. (we are not sure the resort has a safe, we will check this, you will need less than $100 cash for this trip).

Staying Healthy on Our Belize Trip

Feeling well is an important part of your trip; you want to enjoy your travels for the entire duration and to the fullest. See the tips below to keep your health on track while traveling.

Visit your local physician before departing. Ensure you are up to date with all immunizations and check if any are needed for travel to your specific destination. Talk over any concerns if you are sensitive to altitude, humidity, etc.

Always have a travel size anti-bacterial gel handy and wash your hands often. Airports, bus stations, etc are known for their germs.

Get plenty of sleep and eat healthy. Vacations can be over-stimulating and the enjoyment can be lost if not feeling well.

Practice good judgment and eat at trustworthy locations; request bottled water if necessary.

Know your physical limits. Activities outside of normal routines can mean added strain to your body. A change in diet by sampling new and different foods or being in a different climate can also affect your health.

If you are hungry in Belize, ask for Gibut or Bamboo Chicken

If you order Gibut or Bamboo Chicken you will be delighting in some of that country's authentic offerings. Gibut, you might recall was served to Queen Elizabeth on her visit and the press had a field day because Gibut is a large rodent, the headline, "Queen Eats Rat in Belize." Bamboo chicken is actual iguana, known to be very tender.

But no worry, a traditional meal usually consists of rice and beans, stewed chicken (the kind that lays eggs and goes cluck cluck), potato salad and fried plantain. There are two types of rice/bean dishes: "Rice and beans" or "stew beans and rice," the former is red kidney beans cooked with the rice in coconut milk. Belizeans eat rice and beans each day.

Maya Soul Food consists of escabeche (soup) and garnaches (crisy corn tortillas topped with refried beans, grated cheese and tomato sauce) and tamales which can be obtained just about anywhere, anytime.

Seafood is abundant in Belize, there are dozens of choices and one called snook, considered to be the "steak of the sea."

Fruits are also plentiful: bananas, watermelon, papaya, pineapples and craboo (small yellow balls that are often made into wine or ice cream).

Pepitos, pumpkin seeds, are said to keep your mind off a failed romance or absent lover. And Yellow cashew fruit is stewed with brown sugar, or made into wine!

Belizeans aren't great coffee drinkers, they were a former British colony and so prefer tea!

Don't forget, we will all participant in a cooking school were we will shop for produce in the market and return to learn how to prepare it, then we get to enjoy the tastes!

Belize's Independence is Younger Than We Are

Before our trip begins on October 22, Dawn and I wanted to share some history as well as take a closer look at the people of this country.

Even though the history of Belize dates back to 600 BC where evidence shows the Maya were present, the people did not live in a democracy. Belize only recently won independence from British rule in 1981 as the Union Jack flag was lowered and the Belizean flag raised in its place.

The Spanish, British and the country of Guatemala have been fighting over this small country since the 1500s when the Spanish first arrived.

Current day Belize is a two party government with a Prime Minister the capital is Belmopan (however the town has never been too popular, workers prefer to live in Belize City).

The People of Belize.
The presence of many ethic groups is as much of a treasure as the ruins or barrier reefs.
Here are the words of creole artist Phillip Lewis, see if you can read and understand this (I bet Dawn can)
A tink a si wan new Belize weh di creole man, di mesizo, di Garifuna, an di Maya, no separate as a lis dem but instead all da Belizeans.

What he said was, "I think I see a new Belize where the creole, the mestizo, the Garifuna and the Maya are not separated as I have listed them, but united as Belizeans.

Belizeans have long described themselves as a "Caribbean nation in Central America" for they have more in common with the distant island then the neighbors of Mexico and Guatemala. This is because Belize has a British rather than Spanish heritage; English is the official language. The population is black creole, descended from African slaves and British settlers. There have always been the Maya and mestizos (mix of Indian and Spanish decent).

The mestizos live in the Orange Walk district in the north (close to Mexico), the blacks or Garifuna live in Stann Creek district in Eastern Belize. Maya are located in Mopan and Kekchi. And while in San Ignacio we will see Chinese people. The Mennonite from the US and Canada also call Belize their home.

Next week we will look at Maya history 800 Bc-AD1200. If you find some interesting facts about Belize, PLEASE SHARE THEM.

Destination San Ignacio Belize

Our resort is located just outside the city of San Ignacio. So we wanted to share with you some history and information about this city.
Belize is divided into districts, we are traveling to the western most Cayo District (Cayo is the Spanish word for cayes (the coral islands off Belize's coast).

Destination San Ignacio is possible via the Western Highway from Belize City (but it really looks like a two-land country road). The city is 90 minutes from the airport.

The Macal River runs through the city. The city was the last frontier in one of the most obscure corners of the British Empire, and several of its buildings retain a faded colonial charm. Population is 8000 (combined population of the nearby town of Santa Elena).

Cahal Pech ruins are located in the city, these ruins are significant because the main temple has been restored. It was populated around 1000 BC until AD 800. The name means Place of Tricks, given in the 1950s when the property around it was used as a cow pasture!

Saturday is market day in the city and this is where we will be shopping for our ingredients for the cooking class. An excellent way to be a market of their culture.

8 miles from San Ignacio is the village of San Jose Succotz, we have plans to visit it as well when we go to the Xunatunich Ruins. it is near a river and often you can see women washing their cloths on the rocks.

You will fall in love with this little town, just as Dawn and I have. Our trip is less than 30 days away.

(taken from the book, BELIZE Insight Guide)

Belize Tour Itinerary

THEME: EXPLORE YOUR SENSES

Thursday October 22, 2009

YOUR VOICE

Where is your voice?

ARRIVE Belize City

Tour Belize Zoo and hear the voices of 125 different animals, how do they communicate?

How do you communicate?

ARRIVE Maya Mountain Resort

Voice of the Grafina People - music poolside

Evening walk to Hammock Bridge to hear the voice of the parrots

Friday October 23, 2009

YOUR Sense of Touch/Feeling

Notice the sensations that touch your body and bring awareness to your emotional feelings as well.

Caving adventure at Actun Tunichil Muknal, known for rituals including human sacrifice, wet cave is accessible after 45 min hike through jungle our personal challenge day!

Evening gathering – discuss sensations and emotions – extend to feelings of appreciation for the body and all the work it did in the cave

Silent Night Hike

Saturday October 24, 2009

YOUR Sense of Taste: taste of Belize, marketplace trip, practice mindful eating

Meditation

Cooking school, learn how to prepare Belizean Cuisine, includes trip to San Ignacio marketplace for local fruits and vegetables, we get to eat the fruits of our labor and receive a cookbook to take home

Afternoon Bike Ride

Canoe to Barton Creek or Tour Cahal Pech Ruins in San Ignacio

Evening gathering: discover inner beauty using natural remedies found in market, discuss mindful eating

Sunday October 25, 2009

YOUR Sense of Sight: noticing textures and size of structures, also about getting a different perspective on things

Meditation and Jungle Hike

Xunantunich Ruins Tour - This ruin is known for its stucco decorations as well as the largest pyramid, rising 130 feet above the plaza.

Lunch at Bennies in Succotz Village nearby

On to San Ignacio for shopping and drinks at Eva’s, purchase Copal Incense and visit Indita Maya, the best little curio shop in San Ignacio

Evening gathering- Open discussion on Mayan Calendar end date 12/21/12 and what it means for you personally.

Monday October 26, 200

YOUR Sense of Smell: exploring in the flower garden, info about the nose’s capacity to smell aromatherapy, mate selection and memory smells

Meditation and Jungle Hike

Maya Healing Workshop with vegetarian lunch- A very special teaching with Eva Dr. Rosita Arvigo’s student, end with spiritual bathing with flowers and plants.

Medicine Plant Tour

Evening gathering: meditation meet the future you, use Copal Incense in ceremony

Tuesday October 27, 2009

YOUR REFLECTION Discussion at breakfast, followed by short silent hike before departing for airport

Our trip is set.

4 adventurous women who don't know each other have stepped forward and are going with Valerie and Dawn to Belize on October 22.

We are going to immerse ourselves in the country's people, sights, aromas, tastes and sounds.

Here is a little of our trip's highlights:

Day Two-Your Sense of Touch, caving at ATM (the one that you hike 45 min in jungle to get to and then swim 50 ft at the opening...) participants will focus on the sense of touch, coolness, dampness, and also emotional feelings associated with the darkness and difficulty of this adventure.

Day Three-Your Sense of Taste, shopping at local market for ingredients and attending cooking school to learn how to prepare Belizean cuisine. And then of course, enjoying our creations.

Plus,
Silent night hikes in the jungle, morning meditations, spiritual bathing, walks to Hammock Bridge to hear parrots, and more.

If you like what you just read, plan to go with us in 2010!

Val's adventurous side revealed in Belize!

I never expected to be swimming in a dark cave on Christmas morning. We didn't know what to expect during that long bus ride thru the heart of the Cayo district. When we arrived the guide led us through the jungle for about 45 minutes on foot. Then he handed out helmets with lamps, jumped in the water up to his chest and said, "let's go!, stay close behind." Three hours later we emerged into the sun and ate a fabulous lunch....it was absolutely the best experience. And thank God my son loaned me his black t-shirt....
The next day we paddled to San Ignacio, about 2 hours away from the river camp where we were staying. Talk about intimidating...floating down the river in Central America heading for a town we never had been and the only directions where to exit the river at the "concrete block on the left." We did it and had the best tacos in a little place most people in Dallas would never dare go in. I love allowing my adventurous side to come out in Belize. Join us October 22.

9 women attend manifesting class

What keeps us from doing what we want to do?

We want to spend more time with our families, be in nature, travel, try new things, take time for spiritual healing, contemplate a career transition, follow our heart or just get out of our box. But why can't we just jump into what we want in our hearts and do it 100%? Mostly fear gets in our way. Last night 9 lovely ladies were open and honest about what holds them back and worked to discover the source of the obstacle and to release it under the guidance of Valerie Grimes, Mind Coach. They then transferred their passions onto boards as visual reminders.

Dawn and Valerie have created a group trip to Belize, leaving on October 22 that is designed to assist women in the art of self-discovering using mini workshops and tours like this one. Come with us to Belize as you think you are, return as your unique, original self.

WHY AREN’T YOU GOING TO BELIZE?

FINAL DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS
APPROACHING
FOR THE
DISCOVER BELIZE,
REDISCOVER YOURSELF
TOUR OCT 22-27, 2009

BUT WE HAVEN’T HEARD FROM YOU.....


WHY AREN’T YOU GOING TO BELIZE?

No money
No time
My family doesn’t support me
I’m not sure
I have never traveled with strangers
Not sure I want to re-discover myself
There are bugs in the jungle


What you put your attention on grows stronger in your life. If you think I can’t, you won’t.
So, if you really deep down inside want to go to Belize with us....

YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Come find out how.

Valerie and Dawn will be conducting a free class on “How to manifest a trip to Belize,” by releasing the obstacles.

Come and meet others that will be on the trip and learn more about it all, or just come learn how to manifest for any area of your life.

You will want to bring a tri-fold poster board (Walgreen’s) to start your vision board.
All other supplies will be provided. Also, bring pad and pen for note taking.

Call us to RSVP: Dawn 817 691-7598 or Valerie 972-974-2094

Bring a friend who might want to be your roommate on the trip!

When you are clear, what you want will show up in your life, and only to the extent that you are clear. So come and get clear about what you want.

Location: 2921 Furlong Dr. West
Flower Mound, Texas 75022
Date: Tuesday, July 21st
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm

Your results will always match your true intentions.

Register by June 30 and Save $200!

Watch this video to get a glimpse of what is in store for you in October.
Chaa Creek our accommodation in Western Belize. Join Us. Early registration saves $200, deadline is June 30th.

Do the Unexpected!

I remember when I took my first trip out of the country “alone”……with a group mostly from San Francisco that I didn’t know, except for the host, singer/songwriter Jana Stanfield whom I had only met twice in concert. But it was the BEST trip full of magic. Of course, it could have had something to do with being in Bali, Indonesia! And now it’s my turn to take a group to Belize and let all of the wonderful, unbelievable synchronicity happen for me and all the brave hearts preparing for and going on the trip. As I see it, the trick to synchronicity is being able to follow its path and live in the flow, power, ease, joy, and guidance it promises. It’s not easy.

Rich Largman created a ten-step guide for us to get in the present and invite synchronicity into our lives:

Do the Unexpected
Be Not Afraid of Anything
Say “Yes!” to Adventure
Smile. Laugh. Have Fun! Be Spontaneous!
Live with No Regrets
Visualize Your Desires Each Day
Follow the Flow of Life
Harness the Power of the Present
Lead the Way
Mine the Infinite Potential and Energy

The present moment is the only place miracles and synchronicity can occur. Don’t make life a struggle by being disconnected from the flow. Albert Einstein captured the essence of synchronicity best when he said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

Tour Hosts
SNYCRONICITY.

Dawn Heyl and Valerie Grimes your tour guides both discovered Belize in recent separate trips…friends for 7 years, they ended up staying at the same resort, Chaa Creek, without even realizing it, both were equally amazed at the beauty in the people of Belize and the natural restorative peace found there, and made separate commitments to return soon and now they are. JOIN THEM. Register now and save $200, Discount offer good thru 6/30.
-Dawn Heyl
Tour Host

Awakening Your Senses in Belize

Each day of the tour our guests will experience one of the five senses in an extraordinary way. On Friday, when we tour the cave, we will explore the sense of touch. And bring awareness to mind of how the rocks feel, how the ground feels under our bare feet, how the dampness or coolness of the cave feels...expanding that into an emotional feeling and feeling of appreciation for our bodies, ourselves and others.

Travel with us to Belize in October and experience the sense of touch in a completely new way that will lead you to discover a new part of yourself.

Submitted by c0-host for the tour, Valerie Grimes.

Date Set for Discover Belize. Rediscover Yourself Trip.

I am ecstatic about being a “tour buddy” for a group who wants to expand their experiences with the Maya peoples of Central America, as Belize is such a diverse country. We will visit the famed ruins and travel back to ancient times exploring breath-taking caves, and we will spend a day with local medicine woman, Dr. Rosita Arvigo, to learn about the healing plants of the rain forest and to experience a Maya ritual bath which is an integral and revered part of indigenous Maya medical practices and village life. Adults and children are regularly bathed in water infused with sacred plants and prayers to ensure their emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being, and you can experience this with us first hand! This trip will be five unforgettable days of realizing and becoming all that you are with your five senses being tantalized to the max!

Don’t miss this life changing experience.

Dawn Heyl
Your Trip Host
October 22-27, 2009, departs from DFW Airport.
For more info: dawnheylskincare@tx.rr.com