BELIZE: “A Photo Blog of Two Cayes & A Mayan Ruin”

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Thailand, Norway, Brazil, Iceland…the travel section of my Bucket List is as eclectic as, well, me. And, it’s long. So why would I ever go back to the same place twice…let alone three, four, or more times? I abandoned this travel philosophy in 2006, after wandering to a tiny Central American country with a split personality (read about this wander in “The Rainforest & The Reef”). I’m writing this just a few weeks after returning from my fourth visit to Belize. And, my plan is to return every other year for the remainder of my traveling life.

Back in 2006, my guard compromised by beauty (and a couple piña colada), I fell for the puppy lure strategically placed on San Pedro’s main beach. The next thing I knew, I was sitting in front of a fast talking gay Irish man and signing on the dotted line of a timeshare contract. Today I’m happy to say I have yet to suffer from buyer’s remorse and I’m fairly certain I’m well past the point of infection. In fact, I count the days in between my bi-annual visits to Captain Morgen’s Resort in Ambergris Caye.

One of Belize’s personalities is lush rain forest filled with exotic wildlife, crumbling Mayan ruins, rivers sneaking through caves, and Mennonite farms. The other has glowing turquoise reefs, quiet resorts and rainbow colored houses, tangled mangroves, sun-bathing black iguanas, and pristine white sand beaches. The former calls for bug spray, binoculars and 20/20 “rainforest eyes,” the latter for snorkeling gear, a stack of reading material and a thirst for tropical drinks. It’s really un-Belizable (sorry…couldn’t stop myself) that both of these personalities thrive in just 8,867 square miles!

Formerly known as British Honduras until given its independence in 1981, Belize’s official language is English. The people are as vibrant as the surroundings…a mix of native Mayans, Latin Americans from neighboring countries, the Creole descendants of African slaves, Mennonite and Amish farmers, Anglos, and countless exotic blends of all of the above.

My stomping grounds are primarily San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Getting to the cayes is not for the faint of heart. Don’t be fooled that you’ve arrived when you touch ground at Phillip Goldson International Airport in Belize City. You’re only part way there. Both options for the next leg require an adventurous spirit…either 20 minutes in the air in a vintage plane the size of a New York cab or a 1-1/2 hour ride in a boat crammed far beyond capacity. Now you’re in San Pedro. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker require one more boat and 10 to 30 more minutes.

Ahhhhh, but once you’re there, the real world is shoved aside by the dramatic scenery, water that beckons you to come for a swim, strategically placed hammocks and accommodating bartenders.

Maya Island Air Belize San Pedro

Maya Island Air is one way to get from Phillip Goldson Int’l Airport to San Pedro

Maya Island Air San Pedro Airport

The Maya Island Air terminal at San Pedro Municipal Airport

Baggage claim at San Pedro Municipal Airport

Baggage claim at San Pedro Municipal Airport

Getting to Ambergris Caye Captain Morgan's resort Belize

The last of three legs…almost to Ambergris Caye

Captain Morgan's Resort Belize timeshare

The timeshare units at Captain Morgan’s Resort on Ambergris Caye

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Excuse me, but something is seriously missing here…

homemade cashews Ambergris Caye Belize

My preferred purchase from the beach hawkers…home roasted cashews.

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Wet Willy's San Pedro Belize

One of several bars in San Pedro

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Day trip to colorful Caye Caulker

Colorful Caye Caulker…the budget island

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Caye Caulker's movie theater

Caye Caulker’s movie theater

Sand Bar at The Split Caye Calker Belize

Sand Bar on The Split in Caye Caulker

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nurse sharks snorkeling Belize

Snorkeling with nurse sharks

Altun Ha Mayan ruins Belize

Altun Ha Mayan ruins

Altun Ha Mayan ruins Belize

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HIKING SAN DIEGO: “Elfin Forest (Escondido)”

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The very elf-free ELFIN FOREST RESERVE offers 11 miles of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails accentuated with a babbling brook and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, Coronado Islands, the Laguna and San Bernardino mountain ranges, and the Olivenhain Dam & Reservoir. At which of the six shaded scenic overlooks will you have your picnic??? Prepare to get your hearts pumpin’ and your lungs huffin’ on this moderate level hike. You may not get total solitary serenity on the trails, but you will get lots of friendly “Hellos!” from fellow hikers. If you can’t find a spot in the paved lot, there’s plenty of parking up on the main road. Dogs are allowed on leash. For a map, the reserve website and more, click HERE.

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido Olivenhain Reservoir

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido

Hiking in San Diego - Elfin Forest Escondido

Healthy Eats

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❥ Chicken Satay Fresh Salad Rolls

Chicken Satay Peanut Rolls

Chicken Satay Fresh Salad Rolls

Serves: 4
1 package chicken tenders
1 bunch green onions, trimmed (leaving a bit of green on top, quartered)
(8) leaves lettuce
Fresh mint
Fresh cilantro
1/2 cucumber, peeled and cut into 8 wedges
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into 16 thin strips
Salt & pepper, to taste
Asian seasoning (optional)
(8) rice papers
  1. Cook chicken in skillet until just done, seasoning with salt, pepper and Asian seasoning (optional).
  2. While the chicken is cooking, cut all the veggies as directed.
  3. When chicken is done and slightly cooled, cut into 1/2″ strips.
  4. Prepare first rice paper as directed (dipping into warm water for 5 seconds) and lay on a smooth plate or cutting board. Trim one piece of lettuce and place centered in the top half of the paper. Top with 2-4 quarters of green onion, several mint leaves, a small sprig of cilantro, one cucumber wedge, two carrot slivers and two strips of chicken. Fold bottom up and fold one side over, then the other, wrapping around until the roll is closed tightly. Repeat for remaining 7 rolls.
  5. Serve on a platter garnished with sprigs of cilantro and/or mint and the Satay Peanut Sauce. (I prefer to serve the sauce in individual dipping dishes to allow for double dipping.)

Satay Peanut Sauce

Adapted from: AllRecipes.com
2 Tbs natural style (creamy or chunky) peanut butter
1 tablespoons chopped peanuts
5 oz coconut milk
1 tsp red Thai curry paste
1/2 Tbs fish sauce (sounds awful, but it’s really good…if you just can’t do it, substitute with equal amount of soy sauce)
1 teaspoon tomato paste
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.

Sweet Stuff

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❥ Buttermilk Coconut Bars with Coconut Cream Sauce
❥ Sweet Crepes
Buttermilk coconut bars

Buttermilk Coconut Bars with Coconut Cream Sauce

Serves: 9×13 pan
Adapted from AllRecipes.com
1 1/4 cups white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup shredded coconut, separated into 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon milk
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, brown sugar, flour, and butter; blend with a pastry blender until the mixture is in coarse crumbs. Remove 2 cups of the mixture to another bowl, and reserve the rest.
  3. Stir in 1/2 cup of the coconut into the 2 cups of the sugar mixture. Pat firmly into the greased pan. Stir the baking soda and salt into the reserved mixture. Then mix in the egg, buttermilk, vanilla and the remaining 1/4 cup coconut until well blended. Spread this over the crust in the pan.

Coconut Cream Sauce

Source: Adventures in Food

3/4 cups coconut milk
1 Tbs sugar
1/2 Tbs cornstarch
1-1/2 Tbs cream

1. In a small bowl combine cornstarch and cream and whisk until smooth.
2. In a small saucepan, stir together milk, sugar, and the cornstarch mixture.
3. Continue stirring occasionally and bring to a simmer, then allow to simmer 3 minutes or until mixture coats the back of the spoon and is smooth and thickened.
4. Drizzle on a warm coconut bar while warm or refrigerate and drizzle cold!

Fillers for sweet crepesSweet Crepes

Serves: 4 (8″ crepes)
4 eggs
2 cups milk
1-1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 pinches salt
3 teaspoons vegetable oil
In a blender combine eggs, milk, flour, salt and oil. Process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brush with oil. Pour 1/4 cup of crepe batter into pan, tilting to completely coat the surface of the pan. Cook 2 to 5 minutes, turning once, until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.

FILLERS:

❥ Strawberries + Brown Sugar…Topped with Whipped Cream & Drizzled with Chocolate Syrup
❥ Bananas + Brown Sugar + Walnuts…Drizzled with Chocolate Syrup or Maple Syrup
❥ Ricotta Cheese + Jam…Drizzled with Maple Syrup
❥ Cooked Apples or Fresh Peaches with Cinnamon & Almonds…Topped with Whipped Cream or Maple Syrup

Homemade Salad Dressings

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Just say NO! to bottled salad dressings. It’s way too easy to whip up fresh and healthy dressings with 100% recognizable ingredients…that would not include calcium disodium, sulfur dioxide, sodium benzoate and autolyzed yeast extract. Pick up a few dressing bottles, follow these simples recipes, and shake.

honey lemon homemade salad dressing

Honey Lemon

Serves: 4
Source: iVillage.com
1/3 cup olive oil
4 Tbs fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp honey
Salt & pepper to taste

toasted almond homemade salad dressing

Toasted Almond

Serves: 8
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup cider vinegar
2 plum tomatoes
1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves
3/4 teaspoon salt
pinch cayenne pepper
In a food processor, mince the garlic. Add the almonds and finely chop, being careful that it doesn’t turn into a paste. Add the remaining ingredients and process until just blended.

Asian homemade salad dressing

Asian

Serves: 6
2 Tbs brown sugar
2 tsp soy sauce
1 Tbs sesame oil
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 Tbs rice vinegar

homemade cilantro vinaigrette

Cilantro Vinaigrette

Serves: 4
8 Tbs olive oil
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley
1 lg garlic clove
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbs fresh lemon juice
Blend all ingredients in a food processor. Let stand 30 minutes for best flavor.

ginger lime vinaigrette homemade salad dressing

Tangy Ginger Lime Vinaigrette

Serves: 8
Source: AllRecipes.com
1 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon chili oil
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Blend ingredients in a blender or food processor.

Homemade lemon rosemary salad dressing

Lemon-Rosemary Salad Dressing

Serves: 8
Source: Prevention Magazine
1 sprig rosemary
1 garlic clove
1 strip lemon peel (1″x1/2″)
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
Place rosemary and garlic on a cutting board and lightly crush with the side of knife. Put rosemary, garlic and lemon peel in a salad dressing bottle and pour in olive oil and lemon juice. Cap and shake well. Refrigerate up to one week. Shake well before using.

Artisan Cocktails

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Tropical Mimosa

Tropical Mimosa

Serves: 4
2-3 mango, cut into chunks (fresh then frozen or already frozen)
1/2 cup pineapple chunks (fresh then frozen or already frozen)
6 oz guava juice
1 lime, cut into wedges
1 bottle Prosecco or sparkling white wine (New Age recommended)
Puree mangoes, pineapple, and guava juice in blender. Pour in wine glass until 1/3 to 1/2 full. Add Prosecco or wine until full. Serve with a wedge of lime.

HIKING IN SAN DIEGO: “Mt. Woodson (Poway Lake Trail)”

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You gotta love a hike with a treat at the end. And, this one is quite delicious! Potato Chip Rock is your reward for climbing to the summit of MT. WOODSON…known to the natives as “The Mountain of Moonlight Rocks” as the boulders seem to glow after the sun sets. The chip is a huge “sliver” of all that remains of a massive boulder and makes for one outstanding photo op. (Really frightening to imagine the fate of any person unlucky enough to be on there when it decides to be done.) The trailhead for this moderate heartbeat-inducing hike is at Lake Poway Park on (the appropriately named) Lake Poway Road in (you guessed it) Poway. Depending upon when you go, you’ll either be bobbing and weaving amongst fellow (amateur to mid-level) hikers or reveling in the solitude on the trail. Either way you’ll definitely be marveling at the Disney-esque granite boulders everywhere you look. Did you just love climbing rocks as a kid…or, didn’t and wish you had? Well, this is totally the place to do it. Allow time for a photo shoot line at the chip and to find a secluded spot to plop and soak up the views. Can you see Mexico? For a map, the reserve website and more, click HERE.

hiking in San Diego Mt. Woodson Poway

hiking in San Diego Mt. Woodson Poway

hiking in San Diego Mt. Woodson Poway

hiking in San Diego Mt. Woodson Poway

hiking in San Diego Mt. Woodson Poway

hiking in San Diego Mt. Woodson Poway

hiking in San Diego Mt. Woodson Poway

hiking in San Diego Mt. Woodson Poway

hiking in San Diego Mt. Woodson Poway

Natural Skincare Products

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More and more every day, I’m trying to use less and less chemicals. It typically puts a bigger dent in my wallet and the natural products sometimes just don’t seem quite as good (mostly because they’re missing all the phony stuff). If I’m going to spend more, I want it to work and I want to love it. If it’s here, it does (for me) and I do!

Lavanilla Natural Deoderant from Sephora1. Lavanilla Healthy Deodorant ($18.00 from Sephora)

Seems a lot to spend on something you put under your arms, but the more I hear about all the chemicals in regular deodorants, the more leery I become about using them. My doctor recently reminded me…everything you put on your skin is absorbed by your body, just as if you ate it. I’ve tried other natural deodorants, and this one was far more effective.

Suki Transformative Cleansing Clay2. Suki Transformative Cleansing Clay ($48.95 from Suki)

There should be a Universal law that once you hit 30, you never have another zit again. A reward for wrinkles and all the other stuff that starts going down with age. I’m one of the unlucky ones who seems to detox through my skin. This product is one of the only spot treatments that’s really worked for me. Yes, it’s pricy…but, if used sparingly, it lasts a really long time.

Avocado Face Masks

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Avocado face masks
Avocados are heaven for your skin! Rich in Vitamins A, B, C and E, they moisturize and replenish.

Avocado+Yogurt+Honey Mask

Good for oily, dry, sensitive and acne-prone skin. Yogurt gives the additional boost of zinc, calcium and more Vitamin B…and, improves skin texture. Honey is both a natural humectant (bringing moisture to your skin) and toner. Mash half an avocado until the lumps are gone and it’s smooth. Add 2 teaspoons plain yogurt and 1/2 Tablespoon honey. Mix well. Dampen your face with warm water and apply mask evenly over your face…and your chin and neck, if you like…but keeping it away from the eyes and lips. Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse and pat dry. If you don’t have any yogurt around, that’s okay!

Natural (and Cheap) Teeth Whitener

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baking soda and hydrogen peroxide natural teeth whitenerSqueeze some toothpaste into a small dish. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide, and 1/2 teaspoon water. Mix thoroughly. Put some on your toothbrush and brush (your teeth) for 2 minutes. Do this once a week until your teeth are so white they blind you. But really…once your teeth are the desired whiteness, do this only once every month or two.