Cultivating curiosity and wellbeing in Mexico
The Internet Archive at Archive.org features an old book, The Chayote: A Tropical Vegetable, that details the characteristics and properties of the tropical vine and squash native to Mexico and the Caribbean, citing documentation by Australians, Spaniards, and other Europeans who arrived in the New World during the early colonial Continue Reading →
A few weeks ago, I posted an article about organic gardening resources in Mexico. Since initially researching those products and websites, I’ve had the chance to delve–or dig, if you would–more deeply into the Las Cañadas Cooperative website in particular at http://www.bosquedeniebla.com.mx. I discovered veritable treasure trove of useful information Continue Reading →
In my searches for on-line resources on organic gardening and nutrition, I’ve come across many specifically Mexican sites that are full of useful and interesting information about organic products, sustainable agriculture, and ecological trends in Mexico. I’d like to share a few of my most interesting and useful finds. This Continue Reading →
Although Mexico’s markets have traditionally offered locally grown produce and regionally made handicrafts, the globalization of the past decade or two has changed purchasing trends immensely. Now it’s just as easy–and sometimes easier–to find produce grown in South America and artifacts mass-produced in China than to find local, Mexican goods Continue Reading →
Now that the hot, hot weather has set in here in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, the intense sun quickly dries out the soil in the garden even while the humidity in the air increases as we move toward the rainy season. Many of the garden greens and other veggies are past their Continue Reading →
About turmeric, and a quick turmeric golden milk recipe The healing and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric have been making a big, orange splash on the Internet and in the press recently. Turmeric is that bright-orange spice that forms one of the basic ingredients of curry and gives it a deep Continue Reading →
I was shocked to discover last week that one pot of my precious arugula, which has been growing so well this season and has been a joy to devour in salads and other dishes, had become infested with the persistent parasite, Cuscuta, more commonly known as dodder. Dodder is a Continue Reading →
Amaranth is awesome! Tropical gardeners, if you want greens (and nutritionally rich seeds) and don’t want to pull your hair out trying to cultivate spinach and lettuce and other more delicate greens in the heat, then try amaranth in any of its seed or vegetable varieties. Amaranth loves the heat Continue Reading →
If you haven’t already participated in the activities of Zihuatanejo’s Eco-Vegan Cooperative (Cooperativa Eco-Vegana), now might be the time to jump in and find out what a vegan lifestyle and plant-based eating are all about. The Cooperativa Eco-Vegana had its beginnings about a year ago in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, when a Continue Reading →
For the third year, I am continuing my tropical garden experiment, trying to determine what are the best vegetables for our area (Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico, on the Pacific coast). Here we’re most definitely in what is called climate Zone 11, the hottest zone in the North American classification, which means Continue Reading →
My tropical garden right now is at what must be the height of lushness for the season. Most of the plants are fully grown and providing me with wonderful organic fresh produce. I harvest splendid bunches of greens daily, enough for my smoothies and salads and soups, but not so Continue Reading →
Last summer, I was looking for vegetable seeds suitable for cultivation in the tropics: things that would accept (and hopefully thrive) in a climate of hot, damp, and salty. One summer’s day while garden shopping, I was inspired by a friend of mine (thanks, Kat!) to pick up a packet Continue Reading →