There are many diets out there that profess they will help us lose the weight we have put on over the holidays or, for that matter, any gained weight we might wish to lose for a multitude of reasons including quitting smoking.

I have been on most of them from Fit for Life, to the Grapefruit Diet, the Cabbage Soup Diet, the Atkins Diet and countless others including the infamous Drinking Man’s Diet.

I have had varying success with all of these programs but, for me, the best way to lose weight is to reduce bad carbohydratess and exercise more.

When I was younger and needed to lose a few pounds it was as simple as “no bread, no potatoes, no goodies”.

Today it is much the same. Cutting sugar out of your diet will make a huge difference very quickly and you will lose weight which also lowers your risk of heart attack due to high blood pressure, your cholesterol and your blood sugar levels. All of this is very beneficial to your health and well being.

Of course, you will look better and feel better too.

Everyone is different and everyone loses weight differently. Some people like the prepared meals brought to your door as in Jenny Craig or Nutri Systems while others prefer to cook their own food.

Weight Watchers seems to have the best rate of non drop outs and they have a new points plus program which seems to be very effective. You can join Weight Watchers right here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala where they have weekly meetings on Thursdays at 10:00 am at La Nueva Posada. You can also join online for free at the moment but you will not have the benefit (more…)

Today, December 12th, is the day that Our Lade of Guadalupe is celebrated. Also known as the Queen of Mexico this is the holiest of days and she is celebrated as the Catholic icon of the Virgin Mary.

According to tradition a simple indigenous peasant, Juan Diego, saw a vision of a young woman December 9th, 1531, while he was on a hill in Tepeyac near Mexico City. He told the local bishop who asked for some proof. Three days later, according to legend the image of Mary appeared miraculously on his cloak as he was showing it to the bishop.

Today the cloak is displayed in the Basilica de Guadalupe nearby which is one of the most visited shrines in the world.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is Mexico’s most popular religious and cultural image and also holds the titles Empress of the Americas and Patroness of the Americas. Both Miguel Hidalgo (in the Mexican War of Independence) and Emiliano Zapata (during the Mexican Revolution) carried flags bearing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Guadalupe Victoria, the first president of Mexico, changed his name in honor of the icon.

Two accounts published in the 1640’s published in Spanish and Nahuatl, tell how during his walk from his home village to Mexico City early in the morning of December 9th, 1531 (Feast of the Immaculate Inception in the Spanish Empire) the peasant, Juan Diego saw a vision of a young girl 15 or 16 years of age surrounded by light on the slope of the Hill of Tepeyac. Speaking in the local language of Nahuatl the Lady asked for a church to be built at that site in her honor and from her words Juan Diego recognized her as the Virgin Mary. (more…)

Here in Ajijic the expression for “Merry Christmas” is “Feliz Navidad”. There is no talk of politicial incorrectness in using this term and it always comes from the heart and is responded to by saying “igualmente” which basically means “same to you”.

Christmas is a beautiful season of all our many beautiful seasons in Ajijic, Lake Chapala.
In almost every garden, poinsettias grow wild and they are wonderful to see. For years living n Toronto, Canada most of us thought they only came in pots.

There are fireworks and parades in most villages and a sense of peace and goodwill gently descends upon us all. (Unless you are last minute shopping in Guadalajara.)

One of my favorite rituals is the children’s posadas which are put on by most businesses. This is when children come to their doors and sing the Peticion de Posada which is a vocal reenactment of Mary and Joseph arriving at the Inn asking for shelter for the night. When the verses have been completed the children are allowed in and given various treats and candy. The children (more…)

Published in CRA Magazine Inside Winter 2003 Edition

From the depths of the Canadian winter, it is tempting to consider the delights of relocating or retiring to Mexico. Canadian expat and real estate agent Kevin Collins explores one aspect of the dream – buying a house in the idyllic village of Ajijic on Lake Chapala.

Buying Into Mexico
Fifty years ago, the first North American expats settled in the Lake Chapala region of Mexico. Today, the best estimate of the foreign population is between 5,000 and 6,000, about half of whom are Canadian.
I came to Ajijic eight years ago and found what was, for me, an ideal combination of location, people and weather. Ajijic is a small town, with little tourist traffic. However, proximity to cosmopolitan Guadalajara and to the international airport ensure that the town is not isolated. A four-hour drive will take me to the beautiful Pacific Ocean or to one of at least ten historic and charming colonial cities. The people of Ajijic could not be kinder or more tolerant of the expats who share their town: being polite is an art form here. So many Mexicans speak English that it is possible to get along with very little Spanish (mine is limited to the topics of food, beverage and golf), but I know that I have missed a great deal by not taking advantage of the many opportunities to study it properly!

REAL ESTATE REALITIES

To provide stability against the fluctuating Peso, houses here are priced in U.S. dollars. More that 95 per cent of home sales are cash deals. Occasionally owners are willing to take back some financing for a year or two but this is unusual and any problems can be tied up in the local court system. While there is a misconception that you cannot obtain a direct deed in Mexico, this is only true of areas close to a border or the ocean. Establishing clear title is handled by a specialized lawyer or notary appointed by the government to deal with all real estate transactions. While remarkably few problems arise, you may wish to get references from recent clients.

Since there are no disclosure laws to speak of, make sure your agent informs you of any problems with the physical structure of the home you are considering. While this sounds very scary, the truth is that there aren’t that many major problems with the homes here, and repairs are relatively inexpensive. Closing costs, which are the responsibility of the buyer, are largely based on the fiscal evaluation that the municipality puts on the property. You must sign an application as a foreigner buying property under the laws of Mexico (this costs approximately $430 (U.S.) for each person buying the property). Other costs include the notary fees and the taxes, which are 2 per cent of the fiscal evaluation. Generally speaking, if you are using a reputable realtor and a good notary, the buying process should be quite painless and straightforward. Because of the region’s popularity with expats, housing prices have risen in recent years. Land in the prime areas is limited because there is a fairly narrow strip that runs along the lakeshore and up the hillside above Lake Chapala where you can purchase and build. Above this land is “Ejido” property, set aside for the use of the indigenous population. Most stories about foreigners having problems with their property in Mexico involve people illegally selling Ejido land. While housing prices may be steeper than you expected, property taxes are rarely over $200 (U.S.) a year and domestic help averages around $2 (U.S.) an hour. Few people bother with air conditioning or heating (other than ceiling fans and a fireplace), and utilities are much less expensive than in Canada or the U.S. Combine these benefits with the tax advantages of living abroad and you’ll agree with a client of mine who said, “I’m not wealthy but I always wanted to live like a rich person, and I can do that here.”

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

People here will say with great conviction that wherever they live is the best place to be. Many people initially look for property in the old village of Ajijic, but later realize that they are unlikely to find lake views in the village, and it can be noisy at times. While newcomers tend to harbour the romantic notion that they can walk everywhere, most people find they do need a car. Areas such as La Floresta and Villa Nova are walkable to the village but quieter, with wide streets and good quality homes. Up the hill there are more gated communities with wonderful views, and it’s a little quieter (Mexico can be a noisy place: dogs, roosters and music are everywhere, but you do get used to it after a while!). The Racquet Club has wonderful views, nice common pool area and lots of tennis activities, but it is a 10- to 12-minute drive from town. That does not sound like much but your world shrinks here and it is too far out for some people. You get more for your money outside the prime areas, but resale becomes a real issue if you get too far out. The exception to this rule might be the Chapala Country Club area, which has a nine-hole golf course and a good social scene. However, it may be too far away from the amenities of Ajijic for non-golfers. No two homes in Ajijic are alike. The houses are as eclectic as the people who choose to settle here, and while that makes living here fun, it takes some getting used to. Even the best neighbourhoods will have a series of wonderful houses and then a cornfield in the middle of everything. The local custom of building houses behind walls enhances privacy and security, and maximizes utilization of space.

RESEARCH

The best way to begin gathering information about the Lake Chapala region is to get on the Internet, starting with . While common sense would suggest renting for a season to two before buying, it can be difficult to find a long-term rental; most people use their homes here for at least half the year. It is hard (but not impossible) to find a decent rental from American Thanksgiving through Easter. The only slow period is from Easter till the middle of June, when people from Texas, Arizona and Florida arrive to escape the heat during the summer months. An excellent accommodation base for a fact-finding mission to Ajijic is La Nueva Posada, a small, charming hotel located in the village of Ajijic right on the shore of Lake Chapala (e-mail: ). It is owned and operated by the Eager family, Canadians who have been here since 1975. The Eagers are a good source of information on any number of subjects. You might want to book early because they have only 19 rooms and four garden suites (the latter with kitchens and living rooms). As someone once said, ”People buy with their hearts and then justify it with logic.” So if you fall in love with a place, don’t fight it. You don’t have to make a hasty decision, but remember, paralysis through analysis could keep you from moving anywhere! Meanwhile, “Hasta lo mas pronto posible!” (Spanish phrase for “See you real soon, eh!”).

This year Mother’s Day up north is celebrated Sunday, May 9th and May 10th here in Mexico.

It is an interesting comment on Mexican culture that there is no Father’s Day celebrated in Mexico, Mothers being the focus of most households.

There are many ways to make Mom feel special on this day and one of the greatest is time spent with her family. Take Mom out to a lovely lunch or dinner on her special day or cook for her at home.

Younger children could clean up their rooms, a foreign concept I realize for most teenagers.

Flowers are always a nice gift as is perfume, a new pretty nightgown, scarf or blouse. A good bottle of wine is a lovely gift as well.

Taking Mom out for a drive or to a movie would also be greatly appreciated and anything you made her with your own two hands would be very well received.

When we first came to Ajijic, LakeChapala in 1994 Mother’s Day in Mexico was a very big deal. We would be invited to the school where the kids would put on a wonderful talent show for us complete with poems written to honor Mom and homemade refreshments were served. Special cards and presents were made and given and there was seldom a dry eye in the house. A splendid event, if you ask me.

At church Mother’s are also honored and asked to stand and be recognized. Recognition ceremonies are always popular and make the honoree feel very special indeed.

A special card is always gratefully received and is something that can be treasured for years to come. Telling Mom how important she is and what she means in your life will always bring a smile to her face.

Some of us are not with our Mothers for Mother’s Day, so Ecards can be sent online and also flowers can be ordered online and delivered anywhere in the world. I sent flowers online with FTD for my sister’s birthday in March and she was thrilled. Other gift suggestions are also available online for every budget.

Those of us, who no longer have our Mothers with us on earth, can say a special prayer for them and thank them for everything they did for us and for their unconditional love (more…)

Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, it has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish.

I have a special affinity for St. Patrick’s day as I am part Irish (Scottish and English make up the other parts) and also my mother’s father, my mother and my sister and my aunt were all born on March17th.

New York City hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17th, l762 featuring Irish soldiers serving in the English military. The parade has become an annual event with President Harry S. Truman attending his very own self in 1948.

Congress has proclaimed March as Irish-American Heritage Month in 1995 and the sitting president issues a proclamation each year.

Now for a little history lesson. Naomh Padraig (c 387-17 March 493) was a Romanized Celt and Christian Missionary who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland.

When he was about 16 he was captured from Britain by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning (more…)

This morning I was enjoying a leisurely morning at Yoly’s Beauty Parlor (manicure, pedicure and hair) when I overhead a man talking about wanting to move to Mexico from Durango, Colorado but was having difficulties in convincing his wife to make the move.

I totally related to this as it took 10 years for my husband to talk me into making the move from Toronto 15 years ago.

As I have often said, I wish he had found the right words sooner as I have enjoyed every minute of every day since arriving in 1994.

This is not uncommon as many couples are not always on the same page as one party or the other is dragging their feet.

There are many reasons for this. Fear of the unknown is at the top of the list along with fear of language challenges.

Also leaving family, children and grandchildren, aging parents, homes lived in for many years and familiar surroundings give many pause.

I understand and have experienced all of these doubts along with the worry of raising our children (then 10 and 12) here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala.

Two things finally pushed me into agreeing with my husband to make the move. First was the coldest winter in Canada for over 50 years and second, the huge increase in our real estate taxes we were about to face.

It was my husband’s mother who put to rest of my fears about my children by telling me (more…)

We are all so lucky to be living in paradise. Especially, when we watch the news and see all the snow storms affecting the north east we can take great comfort in the warmth of our hosts and climate.

When I first arrived here I wanted to buy a turkey for my wonderful Viki (the girl who has helped me in our house since we have been here) and her family.

A friend of mine told me that she may not have an oven big enough to accommodate a turkey so she suggested that I buy her a smoked turkey which is fully cooked and ready to serve. I have adopted this tradition and every year in addition to their holiday pay and Christmas bonuses I purchase a smoked turkey for my Viki and our gardener along with some nice Tequila filled chocolates.

I also give a regalito (life gift) of cash to our pool man, dog walker and his family and (more…)

Posadas are a very important part of Mexican Christmas celebrations.

The word posada means inn or shelter in Spanish and the posadas are usually a recreation of Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

The posadas take place for the 9 nights leading up to Christmas from December 16th-24th.
These 9 nights are meant to represent the 9 months Mary carried Jesus in her womb or, alternatively, the 9 days journey to reach Bethlehem.

Neighborhoods across Mexico hold these posadas and they are also becoming popular in the United States.

Usually, there is a procession with candles and sometimes with people playing the parts of Mary and Joseph (here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala they arrive on the backs of burros) and sometimes these images are carried.

The procession will go to a particular home or business (a different one every night) where a special song is sung.

This song is called La Peticion de Posada and those outside sing the part of Joseph asking (more…)

The Mexican Revolution (Revolucion Mexicana) was a major armed struggle that started November 20th, 1910 with an uprising led by Fransisco I. Madero against long time autocrat Porfirio Diaz. It is being celebrated today however.

Overt time the Revolution changed from a revolt against the establishment to a multi-sided civil war. After prolonged struggles, its representatives produced the Mexican Constitution of 1917.

The Revolution is generally considered to have lasted until 1920, although the country continued to have sporadic but comparatively minor outbreaks of warfare well into the 1920’s.

The Cristero War was the most significant relapse of bloodshed. The Revolution triggered the creation of the National Revolutionary Party in 1929 (renamed the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI in 1946). Under a variety of leaders the PRI held power until the general election of 2000.

Fiestas and celebrations are held throughout Mexico to mark this (more…)