Local book on Mayas available on Amazon.com
One man is also determined on turning a new page on Mayan culture. Manuel Novelo is a new author who has written a novel; The Sacred Maya Smoking Shell. The book is a fictional account of the once powerful Mayan city of Lamanai in Orange Walk. The story encompasses the adventure, war, courage, tragedy, love and rise to greatness on the ancient civilization though the eyes of a peasant boy of the tribal community. The book has been published in the U.S and today the Novelo, a tour guide by profession, shares what he feels is one of his biggest accomplishments. He told us what inspired him to trade in his trekking boots and pick up the pen and write.
MANUEL NOVELO
“I have always had a passion for ancient Mayan archaeology. I am of Mayan descent. I come from the Yucatec linguistic group of Mayas. My father, my uncles spoke Maya; unfortunately we lost some of the tradition. I am limited to only some words to Maya, unfortunately. I know that happens in all cultures around the world. So I have always had this passion in reading about Maya archaeology. I am a tour guide by profession and I always take my guests to these ancient Mayan cities. And the fact that I have never read a novel that is based about the ancient Mayan civilization in that era. I have seen textbooks, history books about the Mayans, but I have never read a novel or a novel that a Belizean has written. My book is about the ancient Mayan city of Lamanai. If you have visited Lamanai at this, it is all ruins right. But if you go back 650 A.D., where my book is based on, we’re talking about a magnificent city—beautifully plastered, temples, palaces; painted with beautiful colors. And I also talk about thriving markets, trade routes, ball courts, etc. The book bases especially about a young boy—a young peasant boy by the name of box [pronounced boche] balam]. Box is black; balam is jaguar.”
The book can be bought online at Amazon dot com and I-Universe dot com. Novelo says that in the next month, the books will be available in bookstores in Belize. And to make the book cheaper for Belizeans, he is hoping that he can collaborate with a local publishing house.
Source: Channel 5
Grace Layered Bread Pudding
This lightly spiced, extra thick bread pudding really hits home. It’s very easy to make and is delicious with milk poured on top.
Preparation Time: 10 mins. | Cook Time: 40 mins.
Ingredients:
Custard
2/3 Cups Sugar
2 tbsp Flour
2 tbsp Corn Starch
3 Cups Grace Evaporated Milk
2 Egg Yolks (beaten)
1 tbsp Benjamins Vanilla Essence
Bread Mixture
1 ½ pk Sliced Bread
4 tbs Butter
1 Can Grace Condensed Milk
3 Cups Grace Evaporated Milk
1 tbsp Benjamins Vanilla Essence
1 tbsp Benjamins Nutmeg Extract
1 tbsp Benjamins Cinnamon Extract
1 egg (beaten)
2 cups Water
Topping
1½ tbs Malher Cinnamon Powder
1/3 cup Sugar
Directions:
Custard
Heat pan on low. Add Sugar, stir in Flour, Corn Starch. Add Grace Evaporated Milk a cup at a time. Str continuously for 4-6 minutes until mixture thickens. Add Egg Yolk and Benjamin’s Vanilla. Stir for 2-3 minutes and remove from heat.
Bread Mixture
Place bread in a large bowl and break up in pieces. Add water and mix until bread is soft, add Grace Evaporated milk, Grace Condensed Milk, butter, Egg, Benjamin’s Nutmeg Extract, Benjamins Cinnamon Extract and Benjamins Vanilla Essence and stir well.
Layer Bread mixture into a 9” Baking Dish, put a layer of Custard, then a layer of Bread Mixture, another layer of Custard and then the remaining Bread Mixture.
Mix together Sugar and Cinnamon Powder and top off Bread Pudding.
Place a Pan of Water in the bottom of the oven to prevent Custard filling from burning. Bake Bread Pudding at 375◦F for about 40 minutes or until firm and brown.
Note: Recipe courtesy GraceKennedy (Belize) Limited.
Grace Spread
Looking for a great appetizer that’s quick and easy for a party or other recreational event? Try this wonderful recipe as a spread or dip, it works for any occasion.
Preparation Time: 5 mins. | Cook Time: 0 mins.
Ingredients:
1 can Grace Luncheon Meat
1 tbsp Grace Mayonnaise
4 oz Cream Cheese
½ sm Onion (diced finely)
1 tsp Malher Garlic Powder
1 tsp Malher Black Pepper
2 tbsp Grace Evaporated Milk
Directions:
Use a fork to mash Grace Luncheon Meat, mix in Grace Mayonnaise, Cream Cheese and Onion. Add Malher Garlic Powder and Malher Black Pepper. Use Grace Evaporated Milk to soften up the mixture.
Substitutes:- You can substitute Grace Luncheon Meat with 2 cans Grace Potted Meat, 2 cans Grace Tuna or a can of Grace Corned Beef.
Optional:- Grace Habanero Pepper Sauce, Grace Mustard and Grace Ketchup.
Serve as a dip with Crackers, Chips or Vegetables or as a spread on Bread or Tortillas.
Note: Recipe courtesy GraceKennedy (Belize) Limited.
Home Sweet Home on the Deep Blue Sea
You’ll fall hook, line and sinker for these fishing
Caribbean and Latin America Fishing Paradises
by Skip Knowles
For some, paradise runs much deeper than just the occasional escape from winter to warm waters, white sands and palm trees. For anglers, the only thing greater than a trip to the tropics to hunt for glamorous fish species is a chance to live there and do it to their heart’s content. For these unique souls with saltwater running through their veins and a passion for the open seas, there is no greater thrill than seeing the sun break over the dead calm waters at dawn, or the adrenaline that comes when a tail-walking blue marlin charges baits trolled right off the transom before erupting to the sky.
Well, maybe there is one greater thrill: living where these heart-pounding moments are a daily occurrence. Sleep with the fishes? No thanks. Sleep, live and recreate near the fishes? Dream come true? It is if you’re an avid angler. And this buyers’ market is the time to make that dream happen. Now is the time to start thinking about situating your favorite custom teak lounge chair perfectly on your own patio overlooking the ocean and sunset…from your own villa, house, or marina residence in paradise.
We skipped a lot of great fishing areas in this feature because it is as much about picking areas with stupendous fishing as it is about locating places you want to live the good life. Guatemala is the best place on earth for sailfish, but there’s little there as far as coastal real estate for LLI to recommend. Zijuatanejo is tremendous, too…but you don’t want to live there unless you’re into hotels, or a surfer ready to live in a tent.
North American anglers don’t have to compromise being blessed with incredible proximity to the Central Pacific and Caribbean. Sure, Hawaii, South Africa and Australia all have huge marlin, but they do not come close to Cabo or the great Central American destinations for billfish numbers and action, where shots at five to 20 fish a day are the norm…a lot more fun than the famous “Kona boat ride.” And the Caribbean-from Belize to the Bahamas-is, hands down, the best destination for the flats fisher, an endless shimmering expanse of shallow blue water. The following are LLI editors’ top choices for places in the Caribbean, Latin and Central America to live, play, and above all, fish and enjoy the good life.
Bimini, Bahamas– This is the place that puts the casual back in “casual luxury”. Billed as “The bonefishing capitol of the World,” the flats fishing is superlative…yet it is billfish and giant tuna that put Bimini on the map. Located less than 50 miles off the Florida coast, Bimini delivers with one huge difference: The Gulf Stream, that famed gamefish superhighway, swings within a quarter mile of shore, you could backstroke to it. This is where Papa Hemingway himself pioneered methods to subdue giant tuna. From the famous Bimini Big Game Resort and Yacht Club (slips for sale) this place is steeped in sportfishing lore. The Yacht Club is being renovated with luxury accommodations, on-site scuba shops, gaming rooms, spas and shopping. The resort offers over 200 luxury vacation condos, villas and single-family homes. You probably won’t see Hemingway taking a Tommy Gun to the sharks like he did aboard the Pilar in the 1940s, but you’ll find all the big fish action your heart can take.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico–
If you haven’t been marlin fishing in Cabo, pilgrim, you haven’t been marlin fishing. But don’t take our word for it, John Wayne would have told you the same thing, 40-plus years ago, when he discovered fishing down here. Marlin fishing is never a sure thing, but when Cabo is hot there is no better place for striped marlin in the 150 to 300-pound class, and the big ones are landed here, too. On my first trip here in the mid-90s, the town started buzzing when a new record blue marlin was caught weighing in at over 1,100 pounds, a fish so big a dinner-sized tuna fell from its mouth as it was hung upside down! Throw in the climate, the best golf in Latin America, and one of the world’s most vast arrays of luxury real estate, and you have what may just be the ultimate keeper combo. Although you may be paying over a $1,000 per square foot for luxury homes the quality of the product and the quality of the communities and amenity offerings makes this Latin paradise tops on our list for luxury real estate with mind blowing fishing.
Cap Cana, Dominican Republic –
With some of the most pristine beaches, golf and luxury real estate opportunities found anywhere in the world, the great fishing out of Cap Cana is more of a bonus. And, what a bonus it is. Great blue water action runs year-round here, with solid fishing for white and blue marlin, tuna, sailfish, dorado, and speedy wahoo. The DR hosts international billfish tournaments each year, including ESPN’s Billfish Xtreme Tournament. World records swim these waters, in fact, the 50-pound test world record was set by an 850 lb. blue marlin. When it comes to luxury real estate in the Caribbean, Cap Cana offers those with discriminating taste the best anywhere, at a price. Cap Cana offers a huge variety of real estate choices, whether it’s fairway homesites with ocean views along a Jack Nicklaus Signature course or luxury condos at the Fishing Lodge. There’s even a five-star boutique hotel overlooking a lively plaza and the marina. As a massive luxury development Cap Cana is as good as it gets in the Caribbean.
Los Suenos, Costa Rica–
This Central Costa Rican resort is among the most famous in the world for extraordinary billfish action. It’s also a luxury resort with the kind of amenities expected from a luxury 1,100-acre waterfront community including an enormous marina (300 slips for vessels up to 180 feet in length and a fuel dock with a full-time staff) and a five-star Marriott. With a vast array of real estate products from luxury villas to custom homesites with spectacular views Los Suenos has over 500 luxury residences and challenging 18-hole golf course to-boot. Los Suenos has set the bar for a luxury resort community and marina. It’s Costa Rica at its finest. This place has it all.
Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica– Like most good fishing areas, there is always something happening on this stunning peninsula off the Northwest Coast of Costa Rica. Giant schools of huge cubera snapper swirl around the Catalina Islands just offshore, and the tuna and sailfish action is world-class and easily accessed from the new marina at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo. Massive roosterfish are routinely caught here, and these bruisers will call you out on whether you’ve been hitting the gym. While not always on-par with Cabo or Los Suenos, Peninsula Papagayo has some of the sexiest Costa Rica real estate available. Combined with the marina, lots of amazing view golf, and the ultimate in well-amenitized residences, along with direct flights from Houston, Atlanta, Miami and LA, it’s a tough one to beat as a top pick.
Pedasi, Panama– From the Pearl Islands’ Sailfish to the giant black marlin of famous Tropic Star Lodge and the Zane Grey Reef, and westward for hundreds of miles to Coiba Island and Hannibal Bank south of David, Panama is pure piscatorial paradise. Pedasi, the quaint little town in the middle of the country’s Pacific Coast, is a ground zero for anglers. On Panama’s famed Tuna Coast, the deep blue water runs very close to shore, a stomping ground for gamefish off the Azuero Peninsula that teems with tuna, marlin, wahoo, and giant snapper. There are dozens of luxury private villas in Pedasi, a town frequented by celebs looking to escape.
Placencia, Stann Creek District, Belize– The Stann Creek District of Central Belize between Hopkins and Placencia has everything the saltwater angler and sun seeker can hope for. While Belize is renowned for Mayan ruins, rain forests, incredible diving, vacationing, island hopping, and general tropical paradise stuff, for anglers it has things that just can’t be found elsewhere: permit, tarpon and bonefish numbers that are beyond compare…all within casting distance of real estate that is supremely affordable. Look at developments in Placencia for sure, The Peninsula Club a new 60-acre marina project will change the level of luxury and landscape in this sleepy fishing village. Also in Placencia you’ll find Coco Plum featuring both beachfront homesites and villas. For Lodging stay at the Chabil Mar Villas the class act in Placencia along with Coppola’s Turtle Inn while hunting down your dream coastal residence.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico– The dark blue Pacific waters surrounding the incredible homes and luxury vacation real estate offerings of Puerto Vallarta are underrated as world class fishing destinations…probably because there are so many other things to do in this gorgeous part of Mexico. But, without a doubt, there are more shapes, sizes, price ranges and levels of luxury in PV accompanied by expansive views that are more prevalent here than more so than any other on our list. The marlin fishing is steady-to-good, especially with the new catch-and-release ethic and giant bull dorado in the 50-plus pound range are common, along with tuna, roosterfish and other hard-fighting exotics.
Puerto Rico– A solid reputation for thrilling big game fishing (lots of world records) and a booming luxury resort community industry make Puerto Rico much more than a stopover to other Caribbean destinations. In July 2002, Captain Jose de Campos and his son released four blue marlin on a half-day charter, fishing barely offshore…three of them over 400 pounds. Fly casters enjoy backcountry action for snook and tarpon. Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club St. Regis offers luxury amenities such as Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf on the ocean. Oscar de la Hoya bought a huge home site in the St. Regis Residences in September.
No matter where you decide to park your sandals, any of these extraordinary locations will fill an angler’s heart with joy when thoughts of returning to their own private abode on the ocean crosses their mind like a warm sea breeze.
Source: Luxury Living International
Healthy Living Explores Kidney Diseases
If you’re diabetic or hypertensive and struggling to keep up with your regimen; then pay attention. In the following segment, Healthy Living goes directly to a diabetic who suffered chronic kidney disease and is a kidney transplant survivor. There are many persons from all walks of life that do not know they are diabetic and can be developing kidney disease. Find out more about the long term effects of these common conditions and how to prevent damage to the kidney.
Andrea Cox, Kidney Transplant Patient
“I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of eight and from that day I’ve been on insulin—insulin dependent.”
Marleni Cuellar, Reporting
Fifty year old, Andrea Cox, is one of the thirteen point one percent of Belize’s population is living with diabetes. For most people who are diagnosed, the lifestyle changes required are very difficult to maintain. In Andrea’s case, a diagnosis at eight was challenging but it is one she’s learned to adapt to.
Andrea Cox
“As a child it became very challenging—it’s a life-changing experience. Your diet has to change right away, your habits and activities and of course your family becomes very overprotective of you. And of course you’re at school, so you see what everybody else can do so it has been very challenging. But I have been on insulin since then. There were period when it was all well, but it something that you have to check your glucose everyday; more than once a day and take the appropriate amount of insulin especially if you are insulin dependent. I used to do that. And in those days, you didn’t have those little glucose testers. You had to test using Bunsen burner and light the fire and everything—you had to test it through your urine. But now it is easier. You have the glucose monitors and you check it two three times for the day and you take your medication as needed—the doctors will give you an idea of what you are to take. And it is just a constant checking of these things. And I thought I was checking it enough and was doing—but you do have times when you go off your schedule and the sugar levels go up a bit. And whenever the sugar levels vary too much that’s when it’s attacking all the organs.”
In her thirties, her first diabetes-related complication was with her eyes. This required laser surgery to re attach her retina and restore her vision. As serious a complication as vision loss is, her major complication occurred a few years later.
Andrea Cox
“I started feeling very tired and when I would stand too long, I would have this cold feeling going through me [and] weakness. I did different blood testing and the doctors mentioned to me right away that the kidney was showing signs of decreasing in function. And o would ask questions and they would explain—it might take a while—but they put me on medication to slow down the progress; the decrease in function. But they told me to get ready to go on hemo-dialysis at some point.”
Chronic Kidney Disease is when the kidneys begin to lose its function. It is common for diabetics to develop this disease, especially those who don’t manage their glucose levels properly. Internist, Dr Pedro Arriaga explains why.
Dr. Pedro Arriaga, Head of Internal Medicine, K.H.M.H.
“The kidney is a complex organ. It has significant functions: it has hormonal functions; it helps us to produce red blood cells; it is an organ that help to filtrate the blood from venoms and poisons and water that we don’t need and it is an organ that helps us to manage different forms of substances that we call electrolytes. In general, when we talk about permanent damage to the kidneys, the two conditions that there are more of are diabetes around the world and hypertension. Sugars in general is toxic. If you have high levels of sugar for a long time that will create substances that will cause toxicity to the kidneys and the kidneys will start failing.”
The problem is, according to Arriaga, is that when the kidney function begin to lessen the symptoms are few.
Dr. Pedro Arriaga
“Most of the patients that have kidney problems, they have no symptoms. When the patient start having swelling and low blood count because the anemia is affecting, because lack of production of hormones from the kidney; when the patient start having problems to breathe, it is because the patient have a disease or if it is very well established disease and we can do very little except dialysis or kidney transplant.”
At the time of Andrea’s there were no dialysis treatment offered in Belize. With the assistance of her family, she immediately sought information about kidney transplant. They found a hospital in Tampa, Florida and luckily, her older brother Mark immediately volunteered to donate his kidney.
Andrea Cox
“Going through that period, you know your body deceased in function; different things happen. I started swelling, retaining all my fluids so they had to put me on medications for that. Then also too we were discussing with nephrologists in the states also along with seeing the doctors here; at that time it was the late Miguel Rosado who would advice me on steps to take. Both him and the doctors in the states would mention to me about different cases; would do transplants. So you started getting involved with these places, started finding out the information, there were forms you had to fill out. The difference right away was if you have a family member that can give you a kidney, it would be quicker than going on a list cause you’d have to wait. August this year will make ten years which I’m grateful for and thankful to everyone who took part in helping me to get that done; especially my brother, my family, my medical teams and the good lord.”
The most cost effective transplant surgery is done in Guatemala where, including all medical tests, donor and transplant surgeries and post-op care, the estimated price is a hundred and fifty thousand Belize dollars. The cost doubles if done in the United States. However, the surgery is not the end-all for Andrea’s health problems. She must take medication everyday for the rest of her life so that her body does not reject the kidney; and, as every other diabetic; she must maintain control of her diabetes. But she is one of the lucky ones: She is one of five Belizeans who’ve had successful kidney transplants. In the case of others, their bodies reject the kidney and return to dialysis treatment and some cannot afford the daily medication that is needed post-transplant to be able to survive. It is a reality that is frustrating to survivors like Andrea and medical professionals.
Dr. Pedro Arriaga
“Dialysis is a possibility, but I think one of the problem we have is the financial cost is tremendous—not only for the patient, but for the public system point of view too. We have tremendous amount of patients, they come in and they have the condition and they need help for that. But I think it is extremely expensive to support this patient from a financial point of view. In the country, we have a hemo-dialysis unit at K.H.M.H. and Loma Luz, but they have a limited amount of patients that they are seeing right now. Ethical dilemma—who will get the dialysis and who is not going to get dialysis—because a lot of patients they need dialysis you know. Again, you know they have a limited amount of post and seats for patients and the amount of people it will be able to handle is not enough for the amount of people that have kidney disease in the country. So we have a tremendous amount of people that are not getting the therapy that they need.”
Andrea Cox
“It gets me desperate. I have always been involved with kidney association of Belize and I have met and dealt with many patients and it makes me angry and then I realize anger won’t help the situation. So we try to find solutions, but you realize the desperation of these people and their families when they are in this situation. And thank the lord, we now have a dialysis unit—one that’s private and the one at the hospital which is limited at this point still because you can’t just walk in and go for dialysis. But I pray that there is a day where you can walk in and get dialysis done at a reasonable price.”
Andrea works along with the Kidney Association of Belize to spread awareness about chronic kidney disease and its prevention. She speaks to other diabetics about the importance of keeping to their regimen. Her hope is that one day a Kidney Center can be developed in Belize offering full services. In the meantime; the aim is prevention.
Dr. Pedro Arriaga
“I have a feeling we could do more for a patient. If Belize, as a country, we get together—the physicians and family members and patients to tackle the disease—I think we should be able to do more than what we do if we work together. The better control, the less complications; the worse control, the worse complications. So if you have diabetes and hypertension, those are diseases that definitely have been affecting our population tremendously from a kidney point of view. The best thing is try to be on time with the appointment with the physician, be sure the sugar and blood pressure in under control, get the right type of tests, try to control your weight diet and exercise; that is extremely important.”
Source: Channel5
Father and daughter reunite after 35 years
This story will warm your heart. A young woman in search of her father who she had not seen or heard from in many years finally catches up with him. Delahnie Bain, a Reporter from Belize’s Channel 5 News, located Percival Blancaneaux and shared his telephone number with the daughter who’s been looking for him for over thirty years. The reunion with his daughter who lives in the United States has been bittersweet.
Click here to read more about their remarkable encounter.
Source: Channel5
The Coral Species of Belize
Down here, it’s a riot of color constantly on parade: shades of green, brown, and fluorescent violet, so outstanding and bright they seem unreal. An underwater town of neon signs, colors only seen in nature by those who venture below the water’s surface to seek them out. Even the shapes are astonishing: huge boulders, mangled antlers, and rough cylinders – it’s like swimming through the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. Gliding over Belize’s coral reefs, snorkelers and divers gain an incredible view of a whole new world, clearer and sharper than any high-def image.
Submerge in the waters of the Belize Barrier Reef to see for yourself why Charles Darwin described this as “the most remarkable reef in the West Indies.” Belize’s inviting turquoise waters harbor 74 species of hard corals and 36 species of soft coral – and that’s only counting the species that have been identified. The diverse Belize ecosystem of the coral reef provides a literal pattern-book filled with endless variations in shape and color. Designers, decorators, and artists of all disciplines should snorkel here for unlimited inspiration. You’ll resurface from your dive having identified at least 20 different hard and soft corals.
Mounds of green brain, bright pink lacy fans, and colonies of leaf coral will make your underwater journey through Belize an exhilarating experience you’ll never forget. And for the travelers who will follow in your flippers, explore the coral reef without touching – this pristine world of explosive color and shape is best left undisturbed. Admire the unique underwater wildlife of Belize’s coral reef, so that you can return to the same unspoiled beauty whenever the waters call.
Source: The Ambler