Preparing for Guatemala!!

Aaaah....chillin' in the hammock with good friends! This picture is actually from Mexico a few years ago. I'm not into the cerveza (beer) anymore, but jugo (juice) y agua es muy bien!
The countdown continues and we are exactly a week away from our honeymoon departure! We actually got married this summer (on 07-07-07, after 7 years together), but wanted to wait for the winter to seek our sunshine vacation! Now, the beautiful volcanic lake of Lago Atitlan awaits our arrival! Tuesday is my birthday-I'm turning 33 years young and then we leave the next day... Happy Birthday to me...! I get lots of probiotics in my Vitamineral Greens, but wanted to really load up before and during our journey, so we are taking some capsules 2-3x/day now as well. We arrive in Guatemala City at 5 am, taxi to the bus station, bus to Panachel, then boat to San Marcos/San Pedro. I am visualizing calm waters, clear skies and an organic juice bar, where someone actually makes my juice for me...what a luxury!
What goodies am I going to pack?

• Bentonite clay- handy in the case of Montezuma's revenge or food poisoning
• Lavender essential oil - great for soothing over-sunned skin
• Thieves essential oil - tastes yummy in water and is an amazing anti-viral/anti-bacterial
• prunes and Smooth Move tea - just in case!
• soaked and dehydrated sunflower and pumpkin seeds - pumpkin seeds are anti-parasitical
• Chia Seeds - I haven't used these much yet, but want to check 'em out :) They ar an ingredient in Earth, which i add to my smoothies sometimes.
• Nori sheets - mmm... seaweed!
• Vitamineral Green and Spirulina
• Probiotics - I bought Kyo-Dophilus. David Rainoshek recommended Jarrow's, but they need to be refrigerated.
• maybe some raw food bars

Here's some info on chia seeds I got off Raw Food World:

The Chia Seed is an amazing food. For centuries many have used the seeds for a host of different reasons. Native Americans would take a pouch of seeds and a gourd of water on their trips. The seeds were their food source and taken with the water they would hydrate their bodies for endurance. When you hydrate the seeds in water the seeds shell opens up and absorbs up to nine times its volume in water. This then forms a gel, which is called Chia Seed Gel. The gel helps keep your body hydrated. The gel is also 90% soluble fiber, which is beneficial for your digestive track. People use the seeds when they are involved in sports or physical activities for endurance.
The seeds have twice the protein of any other seed or grain, five times the calcium of milk, boron which is trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones, omega 3 and omega 6 which are essential oils for the body. They also have a very long list of valuable nutrients in them naturally. The soluble fiber in the gel forms a wall between carbohydrates and the body, releasing them slowly into the body. This has been found to be very helpful for people who have trouble controlling their sugar levels like Diabetics. Dieters love the seeds because it can be added to any food or drink in a ratio of 75% to the volume of food or drink and will not change the taste. Because the carbohydrates are released slowly you will get the feeling of being full. Many use the seeds as a way to control their appetites. The gel has no taste.

The best way to use the seeds is to take the seeds already hydrated so they will not absorb your own body fluids to hydrate. The seeds may be added to anything from water to juice and any food. Any age bracket could benefit from adding the seeds to their diet. Whether it is for physical activity, added nutrition, controlling weight or sugar levels, the seeds have been known to help all of these The most unique part is that it is only a seed, nothing artificial and the cost is minimal. You do not need too much protein or omega 3 and 6 so the maximum of the gel you will need is three tablespoonfuls three times a day of the gel. Once a day you may substitute one tablespoon of dry seeds in place of the three tablespoons of gel. Along with the seeds you will receive directions on how to make the gel and their nutritional values.
Directions for using Chia Seeds:
Put 1/3 cup dry seeds into two cups of warm water whisk, wait fifteen minutes, then whisk again then store gel in refrigerator. Use three tablespoons three times a day of the gel (seeds hydrated). You can mix them into any drink or food and may even just take the gel.



I think these goodies will help keep our bodies happy and nutrient dense. We are visualizing lots of gorgeous local fruits, guacamole, salsa and fresh juices. Not to mention, sunbathing, dancing, being immersed in another colorful culture, practicing my un-nurtured Spanish skills and celebrating our LOVE!! XOXO, Kelly O

Vitamineral Green 16 oz.">