The previous Great NEWS post was Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips Part 9: Bahamas and today we follow up with Part 10 Belize. How concerned are you with the disturbing trends in the US and world regarding lower levels of feeling happy, healthy and holistic? Are you open and receptive with eager ears, eagle eyes and earnest enthusiasm? We close 2013 with Part 10 Belize the last of this travel series to share some simple steps to help you understand the many traps, trends and troubles affecting you at home and while traveling.
This 10 part series delivered more than the minimum of 7 messages experts say are needed to allow a new connection or idea to be linked in your conscious mind. You have also had more than 21 days of action, progress and reinforcement to create new habits. Even though these travel series posts seemed a bit repetitive remember the big benefits for your happiness and health when you understand the magic and method. The gift of hidden hints, embedded insights and subtle suggestions is offered to help you be even more happy, healthy and in harmony.
Beautiful Belize is a country on the western Caribbean with Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south.
We all face various challenges and choices each day. The goal is to stop making unhealthy choices and start making healthy choices. When you give up the illusion that most food companies are providing healthy food choices and unplug from the media matrix and harmful hypnosis you will quickly feel, hear and see better benefits. Ads, commercials and multi-media brain washing are designed to influence you at home, travel and work to buy unhealthy beverages and foods.
On my trip to Belize, Central America in 2011 I discovered an amazing Caribbean culture and piece of paradise. It opened my eyes even further to the changes and challenges people are facing when they abandon their traditional foods. I drove through Belize City, Belmopan, Dangriga, Hopkins, Placencia and Punta Gorda and more. It was easy to see the best and worst of modern living in this small country south of the Yucatan peninsula. Beautiful Belize is a country on the western Caribbean with Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south. It was previously called British Honduras before becoming independent from the Britain.
Going to Belize was part of my research for a tropical paradise community and country with fantastic foods, friendly folks and fresh water. It is definitely inviting for a future residence, second home and holistic health retreat and vacation center. Belize ranks very high as one of the best choices for those seeking adventure, offshore banking, retirement residence, vacation and terrific travel so I bought two lots in Palmaya Estates near Placencia for rental houses. A key next step is to locate an organic farm to begin building a holistic health and wellness center.
Unfortunately Belize also reinforced the US sad state of the union and home of the Standard American Diet (SAD) which robs people of their health. My mission and vision to help educate, empower and energize families aligns with also being happy, healthy and in harmony in the process. While economic chaos and corporate greed has caused many people to struggle even more with financial and food choices it is exciting to see the possibilities and potential for enjoying a great life in Belize. Housing and land is a bargain compared to the US and other developed countries.
Being in Belize can help you remember what to stop doing and what to start doing to be happy, healthy and holistic. When you set the intention you will attract the residence, resources and role models you need for long term health. Technology is making it easier to create, design and implement a healthy lifestyle. Emotional, mental, physical and spiritual wellness depends on your identity and vision for being happy and healthy so read further for more words with wisdom.
This post contains simple solutions, strategies, suggestions and systems. Moving away from the sources of pain and moving towards the sources of pleasure leads to a life full of magic moments. When you master happy habits, holistic health and natural nutrition you receive big dividends for life. Remember “eating to live” versus “living to eat” will help you enjoy big benefits and rapid results. When people feel they do not have the time it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy as they cut their happiness and life short.
The beliefs, choices and decisions we make determine our lifestyle so choose wisely. Your emotions and feelings each day will either pull you toward being happy, healthy and in harmony or push you towards being sad, sick and stressed. Anyone can program or reprogram their hard drive, operating system and software for a happy and healthy lifestyle. Your conscious and subconscious minds hold the keys to your values, vision and rules so larn to program your GPS system for the dream destiny you deserve and desire.
Beautiful Belize
Belize is blessed with 180 miles of Caribbean coast line and known for it’s rain-forests, reefs, rivers, ruins and rustic charm.
It is best to say positive things about a person, place or thing first before discussing areas for improvement. Belize is blessed with 180 miles of Caribbean coast line and known for it’s rain-forests, reefs, rivers, ruins and rustic charm. The beautiful beaches, history, Mayan culture and wildlife make for a very exciting and interesting visit. Belize is below the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico and can be easily reached by flying from numerous international airports to Belize City. Cruise ships also stop at there or you can fly to Cancun and drive there.
During my stay a magic moment occurred when I visited the Lubaantun Mayan ruins and the caretaker showed me a cacao tree. Then a woman directed me to an organic cacao farmer who is of Mayan descend near the San Pedro, Columbia village. After visiting a bit he took me on a tour of his organic cacao and food farm. While he seemed to be a poor farmer struggling to make a living it was soon obvious his health and wealth is better than many people and directly linked to the land he farms and loves. He possesses a wealth of wisdom passed down for generations and knows more about enjoying life, growing healthy foods and well being than most people.
His organic farm provided healthy food for his family of ten while also producing surplus to sell for whatever else they needed. He sells the raw organic cacao to a coop that supplies Green and Black in the UK for making organic cacao. He proudly showed me the cinder block concrete house he had built that would be unaffected by termites and last for hundreds of years. His sturdy three bedroom, two bath house will outlast many modern wood frame homes and trailer houses common in the US. While not having much this man clearly seemed more grateful, happy and healthy than many people in the US who have a lot more yet are sad, sick and stressed. He and his family are shining stars of what Belize offers. This man has what many people are missing and demonstrates how easy it can be to again be happy and healthy.
Belize is less well known than many Caribbean destinations even though it is an English speaking country and has some of the best beaches, boating, diving, eco-tourism, fishing, food, honeymoons, sailing, snorkeling and wildlife sanctuaries in the Americas. Fortunately it is easy to fly there and Belize is becoming better known as a low cost get away and residence.
Belize is a beautiful tropical paradise that provides a wide variety of healthy fish, fruits, greens, meats and vegetables for the locals and visitors. Most families in Belize realize the importance of growing delicious and nutritious foods. The terrain goes from sandy islands and fairly flat savannah to jungles and mountain ranges. There are a wide variety of healthy foods and plants that grow year round due to their fantastic climate, location and soil.
Belize is famous for its beautiful barrier reef, diving and Mayan history and ruins. It is not as well known yet for first rate adventure tourism, banking laws, fabulous foods, master planned communities, medical tourism, Qualified Domestic Retirement Program (QDRP) and travel destination. The variety of beverages, cultures, foods, smells and tastes is a result of being part of the British Commonwealth and close to the US. In Belize you will find a smorgasbord of American (Standard American Diet – SAD), African, Asian, British, Caribbean, Indian and Mayan foods.
Belize is located in the western Caribbean with plenty of rainfall, rich soil and varied topography for yielding a wide variety of food crops. Many foods are grown year round on Belize with others being seasonal. Due to the tropical climate in Belize the conditions are great for growing healthy organic foods easily and quickly. Some new tress can begin yielding food within 4 years. Unfortunately due to excess hot sunny warm climate, occasional high winds from tropical storms, poor forestry management and sandy soil certain cold weather foods are not easily available.
Better Food in Belize
Belize is a food and fruit lover’s paradise. They grow amazing fruits, grains, greens, herbs, legumes, nuts, seeds, tubers and vegetables.
Belize is a food and fruit lover’s paradise. They grow amazing fruits, grains, greens, herbs, legumes, nuts, seeds, tubers and vegetables. The country also produces a good supply of grass fed natural and organic animal products and abundant wild caught fish and sea foods.
Animal products: beef, chicken, goat and pork. Also cheese, dairy and eggs play a role.
Fish and Sea foods: clams, crabs, fish (anchovies, dorado, herring, mackerel, marlin, sardines, snapper, tuna, wahoo), conch, shrimp, squid and other sea foods.
Fruits: acerola cherries, avocados, bananas, breadfruit, cashew fruit, coconut, dates, dragon fruit, grapefruit, guava, lemons, limes, logan, lychee, mango, mangosteen, nance, noni, oranges, papaya, passion fruit, pineapple, plantain, plums, rose apple, sapodilla star fruit and tangerines
Greens: bok choy, cabbage, cacao, celery, celery root, chard, collards, kale, lettuce, (green leaf, iceberg, romaine), mustard greens, napa cabbage, spinach, taro,
Herbs: basil, bay leaf, cilantro, garlic, mint, oregano, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage, spearmint, tarragon, thyme.
Legumes, beans, peas and lentils (pulses): beans (broad, kidney, red, white), black eye peas, chickpeas, green beans, lentils, green peas,
Melons: canary, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon
Nuts: almond, cashew,
Roots and Tubers: carrots, cassava, garlic, onions, potatoes, radish, sweet potatoes, taro, yams,
Spices: black pepper, cayenne, chilies, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, curry, garlic, paprika, pepper, red pepper, sea salt, turmeric are all widely used
Vegetables: bell peppers (capsicum), cabbage, cactus, corn, chayote, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, okra, onions, peppers, pumpkins, squash, string beans, tomatoes,
Wild foods: algae, aloe vera, cactus, coconuts, kelp, mustard greens, sea grape and sea weed. Belize coconut trees are numerous and this is one of the best foods on the planet.
Foods in Belize can be prepared in a harmful or healthy fashion based on many variables such as:, cooking method, culturing, flavor enhancers, food additives, freshness, herbicides, ingredients, MSG, oils used, organic, pesticides, preparation, preservatives, shelf life, soaking, sprouting, storage, sugar added, table salt, TLC and time factors.
The soil is very productive and rich so that the majority of whole foods in Belize are fresh, local and natural. Unfortunately there are some toxic herbicides and pesticides used with banana, oranges and other crops. Herbicides contain glycophosphates which may be one of the most dangerous and toxic chemicals to humans and all organisms.
Excess consumption of fried foods is a problem here because the high temperature harms the quality of the food and cooking oil. Highly processed and refined vegetable oils are not good for frying. These chemically treated and highly heated oils are a rancid rapid recipe for being sad, sick, stressed and suffering. Fried foods and cheap corn and soy oils are taking a toll on the local population. It is sad to see people eating so many unhealthy fried foods when they have such an abundance of local and healthy food choices.
Sugar cane is used to make alcohol which is another problem due to over consumption.
Some sugar cane is grown here and excess refined sugar consumption and sweet treats are a serious problem in Belize. Refined sugar has a long history tied to slavery that still exists today wherever it is grown. Sugar cane is used to make alcohol which is another problem due to over consumption.
Food prices in Belize are low for local foods and higher for imports. It is easy to find a good selection of fresh, healthy and nutrient dense organic whole foods in Belize at local family stands and farmers markets. Basic healthy foods are available at much better prices than the highly processed foods.
You can find fake, fast and junk foods in the markets and streets as well. Belize has been infiltrated by the Standard American Diet (SAD) fast food fad and is following the US experience with disease, health and weight issues. Fake, fast and junk foods contain very low quality nutrition and are more expensive yet seem to be everywhere. It is shocking to see cereal, chips, cookies, fries and sodas being consumed by people earning low wages and able to access healthy low cost foods easily.
Belize has many small farms and gardens which provide a renewable and sustainable food supply. Many locals plant a small garden in their open space or yard. Growing your own food like fruits, greens, herbs and vegetables helps people be happier and healthier. Gardening is great for your happiness and health in many ways besides the nutrient dense organic whole foods grown.
SAD, Sick and Stressed in Belize
Unfortunately when Britain ruled Belize they over harvested many of the native trees and stripped away valuable topsoil with burning and plowing. Modern large scale farming practices does more harm than good by causing the soil to dry out and exposing the soil to the rain and wind which cause erosion. Small scale renewable and sustainable organic farming is the solution. Composting, organic farming, protecting the soil and reforestation will help Belize grow even more healthy foods for locals and export.
The Standard American Diet (SAD) has gained a strong foothold in Belize and is a detriment to the people. It seems the big Standard American Diet (SAD) business models are selling burgers, cereals, chips, coffee, cookies, fries, pasta, pizza and sodas to the detriment of the people. These fast foods are harming the adults, children and future generations of Belize. It is sad to see a few dozen food companies dominate most people’s food intake.
Diabetes and weight issues are increasing in Belize.
Highly processed and refined foods such as: bread, cakes, candy, cereal, crackers, cookies, croissants, donuts, energy drinks, French fries, juices, ketchup, margarine, pancakes, pasta, pies, pizza, processed oils, salad dressing, sandwiches and sodas are replacing many of the traditional foods in Belize. The country and people are spending more on healthcare to drug companies and hospitals. Diabetes and weight issues are increasing in Belize.
Most families are dealing with at least one family member having health problems related to: arthritis, blood pressure, blood sugar, diabetes, digestion, immune function and weight while losing their energy, health and mobility. More people are using OTC and prescription medications as a result. Some manufacturers and restaurants are using artificial sweeteners, cheap ingredients, cheap labor, chemical contaminated ingredients, excess refined sugar, MSG, micro waved foods, processed refined oils, table salt, unsanitary and unhealthy practices.
More people are consuming excessive cooked and processed foods and not enough fresh raw foods like fruits, greens, herbs, nuts, roots, salads, seeds and vegetables. Even many foods that are best raw are being cooked. It is essential to consume at least 50% of your foods cultured and raw for optimal health.
While many kids in Belize are active, fit and walking regularly, too many adults and kids are following the foreign influence with harmful consequences. There are many benefits when you consistently eat, energize and exercise for optimal health. Many people in Belize are experiencing declining health due to unhealthy food and lifestyle choices which will cause them to struggle even more financially. This unhealthy trend is also a serious threat to the future Belize economy and standard of living.
When you focus attention and intention on healthy agriculture, air, disease prevention, ecology, education, environment, exercise, food, lifestyle, nutrition, prenatal care and water protection the universe aligns to make it easier to make healthier choices. Commitments to better education and empowerment will resolve the problems caused by the sad, sick, stressed and stupid society being promoted by companies putting profit before people.
Belize is facing the same challenges as the rest of the world. An excess of alcohol, coffee, crime, drugs, poverty, tobacco and violence reduces people’s competitive performance, position and productivity. As a result of unhealthy eating habits, excess caffeine and sugar consumption and lifestyle choices the majority of people in Belize are dehydrated and over acidic. This is a global problem and negatively impacts everyone who wants to be happy, healthy and in harmony.
Belize is a beautiful place to live or visit for great beaches, food, lifestyle and traditional values. Unfortunately like many other places it has many temptations as well. Belize is well positioned to benefit from their banking, food, rich coral and volcanic soil and strategic location near the US. Unfortunately being a small country they do not have the financial resources or publicity of many larger and well known countries. Hopefully this post will help more people discover Beautiful Belize.
This Great NEWS post shares the Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips Part 10: Belize. Now you have even more simple suggestions to help you commit to fresh foods, holistic health and terrific travel. This Part 10: Belize post is shared to help you discover the big challenges occuring so you can make better choices and decisions each day.
What is your current Gap?
How educated, empowered and excited do you feel for being happy, healthy and in harmony long term? What shifts have occurred in your city and country that are helping or hurting your health?
Mastery Action Plan (MAP)
What action plans will help you be even more happy and healthy at home, at work or while traveling? What helpful books, role models or websites have you discovered?
Call to Action
What comments, commitments or concerns do you have for being happy and healthy at home or while traveling?
Next week the Great NEWS blog will share:
New Year, New You Part 1: Mind Magic
[…] vacation really fun to remember versus a family vacation flop to forget. See my previous post on Beautiful in Belize for reasons Belize may be a great choice for an international holiday and lifetime family eco […]