Posts:
By Rob Gray In an effort at Gran Roca farm to grow the Best Food Ever, we have set a high bar in committing to the goal of sustainable, year around production of world class food for consumption here in Ecuador. We have taken much of our guidance from the teachings of...
Text and photos by John Keeble It's easy to blow hot and cold about Ecuador – they are both fantastic. And, if you are energetic enough, you can catch both in a day: the equatorial heat of the deserted beaches and the chill of the Andes. I took the slow way, enjoying...
New research from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association shows that although 35% of Americans experience warning symptoms of a stroke, only 3% seek immediate medical attention. And ignoring any symptoms can be deadly. Maybe you’ve heard of a ‘TIA’?...
Mid-afternoon, a couple of weeks or so ago, found me strolling near Mercado Diez de Agosto in Cuenca. I’ve shopped there on numerous occasions and was parched, so in and upstairs I went for something to slake my thirst. As the cold glass full of fresh squeezed...
Avocados are one of the most healthful foods on earth, but should you eat them daily? After all, eating too much of this fatty fruit could result in weight gain, right? But what if the research showed that eating avocados helps control both your weight, as well as...
By Kris Fischer I look to my left. A bus careening on two wheels and belching diesel fumes bears down on me. I leap backwards just in time. My fellow pedestrians who have stayed safely curbside look at me with raised eyebrows as if to say, "Silly gringa! She really...
After writing my column on juicing a couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a reader asking why, if raw kale is purported to be so healthy, was I against drinking it. Another reader had a question about the word “blenderizing.” In fact, she wrote, “do you mean...
Ángeles are a popular theme within the social structure of Ecuador. Catholicism reigns in this small South American country. There are paintings and statuary, carvings, drawings and reliefs of ángeles everywhere. Most of these are depicted in the traditional manner,...
By Deke Castleman “It tastes like chicken” is such a common expression that it has almost become a self-fulfilling prophesy: Any uncommon meat is now compared to the bland standard of this particular poultry. Rabbit, quail, ostrich, goose, pigeon, ptarmigan, frog,...
By Margaret Winter Looking for Cuenca's best nightlife? You'll find it at the Jazz Society Cafe. It's a little miracle to find a jazz club of this caliber in the Andes, with world-class performers in a venue that’s got the warm, intimate vibe of an authentic New York...
A year has passed since I posted another version of this column in CuencaHighLife.com. The more things change, the more they stay the same. But, what’s changed? Time. A year has passed. What has stayed the same? Unfortunately, everything. The same individuals are...
By Chris Clarke This is the first of two articles about Ecuador through the eyes of a writer living in Costa Rica. The second will compare the similar economic and political problems of the two countries. It is a short flight to Quito from San Jose. Presently, you...
Last week, my column detailed the impressive increase in life expectancy around the globe. As reported in the National Institute on Aging, “The dramatic increase in average life expectancy during the 20th century ranks as one of society’s greatest achievements....
By Christopher Lux It’s been a year since so many people on Ecuador's coast lost so much — family members, friends, and neighbors. There was also the loss of housing, stores, hotels, and work places. Structural losses in the community of Rio Canoa, just inland from...
Black Tongue lives a pretty good ways from here. I met him in Wyoming this past February. As you can see, we are already on a first name basis and quite familiar with one another. That's why he's letting me hang out with him so close and on his turf. He's a young...
By Susan Burke March Your smile may be the most important part of a first impression, and it’s said you never have a second chance to make a good first one. As I walked into the office of GC Specialized Dentistry I thought, this is the definition of a great first...
By David Fagerlie Recently, I attended a presentation about the work of a nonprofit organization that was held after hours at a local restaurant. I paid a fee to attend that was much greater than the value of the dessert and a beverage provided; the balance supported...
Walking. It’s my favorite way to get to know a place. I’ve come to love my new city and find new delights in it every day. On foot. While I try to vary my routes, particularly in El Centro, there are a limited number of ways to get there. As anyone who has been here...
What is allopathic medicine, and why do some people throw that term around so insultingly? Wikipedia reports that German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) invented the term “allopathy”. He conjoined allos "opposite" and pathos "suffering" to refer to harsh...
By Rob Gray There's a lot more to growing the best food ever than you think, more than can be covered in a single article. So, in this article I will present an overview of six fundamental principles I believe necessary to produce the highest quality, fresh...
