The new study, was done by Dr. Eddie Ramirez Diaz, a native of Ensenada. Which has 16 years of experience in various lifestyle centers in North America, Europe and Africa. The study took place from December 5 to December 19, 2011. It was a free program open to the foreign community of San Felipe. Participants paid only their blood tests before and after the study.

The new study, “is a step forward, showing the importance of lifestyle changes to combat a large number of health problems affecting the people that live in our community,” said Dr. Ramirez.

Methodology

In the study, a group of more than 20 Americans who live or spend the winter in San Felipe participated. As a group on average the initial cholesterol was 232 points (which is high) and the LDL (bad) cholesterol was on average 158.7 points (which is also high).

Participants met twice a week for advice and encourage, they were provided with cookbooks and information to understand why they were making the changes.

Results

Laboratory results showed that on average cholesterol went down 59 points, triglycerides dropped 22 points and LDL (bad) cholesterol (LDL) went down 39 points. Many had dramatic changes like a participant who had a reduction of 112 points in her triglycerides and her cholesterol  went down 118 points together with her LDL cholesterol which decreased 85 points.

This study shows the potential value of lifestyle changes to reduce blood lipids and thus reduce a large range of pathologies.

Dr. Ramirez is planning another free program open to the entire community which will begin on January 16, 2012. For more information call Dr. Ramirez at 686-133-6046.

What’s Up Wednesday; “Cabo VS. San Felipe, Round ONE!”

By Chuck On November 16, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Let the debate begin! In this corner, weighing in at “A well known international destination” with a record of direct flights and mass media coverage, the reigning champion = Cabo San Lucas! And in this corner… A relative unknown, up and comer, the challenger = SAN FELIPE!!!

It’s no secret that we love San Felipe and I am not all that certain I would like to see it become as famous as Cabo, for it would lose much what we moved here to enjoy.. you know, peace and quiet.  However, I do agree with  Chuck (not my Chuck), San Felipe is worth the drive and the drive itself is worth the trip.

In their own words

Viva is:

a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to increase animal awareness; rescue indigent animals and provide a structured network of care to adopt the animals ready for forever homes.

In my words, this group is a bunch of very hardworking, selfless individuals who have hearts of the size of watermelons.  Everyone one of them feeds and houses numerous strays and spends their leisure time rounding up animals and transporting them to spay and neuter appointments.  Sometimes they even make long distance trips to take some lucky pups to new homes in the States.

You can read more about them on their website:  My Viva San Felipe

Video posted by descubrebajacal

by Dee Mason

Studying Statistics Should Help

Americans are becoming increasingly risk averse. This is bad news, not just for them as individual Americans, but for the global economy too. Being risk averse means that one never experiences anything new and exciting, for fear of discomfort or falling foul of some statistically unlikely event. It inhibits and limits the imagination and restricts movement.

Life is Risk

All forms of travel bring a certain degree of risk. Moving from A to B is inherently more risky than staying put in position A. That applies to jumping in your car to visit the shopping mall, or driving around the corner to see friends. But did you know that statistically car accidents are more likely to happen within a quarter of a mile of your own home than anywhere else on a given journey. Seems implausible? It is a fact, and if you consider the elements that come into play it is not surprising. Perhaps, after a long journey you are tired. As home comes into view you relax your guard, allow your mind to scuttle ahead and think about what you want for supper. That momentary lapse of concentration can cost you your lives. But you would never consider staying at home instead of visiting a relative an hour’s drive away because of that statistic. Nor refuse to visit the shopping mall.

Harmless Holidays

One might think that staying close to home would be the safest route to longevity. With this world view many Americans never leave their own state, let alone attempt travel to a foreign country. Two out of three Americans don’t even have the chance, as they have never applied for a passport. But when you look at the figures, sometimes it is safer to be on holiday than it is to stay at home.

Baja

If you want to holiday, but don’t want to take a plane abroad then Mexico is a great option. The Baja area in particular is stunningly beautiful and offers so much for tourists to enjoy. But it is surprising that this area of Mexico is overlooked by some American’s—for whom the fear of travel stops them seeing some of the most beautiful landscapes and beaches in the world. With plane travel available from major airports there is no reason not to fly to the Baja region for a short break or even for a long weekend. Why not fly in for a round of Golf? There are golf courses for all abilities. When you’ve finished the round you could go deep sea fishing? Big fish can be caught in the sea here, and it is very popular with serious anglers. Or, if this sounds too exhausting, the beaches are stunning–with white sand and clear water.

Statistics Say It All

Mexico is the number one travel destination for Americans, which may surprise some. Over 50,000 each day visit Mexico, which means that statistically your chances of being hurt or the victim of crime come down considerably. Fear of crime and violence is one of the reasons American citizens cite for not wanting to visit Mexico. That having been said, Mexico is actually safer than America, even after taking drug cartel related violence into consideration. In world wide comparison Mexico doesn’t even rank in the top ten dangerous places to visit.

Live a little!

If we all stayed at home and never traveled, we would never have the chance to experience the wonderful gifts that travel can bring. They say it broadens the mind, and indeed it does. Walking under the stars on a moonlit beach, trying new and exciting foods, finding out that people everywhere are just the same…all these things enrich our lives and make us feel that we have really made the most of our time. If we don’t like it we can always go home. But if we never try we may always wonder what the world had to show us.

Remember you are more likely to die of a smoking related illness in the U.S. this year than be murdered in Cd. Juarez, the most dangerous city in Mexico! You are also more likely to be killed in a drunk driving accident within 20 miles of your home than even witness a violent event on vacation in Mexico. So let yourself go and live a little. A visit to Baja is a great place to start.

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yesterday Chuck and I met with three of the ladies who’s tireless efforts have made Volunteers Without Limits a reality.  The purpose of the meeting was to review our current position and set down our goals for the future.  You ask: “Just what is Volunteers Without Limits Susan?”
 
So glad you asked.
 
VSL* (sorry I spent so many years working for the city that I am hooked on acronyms) is a non-profit civil association formed, by a group of women in San Felipe, to fill the vacancy left when the leaders of the San Felipe Food Bank disbanded and left the area.  Sort of a changing of the guard.  The ladies and their husbands took over distributing food to needy families, however these women were doubly motivated to keep this organization going.  Yes, they have a strong desire to help feed the many poverty stricken families of San Felipe, but in addition to this, they are also deeply committed to helping the families with children with disabilities in their daily struggle to provide adequate nutrition, therapy and medical attention, while living in a small and very poor town that is over a hundred miles from the nearest medical specialist or hospital equipped to care for their child’s needs.
 
Patricia Orosco Rea, the Director of VSL, has a four year daughter, Lupita, who has been diagnosed with cerebral paralysis and mycrocephaly.  Since Lupita’s birth, Patty has committed herself to getting her the best possible care and providing Lupita the best life possible.  Because of her unfailing perseverance Lupita has been selected to participate in a program called Chains of Help and she has received care from medical specialists not only in Mexicali but also Hermosillo, Mx.   It is Patty’s dream to help the other families in San Felipe who have children with special medical needs to also obtain the best care possible for their children.
 
To accomplish this dream Patty, and the other ladies of VSL, work six days a week at the VSL Segundo as unpaid volunteers.  Here they sell the clothing and household items donated by our wonderful benefactors.  The proceeds from the thrift store help finance the purchase of  food to feed about 150 families in San Felipe. But their dedication does not stop there, their equally critical goal is to raise public awareness and support for the families of these children with disabilities and help provide the parents with the tools and financial help needed to assure their children get the best care possible.
 
To learn more about the results of our meeting, click over to our blog at Volunteers With Limits.
 
* The official name of the organization we work with is Voluntarios Sin Limites which translates to Volunteers Without Limits, hence I use VSL not VWL when abbreviating the name.

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Nothing But Time
By Susan Young

There’s a line in a country song that goes something like “I’ll do more someday, when I have the time.” I can remember thinking that myself during the years filled with work and family responsibilities. For decades I put off doing and salved my conscious with an automatic monthly contribution to some distant cause. There just wasn’t time to do more.

Now suddenly I come face to face with end of the hustle and bustle and discover I have time. Time to fill with what? Oh, there is no shortage of choices. There are activities and causes no end. What there are no longer, are excuses. I can no longer claim I can’t exercise because I have no time. I can no longer say, gee I would like to learn Spanish but I don’t have the time. I can no longer simply send off a check and say I don’t have time to do more.

I have time. I have several hours each day to fill with something. I have the choice of how to fill those hours. Whether I will fill them with something healthy, something that will stimulate my brain or something that benefit others is my choice and I get to make that choice every day, every waking hour.

Sometimes I choose to do nothing, to just kick back and relax or enjoy the pool. Sometimes I choose to interact with friends and family on the computer. Sometimes I choose to do something to make a difference in the world around me for now I discover I have the time and the choice of how I use that time is mine and mine alone.