Monday, August 16, 2010

The No Diet Diet



Hola!

I'm having an amazing time in D.F., full of daily adventures of course. This week I was pick-pocketed, had my twenty minute metro commute take 2 1/2 hours (there was a fire), and enjoyed a lively Friday night in the Zòcalo.

In my constant quest for optimal health and correct nutritional information I have continued my studies. My most recent reads have been by Geneen Roth(Breaking Free from Emotional Eating) and she has changed my perspective on dieting. She actually has gotten me to see that dieting implies that I'm not trustworthy with my own instincts and should over-ride my body's signals with programs and protocols. Instead of listening to myself and discovering when I'm hungry and how much I should eat I have relied on charts and graphs, "correct" portion sizes, and calorie allotments.

I'm changing all this and taking the journey back to feeling myself and listening to my body.

That being said, I do need to monitor my blood sugar levels and have a gluten intolerance so I am adapting her advice (eat whatever you want, whenever you are truly hungry and only until satisfied) to my situation. Right now I'm working on monitoring my blood sugars daily to see which food and in what amounts are helpful for my body. I'm using Dr. Bernstein's methods, which I highly recommend.

I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want but I love myself and want to push myself towards optimal health on a daily basis, not harm or hinder my health in anyway. My natural diet is lower carb (as this handles my bs levels nicely) with limited sugar and lots of exercise, fun, and relaxation. I do want to release some weight relatively quickly as this is a remedy for high bs as well and will probably use homeopathic hGc. I've used this in the past with success and have not regained the weight I lost with it. It aligns with what I eat already and is a definitely temporary protocol.

It's a bit scary, relying on only myself to make all the decisions as to what is truly best for me; but then again if I'm going to break the dieting cycle, this may be best bet.

Besos

An article I wrote on my beloved Mexico City!

It’s hard to imagine a more culturally packed, higher intensity place than Ciudad de México. Currently rivaling Tokyo and Seoul for the most highly populated city in the world, Mexico City sits squarely on the pulse of Central America.

Mexico is a beautiful dichotomy; a sprawling modern metropolis inhabited by some of the worlds’ best, but maintaining a strong Mexican tradition and culture. You may be able to find Starbucks in every colony, but don’t be surprised if you also spot an indigenous couple walking barefoot down a main highway.

Mexico City is an easy travel destination. It is not a holiday destination and thus there are hotels at every price point constantly available. Airlines are rarely over-booked from Europe and the Americas, and many direct flights are available into one of the two airports.

Plenty of ATMs are scattered about. You can always find an open Internet café, and the city hosts the largest metro in the world, making transportation a breeze.

Mexico City has a tangled history of vast kingdoms, brutal conquests, and industrialization. It rests on what was once a lake, a woof and warp- like structure of canals and farmland. The maize has long since been replaced with endless asphalt and buildings, but even amongst this modern world you can happen across the ancient Temple Major in downtown, centuries old cathedrals, and the reverend Guadalupe. There are few cities in the world that provide such an exciting mixture of tradition and modern existence.

There is no right time to visit Mexico City. The climate is temperate year round. If you do not enjoy frequent showers, you will want to avoid the summer months from June to September; and if higher temperatures are not your cup of tea, consider visiting in April. When the entire city is green and alive with beautiful purple jacaranda trees. Whenever you plan on coming, rest assured the city will be alive with activity (the two exceptions are Holy Week, the week before Easter Sunday and the couple of days after it and Christmas to New Years when the city slows down considerably as locals vacation; if you are looking to do business in the city you definitely want to avoid these times.) One climatic characteristic to be aware of is the altitude. The city stands at almost a mile and a half above sea level (7,200 feet). This, combined with the fact that it is a valley flanked by mountains and two volcanoes, which promotes heavy smog, makes everyday activities exhausting for travelers. Being aware of this can make all the difference. Don’t be surprised if after a day or so of running on adrenaline you suddenly crash. Take it slow, drink plenty of water, rest as needed and you should still enjoy a delightful Mexico City experience.

Being such a large city, there are truly endless excursions to go on, and sights to be seen. Historic Center offers a rich cultural experience and gives one a quick glimpse of DF’s history. For a bohemian feel you can easily head to Roma; to Condessa if you desire a beautiful residential area full of hip cafes and a buzzing nightlife; or the affluent Polanco for up-scale hotels and cutting edge chefs.

One really should spend a day in the neighborhood Centro Histórico (Historic Center) and surrounding areas. This historical downtown area of Mexico City has a wide plaza known as El Zòcalo. Full of museums, restaurants and cafes, street merchants, markets, art, music, Aztec dancers, and hotels this is a wonderful place to start. The Palacio National (the presidential palace and home to exquisite Diego Rivera murals), cathedral, and excavated site of Temple Mayor (the main Aztec Tenochtitlan temple) are just a few of the sights which could keep you occupied for hours.

Directly west of the Zócalo lies the breathtaking Palacio de Bellas Artes. Slightly further and you will find Mexico City’s famous street, Paseo de la Reforma, adorned with the “Monumento a La Independicia, El Ángel.” This beautifully gilded angel stands as the symbol of Independence and rises above the city to watch over her people. Daily tours are available and upon summit you will be treated to a bird’s eye view of the city. Several other monuments mark this grand boulevard and you can easily follow it down to Zona Rosa and enjoy any of the many restaurants, on your way to Bosque de Chapultepec. This park is a trip within itself with lakes, gardens, and abundant trees. It also holds several museums, including the world famous Museo Nacional de Antrologia and the Museo Nacional de Historia.

Transportation is a breeze throughout the city. The Metro is extremely economical ($3 pesos and you can ride to any destination one way, no matter how many stops or transfers) and criss-crosses the city very efficiently. Taxis are also extremely abundant and affordable. Avoid all “Libre” taxis, which are denoted by an “L” before the vehicle’s registration number and license plate. Instead look for a “Sitio”taxi, traditionally denoted by a “S”. Because new regulations (changes in license plates) have made it almost impossible to differentiate between Libre and Sitio taxis. The smartest course of action is to always call a 24-hour Sitio taxi service, which is available at 5516-6020 to 34, 5571-9344, and 5571-3600. Your hotel or restaurant will gladly call one for you.

You are never far from some of the world’s most delicious cuisine in the city. Any type of global delight can be found, although some of the most delicious food to be found is in the markets and taquerias. Keep in mind the rule of thumb to not eat unless you can sit at the establishment (hopefully this will exclude you from any run-ins with less than sanitary establishments). Perhaps the most tantalizing way to find good eats is stop locals and ask them what they recommend. Make sure you try the “T Diet” while you are in town consisting of tortas, tamales, and tacos. Some of the best al pastor and bistek tacos are to be found in the city, and any good Samaritan can direct you. Eating is generally quite inexpensive and one of the true joys of Mexico City. Due to Mexico City’s dichotic character, you can enjoy tamales on the street for breakfast, and an exquisite world-class dinner in Polanco later that day.

Mexico City does have a reputation for being one of the more dangerous cities in the world. Precautions should be taken to not draw attention to one; do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, carry or show large amounts of cash, advertise your nationality, and or generally advertise yourself as a foreigner. That being said, you will immediately notice how friendly the city is. In general the Mexican people are proud of their country and happy to assist in anyway they can. As in any large city, take the proper precautions to not put yourself in dangerous situations (such as calling a taxi from the street).

Mexico City is a fast-paced, colorful, textured, rich urban hot spot. It is chock full of amazing museums, art, music, delectable food, traditional dances and events, soccer stadiums and fans, breathtaking architecture, and stunning colonies. The choices of things to see and do are endless, and with a little planning you will be enthralled by what you find in this cultural hybrid. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to encounter across a woman selling her homemade quesadillas while shuffling out of the metro…

The official article can be found at: http://www.latinworld.com/2010/city-profile-mexico-city.htm. Besos!