Chapala Cuisine

LAKE TACO is located on the Libriemento next to the car wash, near the Pemex gas station in Ajijic.  If you stand in front of Walmart and look out from their front door, you are looking up towards the BLACK COFFEE house and the Libriemento. Lake Taco has the very freshest chicken salads and yummy fresh fish tacos.  A delightful atmosphere under a giant Palaypa. Enjoy a very satisfying lunch with a distant view of the lake.  Clean bathrooms are a plus to each restaurant recommended.

CLICK into RESTAURANT REVIEWS: LAKESIDE GOOD FOOD
PARIS CAFE is located in Chapala right next to the Chapala town plaza. It is at the corner of Hidalgo and Ignacio (the main street of Chapala) near the big fountain.  My favorite dish is the Paris Cafe Omelet Especial. The omelet is served with a fresh salad drizzled with balsamic.  They also make the greatest milkshakes and cold coffee drinks.

TANGO is located in Ajijic on Cologne. You will enjoy high quality beef dishes at excellent prices. Cologne is the main street in Ajijic and Tango is down near the Malecon.

MARIA ISABELA'S is located in Ajijic at the very end of Cologne. The best dish here is the chicken fajita's. A great side order is the grilled zucchini.  Enjoy the sound of outdoor dining on a lapping lake with birds twittering in the gigantic centuries old Eucalyptus tree.

DELICIOS on Hidalgo near the IMS office in Chapala next to the hardware store.  It has the best waffle special. A waffle covered with carmel and walnuts, strawberries, bananas, and whip cream. The omelets are also very good. Recently they added a dinner menu and many locals dine here for the great value.

WAFFLE HOUSE is located in West Ajijic on the Carretera.  Strolling musicians will add great delight to every breakfast.  Wonderful coffee and atmosphere, and plenty of parking.

SIMPLY THAI is located in Ajijic directly across from the Lake Chapala Society on Septimbre. When your taste buds long for something special, enter their lovely garden atmosphere and depart satisfied.

SALVADORS in Ajijic is right on the Carretera in the El Torito shopping center. It opens at 7:30AM and they cater to the gringos with the best Chilaquiles in town. Enjoy two pancakes, bacon, eggs and coffee for as little as 60 pesos.

A BORDERLESS GOD

We are all pre-destined, and my calling crystalized in 2009. God led my thoughts to consider where I would retire and serve kids in need. After my dad died in 2006 and visiting with my brother in Loreto, Baja in 2008, the opportunity to build a home in Mexico became a dream. Faced with my mortality and desiring in my heart to make a difference before I depart, I asked God..."what will You have me do?" When and where will Barb live out her golden years? To live a life without borders is to live in obedience to God.

To love as God loves ~ is to love the aliens, the orphans, the widows, the lost, the broken and those in different cultures, churches and countries. God is Spirit and He loves without boundaries, or borders. The Spirit of God infiltrates the mind, body and soul of anyone who surrenders their limited ways to His. As we become more like Him, we focus on what pleases the Lover of our soul. We begin to quickly forgive, and issue massive mercy and grace to all who He brings within the reach of our smile and our willing hands. God invites all people to the wedding banquent, BUT because few choose Him, few enter the party He has planned for those who love the Lord with all their mind, heart and soul.  Barb worked for ten years for a City plagued with crime and folks losing their jobs, homes and dreams. Being still in the midst of chaos, she listened and heard His still small voice. "Follow Me, trust Me, I am with You always." Barb was led to Chapala on Christmas eve 2009. Miraculously in 2006 the Lord changed the heart of her dad, Earl Alley.  Having been written out of her dads life since she was 17, Barb suddenly became the surprised benefactor of an inheritance which allowed her to build a new custom home in Mexico. INDEED all things are possible for those who love God! She did not employ blind faith, but she was empowered by the indwelt Holy Spirit to think clearly and rest assured in His safety. She arrived on Christmas day 2009 at Casa Del Sol, a lovely bed and breakfast in Ajijic. With absolute peace, she remained in the presence of the Lord without fear and walked the streets of Ajijic alone at night. Her faith in God and His promise to prosper her, not harm her was REAL!  English speaking Realtors  from Canada took Barb

to view the property she found on the internet before her trip. Was it a chance encounter or was it a divine appointment that Barb met the English speaking builder Michel Bureau? Without that providential meeting, it was confirmed by the surprised realtors that Barb would not have found the financing needed to puchase Casa De La Luz. In June of 2014, Barb obtained her permanent resident card and became a happy resident in a mid town barrio a few blocks from the lake. Skype allows her to cross all borders and stay in touch with all her family and friends for $80.00 USA per year. National Geographic Magazine boasts that Lake Chapala has the best weather in the world! It is in fact a tropical paradise with a mild temp on average of 78 degrees all year long! God's plan to live JOYFULLY in a less hectic pace and serve a happy, grateful people is GRAND! All that was required was to think beyond the border. In 2011 AARP reported a list of ten places to retire outside the U.S.A. In 2011 Chapala was number one for these reasons: Cost of living, Housing rates, Healthcare, and Cultural and recreational options. The world's largest English speaking LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY of EXPATS also expands opportunities. Wisdom mingles with positive tips from those who actually uprooted themselves and moved to Mexico. Living outside your comfort zone requires risk and a willing spirit of adventure. Leaving family, and treading among a new culture is the most exhilarating way to learn! Consider what was required of Saul/Paul! God's light blinded Saul for three days. Paul's heart was changed, and his mind was illuminated by the truth of Who Jesus Christ is.  Saul had been a proud man, a man of high respect.  A man with many degrees of learning.

Saul was changed in an instant to a humble, willing servant who God renamed Paul. As we remain in His will, and as Mike and Barb continue to seek His Presence, God blessed us with new friends and a renewed sense of purpose. LOVE IN ACTION in Chapala and HOPE HOUSE for Boys gives us a chance to immerse ourselves in the language, and build eternal relationships. The Word of God that our HOPE is in God, the anchor of our soul, NOT in the City or the culture we live in. People are universal, and so are the needs of

the soul. The emptiness is the same in every culture. Without God, people place HOPE in things, or in people. The lesson is painful to discover that things and people will change.  GOD never changes. In 2009, as a single woman, a decision to TRUST GOD was made to move to CHAPALA without human counsel. Then God's plan spun Barbara completely around when He placed Michael Hoyle in her life. GOD is GREAT and He has NO BORDERS!  Living within God's plan and in His will is the greatest GIFT of ALL!
We trust God to give us His PEACE through our brief period of adjustment to the culture, and the slower pace of Mexico. We are glad to be unknown for what we have accomplished in the USA, and our JOY is increased to be known for the LIGHT we shed in the dark place of a single hopeless soul. Our identity is in Christ Jesus, NOT in anything that we have done in our own strength. Accepting His amazing ways as our own, our soul is humbled by how He leads us to love the local laundry lady Lupita, and our new adopted daughter Lucy, who greets me with kisses each week when she comes to clean our casa. My soul is swollen by the Holy Spirit, and flushed with HOPE to bring God glory! Repatriating one DAY at a time is a JOYFUL choice.

Barb WISELY followed the Lord and said YES to the opportunity to retire as a civil servant in the USA, to become a community servant in lake Chapala. With a budget of only $200 USA per month, we can afford to give generously at church and to those God places in our path.  By August of 2014 Barb was asked to lead a weekly women's group in her home for Celebrate Recovery and Michael was asked to facillitate a bible study in October 2014 at church.  JOY and LAUGHTER fill our days and we trust God has more FUN stuff for us ahead. We travel to Puerto Vallarta in October, and again with a bus load of expats for Thanksgiving in November 2014.  Our borderless God will confirm your reservation to serve in your town, or somewhere over the rainbo, beyond any place you could imagine.  TRUST HIM with your future and follow His lead.

Daily Walking Wonders

Phyllis January 2015

The amazing visible success of my walking buddy Phyllis has inspired me to get healthy, get fit, and enjoy more energy while slimming down.  Phyllis has lost over 60 pounds by limiting calories and carbs and walking four full laps of the Chapala malecon six days a week.  Weight management is 80% watching what you put in your mouth and 20% regular exercise. Sparkpeople is a great place to track food and exercise. We purged our bodies by following the online DR OZ THREE DAY FAT FLUSH program.  Most of the recipes given here were taken off the Dr Oz website, some are from Phyllis.

Enjoy this colorful blogpost for inspiration to stay on track while on your journey to fitness.  Our day by day, and week after week consistent choice to eliminate bread, gluten, carbs, and sugar

will guarantee our personal health goals. I have watched Phyllis shrink before my very eyes and now we are delighting in a buddy system of walking and sharing wonderful smoothie, salad,

and healthy gormet soup recipies. We are so blessed to be able to obtain low-fat Greek yogurt from Super Lake in San Antonio, fresh veggies and fruits from the mercardo in Chapala, and other essentials from Costco in Guadalaraja.  Included is a handy shopping list:

FAT FLUSH BROTH

1 large onion

2 med carrots

1 cup radish root

1 cup diced squash

2 cups kale

2 stalks celery

½ cup seaweed

½ cup shredded cabbage

1 small piece fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic

1 cup shiitake mushrooms

DR OZ GREEN DRINK

1 ½ cups water

2 cups pineapple

2 stalks celery

4 cups spinach

1 green apple

1 tbls chia seeds
2 tbls coconut oil

2 tbls lemon juice

BANANA LATTE BLENDER

1 scoop soy protein powder

1 cup Almond milk

¾ cup strong coffee

2 bananas

1 cup ice cubes

PURPLE SMOOTHIE FOR TWO

1 ripe banana

¼ cup strawberries

½ cup blueberries

½ cup orange juice

2 tsp agave nectar

½ cup Greek yogurt

1 tsp chia seed

Phyllis March 27, 2015 Tropical Ambrosia = 174 calories + 22 carbs + 4 grams fat

TROPICAL AMBROSIA

1/2 cup FAGE non-fat yogurt

1 gram raw coconut

1 tbls honey

1 tsp organic bee pollen

1/2 whole strawberry

1/4 small banana

1/4 cup cubed mango

1/4 cup cubed pineapple

1 tsp raw pumpkin seeds

2 broken raw walnuts

1 tsp chia seeds

COSTCO SHOPPING LIST

Fage Greek non-fat yogurt

Balsalmic Vinegar

Omega Triple supplements

Omega brand Psyllium Fibre

Probiotic supplement

Kirkland Multi-Vitamin with Lutena

Canela ( Cinammon )

Chia seeds

Coconut Milk

Coconut Slivers

Coconut Oil

Olive Oil

Organic bee pollen

Organic Cubed Tomatoes

Raw Almonds

Raw Walnuts

Lettuce washer sink strainer

YUMMY HEALTHY GREEK SALAD

VISION CAST PARK

While living in my hometown I am able to enjoy great memories of my first trip to Pixie Woods! It was opened in 1950 and at the age of five I remember the thrill of watching fairytales come alive! Alice in Wonderland, the Three Little pigs, Jack be Nimble, a park designed just for the kid within! Uncle Doyle's kid emerged gleefully on his first visit to this wonderland on Labor Day 2011. In the 50's Momma Mia took Ben, Mary and Barbie and Yvonne King took Shane, Verdell and Beverly and we each remember the crooked slide, the boat ride, cotton candy and real pixie's serving cupcakes during puppet shows! With a word from Chapala on this Labor Day weekend, I am reminded of how blessed I am. Once I move to Chapala, it is then that my community service begins. Imagine such a similar theme built within the City park along the lake for children - using legendary Mexican tales! For now I shall study what fairytale stories are told in Chapala and work with the Expat Society on bringing this to life along the shores of Lake Chapala! When I met the ninety one year old Director of Pixie Woods, Miss Dorthea ~ I was inspired by her genuine elation while assisting young and old strap on for a Merry-go-round ride on great stallions. I have not been horseback riding in years and the shade of the mighty old trees and the music all together lit up my soul! For Doyle who is nearing 80 and Barb who will be 60 in just eleven more days ~ the child within both of us squealed along with each gleeful laugh of all the kiddos at the park! Oh Lord how great Thou art and I pray that such a delightful theme park could be built for the kids and grand folks of Chapala! How You desire us to become childlike and we let all our cares flee with glee straight to You. A place for families and lonely grand parents to come and build awesome memories for generations to come. Doretha has worked as a volunteer at Pixie Woods for 41 years! The experience has kept her young at heart with a position of pride as a Merry-Go-Round operator! When grand parents are forgotten or neglected, such a park would allow them to enjoy kids from the community and be a part of a creating something grand that brings people back to Chapala for years to come, I see Oh Lord ! Si Si Si - good idea!

LUKE EVERETT

The guy with a huge smile is Luke Everett. I met Luke at my church a couple of times and we spoke about how God always provides, in His incredible ways, and in His perfect timing. This is the STORY of how God used the loss of Luke's hearing to bless thousands of deaf children in Mexico. Thirty-eight years ago, Ed Everett went to Mexico to help the poor. What began as a simple trip became a path to destiny as the young father of six seized a unique opportunity, one for which he was unusually suited. “Hearing Everett” is a story of faith, love, and adventure, of one man’s legacy and its lasting effect on thousands. The Everetts were an average American family in the 1960s, with a comfortable life in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Ed owned a successful neon-sign business, a Cadillac, and a brick house, and attended church every Sunday. The family seemed to be living the American dream, until a series of events altered their lives forever. It began with their young son Luke’s debilitating illnesses, which resulted in the child’s major hearing loss and forced the family to learn sign language. It continued with a journey to a pastor’s conference in Florida, where Ed made a commitment to God’s plan. Ed’s calling finally came in Mexico, where he encountered a deaf shoeshine boy and realized a need he and his family could meet. Inspired, he returned stateside, sold his business and home, and moved his family in a converted school bus across America into Baja, Mexico, to Ensenada 70 miles south of the border. God's plan is always in His perfect place! A recent picture of the Everett Family who all work at Rancho Sordo Mudo. Once the lives of Mexico’s deaf children intertwine with the Everetts, the adventure truly begins. Over the next 40 years the story takes many twists and turns, from the heights of happiness to the depths of tragedy. It’s a story that delivers a message of hope, of overcoming obstacles, of realizing that the reward outweighs the cost. “Hearing Everett” was filmed in two countries. It is a picture of how God will use ordinary people to do His extra ordinary will. The story is told through the eyes and memories of the hearing and the hearing-impaired. The movie“Hearing Everett” will hopefully move its viewers to support the work at Rancho Sordo Mudo - as Luke has been called to expand and build another school and MAYBE in CHAPALA! Mr Everett heard a calling from God to help spread the faith. He traveled with the deacons and the pastor of his church to different locations, to find his calling. His
Hearing Everett "The Rancho Sordo Mudo Story" from Motivity Pictures Film and Video on Vimeo.
son Luke goes partially deaf and he and his wife help their son learn sign language and get Luke a hearing aid. They decide to move to Ensenada, Mexico and help the poor people there. They find a small building and put up a sign “School for the Deaf”. The Everett’s have eight kids and they all become involved in helping the poor and deaf of Mexico. Their school begins to grow and they expand their facility. Their mom teaches sign language and Spanish. The family goes through a few tragedies of their own. Their faith in God and his wisdom never ends. This story helps us see God's Love Is unconditional. The theme is: Don’t ever give up. Keep praying, and God will listen. Awarded The Dove "Family-Approved" Seal.

VIVA VOLARIS

VIVA Volaris - a NEW airline that flys DIRECT from San Jose or Oakland to Guadaljara! GREAT DEALS ONLINE. Depart at 8:30 AM and arrive in Guad, take time to shop at COSTCO or TAXI to Lakeside for about 500 pesos.  "Dia de la Revolucion Parade" in Ajijic was a cause for music to blast on 11/20/2010 the actual centennial! On November 21 through the 30th is "Fiestas Patronales San Andres" in Ajijic. This week of celebration is to Honor the patron saint of Ajijic! BOOK YOUR TICKET in advance and SAVE lots of dinero!

PILGRIMAGE

The day before Thanksgiving 2009, Ben took me on the San Javier Pilgrimage dates back to 1760. The native indians of Loreto had tribes that spoke different languages. The Guaycura of Loreto and the Cochimi of San Javier held entirely differing customs. Padre Jacob wrote "They have no words to express whatever is not material and not perceptible to the senses. If it could not be seen or touched, they had no words to communicate virtue, vices, feelings or quality. Life, death, weather, time, cold, heat, world, rain, truth, friend, honor, decency, faith love, hope, desire, anger, hate, patience, graditude, beauty, happiness could not be put into words. They had words up to the number four, after that the indians simply held up a hand, to signal "MORE". To illustrate the lack of language of the natives the Jesuit priests told the story of a youth (PACO) from San Javier who journeyed to Loreto. The priest in Loreto sent PACO back to San Javier with a letter to Padre Juan Ugarte telling him the latest news and mentioned two loaves of bread he was sending via PACO. Bread was only baked in Loreto and it was a rare treat. On his trek, the PACO tasted the bread and enjoyed it so much he ate all of it. When the Padre read the note he asked PACO to give him what was sent with the note. PACO denied that the Loreto priest had given him anything with the note. Padre Ugarte reminded PACO that he had two loaves of bread. The boy asked "who said so?" Holding up the note the priest said "this". PACO was astounded that a thin piece of paper could speak. The boy stood his ground and replied that if the paper said that he had bread, that the paper was lying. On a return trip with more loaves of bread PACO decided to hide the note behind a tree while he ate the bread so the paper could not see him eat. Padre Ugarte received the second note and said that he knew that PACO had been sent more bread with this note. The boy then admitted that he had eaten the bread on his first journey in front of the paper, but this time he hid himself where the note could not see him. If the note said he ate anything, the note was surely lying because the note did not see him and therefore does not know if he ate bread or what he did. We travelled the same path as PACO to reach San Javier and had I been sent up this 20 mile climb, I would have ate the bread too! This is the staircase that leads up to the roof of San Javier where the bell is. Feeling a peaceful presence I snapped a few shots of the view. Peoples come from all around to prayerfully consider their loved ones, and give thanks while asking Saint San Javier for miracles. Many miracles have occured at San Javier over the years. A new Thanksgiving tradition began in 2009. A trip to Loreto to visit my brother and his bride Jill will replace times shared at the Stockton Yacht Club in years past. On a cool Wednesday morning 11-25-09 the winds shifted our plans for the day. Ben adorned his feet with socks and said "The winds are high, the sea has given us reason to rethink our plans. The Alleycat stays put today so we shall take a private pilgrimage. San Javier is the esteemed 2nd mission which is located beyond the highest pointed mountain 1700 feet above sea level. The stone church in San Javier is protected by the mountains and has been standing since 1744. The ornate alter was carried by burro from Mexico City up the same steep, rocky roads that we climbed on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving! This remote village was established in the early 1700's. Then and now farms grow foods with a year round water supply. Orange groves, vineyards, date palms and fig trees planted by missionaries provide livelihood for residents to this day. What a fantastic journey of reflection on all that we have to be greatful for! Mucho Gracias Benito y Jilly for the perfect tour!

GIGGLING GIFTS

Christmas 2009 at Miss Sheri's. Sheri sold us our Galt home in 2012. Sheri Midgley hosts her annual gift exchange on 12/14/13. A fabulous sit down dinner is wonderfully prepared by her son Michael Midgley, the TOP CHEF reality TV star! Her smile lights up the room along with Christmas decorations that spin, chime and sing! CLICK the PHOTO and it enlarges - how many santa's do you see? Her Old Fashioned Tudor home was part of the 2009 Christmas Lights Tour to raise money for AIDS. This fa la la event has been going on for at least 10 years now and each year the laughter and joy increases with new first time guests! Debby Larsen was also lit up and overflowing with praise for her daughter, the soon to be published author of a new childrens book series! Snippets of the first of five adventures can be read online. Just google the main character named ADAM WESLEY, or become a fan on Jenelle Maloy's facebook. What a grand group of mostly single women who all have so much to be thrilled about! A birthday club of these amazing Mavericks started more than 10 years ago. Sheri, Diana, Debby, Kathy, Terry and Barbarito all went to Capitola in June for Diana's 60th! And for Barb's 60th, the party will be in Ajijic! Today Diana Cloos beamed joy for having been accepted into Jenelle's exclusive writing group as she begins to author her first book in 2010! Today Katie took home the giant reindeer as the most coveted gift! There was at least 20 santa's and 10 snowmen that were gifted, stolen and retired! Christina, Ellen, Kathy, Sheri, Diana, Debby and Barbarito sat giggling together and marveled how time flies!

Soul Surfer

In the movie Soul Surfer, Bethany Hamilton’s youth group leader—played by Carrie Underwood—plays a key role in the teen’s recovery from a 2003 shark attack. In real life, youth pastor Sarah Hill’s role was even more prominent. Reflecting on the journey that brought her from ministering to kids on the North Shore of Kauai to a New York City movie premiere, youth leader Sarah Hill said she feels a sense of awe—but not surprise. “I really believe that the Lord painstakingly prepares you for things in your life so that you can have a greater testimony to bring Him glory,” she said in an interview after the April 6 premiere of Soul Surfer. For Hill, that preparation involved tragedy and pain. “I was raised in San Diego by a single mom with five kids who has fought a long battle with cancer,” she recalled. “My dad was in and out of the picture, in and out of jail. He was abusive—physically and verbally—and he abused drugs and alcohol.” In addition to enduring emotional pain, Hill experienced physical trials. “I had several surgeries growing up and a lot of illnesses,” she said. “I became very insecure. I didn’t ever question if He was real or not, but I did ask, ‘How can a God of love allow so many bad things to happen?’”
Things seemed to be looking up when Hill received a scholarship to play water polo in college. But two weeks before she was supposed to report to campus, she broke her neck and back in a surfing accident, and lost the scholarship. She was one sixteenth of an inch from being paralyzed. “It’s a total miracle that I survived,” said Hill. “But all of that added to a feeling of despair, and my future and my dreams crumbled right before me.” Three months after breaking her neck, Hill sank into a deep depression and wanted to give up. “I was tired of all the trials and tribulations,” she said. Something made her hang on. “I remember asking the Lord to speak to me,” said Hill. She opened her Bible and found 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10. The red letters jumped off the page: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In the next verse, the apostle Paul writes, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in trials and tribulations because when I am weak, then I am strong.” As soon as she read those words, Hill recommitted her life to the Lord. “That’s when my journey really began,” she explained. Not long afterward, Hill completed her Associate's Degree in theology from Calvary Chapel Bible College, returned to surfing, and became a missionary on the island of Kauai. Describing the call of God, Hill said that at first she laughed. “God doesn’t call people to Hawaii. But I had this radical dream one night of kids perishing on a beach and someone elbowing me and saying, ‘See Sarah, because you weren’t going to go, people are dying without the Lord.’ “It was awful,” said Hill. “I woke up with a sense of urgency: ‘OK, Lord, you really are calling me there.’” The Attack! In Hawaii, Hill met a young surfer named Bethany Hamilton. And on Oct. 31, 2003, she received a disturbing phone call that seemed at first to be a joke. “I got the phone call from her brother Noah on Halloween morning and I thought it was a nasty trick,” said Hill about Hamilton’s shark attack. “But then I could hear the panic in his voice and picked him up.” As Hill sped to the hospital—actually beating the paramedics there—Noah was so upset he thought he might vomit and stuck his head out the window. “And I am driving and praying, ‘Lord, how do I minister to this family? I am not OK with this.’” That is when the Lord reminded Hill of Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” “I felt like the Lord spoke to my heart,” said Hill. “I had a peace that she would survive. I shared that verse with Noah and her mom. When Bethany first came out of surgery that was the first thing her mom told her. And Bethany grabbed on to that. Hill sat with Hamilton every day in the hospital. By day three, they started to talk about Bethany’s return to surfing. “I told her, ‘The Lord hasn’t allowed this to take away your gift of surfing. He is going to use it in some way.’ All along, I felt that God was going to get her through it.” He did. Less than a month after the attack, Hamilton was back in the water. A year later, she was awarded both an ESPY for “Comeback Athlete of the Year” and a “Teen Choice Award” for Courage. By 2010, Hamilton was ranked No. 20 on the Women’s Tour of the Association of Surfing Professionals. AWESOME TRUE story CLICK for clip

Youth Group Scene from Soul Surfer