Yakult for your Acidophilus fix

So this is our newest thing. They are sold in every store I've been into. A good way to get your acidophilus fix and keep the flora in your intestines balanced. It's not easy to find yogurt or even milk with acidophilus in Mexico - and we don't drink much milk. A good option for those who are lactose intolerant. The little jars cost from 40 to 60 pesos.

Why drink Yakult?

As part of your lifestyle to maintain a healthy digestive system. That’s why. A healthy digestive system is important for your, well… health. Unfortunately, various aspects of everyday life can upset the health of our gut. Common culprits include inactivity, antibiotics, stress, excess alcohol, a poor diet, smoking, overseas travel and lack of sleep.

One key to keeping your digestive system happy despite these inevitable hitches is to maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Your intestines contain trillions of bacteria – more bacteria, in fact, than there are humans on this planet! There are good bacteria and there are bad bacteria, and the two constantly compete for space in the intestines. The key is to help the good bacteria keep the upper hand, thus crowding out the bad guys.

That’s where Yakult comes in. It is a probiotic. It tops up the good bacteria that occur naturally in your system. And it helps keep the bad ones at bay. And by maintaining the healthy balance of the gut flora, Yakult enables your body to maximise its own natural defenses. All from one small bottle a day

Yakult Mexico

Yakult UK

Esperanza and her Blog - Mexico Cooks

A very interesting person that knows Mexico inside and out. Check the link at the bottom for her cooking Blog
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Twenty-six years of life in Mexico give me an extraordinary perspective on life, cultures, and cuisines in this complex and glorious country.

I speak native-level Spanish and am a Mexican citizen. Mexican history, native and mestizo cultures, and Mexican esoterica are my passions. Want to know about a custom or a tradition or a festival? Just ask me!

I've eaten in 28 of Mexico's 31 states (plus the Distrito Federal--Mexico City) and continue to be a serious student of Mexico's cuisines. Need to know about a particular herb or regional dish or seasonal meal? Let me know.

I offer specialty guided tours in Mexico, including hands-on culinary adventure tours, extraordinary tours to the homes of artists and artisans, and off-the-tourist-track adventures in the city of Guadalajara and the state of Michoacán. By all means contact me when you're ready for a Mexico you scarcely knew existed.

As you read Mexico Cooks!, you'll discover your own passions about Mexico.

Pase usted--está en su casa.*

Cristina

Mexico Cooks

Holy Cross Day (Día de la Santa Cruz)

May 3rd - Holy Cross Day (Día de la Santa Cruz)

Buildings under construction are decorated by construction workers placing crosses made by coloured papers & flowers. Picnics and fireworks follow celebrating this day dedicated to masons & builders. Mari just laughs at another fiesta because there are so many. Another reason to relax, have a good time and close the banks in Mexico.

Epazote

A couple of days ago I came down with what seems to be my bi-anual bout with intestinal infection - otherwise known as 'the revenge'. This time with a bit of a fever, weakness and frequent trips to the bathroom. Mari thinks it was 'animalitos' or intestinal parasites and amebas. After drinking 2 cups of her Epazote tea each day I'm back to normal much faster than I have been in the past. I've read that some people think the taste of the tea is too strong but I thought it was pleasant - like a strong chamomile tea with a hint of anise.

From the Tropical Plant Database

In herbal medicine systems throughout Latin America epazote is a popular household remedy used to rid children and adults of intestinal parasites, worms and amebas. The plant is also used in cooking - it is said to prevent intestinal gas if the leaves are cooked and/or eaten with beans and other common gas-forming foods. The leaves and seeds of epazote have long been used in Central and South American medicine as a vermifuge (to expel intestinal worms). In Brazilian herbal medicine, it is considered an important remedy for worms (especially hookworms, round worms and tape worms) and is also used for coughs, asthma, bronchitis and other upper respiratory complaints; for angina, to relieve intestinal gas, to promote sweating and as a general digestive aid. It is used for similar conditions in Peruvian herbal medicine today.

RainTree - Tropical Plant Database

The English-Spanish Dictionary of Health Related Terms

This free to download PDF file is very professionally done and stays simple. I think it's good for generally studying your Spanish or specifically medical if you have an interest.

Here's from the web page ...

The English-Spanish Dictionary of Health Related Terms was developed as an instrument for health care personnel and other professionals working with the Latino population in the United States. The main purpose of the dictionary is to strengthen communication between Spanish-speaking populations and the health workers serving them, and facilitate dialogue by reducing cultural and linguistic barriers.The first edition of the English-Spanish Dictionary of Health Related Terms was based on the “English-Spanish Glossary for Health Aids,” published in 1999 by the Primary and Rural Health Care Systems Branch, California Department of Health Services.This third edition includes nearly 14,000 terms, about 4,000 more than the 2nd edition. The majority of the new terms are related to emergency and disaster preparedness. In addition there is a comprehensive list of terms related to anatomy, signs and symptoms, communicable diseases, chronic diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, occupational health, environmental health, oral health, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and traditional medicine. Also, many popular terms used in Mexico and Central America to describe signs and symptoms of illness have been included in the dictionary.

Link to the Web Page and PDF file