Creative Juices Flow in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Creative juices by definition are the motivating, inspiring, or enabling forces that represent the expressive side of one's imagination; a precursor to creative thought and the corresponding ability to create something new. It only seems logical that in order to maximize the flow of one's creative juices, he or she will be most productive when located in an area with a perfect climate and beautiful surroundings. The creator should be stress free and have plenty of leisure time; obviously, a good night's sleep can't hurt!

Puerto Vallarta, located on the shores of Banderas Bay and surrounded by the Sierra Madres, has an average daily temperature of 73°F during the seven month winter "high season" with virtually no rain providing the ideal location for expressing one's creativity. Vallarta, with its 350,000 inhabitants is home to nearly 50,000 North American retirees and younger people that have elected to move south of the border where the pace of life is slower and the cost of living is lower. Between these contented immigrants with time to spare and the local artisans, creative juices are flowing in abundance!

Some of the activities in PV, where heretofore undiscovered talent and untapped creativity are unleashed, include the performing arts of music, dance, and theater and the visual arts which include fine arts and crafts. Other activities in Vallarta requiring creativity but are not addressed in detail in this article include the literary arts, culinary arts, photographic and digital arts, etc. Regardless of the form of art, Puerto Vallarta is an ideal location for expressing one's imagination by the creation of something new. Consequently, this magical Paradise has attracted thousands of "artists" that now call it home.

The sites dedicated for performing arts in Vallarta include the famous Los Arcos open-air amphitheater at the Main Plaza, the Cuale Cultural Center on the island in the center of the Rio Cuale, the Santa Barbara Theatre in the romantic area, the vast Agustin Flores Contreras Cultural Auditorium (Cecatur) in the city center and the new state of the art 1,000 seat Performing Arts Theater, is scheduled for completion in October 2009.

Well, let's take a quick look at the results at these sites. At that particular time, the city is for appearances by Gloria Estefan, Joan Sebastian, Enrique Iglesias, Paulina Rubio, Raul Di Blasio, Aleks Syntek and the preparation of others, where more than 65,000People expected to visit Los Arcos Amphitheatre. Many professional artists, including movie star, regularly visiting Vallarta, many making their second home. This is wonderful, but for the purpose of this article, we will pay closer to the "local talent", the retired and the young generation of people who have moved here to start with the locals!

Puerto Vallarta has many laboratories, associations and clubs, where local and professionalretired ex-professional performers join with excellent amateurs in producing theatrical events. There are also many dance groups and clubs where everything from Salsa to Tango is taught. Music clubs and workshops are dedicated to everything imaginable from vocal to instrumental. Consequently, there is an abundance of musical and dance talent to team up with the actors to provide frequent plays and other performances in Vallarta.

Regarding the visual arts; there is probably not a more prolific city south of the border for the visual arts than Puerto Vallarta. With so many talented retirees and professional artists in the area, you'll find oil paintings, charcoals, watercolors, and even spray paintings throughout the city. Sculptures of wood, granite, onyx, and even sand can be seen at every turn, including on the beaches! Much of the art work created in this beautiful city is displayed and sold throughout town at very reasonable prices. It can be viewed during the weekly art walks which include the City art walk past approximately 30 art galleries and the Malecon area, the Marina art walk, the Rio Cuale art walk, and the Romantic Zone art walk. An easier way to view the art work is to simply sit in one of the many beachfront restaurants and while comfortably sipping a margarita, you can watch the steady stream of beach vendors peddling the objects of art produced by their family members.

Art is taught by a number of professionals in the area, often in their homes or small studios adjacent to their homes. Many of the students are talented retirees that never before had the training or time to exploit their creativity. Not only do these retirees have fun in their group art lessons but they discover hidden talents that they never knew existed!

Writing, photography, culinary arts, etc. groups are also available in PV. For example, the Writers Group holds frequent meetings, assists and trains new writers in workshops, and hosts professional guest writers in town. The practicing of culinary art can be seen in more than 100 fine restaurants and is on display for a week every year during the annual Gourmet Festival when famous chefs from all over the world visit Vallarta creating special dishes and holding cooking workshops for the enjoyment of locals as well as visitors to the area.

There are also a number of retired designers and inventors residing in Vallarta. With a few cervezas and a lot of free time, even these creative folks sometimes come up with some ingenious ideas!

One thing that most all of these retirees have in common; they are for the most part stress free and always have mañana for being creative, i.e., time tables and schedules are virtually non-existent in Paradise!

In summarizing, Puerto Vallarta, being so conducive to creating, is a cultural Mecca south of the border in the center of the Mexican Riviera. So pack up your bags and come on down. Lay back, relax, and let your the creative juices flowing, it can be deleted from their skills and hidden talents, be enthusiastic!

The creative flair in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Creative juices are by definition the motivating, stimulating, or the forces that represent the expressive side of their imagination, creative thinking and a precursor of the corresponding capacity to create something new. It seems logical that in order to maximize the flow of their creative juices, he or she is most productive when in an area with a perfect climate and beautiful surroundings. The creator should be free from stress and have much free time, of course,a good night's sleep can not hurt!

Puerto Vallarta is located on the shores of Banderas Bay, surrounded by the Sierra Madre, an average daily temperature of 73 ° F during the 7 months of winter "high season" with virtually no rain is the ideal place for the expression of creativity. Vallarta, with its 350,000 inhabitants is home to about 50,000 retirees in North America and young people who chose the south of the border, where the pace of life is slower and theThe cost of living is lower. to save between these immigrants with the tempo and the local artisans, are the creative talent in abundance!

Some of the activities in photovoltaics, where unknown talent and untapped creativity unleashed include the performing arts with music, dance and theater and the visual arts, visual arts and crafts include. Other activities require creativity in Vallarta, but not in detail in this article also discusses the literary arts,Photo Kitchen, digital art, etc. Whatever the form of art, Puerto Vallarta is an ideal place for the expression of his imagination through the creation of something new. Therefore, this magical paradise attracted thousands of artists who now call home.

The locations for the Performing Arts in Vallarta are dedicated to the famous Los Arcos outdoor amphitheater at the Main Square, the Cultural Center Cuale Cuale island in the middle of Rio, Santa BarbaraTheatre in the romantic area, the vast Agustin Flores Contreras Cultural Auditorium (Cecatur) in the city center and the new state of the art 1,000 seat Performing Arts Theater, is scheduled for completion in October 2009.

Well, let's take a quick look at the results at these sites. At that particular time, the city is for appearances by Gloria Estefan, Joan Sebastian, Enrique Iglesias, Paulina Rubio, Raul Di Blasio, Aleks Syntek and the preparation of others, where more than 65,000People expected to visit Los Arcos Amphitheatre. Many professional artists, including movie star, regularly visiting Vallarta, many making their second home. This is wonderful, but for the purpose of this article, we will pay closer to the "local talent", the retired and the young generation of people who have moved here to start with the locals!

Puerto Vallarta has many laboratories, associations and clubs, where local and professionalretired ex-professional musicians combined with the outstanding amateur in the production of theatrical events. There are also many dance groups and clubs, where he teaches everything from salsa to tango. music clubs and workshops focusing on issues of great singing, instrumental. Consequently, there is a wealth of musical talent and dance for actors to provide often plays and other shows in Vallarta.

As for the visual arts, there's probably no moresouth of the border cities more productive for the visual arts such as Puerto Vallarta. With so many talented professional artists and retirees in the area, there will be oil paintings, charcoal drawings, watercolors and even spray painting all over town to find. Sculptures in wood, granite, onyx, and even the sand can be seen in every corner, even on the beaches! Much of the work is created in this wonderful city issued and sold in the city at very reasonable prices. It can be seen during the weekly artWalking, the cities of about 30 art galleries and the arts go to the Marina Malecon area, go to Rio Cuale art, and include the romantic area of art. A simple way to look at the work of art is merely one of many restaurants on the beach sipping a margarita and conveniently, you can steady stream of beach vendors sell works of art made by their families sat watch.

Art is taught by a number of experts, often at theirHomes or small studio near their homes. Many of the students are retirees who had never had the gift of time or training to use their own creativity. Not only do these retirees have had fun in group classes in their art, but discover hidden talents they never knew!

Writing, photography, cooking, etc. in the PV groups available. For example, the Writers Group holds frequent meetings, supports and trains new writers in workshops and professional guest receptionWriter in the city. The practice of cooking, fine restaurants will be seen in more than 100 and is on display for one week each year during the annual Gourmet Festival as famous chefs from around the world visit Vallarta continue to create special courts cooking workshops for joy of residents and visitors to the region.

There are also a number of designer and inventor living in retirement in Vallarta. With a few cervezas and a lot of free time, these creativePeople sometimes come up with some bright ideas!

One thing that most of these retirees have in common, are mostly stress-free and always mañana for its creativity, ie, schedules and deadlines are virtually nonexistent in Paradise!

In summary, Puerto Vallarta, because it is so conducive to creating a culture Mecca is south of the border in the middle of the Mexican Riviera. So pack your bags and get off. Sit back, relax and let yourthe creative juices flowing, it can be deleted from their skills and hidden talents, be enthusiastic!

Children's cooking classes at Casa De Los Sabores Oaxaca, Mexico

What better way to interest children wake in the kitchen with pizza and mango smoothies. A cooking class for children with a recent chef Pilar Cabrera Casa de los Sabores, Oaxaca, Mexico, taught the basics of kitchen safety and sanitation, composting and recycling, and food, all within three hours of a meeting. And infused at the same time lead instructors Ninfa Raigosa in the morning, with advice on food preparation and learn from adults is not soon enough, ourculinary life. But it is the best there was in preparation for the recipes that kids do have fun --- with lettuce feared crawling at the end.

Genesis offers cooking classes for children in Oaxaca

The idea of cooking classes for boys and girls for their produce as a result of two phenomena. First, often during fielding requests for cooking classes for tourists from Oaxaca with their families, would be the chief Pilarasked if the children could participate. Of course, age has always been a factor, but often necessary to ensure requests are rejected so that classes took place in an orderly manner, without undue interference, especially for the benefit of adult fans of Oaxacan cuisine.

Second, many of Oaxaca in a loss for what they do with their children when school is out for the summer holidays. While certainly a great variety of activities in Oaxaca, compared to what is in large urban centers,are limited. Why not in summer school?

Summer, Christmas, Easter and March school break - Tourists traveling with children, should be perfect timing. And more families traveling together at any time of year, this could be just what your child's doctor ordered.

Of course, Pilar Cabrera reputation as a national figure in the Mexican restaurant scene is set for a long period of time with their "House of Flavors Cooking School 'and the city of Oaxaca Restaurant La Olla,and more recently by their raids on the international scene (festivals in Toronto and San Antonio, with upcoming dates in Austin and Stratford). If you have hand-picked head of Ninfa Cecilia Paras Raigosa of cooking classes for children for two reasons. First, head nymph a variety of experiences, including educational training (at the Centro de Estudios Culinarios Rocatti), catering and banquet facilities, restaurants and bakeries in the specialty (for example, Deli and CupcakesNectar Dulce). Secondly, and perhaps key is uncanny ability to relate to Head Nymph children with his charming personality and warm smile - and as Pilar, is bilingual.

The bonus for Canadians and Americans is that children with a mixed class of Mexican and foreign visitors and bilingual education, children are required to some ingredient in the kitchen and basic words in Spanish, if they do not learn direct teaching, certainly by osmosis.

On May 1, 2010, cookingA class for children in the Casa de los Sabores, Oaxaca

For May 1, 2010 class were the chef Pilar and Ninfa, both at the top. Ten children of different ages participated. Most parents are stranded now to take photos and get a first hand knowledge that her children would probably be in a class of mostly unknown faces.

With this type of learning environment, the ice must be broken first. E 'was here that he obtained under the name of each child and promoteThe interaction between the children themselves, and Ninfa, and Pilar. The ingredients for each recipe were contained in a basket of different colored large roundabout. "Who knows why we use the yeast?" And then to calm the parents, "if you cut mangoes for making smoothies, we will not use sharp knives, but you should always be careful when using knives, and never turn up, never a knife to clear my head Can somebody. Tell me why? "

Recipe sheets are distributed. Head Nymph through eachRecipe, indicating the ingredients in each basket and briefly explain how they are used.

For the segment of the pizza is the group into two teams, learning, making pasta from scratch and the other cross-section of kneading and rolling. "Again the dry ingredients first, and with his hands" and for the benefit of those watching abuelitas makes their tortillas were grown: "Making pizza dough is similar to tortillas, when to attack, use more flour begins."Hands-on classes tend to work better, especially for children.

"Okay, someone a cookie?" Three times during the lesson, short breaks not to support the recording information of congestion or danger of boredom setting in, "There are plastic bottles of water is here, and some markers, so that each of you can write your name so as not to this are mixed. "

Children are making a choice crust medium or large, represented by the same design or pastaChoose from several small shapes that are provided; hearts, mushrooms, trees, squares, triangles, circles. The sauce was pre-mixed, but children are encouraged to express their choice of condiments, vegetables, meats and even select fresh basil. "Did you know that a mushroom is a fungus?"

"Now we all wash our hands again. But let us not forget the first well from our work areas clean and put the waste in this bin, and the rest there. YourDistrict are recycling programs? "

"Attention all;. Now, as the pizza oven, there are mango smoothies teach you how to peel your mango, of course, carefully cut four strips through the skin ... just like a banana peel." Children are encouraged to use each piece of dough to the pit.

"Here, the bowl cut with a mango, and now there are some pineapple, a little 'orange juice, yogurt and add some' ....know that flaxseed and why you add something to the mixer as well? "It provides a brief discussion of omega fatty acids and energy.

Smoothies are prepared and poured into plastic cups with straws and little umbrellas drinks and decorative. "The taste is sweet. And you know, we did not add any sugar, you can create your own smoothies with other fruits such as melon and and taste, are as fresh, spicy and sweet, without added sugar. L 'By the way, there is a cup of strawberries over there, if someone wants a snack. "

The children are then invited to check their printed recipes for the salad. Some had actually put the check mark next to pizza and the ingredients used as smoothies. A lesson on different types of lettuce, its general lack of taste, hence the reason to use doctor: "We have always with oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, and today we are with balsamic vinegar and olive oil all.attempted this type of vinegar? Okay, so we will try them all. There will be a bit 'sweet. "

"It 's soy sauce," someone asks. "It 's delicious," another pipes, while one third said emphatically that he does not like.

"Vinegar and oil have become really blended well together, see the oil on top, watch a game .."

The plates are passed, and every child is encouraged to create their own salad with the addition of pre-cut vegetables and grated cheese to organic lettuce. The recipe printed green saladNo more: "The flavor, taste and serve immediately."

The pizzas are then removed from the oven and allowed to cool, each child is encouraged to take what he has done, and sample the pizza bigger. The group sits around a large rectangular table, enjoy the fruits of their work, chatting and joking with friends.

Cooking classes for children in Oaxaca, a commitment to international justice

Cooking Lessons Chidlrenoffered at select times throughout the year at Casa de los Sabores, participants have the opportunity to learn how to prepare menus from different parts of the world, each day represented by the kitchen in another country. Groups interested in private lessons any time of year to choose from a selection of international dishes, but with restrictions on the fields require cooking preparation, by an abundance of caution. According to the head Pilar, "the safety of children must beremains the first consideration. "

Day of the Dead - Living in Mexico

Day of the Dead feast is celebrated throughout Mexico before and Nov. 2. It 's a great time living in Mexico.

This is not a morbid day, he devotes a happy event, where the deceased relatives are remembered and in family homes where they can build bigger and not so poor families altars for dead relatives, honored, will change with flowers, candles, wood-skull surrounded or Calacas and images of the dead, celebrate, remember the families and eatfavorite foods of this type.

Other families will gather in the cemeteries where they buried their loved ones. The graves are decorated with candles and flowers cempasúchil, orange marigold was the flower that the Aztecs their dead, sometimes the families remember the dead children's toys, and even bottles of tequila or other opportunities for adults taken.

Families and friends will be sitting by the grave stones and eating favorite food such as deadPan de Muerto, and - Feast of the Dead skull-shaped bread and Calabaza en Tacha, a dessert of sweet pumpkin, cinnamon, prepared and piloncillo cones of brown sugar.

Living in Mexico, in different places you can see, this unique cultural celebration has different styles throughout the country. Though celebrations are held throughout the country to celebrate the most colorful in Patzcuaro, Oaxaca, Chiapas and San Andres Mixquic (A small town in Mexico City).

In most places, peopleDance Wear wooden skull masks called Calacas pay tribute and honor to the families and loved ones who have passed, families and sugar skulls in some areas of the country and put the name of the deceased on the forehead of the skull, a friend or family member then eat.

When the Spaniards invaded Mexico, they considered this ritual to be sacrilegious, the Spaniards regarded the death as the end of life, but the Aztecs, Mayas and ancient civilizations in Mexicoembraced the death because it was seen as the continuation of life.

In an attempt of the Spaniards living in Mexico for these people to Catholicism, they tried to kill the ritual, when he saw the celebration as barbaric and pagan how to convert.

But tradition is not dead, it is no coincidence that the day before November killed the famous festival, like this All Saints Day and November 2 is All Souls', maybe it was a compromise.

MakeTake the camera off when out and about this week, will take some photos of the great altar. Enjoy life in Mexico.

Cooking school children at Casa De Los Sabores, Oaxaca, Mexico

What better way to stimulate children's interest in cooking with pizza and mango smoothies. In a recent cooking class for children with chef Pilar Cabrera Casa de los Sabores, Oaxaca, Mexico, teaches the basics of kitchen safety and sanitation, composting and recycling and food, all within a three-session hours. At the same time, the lead instructor Nymph Raigosa infused in the morning with tips on food preparation, you learn as adults is not always soon enough, in ourculinary life. But best of all, was in preparation for the recipes that children can be fun --- with lettuce suggested feared the end.

Genesis provides cooking classes for children in Oaxaca

The concept offers cooking classes for boys and girls came to bring as a result of two phenomena. First, often during the investigation Fielding cooking classes for tourists from Oaxaca with their families, would be the head of the Pillarasked if the children could participate. Of course, age has always been a factor, but many applications were rejected, ensuring that classes took place in an orderly manner without undue disruption to the benefit of lovers of food for adults in Oaxaca.

Secondly, many Oaxaca are making a loss for what their kids when school is out for summer vacation. While certainly a lot to do in Oaxaca, on the basis of what is available in large cities,they are limited. Why not offer courses in the summer?

Tourists traveling with children, the timing should be perfect - in the summer, Christmas, Easter, and to break the school in March. And more families traveling together all year, could be just what the pediatrician ordered.

Sure, Pilar Cabrera reputation as a national figure on the Mexican restaurant scene has long been demonstrated by his "House of Flavors" Chef School and the center of Oaxaca Restaurant La Olla,and more recently from their raids on the international scene (Food Festival in Toronto and San Antonio, with upcoming dates in Austin and Stratford). Ninfa is carefully selected Cecilia Paras Raigosa management of these children cooking classes for two reasons. First, head nymph a variety of experiences, including educational training (at the Centro de Estudios Culinarios Rocatti), catering and banquets in restaurants, bakeries and specialty chemicals (ie, Deli and CupcakesNectar Dulce). Secondly, and perhaps most important boss Nymph uncanny ability to respond to children with his charming personality and warm smile - and just as Pilar, is bilingual.

The bonus for children is that Americans and Canadians with a class of mixed Mexican and foreign visitors and bilingual education, children are required to some ingredient in the kitchen and learn words in Spanish, if not for the front, then by osmosis Certainly .

On May 1, 2010, cookingClass for children in the Casa de los Sabores, Oaxaca

On May 1, 2010, class chef, Pilar Nymph were both at the top. Ten children of different ages participated. Most parents remain on site immediately to take pictures and to get a first hand knowledge that her children would probably be in a class of mostly unknown faces.

With this type of learning environment, the ice must be broken first. It 'was here that he obtained under the name of each child and promoteThe interaction between the children themselves, and Ninfa, and Pilar. The ingredients for each recipe were contained in another phase of large brightly colored basket. "Who knows why we use the yeast?" And then to calm the parents: "If we cut this mango smoothies to do, we will not be sharp knives, but you should always be very careful when using knives, and never raised, never a knife to clear my head. Can anyone tell me why? "

Recipe sheets are distributed. Head Nymph through eachRecipe indicating the ingredients in each basket and briefly explain how they are used.

For the pizza dough segment, the group into two teams, one learning to make pasta from scratch, and the other kneading and rolling divided: "Always mix the dry ingredients first, and use your hands." And for the benefit of those who make only their tortillas abuelitas: pizza dough is made tortillas to make them comparable when starting to stick, use more flour.Hands-on classes work better, especially for a child.

"Okay, that someone is a cookie?" Three times during the lesson, short breaks are not as overloaded intake information encouraged, there is a danger of boredom setting in, "There are plastic bottles of water here, and a few markers, so that each of you can write your name, so do not be confused.

Children should have a choice of large and medium crust, shaping the dough itself, or someChoose from more small shapes that are provided, hearts, mushrooms, trees, squares, triangles, circles. The sauce has been pre-mixed, but children are encouraged to choose their own dressing from selections of vegetables, meats and even fresh basil. "Did you know that actually a mushroom is a fungus?"

"Now let's all wash their hands again. But remember, we will not clean well from our work areas, and set the organic waste in this bin, and the rest there. Yourrecycling programs are neighborhood? "

"Attention all, now, as the pizza oven, we mango smoothies. I will teach you how to make a mango, peeled of course, carefully cut four strips through the skin ... just like peeling a banana." Children are encouraged to use every piece of paper until the hole.

"Here, the bowl is cut with the mango, and now will add some pineapple, a little 'orange juice, a little' and yogurt ....about flaxseed and why add something to the mixer as well? knows "a brief discussion about Omega and provides energy.

Smoothies are prepared and poured into plastic cups, straws and accompanied by small decorative drink umbrellas. "Taste how sweet, and you know, we did not add any sugar. You can make your own smoothies with other fruits like watermelons and melons, and will taste as fresh, spicy and sweet, without added sugar. By theThere is also a bowl of strawberries there, if someone wants a small snack. "

Children are then invited to review their recipes printed for the salad. Some had actually put the check mark next to pizza and ingredients were used as a smoothie. A lesson on different types of lettuce, its general lack of taste, and thus the reason for using the association: "We have always with oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, and today we are with balsamic vinegar and olive ' oil. Hat eachattempted this type of vinegar? Okay then try a bit 'of each. It would be a bit 'sweeter. "

"It's soy sauce" someone asks. "It 's delicious," pipes in another, while a third, has emphatically said he does not like.

"The vinegar and oil mix well. See the oil on top to see now."

The plates are passed, and every child is encouraged to create its own pre-cut salad vegetables and organic cheese salad. The printed sheet Salad Recipeconcludes: "The taste, season and serve immediately."

The pizzas are then removed from the oven and allow to cool, each child is encouraged to comment on what he, as the largest sample of pizza. The group sits around the large rectangular table, enjoying the fruits of their work, chatting and joking with his new friends.

cooking school for children in Oaxaca, the type of exposure to international tribunals

Chidlren's Kitchenoffered at certain times throughout the year, rising from Casa de Sabores provide participants the opportunity to learn how to prepare meals from different parts of the world, each day is represented by cooking in another country. Groups interested in individual lessons, click at any time of year, a selection of international dishes, but with restrictions on the fields require a stove-top preparation, an excess of caution. According to the head Pilar, "the safety of children mustremains the most important consideration. "