Go Green on your Vacation! (And Save Money) Follow up

So I posted an article that I thought was interesting on how we as travelers can be energy efficient just by staying at a vacation rental in lieu of a hotel that uses $2,000 in electricity - per room! Multilply that by however many rooms the hotel has and that, mis amigos, is a $#it load of pesos and energy literally OUT THE WINDOW.

Being a vacation rental owner, I am partial to staying in private digs, but seriously folks, you have SO much more privacy, you buy and prepare your own meals, whether it be a protein shake, a cut up pineapple, or a full on turkey dinner. I'm not saying don't ever dine out, but three meals a day for a week off of a menu can add up dollar wise, and calorie wise. Here are some tips to make your vacation surroundings a bit more comfortable:

Bring a  bag of your favorite tea or coffee. Nothing like waking up in the morning and having your favorite cup 'o Joe or herbal tea. Keeping ginger tea on hand is recommended for days when your tummy just isn't sitting right. 

Go for for an early morning walk or bike ride and explore. Many vacation rentals like this one have bikes for you to use. Take 30 min out of your morning and cruise around to check out the area. Early morning is a great time. It is quite and still so you'll observe subtleties that might otherwise go unnoticed with more people around. Stop into a cafe and mingle with some of the locals, or meet the cafe owners before they start their busy day. You might just get some inside info on a secret hot spot or hidden beach and meet a new vacation buddy.

Bring a portable speaker and listen to some of your favorite tunes on your Smartphone, iPod, or whatever you keep your music on. There many rechargeable speakers out there but Goal Zero makes a really rugged and cool speaker that is solar powered and can play music up to 20 hours. 

Light a travel candle - aromatherapy travel candle tins are the best. Try one like the 20 hour Verbena candle tin from Jane's Closet. 

Pack a travel yoga mat- Keep feeling your best on vacation and do a couple stretches, a set of sit ups or push-ups, or practice your favorite yoga poses. If the floor is tile, dirt, carpet or sand, create your space and fling out your mat. You won't regret bringing it.

I hope you find these suggestions helpful and that they may make your next adventure or getaway a skoshe more comfy. That being said, travel is not about things, its about moments and experiences. Don't let life escape you. Now go out and explore!

Safe Travels,
Cambria

Find the perfect vacation rental at www.LoretoParadiseProperties.com. Check availability now using the "Check Availability" tool on the right to narrow down your options. 

New Flight to Loreto!

Loreto welcomes flights from a new destination, Calgary, Canada and on a new airline, WestJet! The Calgary-Loreto (LTO), Mexico flight will travel on Saturdays beginning February 14, 2015.
You can take advantage of introductory one way pricing for only $269 CAD if you book by July 23, 2014.  Not including baggage fees. Visit the WestJet website for more details. If you are traveling during the Loreto high season (Nov-April), be sure to book your Loreto vacation rental as soon as possible as they book up fast.
Currently, the only airlines that have direct flights into Loreto are Alaska Airlines from LAX and AereoCalafia from Tijuana and Cabo San Lucas.
I look forward to seeing you soon in Paradise!

Safe Travels,
Cambria

Eating Vegan in Loreto

We live in Baja and spend most of our time in Loreto. BUT while we were in Todos Santos last year, one of my friends in Todos Santos, who is also named Cambria believe it or not, is vegan and her dietary choices rubbed off on me. Baja is a great place to decide to make healthier choices as there is an abundance of fresh produce, seafood, seeds, nuts, dates, coconuts, well you get the idea. I am making healthier food choices for my body but I do eat fresh fish, shrimp and shell fish. One of my favorite favorite favorite treats is the chocolate avocado shake I make. I make one for me and my husband almost everyday. So I guess its not a treat but more like a staple.
Here it is:

And here is what's in it:
Chocolate Avocado smoothie for Two:
Two cups unsweetened soy or almond milk, or water works too
2 heaping TBSP unsweetened Cocoa or Cacao
1/4 avocado
1 TBSP Chia seeds
tsp cinnamon
2 TBPS Sweetener of you choice (i have been using date paste as dates are everywhere and so good and good for you. Plus its a whole food sweetener.) You can also use maple syrup, honey or agave.
pinch of salt
Cup of ice

Put ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and no ice chunks remain.

Depending on what you have on hand, you can also put in 1/2-1 ripe banana to sub out some of your sweetener, hemp seeds for added protein, coconut, nut butter and vanilla. The avocado gives it the creaminess that milk would and you cannot taste it AT ALL. Just don't use a to overly or under ripe avo.
Cheers!
Cambria
Don't forget to visit us at www.LoretoParadiseProperties.com
Hope to see you in Paradise soon!