Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Volunteers from Georgia
The Morning Jungle Chorus
A Volunteer from France
For the past couple of weeks, Sophie Marquestaut from France has been volunteering as librarian while Carolyn is travelling in Honduras.
Each afternoon Sophie opens the library to all the children who want to "drop-in" to play on the playground, to read books, put puzzles together, color in coloring books, or learn a new game, like this group ... who are getting quite adept at Monopoly!
A Sea of Ramon
I first learned about ramon seeds shortly after moving here. Known as "Yaxox" in Mayan, the ramon tree (Brosimum Alicastrum) is a member of the fig family, which also includes mulberry trees. Referred to as "corn tree" by the Maya civilization, its nut was a staple food crop, capable of being stored for lengthy periods of time, that was roasted, ground into a flour and combined with corn for baking or boiled and eaten like potatoes. Ramon nuts are actually the seed of the ramon fruit. They have zero fat and can be ground into flour which is gluten-free making it a nutritious addition to gluten-free flours. Ramon flour is very high in potassium, fiber and tryptophan, the amino acid that helps calm stress and anxiety. Ramon nuts were used medicinally by the Maya to detoxify the liver and promote lactation in nursing women. Other common names for ramon nuts are ojoche, mojo. breadnut and mayanut.
Ramon was integral to the physical and spiritual life of the Maya as evidenced by their 4th day-sign glyph, KAN, meaning "the seed" ... which is a depiction of a ramon seed.
Enrique and I have been championing the re-popularization of ramon seeds since we first heard about them, and understood their importance, not only as a food, but as a way for the people of the rainforest to earn a living in harmony with the trees of the jungle (see www.ixcanaan.com). Through the support of various organizations, the women's group of Ixlu (our neighboring village) now operates a full-fledged production/packaging facility for Ramon Flour and Ramon Beverage.
(see http://www.teeccino.com/ramonnut1.aspx AND http://www.theequilibriumfund.org/page.cfm?pageid=2890 ).
Just before Christmas, we were pleased to be able to visit this new facility while in full operation to see their complete, professional setup.The first step, when the seeds are brought into the facility is to do a primary hand cleaning to remove sticks and stones and other debris.
The seeds then spend from 4 to 7 days, depending on the weather, in solar dryers.
Then they are put through a "forced air" dryer to take even more moisture out.
After which the seeds are loaded into a professional "toasting/roasting" machine that roasts them lightly for flour, or darker for the beverage/coffee substitute.
The facility is also equipped with a professional oven for baking the breads, cakes and cookies which are being marketed to local people as well as to the tourism industry.
The group is marketing a range of products, from fresh bread and cookies that are sold locally, to flour and coffee substitute that are now waiting FDA approval to begin sales in foreign countries
Monday, February 18, 2008
Friends of Ix-canaan
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
First Banana Harvest
while the women of the group divide up the rest of the harvest, which includes majunches, as well as the tiny delicious manzanitas (apple bananas)and regular bananas.
Doña Bety separated the bananas and divided them amongst the women of the group ... (here she is separating the racim of majunches) ...
Cyra and her daughter ....
And Doña Goya carries the majunches on her head, the bananas in her hands, and a few little manzanitas peeking out of her pocket.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Volunteers for Women's Group
Monday, January 14, 2008
Roxanne's Visit
We had a great time with Roxanne, who was here for a month-long visit that extended through Unificacion Maya to her return on Christmas Eve.
Project Ix-canaan Sign
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Niru Bhati Volunteers
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Laundry Day
Another Dramatic Sunset
Friday, December 28, 2007
Unificacion Maya 2007
Early on the morning of December 15th, 2007, a group of people began to assemble on a spit of land that protrudes into Lake Peten Itza from the middle of the village of El Remate to begin the first of 7 Mayan Fire Ceremonies to take us to the Winter Solstice late on the night of December 21st.
The ceremonies were facilitated by Tata Pedro Cruz (left) who was supported by Tata Mariano (middle) and Nana Maria (right).
At various times throughout the ceremonies, Tata Pedro would keep time with his drum as the prayer incence was offered to the Sacred Fire and the 20 Naguales were called to be present.
There was lots of time for music ...
And Ayah was once again leading the Unificacion Dancers through the dance of Unificacion that they have been developing for three years
Monday, December 24, 2007
Walker Dies (1999-2007)
Monday, December 03, 2007
A New Laboratory
Thanks to the generosity of AGAT Labs, of Calgary,Alberta, we are now able to do various basic tests for diagnosis of frequently seen diseases and conditions.
RoseMarie Nielson, of Canadian Blood Services, also from Calgary, volunteered to come down and set up the lab and train a person to use the microscope and various other testing strips and devices.
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