Health food products
Dean Klompas and Daniela Zuleima Klompas, the husband and wife owners of La Manzanilla’s popular day spa Spacifico, have just introduced a new line of health food products. Vegan, raw, and gluten free snacks can all be found for sale at the spa this season. For a quick snack or to top off a salad try the kale crisps; dried kale, raisons, pumpkin seeds, and spices. Flax seed tortillas, gluten free bread, organic almond butter, Chia, mojote and amaranth cookies, and garbanzo bean tofu round out the offerings. You’ll also find a very refreshing aloe drink, sweetened with a dash of Stevia and made with alkalized water. As you can image the shelf-life is limited on these all natural products. Stop by the spa and see what’s available that day or to place an order.
Just over a year ago, Daniela wasn’t feeling well and a doctor’s visit revealed a significant tumor on her kidney. Although noncancerous, doctors wanted to operate and remove the growth. After extensive research, she and her husband decided to consult with homeopathic doctors and nutritionists in lieu of immediate surgery. They concluded the best course of action was to immediately adopt a sugar free, vegan diet, in order to starve the tumor of sugar and acid fostered by the typical western diet. This lifestyle change was the catalyst for the food products they now offer. The couple began creating and testing recipes in their home in an effort to enjoy a balanced and varied diet. They are still fine tuning the recipes and continually looking for organic and certified vegan ingredients to incorporate into new products.
A year later and Daniela is feeling great, the tumor is significantly smaller, and no new tumors have developed. The couple is thrilled by her current prognosis and attribute their vegan, gluten free diet to her successful recovery. They hope their efforts can help others who have made a similar dietary lifestyle change.
Spacifico is a full-service day spa open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and located at Playa Blanca 18 in La Manzanilla. For appointments or to order products call 315-351-5110 or 315-107-8060 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.
Sustainability Fair
Local non-profit, Tierralegre, will host La Manzanilla’s first Green Technology and Sustainability Fair on Friday, December 5. The day starts at 10 a.m. at Tierralegre’s Agro-Eco Center where students in the Youth, Ecology, and Sustainability Initiative (YES) will present their findings on participating in the initiative for the past year. There will be examples of sustainability in action including tours of the bio-intensive garden at the Center, where you will see worm composting, bio-filter systems, and composting toilets. The full-day event also includes organic cooking demonstrations, local organic products and food for sale, and culminates with live music in the jardin. Many events are free or by donation, with money raised going to support Tierralegre’s ongoing sustainability education programs. There will be a special fundraising dinner and music at Restaurant Martin’s. For tickets to this event please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The YES Agro-Eco Center is located on the northwest side of the main road leading into town from the crucero, about 400 meters from Highway 200. There is a YES sign beside the road.
Galeria La Manzanilla
Efren Gonzalez is the featured artist for Galeria La Manzanilla’s first Meet the Artist reception of the season, Friday, December 5, from 4-7 p.m.
A prodigious painter in all media, particularly oil and watercolor, as well as a generous teacher, Ajijic-based Gonzalez’s receptions are very popular and growing over the many years. Stop by for a libation, appetizers, and a chat with the artist.
8th Christmas Tree Fiesta
This year Magnolia’s Kitchen and Drinks hosts the annual party to kick-off to the winter season on Thursday, December 11. Decorated holiday themed trees, wreaths, and more are donated for a silent auction. Items are beautifully displayed throughout the restaurant and party goers are invited to bid on them while sampling some delicious appetizer’s such as beef Brie bruschetta, Parmesan cheese puffs, and the infamous blind dates. Eighty pesos gets you in door and the party starts at 6 p.m. with auction winners announced at 8 p.m. All proceeds from the auction go to support Activos, La Manzanilla’s gym, which offers low-cost membership to locals, a free physical education class at the elementary school, health and wellness education, as well as a full schedule of fitness classes and a workout facility.
Language School
Drop-in conversational Spanish classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon-1:30 p.m. at La Catalina Language School.
Classes are 120 pesos and taught by native speakers. Intermediate speakers are encouraged to come on Tuesdays and advanced speakers on Thursdays.
The conversation is always lively as La Catalina has a cadre of experienced, personable, and entertaining teachers.