Making adjustments

There is always a period of adjustment when we return to the high country.  The altitude is 8,470 and it is  difficult to hike or play tennis in the beginning.  We change our way of grocery shopping as well as cooking from gas to electric stove.  The cooking time increases along with oxygen intake.  I buy less fish except the wonderful fresh trout from Mountain Market, a place that I want to show you sometime.  We eat more hamburgers, steak and lamb (from Costco).  There is big produce grower, Morales Farms, that has fresh out of the field, spinach, cilantro and other produce but more expensive.  We should go there one day as it is an interesting place along with the large Cold Springs Nursery where I will go next week, both located in Granby. 

Fresh Mexican market tomatoes, 2 kilos for 86 cents and the 
Italian broad leaf Oregano that I grow and dry.  Great, pungent flavor. 


 

From the tree outside the condo to kitchen,
This past season the price of limes was very
high because of an infestation of lime trees in
our area.  Did that lower the consumption of
margaritas?  No way Jose!

 



I buy eggs at the open market & La Vianda,
in Mexico and in Granby, the City Market, both fresh
and just about the same price.

  


I notice a price difference in some items but,

I use a lot of fresh cilantro.  Researchers
say they have identified a compound (dodecenal)
in cilantro that kills harmful Salmonella bacteria.

 especially produce.  Black beans and rice are just about double in price here.  We don't get the delicious sweet corn in Mexico and I enjoy serving this black bean, corn relish with a lot of cilantro.  It is zero fat and great taste on fish tacos or fish fillet. Everything in Mexico is no longer a bargain but I do know that our food cost is much higher in the U.S.  Our area of Mexico still offers bargains such as a good haircut for $4. and a pedicure for $9.  Nothing is what it used to be, such as a full time housekeeper for $35. per month in 1972.  We do have a very good situation with a wonderful housekeeper, Adela, three times a week for $250. per month.  Property tax is so much less in Mexico, especially for us in Grand County. So, we make some adjustments, no housekeeping help at $35. per hour and we do all the never ending grounds work in Grand Lake.  I use Hatch's canned green chilies and Muir Glen fire roasted tomatoes here because of the cost and they are a good quality.  We have to make an effort to socialize here in the mountains as in Mexico, everyone is out there on the beach, in the yard, at the pool, at your door,  sort of a village feeling.  In both places, we enjoy good friends and neighbors with fun tennis groups.  The tennis cost is less here in the mountains and we are fortunate to have Theresa Nuzum to organize us.  In Mexico we have the Oasis beach bar for happy hour two blocks away and in the mountains, a local redneck bar a mile away where over indulging is encouraged.  There is a level of noise living in the condos although we enjoy spacious grounds with lots of space between buildings. Living in the mountains with little traffic on our dirt road and neighbors spread out, it is almost total silence unless the wind is blowing, the sound of a chain saw or a wild animal kills another one in the dead of night.
Nothing stays the same and not everything is perfect but we get to enjoy the best of both worlds and I suppose it averages out.  I offer these comments because people often ask me about the differences in Mexico and living here in the mountains.  There is a big difference and some adjusting for sure.


I serve black beans whenever I can.
the trace mineral, molybdenum, in black beans
is important for the function and repair of
healthy cells, lowers cholesterol, good source
of fiber.

 

Produce from City Market in Granby, one tomato
$1.28, one bell pepper $1.00, and 10 very small
limes $1.00



In Mexico I enjoy the Saturday market,
with produce straight from the field, everything fresh.