C.E. Flores's Blog, page 3

Power Outages in La Yacata

Things were trucking along with the electricity until suddenly, they weren’t. A freak hail storm just happened to hit the road the only transformer station in the area was located, which not having internet access (the towers providing internet access … Continue reading →

Herbal Academy’s Inaugural 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference: A Celebration of Connection

If you love herbs as much as I do (and you probably already know I can’t get enough of them), then Herbal Academy’s 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference is an event you absolutely don’t want to miss. Best of all—it’s FREE! … Continue reading →

Natural Healing — Chaya

Chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa) is also called chaya col, chaya mansa, chaay, chin chin chayy, ts’iim, ts’iim, and tree spinach. Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, also known as chaya, is another edible variety less commonly consumed. The two are often used interchangeably in traditional … Continue reading →

Downed Lines and New Connections

We hadn’t had electricity for a month when we had our first outage. Fortunately, it was localized to just one house, but still, I couldn’t help thinking–this was why we didn’t have nice things in La Yacata. What happened, according … Continue reading →

Natural Healing — Ortiga

Ortiga is the general term for nettles in Mexico. The varieties tend to be used interchangeably in remedies. Nettles were used medicinally pre-conquest by Aztec healers to treat joint pain and rheumatism and continue to be a staple in traditional … Continue reading →

Did it Happen in 2024?

Last year, I had some writing, Yacata, and self-care intentions that went, welp, not as well as I would have hoped.  Writing I had the ambitious plan to finish and publish 6 WIPs (works in progress). I managed to publish … Continue reading →

Convivio without CFE

A week after the official power inception, the CFE supervisor was back doing some final checks. He asked for, and I handed over the solicitud (application) for the last murete (meter post) that was installed and connected. I asked him … Continue reading →

Natural Healing — Mala Mujer

Mala Mujer (bad woman) is a term used to refer to both Cnidoscolus tehuacanensis and Cnidoscolus multilobus in different areas of Mexico.  In traditional medicine, Cnidoscolus tehuacanensis is applied topically for scorpion stings, arthritis, hemorrhoids, and rheumatism. The leaves have … Continue reading →

Night Rainbows and Zoning Permits

We’d been waiting for quite some time to hear back from the powers that be in the presidencia about whether the application to change La Yacata zoning from agricultural to residential was approved. At the last meeting, the board said … Continue reading →

In Memory of Gary: A Journey into Swift Sword and the Scars of War

Recently, I was invited to help with a book launch unlike anything I usually cover, which typically revolves around expat life, off-grid living, Mexico, and medicinal herbs. Initially, I hesitated—this book about Vietnam didn’t seem like my usual read. But … Continue reading →