Category Archives: Simplifying

Happy Thanksgiving from Costa Rica! I Am Thankful For……

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

As I mentioned in an earlier post, for the first time in my adult life I will not be celebrating Thanksgiving this year with my parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.  In fact, since Chris is in Antarctica, it’s just … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Simplifying | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

5 Ways to Simplify Your Emotions

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

As human beings, we are complicated, flawed, multi-dimensional creatures with deep layers of motives, conflicts, and goals.  Our emotions arise from these multi-factorial roots.  As humans, we cannot let go of our emotions.  We cannot squash down our feelings like … Continue reading →

Posted in A Lesson Worth Learning, Simplifying | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

3 Ways to Simplify Your Goals

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

Eighteen months ago, if anyone would have asked me, “What are your goals in life?”, this is how I would have responded: “Well, my 15-year plan is to become Associate Dean of Medical Education, either here (my workplace at that … Continue reading →

Posted in A Lesson Worth Learning, Career-Life Balance, Simplifying | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

7 Ways to Simplify Your Time

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

 “I am always chilled and astonished by the would-be writers who ask me for advice and admit, quite blithely, that they “don’t have time to read.”   This is like a guy starting up Mount Everest saying that he didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in A Question Worth Answering, Simplifying | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Reflections on Simplifying in Costa Rica: I can live without these

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

As I reflect on ways we have simplified our lives since moving to Costa Rica, I amazed by how many things we live without that I previously thought were absolutely essential.  This is a partial list of things I used … Continue reading →

Posted in Redesigning Your Life, Reflections, Simplifying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Simplifying in Costa Rica: Paper or Plastic….or Neither!

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

Before moving to Costa Rica from the Texas, I had moment where I felt I “hit bottom” as an American consumer.  It happened at HEB Plus, the massive superstore where I had been doing most of my shopping for 8 … Continue reading →

Posted in Simplifying, Sustainability and Eco-Friendly | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Simplifying in Costa Rica: Reduce, Reuse, Recyle

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

One of the reasons we moved to Costa Rica out all the many countries we considered is it’s prevalent culture of sustainability and conservation.  You can live in Costa Rica and be enslaved by consumerism, produce a ton of trash, … Continue reading →

Posted in Living in Monteverde/Santa Elena, Simplifying, Sustainability and Eco-Friendly | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Simplifying in Costa Rica: Smaller House

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

When we first moved to Costa Rica, Kathia, one of the international family liaisons at the children’s school, showed us  4 different houses.  We fell in love with  Ana Victoria’s house though it was at the high end of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Simplifying, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Simplifying in Costa Rica: Smaller Refrigerator

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

Though not entirely by choice, one of the ways we have simplified our lives in Costa Rica is by living with a smaller refrigerator.  When we first moved in, the landlady said that the small fridge was temporary until she … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Eating in Costa Rica

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

I hope you enjoyed the last two weeks of blog info about eating in Costa Rica.  Being Mexican mom, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and I equate food with love, so these blog posts are dear … Continue reading →

Posted in Foodie Stuff, Living in Costa Rica, Reflections, Simplifying | Leave a comment