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Healthy Living in Ecuador: A Country Where It’s Hard Not to Be Healthy
Healthy living in Ecuador is the norm, not the exception. The lifestyle in Ecuador naturally encourages better mental, physical and spiritual health.  Whether it’s fresh sea breezes or crisp mountain air, bright sunshine or misty cloud cover, soothing green vistas or dramatic peaks, the laid-back attitude of the people, the lilt of Ecuadorian flutes or the zest of Ecuadorian food, good health caresses you wherever you go in Ecuador.  Recently a couple from North Carolina who’ve been living in Ecuador for 6 weeks excitedly told us they’d lost about 16 pounds each since coming here. They exercise their two large dogs daily, walk just about everywhere they go, and climb a set of stairs to their second floor apartment. The increased physical activity is paying off as the pounds effortlessly disappear. The added benefits of more natural sunshine and thus more vitamin D shows in the glow of their skin. There is a bounce in their walk that belies their age. We often hear health reports from enthusiastic travelers or residents who are experiencing an increase in energy levels, mood, vitality and overall well being. Two friends who are moving to Ecuador permanently comment that every time they come they quickly lose several unwanted pounds, just by walking to the market and into town. Because there is such good public transportation in Ecuador, there is seldom any need for a car. So instead of driving to the grocery store or the bank or to pick up the laundry, people walk much more. I walk up four flights of stairs many times a day and can now practically run up them. In the beginning the exertion left me red-faced, gasping for air, and certain that death was imminent, but my body and lungs have adjusted and now it’s quite easy. The Great Natural Beauty Here
Encourages Healthy Living in Ecuador
The abundance of natural beauty in Ecuador draws me outdoors like a bee to a flower. I notice that taking a break from work to walk around town or a few blocks into the countryside, not only gives my body a workout, but also fills my soul with meaning and connectedness to life. Even watching cows grazing in a field of yellow flowers or kids playing soccer in the schoolyard never fails to lift my spirits. For whatever reason people come to Ecuador, an increased connection to nature and the great outdoors seems to be part of the equation. Hikers climb the volcanoes or walk around lakes, hills and country paths.  Cobbled roads practically beg to be explored by foot, bike or horseback. Prancing paso finos, an elegant Spanish breed of horses, whinny from paddocks and fields. Cotacachi shops can fulfill your riding fantasies immediately, offering high-end saddles, boots and riding equipment at low-end prices. |
| The
list of
outdoor activities is mind-boggling just here in the
highlands—paragliding, biking, riding, rafting, fishing,
sailing,
boating, swimming, walking, hiking, mountain climbing or my personal
favorite—meandering. A different range of activities is possible in Ecuador’s other bio-regions, like surfing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing and sea kayaking on the coast or boating and whitewater rafting on the rivers flowing down to the jungle. |
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Pamper Your Way to Good Health in
Ecuador
And then there are the non-physical health attractions—hot springs and hot pools for soaking away aches and toxins, health spas for massage and energy work, native healers and shamans who prescribe herbal remedies, natural medicines, flower essences and essential oils. And if you’re really adventurous, try a cuy or egg treatment. Ecuador is the source of many exotic and powerfully healing medicinal plants such as dulcamara, dragon’s blood, which heals wounds, chuchuhuaso (a stimulant and anti-inflammatory) and cascarilla (a source of quinine to fight malaria). Dulcamara is used to make BIRM, Biological Immune Response Modifier, which boosts the immune system and slows progression of the AIDS virus. It is currently produced only in Ecuador. Dulcamara is made into wonderful creams, shampoos and soaps. We have two plants in our kitchen. We trim the leave a bit every morning and include them in our breakfast. And then there is Ecuadorian food. . . Fabulous fruits ranging from the ordinary to exotics such as cherimoya, guanabana and tree tomatoes, (excellent for lowering cholesterol). Pure organic chocolate and quinoa, one of the world’s healthiest grains is readily available. And if you must drink coffee, we recommend organic coffee beans from a region known as the Intag. It’s the best we have ever tasted!  Travelers from other countries, especially the United States and Canada where medical and dental care have become so expensive, are discovering that they can vacation in Ecuador and receive excellent health care for far less than comparable care in their home countries. A root canal with a zirconium cap costs about $400 and teeth whitening is $125. Click here for more information about dentistry in Ecuador. Experience Ecuador’s
Healing Lifestyle for Yourself
As the world becomes increasingly crowded, it’s vital that each of us find our own places of beauty and peace where we can go to cleanse, to nourish and to rejuvenate---not only our bodies, but also our minds and our souls. Ecuador is a land extremely rich in these intrinsic nourishments. Come and play with us in the healing and magical paradise that is Ecuador. |
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| Pro-Ecuador Insider Information This page allows you to browse recently added insider information, new website articles, newsletter mailings, and important updates. |
| Living in Ecuador Blog We share our daily Ecuador Experience as well as answer your questions about Living in Ecuador. Read answers to questions from Pro-Ecuador readers. |
| Information on Ecuador Information on Ecuador: some of the best websites available will help you make informed decisions about your visit, move or investment in Ecuador. |
| Living in Ecuador Living in Ecuador: Insider's Tips. Make your Ecuador move problem free with travel facts, living advice. Learn about Ecuador culture from U.S. Expats. |
| Retirement in Ecuador Retirement in Ecuador: newest hot-spot for retirees and expats wanting the good life without the financial stress. |
| Moving to Ecuador: An Idea Whose Time has Come Moving to Ecuador and living in Ecuador may be the very best choice you can make right now. Important information on Ecuador that you need is right here. |
| Moving to Ecuador Tour Moving to Ecuador course and tour takes the stress and worry out of moving to Ecuador and helps you realize your dreams. |
| Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour – Capture the majesty of Ecuador’s scenic wonders with a ten-day tour in photographic paradise. |
| Travel Safety Travel safety information for your trip to Ecuador with details about immunizations, food and water, and personal security. |
| Life in Ecuador Life in Ecuador: Personal accounts of obstacles and triumphs encountered while living in Ecuador. |
| Real Estate in Ecuador Real estate in Ecuador is booming because prices are low and values are high. International real estate investors can build a foundation of wealth before the usual rush of discovery takes place |
| Ecuador Real Estate Buying Process Ecuador Real Estate Buying Process |
| Cotacachi: A Pastoral Ecuador Village Cotacachi: A pastoral Ecuador village is enticing foreigners from many shores with its vibrant hills and quaint colonial charm. |
| Cotacachi Hotels, Hostels and Retreats, Cotacachi, Ecuador Several Cotacachi Hotels, Hostels and Retreats are available, with a variety of prices, locations and amenities, from clean and economical to the most elegant settings you can imagine. |
| Cotacachi Real Estate For Sale: Real Estate listings in Cotacachi and surrounding areas Cotacachi Real Estate For sale, Cotacachi, Ecuador and the surrounding area offers great value for new Ecuador Residents. |
| Learn Spanish In Ecuador Learn Spanish In Ecuador shows how anyone can learn Spanish just by living in Ecuador. |
| Hidden Places in Ecuador Where to find those hidden places in Ecuador, those secret places in Ecuador that the locals keep to themselves, secret beaches, jungle hideaways, rare birds, orchids, wildlife. |
| Ecuador Economy Ecuador Economy explained in plain language and compared to the United States. |
| Responsible Global Citizen Responsible global citizen top 7 tips for global living |
| Move to Ecuador: Q and A’s Answers to many of your questions about you move to Ecuador. |
| Condos in Ecuador, Condos for sale in Ecuador Condos in Ecuador offer a wonderful bargain for the full-time resident or the part-time vacationer. Mountain Condominiums or Beachfront Condominiums offer great value. |
| Pictures of Ecuador A tour of Ecuador via pictures of Ecuador. Pictures and descriptions that tell a story |
| Spanish Phrases and Spanish Words Learning useful Spanish phrases, Spanish words and Spanish sayings is easy and makes navigating Ecuador so much more enjoyable. |
| Ecuador laws are Fair and Easy and Provide Protection
for Foreign Investors Following Ecuador laws is easy and provides protection for foreigners. Ecuador laws are favorable, visa requirements not complicated. |
| About Pro-Ecuador Staff Bios Staff bios and the story behind Pro-Ecuador.com |
| Contact Information for Pro-Ecuador.com Contact Pro-Ecuador Staff by Email, Fax, or Postal Mail |
| Pro-Ecuador Site Map Browse a map of all the pages on Pro-Ecuador.com |
| Ecuador Beaches Ecuador Beaches from Pedernales to Manta are stunning, both the water and the weather is warm and it’s neither well developed nor heavily populated. |
| Healthy Living in Ecuador: A Country Where It’s Hard Not to Be Healthy Healthy Living in Ecuador, a country where good health is the norm, not the exception |
| Living in Ecuador Blog We share our daily Ecuador Experience as well as answer your questions about Living in Ecuador. Read answers to questions from Pro-Ecuador readers. |
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