Oatmeal is a breakfast favorite, and for good reason: It helps curb appetite (keeping you full until lunch), decreases risk for both colon cancer and high cholesterol and is incredibly easy to whip up in the morning.

You may be accustomed to spooning up a hearty dish of sweet oats, topped with raisins, brown sugar, maple syrup or fruit. But oats' neutral taste makes a prime canvas for more inventive flavor pairings.

Savory oats -- svoats, if you will -- are a brilliant way to enjoy the classic stick-to-your-bones breakfast food. They're delicious topped with a poached egg (but, really, what isn't?). Their meaty texture complements an avocado's creaminess. They welcome a reckless dousing of Sriracha. And, svoats are a great way to get in a serving of vegetables or two. Yep, svoats are on their way to winning the title of "World's Most Perfect Breakfast Food." Here are 13 ways to cook them up:

 Photo buffs with a taste for the good life can indulge their interests with a five-day Leica Akademie excursion at Real del Mar on Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta.

The Destinations in Focus photography workshop is sponsored by German optics and camera company Leica in conjunction with Exclusive Resorts, a luxury destinations company. The one-on-one workshop includes outings to markets and surf destinations, plus critiques and editing.

Guests stay in private two- to four-bedroom villas with infinity pools, hot tubs, outdoor showers and concierge services.

Date: Oct. 1-5

Price: Rates start at $2,999 per person. Price includes accommodations, breakfast, welcome and farewell dinners and access to Leica state-of-the-art equipment, daily shooting experiences with an instructor along with review and critique of images and airport transfers.

[readon1 url="http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-leica-photo-workshop-mexico-20140912-story.html"]Source:www.latimes.com[/readon1]

One of the most visited coastal destinations in Mexico, Riviera Nayarit will work with EarthCheck to embrace sustainable development across the destination. EarthCheck is the world’s leading sustainability program for the travel and tourism industry and works with destinations from around the world.

The Governor of the People, Roberto Sandoval Castañeda toured areas of the state capital and the town of Xalisco, which were affected during this weekend by the floods caused by the weather phenomenon "Norbert".

Last evening an earthquake occurred off the coast of Jalisico.  Initialy reported as a magnatude of 6.1, at 8pm local time it was at Magnatude of 5.6.

WestJet announced an increase in its flight frequency from Vancouver and Calgary to the Vallarta-Nayarit International Airport beginning in October in order to prepare for the upcoming winter season.

 This is a story for vacationers heading to the golden sands of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and other spots on the Mexican Riviera. It will give you a little history of the Spanish conquest of western Mexico - and perhaps some interesting nuggets to share with other tourists during your stay.

Chances are you've heard of Hernan Cortes, the great Spanish conquistador who - with just 500 soldiers - snatched what's now the country of Mexico away from the powerful Aztec emperor Moctezuma in 1521. But you likely never heard of Nuño de Guzman, one of Cortes' top captains. Maybe Cortes had a better public relations man, but Guzman was almost as big a conquistador, having led the invasion of the better part of western Mexico and who for a while served as governor of a couple of states.

More than 2 million retired Americans have chosen Mexico as their new home, a figure that continues to increase thanks to the pleasant climate and favorable economic conditions, Tourism Secretary Gloria Guevara said.

During Friday’s inauguration of the 1st National Forum for Retired Americans: Expectations and Solutions of Life in Mexico, the official said that Mexico offers such products as medical tourism, rest and relaxation tourism, and business tourism.

She said that retired Americans are a segment of great importance for developing the economy of the nation’s tourist destinations, and added that more and more Canadians also opt for retirement in Mexico.

Guevara said that the favorite retirement locations are Mexico’s northwestern states and the Yucatan Peninsula.

At the same forum, the president of the International Community Foundation, Richard Kiy, said that 53 percent of retirees making their home in Mexico are under age 65 and choose Mexico for the favorable living conditions and stable economy.

He said that Mexico being near their home country does influence their choice, as does the possibility of purchasing a home at a much lower price than in the United States.

He said that 34 percent say the economic recession has not affected their retirement plans nor their quality of life.

The study indicated that 93 percent of retirees say that drug-related violence, which has claimed nearly 50,000 lives in the past five years, is not a problem that would keep them from moving to Mexico.

[readon1 url="http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2014/09/more-than-2-million-americans-and-canadians-choose-mexico-for-retirement/"]Source:www.theyucatantimes.com[/readon1]

From Punta Mita to Mismaloya, visitors to Banderas Bay can find an amazing selection of fine dining restaurants throughout the areas around Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. But what about when you’re looking for something delicious on a budget? Let’s talk about some of the best cheap eats you can find in the area.

A great place to start is on the Puerto Vallarta Malecon where you’ll find a huge selection of yummy street foods sold by local vendors. Roasted corn, crepes, tacos, pastries and desserts, grilled shrimp and chicken, and freshly cut fruits and vegetables served up with lime and chillies are all available for just a couple of dollars less.

Fish taco lovers shouldn’t miss Marisma, a popular chain with locations in downtown Puerto Vallarta, Fluvial Vallarta and Marina Vallarta where for less than $5 you can leave felling very satisfied after a meal of 3 tacos washed down with a beer or freshly made lemonade.

Another popular location is El Coleguita in the Puerto Vallarta Marina, where the constant line of diners waiting for a table speaks to the quality and great prices on their menu. All meals start with a shot of house tequila, tostadas and fresh salsa, and a tasty seafood soup. Then choose from their large menu of fresh seafood items and finish with a complimentary dessert and Kahlua, with most meals averaging about $11 per person or less.

An affordable cost of living is one of the reasons that buying a second home or retiring in Puerto Vallarta are such popular choices. So get out and enjoy some of the least expensive and most delicious cuisine in the city!

[readon1 url="http://sarahelengornrealestate.com/blog/2014/august/delicious-inexpensive-dining-around-puerto-vallarta/"]Source:sarahelengornrealestate.com[/readon1]

Spending five days on a trip that combined an all-inclusive resort with a quaint Mexican pueblo and funky seaside beach towns was, well, pretty much idyllic.

This was all possible with a direct charter flight to Puerto Vallarta and a short drive — easily doable by local bus, taxi or rental car to Riviera Nayarit, a region north of Puerto Vallarta that includes about 300 kilometres of coastline. It’s here you can navigate coastline steeped in what I imagine Puerto Vallarta was like 50 years ago, including authentic Mexican villages, fishing towns, cobblestoned streets, colourful outdoor markets and beaches that ranged from secluded to popular surf hangouts. You’ll also find everything from the classic Mexican taqueria to upscale Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, golf courses, organic restaurants, art galleries and yoga studios — all against a backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains and lush jungle forest.

 The courses have a duration of two months and deal with topics in physical and mental health of the operators, road regulations and mechanical maintenance of the units.

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco to September 3-in the municipality of Puerto Vallarta, authorities have focused on training drivers of public transportation to improve the service offered to users.

"Today we have about 510 drivers with their certification and with their records in hand, a register of more than 1,000 drivers, now we have another important group within the campuses which were recorded", said the delegate of the Secretariat of mobility, Gustavo Ulloa Gómez.

Within the courses themes are addressed as the physical and mental health of the operators, road regulations and mechanical maintenance of the units.

The training will be compulsory for operators of truck units and 109 hours spread over two months.

The new training model aims to dignify the figure of the driver of public transport and goes beyond just teach them to drive.

[readon1 url="http://www.televisaregional.com/guadalajara/noticias/ultimas-noticias/Capacitan-a-choferes-del-transporte-publico-en-Puerto-Vallarta-273754081.html"]Source:www.televisaregional.com[/readon1]

The author and Vicky Flores, who is a nurse at a local hospital and also his partner in the small bed and breakfast, “Mi Casa es Su Casa,” and Jeep trips to the BACK ROADS OF NAYARIT, are going on another discovery trip.

Today we found a true gem. Many years ago a Guadalajara family purchased a parcel of land that included a beach (and what a beach). At that time the family was not so small. There were the grandparents and eight children. No road existed, only a small trail through several miles of jungle. Now a road (rough in spots) goes to the property and there is a sign that prohibits entry. After talking to one of the owners (the family and in-laws now number over 100, although most rarely visit) we were given permission to come in and stay for the day and we could come back any time with a few guests but we had to promise not to disclose the directions on the internet.

So, off we go. It is 10 a.m. and the day is bright and sunny. Our vehicle is a 1985 jeep CJ7. It has only got a little over 18,000 miles on it. I was lucky enough to buy it from a neighbor who seldom used it. One thing I like about it is that there are no computers. If it ever breaks down in a remote area, my mechanic will go there and repair it. Try that with a new jeep.

Editor’s Note: “Back Roads of Nayarit” is a series of essays written by Bob Howell, a long-time resident of Jaltemba Bay. This series details his day trips and adventures between 2001-2007. We are sharing his stories in an effort to preserve Bob’s memory – and to help Bob’s partner and traveling companion, Vicky Flores Ramirez, who still lives in La Peñita and quietly carries on the work that she and Bob so loved. You can learn more below.

Leaving Rincón de Guayabitos, we go along the coastal highway, passing by the many mango groves, planted fields of pineapple, bananas, tobacco, beans, papayas, etc. We pass several villages and finally come to a turn off that we had been meaning to try for several years. The road is dirt and some gravel. It goes through a large canyon, almost a valley. The forest is light at first and then gives way to groves of mangoes, papayas and bananas.

We turn on to a dirt road: We had been meaning to check out this road for years and now that Vicky is on vacation, we decide it is time.

We pass a few scattered homes. These are simply coconut palm slab siding with palapa roofs. It is a poor area. We have food and clothing for them aboard and we will stop on the way out and give out what we have. We see a neat little palapa hut to our right. No siding (this probable means few mosquitoes). A man is asleep in a hammock. What a life. Do we really need our fast pace. Payments, a permanent job, responsibilities, a proper place in society. Maybe we are not so smart. Maybe this fellow is way ahead of us. A couple of hectares. No house payments. He doesn’t need a car. His little garden produces year around. There is always tropical fruit and the sea is near for seafood. Wow! Now I have gotten myself off track. I picture a small jungle hut, a bottle of tequila. The beach nearby. Roberto, what are you doing in front of this computer!

We travel on, passing through hilly country and the green country side. How lucky we are to be doing what we want to do. Soon we top a rise and there in front of us is the blue Pacific. Now we descend through the jungle. The road is getting rougher and very steep. What a place for brake failure. There is much evidence of the hurricane. Many trees are down, yet it is still a jungle.

There is the blue pacific: We travel through groves of mangoes, bananas other tropical fruits. We climb hills and go through valleys. At last we see the blue Pacific.

Overhanging palms, the foliage almost closes around us; it is almost like a tunnel. We pass a very small settlement of raised palapas and a few goats.

Sometimes the road is like a tunnel: The foliage is very green and sometimes shades the whole road.

Down through the jungle: Not too many tourists travel this road. We see better and worse on our back road trips, but our tourists are never disappointed

A palapa in the jungle: Here and there we see a small house in the jungle with a palapa (a palm leaf) roof and palm tree slabs for siding. They are cool and can be made comfortable. They all have dirt floors and the occupants have to watch for scorpions and other critters.

There is a well that is giving off water and a road junction going somewhere.

Soon we reach the bottom. What a place. A white beach with many coconut palms. There is a little cove off to the right. It is an old lava flow. It must be loaded with shell fish.

There is the beach?? We have asked a couple of people we saw along the road. They all said the road led to a beach. We can just see it through the palms.

Vicky and a family member: The sign said it was prohibited to enter but this lady said we could, and that we could come back anytime with a couple of guests but she made us promise not to tell where it is on the internet.

Nice beach: Mild surf and blue water. My kind of beach. A lava flow on either end. Shell fishing must be great.

Vicky checks out the beach: This is on the first beach we visited.

A mild surf: There is a small cove at the end. A good place to swim.

The second beach: We left the first beach and went up through the jungle and over a hill and came to another beach. Almost as nice as the first.

Emerald green water: Looking down between the beaches we see emerald green water and fish.

Looking past beach number 2: You can just see the mountains on the other side of Puerto Vallarta.

There are a few buildings below the coconut trees. Some have well manicured lawns. There is a sign that says private property and no entry without authorization. We park and talk to a lady who is a family member. Vicky chats with her for awhile and she tells us that we can come back for daily visits whenever we want; even bring a few guests but we must promise not to put the location on the internet. A few people o.k., but not a lot. We walk down along the beach and talk to a caretaker. He tells us the swimming is safe and the fishing is good. Returning to the jeep and vowing to return for the day and a picnic, we set off to see what is down that road junction near the well. It is almost noontime.

We travel uphill and through the jungle. The road is narrow and dusty. Soon we top a rise and there is another beautiful cove below us. We park and walk down a steep path. The beach is about a third of a mile long. Easy swimming I would think. Lots of room to sunbath and it is clean. Lava flows on both sides. We snap a few photos and return to the jeep.

On the way we notice a palapa on the hill above us. There is a path so, never ones to pass a new possible area to explore, up we go. On top of the hill, which is actually a cliff above the sea, sits this open sided palapa. There is a very friendly fellow. He has a couple of dogs and chickens. There are two hammocks, although he says he lives alone. What a view. The whole coast can be seen. The air is clear. We can see almost to San Blas in one direction and past Puerto Vallarta in the other. We visit awhile. He tells of his life here. Do I feel a little envious?

A palapa overlooking both beaches: This man lives along with his dogs and chickens. He has a view that money can’t buy.

Back to the jeep and we have a tail gate lunch. The usual: Turkey ham and cheese sandwiches with lettuce and tomato. Potato chips, home made pickles, chiles, wine coolers and topped off with our local mountain grown, fresh roasted and ground this morning – coffee. What a bore. Just think, if we were in the frozen north, we could be eating at McDonalds or ? (Are you kidding!)

Off we go. The road is steep going up the mountain and I have to put it in 4 wheel drive. No problem getting down with 2 wheel, but don’t plan on returning. We make stops at several very poor palapas, giving out food and clothing. At one palapa we found the mother had just given birth to twins. Beautiful babies. I take photos. I hope they come out because it is dark.

Giving clothing and food to the poor: This mother and her children receive some rice, beans, sugar, canned goods and clothing.

Home is where the heart is: This home is simple and clean. A family of five lives in one room.

New twins: We had baby clothes aboard and this lady received those and some food. Six people lived in a two room palapa. / (top photo) They have electric but are still needy: The home still shows signs of the hurricane, but the single room houses the mother and two children.

A boy and his horse: When I took this photo and then showed it to him you should have seen the surprise on his face.

More help: More smiling faces. We try and explain the English instructions on the cans of food and hope they are remembered.

Then back home we go. We find one other beach but it is not remarkable. A nice swimming hole but a lot of trash and a stopping place for too many people.

Another beach: The sea was beautiful but the beach had lots of trash. This beach will not be on our tourist route.

A long uninhabited shoreline: No body lives here. There is a large estuary behind. Another kayak adventure?

An old lava flow that ends in the sea: The lava flows are a haven for shell fish and have many tide pools. Neat.

A small natural swimming hole: A very safe swimming hole right off of the beach. No wonder this is a popular spot for the locals.

The estuary starts here: A good place to start off in a kayak. Many birds, animals and probably crocodiles live here.

We call it a day on the BACK ROADS OF NAYARIT and home we go

[readon1 url="http://jaltembabaylife.com/blog/2014/09/back-roads-of-nayarit-hidden-beaches-and-help-for-the-poor/"]Source:jaltembabaylife.com[/readon1]