|
|
Dear ,
This is your weekly summary of our news, research, books, videos, and other resources related to senior living, retirement, and care in Mexico, along with independent and assisted living and information about age-related challenges (e.g., limited mobility, dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, stroke, multiple sclerosis, healthspan, and so on).
I hope you are finding this weekly newsletter helpful, and if you know of someone who may also find this information helpful, please forward it to them. They can subscribe using our Web Newsletter page (click here). If, for any reason, you do not wish to receive this weekly newsletter any longer, there is a simple 'Unsubscribe' or 'Opt Out' link at the bottom right corner of this newsletter and also right here: Unsubscribe
This weekly newsletter typically includes information in each of the following categories: San Miguel insights, senior care, and health information, as well as Cielito Lindo basic information.
Here’s what we typically cover each week:
- San Miguel de Allende highlights – why this is such a special place to live
- Health & wellness insights – articles, videos, and expert reviews
- Care options & community life at Cielito Lindo – flexible, affordable living with a warm, human touch
This Week’s Theme:
This week’s newsletter explores ways that we, as caregivers, can better informed about the root causes of insulin resistance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weekly insights into San Miguel:
|
|
|
- Colorful and Epicurean San Miguel - This is such an amazing place, particularly the food and the colors. Although we are addressing a topic that is stressful, challenging, and emotional, we should also acknowledge what an incredible place San Miguel is.
|
|
|
|
|
Vintage San Miguel de Allende ( en Français)
San Miguel de Allende has always felt like a place suspended between history and dream. This poster imagines the city through the lens of a 1920s Parisian travel romance, elegant, mysterious, and full of old-world allure. Its cobblestone streets, glowing colonial walls, bougainvillea, lantern light, distant church spires, and quiet hillside views seem to whisper that beauty is not something you rush through, but something you step into slowly. San Miguel is not merely a destination; it is a mood, a memory, and a kind of enchantment that invites you to wander, discover, and fall in love.
|
|
|
|
|
The Hotels of San Miguel: Hotel Amatte, Boutique Hotel
Hotel Amatte feels less like a conventional hotel and more like a quiet hillside pause above San Miguel de Allende — a place where the city’s bells, dust, bougainvillea, and evening light seem to arrive softened.
Set on Salida Real a Querétaro, close enough to the Centro Histórico but slightly removed from its constant foot traffic, Amatte offers one of its greatest pleasures before you even reach your room: the sense of looking back at San Miguel from a little distance. From its terraces and rooftop, the town unfolds in warm layers — church domes, tiled roofs, fading pink walls, the Parroquia rising like a memory in the late afternoon haze.
The hotel’s design leans into a wabi-sabi-inspired aesthetic, with natural textures, restrained lines, and abundant greenery. Its official site describes it as a boutique hotel shaped around "beauty in imperfection and the natural," with architecture by Shinji Miyazaki and endemic vegetation throughout the property. The effect is calming: stone, shadow, wood, plants, and open air. It does not shout luxury; it murmurs it.
The rooms are modern, spacious, and serene, with the kind of quiet that feels especially welcome after a day of climbing San Miguel’s cobblestone streets. Expect comfort, clean design, and a restorative atmosphere rather than heavy colonial ornament. Amenities listed across booking sources include air conditioning, espresso makers, free Wi-Fi, valet/free parking, a pool, fitness center, rooftop terrace, and 24-hour room service.
The rooftop is the hotel’s emotional centerpiece. At sunset, it becomes a small theater of light: glasses catching amber, the city turning rose and ochre, conversations loosening as the temperature drops. Amatte’s culinary spaces currently include concepts such as La Baha, Cantón Birriamen, and Mariscos Doña Livier, with seafood, live fire, ramen-birria playfulness, cocktails, and rooftop dining woven into the experience.
What I like most about Amatte is that it gives you a slightly different San Miguel. Not the postcard version only — though the views are certainly postcard-worthy — but a more contemplative one. Morning feels pale and hushed here. Plants cast delicate shadows. Somewhere below, a dog barks, a church bell answers, and the city begins again.
A few travelers may find the location a little less immediately central than hotels right around the Jardín, so taxis or rides into town may be part of the rhythm. Some guest reviews also note that the rooftop prices can feel higher than other options and that the pool may be more atmospheric than essential. But for travelers who value design, views, calm, good food, and a sense of retreat, those tradeoffs may feel worthwhile.
Best for: couples, design lovers, slow travelers, rooftop-sunset seekers, and anyone who wants San Miguel with a little breathing room.
Overall impression: Hotel Amatte is a beautiful, sensory, quietly romantic stay — polished without feeling cold, stylish without losing warmth, and especially memorable at the hour when San Miguel turns gold, and the whole city seems to exhale.
|
|
|
|
|
Restaurant Review: Restaurant: El Grillo Bardo
Calle del Dr. Ignacio Hernández Macías 47, Zona Centro, San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Phone: +52 415 119 2850
Website: elgrillobardo.com
Note: Some online listings also show Hidalgo 62, so it is worth confirming the exact entrance before going.
Days and Hours:
Listed as open until 4:00 PM in the information provided; Uber Eats shows 11:00 AM–6:00 PM on Sunday and Wednesday–Saturday, with Monday–Tuesday not listed.
Atmosphere:
El Grillo Bardo sounds like one of those San Miguel discoveries that feels more found than planned: garden setting, art, music, outdoor seating, and a relaxed bistro spirit. The name suits it beautifully—part cricket, part bard, part hidden courtyard gathering place.
Service:
The hospitality appears to be one of its strongest assets. Reviews repeatedly mention friendly owners and staff, with Jane, the owner, creating the kind of welcome that makes visitors feel less like customers and more like guests.
Cuisine:
The restaurant describes itself as a bistro and art gallery rooted in traditional Michoacán cooking, with Mexican culture present throughout the menu and setting. The menu also has an easygoing, traveler-friendly range: tacos, burritos, tostadas, burgers, hot dogs, entrées, drinks, and children’s items.
Signature Dish:
The Burrito de Pollo con Mole stands out: red mole, described as a treasured family Michoacán recipe, with shredded chicken and red rice. It feels like the clearest expression of the restaurant’s home-cooking soul.
Starters:
Best approached casually: order a few small plates or tostadas, settle into the garden, and let the meal unfold slowly. This is not a stiff white-tablecloth experience; it is a place for relaxed appetite and conversation.
Main Courses:
The Tacos de Pachola sound especially rooted in regional tradition, with handmade corn tortillas, beef prepared with mild dried chile, refried beans, cebollitas, salsa roja, and guacamole. The Tacos de Camarón and Tacos de Pollo offer brighter, more playful alternatives.
Desserts:
No specific dessert information was confirmed, so dessert is best treated as a pleasant unknown rather than the reason to go.
Wine and Cocktails:
Cocktails appear to be part of the draw, with public listings highlighting "great cocktails." The overall mood—garden, live music, art, and afternoon dining—suggests drinks are meant to linger rather than simply accompany the food.
Final Thoughts:
El Grillo Bardo has the makings of a beloved San Miguel spot: intimate, colorful, personal, and sincere. The food leans comforting and Michoacán-inspired, but the real magic may be the total experience: garden air, art on the walls, music nearby, and owners who make the room feel alive.
Cost: $$
Rating: ★★★★★
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information related to Mexico, senior care and health:
|
|
|
- Lead article - These are articles specifically written for you each week. They address a wide range of relevant topics, such as factors that can increase your health and lifespan, diagnostics, understanding causal factors for Alzheimer's and other dementias, and so on. The lead article typically sets the tone for the core content of the newsletter (videos and book reviews). On occasion, the focus may be centered on Mexico, Pueblos Magicos, and San Miguel de Allende.
- Caregiver's Sentiment - This quote typically honors what we, as caregivers, are going through and feeling.
- Caregiver's Affirmation - This affirmation bolsters our self care, our image or ourselves on this journey and our ability to endure.
- Videos - Typically, three videos are related to the lead article, and they include a summary and timestamped highlights.
- Book Review - Typically related to the lead article.
|
|
|
|
|
Aging is often spoken of as decline, but that is only one part of the story. Aging can also be a profound process of becoming, a slow stripping away of pretense, distraction, ego, and urgency until what remains is more honest, more tender, and more fully human. As we care for aging parents, we often witness this process in painful and beautiful ways. We see vulnerability where there was once authority. We see dependence where there was once fierce independence. We see fear, frustration, gratitude, stubbornness, humor, memory, loss, and love all living together in the same fragile space.
For caregivers, this quote speaks in two directions at once. It reminds us that our parents are still becoming, even as they are losing certain abilities. They are not merely fading versions of who they once were. They are still people with dignity, history, longing, pride, regret, wisdom, and the deep human need to be seen. Their aging asks us to look beyond the limitations of the moment and remember the fullness of the person in front of us. The parent who repeats a question, resists help, forgets a name, moves slowly, or becomes difficult is still the same person who carried burdens, made sacrifices, loved imperfectly, endured hardship, and helped shape our lives.
But the quote also speaks to us, the caregivers. Caring for an aging parent forces us to confront our own aging, our own limits, our own patience, and our own unfinished emotional work. It asks whether we can become more compassionate than reactive, more present than resentful, more honest than avoidant, and more graceful than we ever thought we could be. In that sense, caregiving becomes part of our own aging process. It reveals who we are becoming. It tests whether we can meet decline with tenderness, fear with steadiness, and exhaustion with enough self-compassion to keep going without losing ourselves.
Perhaps aging is not simply about becoming the person we always should have been, but about being given repeated chances to return to what matters most. Love without performance. Patience without applause. Forgiveness without perfect resolution. Presence without control. For our parents, and for ourselves, aging can become a final classroom, one that teaches humility, dependence, gratitude, acceptance, and the sacred importance of treating each other gently while we still have time.
|
|
|
|
|
How Food Labels and Dietary Guidelines Fuel Insulin Resistance
We are becoming increasingly aware that metabolic health and brain health are deeply connected. Insulin resistance, long associated with obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes, is now being studied as an important risk factor in cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s dementia.
That does not mean Alzheimer’s is simply "diabetes of the brain," or that every case can be explained by diet or blood sugar. Dementia is complex, with many contributing factors, including age, genetics, vascular health, inflammation, sleep, physical activity, and overall metabolic function. But the connection is important enough that caregivers, families, and health-conscious consumers should pay closer attention to the foods that shape blood sugar, insulin response, weight, and long-term health.
That is why food labels matter. Many products marketed as "sugar-free," "low-fat," "heart-healthy," or "diabetic-friendly" may still contain refined starches, syrups, and fast-digesting carbohydrates that can raise blood glucose and increase insulin demand. These ingredients are often hidden behind language that sounds reassuring, but the body does not respond to marketing claims; it responds to chemistry.
In this article, I look at how food labels, dietary guidance, and decades of food-industry reformulation have made healthy choices more confusing than they need to be, and why that matters for insulin resistance, diabetes risk, weight, and possibly cognitive health.
The larger message is not blame. Many people are doing their best inside a food system that often makes the least healthy choices the easiest to misunderstand. The goal is awareness, especially for caregivers and families trying to protect the health, memory, and independence of the people they love.
You can access the complete article here. Additionally, we have 100's of other senior care and health-related articles here.
|
|
|
|
|
Video: Eat HIGH FAT: Get Rid Of Insulin Resistance Once & For All (Dr Robert Lustig)
In this video, Dr. Robert Lustig discusses the critical role of insulin in metabolic health and the prevalence of insulin resistance among Americans. He emphasizes that high insulin levels lead to fat accumulation and metabolic diseases. Dr. Lustig highlights the importance of fasting insulin tests, which many people are unaware of. He explains how both glucose and fructose contribute to insulin resistance, with fructose being particularly harmful due to its effects on liver metabolism. The video advocates for reducing sugar intake as a primary strategy to combat insulin resistance and improve overall health. Additionally, it warns against consuming fruit juices, which lack fiber and can exacerbate insulin issues.
In this segment, Dr. Lustig elaborates on the complexities of food metabolism, emphasizing that not all calories are equal. He highlights the detrimental effects of sugar, trans fats, and alcohol, particularly in ultra-processed foods. The discussion includes the significance of healthy fats, the implications of LDL cholesterol types, and the necessity of fiber for those with metabolic issues. He concludes by stressing the importance of monitoring fasting insulin levels to assess metabolic health.
Highlights:
0:00 – "Get the insulin down any way you can; more insulin means more fat."
1:24 – "You can see insulin resistance on the back of the neck and underarms."
3:15 – "93% of Americans have a fasting insulin above five micro units per milliliter."
4:23 – "I think a fasting insulin is the single most important lab test."
10:54 – "High insulin levels lead to fat accumulation."
12:39 – "Glucose can lead to insulin resistance by turning into fat."
19:09 – "Fructose increases ceramides in the liver, leading to insulin resistance."
20:27 – "We have to get the insulin down to solve this problem."
35:31 – "Sugar is the biggest cause of insulin resistance."
40:02 – "Fruit is good, but juice is fiberless and can be toxic."
44:07 – Dr. Lustig explains that the healthiness of food is not just about calories but how it’s metabolized.
45:16 – He identifies sugar, trans fats, and alcohol as problematic components in food.
46:34 – Emulsifiers in ultra-processed foods disrupt the intestinal lining.
51:22 – Good fats are essential for metabolic health, and he discusses the importance of omega-3 fatty acids.
54:27 – He clarifies that large buoyant LDL is less harmful than small dense LDL, which is influenced by refined carbohydrates.
56:26 – Dr. Lustig argues that the dangers of saturated fat have been overstated.
59:58 – He discusses the role of polyunsaturated fats in diet.
1:10:42 – Fiber is important for metabolic health, especially for those with insulin resistance.
1:17:01 – Signs of insulin resistance include skin changes and tags.
1:18:09 – He emphasizes that a fasting insulin level under 5 is ideal for metabolic health.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cielito Lindo's basic information is included for your convenience:
|
|
|
- Cielito Lindo Info: After the signature, the newsletter always includes information about Cielito Lindo, so it is at your fingertips when you want it: Our costs, various related websites, social media channels like YouTube, our various addresses, and so on.
- Travel Info: Recommended airports and shuttles.
- Downloadable Brochure: Click here.
|
|
|
Web Sites - Cielito LIndo and Rancho Los Labradores
Here are our Web sites, including Cielito Lindo and Labradores Suites (hotel) all of which are part of the larger Rancho Los Labradores gated community just north of San Miguel de Allende.
Web Sites - Cielito LIndo and Rancho Los Labradores
Here are our Web sites, including Cielito Lindo and Labradores Suites (hotel) all of which are part of the larger Rancho Los Labradores gated community just north of San Miguel de Allende.
- Cielito Lindo provides independent living, light assisted living, assisted living, memory care and hospice with 24*7 staffing along with a la carte assisted living services to those living in the villas and suites at Rancho Los Labradores.
- Rancho Los Labradores Suites offer short and long term residence.
- Rancho Los Labradores is a country club resort feeling CCRC that provides a gated community with countless amenities and opportunities for different levels of independent living along with assisted living and memory care within Cielito Lindo.
Cielito Lindo Living Options & Costs Guide
We offer several living options depending on the level of care you or your loved one needs. Here’s a breakdown to help you plan:
1) Villas (Rent or Own)
- Cost: $1,700 – $2,000 per month
- Additional Costs: Utilities, renter’s insurance, etc.
- What’s Included: This is mostly independent living.
- Extras: You can add independent or assisted living services (charged separately, à la carte).
- Support: We can connect you with a realtor if you'd like to purchase.
2) Cielito Lindo Condos & Suites
Best for: Independent living with optional assistance.
Option 1: Independent Living + Meals
- Cost: $2,250 per month
Includes:
- 2 meals a day
- Hotel like room cleaning, towel and linen service
- Monthly medical check-up
Optional Add-ons:
- Meals for an additional person: $450/month
- Extra care services available à la carte
Option 2: Light-Assisted Living in Condos & Suites
- Cost: $3,900 per month
Includes:
- Full assisted living services
- Designed for residents who still want independence but need some support
- Smooth transition to full Assisted Living or Memory Care as needs change
- One-Time Inscription Fee: $4,000
For Couples:
- $4,900/month for two people
- Same one-time fee ($4,000 per couple)
- Note: Suitability is based on cognitive ability, mobility, and safety.
3) Cielito Lindo Assisted Living, Memory Care, & Hospice
Best for: Seniors needing full-time care and supervision.
- Cost: $3,900 per month
Includes:
- 24/7 care and monitoring
- All meals
- Physical therapy
- Full-time doctor on site
- Spacious private room with bath
- One-Time Inscription Fee: $4,000
- For Couples:
- $5,400/month for two people (only one needs care)
- $6,900/month for two people (both need care)
- Same one-time fee ($4,000 per couple)
- Note: Suitability is based on cognitive ability, mobility, and safety.
4) Specialized Hospice Suite
Best for: Intensive care needs or end-of-life comfort and also recuperative at a far lower cost than a hospital
- Cost: $4,900 per month
Includes:
- Full 24/7 monitoring
- Recuperative, Palliative and hospice care
- On-site doctor
- All meals
- Special space for visiting family
|
|
|
YouTube videos and Curated Playlists
Here is our YouTube Channel. This is where we have lots of videos about Cielito Lindo and Rancho Los Labradores. We also have 1,600+ other senior care and expat in Mexico videos: YouTube
|
|
|
|
|
Additionally, our playlists cover a wide area and include 1,200+ videos. These playlists include videos about San Miguel and Mexico in general, caregiving and health, and a broad spectrum of senior living topics. Playlists
|
|
|
|
|
Additional Resources We Offer
We have curated collections of resources that may be useful:
Articles - We write fresh articles about senior living, health, care, and finances every week
Caregiver Books - We review books related to caregiving methods, logistics, challenges, and coping
Senior Health - We review books related to healthspan, lifespan, and disease
And here are our various social media forums, where we talk a lot about assisted living and memory care along with the various sort of challenges that sometimes come in our senior years (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson other dementias, and so on), but also about senior living in Mexico.
Facebook
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please don’t hesitate to contact me for anything related to senior living, especially in Mexico. I will gladly give you any assistance I can.
Thanks again!
James
James Sims
Marketing and Sales
Cielito Lindo Senior Living
1. 888.406.7990 (Voice and text)
1.209.312.0555 (WhatsApp)
Phones:
English speaking:
1.888.406.7990 (in US & CDN)
00.1.881.406.7990 (in MX)
Spanish speaking:
011.52.415.101.0201 (in US & CDN)
1.415.101.0201 (in MX)
SMA Colonias (subdivisions/neighborhoods):
Map and descriptions
Addresses and Travel:
Physical address:
Cielito Lindo Independent and Assisted Living, Camino Real Los Labradores S/N, Rancho Viejo 1, San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico, 37885
Packages from online providers like Amazon:
Camino Real Los Labradores, Rancho Los Labradores / Cielito Lindo, San Miguel de Allende, GTO, 37880 México
PO Box for letters and small envelopes:
Rancho Los Labradores / Cielito Lindo, c/o Alejandra Serrano , PMB N° 515-C, 220 N Zapata HWY N°11, Laredo TX, 78043-4464
Air:
Best airports to fly into: Leon (BJX) or Queretaro (QRO)
Shuttle:
Best airport shuttle: BajioGo
Shuttle between San Miguel and Rancho Los Labradores / Cielito Lindo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
