Costa Women Blogs

Meet Maria Jose, one of our Spanish members, who has come home to Malaga after living in the UK for 21 years.    Where are you based in Spain?  I am originally from Malaga, where I have been now for the last 3 years. I went to the UK as a 22 years young to improve my English, I ended up staying for 21 years, I got married to my soulmate and have 2 wonderful children. We always came home for holidays, and it was our dream to come back one day. 3 years ago my husband was given the opportunity to move, as he had to travel a lot for his work, so it didn’t matter where he lived, so we jumped at the chance.   Why should we move to Malaga? I live in near the city in Miraflores del Palo, although my dream was to find a house in La Cala del Moral, which is where I am from and where my parents are. But we are only 10 minutes away from there, and we still go there every weekend, we love La Cala del Moral, and Rincon de la Victoria. The reasons why I love it so much: – Child friendly – Beautiful beaches and great variety of restaurants. – Wonderful people – Still remains very Spanish and it’s very close to Malaga city.   What was your biggest challenge for your move back? My biggest challenge was my children, they were 9 and 5 at the time, and I wanted them to be happy with this move, so choosing the right school for them was very important, as my daughter is dyslexic I wanted to get her into an International or English school, to make sure she didn’t have to struggled so much. We chose a wonderful school, they have been there now for 3 years and thriving.   Any tips for women thinking about making the move? I will say to them, make sure you make a list of everything you need to do before you leave and make another list of the things you will have to do when you move. I lived by lists on those days specially, we had so many things to sort out, as we were renting our house in the UK as we were moving to Spain. Also make sure you visit the place where you want to move to, and explore it and make sure is the right place for you. Also learn some Spanish, and if you don’t speak any, then that’s why I started my business 🙂   How do you fill your days? My days at the moment are spend around my children and my new business. I started my business in March this year, it’s called Help at hand – English and Spanish and it’s based on my own experience doing all the paperwork here in Spain, as my husband is English and his Spanish is not great, I am the one that deals with everything, and I also accompany him to his doctor’s appointments, etc. So that was the idea behind my business, help people here in Spain that doesn’t speak much Spanish and helping them with any paperwork they might need, as paperwork here in Spain is so much more complicated, the system is just crazy.   Celebrating something you have achieved? My masterpieces are always going to be my children. I also had a business for 5 years in the UK that I am very proud of, I taught children Spanish in the UK in schools and nurseries. And now I am also very proud to have started my new business venture here in Spain, helping people with their paperwork and the language barrier.   Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? I would invite to a dinner party I would invite Nelson Mandela because I can learn so much from him, he is someone I always admired. My grandma (my dad’s mum) who I never met, she was a very interested woman, a bit of a revel and activist, so I would love to get to know her. We wil eat delicious tapas and red wine (Ribera del Duero).   What is your secret weapon? Being bilingual, I can communicate with 80% of the population.   Your favourite saying? Never say never and Rome wasn’t build in a day, because it makes me keep going everyday.   One thing you had to bring back to Spain with you? My memories of all my friends in the UK, something that nobody can take from me.   Favourite song and why? Brand new Heavies – You’ve got a friend – because that’s me with my friends!   Something you would tell your younger self? Don’t worry what other people think of you, be yourself, your past mistakes are powerful lessons and wear suncream.   Where can we connect with you? Through my Facebook page – Help at Hand English and Spanish   Thank you Maria Jose and welcome home!   If you want to be featured fill out the online questionnaire here

‘Get up and run fast’ is one of Linda’s mantras and she has hit the road running since her arrival in Malaga.      Why Spain? After many years of slowly discovering every nook and cranny of this beautiful country we realised that a little piece of our heart was always in Andalucia. Malaga has everything, the sea, the mountains, gorgeous rivers, lakes, waterfalls, amazing food & wine and of course its beautiful people.   Where are in Spain? Currently we are right in the beating heart of Malaga but were likely to end up in the mountains trying to live self sufficiently & fulfil our eco living dream!   What has been your biggest challenge when moving to Spain and how did you overcome it? Leaving my friends behind 100%. I am a social creature and felt very isolated when I arrived, especially because I had only just started to learn Spanish so my conversations were limited. Eventually I stepped out of my comfort zone and started networking with groups like Costa Women, going to language exchanges & shamelessly telling people like my hairdresser in Malaga that I needed help finding friends. I’ve met some amazing people already and I’m feeling confident that I can rebuild a network here, it just might take a little time!   What advice would you offer to Women thinking about making the move? Make the language a priority, everything is so much harder and scarier when you can’t communicate. But I would also say that even if you haven’t started to learn yet you should still dive in and embark upon the adventure of finding a new way of life, everything comes with time.     How do you spend your days? I spent my first few weeks here wandering the city, mentally mapping all the restaurants and wine bars I wanted to visit and hiking around the green areas that surround the city. Now I spend most of my day totally emerging myself in my new business – Winederlust. I have just started to run wine tastings in Malaga and as much as its something I have done for years, getting set up again from scratch in a new country requires A LOT of work. I love what I do which makes it so much easier but there just aren’t enough hours in the day (or enough Linda’s)!   Something you have achieved? My biggest achievement is probably my marriage! It’s the backbone of everything I do and gives me a reason to be happy every day. We’re an incredible team and that makes all my adventures all the more magical. I’m grateful for this every day.   Your dinner party … who would be there and why? Stevie Nicks because I bet she’s got some stories to tell! Also I could listen to Sara, Rhiannon & Gypsy on repeat all night long! Secondly, Helena Bonham Carter because I bet she’s a complete wild card at a party. Finally my mum because she was my best friend and my biggest cheerleader and I miss her dearly. Oh and can I throw in Ludo from the film Labyrinth, just because it would make the whole things so much more trippy and he’s so cute.   What is your secret weapon? My secret weapons are my mantras which all come from parental advice. On life – “get up & run fast”. On mean people “kill them with kindness”. On disappointments “everything happens for a reason” & on ambition “reach for the moon you might get the stars”   Favourite song? Barbra Streisand’s ‘Evergreen’ because my mum used to sing it. And much to my wife’s dismay “you only live once” is my favourite saying which has gotten us into all sorts of trouble!   One thing you had to bring to Spain? My cat. All my friends offered to adopt her but she’s my furry baby in stripy pyjamas and I just couldn’t dream of leaving her behind.   Favourite book? I think it has to be ‘The Colour Purple’ by Alice Walker. I’ve always loved the film for a good cry and the book is written so beautifully.   Something you will tell your younger self? Eat less carbs and exercise more! You’ll thank me when your 38!   Where can we find out more? www.winederlustmalaga.com On social media @winederlust.malaga   Thank you Linda!   We all have a story to tell – share yours by completing the online questionnaire here

Adopting an animal in Andalusia What to do, what’s needed and how it is working. Read our story adopting Rocky \ud83d\udc36 from APARIV – Asociación Protectora de Animales del Rincón de la Victoria – a highly recommended shelter with loving and caring volunteers. Please feel free to share, comment and like \ud83d\udc4d thank you. https://www.andalucia-mi-amor.com/post/apopting-an-animal-in-andalusia 

So this week I was in charge of writing the newsletter and decided to write 10 tips for investing in Real Estate, read on for more:   Leave your emotions at the door.  When it comes to buying your dream home then obviously what your personal preference is must be taken into account.  However, when it is for investment purposes what you personally like may not be what could make you the most money.  You should listen to your Realtor on what the trend is at the moment and what makes a good investment.  Decide what your purpose is.  For example if you want to buy something that people would want to rent for holidays then that would be a different property compared to a purchase for something that people would rent long term for living in.  If a family is living in it for a long time then proximity to schools may be important.  However, for holiday makers then what would be more important would be if it the property had a pool or it was close to restaurants or the beach.  Have a budget in mind for any work that may need doing and a time frame for how long it will take to complete the work.  Then accommodate for both to be broken!  When you start work you never know what other jobs may come up or a certain job may be more complicated than it first looked, which means you may go over your budget and time frame. Talk to your agent about any upcoming areas.  Perhaps a certain area is on the rise in popularity and you may get a good deal before prices start to rise.  Consider buying off-plan.  Although you have longer to wait before it is ready, by buying before it has been built you can buy it at a discounted price and that way already make money by selling it as soon as it is ready when the price will have already gone up.  When buying a property that needs some work doing, don’t overspend more than is necessary as you could end up only breaking even when selling or even lose money.  Your Realtor will be able to help you decide what must be done to make a good profit and what would be a waste of money. Ask others for advice but don’t let them sway you into doing something that could be purely to benefit themselves.  For example someone who is a stockbroker may try to sway you into buying shares because they don’t make money from you buying Real Estate but they do if they can get you to buy shares. Try to find people who have invested in Real Estate and get their opinions. Don’t be surprised if you make a loss.  As with any business venture nothing is guaranteed.  You may be able to make good money investing in Real Estate but that doesn’t mean that along the way you wont suffer any loss.  No one can predict the future or how the market sways.  Just like in a store they may have that one item that is constantly getting returned and is just left taking up space in the warehouse.  Or a car manufacturer who has to recall a certain model of car at their own cost to correct something that could put the safety of their customers at risk.  Remember the loss you make on one deal you may make back double on the next one.   Do your research when using companies.  There are companies where their customer service is important and will go above and beyond for you.  There are some that are only interested in making quick money and once they have your money they do not provide any further help and where the customer service is none existent.  If you choose a good Realtor then they will have a great network where they can recommend further business’s you may need.  They can point you in the direction of good lawyers, interior designers, mortgage brokers, painters and anyone else you may need.  When choosing a Realtor see if they have any reviews, listen to what other people say.  Don’t be afraid to ask them questions to find out how experienced and professional they are.  Make sure they are very clear with you about their procedures and don’t be afraid to walk away if something seems like it could be a scam or that they are not experienced enough to help you find exactly what you are looking for.  Lastly know your market.  When you have found a good Realtor tell them to keep you informed and let you know when a property is a good price and when you should buy.  Or when is a good time to sell your properties to make a profit. Another tip for when you have your property/properties.  If you are renting, every time a tenant leaves ask them if they notice anything that isn’t working.  That way you can fix them before it becomes a bigger costlier problem.  If you want to see the full newsletter and be able to subscribe so you don´t miss out on future newsletters click here and click subscribe in the top left corner.  Have a great weekend everyone! https://southspainproperties.com/    

This week we meet Malaga expert and 30+ year resident of Spain, Joanna Styles.  Joanna shares where she will be escaping to over the summer and how to find secret haunts in Spain.   How did you end up moving to Spain? I had a very inspirational Spanish A level teacher who ignited my passion for Spain. In my year out at uni I travelled by train from Malaga to Granada, saw orange trees and snow-capped mountains and fell in love with Andalucía.  I’ve been here for 31 years. I finished my PGCE at York University and came to Granada to teach English. My husband was one of the pupils and the rest as they say is history. My husband is from Malaga and he set up his business in Fuengirola so we lived in Calahonda   Where do you live and why should we move there? Malaga – it is a welcoming city, urban vibe but relaxed too, ton of things to do.  My suggestions to find secret places is to aways stroll off the beaten track. Explore all the parks and gardens – lots of shady spots in peace and quiet there. Pop into the different spaces off the Pergola…   What are you favourite parts of the City? My favourite art gallery is CAC Malaga because it’s weird and wonderful and free so if you think ‘what is this???’ you can walk back out again! All art museums are excellent obviously depends on your taste. Restaurants – loads of favourites. Views – El Ambigu de la Coracha, tapas – Taberna Uvedoble, fab food – Óleo, Araboka, La Antxoeta…   How do you spend your days? Writing – very busy luckily at the moment. Creating content for Guide to Malaga, answering queries about travelling to Malaga and marketing our new range of ebooks.  Malaga is my passion.  I run as much as I can. Read avidly – I love reading – contemporary novels mostly.    Do you have any tips for new arrivals in Spain? Always come with the view to trying it out so have an ‘escape route’ if you need it. Ie rent before you buy, let your home in your home country rather than sell. And give yourself lots of time. Spain is a fantastic place to live but it isn’t without its ups and downs. Make learning Spanish your absolute priority. Everything will be easier if you do. And of course, get a copy of the Guide to Malaga relocation guide!    Best piece of advice you have been given? Work hard but party just as hard too. My grandfather, he was a top civil servant (instrumental in setting up the NHS) and he always regretted the time he had spent on work rather than family.   Where will you be visiting in Spain? We’ll be revisiting Cabo de Gata again and of course, Bolonia beach in Tarifa. We’ve also booked to go to London in August to see my daughters and enjoy the city.    How can we connect with you? As well as being host for our Costa Women Malaga group, I have Guide to Malaga and create content for businesses through my copywriting website.  You can buy Your Guide to Moving to Malaga & the Costa del Sol here – Costa Women members get 25% off – just use the code CW at the checkout.      Thank you Joanna!   Do you want to share YOUR story with us? Fill out the questionnaire here

Weight loss is the most common reason why people try intermittent fasting. By making you eat fewer meals, periodic fasting can lead to an automatic reduction in calorie intake. In addition, intermittent fasting hormone levels change and this makes it easier to achieve weight loss. In addition to lowering insulin and increasing growth hormone levels, it increases the release of the fat-burning hormone noradrenaline (noradrenaline). Due to these changes in hormones, short-term fasting can increase your metabolism by 3.6-14% By helping you eat less and burn more calories, intermittent fasting creates weight loss by changing both sides of the calorie equation. Studies show that periodic fasting can be a very powerful weight loss tool. A 2014 study showed that this eating pattern can cause 3-8% weight loss in 3-24 weeks, which is a significant amount compared to most weight loss studies According to the same study, people also lost 4-7% of their waist circumference, indicating a significant loss of harmful belly fat that builds up around your organs and causes disease (1). Another study showed that intermittent fasting causes less muscle loss than that of regular calorie-restricted diets. Keep in mind, though, that the main reason for its success is that intermittent fasting helps you eat fewer calories in general. Therefore, you should also pay attention to portion sizes when eating. Intermittent fasting can increase your metabolism while helping you eat fewer calories. It is a very effective way to lose weight and belly fat. Health benefitsMany studies of intermittent fasting in both animals and humans have been performed. These studies have shown that it can have powerful benefits for weight control and health for your body and brain. It can even help you live longer. Here are the main health benefits of intermittent fasting: Weight Loss: As mentioned above, intermittent fasting can help you lose weight and belly fat without consciously limiting the calories Insulin resistance: Intermittent fasting can reduce insulin resistance, lower blood sugar by 3-6% and fasting insulin levels by 20-31%, which should protect against type 2 diabetes Inflammation: Some studies show reductions in markers of inflammation, which is a factor in many chronic diseases Heart health: Intermittent fasting can reduce the “bad” LDL cholesterol, triglycerides in the blood, inflammatory markers, blood sugar and insulin resistance – all risk factors for heart disease Cancer: Animal experiments suggest that intermittent fasting may have a preventive effect against cancer Brain health: Intermittent fasting increases the brain hormone BDNF and can help the growth of new nerve cells. It can also protect against Alzheimer’s disease Anti-aging: Intermittent fasting can prolong the life of rats. Studies showed that fasting rats lived 36-83% longer Remember that research is still in its early stages. Intermittent fasting can have many benefits for your body and brain. It can cause weight loss and can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. It can also help you live longer. Make your healthy lifestyle easier Eating healthy is simple, but it can be incredibly difficult to maintain. One of the biggest obstacles is all the work required to plan and prepare healthy meals. Intermittent fasting can make things easier as you do not have to plan, cook or clean up after as many meals as before. For this reason, intermittent fasting is very popular among biohackers and also if you just want to enjoy life and the healthy lifestyle. As it improves your health and at the same time simplifies your life at the same time. One of the biggest benefits of intermittent fasting is that it makes healthy eating easier. There are fewer meals you need to prepare, cook and clean up after. Who should be careful or avoid Intermittent fasting? Intermittent fasting is certainly not for everyone. If you are underweight or have a history of eating disorders, in these cases it can be directly harmful. Should women fast? Yes intermittent fasting can be beneficial for women, especially omrking menopause but strict fasting is not good for women Safety and side effects Hunger is the most important side effect of intermittent fasting. You may also feel weak and you may get a little “foggy brain” while often thinking about food. This is completely natural and temporary. Most people experience that it has been 3-5 days, but after this you start to feel all the benefits of fasting. If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before trying intermittent fasting. All in all, periodic fasting has a unique opportunity to do something good for your body. There is nothing dangerous about not eating for a while if you are generally healthy. Frequently Asked Questions about Intermittent fasting:Here are answers to the most common questions about intermittent fasting. 1.What drinks can I drink on Intermittent fasting? Water, coffee, tea and other calorie free drinks are fine. Do not add sugar to your coffee. Small amounts of milk or cream may be okay. Coffee can be especially beneficial in a fast period as it can dull hunger. 2. Is it not unhealthy to skip breakfast? No. If you make sure to eat healthy food the rest of the day, it is perfectly healthy. This is part of fasting Can I take supplements while fasting? Yes. Keep in mind, however, that some supplements like fat-soluble vitamins may work better when taken with meals. 4. Can I train while on Intermittent fasting? Yes, fasting is fine. Some people I recommend taking BCAAs before training as this provides some energy. But the training in my program is adapted to your fast and can be performed after a meal “ 5. Will fasting cause muscle loss? All weight loss methods can cause muscle loss, which is why it is important to lift weights and keep your protein intake high. One study showed that intermittent fasting causes less muscle loss than regular calorie restriction. That is why this fast is so suitable Will fasting slow down my metabolism? No. Studies show that short-term fasting actually increases metabolism. Are you interested in hearing more? Then sign up for the list below where you will receive more info about intermittent fasting Sign up here: https://livingbyfrost.simplero.com/page/210342-list-signup Read more about the gene expression DNA-Health test: https://www.livingbyfrost.com/?page_id=939