Mantidae (also known as praying mantis) is the common name for an insect of the order Mantodea which are mostly tropical or subtropical. The insect is named after the distinctive way they hold their front legs up and together and is in a prayer, and in Greek the word “mantis” means prophet or fortune teller.

Tomato is a MUST have ingredient in tomato pasta sauce, tomatoes helps lend a sour tang to various cuisines around the world and is a fruit that can be eaten raw. Tomato refers to the plant (Solanum Lycopersicum) and the fruit that it bears. Tomato is a fruit but is commonly mistaken for a vegetable as it is used among other vegetables in the culinary sense.

Mr Fleming, who with his wife Lucy began Chaa Creek as a small farm in the late 1970s and still manages the eco resort’s Maya Organic Farm, which uses traditional Maya agricultural techniques to supply vegetables to the Chaa Creek restaurant and local families, said people are often amazed to learn how productive the ancient Maya were as farmers.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Nightshade Eggplant which is scientifically known as Solanum Melongena. The Eggplant is native to the Indian subcontinent and has been cultivated in Southern and Eastern Asia from where it later made its way to the Western World.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Soursop and is scientifically known as Annona muricata. It is a native species to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Northern South America, and is recognized as Guanabana in Latin American countries. This picture was photographed at the Maya Organic Farm on a tree that could have up to forty healthy fruits at a given time.

Today’s Belize photo of the day is the Passion Flower. Depending on the genus, these flowers vary from a half inch (1cm) to as much as six inches (15cm) and can be found almost all over the world including Belize. The above picture was taken at Chaa Creek’s Maya Farm.

The approach of 2012 is bringing increased attention on the ancient Maya civilisation of Belize and her neighbours, and, as usual with this fascinating, enigmatic civilisation, there are more questions than answers. One of the big questions is: how did Maya urban centres sustain such large populations in areas modern people would consider to be inhospitable?

When Lonely Planet highlights a destination, it definitely becomes less lonely, but not to worry – the Belize leg of La Ruta Maya remains one of the most uncrowded, laid back and friendliest ways to explore the heartland of the fascinating ancient Maya civilisation.

The New Yorker Scott Amron is known for his creativity at Amron Experimental, Inc. but today he caught the world’s and Chaa Creek’s attention with the eco-friendly creation of the vanishing fruit labels. The description on his website states that by washing these Fruit Labels, you will see it dissolve into an organic fruit cleansing produce wash that helps remove wax, pesticides, dirt and bacteria.

After centuries of struggle to preserve their culture and, in many instances, their lives, from foreign greed, the Maya are now facing a new battle as a global conglomerate attempts to introduce GMO (genetically modified organisms) corn into Belize. Fortunately, people are beginning to heed the alarm.

An ancient Maya white road known as a sacbe has been discovered buried under roughly 17 feet of volcanic ash at the archaeological village of Ceren in El Salvador by a University of Colorado Boulder team. The sacbe, shown here with a drainage canal on the left and several corn plants preserved by ash on the right, is roughly 1,400 years old and is the only one ever discovered constructed without stone linings.

The Maya Organic Farm at Chaa Creek has been selected by Bootsnall.com as a green way to experience Belize. Bootsnall.com is an independent travel company based in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and since 1998 their purpose has been to cultivate an organic community that encourages independent travel.

Today’s picture of the day is the domestic Goat and its scientific name is Capra aegagrus hircu. This photo creates a special occasion since we are excited to introduce the arrival of our newest members of the Maya Farm family. Two male kids – Sylvano and Nieve(snow in Spanish), both born to their mother Cus Cus.

The 33 acre Maya Organic Farm is an integral part of the Chaa Creek Reserve. It provides freshly harvested produce for The Lodge at Chaa Creek and the Macal River Camp. The farm integrates traditional Maya farming with more advanced systems of irrigated raised beds of composted soil fed with nutrients derived from natures store house.

WEDNESDAY July 27, 2011 – The theme for the day was Land Conservation and after breakfast the councilors and eco kids headed to Chaa Creek’s Maya Organic Farm to learn directly from Mr Mick Fleming how to do composting, natural fertilizing, weeding, planting, watering and harvesting.

Chaa Creek is by far the best Belize destination for so many reasons. Located in the rainforest at the foot of the majestic Maya Mountains and along the banks of the Macal river, Chaa Creek has something to make every traveler’s dreams come true. Whether it be a hike deep into the rainforest among the native plants and animals , exploring Mayan temples that have been preserved for hundreds of years or just relaxing in the unique accomodations engulfed in unmatched natural beauty, Chaa Creek offers something unique for everyone.