Best sandwiches in Cancun...well in our opinion!

For most readers that saw the title to this blog post, and thought of Tycoz you'd most definitely have to be familiar with Cancun.

Tycoz started as a small restaurant in el centro. They serve all sorts of sandwiches, and they are very reasonalby priced for the quality. I don't know for sure, but the only other Tycoz at the time was also in the Zona Hotelera across from the Presidente Hotel. Therefore, tourists and locals were able to eat these tasty little sandwiches. I lived in Cancun about 8 years ago or so, and those were the only two Tycoz in town. Currently they are EVERYWHERE. They have grown by 200%, or more. There are Tycoz Express next to Oxxo's, Pemex's, everywhere. LOL.

My brother who is visiting Cancun for only his second time asked me "what about those crazy sandwiches, tycoz"? I couldn't believe he remembered as he hasn't been to Cancun in 8 years!!!

Well, it was Monday Night Football, and in our house that means all eyes glued to the TV. I already had it in my mind that there wasn't going to be any way I'd be cooking up a storm. Perfect, Tycoz it was!!!

The football games were okay, but the sandwiches were fantastic! We always order the Baguette de Pechuge de Pollo. Don't think Subway, think gourmet sandwich. These are thick slices of roasted chicken breast, some kind of magic garlic butter sauce, tomatoes, and cheese, all toasted into deliciousness. Hahaha. We usually add the jalapenos, and chipotle, but it's not for everyone. I think it's about $50 pesos or so, and that is for an entire baguette.

Do you have a Tycoz or anything similar in your city??

Change

Just before I left Cancun for Calgary I had an appointment with God. God being my hairstylist Damien, who just happens to love Ricky Martin more than I. Seriously, we argued about it, but I will have to give him this one as he has the upper hand if we were ever to meet the gorgeous hunk! Hahaha...yes, I really used the word hunk.

I was really getting sick of being a blonde. I've been a blonde for basically 29 years. Sure I've tried other colours, but they are always disastrous. Heck, when I was 17 my friend and I went from blonde to black. Literally. I remember my pillow turning purple for a week, and the bottom of my shower looked as though food colouring was being used for 2 weeks. Needless to say black did not suit this chica so back to blonde it was.

The change room

The trouble with blonde in Cancun is the hi-lites I have added turn white from the sun, and my roots look so dark next to them. So I really wanted something a bit more "natural". Who knows what that is anymore, but anything that is less maintenance sounds good to me.

Nails?

I go to a salon here in Cancun called Adrian Pereyra Salon. Adrian is the owner, from Argentina and has been here for years. He is fantastic. I have many friends who see him. I actually see his nephew Damien who is the sweetest guy ever, and definitely a prankster. More importantly he is phenomenal, and truly loves his job. He does a great job colouring and styling. Not to keen about his cuts as he is a little too scissor happy for me, but I'll put up with it as hair grows back, and his colouring technique is top notch. However, the best part??? He throws in hair treatments for FREE if he likes you. So I usually get a $500 peso shine treatment, or a $800 peso humidity treatment...for FREE!!!! I feel kinda bad for some of my friends who don't get it, and like I said earlier he is not crushing on me so hubby has nada to worry about. Jajajaaja.

My cunada and the salon

Anyways, for a cut, colour, hi-lites and style my tab is usually running around the $1200 peso mark. Th s less than $120 usd, and he doesn't accept tips!!! I try, but he won't take it. He loves his job. Did I mention the free treatments he throws in??!!! Yay for me!! Yay for free!!

So I took a few photos as I thought it would be funny. Everyone be kind...I know I am not the only one who looks like a roll of saran wrap at the salon!!!

Yours truly...that is the heat lamp ON my head!!!

For those interested Adrian Pereyra salon is located on Avenida Labna, and Calle Antilope 998-892-4840.

Body shock!

Well I have officially been back in Cancun for 2 days now, and I am slowly getting used to things again... Hahaha, my body is in utter shock with the high humidity and heat it´s now enduring. I am running the A/C all day, and drinking as much water as I can. I can´t believe in 3 short weeks I lost my ability to acclimatize to the clima here in Cancun. I am hoping I´ll be back to normal next week.

This morning I thought of the perfect thing to help beat the heat : Jugo de Piña. My husband´s family really enjoy making fresh juices almost daily, and I´ve learnt a little bit from them. Back home if it didn´t come from the market, I didn´t drink it. Here I have learnt just how simple it can be, and what a health benefit fresh juices can be.

The recipe I used today is from a food blogger named Laylita, and boy oh boy is it delicious!!

1 Pineapple peeled, cored, and cut into medium sized chunks
6 cups of water
Juice from 1 fresh lime
Sugar to taste (optional)

Working in batches place the pineapple chunks with the water, sugar and lime juice in the blender, and blend well. Strain the juice and serve with ice.

Okay, well I´m off to enjoy the sun as I lost any colour I did have while in Canada the past few weeks!!!

Enjoy !!!


***Recipe courtesy of fellow blogger : Laylita at http://laylita.com and photo courtesy of google image ***

Final days

My visit back home is coming to an end, and I think I'm satisfied with all that I was able to do. Of course I was not able to see everyone I wanted, and I'm sure some feelings are hurt, but what can one do?? I have been running around non-stop and still have a ton to do before I leave Wednesday morning!!!

I guess I could have much larger things to complain about then having too many friends, and family that want to see me!!! I think with this trip home I truly realized what I meant to so many people. I dont' mean that in the "oh I'm so popular" kind of way. I mean it in the WOW thank you for caring enough to take time to want to see me kinda way.

Main Street, Canmore, AB

This weekend my mom., step-dad, brother and his friend decided to head up to Canmore, Alberta. Spend some time in the beautiful Canadian Rockies!!! My parents have a place out there, and it would have been a shame if we didn't take advantage and head out. It's roughly 45 minutes drive from their front door!!

My favourite sitting place

We have had a great time together walking around the town, shopping, cooking, and drinking some great bottles of wine. Its hard to believe that in less than 72 hours I will be back home in Cancun, and not a mountain in sight. I think Canmore is one of the places I miss the most to be honest. We always have such a wonderful time when we come, and it's so relaxing. 

Main Street, Canmore, AB

As I post this I am sitting on their couch next to their stone fireplace, staring out the huge bay windows with a view of the snow capped Rocky Mountains..... What better way to end my trip!

Back in the real world

Wow, so I am back in my hometown Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Instead of beautiful clear skies, and fresh mountain air we are breathing in smoke from all the BC forest fires. It is terribly sad, and in all the years I lived in Calgary we never had a air quality warning that I can remember, until now of course.

The weather is not great, and is getting cooler. The forecast shows it warming up a bit sometime next week.... Oh please, oh please!!!

Weather aside, I am actually missing some things about Mexico. Not all, but some noticeable things. For example, in Mexico when someone enters an office, store, etc... you usually greet everyone  "buenas tardes", or "con permiso". Here in Canada not a word! I dont' know if people in Canada just don't have time, or we just learnt to be scared of everyone! LOL! In all honesty, I never would have walked into a room and greeted everyone before living in Mexico either.

However, I also realize how much I really do miss in Canada. My famiily is an obvious. FOOD. I miss all food. Kidney beans, baked beans, Salt n Vinegar chips, super great restaurants!!!! Wearing high heals, wearing make up, straightening my hair, shopping. My list could go on and on....

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm happy in Mexico, and I find myself always saying the same thing "Yes, the weather is great". I don't know what that means exactly? I know hubby never wants to live in Canada ever again....Oh well, for now I'm just gonna enjoy my family, and friends, and in a week I'll be back to my new life in Mexico.

Thank goodness I'll be back here for Christmas...aww...I miss my family already.

Spanglish

I know, I know. I am officially one of the worst bloggers out there. I don´t post often enough, and when I do I forget to take pictures, etc... I promise I´ll really try working harder at it.

I´ve been keeping myself quite busy. So busy that one of our favourite bloggers out there Gringation and I have had to reschedule a drink 3 times!!! I´m actually headed back to Calgary this week for 3 weeks. Escaping the heat for the cold. Seriously, I keep hearing how cold Calgary is. My point is maybe with all my time up there I can write some posts I´ve been wanting to : day in Puerto Morelos, etc...

You´ll all be happy to know that I am still going strong on my new lifestyle change. Have I lost a pound? Not even one. Can I see a difference? Not at all. However, what can one expect in a month. I know the first to go will be my chest, and the last my ass. Isn´t that the way it always works??!!!

Aside from this huge change in my lifestyle I´ve also started studying Spanish daily. I study for an hour every morning, and really try using what I´ve learned while out, with my maid, with hubby, definitely with my in-laws. It´s been great. I told myself that I definitely don´t want to be on of those people who have been living here in Cancun for 5 years and still are unable to communicate. Sooo....intense studying is what it will take.

For those interested I am using a program by Visual Link. It is fantastic, and I can honestly say you will learn a lot from using these discs. My dad was referred to them by a friend of ours who is mormon. Apparently these lessons are used for those that are preparing to go on their mission to a foreign country.

I can honestly say I´ve already seen a huge improvement in my grammar, and that is huge. The key for anyone trying to learn any other language (this will be my 3rd) is that you MUST practice. I studied French in school for 11 years, and ask me what I know now? Un petit. LOL.

Again, I know I ask for it a lot, but wish a gal some luck!!!

Choices made easy....

Since moving to Mexico I just haven`t been the same. I haven`t felt the same, and certainly haven`t looked the same. One would have thought that with all my extra time I would have started working out and taking better care of myself, right? Well, I didn`t and boy oh boy did my body feel it.

I started seeing my Dra here a few months ago as hubby and I really want to have a baby. She sent me for some blood work, and we were shocked with the results. Apparently I am low in zinc, Vitamin B, and a few other essential nutrients. I mean I was relieved as it explained a lot. Why am I exhausted? Why am I getting headaches, etc... At first I just put it all on a new life. Change in climate, etc....

Well, my Dra had a entirely different answer. Stress. I don`t share a lot of my own personal information on my blog. That is my choice. Sure I show pics of my dogs, where I go on a weekend getaway, but really not much else... I am, and always have been pretty private, but I do have stuff going on in my life just like everyone else. Anyways, I digress.

Well, rather than sit on my butt doing nothing about it I have made some life changes recently. For starters, I am now taking a number of vitamin supplements that my Doc wanted me on, I have given up caffeine entirely, absolutely zero artificial sweeteners in my diet, and I am even trying to have only a glass of wine or two a night. LOL. That has got to be the toughest one for me. I love wine. Red wine specifically. However, the major difference in my life?? Back to the gym!!! I started in a Pilates class a few months ago, but had to stop as I just wasnt`able to make it to my class anymore.

Ever since I have started working out again (been 2 weeks, daily) I have been feeling great. I`m not just saying that. I feel awesome. I really have no excuse as we have a room in our house with all of our equipment in it. I do cardio, and weights every day. I planned on only doing 5 days a week, but I`m really liking it. I go easier on some days, than others, but now I remember WHY I used to work out all the time.

Look at my exhausted work-out partner :)

Anyways, I wanted to write about it, and plan on sharing stories of my success, and failures. I`m not necessarily doing it to lose weight, but heck if I happen to, great. I actually researched my BMI and I`m smack in the middle of the pack. In theory I could actually lose 10 pounds and still be average for my height and weight.

On my bike :)

Anyways, hopefully I stick with it, and in a few months time hubby and I can start trying!!!! Until then, wish me luck!!