Mexican Christmas Traditions

Travel Tuesday: Riviera Maya book and Mexico tote bag {GIVEAWAY}

7 · Aug 30, 2011 · 27 Comments

One of the best parts of attending tourism events with the Mexico Tourism Board is the goody bag they send you home with to learn more about new places in Mexico! Whenever I get a goody bag filled with new reading materials about destinations I already love or am planning to visit, I always feel like the kid who got the most candy out of the piñata.

That's why I'm sharing the loot with you!

If you enjoyed yesterday's post with the video footage from the César Russ photo gallery exhibit, then you'll love today's giveaway (items pictured here above). The beautiful soft cover book about the Riviera Maya has 250 glossy pages of stunning images from around the area with photo captions in four languages (English, Spanish, German and French) to describe the subject and the history of some of Mexico's treasures; nature, native animals, people, places, and scenery that will all have your heart aching to visit. Also included in the giveaway is a black fabric tote bag with the Visit Mexico logo.

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Maura meets Mexico's Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara!

3 · Aug 29, 2011 · 10 Comments

Last month, I was lucky enough to be invited to a beautiful event by the Mexico Tourism Board in Chicago and there was a very special guest on hand: Mexico's Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara Manzo.

Not only did Secretary Guevara talk about new tourism initiatives, but she also introduced a sneak preview to all the guests of the new documentary, "Mexico: The Royal Tour," what looks to be an absolutely thrilling journey around Mexico with Peter Greenberg and one of the country's most distinguished tour guides: President Felipe Calderón.

The trailer brought tears to my eyes when I recognized a few of the places I have been and made my heart ache for Mexico. Thankfully, my next trip is only one month away. The rest of the night was filled with traditional music, excellent food from Mexique and a gallery viewing of simply stunning photographs by world-renowned Spanish photojournalist, César Russ (who, coincidentally, has been living in Chicago since 2006). The photos are incredible and so vibrant, you feel as if you're really there. The detail is just amazing—have a look for yourself: I took video as I walked through the gallery and captured some of my favorite photos up-close.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNoRGE8nC0s[/youtube]

After the video presentation, I had the chance to speak with Secretary Guevara for a few minutes about tourism efforts, how online efforts are helping boost tourism and the Mexico Today program. As the only Mexico Today ambassador located in the Midwest, I was honored to represent my colleagues far and wide and was very proud when Secretary Guevara was able to mention some specific efforts within the program and that she was very pleased with the selection of ambassadors....

Arrachera borracha con rajas de pimiento

14 · Aug 18, 2011 · 14 Comments

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEyhzmhA8SY[/youtube]

I've been experimenting in the test kitchen lately and coming up with some new recipes. Today I'm sharing my newest recipe for the #MizkanLatino cooking challenge, arrachera borracha con rajas de pimiento, or drunken skirt steak with grilled bell pepper strips. "Sabroso Grilling" was the theme for this challenge and the challenge ingredient was to use one of Mizkan's World Harbors marinades, so I chose the Mexican-style fajita marinade....

Wordless Wednesday: Estadio Olímpico Universitario

4 · Aug 17, 2011 · 6 Comments

I snapped this photo of the Estadio Olímpico while zipping through C.U. (Ciudad Universitaria, the main campus of UNAM) on my last visit to Mexico City. The stadium opened in 1952 and was also used for the 1968 Olympic games. The mural on the outside of the stadium as pictured here, titled "La Universidad, la Familia y el Deporte en México," was created by the famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera. The stadium is one of our favorite places, especially because it's the home of the Pumas—our favorite soccer team. Read more about the history of the stadium in Spanish on UNAM's website.

Have you been to the Estadio Olímpico? What's your favorite part about it?

Wordless Wednesday: Farmers market chiles

3 · Aug 10, 2011 · 1 Comment

Farmers markets here in Chicago are kind of like a yuppie version of a Mexican tianguis. Despite the strollers and dogs and people yammering away on their bluetooth device or headphones while they stroll the aisles, I put up with it because I love fresh, locally grown fruits and veggies, and I especially love the variety of chiles at the farmers markets here! I got there extra early last week and snapped this photo of the sunshine peeking through the top of the tented produce stand, illuminating the chiles. The thing I love most about farmers market chiles is that they're all different sizes and shapes, and there are never any mega-chiles that look like they were pumped with steriods. Ahhh, organic!

What's your favorite vegetable to buy at the farmers market?