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Tulum, Mexico

August 31, 2016 by Gina +

{ view at the tulum ruins }
{ view at the tulum ruins }

Tulum

In the beginning of July, I headed down to Tulum, Mexico for a week vacation.  Summer is generally my busy season and it is hard to take off a lot of time.  Last year I managed to swing a three week trip at the end of the summer, but this year I was I was too eager to get away.  An earlier trip meant shorter time which made us want to go somewhere and just relax.  I’m usually one to pack in as much as I can while visiting a number of spots.  After Tulum, I will definitely be doing more of the relax and stay put kind of vacation.

{ this . view . outside our room at my way boutique hotel }
{ this . view . outside our room at my way boutique hotel }

Tulum is such a picturesque place.  I have been to a number of gorgeous beaches on my travels, but this is definitely one of the most beautiful.  The water is so clear and so warm.  Even though the weather called for storms everyday, we got lucky with blue skies and hot sun each day.

Tulum

I absolutely fell in love with the vibe and the color of Tulum.  I must have told Robbie “these colors!!!!” about 50 times a day.  All shades of blue in the water.  White sand beaches.  Tropical green and sage colored plants.  Pops of color everywhere; the restaurants, hotels, shops.  I was IN. LOVE.

{ the colors }
{ the colors }

We were pleasantly surprised with how quaint Tulum felt.  Small, boutique hotels, no all inclusive massive resorts.  Beautiful restaurants which mostly serve fresh, local foods.  Each hotel seemed to have cozy loungers, many with palapas or something of the sort to give shade.

Here’s a breakdown of places to eat, where we stayed, and what to do:

Stay :

My Way Boutique Hotel  – This place is wonderful.  Only 7 rooms and on the beach.  They have cozy loungers, towels, beach bag, and breakfast included.  It is somewhat unassuming from the beach which is nice because it keeps it quiet.  They have a bar and serve food for lunch with snacks.  It’s walking distance to lots of restaurants, bars, and shops.

{ top deck at  my way tulum }
{ top deck at my way tulum }
{ morning coffee on our patio }
{ morning coffee on our patio }
{ Cilantro's for lunch }
{ Cilantro’s for lunch }
{ private jacuzzi on our deck at my way hotel }
{ private jacuzzi on our deck at my way hotel }

Also, we stayed in the Horizen suite which we thought was the best.  Other rooms might have been larger but this was the closest to the beach, felt very private, and had the most amazing top level with jacuzzi and unobstructed beach view.

Eat / Drink :

  • My Way Boutique for lunches and fresh mojitos
  • Posada Margherita : the view, the decor, and obviously the food
  • Puro Corazon : the drinks! great food, live music, shrimp
  • el Tabano : Tacos!!
  • La Zebra : great view, drinks, and food
  • Restaurare Vegan Cuisine : the curry was amazing as was the lettuce wrap starter.  Not a fan of the mole sadly
  • Coco Tulum : drinks on the beach!
  • Piedra Escondida : on the beach, great fish tacos, great place to chill and have an afternoon cocktail
  • Cilantro’s : on the beach, fresh seafood, amazing view
  • Juanita Diavola : great pizza and casual.
{ apps at posada margherita }
{ apps at posada margherita }
{ morning breakfast spread outside our room }
{ morning breakfast spread outside our room }
{ lobster ceviche at cilantro's }
{ lobster ceviche at cilantro’s }

Do :

  • Massage / Spa : we ordered massages through the hotel.  It was nice that they came to the room and we had them on the gorgeous deck, but it was far from my favorite massage.  Next time I will opt for more of a spa experience and do some research.  Tulum is full of amazing spas.
  • We did a fishing trip through Mexi Divers.  I would give it a better review but I got seasick.  Robbie on the other hand had a great time and caught 4 fish!
  • Take out some boards, a kayak, or a SUP.  The water is calm enough to really have fun
  • Relax, eat good food, have good drinks, and enjoy the gorgeousness that is TULUM
  • Take a day trip to the ruins and a cenote { fresh water swimmin hole with stalagmites }
{ beach side of the ruins }
{ beach side of the ruins }
{ ruins }
{ ruins }
{ cenote }
{ cenote }

 

I loved Tulum.  It was clean, beautiful, safe, has friendly people, amazing food, and I will definitely return.

Tulum Tulum

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: beach, drink, eat, guide, mexico, my way boutique hotel, snaps, things to do, travel, tropical, tulum, vacation, what to do

FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS 🤎🍦 No ice cream mak FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS 🤎🍦

No ice cream maker needed! These are layers of Biscoff cookies filled with the creamiest homemade no-churn Biscoff ice cream and an extra swirl of cookie butter through the center.

Easy to make and perfect for summer

Comment ICE CREAM and I’ll send you the full recipe!

Save this for an easy summer dessert and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more simple, family-friendly recipes.
Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it a day.
Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce T Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce 

The chicken is smoky, garlicky and grilled until juicy, but the creamy cilantro green sauce is what really makes this recipe. I could put it on just about everything.

I kept the heat family-friendly by using just one seeded jalapeño, but you can always leave some of the seeds in or add another jalapeño if you like things spicy. Serve it with rice, grilled corn, potatoes or veggies for an easy summer dinner the whole family will love.

For the chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper

For the creamy green sauce:

1 packed cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeño, seeds removed
1 garlic clove
Juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Add all of the green sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add another squeeze of lime or pinch of salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through to 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce.

Serve with rice, grilled corn, avocado, roasted potatoes or your favorite veggies—and definitely keep extra green sauce on the side.

Save this easy chicken dinner for later, share it with someone who needs new weeknight dinner ideas, and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy, family-friendly recipes! 🌿
CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN Rich and cheesy, perfect com CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN

Rich and cheesy, perfect  comfort food mashup I. 

I used our favorite @momofukugoods noodles, Trader Joe’s birria, and plenty of cheese. The birria consommé gets mixed right into the creamy cheese sauce, so you get that birria flavor in every bite. Finish it with onion, cilantro and plenty of lime. 

3 packages Momofuku noodles
1 package Trader Joe’s Beef Birria, cooked and shredded (reserve ½ cup consommé)
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese
¾ cup milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
1 ramen seasoning packet
¼ teaspoon cumin
Diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for serving

Cook the ramen noodles, then drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese, milk, ½ cup birria consommé, ramen seasoning, and cumin. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Reduce the heat to low and add the Monterey Jack mozarella cheese. Stir until melted.

Add the cooked ramen noodles and shredded birria beef and toss until everything is coated in the cheesy birria sauce. Add another splash of consommé if needed to loosen it up.

Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and extra consommé if you like.

Make sure to SAVE this one and FOLLOW along for more recipes 🙃
Summer hosting doesn’t have to be complicated. I Summer hosting doesn’t have to be complicated. 
I kept this backyard dinner simple with crispy chicken sandwiches that were a HUGE hit! I lightly coated chicken tenders in @lafishyfry Louisiana Fish Fry Brand Seasoned Chicken Fry, fried them until perfectly golden, then piled them onto toasted buns with sliced cheddar and peppery arugula tossed in @Tessemaes Spicy Dill dressing. So simple, so good.
To round out the spread, I set out @powerupsnacks Power Up Premium Trail Mix for an easy snack, @sourpunchcandy Sour Punch Bites for a sweet treat, and served everything on @SOLOcup cups and plates, which made cleanup so easy.
#Tessemaes #LAFishFry #SOLOBoldHold #SourPunchXBabbleBox #PowerUp
No-bake peanut butter pie. Creamy peanut butter No-bake peanut butter pie. 

Creamy peanut butter filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and absolutely no oven required. 

For the crust:
16 Oreo-style cookies
4 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
⅓ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
6 ounces Cool Whip, thawed

Optional toppings:
Melted chocolate, crushed Oreo cookies, chopped peanut butter cups, or chopped peanuts.

Pulse the cookies into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Press into a small pie dish and refrigerate while you make the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is combined.

Spread the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best texture.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies if you’d like.

Save this one for your next summer get-together!
FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS 🤎🍦 No ice cream mak FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS 🤎🍦

No ice cream maker needed! These are layers of Biscoff cookies filled with the creamiest homemade no-churn Biscoff ice cream and an extra swirl of cookie butter through the center.

Easy to make and perfect for summer

Comment ICE CREAM and I’ll send you the full recipe!

Save this for an easy summer dessert and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more simple, family-friendly recipes.
Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it a day.
Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce T Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce 

The chicken is smoky, garlicky and grilled until juicy, but the creamy cilantro green sauce is what really makes this recipe. I could put it on just about everything.

I kept the heat family-friendly by using just one seeded jalapeño, but you can always leave some of the seeds in or add another jalapeño if you like things spicy. Serve it with rice, grilled corn, potatoes or veggies for an easy summer dinner the whole family will love.

For the chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper

For the creamy green sauce:

1 packed cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeño, seeds removed
1 garlic clove
Juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Add all of the green sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add another squeeze of lime or pinch of salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through to 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce.

Serve with rice, grilled corn, avocado, roasted potatoes or your favorite veggies—and definitely keep extra green sauce on the side.

Save this easy chicken dinner for later, share it with someone who needs new weeknight dinner ideas, and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy, family-friendly recipes! 🌿
CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN Rich and cheesy, perfect com CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN

Rich and cheesy, perfect  comfort food mashup I. 

I used our favorite @momofukugoods noodles, Trader Joe’s birria, and plenty of cheese. The birria consommé gets mixed right into the creamy cheese sauce, so you get that birria flavor in every bite. Finish it with onion, cilantro and plenty of lime. 

3 packages Momofuku noodles
1 package Trader Joe’s Beef Birria, cooked and shredded (reserve ½ cup consommé)
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese
¾ cup milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
1 ramen seasoning packet
¼ teaspoon cumin
Diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for serving

Cook the ramen noodles, then drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese, milk, ½ cup birria consommé, ramen seasoning, and cumin. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Reduce the heat to low and add the Monterey Jack mozarella cheese. Stir until melted.

Add the cooked ramen noodles and shredded birria beef and toss until everything is coated in the cheesy birria sauce. Add another splash of consommé if needed to loosen it up.

Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and extra consommé if you like.

Make sure to SAVE this one and FOLLOW along for more recipes 🙃
Summer hosting doesn’t have to be complicated. I Summer hosting doesn’t have to be complicated. 
I kept this backyard dinner simple with crispy chicken sandwiches that were a HUGE hit! I lightly coated chicken tenders in @lafishyfry Louisiana Fish Fry Brand Seasoned Chicken Fry, fried them until perfectly golden, then piled them onto toasted buns with sliced cheddar and peppery arugula tossed in @Tessemaes Spicy Dill dressing. So simple, so good.
To round out the spread, I set out @powerupsnacks Power Up Premium Trail Mix for an easy snack, @sourpunchcandy Sour Punch Bites for a sweet treat, and served everything on @SOLOcup cups and plates, which made cleanup so easy.
#Tessemaes #LAFishFry #SOLOBoldHold #SourPunchXBabbleBox #PowerUp
No-bake peanut butter pie. Creamy peanut butter No-bake peanut butter pie. 

Creamy peanut butter filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and absolutely no oven required. 

For the crust:
16 Oreo-style cookies
4 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
⅓ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
6 ounces Cool Whip, thawed

Optional toppings:
Melted chocolate, crushed Oreo cookies, chopped peanut butter cups, or chopped peanuts.

Pulse the cookies into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Press into a small pie dish and refrigerate while you make the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is combined.

Spread the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best texture.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies if you’d like.

Save this one for your next summer get-together!
FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS 🤎🍦 No ice cream mak FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS 🤎🍦

No ice cream maker needed! These are layers of Biscoff cookies filled with the creamiest homemade no-churn Biscoff ice cream and an extra swirl of cookie butter through the center.

Easy to make and perfect for summer

Comment ICE CREAM and I’ll send you the full recipe!

Save this for an easy summer dessert and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more simple, family-friendly recipes.
Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it a day.
Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce T Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce 

The chicken is smoky, garlicky and grilled until juicy, but the creamy cilantro green sauce is what really makes this recipe. I could put it on just about everything.

I kept the heat family-friendly by using just one seeded jalapeño, but you can always leave some of the seeds in or add another jalapeño if you like things spicy. Serve it with rice, grilled corn, potatoes or veggies for an easy summer dinner the whole family will love.

For the chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper

For the creamy green sauce:

1 packed cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeño, seeds removed
1 garlic clove
Juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Add all of the green sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add another squeeze of lime or pinch of salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through to 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce.

Serve with rice, grilled corn, avocado, roasted potatoes or your favorite veggies—and definitely keep extra green sauce on the side.

Save this easy chicken dinner for later, share it with someone who needs new weeknight dinner ideas, and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy, family-friendly recipes! 🌿
CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN Rich and cheesy, perfect com CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN

Rich and cheesy, perfect  comfort food mashup I. 

I used our favorite @momofukugoods noodles, Trader Joe’s birria, and plenty of cheese. The birria consommé gets mixed right into the creamy cheese sauce, so you get that birria flavor in every bite. Finish it with onion, cilantro and plenty of lime. 

3 packages Momofuku noodles
1 package Trader Joe’s Beef Birria, cooked and shredded (reserve ½ cup consommé)
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese
¾ cup milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
1 ramen seasoning packet
¼ teaspoon cumin
Diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for serving

Cook the ramen noodles, then drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese, milk, ½ cup birria consommé, ramen seasoning, and cumin. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Reduce the heat to low and add the Monterey Jack mozarella cheese. Stir until melted.

Add the cooked ramen noodles and shredded birria beef and toss until everything is coated in the cheesy birria sauce. Add another splash of consommé if needed to loosen it up.

Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and extra consommé if you like.

Make sure to SAVE this one and FOLLOW along for more recipes 🙃
Summer hosting doesn’t have to be complicated. I Summer hosting doesn’t have to be complicated. 
I kept this backyard dinner simple with crispy chicken sandwiches that were a HUGE hit! I lightly coated chicken tenders in @lafishyfry Louisiana Fish Fry Brand Seasoned Chicken Fry, fried them until perfectly golden, then piled them onto toasted buns with sliced cheddar and peppery arugula tossed in @Tessemaes Spicy Dill dressing. So simple, so good.
To round out the spread, I set out @powerupsnacks Power Up Premium Trail Mix for an easy snack, @sourpunchcandy Sour Punch Bites for a sweet treat, and served everything on @SOLOcup cups and plates, which made cleanup so easy.
#Tessemaes #LAFishFry #SOLOBoldHold #SourPunchXBabbleBox #PowerUp
No-bake peanut butter pie. Creamy peanut butter No-bake peanut butter pie. 

Creamy peanut butter filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and absolutely no oven required. 

For the crust:
16 Oreo-style cookies
4 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
⅓ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
6 ounces Cool Whip, thawed

Optional toppings:
Melted chocolate, crushed Oreo cookies, chopped peanut butter cups, or chopped peanuts.

Pulse the cookies into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Press into a small pie dish and refrigerate while you make the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is combined.

Spread the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best texture.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies if you’d like.

Save this one for your next summer get-together!

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