poopies

 I just love saying it, and I love the way it sounds - poopies!

In Spanish a U has the sound of the American English OO (as in moon, soon, croon).  So puppies, said by a Spanish speaker comes out sounding like poopies!.

poopies, poopies, poopies!


One of the things I've recently become involved in is a group called 'Yucatan Ayuda Para Animales' (YAPA).

Our Mission Statement -  

Yucatan Ayuda Para Animales (YAPA) of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico is a support and resource group established to aid the Merida animal shelters AFAD, Evolucion and House of Brat Cats with their work concerning the stray, abused, and abandoned dog and cat population here in the Yucatan.

We assist the shelters with specific short term problems, needs or projects including the following:  foster care, fundraising and donations, spay/neuter clinics, education and general volunteer services.

YAPA is not an extension of the shelters; Although we can help facilitate your pet adoption and can offer assistance with a rescue.

We currently are offering our services to Evolución Albergue y Santuario Dog Shelter, La Casa de los Gatos Malcriados, and Albergue Franciscano del Animal Desprotegido AC (AFAD).



In addition to my YAPA involvement I am also volunteering at evolucion to help with maintenance and cleaning up of the sanctuario, and to offer much needed attention to the dogs housed there. With over 100 dogs, there is a lot of needed for attention, socialization, training, and dog walking; so if you find yourself so inclined come on down and rub a belly, take a dog or two for a walk, or help build shelves, scoop poop, or whatever else needs doing...

YAPA is also organizing a Spay and Neuter Clinic for cats to be held in September,

AND Tom and I are currently fostering 2 puppies.

Meet      Netira                                 and                                         
                                                                     Ceniza




















These two pups were abandoned outside the santuario evolucion a few weeks ago at about 5 weeks of age.  They were to young to get the vaccines vital to their health in this type of communal environment (possibility of many communicable diseases).

They are now nearly old enough to get their inoculations and return to the shelter - 

please don't let them - 

someone please adopt one or both of these babies.  They are ready to go now, they have been undergoing all their worming, building up their immunity, B12 to fight the anemia, they eat well on their own, are learning their names, and are just so loving and attentive. They will be able to start their vaccines next week.

They are seriously adorable, just look at what I'm talkin about

how can you not want to touch that!

Look at this, just after snapping this shot she grabbed a chunk of plant and did two laps around my feet.

no words needed, just simply adorable!

just look at that chest, so pretty!

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

American TV

So I'm sitting here in front of the computer answering emails, and checking facebook, with the TV on to the Emmy Awards.

I can't believe how out of touch we are with current American TV.   We have Cablemas TV service which gives us quite a few American TV shows; Albeit most are at least a year behind.    So many of the shows being mentioned I have never even heard of.  

Quite few friends down here subscribe to US or Canadian satellite TV services.  We rarely watch TV when we visit with friends; although we have gone to friends for a particular broadcast event, or for sports events, but I don't think we've ever just gone and ended up watching TV. 

 Dang, might have to reconsider that Satellite service

Ah well, just sayin!!!!

my dog is a racist

I actually had to verify the difference between bigot and racist -

according to Joncey via wikiAnswers 

• A racist is someone who believes in the superiority of one race over another, or who acts differently (usually negatively) towards a person or a group of people because of their race.  
• A bigot is a blinkered, narrow-minded person, usually also very intolerant and unable to see anyone else's point of view. People can be bigoted about things that have nothing to do with race, for example, religion or sexual orientation.
• All racists are bigots, but by no means are all bigots racist

I know my dog is a racist, and according to this definition she is also a bigot! 

She is afraid and aggressive against people with dark skin.  We have friends, lots of different color friends; she is wary with people she doesn't know that are light, but afraid and aggressive of dark skinned people.

You may remember - it was just at 2 years ago that we picked her up off the highway -
she was so young, too young to be harboring these tendencies, or perhaps not....

she looks like she could take your head off doesn't she?

Well when we have workers, typically maya, she is aggressive and barks at them.  We have to tell them to ignore her and she will stop; and she does eventually become friendly towards them, if they are here a few days.

When black friends come over, she reacts badly...

Just look at that face; hard to believe she could be that way - Right?

Today we went to the beach, Tech loves the beach - she loves to run in the sand, and she likes the water.  

After the beach we decided to stop for some lunch, and a cold beer sounded really nice - so we headed to the malecon at Progresso.  When in Progresso we typically stop and San Marino which offers beach side service.

And of course all the vendors wanted to sell us something - oh my gosh, she was horrible, barking, snarling, snapping...at least the vendors left us alone. 

The waiter was fabulous, and got an extra tip. We were going to leave after a beer and just eat when we got home,  I could tell he was concerned but he always approached slowly and so that she could see him coming - she didn't get used to him, but she at least didn't harass him, and we got to eat some ceviche!



 Oh my gosh - my dog is  racist!!!

No more waiting for the rinse cycle

It's the little things that mean so much.  

Way back when I lived in Coloado I had a Downy fabric softener ball.  For whatever reason when packing to move  MEXICO it went into the I don't need to pack this pile!  Oh what a mistake! I hate having to be that attentive to the washer cycle to be able to add the fabric softener.

Well, this past week, friend dear friend Nancy returned from the good ole USofA with a brand spankin new Downy ball for me!   Oh joy, oh bliss, oh the freedom to roam unencumbered while the wash is washing, to go freely about my morning ablutions unencumbered and free of mind and spirit.

Oh Thank You Nancy, and Thank You Downy!

Allianz Health/Medical Insurance experience

William Lawson, aka The Neurotic Foreigner posts at Lawsons Yucatan,  he has several blogs all under this one site so poke around and see what's there!

Lawson recently posted a blog about  a 2 year old experience he had with Allianz Insurance. 

So just which is it by the way?  Medical Insurance or Health Insurance! 

We have had our health coverage policy with Allianz now for 4 years and have never had cause to use it.  For us it is a 'Major' Medical, or catastrophic event policy.

We recently had to put our policy, its coverage, and our Agent to the test. (by the way, as a result of this experience we found out that our 'Agent', wasn't really an Agent, just a Seller.  He has now done whatever he needed to do and is an 'Agent'.)

We had to have a pre-arranged procedure - the doctor wanted to move right away with it, but we had to wait a bit for our busy social schedule to clear, and good thing because we needed the extra time for our coverage to, well, cover. 

According to our Agent you need to give 3-days notice for an arranged/scheduled procedure. This is to get the paperwork sbmitted and ensure all necessary forms are submitted to the Hspital for proper coverage.   No problem,  we have all the correct forms, one set which must be filled out by the doctor.  So off to the doctors office -  Okay, we got that done - now with the other set we're off to the Allianz office to get the assistance of our Agent with the Agency forms, which naturally are in Spanish.  Now we have enough Spanish to deal with most of the questions, but still, for security, we had some questions and clarifications.  OKAY, so now all the forms are filled out, Thank goodness the secretary at the Allianz office knows what is going on, because everyone in the office was coming to her to get info and to ask questions!  Which could explain why some of our answers from our Agent were/are a bit vague.

It took 5 days to get the approval for the procedure, thank goodness it wasn't seriously urgent.

So the day of the procedure, we turn up with all our paperwork, who by the way had not received prior notification from the Insurance Group, which is of course why they require you to fill out all the paperwork in advance, hmmmmmmm.   Thank goodness the Doctor had turned in his requests for the procedure so that room, and services were in place.

The entire procedure; all Doctor and Anesthesiologist costs, surgical room and supplies, hospital stay and room supplies were covered.  A lab work procedure was not covered (because it was sent out to a separate lab and not done at the hospital lab) which caused me to have to go home to get money upon check out.  Most inconvenient.

We turned in paperwork for reimbursement of that lab work expense, as well as for the follow up Dr visits, and the prescriptions.   That paperwork was turned in and we were told 1 week to process. Oh, by the way, you must get a factura for any prescription, medical appointment, or coverable expense to be considered for reimbursement.  Regular old receipts(notas) won't do. (this only means anything to us living in Mexico).  A factura is an 'Official' receipt.  It guarantees that that the cost has been properly documented and reported to Hacienda(equivalent of the US's IRS).  Typically you pay a small premium for a purchase or payment when you request a factura, and you must request the factura BEFORE the purchase/service is paid.

Okay, after 3+ weeks and hearing not peep one,  we call our agent to follow up on the reimbursement.
Yee gads it's in!  When we inquired as to why our Agent didn't contact us that the check was in we were told it wasn't his department and he didn't know.  OK?

So overall, the coverage was 5star.  Dealing with the paperwork and our Agent was 3stars. But now we know stuff, so IF there is a next time we'll be better prepared.

Starry Starry Night

Well we managed to be up into the wee hours of the morning to observe the Perseids meteor shower. 

But it was earlier in the evening that we were able to observe the crescent moon along with Saturn, Mars, and Venus.  Pretty phenominal.

Very cool stuff.  We have always tried to see whatever atronomy event was happening and visible wherever we are/were.   I think the first time we saw the Perseids was from a dock on the island of Guanaja, Honduras in 1988....

From some internet research:

August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. This year's shower should peak on the night of August 12 and the morning of the 13th, but you may be able to see some meteors any time from July 23 - August 22. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Perseus. The thin, crescent moon will be out of the way early, setting the stage for a potentially spectacular show. For best viewing, look to the northeast after midnight.  (This info was spot on, we stood along the edge of the pool gazing towards the North East and were not disappointed)

August 13 - Triple Conjunction with the Moon. The planets Venus, Mars, and Saturn will all be close to the thin, crescent moon on this evening. Look to the west just after sunset. (again, spot on, I only wish I knew then which bright light was which planet)  Now, I've seen this photo from the internet

If you missed last nights show, don't fear; look whats happening in jus the next few nights

Friday, August 13
•Low in the west in twilight, the crescent Moon is about 10° left of Venus, as shown above.
Saturday, August 14
•Arcturus is the brightest star high in the west after dusk (high above the place where Venus declines and sets). At about the same height to its right in the northwest, look for the Big Dipper now turning right-side up. Nearly as high in the northeast, W-shaped Cassiopeia is climbing upward.
An easy way to find Arcturus is to follow the arc of the handle of the Big Dipper. By continuing in this path, one can find Spica (α Virginis) as well—hence the maxim, "Arc to Arcturus, then speed on to Spica."

Don McLean's Starry Starry Night lyrics
 
Starry, starry night.


Paint your palette blue and grey,

Look out on a summer's day,

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.

Shadows on the hills,

Sketch the trees and the daffodils,

Catch the breeze and the winter chills,

In colors on the snowy linen land.



Now I understand what you tried to say to me,

How you suffered for your sanity,

How you tried to set them free.

They would not listen, they did not know how.

Perhaps they'll listen now.



Starry, starry night.

Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,

Swirling clouds in violet haze,

Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.

Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,

Weathered faces lined in pain,

Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.



Now I understand what you tried to say to me,

How you suffered for your sanity,

How you tried to set them free.

They would not listen, they did not know how.

Perhaps they'll listen now.



For they could not love you,

But still your love was true.

And when no hope was left in sight

On that starry, starry night,

You took your life, as lovers often do.

But I could have told you, Vincent,

This world was never meant for one

As beautiful as you.



Starry, starry night.

Portraits hung in empty halls,

Frameless head on nameless walls,

With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.

Like the strangers that you've met,

The ragged men in the ragged clothes,

The silver thorn of bloody rose,

Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.



Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,

How you suffered for your sanity,

How you tried to set them free.

They would not listen, they're not listening still.

Perhaps they never will...

Agua de Chaya

About 3 weeks ago Tom and I started a daily ritual of drinking agua de chaya. 

Although it is common practice here in Mexico to use the leaves raw in agua fresca, a tea-like cold drink, chaya does contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are a source of cyanide poisoning.  Therefore according to most US and English resources it should not be eaten raw. Boiling leaves for at least 5 minutes releases the cyanide and makes the leaves safe to eat. Even though some people tend to eat raw chaya leaves, it is unwise to do so.


An analysis of raw and cooked samples of chaya leaves revealed that cooking may increase the relative composition of carbohydrate and fat and decrease relative composition of crude fiber and protein. On the other hand, cooked samples of chaya leaves were considerably higher in calcium, phosphorus and iron while the potassium content was relatively lower than in the raw samples. The increase in some of the mineral nutrients may be due to the cooking process, which allows extraction of the nutrients from the tissues, therefore increasing the percentage of mineral elements while decreasing moisture content (Booth, S., R. Bressani, and T. Johns. 1992. Nutrient content of selected indigenous leafy vegetable consumed by Kekchi people of Alta Verapaz, Guatamela. J. Food Compos. Anal. 5:25-34.).

Chaya must not be cooked in Aluminum, as a toxic reaction can result causing diarrhea.  Chaya gets a little tougher when cooked, so use the more tender young leaves for cooking.

Some types of Chaya have stinging hairs on the stems and leaves.  You need to be cautious if using these leaves and wear gloves or plastic bags over your hands until the stinging hairs are completey removed. Finding chaya leaves, and or plants to grow the chaya without the stinging hairs is fairly easy so avoid the spiny ones whenever possible.

My preparation; after consulting with several 'locals' on how best to prepare and consume agua de chaya is to clean 5-6 medium/large chaya leaves, squeeze 4 medium limon indio (local limes), add honey to taste, I use about a tablespoon of local honey to 1 liter of water and blend till the leaves are pulverized.

I keep reading more and more about the potential harm from cyanide poising from consuming uncooked chaya.  To date, neither Tom nor I have noticed any ill effects.  I am however considering the 5 minute boil prior to blending the ingredients; but only becuase we are drinking our agua de chaya daily.

In some regions chaya is called chaya col or chaya mansa. The botanical name is Cnidoscolus chayamansa.

Chaya is one of those miracle foods that more people need to be aware of, especially those in disadvntaged circumstances; first because it is incredibly easy to grow, and second because of the nurition it contains.  

From Purdue's Horticultural Studies area:

Nutritional composition of leaves of "chaya"

(Cnidoscolus chayamansa McVaughn)  per 100 g fresh weight.

Water (%) 85.3

Protein (%) 5.7

Fat (%) 0.4

Crude fiber (%) 1.9

Total CHO (%) 4.2

Ash (%) 2.2

Calcium (mg/100g) 199.4

Phosphorus (mg/100g) 39.0

Potassium (mg/100g) 217.2

Iron (mg/100g) 11.4

Ascorbic acid (mg/100g) 164.7

Carotenoids (mg/100g) 0.085

Average nutritive valuey 14.94

Health claims attributed to the ingestion of chaya:

Improve blood circulation,

help digestion,

improve vision,

disinflame veins and hemorrhoids,

help lower cholesterol,

help reduce weight,

prevent coughs,

augment calcium in the bones,

decongest and disinfect the lungs,

prevent anemia by replacing iron in the blood,

improve memory and brain function and

combat arthritis and diabetes.

chaya is richer in iron than spinach, and a powerful source of potassium and calcium.

I am decreasing the vitamin and mineral supplements I take due to this new agua de chaya regime;  I am still in the experimental phase, and after 3weeks don't yet feel ready to offer up an opinion on the benefits.   Time will tell!

I came across this info on cyanide poisoning, which I find very interesting:

How can people be exposed to cyanides?


People may be exposed to low levels of cyanides in their daily lives from foods, smoking and other sources. Eating or drinking cyanide-containing foods may cause health effects. Breathing cyanide gas, especially in a poorly ventilated space, has the greatest potential for harm. Lethal exposures to cyanides result only from accidents or intentional acts. Because of their quick-acting nature, cyanides may be used as agents of terrorism.

How does cyanide act in the body?

After exposure, cyanide quickly enters the bloodstream. The body handles small amounts of cyanide differently than large amounts. In small doses, cyanide in the body can be changed into thiocyanate, which is less harmful and is excreted in urine. In the body, cyanide in small amounts can also combine with another chemical to form vitamin B12, which helps maintain healthy nerve and red blood cells. In large doses, the body’s ability to change cyanide into thiocyanate is overwhelmed. Large doses of cyanide prevent cells from using oxygen and eventually these cells die. The heart, respiratory system and central nervous system are most susceptible to cyanide poisoning.

What are the specific signs and symptoms of cyanide poisoning?

The health effects from high levels of cyanide exposure can begin in seconds to minutes. Some signs and symptoms of such exposures are:

• Weakness and confusion
• Headache
• Nausea/feeling "sick to your stomach"
• Gasping for air and difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness/"passing out"
• Seizures
• Cardiac arrest

The severity of health effects depends upon the route and duration of exposure, the dose, and the form of cyanide.

the chaya plant foto is from the internet, the other 2 are mine.

  Also, much of this info came directly from internet searches,

although some words are actually mine.

La Señora de la Asunción (Our Lady of the Assumption)

I've posted before about the multi-day festival La Asuncion that happens yearly at  our local iglesia de San Sebastian.

You can read one post here

and another post here

I don't like to re-post/re-write about recurring events to much but I thought I'd sort of break a rule; although I'm not really posting about the event, just sharing a video taken by a local fellow Erich whose new site In the Yucatan has some pretty interesting stuff; mostly in video form.

Anyway,  he was at the event one of the evenings I was there with a small group of amigos,  as we were standing outside the field, watching the torrito spewing fire, mayhem, injury, and possible death one of the projectiles did in fact come straight at our little crowd. It passed through the wire fence, hit several of us, or could have been us hitting each other what with all the jumping, and flailing...We jumped, we screamed, we laughed and damn it we were down right acting like locals. 

Now Erich didn't catch this on his video, but you can see what I mean...Not for the faint of heart!!!

CLICK HERE

Restaurant Review - G & G Restaurante

The following review was made by Yolisto.com member NewYorkChef; You must be a member of the Forum to view it - I requested and was authorized by NewYorkChef to repost his review here!

Reviewed: G&G Restaurante - Carnes

Posted On 07/27/2010 13:30:24 by NewYorkChef

My review this week is for a brand new steak house that has recently opened up. It is located on a side street in Fracc. Malaga in Col. Chuburna. The place is called “G & G Restaurante - Carnes.“ It is owned and operated by a father and son team, Gonzalo Caceres Sr & Gonzalo Caceres Jr. The place is down a street that you would never drive down unless you were looking for it: A side street just two traffic lights past Costco driving south on Calle 60, make a right onto Calle 21.

The restaurant is easy to find. It is painted white with yellow stripes, and there is plenty of shaded parking. G & G Restaurante is new and small, and when the word gets out, it will get very busy, so go visit now.  





As you enter, you will notice outstanding photography on the walls, done by Gonzalos Sr´s Father. The place is air conditioned and very refreshing. One of the things I look for are the seats and tables, and they hit it right on with that, nice comfortable seats and tables with their design under glass.    

We have eaten here four times now, so this review is going to cover the four visits. As you enter, you will be greeted by Gonzalo Sr. and he gives you a very warm welcome. Then, your waiter, by the name of Rodolfo, will bring you some homemade tortilla chips with 3 different types of salsas. The restaurant is brand new, with all new tables, chairs and décor. The restrooms have got to be some of the cleanest I have ever seen in Mexico. The kitchen is spotless, and you can see the chef cooking away at his grill.

Gonzalo owns a cattle ranch out in the country, and raises his very own beef for his restaurant, so you know you are getting fresh meat.



On our first visit two weeks ago, we started with appetizers, so we ordered the Cesar salad, Chorizo Argentino, Chistorra, BBQ Ribs, Beef Brisket, Guacamole and Queso Funidio.

Our appetizers arrived within a short time, and we were off. The Chistorra was delicious and cooked to perfection with that fantastic charbroiled flavor.

The Chorizo Argentino has red wine in it, and we both agreed it was not very good; they need to remove the red wine, it gives it a funny sour taste.



The Ribs are tender, and served with 3 different types of sauces on the side, mango, plum, and BBQ. It would be nice if the sauce was cooked into the meat, so you get that delicious caramelization found in BBQ ribs, and we also found that the ribs could be a little less smoky.

The Brisket was very good, slow cooked and melts in your mouth.

The Queso Funidio with flour tortillas was delicious and nice and hot.

The guacamole is very good, and they give you a very good portion, with chips, and I don´t like guacamole, but this one I will eat.   As we eat our lunch, Rodolfo, our very attentive waiter, made sure we were enjoying our food, and if we needed anything.

For our main course we ordered G & G´s Arracheras for 2 persons you get 500 gr of meat with steak fries and coleslaw for $150.00 mxp

The Arracheras meat is very tender and with a very nice taste, with a nice hint of a charbroiled flavor. The steak fries are very good, hot and crispy.

We also ordered the Caesar salad, with G & G´s homemade croutons. The Salad is chopped, and Caesar salad should be never chopped, it should be large bit size leaves not small, and when it is chopped up in such small pieces, it is hard to keep on your fork. The croutons are delicious and they serve you extra cheese on the side, very good, and the salad was nice and cold.

The next time we went we went there for their 2 Hamburgers with French Fries for only $50.00 mxp. Yes, two hamburgers for only $50.00 mxp! What a deal!

The Hamburgers are handmade from G&G´s very own beef, and then charbroiled. You may want to order a side of fries, since they only give you a small amount with your burger.

So, two people can eat a very inexpensive lunch when you order the 2 Hamburgers and Fries for $50.00 mxp and if you get the iced tea (delicious) you get free refills.
 

If you get the Iced Tea or Horchata, they come with free refills, but sodas are by the can with no refills.



We went back this week, and I had the New York Strip cooked medium rare, and my wife had the Sirloin cooked medium. Let me tell you that is some tender steaks, and they melt in your mouth, and Cristy´s Sirloin, was so tender that she could cut with a fork, wow, it was so good. It comes with steak fries and a roasted whole onion, with grated cheese on top, and that too was very good.

I also had the Queso Funidio, I just love cheese.

For desert, we had a ricotta chocolate pie that was to die for, man that was good.

We met Barbara at G & G´s a very good friend of ours there, and in Merida you always seem to run into your friends. We know that she is a vegetarian, and I asked her what she could possibly order there. She showed me a very large Caesar salad, with lots of tomatoes, carrot shavings, and homemade croutons. Barbara did not have the croutons on her salad, she always orders this BIG SALAD there, so I suggested calling it “ The Barbara Salad” so if you’re a vegetarian, and want a nice large salad, or you just want a large salad, tell Gonzalo that you would like the Barbara Salad, but ask for the croutons.

Our average bill is about $500.00 mxp for two.

It is worth your time to try this new steak house. It is a friendly place, clean, cool a/c, and has great food. And they take credit cards... a plus in my book.

I give G & G Restaurante - Carnes  4 Chef Hats out of 4.


G & G RESTAURANTE HOURS:
1:00pm to 7:00pm
Tuesday to Sunday
Closed Mondays

Visit G & G on Facebook: Facebook G & G - Restaurante
Payment Options: CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS AND CASH TOO

Address:
Calle 21 No. 375 x 60 Fracc. Malaga, Merida

__________________________________________________________________________

Tom and I have visited the restaurant twice since reading NewYorkChef's review, each time with a different set of friends.  

On whole, we all agree the food is good,  the service of Rodolfo is exceptional, in fact at times a bit too attentive.  The meat is fresh and tasty, unfortunately the cut of the cuts is erratic; it was explained that they cut all meat by hand, no machines.  Additionally, the cooking is not quite right; seems to me the grilling surface is not hot enough so that you don't get that good sear on the outside of the meat. The salads are really good, and the roasted onion with it's cooking liquor/sauce/gravy is exceptional.  The chimichurri is tasty, however the oil used is a bit heavy.  The tortillas and tostados are fabulous.   

As sr Caceres Sr explained to us the meat is all from his ranch in Tizimin, and the animals are all corn fed and butchering takes place when the animals are about 14months of age.

G & G does not yet have their liquor license but are expecting it any day.

Overall I'd give it a 3 1/2 stars.  They are inquisitive as to what we, extranjeros want, and seems they are willing to incorporate those requests into their daily plan.

Definitely worth a try,

the roasted onion,  delicious

OK, and as best as I can remember, these are correctly named

the new york

the arrachera

the rib eye

the sirloin