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Celebrating 4th of July Latina Style! 

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The Fourth of July holiday weekend is here! The U.S. national holiday is known for its fantastic firework shows, barbecues, picnics, and outdoor parties. If there’s anything we Latinas love is a good celebration. Today we’re sharing some fun ideas to give your 4th of July a Latina twist! 

Celebrate 4th of July Latina Style! (Design photo created by freepik)

Get the music pumping 

It’s not a Latina party if there isn’t music! Kick off your 4th of July Latina style celebration with some Latin favorites. Curate your own fabulous playlist or invite music-playing friends to bring their instruments and share some live tunes. With the right music, your celebration is off to a great start. 

Make it an asado 

Next– the food. Food is everything at a Latina party. It’s the center focus, the thing that brings everyone together. It is the foundation of the party, especially for a 4th of July celebration where the air is always smokey and sweet from the holiday’s signature BBQs. Here is the perfect place to give the holiday a little Latina flavor! Instead of just the usual hamburgers and hot dogs, make it a truly Latino asado. Incorporate other meats and foods traditional to your country. You can make carne asada marinated with chimichurri, elote, chorizo, and more!  

Fun flavors for all 

While the barbecue is a staple of the holiday, there are other tasty ways to add a Latin touch to your celebration. While you’re outside enjoying the warm weather, cool down with some traditional Latino cocktails and frozen drinks like mojitos, margaritas, and sangria. Then, break out the snacks and appetizers with chips and salsa, guacamole, or your favorite traditional dip, tapas, tortillas, empanadas, and traditional meats, cheeses, and ensaladas. And of course, no Latina meal is complete without the desserts! Prepare some of your favorite sweet treats to share with friends and family. 

Dance the night away

Get ready for a long night! No Latino party is a short event. And what better way to pass the time than to dance to those fun Latino tunes? You can even combine traditional Latin dances and songs with patriotic classics to create fun remixes in a fusion of cultures and heritages. Did you know there’s even a salsa version of The Star Spangled Banner? Check it out on YouTube and let it inspire you to create your own remix as a representation of the melting pot of cultures that makes the U.S. the diverse and multicultural nation it is.

You might be interested: Honoring and remembering the Latina heroes of the past this Memorial Day

empathy in the workplace heart disease

Heart disease among Latinas reversing the trend

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Latinas have a higher risk of developing heart disease and it is the leading cause of death among this population. However, few Hispanic women know about this killer disease. Here are some easy steps you can take to prevent heart disease happen to you and your family.

empathy in the workplace heart disease

While heart disease doesn’t discriminate, it does have a “racial preference” where Hispanic and Latina women are concerned. And statistics are proof. According to Go Red for Women:

  • On average, Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than non-Hispanics.
  • Only 1 in 3 Hispanic women are aware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer.

As a Latina I had to find out why and share how we can educate ourselves, reverse the trend and become preventive in our health instead of reactive.

But first let’s dig deeper into the why….

Heart disease is a “familia” affair

Family history most certainly plays a huge factor. But another overlooked cause is that many Latinas are predominantly the primary caretaker for their family and often neglect their own health…sound familiar? And often being the caretaker largely involves cooking for your family because it truly is a genuine act of love that can involve unhealthy pork products, loads of unhealthy carbohydrates and lard.

The assimilation to American traditions has also increased contributing to the quality of our diets deteriorating. Health concerns or problems are faced alone because you would not even think about burdening your family. And lastly, we are not educated enough about heart disease and how to prevent it.

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So what can we do about it?

First and foremost, we must commit to taking care of ourselves first! As I often tell my clients, “you cannot pour from an empty cup.” This requires you to make your health a priority in your life.

So now that you have made the commitment you might be asking yourself, “How do I start?” Here are some easy ways to start investing in your health.

  1. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of heart disease… knowledge is power.
  2. Take note of what you are cooking and how. Take a journal and track it for just 7 days. Our nutrition should be viewed as “fuel” for our bodies. If you fuel your body poorly, your body will function poorly.
  3. Learn how to find healthy swaps of your favorite ingredients so that you can still enjoy your treasured recipes but with a healthier twist! My free community on Facebook, DECIDE COMMIT SUCCEED, offers many alternatives and ways to bump up the health factor in your cooking.
  4. Incorporate daily physical activity…Just 20 minutes a day can help strengthen your cardiovascular system.
  5. Pay attention to saturated fat. Not all fat is bad, but anything with high levels of saturated fat should be avoided.
  6. Make it a lifestyle and not a quick fix…daily consistent habits turn into routine and routine becomes a way of living!

You might be interested: How to fuel your brain and triple your productivity at work

It is possible to create a heart healthy lifestyle that honors and celebrates our strong ties to cultural and family traditions. Start today!