Live Healthy America- Mexico!

My students loved learning about Mexico this week!  Many of them said they have eaten at Mexican restaurants lately and were excited to make our recipe!  We pointed out Mexico on the map and then learned facts about Mexico.  Chili peppers are popular there and protect against bacterial infections common in hot climates.  The active ingredient kills harmful germs/ bacteria in the intestines.  Corn tortillas are an important part of the Mexican diet and are traditionally eaten with rice and beans.  Guacamole is a popular way to serve avocados.  A mexican cooking tool is a tortillera.  A tortilla is made when a ball of dough is pressed between the two plates of the tortillera.  We also learned about Los Dias de los Muertos, also known as the day of the dead.  It is a Mexican celebration to celebrate, remember and prepare special foods in honor of those who have passed away.  This is a very happy holiday and is celebrated with remembrance and joy.  On this day in Mexico, the streets near the cemeteries are filled with decoration of papel picado (paper decorations) and flowers, candy calaveras (skeletons and skulls) and parades.  The recipe we made was frijoles and tortillas.  Enjoy!