Every Day is Magic: Ada Limón
In her 2015 collection, Bright Dead Things, a National Book Award finalist for poetry, Ada Limón writes of moving to Kentucky: “Confession: I did not want to live here.” It’s perhaps not a surprising sentiment coming from a coastally oriented person who was raised in Northern California, attended college in Seattle, and then spent over a decade in New York City.
But Limón and her husband, Lucas, have been in Lexington for seven years now and the effects of settling into this place are noticeable in her new book, The Carrying (Milkweed, Aug.). It’s a phenomenally lively and attentive collection replete with the trappings of living a little closer to nature. While Bright Dead Things is marked by a preponderance of light, such as images of fireflies and neon signs, The Carrying features numerous appearances by various trees, birds, and beetles. Limón also demonstrates a greater willingness to be explicit in naming colors, particularly green. “It’s crazy green, the whole book,” she says. “Lexington is the greenest place I’ve ever lived.” Similarly, where in Bright Dead Things, Limón tells a lot of stories and anecdotes, in The Carrying she is very present in her thoughts and experiences.
As it turns out, these shifts in focus have another, altogether unexpected source. While putting Bright Dead Things together, Limón was diagnosed with chronic vestibular neuronitis, which can cause bouts of vertigo. “If I’m really having vertigo, it’s pretty intense and I really have to focus,”
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10 Red Flags That Pros Know Mean A Bad Mexican Restaurant
“…Here is a selection of red flags that could make you question a Mexican restaurant’s know-how and professionalism, according to Miguel Martín Gómez, the well-traveled chef and owner of Colíma Cocina Mexicana in Amsterdam. Additional insight is provided by Tom Gilliland, the award-winning co-founder of Fonda San Miguel in Austin. So, hold that tequila shot ritual and keep your eyes peeled for those cheddar-smothered appetizers, canned tomatoes, and beef fajitas….”
Professional tips for making great guacamole
“…To check the ripeness of the fruit (we all know avocado is a fruit, yes?), Rodarte suggests looking for two indicators. First, touch. Gently press the skin and “it will tell you right away if it’s soft.” Second, break off the little piece of stem at the top of the avocado and look at the little navel-like circle underneath. If it’s bright green, the avocado should be ripe. White is under-ripe, and brown is past its prime…”
https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/may/08/professional-tips-for-making-great-guacamole/
East Village Mexican-American cocktail bar Superbueno crowned best in the U.S.
“…The cocktail menu features distinct creations inspired by Mexican cuisine, like the fan-favorite Green Mango Martini (tequila, mango eau de vie, sauternes, green mango, and honey), the Vodka Y Soda (vodka, guava, pasilla, soda), and the Mushroom Margarita (mezcal, Cointreau, huitlacoche, lime, and lava salt)…”
https://www.6sqft.com/east-village-mexican-american-cocktail-bar-superbueno-crowned-best-in-the-us/
Canada seeks Mexican talent
“…The Directorate of Immigration Services of the Québec Government Office in Mexico in partnership with Montreál International announced the search for qualified personnel to work in one of the most important cities of the French-speaking province.
The search for Mexican talent is due to the fact that Mexico has professionals specialized in this sector with high quality training, they are receptive to immigration, they adapt easily, and Québec is geographically close, culturally familiar and Latin American…”
Renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés to deliver inspirational talk for UCSB Arts & Lectures
“…A pioneer of Spanish tapas in the U.S., Andrés is known for his avant-garde cuisine and his nearly three dozen restaurants located throughout the U.S. and beyond. He has received James Beard Awards for outstanding chef and for humanitarian of the year. In 2023, his show “José Andrés and Family in Spain” received an Emmy Award for outstanding culinary series.
As a committed advocate on food and hunger, Andrés has participated in the national debate on food policy. WCK, which he founded in 2010, delivers food relief to communities in the wake of natural and humanitarian disasters…”
Experts Warn of Toxins in GM Corn Amid US-Mexico Trade Dispute
“…”The absence of any systematic monitoring of human exposure levels to Bt/VIP toxins and herbicides from consumption of corn-based foods is regrettable,” the brief adds. “It is also unfortunate that the U.S. government rejected the Mexican proposal to jointly design and carry out a modern battery of studies able to overcome gaps in knowledge regarding GE corn impacts.”…”
About 1 in 10 restaurants in the U.S. serve Mexican food
“Mexican culture is widely established in America’s restaurants. Some 11% of restaurants in the United States serve Mexican food, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from SafeGraph, which curates information about millions of places of interest around the globe, and the user review site Yelp.
Although especially common in California and Texas, Mexican restaurants are found in a large majority of counties in the U.S. Some 37.2 million people in the U.S. trace their ancestry to Mexico, making Mexican Americans by far the largest Hispanic origin group in the nation…”
Mexican American family launches food truck in Lewisville
“…Sol Muniz and his wife, Karla Delgado, opened La Callejera food truck on Thanksgiving Day. “We figured what better way to give thanks than to work on the opening of our food truck. We actually had a good day,” Muniz said.
The family moved to the Triad from Palm Springs last June to be closer to Delgado’s mother and stepfather. “We wanted to give our kids a better life, better schooling,” Muniz said.
“California had gotten so expensive,” Delgado said. “And my mom was always saying, ‘You should move here and get a food trailer’ – so we did!”…
Mexican Americans Face Higher Odds for Liver Cancer With Each New Generation
- “Mexican-Americans born and raised in the United States have higher odds for liver cancer than those born in Mexico
- This uptick in risk is increasing with each successive generation, new research shows
- Lifestyle factors — obesity, drinking, smoking — are partly to blame, but other issues may play a role…”
- https://www.healthday.com/health-news/cancer/mexican-americans-face-higher-odds-for-liver-cancer-with-each-new-generation
Mexican and Cuban experts to discuss diversification of the sugar agroindustry
“HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 3 (ACN) Experts and specialists of the Associations of Sugar Technicians of Cuba and Mexico (ATAC-ATAM) are meeting today in Havana for their 7th meeting on the flexibility and diversification of the sugar agribusiness in their countries and also in Brazil.
The deliberations will be held at the National Sugar Training Center, starting from the consideration of aspects common to their respective managements, especially for a space for analysis, reflection and exchange of experiences, ATAC reported exclusively to the Cuban News Agency.
Mainly, it added, to contribute to the reorientation and development of the productive chains of co-products and derivatives, in an efficient and effective way in the current conditions, taking into account the requirements of sugarcane agriculture that supports it…”
Veteran Mexican-American restaurateurs open new restaurant
“The family that has owned Taqueria El Paisano on the Southside for about 20 years has a new restaurant on the other side of town.
Luna Playa Taqueria & Bar opened Aug. 4 at 2021 Griffith Road just off Hanes Mall Boulevard and next to Lucha Libre Ice Cream & Churros…”
How the concha became a symbol of Mexican American identity
“Not all pan dulces are created equal. Cuernitos, puerquitos, orejas, they each have their place, sure. But one stands above the rest, at least in terms of icon status: the concha.
Indeed, the fluffy, brioche-like bun topped with colorful, crumbly seashell designs has attracted quite the cult following, inspiring a slew of merch and art. For Chicanos in particular, the sweet treat has become a mascot. Just look at Panaderia Vanessa, a California bakery pumping out delicious Barbie-themed conchas. But what is it about the concha that has elicited such fanfare?…”
https://www.latimes.com/delos/story/2023-07-27/concha-symbol-of-mexican-american-identity
How Northgate González Market Engages Its Key Mexican American Consumer Base
“…Mexican Americans comprise approximately 70% of the U.S. Hispanic population of more than 60 million; therefore, successful marketing to the Mexican American population in the U.S. is a critical element of a thriving Hispanic marketing practice. Marketing to immigrants and first-generation Mexican Americans is the daily bread and butter for brand marketers at southwestern U.S.-based retailers and supermarkets. 43-year-old Northgate González Market is a prime example of a retail organization that almost exclusively targets Mexican American consumers. Northgate operates 43 stores in Southern California with an annual revenue of approximately US $1.3 billion. (The multicultural grocery market is estimated at US$ 50 billion in annual sales)…”
oe Biden raises eyebrows with ‘Flamin’ Hot’ Eva Longoria embrace
“President Biden got a little too close to actress Eva Longoria at the White House Thursday night — before the Hollywood starlet guided the 80-year-old’s mitts to relative safety.
The president embraced the “Desperate Housewives” alum after addressing a film screening of her directorial debut, “Flamin’ Hot,” but let his hands hover a bit too long on her waist before the actress quickly moved to grasp them and took a step back…”
https://nypost.com/2023/06/16/biden-gets-handsy-with-eva-longoria-at-white-house/
How Tajin Expands its Marketing Beyond its Mexican American Core Consumer
“Tajin, the Mexican company that produces several varieties of condiments consisting predominantly of chili peppers, lime and salt, entered the U.S. market in 1993. It has since obtained a considerable following among Mexican Americans. The brand also targets the overall U.S. population transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries. Portada interviewed Luis Alfaro, Brand Leader at Tajin USA…”
After growing GM corn for decades, some US farmers open to Mexican restrictions
“CHICAGO, April 6 (Reuters) – Mexico has found unexpected allies as it tries to limit imports of genetically modified (GM) corn: some U.S. farmers who grow the crops.
Farmers have for decades planted GM corn, which protects against insects and weedkillers, with seeds sold by companies like Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE), Corteva Inc (CTVA.N) and ChemChina’s Syngenta.
But as believers in a free market, some say the U.S. should agree to sell Mexico non-GM corn, rather than deepen a trade dispute over the proposal, and note they could earn a premium for growing more conventional corn…”
El Paso chef behind Elemi’s gourmet tacos named semifinalist for James Beard award
“…Elemi, 313 N Kansas St., is owned by Marentes and his wife, Kristal.
The Downtown restaurant makes authentic, handmade blue corn tortillas and specialty tacos, like El Campesino, made with confit portobello mushrooms and grilled eggplant, avocado, queso, and black beans.
Marentes is the only semifinalist from Texas up for the “Outstanding Chef ” award…”
Explainer: What is the US-Mexico GM corn dispute about?
“…March 8 (Reuters) – The U.S. has requested formal trade consultations with Mexico over the Latin American country’s plans to restrict imports of genetically modified corn.
The North American neighbors will inch closer to a full-blown trade dispute under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade (USMCA) if there is no resolution during the talks, which Mexico says will last one month.
-old native varieties and has questioned their impact on human health….”
https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/what-is-us-mexico-gm-corn-dispute-about-2023-03-08/
U.S. demands formal talks with Mexico over GMO corn dispute
“CHICAGO/WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) – The United States requested formal trade consultations with Mexico on Monday over U.S. objections to its southern neighbor’s plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn and other agricultural biotechnology products.
The U.S. Trade Representative’s office announced the request for technical talks after months of informal discussions with Mexican officials over their plans to ban GMO corn for human consumption failed to satisfy U.S. trade officials…”
Restaurant review: Mexican, American, Indian? Sabores has you covered
“Can’t decide what you’re in the mood for?
Burrito? Tacos? Burger? Hot dog? Pasta? BBQ ribs? Salmon? Po’ boy? Gumbo? Curry?
Eduardo Garduno, who for 17 years was the chef at the former Dobhan and Chautara restaurants, makes all of that and more at Sabores Fusion Grill on State Street, which he opened in August.
During two recent visits, my favorite thing was the smash burger ($10.99). I didn’t expect two patties, and they were particularly juicy and flavorful. The bun held up to the substantial amount of meat plus cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and white onion. The menu mentioned special sauce, but it was hard to detect…”
