Love, Remembrance & Connection: Learn more about the Dia de los Muertos Celebration and Meaning
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional holiday first practiced thousand of years ago by indigenous people such as the Aztecs and the Toltecs. They didn’t consider death the end of one’s existence but simply another chapter of life. Rather than grieve for their dead, ancient Mexicans celebrated the lives of the deceased and honored their memories. During Dia de los Muertos, observed October 31 – November 2, they believed that the dead had a brief window to leave the spirit realm and visit their loved ones in the mortal world.
An Evaluation & Reflection: Did students benefit from virtual nutrition education during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Schools have reopened, but the pandemic has not ended. In the past year, Common Threads offered virtual nutrition education classes to thousands of students across the country. After a program evaluation, the Research & Evaluation team identified how students benefited from participating in these e-lessons.
Practicing Mindful Eating
Fall into healthy habits this season by practicing mindful eating. So what is mindful eating? Mindful eating is not a diet, and there are no rules or menus. Mindful eating refers to applying mindfulness techniques to eating.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th-October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month, and Common Threads wants to acknowledge the impact of Hispanic-Americans on nutrition and education. It is important to note the difference between the terms “Hispanic,” and “Latinx.”
Switch up your Protein: Facts on Pork
It’s easy to get into a rut when it comes to your weekly meals. One easy way to keep things interesting is by switching up your proteins! Red meat has faced some criticism in the media, but in reality, red meat can be a great addition to a nutritious, balanced diet. Below is some insight on the nutritional benefits and cultural relevance of pork, and some recipe ideas.
Back To School Tips for Parents to have a Healthy School Year
Eating breakfast daily is important for everyone, especially kids! Eating in the morning after a night’s sleep will provide energy to the brain since the body has been fasting overnight. Evidence supports that eating breakfast in the morning has positive health outcomes in terms of improved satiety and appetite control, weight management, and the reduced risk of chronic disease.
You Are Not Alone: Picky Eating Strategies for Kids
Picky eating is normal. Yes! It’s normal! It is believed that picky eating, which can get progressively worse from ages 2 to 6, is a normal survival trait that our ancestors benefited from in order to survive. It makes sense. Having fear of trying new foods saved many from being poisoned. Picky eating also occurs because children are exploring their freedom to make their own choices. It is an independence thing.
Common Threads shares tips for family health on SoFlo Health
SoFlo Health, a local weekly health and wellness show produced by WPLG-Local 10 (Miami’s ABC affiliate) shot a few segments with members of Common Threads’ Miami team, including Chef Instructor Mariano Mercado and Chef Instructor Mimi Chacin
Passion for food and social equity bring Chef Vicky AuYeung to Common Threads
After seven years of working in the culinary industry, Vicky AuYeung was seeking to be a part of an organization whose main focus was to bring people together from local communities through food. With that focus, she found a job opportunity at Common Threads as a New York based chef instructor.
Chicago chef instructor’s journey to Common Threads started in grandmother’s kitchen
Shawanna Kennedy traces her path to teaching culinary arts and nutrition education back to her grandmother’s kitchen. She studied psychology at Southern Illinois University and began working in the mental health field, but found her way to Common Threads after meeting co-founder Chef Art Smith.
