In The Community
Getting ready for Easter weekend
To prepare for Easter weekend, families save the carefully hollowed-out eggshells from their morning breakfast a month or two in advance. These eggshells are then thoroughly cleaned and dyed in bright colors or left undyed before being filled with confetti and covered again with a thin layer of tissue paper or clear tape. Although the additional wrapping of tissue paper is less and lesson common for Latinos in the U.S.
But did you know the story of cascarones began in China?
Photo by Luisfi on Wikimedia Commons
After Marco Polo visited China in the 13th century, he found a version of the cascarones. Those colored eggs were filled with scented powders and they weren’t used for innocent pranks but instead given as gifts. He was delighted by the little discovery, so he shared it with the royal courts of Europe, and that’s how they made their way to Mexico in the mid-1800s through Emperor Maximilian’s wife Carlotta.
Cascarones in Mexico
Once the cascarones arrived in Mexico, the eggs began to evolve. Instead of scented powder, they were filled with confetti. Their use changed as the Latin American sense of humor created its own tradition of cracking them over people’s heads. This inspired the name cascarones, which translates into “shell hits.”
Cascarones in the United States
Eventually, the tradition of cascarones made its way to the United States with the large migration of Mexicans to border towns. You can see the cascarones for yourself in places like Texas, California, and the southwest states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada. While they are used year-round in Latin American countries to celebrate birthdays and other festivities, the Mexican-American culture adopted the practice mainly at Easter festivities.
Leave no trace
Social media post by dinovalleysp
Cascarones are so popular in some states like Texas, they have issued warnings about leaving confetti paper behind after Easter picnic celebrations. Easter is a time for family, fun, and relaxation but also a time to be mindful of your footprint if you are going to participate in this festive tradition!
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You’re restless and even a little jittery
Photo by Max Harlynking on UnsplashSo you’ve just had a huge cup of morning coffee or your third cup of the day and you start to feel like there’s an itch you can’t scratch or you’re agitated about something, but you have no idea what. It’s too much caffeine, that’s what! It never fails to lead to nervousness, an inability to be still, fidgeting, or pacing, and even anxiety or panic attacks. If this is relatable, it could be time to take a step back, assess how much coffee you’re having every day, and start reeling it back a bit.
Your sleep quality is down the drain
Photo by Debashis RC Biswas on UnsplashOne of the most common side effects of consuming too much coffee is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, which means your sleep quality goes out the window. Caffeine is a stimulant that can disrupt your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, so if you’re having insomnia and restless nights, consider cutting off your caffeine consumption 6 to 8 hours before your bedtime. If you miss coffee too much in the afternoon, decaf is a thing!
You’re having heart palpitations
Drinking excessive amounts of coffee can cause your heart to beat faster and irregularly, which is known as heart palpitations. So if you notice your heart racing or fluttering after drinking coffee, and there’s no other reason for it (say, stumbling upon a clip of Pedro Pascal winking directly at the camera), it may be time to cut back on your caffeine intake.
Stomach issues are a part of your personality
You know how they say that “hot girls have tummy issues”? Well, it could be because of your obsession with coffee. Coffee is known to stimulate the digestive system, but consuming too much can lead to a variety of issues. Including acid reflux, heartburn, and stomach discomfort. If you often have stomach issues and they usually flare up after you’ve had your coffee, it could be a sign that you’re overdoing it.
You can’t function without it
One thing about caffeine is that you can develop a dependency on it if you don’t watch yourself. Coffee is a pleasant little pick-me-up, but if you’ve crossed the line to “I can’t function without it and my head hurts if I don’t have my coffee,” it’s time to reevaluate your relationship with it. There’s no need for a breakup, but consider building healthier habits around coffee.
Your mood is all over the place
While coffee can initially improve your mood and make your mind feel as sharp as a knife for a while, consuming too much can have the opposite effect, leading to irritability, mood swings, and even depression in some cases. Our mood is already so unpredictable, why add fuel to the fire? Assess yourself and if you see a link between mood shifts and coffee, start reducing your caffeine consumption.
You take frequent trips to the bathroom
Photo by Yena Kwon on UnsplashCoffee is a diuretic, which means it increases the production of urine, making you go to the bathroom a whole lot. This is why consuming too much coffee can make you feel dehydrated, so balance is important. Coffee is delicious, but you also have to remember to keep your caffeine intake at a healthy level and drink your water.
You experience muscle tremors
Excessive caffeine intake can cause muscle tremors or twitching, especially if you’re sensitive. So if you notice involuntary muscle movements after drinking coffee, like eye twitches or shaky hands, it could be a sign that you need to cut back on caffeine. Monitor your intake, which includes keeping an eye on how much tea, sodas, energy drinks, etc., you consume during the day, and find replacements so you can still enjoy a healthy dose of coffee.
You have decreased bone density
Some studies suggest that consuming too much caffeine can lead to decreased bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women. If bone health is a concern for you, controlling your caffeine intake is a must and it’s something you should discuss with your doctor. They can tell you how much caffeine is advisable for you and you can make better lifestyle choices based on that.
You get headaches often
When you become dependent on caffeine, headaches are one of the first signs of withdrawal. If you notice that you always get a headache when you stop drinking caffeine for the day, it might be time to gradually reduce your intake. Usually, 400mg of caffeine per day is ideal for most adults, but everyone’s sensitivity level is different so you’ll have to gauge yours.
None of this means you can’t enjoy coffee; it just means you have to do so in moderation!
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