In The Community
Now that we’re not kids anymore, all that got us wondering…why though? Where do these urban legends come from? And is there any scientific basis for any of it?
Here are 5 of the most commonly heard phrases Latina moms fervently believe, we put on our lab coats to figure out once and for all…are they fact or fiction?
“Te vas a torcer”
Freezing Parks And Recreation GIF by MOODMANGiphyHow many times did your mom tell you to cover your face when you go out from a warm place and into the cold, because if you didn’t, “te vas a torcer”? And if you dare question the validity of their statement, they always claim to know someone who’s had this happen to them. Facial paralysis is no joke, and the thought of having part of your face frozen in place from a sudden temperature change can be mortifying. But does this seemingly decades-long urban legend hold any water?
The verdict: Has some truth but no definitive causal connections.
The condition usually described is called Bell’s Palsy, described as temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, which is caused by an inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles of the face. While the exact cause of the inflammation is still unknown, it’s believed to be related to a viral infection or an autoimmune disorder.
That being said, some studies have suggested that people who are under stress or experiencing illnesses such as upper respiratory infections may be more likely to develop Bell’s palsy. There’s also some research indicating a correlation between temperature changes and Bell’s Palsy; however, this is stll being studied, therefore not definitively clear whether the temperature changes can cause Bell’s Palsy, as research papers continue to find.
So, in this case, while the jury is still out from the scientific community, facial paralysis and temperature changes may have some relationship — We suppose it can’t hurt to listen to our mamas and cover up! It’ll also make them feel better knowing you’re taking precautions for yourself.
“Todavía está bueno”
Food Wow GIF by CBCGiphyAs you take out a loaf of bread with a spot of mold growing on the corner, your mom might cut the moldy piece, throw it in the trash, and say, “todavía está bueno.” We know Latina moms will do their best to make the most out of each and every ingredient in their pantry and not let anything go to waste. But when something is starting to go bad, is it still safe to eat if you just remove the ugly part?
The verdict: Depends on the type of food item.
Generally, if the food is perishable, such as bread or dairy products, it’s best to get rid of it as the mold and the bacteria that causes it may have already spread throughout the food.
For some fruits and vegetables, if they are overripe and showing softness or brown discoloration in some spots, those areas can be cut off, and the rest of it can still be eaten. But if it has a strong odor, tastes bad, or is growing even a tiny bit of mold or rot, it’s probably best not to test the digestive gods and throw it out becuase the bacteria or mold that caused the spoilage can quickly spread through the food. Even if the rotten part is cut off, harmful microorganisms may already have spread to other parts of it and could cause food poisoning.
If the food is a hard food, such as cheese or hard salami, it can usually be safely consumed after the mold has been removed because the bacteria aren’t likely to have gone very far. But at the end of the day, it’s probably a good rule of thumb to not mess around with spoiled food.
Also, it’s a good idea to instead focus on sustainable food practices rather than trying to salvage old groceries so that you don’t end up with spoiled food to begin with.“Un bolillo para el susto”
Sweating Heat Wave GIFGiphyAfter the 6.8 earthquake that happened on September 2022 in Mexico City, a guy made headlines for handing out pieces of bread, or “bolillos,” to people on the streets to help them relax after the awful scare (and lighten up the mood). An age-old antidote after a stressful event, what magical properties do bolillos have that make them a cure for the “susto?”
The verdict: Surprisingly true.
Eating can have a calming effect on the body after experiencing a bad scare or feeling stressed or anxious. This is because certain foods can release chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, that can promote feelings of relaxation and well-being.
Certain types of carbohydrates in particular, such as those found in starchy foods like pasta, bread, and potatoes, can boost the production of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate mood and can promote feelings of calmness and relaxation. Eating a small serving of these foods can be comforting and help you feel more relaxed after a stressful event. The more you know, huh?
“Una Coca para la presión”
Movie Reaction GIFGiphySome Latina moms will use Coke as a remedy for just about everything. Feeling tired? Have some coquita to lift yourself up. Your blood pressure is low? Pour yourself a glass, and you’ll feel better. Upset stomach? Mix in a little bit of limón. Is this go-to emergency cure effective, or just some placebo effect?
The verdict: True, though probably not the best advice.
It’s pretty simple, Coca-Cola and other similar caffeinated drinks may help to temporarily increase blood pressure in people with low blood pressure. Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause the body’s blood vessels to constrict, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure. So, any caffeinated drink may have the same effect: coffee, energy drinks, or tea.
Though it’s certainly not to be used often or as an actual cure, given the fact that consuming it regularly could cause many health problems, including high blood pressure, it may actually help alleviate low blood pressure symptoms like dizziness and weakness temporarily if you need a pick-me-up on the spot and don’t have immediate access to any medication.“No comas aguacate si estás enojado”
GiphyOne of the more urban-legend-y ones, in some households, you were strictly warned against having a bite of avocado after a “coraje.” Why you would want to eat avocado while mad in the first place, we honestly don’t know. But what is it about avocados that would allegedly be so harmful to you if eaten while you’re upset about something?
The verdict: It’s totally false.
We could not find a single shred of evidence to support this claim, even though we were really keen on finding out where it came from. There’s nothing to suggest that eating avocado while stressed or angry would have any negative effect on your body. That being said, stress and anxiety are known to cause cramps and stomachaches for some people, so it wouldn’t be surprising if eating literally anything would just upset your stomach more. So, avocado is definitely not the culprit. Let nobody keep you away from that guacamole! Maybe wait for a bit, though.
Are there any other Latine myths, remedies, or questionable claims you would like to see verified or debunked? Hit us up at @theluzmedia!
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While millennials have popularized the idea of plant parenthood, our Latinx community has always had a green thumb. Our parents and abuelos have always had lush gardens or indoor plants that they care for. It’s no coincidence that while many have used plants as a way to cope lately, our parents and abuelos have been doing the same for generations.
The correlation between caring for plants and improvement in mental health has been proven and this leads us to believe that our community has been onto something for years. While many immigrants have moved from rural and green spaces to more urban and compact cities in the United States, their practices of caring for plants remained the same. We have known our families to have indoor plants that fill our living spaces and those with yards tend to start growing trees that will bear fruit.
In honor of our community and to encourage the improvement of mental health, we’re giving you a list of classic plants that many grew up seeing in their homes.
Pothos Plant
One of the easiest plants to care for is a Pothos plant. It is also known for being one of the best plants to improve indoor air quality, it can be styled many ways including on tables, bookshelves, or hung to show off its vines. It’s no wonder it makes an appearance in nearly every Latino household.
Aloe Vera
Photo by Jude Smart on UnsplashMany know Aloe Vera as a medicinal plant. It is a lowkey plant that grows best in dry conditions and well-lit spaces. The nostalgia of Aloe Vera plants will have you remembering the ways in which your mom used it to treat sunburns and even face masks.
Ferns
Quickly recognized for their divided leaves, these plants do well in shaded areas making them the perfect indoor plant as long as you keep them in cool and open area spaces.
Cacti
Best known for how easy it is to care for them and long life, cacti are perfect for any home. They’re aesthetically pleasing and require very little maintenance!
Snake Plant
This plant always makes the easy-to-care-for lists. It doesn’t need much water, in fact, during the winter months and if there is decent humidity, it only needs to be watered once or twice during the entire season.
Peace Lily
This plant hails from Central and South America and Southeastern Asia, making it a no-brainer that it ends up in so many Latino households. The white flowers add a little pop to the green and with its ability to survive in little to moderate light and very little water, it’s perfect for new plant parents.
In Spain, many Latin American countries, and amongst the Latino diaspora in the U.S., children eagerly await the arrival of the Reyes Magos on January 6th, known in many places as Epiphany or El Dia de Los Reyes. It is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods such as the Rosca de Reyes, a circular cake with dried fruit, and a small figurine of a baby Jesus hidden inside.
For many immigrant families in the U.S., this is often treated as a second Christmas, which makes complete sense because when the opportunity for extra gifts arises…
Reyes Magos Explained
The celebration of the Reyes Magos dates back to the Middle Ages and has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of Spanish and Latin American countries. In many homes, children write letters to the Reyes Magos, listing their gift requests and leaving out cookies and water for the wise men's camels.
In the days leading up to Epiphany, which according to the U.S. Library of Congress, commemorates "the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world and the coming of the Magi," parades and pageants are held in honor of the Reyes Magos, with people dressing up as the wise men, their camels, and other characters from the nativity story.
The tradition of the Reyes Magos was brought to Latin America from Spain during Spanish colonization. When the Spanish conquistadors plundered and conquered indigenous lands, they brought their cultural traditions with them that they imposed on their new subjects, including the celebration of the Reyes Magos.
Over time, the tradition of the Reyes Magos has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of many Latin American countries. It is now a widely known holiday celebrated by millions of people throughout Latin America and the U.S.
The Rosca de Reyes and Baby Jesus
In Latin America, the Reyes Magos celebration is similar to how it is celebrated in Spain.
The Rosca de Reyes, or King's Cake, is a traditional sweet bread baked in a circular shape made with sweet dough and decorated with dried fruit. It often comes with a small baby Jesus figurine hidden inside.
The tradition of the Rosca de Reyes is believed to have originated in France. It was later brought to Spain and then to Latin America, where it has become an integral part of the Reyes Magos celebration.
The small figurine that is hidden inside the Rosca is an important part of the tradition. The figurine is usually a small hard plastic doll that represents baby Jesus and is placed inside the cake before it is baked.
According to tradition, the person who finds the figurine in their slice of the Rosca de Reyes is considered the King or the Queen for the day and must host the next celebration or party. This is meant to symbolize the generosity and hospitality at the heart of the Reyes Magos celebration. In some places, it is also traditional for the person who finds the figurine to make a small charitable donation or to perform a good deed as a way of honoring the spirit of the holiday season.
The small figurine that is hidden inside the Rosca also adds an element of surprise and fun to the celebration. In many Latino households, it’s become customary to dread being the person who ends up with the baby Jesus in their slice because then they are responsible for hosting a tamalada for the next family get-together on February 2, or Candelaria Day.
Candelaria Day officially marks the end of holiday celebrations that started on December 12 with the Virgen de Guadalupe feast day and extends into Nochebuena (Christmas Eve), Christmas Day, and Three Kings Day.
But everyone knows Latinos don’t need a religious holiday to get the family together for some good food, fun, and traditions that transcend generations!
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