Episode #10: “Taco Time”

Facts

  • The main language spoken in Mexico is Spanish. The official name of for Mexico is the United Mexican States. Mexico is the 11th most populated country in the world with around 117 million people (as of July 2012). Mexico is the 14th largest country by land area. There are 31 states in Mexico as well as the capital city (Mexico City).
  • The most popular sport in Mexico is football (soccer). Mexico hosted the Football World Cup in both 1970 and 1986. Mexico City hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1968.
  • Stone tools have been found in Mexico that suggest the existence of humans there around 23000 years ago.
  • The highest mountain in Mexico is Pico de Orizaba, a dormant volcano that reaches 5,636 metres (18,491 ft) above sea level.
  • The national symbol of Mexico is the golden eagle which features prominently on the coat of arms.
  • Mexican food is known for its range of flavors and spices. Popular dishes include tacos, burritos and enchiladas.

 

Games

Taco and Paco have been exploring the Aztec Pyramids of Mexico.  Here are some fun facts about Mexico that you may not know. 1. ) Many schools have 2 shifts of children attending. One group of children attends morning school and others attend afternoon school.  2.) Many homes in Mexico include other family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins., not just parents and children!  3.) Mexican children traditionally  have 2 last names.: Their father's last name followed by their mother's last name.  4.) The coolest animal in Mexico is the San Quintin kangaroo rat.  It can hop more than 7 feet in a single hop! Wowza!!   Now, let's go check out some fun games that Mexican children play.

 

“1, 2, 3 Momia Es” (1,2,3 Mummy!)

Players:  4 or more players

 

What you will need: A start line.... and a base ( a tree)

 

How to play: Player 1 faces the tree with his back to the other child.  The other players stand on the designated line.    When Player 1 starts to speak.."1,2,3.."  the children on the line walk or run towards Player 1.  When Player 1 finished the phrase with "Momia Es!" , the other players must immediately stop and all players must freeze into a Mummy pose. 

Player 1 quickly turns around after saying "Momia Es" and tries to catch any other players still moving.  If a player is spotted moving he or she must go back to the starting line.  Once a player reaches Player 1, they she/he become the Spotter and the other children return to the starting line and a second round is played.  You can play as many round as you like.

 

 

 

“Loteria” - Bingo

Players:  2 or more, ages 8 and up

 

What you will need: Loteria Game Board - (Amazon)

 

How to play:  This fun and challenging brain game works on language skills as well as cognitive learning skills.  Player 1 picks up a card and reads the clues on the back. 

If someone in the games guesses the character from the riddle, then that person “wins” the card and places it on their Loteria board.  The first player to get 4 in a row wins.  Each player takes turns reading cards, going clockwise around the table.

 

 

Fun Foods From Mexico

Avocados (Aguacate) 

Avocados are a native to Mexico and offer wonderful nutty flavor and healthy fats into any dish.  Most notably used in guacamole, this wonderful fruit can be eaten alone, mixed into salads, blended into smoothies, cubed and put into salsas or sliced and put on sandwiches!  The possibilities are endless.

 

                

 

Mangos

Yum, Yum and more Yum! Mangos are not only a favorite fruit in Mexico, but a favorite fruit around the world!  This sweet and juicy fruit has an outer skin that needs to be removed.  Slicing is a bit tricky, as there is an oblong seed in the middle of the fruit, but the reward is totally worth the effort!!

Mangos are full of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Fiber & Potassium.  It's hard to believe that something so tasty can be so good for us!

 

              

 

 

Simple Recipe - Mango Freeze Pops! 

Simply puree the mango pulp in a blender and pour into popsicle molds.  Freeze until hard.   They are a natural, sweet treat for summer time or any time.  No sugar added - it's sweet enough if you make sure to use your ripest mangos - deep reddish in color and very soft when squeezed.

 

 

Chia Seeds

In Aztec times, aside from being eaten, Chia Seeds were one of the main means of exchange and also used for religious rituals.  Aztec warriors were said to have sustained themselves on a 1/4 cup of chia seeds daily during battle.  It's a powerhouse foods that can be eaten by the spoonfuls, added into yogurts, baked into breads & muffins, blended into smoothies.  You can buy them in specialty grocers in whole form or ground.   They have a slightly nutty flavor. If you've never tried them, you should give them a try. Chia Seeds have 5x more Iron than spinach, 15x more Magnesium than broccoli and 8x more Omega Fatty Acids than Salmon. 

 

       

 

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 tablespoon agave + 1 tablespoon stevia

1 teaspoon hazelnut flavor instant coffee powder(optional)

1/4 cup chia seeds

1 cup milk  ( try different kinds: Hemp, Coconut, Almond, Rice)

2 teaspoons honey, or to taste

 

Directions:

Mix cocoa powder, agave, stevia, and instant coffee powder together in a bowl; stir until no lumps remain. Fold Chia Seeds into the mixture. Pour milk into the bowl and stir; let the mixture sit a few minutes before stirring again. Repeat resting and stirring a few times over the course of 20 minutes.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours to overnight.

Drizzle honey over the pudding to serve , if extra sweetness is desired. Or add in raspberries to help sweeten the pudding.