Traditional Drinks Edition

Hey Everyone!

    In this week's blog, I’m excited to share some traditional drinks from both my Irish and Mexican backgrounds. Growing up, I had the chance to enjoy many of these, and now I love making them for friends and family when they visit.

    Starting with Ireland, the most iconic drink – which you may have guessed – is tea! The favorites are typically Irish Breakfast Tea and Barry’s Tea, both strong black teas enjoyed daily across the country. Irish Breakfast Tea is a robust blend, usually served with milk and sugar, while Barry’s Tea is often enjoyed with just milk. Another unique Irish drink is buttermilk, which might surprise some, as it’s mostly used in baking in the U.S. But in Ireland, especially in the countryside, it’s a tangy, thick milk drink enjoyed on its own. Elderflower Cordial is another favorite, especially in summer. This sweet, floral syrup made from elderflowers is mixed with sparkling water for a refreshing drink.          

    Over to Mexico, a beloved classic is Horchata, a creamy, rice-based drink with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Another popular drink, especially around Día de los Muertos, is Atole. This warm, thick drink is made from masa (corn dough) mixed with water or milk and sweetened with cinnamon, vanilla, and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) – perfect for chilly weather. Champurrado, often enjoyed during the holidays, is a rich chocolate version of Atole. Lastly, there’s Café de Olla, a traditional Mexican coffee brewed with cinnamon and piloncillo, giving it a warm, spiced sweetness.

    
    If anyone wants to try making these, let me know! I’d be happy to share the recipes. I definitely recommend giving these drinks a try!

Timeless Traditions

Welcome Back!

In this week's blog, I’ll be sharing a couple of meaningful traditions from each side of my cultural heritage that I’ve embraced in my own life. Both Irish and Mexican cultures are rich with traditions, and while I’m still gradually incorporating many of them, I look forward to passing these down to my future family.

One of my favorite Irish traditions, and one that’s been part of my life since childhood, is wearing the Claddagh ring. This iconic ring, featuring two hands holding a heart crowned with love, symbolizes love, loyalty, and friendship. It’s typically given to mark romantic or familial bonds. My first Claddagh ring holds special significance because it was a gift from my grandmother. The ring had originally been hers, but when it became too small for her to wear, she passed it down to me. I cherish this ring and wear it daily as a reminder of our connection. More recently, I added another Claddagh ring to my collection during my trip to Ireland this summer—a beautiful memento of my time there.                                               

Another Irish tradition I enjoy is the Irish toast, often shared during weddings and family celebrations. In my family, it’s customary to raise a glass of Guinness (although whiskey is also traditional) and say “Sláinte!” which means “to your health.” We use this toast for birthdays, anniversaries, and whenever we’re celebrating good news. It’s a simple but meaningful way to bring us together and honor our heritage. 

Moving on to my Mexican traditions, one that always fills me with joy is singing "Las Mañanitas" on birthdays. Instead of the usual "Happy Birthday" song, this special tune is sung early in the morning to wake up the birthday person. My family in Mexico always sings it to me, and it’s a beautiful reminder of the love and warmth that comes with celebrating birthdays in our culture.

Another tradition I treasure is Los Reyes Magos, or Three Kings' Day, celebrated on January 6th. This marks the end of the Christmas season and is a time for family gatherings. We share a special cake called Rosca de Reyes, and children leave out their shoes to receive gifts from the Three Wise Men, similar to how Santa Claus delivers presents. A fun (and sometimes nerve-wracking) part of the Rosca de Reyes tradition is finding the hidden plastic baby inside the cake. Whoever gets the slice with the baby is responsible for hosting a family party. As a child, I always hoped to find the baby, thinking it was a prize, but now I try to avoid it—it comes with a lot of responsibility!

                                          

Traditions are what keep our cultures alive, and while I’m excited to create new ones in the future, I feel equally honored to carry on the ones that have been passed down to me.

Two Nations, One Screen

Hey there!

    This week, I'm diving into movies. My family are big movie watchers—it’s something we’ve always done together, with a bowl of popcorn. My dad and brother are especially huge movie buffs, while my mom and I love our shows more, but we’re always up for a good drama or romance. We've also watched a fair share of Mexican and Irish movies over the years.

    For the Spanish-language films, we usually watch them in Spanish with English subtitles. These are often movies my dad grew up with, or famous ones adapted from great books. Mexican cinema is vibrant and full of colorful storytelling, often weaving in indigenous cultural heritage. The tone of the movies is typically emotionally intense and dramatic. A few of my favorites are Under the Same Moon, Instructions Not Included, Nacho Libre, and Miss Bala. These films pull you in completely—sometimes I walk away crying, laughing, or just reflecting on the deep messages they leave behind.                               

    Irish films, in some ways, are similar to Spanish ones, but with some key differences. For one, Irish movies are typically in English, since it’s the primary language in Ireland. Irish cinema tends to be more understated and naturalistic, with a slower pace. Many films focus on mythology and Irish folklore, which is central to the culture, and are often set in small rural communities or the countryside. The tones are usually a mix of humor and tragedy, with a balance of wit and dark comedy—light and dark together. A few of my favorite Irish films are The Secret of Roan Inish, Waking Ned Devine, Intermission, and Dancing at Lughnasa. I love folklore and mythology, so Irish films really resonate with me. Plus, they make me feel closer to that side of my family.

Sports of Pride

 Hi There, 

    This week, I’m diving into the world of sports! Like many countries, both Ireland and Mexico have a deep passion for their sports and teams. Sports have been a part of my life since I was little. My dad started teaching me soccer as soon as I could walk, and it quickly became my favorite sport. Though it’s been a few years since I last played competitively, I still love watching matches and kicking the ball around for fun from time to time. Soccer defines Mexico, while Gaelic football and rugby reign supreme in Ireland.

     In Ireland, Gaelic football and rugby are the two biggest and most popular sports. Gaelic football, though similar to American football, is played with a round ball and combines elements of rugby and soccer. Teams score by kicking or hand-passing the ball over the opposing team’s crossbar, and each team has 15 players. Rugby also played with 15 players per side, uses an oval ball similar to American football. However, the ball can only be passed laterally or backward, never forward. The only way to advance it forward is by kicking or carrying it. Tackling is permitted but must be below the shoulders. In rugby, teams score by reaching the opposing team’s end zone, much like a touchdown in American football. It’s no surprise that rugby holds the title of Ireland's most popular sport.                                                

 Now, onto my beloved sport—soccer. Introduced to Mexico in the late 19th century, soccer quickly became the nation’s most popular sport. Fans are incredibly passionate, often going to great lengths to support their teams, whether by attending games or following their favorite players. For many young players, professional soccer stars are role models and icons. Each soccer team fields 11 players, and the game is played using only the feet, with the aim of scoring by kicking the ball into the opposing team’s net. Soccer's universal appeal makes it special to me—it connects people across the world in a shared love for the game.

    I’ve always admired how my parents support each other's favorite sports. My mom proudly wears my dad’s favorite soccer team jersey, while my dad doesn’t hesitate to don a jersey for my mom’s favorite rugby team. They’ve passed this passion down to me and my brother, having us watch games together and even getting us jerseys to match theirs. At the end of the day, sports have an incredible way of bringing people together, whether on the field or off.