If my mother had been given the appropriate information and an encouraging environment to support her wellness from a holistic perspective, I believe she would still be alive today.
My Story
My mother’s cooking had a unique sazón. She twisted traditional flavors with modern techniques. Even with a full schedule, she made time to make nurturing foods. Mustard chicken sandwiches, avocado tortas, and spicy gourmet omelets. In some ways, her meals became celebratory. One of my favorite dishes was her enchiladas de pollo. Prepping the chicken, grating the queso fresco, and making the chile colorado from scratch was a lot of work, and she took pride in it. When it was time to eat, my dad, brother, sister, and I gathered at the table. I can still hear her ask “cuantas enchiladas van a querer?” Cinco! Five enchiladas topped with sour cream and white onion. Chef’s kiss. Nobody’s enchiladas come close to hers!
My Mother immigrated from Mexico when she was 17, armed with a hustle and determination like nobody else. She quickly learned English and went on to become quite successful. Although she worked full-time in the banking industry, she prided herself as a present and loving mother. She had a gift for making people feel seen and loved. She was the source of joy for so many.
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I come from a family of excellent cooks. While my parents worked, I had the privilege of always being cared for by aunts and grandmas. This gifted me with the opportunity to witness the preparation of various traditional Mexican dishes. My maternal grandmother made flour tortillas, beans, and her infamous green salsa every day - It was divine! Both of my grandmothers prided themselves on working with fresh herbs and vegetables and making foods from scratch. These experiences set the foundation for my love affair with cooking.
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Like so many individuals who immigrate from other countries to the United States, a byproduct of assimilating the American culture is taking advantage of convenience foods to keep up with the fast-paced life. In addition to the added pressure of being a mother to three children with a father who traveled extensively for work and taking care of her extended family, self-care was not the priority. I believe this is what ultimately brought on my mother’s illness.
I never suspected I would be faced with the biggest challenge of my life to date, losing my Mother. In August of 2016, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer and passed away a year later. Her illness served to confirm the role wellness plays in our lives. It was this experience that ultimately shaped my life's guiding principles by centering on wholesome nutrition and good physical and mental health.
While chronic diseases are on the rise, they are most prevalent among black and Latino communities. Marginalized communities and people of color are 1.5 to 2.0 times more likely than white people to have most of the major chronic diseases. Most of the top morbidities listed in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are largely due to lifestyle and diet. The primary concern in these communities is the environment that doesn’t lend itself access to healthy food. This includes access to information, quality food, and healthcare.
My neighborhood of South Gate, California, is a predominantly Spanish-speaking Latinx neighborhood with abundant liquor stores and fast-food joints where community gardens and organic produce are uncommon. Our healthcare system fails to emphasize the role nutrition plays in our lives. This surely was the case in my mother’s healthcare journey when she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Instead, my mother trusted the medications she was prescribed and struggled with insomnia and high levels of anxiety. If my mother had been given the appropriate information and an encouraging environment to support her wellness from a holistic perspective, I believe she would still be alive today.
The realization of our broken healthcare system and lack of access to healthier options in our neighborhood set my chosen nutrition path into high gear. In several ways, my mother is the catalyst for how I choose to live my life. It is my personal mission to help strengthen fragments of this system by coaching people through the basics and ultimately guiding individuals back to themselves.
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If you don't feel supported on your wellness journey and would like guidance, I can help. You don’t have to do this alone. It is entirely possible to build a community of your choosing to support your health.
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Your Amiga,
Lety
2020 by Leticia Anaya. Comidas Del Alma, LLC