Growing up in a Mexican household meant food, all the time. When I think back as far as I can remember, there isn’t a moment I recall that my grandma was not steady stirring up something in the kitchen. Waking up at the crack of dawn to prepare breakfast was a breeze for her, and for a traditional Mexican household it is nothing out of the ordinary. Tortillas, the number one staple food in Mexico, were created daily, and usually the preparation for lunch or dinner continued as soon as breakfast had finished. It is embedded in the Mexican culture for the women to be responsible in keeping a home together; with the preparation of fresh meals, and large meals at that, it allows families to come together each day and form a bond. Food was, and is, used as a means of non-verbal communication; and the dishes prepared are just as unique as the person preparing them. When guests came over to visit, that only meant more food to be cooked, and more delicious snacks to be enjoyed. Abuelas (grandmas) are notorious for cooking the best of the best when a visitor is present, even if that visitor is a five-year-old grandchild. It’s a way of conveying respect to that individual, in addition to ensuring they are not hungry, thirsty, or uncomfortable. For the Mexican wife of the household, every detail is important. The entire home is a symbol of what you represent: from the cleanliness of your home, to the delectable of your food, and even the obedience of your children. This is what I feel was important to the mothers, aunts, and grandmas I grew up around. At the end of the day, the woman was judged based on the complete infrastructure of her home.…
