KICK
in the TUSH Club™
is for light-hearted, low-cal
loving, nutritional friendly folks who crave mammoth portions
of food-facts,
recipes, art and inspiration.
Our Lady of Weight Loss ™®
is a division of Oy-Caramba! Ltd. November 1, 2004
Edición Especial en honor del Dia de los Muertos
(Day of the Dead)
- La Muerte
A flower without a stem, is beauty waiting to die.
A heart without love, is a tear waiting to cry.
~ Octavio Paz, Poet, Return, 1975 ***
faToid
Dia de los Muertos is an ancient Aztec celebration of death— the final portion of one’s life journey.
Dia de los Muertos is a festival that celebrates the reunion of dead relatives with their families.
Every year, All Saints Day on November 1, and All Souls Day, on November 2, are celebrated throughout Mexico and parts of the United States.
The ancient peoples of Mexico (Purepecha, Nahua, Totonac and Otomi) believed that the souls of the dead return each year to not only visit their relatives, but to eat, drink and be merry – just like they did when they were alive.
November 1, All Saints Day, is generally set aside to remember the deceased infants and children, referred to as angelitos (little angels), and the next day, November 2, All Souls Day, is reserved for the adults who have died.
Both days are colorful celebrations that are punctuated by exciting costumes and lively reunions at family burial plots. There are special offerings prepared, which are laid out at the gravesites for the departed and religious rites that include bright fireworks.
Families remember the departed by telling stories about them. Sumptuous meals are prepared for the gravesite picnic. The feast generally includes dishes in spicy sauces, chocolate beverages, cookies, sugary confections in a variety of skull shapes, and a special egg-batter bread ("pan de muerto," or bread of the dead).
Zempasúchil (the Indian word for marigold) and lighted candles are placed on the grave which guide the spirits home to their loved ones.
For those who prefer home celebrations, altars are made and decorated with items that are believed to be favorites of the dearly departed. Offerings include flowers, food and photographs, clothing, or anything that the departed enjoyed while they lived.
The Mexicans believe that death is a part of life. And in that spirit, they say, "Don't take anything lying down - even death!"
Vocabulary/Vocabulario
All Souls' Day/ Day of the Dead
the altar
the offering
the skull
little angels
All Soul's Day bread
All Soul's Day flower
El Dia de los Muertos
el altar
la ofrenda
la calavera
angelitos
pan de los muertos
flor de los muertos
1 teaspoon Whole Mustard Seed
1/2 cup chopped Onion; Chopped
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
30 oz Garbanzo Beans; drained (two cans)
1/2 cup Chicken Broth
2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
Salt to taste; about 1/2 teaspoon
Ground Cinnamon to taste; about 1/4 teaspoon
Ground Cloves to taste; about 1/4 teaspoon
Stir the mustard seed and onion in the vegetable oil in a saucespan until the onion is soft.
Stir in the remaining ingredients, until the beans are heated. About five minutes.
Mmmm, muy delicioso! Want to whip up another
dish?
Send Our Lady your
favorite recipe? Keep them easy, low-cal and FUN. If yours is used, Our Lady will send you a prize!
The Art of Weight Loss Group - As we enter the holiday season a.k.a. the food season, join with me in creative acts of Weight Loss Art. Class forming now!
How did you all make it through Halloween? I dressed up as "Our Lady of Weight Loss." It was a great reminder that the candy was for the kids - NOT for me!
Now, I'm starting to think about Thanksgiving. The family, the food, the temptation, the guilt!
How to handle this holiday season? I've been crocheting cupcakes. This one is a prize winner, for sure!
Fruitful Contest- Where is Death Valley National Park located? The first to enlighten Our Lady wins an Our Lady of Weight Loss prayer card!
* * *
Last week's Fruitful query:
What is a MULLET?
Congratulations to MommyCat, Austin, TX. "It's a really BAD 80s hair style! Helmet head! Long in the back short on top with bangs usually, very disturbing."
Dear OLofWL, Hello there! I just love the website and read Kick in the Tush ! You have been a great help to me. When I'm just ready to eat some forbidden food I picture your art in my mind and don't eat or the portion is much smaller. I can't wait for the book to be in the bookstores. My husband and I each need to lose about 100 lbs. He has lost 25 in the last month and I have lost 20, which is just great! Our son is getting married in March of 2005 so for me that is an incentive. Thanks again! ~
ANGELREID
Dear Angelreid, Congratulations to you and your husband for your combined 45 lb. loss! You're 1/4 to your goal - that's great, great progress. Weddings are a terrific incentive to look and feel good - and stay the course. You all must be so excited to see your son get married (I know I would be!). Please keep sharing your story and inspiring others. And I'm so flattered that my art is influencing you in a positive way! Thank you so very much for writing and inspiring me! ~ OLofWL
The
KICK in the TUSH Club provides a weekly reminder in
the form of an Art-KICK for those who wish to anchor themselves
to their weight loss and/or health goals (or for those who
need to satisfy their craving for a quirky kick). It's fun,
fab and fat-free. Sign-up now (there's no charge). Click here! Our
Lady (Or send an email to: info@OurLadyofWeightLoss.com) and say, "YES!
I need a KICK in the TUSH."
Interested in reprinting the KICK in the TUSH or licensing the art?
Articles are available for syndication through Ideamarketers.com. You can also contact Our Lady of Weight loss directly.
Contact: info@ourladyofweightloss.co
For weight loss inspiration and motivation,
Our Lady of Weight Loss has been recommended by:
The New York Daily News
The Arizona Republic Newspaper
SKIRT! Magazine
Energy Express, Tribune Media Co.
Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be construed as medical
advice, diagnosis, recommendation or endorsement by Our Lady of Weight Loss, Oy-Caramba, Ltd! or Ms. Taylor.
