Have a Hunched Upper Back? What to Know About Kyphosis
Kyphosis is a term used to describe an excessive curvature in the spine that leads to a rounded or hunched upper back. The post Have a Hunched Upper Back? What to Know About Kyphosis appeared first on The Healthy.
© Donte Tatum/Getty Images Tex-Mex is a cuisine as American as apple pie. It's long been dismissed as a distorted version of genuine Mexican food. But Tex-Mex was born in Texas, and all corners of the United States now boast incredible Tex-Mex restaurants.
This list of America's most popular foods includes enchiladas, chili con carne, nachos and other Tex-Mex essentials!
What Is Tex-Mex?
Tex-Mex is "native foreign food," according to journalist Waverly Root.
"It is native, for it does not exist elsewhere; it was born on this soil. But it is foreign in that its inspiration came from an alien cuisine; that it has never merged into the mainstream of American cooking and remains alive almost solely in the region where it originated," Root wrote.
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Tex-Mex exists in a liminal space of American cooking, where it belongs neither here nor there. To make things even more confusing, there is no simple definition of Tex-Mex. But it's not simply Americanized Mexican cooking, that's for sure. The term "Americanization" pays no homage to the people who called Texas home long before Anglo settlement.
The Early History of Tex-Mex
© knape/Getty Images Robb Walsh, the author of The Tex-Mex Cookbook, believes Tex-Mex is "America's oldest regional cuisine." The history of Tex-Mex traces back to when the Spanish first colonized Texas in the 1580s. Food served on the Spanish missions represents the first intermingling of Native and European foodstuff on Texas land.
One of the early dishes that emerged was chili con carne. This was Tex-Mex's first famous export to mainstream America, long before the term "Tex-Mex" was even coined.
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The most popular story about chili's American debut came during the World's Columbian Exposition of 1983 in Chicago. Texas' delegation is rumored to have created a scene straight from the streets of San Antonio to delight fairgoers: a chili stand. By then, chili was already developing a national reputation thanks to the chili queens of San Antonio.
Second to chili in early Tex-Mex exports? That would be tamales. At one point during the Gilded Age, tamales were a popular street food, akin to hot dogs. The tamalero, or tamale man, would shout "hot ta-ma-leeeees" to patrons in major metropolitan areas. The famous singsong mannerisms of the tamalero even appeared in film and music of the early 20th century.
Tex-Mex vs. Mexican Food
© Ann Summa/Getty Images The most vocal critic against Tex-Mex may be Diana Kennedy, a British-born food writer who is considered one of the de facto authorities on Mexican cooking.
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In The Art of Mexican Cooking, Kennedy writes, "Far too many people outside Mexico still think of [Mexican foods] as an overly large platter of mixed messes, smothered with a shrill tomato sauce, sour cream and grated yellow cheese preceded by a dish of mouth-searing sauce and greasy deep-fried chips."
Kennedy argues that Tex-Mex is on par with the chop suey and chow mein of Chinese restaurants in the late 1960s.
There is merit to Kennedy's criticisms—grease and cheese are certainly Tex-Mex staples—but what she describes is not representative of the complexity of Tex-Mex food.
I have been asked on more than one occasion what the difference between Tex-Mex and Mexican food is, and each time I would confidently respond, "cheese."
This is not to say that Mexican food does not contain any cheese— queso Oaxaca and cotija come to mind— but what matters is the abundance of processed cheese.
Chef Joel Fried, the co-founder of El Dorado Cafe in Austin, helped me connect postwar convenience to American taste buds.
"When I was reading about yellow cheese, I kept coming to Spam and Velveeta in the postwar years," Fried says. "Tex-Mex really started to grow postwar. There's a lot of Velveeta around and the restaurant owners started using yellow cheese to try and make [traditional Mexican food] more palatable to the typical American."
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We all need a few batch-cook recipes to fall back on when life gets hectic. And with a little forward planning, it's easy to prepare food that stretches beyond just one meal. You'll save money, reduce waste and be ahead for busy days. Our top tips and ideas will make the process easier and more efficient, from how to make the most of your freezer space to base recipes for several different meals and what dishes won't keep well. Read on and be inspired!
Must-Have Tex-Mex Ingredients
© budgetstockphoto/Getty Images Tex-Mex is made up of unpretentious ingredients, both fresh and processed.
- Cumin: Cumin is a key ingredient that dates back to the Spanish mission days, when families from the Canary Islands brought the spice to what is now San Antonio.
- Chili peppers: To create Tex-Mex flavors, cooks use many types of chili peppers, such as the poblano.
- Beef: A homage to the Texas vaquero days, beef is a common ingredient and the base for influential dishes such as chili. It's also a favorite filling for enchiladas or tamales. For more old-school variations of Tex-Mex cooking, lard is a key ingredient as well.
- Sour cream: Sour cream is another popular ingredient to add richness and texture to any dish. Jose Jaimes is the owner and operator of Mexigo and Don Pepe's Rancho in North Texas. For over 30 years, the restaurateur has delighted customers with his dishes and credits sour cream as one of his hallmark ingredients.
- Cheese: Perhaps the most ubiquitous ingredient on a Tex-Mex menu is melty, yellow cheese. For better or for worse, cheese is the ingredient that fuses two once-opposing cultures to create a brand-new cuisine.
Popular Tex-Mex Dishes
© Janna Danilova/Getty Images Aside from common ingredients, what else makes Tex-Mex, well, Tex-Mex? It has to be from Texas.
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Burritos, chimichangas and fish tacos are some examples of dishes that borrow the title "Tex-Mex" but originate from elsewhere in the U.S. As a result, they are omitted from this list of popular Tex-Mex recipes.
- Chili con carne: Chili con Carne easily tops the list of Tex-Mex recipes. According to an oral history from Raul Molina Jr. of Molina's Restaurant in Houston, "Spaghetti and chili was the original Tex-Mex dish." For those who want to recreate this old-fashioned Southwestern staple, our Southwestern Spaghetti recipe might do the trick.
- Tamales: This Tex-Mex street food has remained popular for more than a hundred years. It's worth learning how to make tamales at home.
- Enchiladas: Chef Fried of El Dorado Cafe in Austin makes it clear that cheese enchiladas are his quintessential Tex-Mex dish. To him, enchiladas represent the comfort that comes with eating Tex-Mex. For cooks that can't make the trip to Austin, this recipe for Easy Beef Enchiladas should satisfy cravings.
- Fajitas: Fajitas are an iconic dish but a relatively late newcomer, entering the mainstream Tex-Mex scene in the late 1960s. Gustavo Arellano writes in Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America that fajita, or the outside skirt steak of the cow, was considered a lower-class food for many years. But fajita's revolutionary turn came in 1969 when a Laredo restaurant called Round-Up served the dish on a sizzling platter.
- Tortilla soup: Jose Jaimes, the North Texas restaurateur, picks Chicken Tortilla Soup as his standout Tex-Mex dish. It's also one of his most popular menu items, and worth checking out if you're near North Texas.
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Autumn Pine Bouquet
Pine cones found in the yard or purchased at the craft store make beautiful "flowers"! To make a bouquet like this one by @misssanateaches paint the pine cones with acrylic paint, then drill a hole in the bottom of each pine cone, and use a wood skewer or wire stem for the flower stems. Finish with a bow, or put them in a pretty vase.
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Food insecurity is just one widespread socioeconomic issue that has worsened throughout the pandemic. Here's how to put your dollars towards fighting hunger in your community and beyond. The proliferation of food-justice organizations and free food providers may seem as though it's one more outcome of the pandemic, but in actuality, food insecurity and the organizations working to support those who face it have been around long before COVID. If they seem more prominent now, it may be because this is one more societal fault line that worsened and, therefore, got more attention as the pandemic unfolded.
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Watercolor Monsters
These painted monsters by @hellokristendickson are simply adorable! Here's how to make them yourself. Add a dollop of watercolor paint on a piece of paper, then (this is the fun part) use a straw to blow air at the liquid. Blowing will spread out the color into an abstract monster shape. Bring the little guys to life with googly eyes.
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Creepy Cottage Pumpkin
This miniature pumpkin cottage can be used year after year because it's made using a foam pumpkin. Cut a large hole in the foam pumpkin, and paint the interior to create a dark sky background. Then, arrange a miniature Halloween scene inside. For this example we used a ceramic cottage, a bench and faux moss.
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Acorn Faces
Autumn foliage provides all sorts of craft opportunities. Have your kids collect acorns on a nature walk (or you can buy faux acorns), and then paint cute faces on them as shown here by @darlingmama_. Finding the acorns is half the fun! Display the acorn cuties in a jar when you're finished.
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Pleated Paper Bat
This cute little bat by @lulu__make is a great fall craft that your child can easily make without many supplies or prep work. Fold cardstock paper in pleats to make the wings, then use a cardboard circle for the face. Felt, foam or paper can be used for the ears, teeth and nose. Let your child get creative with the colors and facial expressions.
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Faux Leaf Turkey Craft
Here's how to make this playful turkey craft by @katiesproul. Cut three different size cardboard circles, then have your little one color in the smallest circle using a brown marker or crayon. Glue layers of leaves all over the largest circle to create the tail. Attach all the circles together and add some googly eyes, feet and a beak.
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Potato Jack-O-Lantern Stamps
Raid your fridge to make jack-o-lantern stamps! Cut a potato in half, then carve the jack-o-lantern face into each half of the potato. Kids can even help with the carving using a short wooden skewer. Dip in orange paint to stamp out your masterpiece, like this example from @slingin_mama.
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Straw Bale Monsters
Does your porch or yard need a little extra scare factor this Halloween? Transform straw bales into spooky (yet cute!) outdoor Halloween decorations with a few items from the hardware store. Use spray paint to paint the bales and foam sheets to make the faces. The possibilities are endless! Seen here, foam piping is used for the spider legs and Frankenstein's neck bolts; and a few strips of cheesecloth is all it takes to make a mummy.
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Clay Pumpkins
These beautiful clay pumpkins by @youngschoolartwithmr.g were made using Crayola Model Magic Clay, but you could also make them with homemade play dough. Once you form the pumpkin shapes, kids will love embellishing them with beans, beads, gems and buttons.
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Popsicle Stick Spider Webs
These popsicle stick and yarn spider webs are cute as can be! Plus, your little ones will get the opportunity to practice their fine motor skills, as they weave the yarn around the popsicle stick form. Check out the full instructions at Buggy and Buddy.
Sourced from this sister brand post: https://www.birdsandblooms.com/backyard-projects/diy-projects-for-the-home/easy-halloween-crafts-kids/
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Foil Leaf Impressions
Here's another nature craft by @nature.arts.crafts that takes minimal effort, but produces beautiful results. Grab some fallen leaves from the yard, and arrange them facing down on the table. Place a piece of tin foil on top of the leaves. Then, using your fingertips, press on the foil to make an impression of the leaves. You'll be amazed by the intricate details!
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Witches' Magic Wands
Everyone loves a chocolate-covered pretzel! Get the kids involved and turn these into a magical treat for Halloween. Grown-ups can dip the pretzel rods and kids can go all out sprinkling sugar, edible glitter and other decorations on top.
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Cotton Ball Ghosts
All you need to make a cute ghost craft by @zahrahplus5, is card stock paper, cotton balls and glue. Cut the paper into ghost shapes, then let your little ones go crazy gluing on cotton balls. You can stretch out the cotton for a fluffier effect. Use paper and a black marker for the eyes, or glue on googly eyes to finish.
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Playful Pine Cone Wreath
Think outside the box for your autumn decor by using nontraditional colors. Make this spunky pine cone wreath by painting the edges of pine cones with vibrant yellow, pink, blue and orange—the brighter the better! Once dry, use a hot glue gun to stick the pine cones to a wire wreath frame. Get the full details from Sarah Hearts.
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Rake and Leaves Paper Craft
Who knew raking leaves could be so much fun? This rake and leaves craft by @kc.kindergarten (original inspiration from @another_day_in_prek) is fun for younger kids because they'll love ripping up the paper! Tear pieces of paper to create the leaves and glue them all over the page. Then create a rake with strips of paper, bending the rake tongs for a 3-D effect.
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Oreo-Rice Krispie Turkeys
Rice Krispie balls are transformed into turkeys with a few simple ingredients! Split an Oreo cookie in half, then use melted chocolate to attach all the elements. Candy corns make the tail feathers, use a malt ball for the head and white sprinkles for the eyes.
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Silly Paper Bat
To make this paper bat, use a recycled toilet paper or paper towel roll as the base. Wrap the roll in black construction paper and secure with tape or glue. Fold the top together for ears, cut out and attach construction paper wings, then add googly eyes to complete the monstrous look. Make several and string them together for a playful Halloween garland.
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Thankful Turkeys
These cute turkeys are not only fun to make, they'll help your kids practice gratitude this season. Write what your thankful for on colorful construction paper cut in feather shapes, or you can trace your little one's hand to make a whole turkey tail. Glue the messages onto the turkey along with googly eyes and a beak.
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Jack-O-Lantern Collage
Have some old magazines lying around? You and your kids can use them to make this jack-o-lantern collage by @learncraftgrow. Simply cut orange, green and black sections out of the magazine pages (any shape will do). Sketch a pumpkin outline on white card stock paper, and then fill it in by gluing on all the magazine pieces.
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Playful Turkey Wreath
Kids will love helping you make this adorable turkey wreath by @sweethome.indiana. Wrap a foam wreath in brown tulle, then tie on more tulle pieces to make the colorful feathers (double-knot for a secure hold). Cut the turkey body and details out of foam or felt, and you're done!
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Turkey Pretzel Sticks
For these delicious turkey treats, dip pretzel rods in melted chocolate or peanut butter. Use candy eyeballs for the eyes and candy corn for the feathers and nose. These are great to bring out with the other desserts after dinner, you might even see some adults passing up the pumpkin pie once they see these yummy turkeys!
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Leaf Wreath Sun Catchers
These fall leaf sun catchers by @leahdamon are simple yet stunning. Use double-stick tape (or clear contact paper) to attach your leaves in a circular pattern to the window. Then watch as the sun shines through to illuminate the gorgeous colors, veins and details!
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Leaf Painting
For this painting project, trade in boring paper for beautiful foliage. Find large leaves that have recently fallen and are not too brittle. Then paint abstract designs on the leaves with white paint or paint pens. Apply a layer of clear decoupage on the top of the finished artwork to help preserve it.
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Apple Stamp Pumpkins
Here's a fall craft by @little.sunshine.mom that you can probably make with supplies you already have on hand. Cut an apple in half lengthwise, dip the halves in orange paint and stamp onto paper. Add some googly eyes, paper stems and twisty vines and you'll have the cutest pumpkins in the patch!
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Painted Pumpkin
When it comes to painting pumpkins, anything goes! This shimmery abstract pumpkin by @jessan_creations shows that you don't have to stick to a traditional color palette. Give your kids a paintbrush and let them go wild. You'll have fun too, expressing your creativity and creating beautiful fall decor for your home.
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Havest Crowns
Your kids will love creating and wearing festive fall crowns for this year's Thanksgiving feast. Make the crown base out of construction paper, then glue on faux leaves or real fallen leaves from the yard. Head over to Made Everyday for the directions.
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Felt Fall Tree Board
This large felt fall tree board attaches to the wall, and comes with detachable leaves, acorns and pine cones so your kids can rearrange it over and over. You could also use a felt pen to help kids write on each leaf something they're thankful for.
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Leaf Mask
Your kids will look like adorable woodland creatures in one of these leaf masks made by @heybabyhudson. Collect leaves in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and then glue them onto paper cut into the shape of a mask. Big leaves help make the base, while smaller leaves can add extra details like eyebrows.
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DIY Witch Puzzle
This genius idea from @lulu__make is a DIY puzzle, taken to the next level. To ensure the pieces don't slide around, the puzzle is attached to Magna-Tiles using double stick tape. So when your child puts the puzzle together, the pieces all snap together perfectly!
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Pumpkin Lantern
To make your own pumpkin lantern like this one, cut orange tissue paper into small squares. Then use a paintbrush to cover the entire jar with a thin layer of Mod Podge. Attach the tissue paper squares in an overlapping pattern to cover the whole jar. Seal the tissue with another layer of Mod Podge. Finish by wrapping a green pipe cleaner around the top of the jar to create the pumpkin vine.
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The post What Is Tex-Mex Food—and What Makes This Style Iconic? appeared first on Taste of Home.
You Might Be Following A Plant-Based Diet Without Even Realizing It .
Here's everything to know about eating plant-based for overall health.Brands you already know and love, like Beyond Meat, just keep dishing out new options, like the Beyond Chicken Tenders they recently introduced to restaurants across the country. Even companies you're a little less familiar are investing in the plant-based game. Plantcraft, a U.K. vegan deli meat company, recently made their U.S. debut with the introduction of vegan pâtés (pâtés are usually made from ground meat).
Kyphosis is a term used to describe an excessive curvature in the spine that leads to a rounded or hunched upper back. The post Have a Hunched Upper Back? What to Know About Kyphosis appeared first on The Healthy. 
TODAY nutritionist Joy Bauer joins TODAY to talk about the nutritional breakdown of dairy milk, soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, hemp milk and banana milk. 
Tested and reviewed by our editors, we've got you cover(ed)For your convenience, prices are given for queen-size duvets, but different sizes are available for purchase. 
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We all need a few batch-cook recipes to fall back on when life gets hectic. And with a little forward planning, it's easy to prepare food that stretches beyond just one meal. You'll save money, reduce waste and be ahead for busy days. Our top tips and ideas will make the process easier and more efficient, from how to make the most of your freezer space to base recipes for several different meals and what dishes won't keep well. Read on and be inspired! 
Four tamale products from one company are subject to a new recall after it was discovered they may be contaminated, USDA says.RELATED: The FDA Just Announced These 5 Dangerous Grocery Recalls 
Food insecurity is just one widespread socioeconomic issue that has worsened throughout the pandemic. Here's how to put your dollars towards fighting hunger in your community and beyond. The proliferation of food-justice organizations and free food providers may seem as though it's one more outcome of the pandemic, but in actuality, food insecurity and the organizations working to support those who face it have been around long before COVID. If they seem more prominent now, it may be because this is one more societal fault line that worsened and, therefore, got more attention as the pandemic unfolded. 
Here's everything to know about eating plant-based for overall health.Brands you already know and love, like Beyond Meat, just keep dishing out new options, like the Beyond Chicken Tenders they recently introduced to restaurants across the country. Even companies you're a little less familiar are investing in the plant-based game. Plantcraft, a U.K. vegan deli meat company, recently made their U.S. debut with the introduction of vegan pâtés (pâtés are usually made from ground meat). 
