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Taking Action for Our Health

With escalating worries surrounding Covid-19 and its variants – the Delta and Omicron coronavirus, people suffering from diabetes and prediabetes, heart disease, cancer, and mental health may not be receiving the care needed. Taking action for our health is key to not just living longer but living well.

In the Hispanic and Latinx community, we have a greater chance of having diabetes, prediabetes, heart disease, cancer, and mental health disorders. Add the extra burden of financial stress, neighborhoods that lack decent resources, and the combination can be lethal.

So, what can we do? How can we take action for our health?

First and foremost, join the interactive bilingual website, Taking Action for Our Health.

Second, be proactive and educate yourself. By arming yourself with information you’ll be better able to care of yourself, your family, and your community.

Third, make an appointment to see a doctor. Don’t have one? Go to Taking Action for Our Health, for information and resources. On the site, you will find interactive programs, including screening information to help you determine and monitor your health risks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt our community but we are not helpless. Together, we can keep one another safe.

Share this information with friends and loved ones! It may be the push they need to care for their mental and physical help.

Outdoor Spaces, Hotels, and Love

Prometheus statue located at Rockefeller Center.

Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.
― Allen Saunders

When I started blogging I had a plan – I would work from home until my youngest went off to college. Then I thought, only then, would I focus on myself. And, I did.

I started an exercise regimen, lost 18 pounds, and was getting reacquainted with who I was before I had children. It was a reawakening of a sort; I was relearning my likes and dislikes and trying new things.

Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, my youngest son’s college sent him home, and shortly after my oldest son returned from abroad.

And just like that, my plans, like many of yours, changed.

✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨

Andrew, my youngest son, on our building’s rooftop deck.

Living with two adults is very different from living with two young children. We’re stuck in this weird space. It’s as if we’ve grown too large for these rooms after eating Alice in Wonderland‘s cake and there is no potion to make us small again.

Outdoor spaces are a refuge. With a shacket and texting gloves, you can spend hours outside. New York has so many wonderful places available to the public, even with gathering limits and physical distance requirements.

Hotels also offer another option for those times when we feel we can’t stand much more of each other.

My oldest recently packed his weekender bag and stayed at the Arlo Soho, a boutique hotel in Manhattan, for a few days. I’ll admit I was really (really!) stressed when he first told me he was leaving but those few days away from one another were good for us.

Arlo Soho hotel room - an Apple Macbook and a Sketch drawing book on top of a queen bed are shown in front of a window.
Arlo Soho City Courtyard room

He stayed at the Arlo Soho, a boutique hotel in Manhattan. He opted for this hotel after learning about their cleaning and disinfecting policy. I was relieved to discover they disinfect rooms after each stay and do not book another guest in the same room for 24 hours. Given that my youngest son and I are high-risk, this was such a relief!

✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨

We are finding different ways of living in harmony. Our mismatched love languages, how we express and give love, are often at odds. Learning these differences is teaching us how to navigate life during a global pandemic.

The author on her rooftop deck.

Self-care is a top priority. An empty watering can can’t water another. And right now we all need watering.

For all of our mental health, we are trying to find different ways of living, working, and attending college remotely. We have to work at it, day in and day out. It’s not always easy but it is doable.

And when it feels overwhelming, there are outdoor spaces, hotels and love, always love to get us through.

✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨

Tell me: How are you coping during the pandemic? What makes it easier/harder for you?

Love Heart Box

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Flan de Queso with a Crunchy Honey Roasted Caramelized Base Recipe

Updated: Oct 11, 2021

If you’re looking for a sweet taste of Puerto Rico, you must master the flan de queso or cream cheese flan. It is perfect for gatherings, with a cup of espresso or as a sweet treat after a meal. It is also a must-have during the holidays.

Our original recipe does not include the roasted caramelized base. I adapted the recipe because my youngest son did not like the smooth texture of the flan on its own. Adding the crunchy base allowed him to enjoy it as much as we did. To make it without the crunchy base, skip step 6 below.

For a Puerto Rican, a slice of flan de queso evokes a multitude of memories. It is the memory of Mamá/grandmother, Mami, and all the Titis/Aunties preparing the holiday fiesta/feast. It is the joy of playing with the primos/cousins and opening gifts on Christmas Eve. It is a taste of heaven and sweetness and love. It is our Ratatouille moment.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!


 



Interactive Bilingual Website Helps Combat Health Disparities in Latino Communities

Mother, seated on a sofa in front of patio doors, holding young daughter on lap.

This past weekend, I received the COVID-19 vaccine. This was due in large part to the initiatives my state has created to ensure the Latino community has access to these life-saving vaccines. Based on conversations with family and friends, this is not the case throughout our nation. Sadly, the Latinx community is facing an undue burden of illness and death from COVID-19, as well as cancer, heart, diabetes, and mental health issues.

To beat these diseases, no community can be overlooked. All must have access. More importantly, access needs to come with information. Vaccine hesitancy is real, as is distrust of the healthcare system, particularly in communities, like mine, that were used as guinea pigs for experimental drugs. Information and transparency can alleviate distrust.

To combat health disparities and provide information to Latino communities, a group of organizations* have come together to create an interactive bilingual website, Taking Action for Our Health.

The website highlights the importance of health screenings, addresses barriers, and has information on low and no-cost healthcare services. It also has four interactive programs that can help a reader access health risk factors, take action to get screened and monitor their progress. The results can be shared with doctors, health care teams, or family and friends.

This resource will arm and empower the Latinx community. Let’s make sure our familia and friends are aware of it.

Let’s talk! How are you maintaining your physical and emotional health? Are you visiting the doctor?


* Anthem, Inc., the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, the National Hispanic Medical Association, and Pfizer, Inc., came together to create this initiative. I am proud to be a part of this sponsored campaign that will help Latinos lead more fulfilling lives.

Block a Week on Your Calendar for a Chance to Win a Free Trip to Puerto Rico!

Shown: A parrot sitting on a tree limb with the words "Puerto Rico" superimposed on the image.
Photo Credit: DiscoverPuertoRico.com

Although I was born on the island and attended school in Puerto Rico, I have spent most of my life in States. But la isla del encanto / the island of love calls out to me on a daily basis, especially now during this time of isolation and confinement.

The thought of beautiful beaches, warm breezes, and the ability to spend time in nature without the sounds of sirens at all hours of the day and night makes me want to jump on a plane. But I won’t. Not yet.

COVID concerns are real and are still affecting travel. But this will not last.

Also, Puerto Rico is taking safety measures and prioritizing the health and safety of all travelers to ensure a safe vacation when you do decide to visit.

To give us hope for that day when we can visit la Isla de Borikén*, Discover Puerto Rico, JetBlue, and San Juan Marriot are inviting travelers to block off time for vacation, to envision a better day and enter for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip for two to Puerto Rico!

The above photo was taken during a recent trip to Puerto Rico.
During a Puerto Rico family vacation in 2012, we visited Palomino Island.

To enter to win this latinalicious all-expense paid trip for two to Puerto Rico, block off any week in 2021 in your Google, Outlook, or other digital calendars, title the week “Fly JetBlue to Puerto Rico”, and invite the email address Vacation@DiscoverPuertoRico.com to the event.

By blocking off that week in your calendar, you’ll be entered to win a future trip at the time of their choosing. Just hurry, this giveaway ends on February 10!

So start your vacation planning because this lucky person may just be YOU.

Click to view the official giveaway rules.


*Puerto Rico is Spanish for “rich port”, the island’s official name; however, some honor the island’s Taino indigenous population who called the island Borikén or Boriquien by using this same name. This is also why you will often see Puerto Ricans refer to themselves as Boricuas. Like them, I choose to honor my great grandmother’s indigenous roots by saying I am Boricua, orgullosamente Boricua.

I’m Not a Runner But I Signed Up for #WomenRunTheWorld

When I think of runners, I think of long, lean bodies. I don’t have that type of body. And yet, I want to run. I want to feel my body push itself as it goes faster than it ever has. I want to see bodies whiz by, not because they’re running, but because I am. I’m not a runner, far from it, but I signed up for #WomenRunTheWorld, a 5.8 mile Central Park Loop.

Inspired by two friends, I decided it was now or never. I wasn’t going to wait until I lost 20 more pounds or learned how to run gracefully. I am accepting my ungraceful Phoebe-like running style and my extra pounds and doing it anyway!

White Gel-Kayano 5 360 Sneakers on sale at Shopbop!

I’m Not a Runner But I Signed Up for #WomenRunTheWorld!

I had to type that again, in BOLD, as a declaration to myself and the world. I’m ready. I upgraded my Asics sneakers, which I love 💕, to a pair that has shock-absorbent GEL technology. They offer better support and cushion for my flat feet. Plus, they were on sale and sales get my blood pumping as much as running does!

I’m still hitting my stride. I can’t run a mile as fast as my friends. I’m much slower than the recommended time for one mile but I’m not letting that discourage me. I’m not competing against anyone but myself.

The race starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. That gives me 8 hours to run almost 6 miles. I can do that! I may not finish as quickly or as gracefully as others but I will finish.

Let’s chat! Are you a runner? If so, do you have any tips for people just starting out? Share your wisdom or encouragement (please) in a comment.

_____________________

Shopbop is having an incredible sale right now! You can purchase activewear, sneakers, and anything on the site for up to 25% off by using the code: SPRING. Expires March 8, 2020.

Food Security is an Issue for the Hispanic / Latinx Community in the United States #FoodSecurity #AnthemCares #Sponsored

Click HERE to read this article in Spanish. 

This post is sponsored by the Anthem Foundation.

mother-child-girl-boy-touching-faces-love-unsplash-latinaonamission.com

Maria* has two children. She works a part-time job while attending college to become a nurse. She also works as a house cleaner on weekends and, when available,  as a brand ambassador at local conventions. Yet, even though she is a hard worker and a thrifty shopper, she always seems to run short every month.

Juan* has his own business. He also has a new wife and a 5-month-old daughter. As an entrepreneur, he works over 80 hours a week. He doesn’t always receive payments on time. Yet, that doesn’t mean he can stop paying his rent or creditors. Sometimes, he and his wife have to make hard decisions. Sometimes, they have to go without to provide their newborn with the food and necessities she needs.

Food Security is an issue for the Hispanic / Latinx community in the United States.

Maria and Juan’s families struggle with food security. They do not always have access to enough food for an active, healthy life. And, they are not the only ones.

One out of six Latino families struggles with hunger. For Latino children, it’s even more severe. Almost 1 in 4 are at risk of hunger every single day. If this doesn’t alarm you, it should.

Having employment does not safeguard against hunger. The cost of living is getting higher while wages have become stagnant. The number of working poor, particularly in the Hispanic / Latinx community, has risen. Food banks like Feeding America, which often fill in the gap, note 20% of the people they serve are Latinos,

Food is medicine.

It is life-giving. Having access to healthy foods will help parents stave off health issues, like diabetes and heart disease, and will give children an opportunity to grow healthy and strong.

In order to ensure the Hispanic / Latinx community, as well as other vulnerable communities, have access to healthy foods, as well as nutrition information, the Anthem Foundation has partnered with Feeding America and the Food Trust. Together, they have launched “Food is Medicine”, an initiative that will help people facing hunger connect with food distribution programs and nutrition education.

Watch the Spanish language video below to learn more.


*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash


 

Anthem Foundation | LatinaOnaMission.com

About Anthem Foundation

The Anthem Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. and through charitable contributions and programs, the Foundation promotes the inherent commitment of Anthem, Inc. to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem, Inc. and its affiliated health plans serve. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that make up its Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets: maternal health, diabetes prevention, cancer prevention, heart health and healthy, active lifestyles, behavioral health efforts and programs that benefit people with disabilities. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s year-round Dollars for Dollars program which provides a 100 percent match of associates’ donations, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. To learn more about the Anthem Foundation, please visit http://www.anthem.foundation and its blog at https://medium.com/anthemfoundation.



La Seguridad Alimentaria Es Un Problema Para la Comunidad Hispana en EEUU #FoodSecurity #AnthemCares #Sponsored

Haga clic AQUÍ para leer este artículo en inglés.

Esta publicación está patrocinada por Anthem Foundation.

baby-eating-avocados-derek-owens-unsplash

Maria* tiene dos hijos. Ella trabaja a tiempo parcial mientras estudia para ser enfermera. También trabaja como limpiadora de casas los fines de semana y, cuando está disponible, como embajadora de marca en convenciones locales. Sin embargo, a pesar de que es una gran trabajadora y una compradora ahorrativa, nunca tiene suficiente dinero al final del mes para pagar todas sus cuentas y alimentar a su familia.

Juan* tiene su propio negocio. También tiene una nueva esposa y una hija de 5 meses.Como emprendedor, trabaja más de 80 horas a la semana.No siempre recibe pagos a tiempo. Sin embargo, eso no significa que pueda dejar de pagar su renta o acreedores. A veces, él y su esposa tienen que tomar decisiones difíciles. A veces, tienen que ir sin comer para comprarle a su bebita la comida y las necesidades que ella necesita.

La Seguridad Alimentaria Es Un Problema Para la Comunidad Hispana en EEUU.

Las familias de María y Juan luchan con la seguridad alimentaria. No siempre tienen acceso a suficientes alimentos para una vida activa y saludable. Y no son los únicos.

Una de cada seis familias latinas lucha contra el hambre. Para los niños latinos, es aún más grave. Casi 1 de cada 4 niños corre el riesgo de tener hambre todos los días. ¡Si esto no te alarma, debería!

Tener empleo no protege contra el hambre. El costo de vida está aumentando mientras que los salarios se han estancado. El número de trabajadores pobres, particularmente en la comunidad hispana / latina, ha aumentado. Los bancos de alimentos como Feeding America, que a menudo llenan la brecha, señalan que el 20% de las personas a las que sirven son latinos, ¡a pesar de que los latinos tienen más probabilidades de estar empleados!

La comida es medicina.

Tener acceso a alimentos saludables ayudará a familias hispanas a evitar problemas de salud, como diabetes y enfermedades cardíacas, y les dará a los niños la oportunidad de crecer sanos y fuertes.

Para ayudar a la comunidad hispana, así como a otras comunidades vulnerables, a tener acceso a alimentos saludables y información nutricional, Anthem Foundation le ha dado un grant financiará a Feeding America y el Food Trust. Juntos, han lanzado “Food is Medicine”, una iniciativa que ayudará a las personas que enfrentan el hambre a conectarse con los programas de distribución de alimentos y la educación nutricional.

Para obtener más información sobre esta iniciativa dale ojo al video abajo.


*Los nombres se han cambiado para proteger la privacidad de las personas.

Foto por Derek Owens en Unsplash


 

Anthem Foundation | LatinaOnaMission.com

Anthem Foundation es el brazo filantrópico de Anthem, Inc. y a través de contribuciones y programas de caridad, la Fundación promueve el compromiso inherente de Anthem, Inc. para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de las personas y familias en las comunidades que Anthem, Inc. y sus planes de salud afiliados sirven

Para obtener más información sobre la Fundación Anthem, visite http://www.anthem.foundation y su blog en https://medium.com/anthemfoundation.



3 Tips to Save You Money on Prescription Drug Costs

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. It was created in collaboration with Inside Rx; however, my experience as an Inside Rx card-carrying member is strictly my own. The Inside Rx trademarks and graphics are provided by Inside Rx, LLC.

Prescription drug costs have risen over 10% in 2019, while in many cases wages have stayed stagnant. Add to that the higher cost of living and it can feel nearly impossible to live our healthiest and best life. But I’m here to tell you, it’s possible.

Shown: Smiling portrait of a pharmacist.

Shown: Smiling portrait of a pharmacist.

There are three ways that I’ve found that allow me to live fully, without sacrificing my mental or physical well-being. They do not take a lot of legwork on your part. For the most part, once you’ve set these in motion, you’ll be able to save money and stress less about costs.

La boca que no abre no come*

This was said often in my family. The literal translation is “the mouth that doesn’t open doesn’t eat”. As a child I used to have a “well duh” face, which you can imagine did not go over very well! But it loses its impact when you use a literal translation. What they were trying to convey was the importance of speaking up. Because if you don’t open your mouth/speak up you will never get what you need/want. So today I want to tell you: Speak up!

Talk to your doctor. Talk to your pharmacist. Both have the ability to help you find lower-cost options that are beneficial to your body and your pocket.

Prescription Savings Program

I discovered Inside Rx when I was in between plans and needed to get a booster vaccine. A family member shared the prescription savings program after I complained about costs. It allowed me to compare prices in my area and lead me to the cheapest one. You can use it on generic and brand name prescription drugs, and as I discovered, you can use it to defray vaccine costs.

Click here to learn how Inside Rx could help you save more on select brand and generic prescriptions.

NOTE: Inside Rx is not insurance. Use is subject to eligibility restrictions and other terms and conditions at www.InsideRx.com.

 

Manufacturers’ Coupons

Drug manufacturers often offer coupons to defray the cost of their drug, unlike the Inside Rx card, which offers savings on all generic medications and those brand drugs on their discounted drug list. Manufacturer coupons may also only be available the first few times you use them to fill your prescription. To check if any are available for the prescribed prescription you are taking, you can visit the drug maker’s website or, better yet, ask your pharmacist. Again, la boca que no abre no come*!

These three tips will help you save money on prescription drug costs. And, that financial relief goes a long way toward helping you live your healthiest and best life!

*Loosely translated to mean: If you don’t speak up, you will not get what you need/want.


Insider Rx Logo_LatinaOnaMission.com

Head to our sponsor’s website, Inside Rx, to download the free Inside Rx prescription savings card and see if you can save on brand and generic prescriptions.



#Ad Comencemos “Compartiendo el Café y Chocolate” y Aprendamos a Liberar El Estrés

Given the importance of stress and its effects on a person’s mental health, Latina On a Mission has opted to share the below sponsored Spanish Op-ed written by Jorge Cortina, MD, Medical Director for Behavioral Health at Anthem, Inc. You can read a loosely translated and condensed version of Dr. Cortina’s Op-ed by clicking here: Let’s Start Compartiendo el Cafe y Chocolate and Learn How to Release Stress.

 


 

Shown: Woman with long hair clasping her hands in front of her heart.
Casi todos los estadounidenses experimentan estrés, pero según un hallazgo en una encuesta realizada en 2016 por la Asociación Americana de Psicología, los adultos latinos mostraron tener niveles más altos de estrés. Las cuatro fuentes principales de estrés involucraban preocupaciones sobre el dinero, el empleo, la salud y las responsabilidades familiares.

Como es de esperar, el estrés también afecta la forma en que interactuamos con los demás. Según la encuesta, el 46 por ciento de los padres reportaron perder la paciencia o gritarles a sus hijos. Mientras que la encuesta se centró en la discriminación y el estrés entre los adultos, los estudios también han demostrado que los impactos de la discriminación producen estrés entre los niños y adolescentes.

Más preocupante es el hecho de que las minorías étnicas (incluidos los latinos) a menudo no buscan ayuda profesional para abordar problemas de salud mental o estrés. La encuesta mostró que 1 de cada 5 adultos nunca participó en actividades para aliviar el estrés y los métodos más comunes para enfrentar el estrés entre los latinos incluyen escuchar música (52%) y orar (34%).
Abordar el estrés entre los latinos es importante y necesario, ya que muchos problemas de salud están directamente relacionados con el estrés. Como uno de los grupos de minorías raciales/étnicas más grandes y más jóvenes, es crucial que enfoquemos más la atención en factores de estrés que pueden afectar la salud general de la población latina. Compartiendo el Café y Chocolate es un programa de talleres de servicio público respaldado por Anthem, Inc., de la cual Empire BCBS es subisidiaria, y Pfizer, Inc., cuyo objetivo es ayudar a los participantes a comprender cómo el estrés afecta a la comunidad, el cuerpo, la mente y el espíritu.

Se invita a la comunidad a realizar talleres locales y dirigir conversaciones con pequeños grupos sobre cómo el estrés afecta la vida diaria. Liderar un taller no requiere largos períodos de estudio. Las instrucciones, los materiales y las actividades grupales fáciles de seguir se proporcionan en la Guía del Líder para que no tenga “estrés” sobre qué y cómo. Cualquiera puede dirigir un taller simplemente siguiendo las instrucciones detalladas y fáciles de usar, y puede adaptar esta guía a las necesidades únicas de su comunidad.

Shown: Two women seated at a table drinking coffee and talking.

La Guía del líder ayudará a los líderes del taller a:

  •  Identificar a su público: este taller está diseñado para todos los latinos que actualmente están experimentando estrés, que desean aprender diferentes formas saludables para enfrentar el estrés,o aquellos que desean más información sobre el estrés. Este taller ha sido diseñado para todos los niveles educativos.
  • Determinar el tamaño de la clase: intente mantener el tamaño de la clase entre 7 y 9 participantes para que todos puedan hablar si lo desean.
  • Preparar materiales y equipos: tenga una computadora o mesa y pantalla de proyección para ver las diapositivas de PowerPoint del taller; papel y bolígrafos para que los participantes puedan tomar notas; pizarra con marcadores y una goma de borrar o rotafolio con marcadores para que pueda anotar las respuestas, pensamientos e ideas de los participantes; y hojas de evaluación para que sus participantes puedan dar su opinión sobre el taller.
  • Determinar el horario del taller: la serie de talleres se ha creado para que los talleres individuales puedan enseñarse por separado o en conjunto. Hay un total de cuatro sesiones, todas equivalentes a un taller de 4 horas que deja tiempo para que los participantes compartan sus experiencias. Cada sesión de CCC dura aproximadamente 50 minutos, incluida la discusión.
  • Determinar cómo organizar mejor la sala: ya que es un taller donde hay participación, puede ser mejor si las sillas están organizadas en un formato semicircular con las sillas frente a la pantalla del proyector.
  • Aprender a guiar el taller: Puede encontrar un guión para el instructor en la sección de notas de cada diapositiva para ayudar a guiar el taller.

Los talleres ayudan a los participantes a comprender que no están solos. Los talleres conectarán a los participantes a través de historias compartidas, permitiéndoles compartir sus experiencias, aprender y establecer metas para lidiar con el estrés de varias maneras.

El programa de talleres Compartiendo el Café y Chocolate fue creado por Venus Ginés, M.A. P/CHWI, Presidenta/Fundadora, Día de la Mujer Latina, Inc. ™. El taller está diseñado para todos los latinos que actualmente están experimentando estrés, que quieren aprender diferentes maneras saludables de sobrellevar el estrés, o aquellos que desean más información sobre el estrés. Este taller ha sido diseñado para todos los niveles educacionales. Si está interesado en dirigir un taller en Nueva York para su comunidad, por favor visite https://espanol.empireblue.com/cafe-chocolate/ para más información.

 



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