Fascinated by Dora The Explorer

When I had no children I did not pay any attention to kids products or kids tv shows. Now some years after things have changed and I am so impressed by "Dora the Explorer" cartoon. I not only find her very nurturing to my son, but all her show is about introducing the Latino culture, teaching spanish and being a kid after all. So much I was missing! If you don't have any interest like me years ago, when having a spare time, tune in some Dora and you'll be happily impressed and proud like me!

Molecular Gastronomy

My mom is a foodie. She absolutely loves to eat out and try the latest and greatest restaurants in Lima, Peru. She is very fornuntate that she lives there and that also she has many excuses and friends to go and try the best of the yummiest if I can say it in some sort of way.  So it was no surprise that she mentioned "Molecular Gastronomy" and other foodie terms a long time ago. Something that I had no clue what it was until tonight when I watched "60 Minutes" and the report on Spanish Chef "Jose Andrés", owner of The Bazaar and Mini Bar.
Jose Andres shows Anderson Cooper how a mojito can come in a jelly looking shape or how a Clam Chowder can be a mix of the same ingredients just in different form. I guess this is part of Molecular Gastronomy, deconstructing food to some degree and then putting it all together just in different forms or textures.
What and interesting introduction to science and marvelous food! The story is worth watching it on this link. I am even going to watch it again, since I enjoyed it and learned such interesting things....and Yes! my mom has tried it of course, how she not?

Dunkin Donuts new! Hispanic inspired donuts flavors...

I love my sweetened ice tea in the summer. A handy sip every now and then keeps me fresh and hydrated in this steamy hot summer. So it was a nice and great surprise to find the new donut flavors of Dunkin Donuts (donuts), "Dulce de Leche", "Dulce de Chocolate" and "Piña Colada"! I have to say that I have not tried the 3 flavors just yet, but wait and see until I try one. I think I will be in love!!! Have you tasted this new donuts?

Yummi Goya's Passion Fruit Nectar

Every now and then I miss the flavors I grew with. This weekend I happened to drive by one of the best Hispanic mini markets in Port Chester NY, so I stopped and bought Goya's passion fruit nectar to make a great natural juice at home. The flavor of this fruit is so refreshing and tart that is great for a summer afternoon or to serve with a good lunch.

Happy July 4th!

When I was a little girl I celebrated 4th of July as well because I went to an American school in Peru. Now living here in the states its so nice to see how Americans live their national day. I love that stores have flag t-shirts that one can buy to make it more festive and that we will have a great time celebrating this Sunday among friends with a great BBQ. Stay cool.

Hispanic Inspired Totes - Unicef "Feed" Guatemala

Helping a good cause its great. Its even greater if the matter you are helping its inspired in an ancient culture and its festive colors and design take you somewhere else.
I just found this totes from Unicef at Lord & Taylor, they are part of the "Feed" program that helps people fight hunger like in Guatemala.
Here its an excerpt of the product description at L&T website: "Funds raised through the purchase* of the FEED Guatemala 3 bag will help the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) provide daily nutrient powder for three children in Guatemala for 1 year. The FEED Guatemala bags are handmade by Nest, a nonprofit organization that empowers female artists and artisans around the world. The Guatemalan Nest artisans are using their traditional Ikat fabrics to make the sturdy and sizable FEED 3 Guatemala tote bag."
Get inspired or buy one!

Confusing "Cars" bubble bath bottle

I am designer, but I am also a mom, and so I am always aware of things that can be harmful to my 2 year old toddler...
A few weeks ago I was in the supermarket and came across this interesting but disturbing bubble bath bottle with one of my son's favorite Disney characters: "Cars"...knowing him, his curiosity and active matching game, I thought it would be interesting to show the "Cars" bottle to you and see what you think.
I don't want to imagine a little kid to grab my mistake a car additive or chemical substance in the garage thinking its "bubble bath".

American meals have more Hispanic Flair now than ever!

It may be a total coincidence, but I am finding more and more Latino ingredients in many many American gourmet meals everyday. I write about Latino packaging in the US, but food its something that always catches my attention and more over if a south of the border ingredient is present. I love to observe and make comments in my posts about labels and packaging of any kind. Food is one of those fields we live with and that is why its always so present in my tweets and post. Buen provecho.

Simple = Beautiful / Lo simple = Bello

Every time I experience a great thing, I stop, think and realize it was one of the simplest things. In our Latino culture there are so many simple, rustic, homey things that we do in our every day lives. Simple = Beautiful.

Hispanic Traditional Cuisine is Beautiful

Watching a small video of Marcela Valladolid making "Cafe Mexicano" o "Cafe Mexicano a la Olla", reminds me how beautiful traditional cuisine is. She only used a medium pan, water, ground coffee, orange peel, cinnamon stick and brown sugar. No coffee maker needed, and that is what I call "fabuloso"!

New "Edy's" Mango Ice Cream has Hispanic Flair

Mango is one of those exotic fruits that I love because of its flavor, color, texture, shape and name. It is a very popular fruit among Latinos and also people from the Caribbean and Asia. Its fun personality and character translates into a happy, sunny, bright, active and friendly package design.
Gracias Edy's for bringing us this great flavor into mainstream ice cream.
Yum-Rico!

"Mujer" - you are a powerful role

When I came to live to the States a bit less than ten years ago now I left behind many great and important things like the closest members of my family but also I left a rich and sad street culture. I remember that at every red light a child would knock on my window to beg for money. The saddest and tender faces you would see. Those images still are fresh in my mind and still brake my heart. One has so much on this country that sometimes those live encounters are forgotten.

Recently in the last issue of Latina magazine there is a great article and pictures of mujeres de Oaxaca, Mexico where you see the role of mujeres trying to make ends meet to feed and cloth their families. Very powerful. A must see. (In the cover is Arlenis Sosa, fashion icon...)

General Mills's - "Que Rica Vida" Website

I just came across this good site that has Hispanic appeal. "Que Rica Vida". Here you can find recipes, tips, coupons and information about healthy foods for your family and its all in Spanish. The site is owned by General Mills and you can even see your favorite Latino celebrities like Karla Martinez!
Here is an excerpt from Brandweek and the latest new with the renewal partnership with Univision Communications. Just bravo. -HF
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General Mills, Univision Renew 'Rica' Pact
by Stacy Straczynski
In an attempt to extend its Hispanic marketing platform Que Rica Vida (What a Good Life), General Mills announced Tuesday the renewal and expansion of its existing partnership with Univision Communications.

Univision will help promote Que Rica Vida’s new online and mobile elements as well as on-air sponsored vignettes and special cooking presentations.

General Mills will expand its Cocina Hispana, the Hispanic section of Betty Crocker Kitchens, with two new chefs. Chef Doreen Colondres and Cristina Martin del Campo will join existing executive chef Adriana Amione in creating new Hispanic recipes using General Mills products.

The recipes will be presented during the year on Despierta America, Univision’s morning show. Additionally, the chefs will also regularly blog at QueRicaVida.com and help judge La Receta De Mi Cocina, an upcoming online recipe contest.

Univision will also look to expand its resources for viewers. Karla Martinez, co-host of Despierta America... for complete article click here.

Heinz Plans New Recipe, Packaging for Flagship Ketchup Brand

Ketchup is one of those things/sauces that is 100% American and that we have learned to integrate into our diets when we crave burger and fries. Of course is not Hispanic but I think its a basic staple in all Latino household fridges. Enjoy.- HF
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Click here for article from Brandchannel by Barry Silverstein

Kleenex Expresa tu Hispanidad

About Hispanic Packaging Design

What a wonderful contest by Kleenex facial tissues about "Expresa tu Hispanidad"! A contest held last September that invited "[amateur artists in the United Stated to express their Hispanic heritage by creating original works of art.]" The first 3 winners would have their winning works of art printed in boxes of Kleenex facial tissues. (now available in stores).

I have to applaud and say I am delighted with the concept of integrating social media, consumers, brands and products into one project. I think the results are outstanding. Not only you get a unique art expression, but a sentiment, an original flavor, a representation of who we are and a rich culture showpiece that speaks a thousand words. 

¡Bravo Kleenex! -HF
For more information click here
Image: conkleenexexpresatuhispanidad.com

Goya is Big, But Not Great (Yet)

Article by by Larry Lucas and Jorge Aguilar
When you think about prepared Hispanic foods, Goya is the brand that most likely comes to mind. Around since the 1930s, it offers hundreds of products, has gained access to both Hispanic and mainstream retail outlets and has spent tens of millions of dollars in television advertising. Unequivocally, Goya Foods is a large, successful company.

Many brands are at a similar impasse, investing significant resources in the quest to become authentic Hispanic brands. But they end up stuck in the middle, unable to connect with this demographic group and undifferentiated against competition. Why?
At the most basic level, one explanation is the tendency of marketers to approach Hispanics as a single group when, in fact, there are a variety of fundamental differences within it. Fortunately, an increasing number of businesses are realizing this and are exploring ways to segment the Hispanic market. A basic Google search, for example, reveals a handful of segmenting variables that are being used today. While they are a good starting point, these variables are less than ideal. Here’s why:
• Generation: Many believe Hispanic attitudes and behavior are generation-dictated. Not necessarily. While differences exist among first- and second-generation Hispanics, common attitudes can bridge the gap among generations. In our experience, regardless of generation, customer segments that share a hectic lifestyle are willing to pay for products and/or services that help them simplify their lives.
• Country of origin: While country of origin can influence culture, beliefs and opinions, there are enough similarities to assist in cross-country segmentation. Why should a Mexican think differently than a Venezuelan when buying a car or a home? Country of origin is probably more effective in profiling customers rather than segmenting them.
• Orientation toward family: Many ads targeted at Hispanics depict a big family celebration, as some marketers think that all Hispanics are family oriented. In fact, while there are segments that are defined by their family ties, others are more motivated by a different set of values, such as the level of service they receive during the shopping experience.
• Importance of brand: Another fallacy is that Hispanics tend to buy based on brand recognition, preferring what they already know to minimize risk. This isn’t universally true. As in any demographic group, a segment exists that actively looks for and purchases new products and services—the early adopters. Not all Hispanics are risk-averse.
• Product usage: A Goya manager once said, “In Latin America we are united by the language and separated by the bean,” implying that customers can be effectively segmented by what they buy. Segmenting via purchase behavior, however, presents an incomplete picture and produces a segmentation solution that is not stable over time. Think about segmenting customers in the cell phone category based on what product they currently use. This segmentation solution would change every six months and thus hinder the creation of strategies that work over time. Marketers need to understand the motivation for why customers choose the model they do.
• Language: Another popular notion is that English-language ads are less effective than Spanish-language ads in reaching this group. Reaching customers in their preferred language is necessary, but not sufficient to be successful. The most critical issue is identifying the type of message that resonates best with Hispanic segments. Finding the right vehicle and language should flow from there.

For complete article: Click Here
Source Brandchannel

Mi Pueblo Food Center

What a great article by Sheila Himmel! I want a Mi Pueblo Food Center in the NYC Metro area too. Can't wait. Here is a long excerpt:
(Via New York Times)
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Filling Shopping Carts, and a Community Need

Not long ago it would have seemed inconceivable to Laura Martinez, a councilwoman here, that anyone would come to East Palo Alto to shop for food. Even Ms. Martinez and her family usually left town to do that.

For 23 years, there was no supermarket in this city of about 34,000 people, which has long struggled against poverty and crime. Residents bought groceries in small stores, often high-priced and poorly stocked, or they drove or took a bus three or four miles to Palo Alto, Mountain View or Menlo Park.
Then in November, a Mi Pueblo Food Center opened in a former Circuit City store on Highway 101. Its arrays of meat, produce and Latin American products immediately attracted not only the residents of this largely Hispanic city, but also of the Silicon Valley communities around it.
“The weekend of the grand opening was a weekend of rejoicing,” said Ms. Martinez, 25. “People like my grandmother said, ‘I can’t believe this day is finally here.’ ”...

Windowfarms Urban Gardens have Hispanic Flair!

I just came across a video on how to grow some veggies by the window of your apartment kitchen (if you live in NYC) you know this would be a great idea! And for you all Hispanic Flair readers whom I know that are very natural and earth friendly I think this project would be of your delight. Check "Windorfarms Urban Gardens". Such an "increible idea"!

"Vida" is the name of Matthew McConaughey New Baby Girl

"Vida" for (life in English) is the name of actor Matthew McConaughey and girfriend, Brazilian Camila Alves new baby girl born on January 3rd. Click on the link to see the great picture they are sharing on their website.
Congratulations Camila, Matthew and Levi!

New Latin/Hispanic Product Names

The names corporations, brands, products and even fitness classes are coming up lately have such Latin Flavor! like "Cuerpaso Class" at the New York Health and Racquet Club in NYC. (for the ultimate body)....read the excerpt or click here. "Cuerpaso, Spanish for "The Ultimate Body," is a high-paced 50 minute boot camp escape to Latin America created by international fitness and health sensation, Tadeo. Cuerpaso blends Caribbean dance movements with core-building calisthenics and innovative muscle sculpting technique..."
Source