Peruvian Chef - Gaston Acurio on New York City Wine & Food Festival 2010

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The next Wine & Food Festival will be held in the big apple NYC in October. I am a fan of some of the Food Network's chefs and a great believer that good food is "the thing" that unite us all.  While looking at the event ads and promotion I was happy to find my compatriot Gaston Acurio, a chef and culinary celebrity in Peru who is promoting and working extensively in Peruvian food. His Bio will be coming up soon in the events site if you are interested in reading more. For the looks of it, the event is going to be a great one.

Comparison: "Store Brand vs. Brand" - Training Pants / Pull-Ups

Many times we think and feel that store branded products are of less quality and yes I have tried and tested many products like such to confirm its true. However sometimes (more now than before) you can come across store branded products that can make you smile and surprise you, like the CVS Training Pants I bought for my son recently. 

Regarding quality, this are absorbent enough and nice on touch and material. About its design: the characters that decor the training pant are really sweet and very nicely done. I am always picky that things have to be pretty, but best of all my son loves his fire truck theme pants just as much as he loves his "Go Diego Go" pull-ups branded ones. The packaging does not make you feel you are buying a less quality product, the design is good enough and more for being a store brand. Good job CVS!

Insight: What Topics do Latinas Prefer to Read?

The Latina woman enjoys reading about Beauty, Fashion, Health, Royalty Gossip & Food (new recipes)!

Latin Flavor: Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp for dinner

I love eating fresh and tasty meals. I think food makes a great part of the Latin culture and is one of those things that unite use because we share ingredients, flavors, dishes. I am starting this new section "Latin Flavor" so we can talk about some Latino yumminess.
What's for dinner tonight?
As you know I love to cook. Specially when its for my husband or friends who come over every now and then. This time instead of making the same old dishes I make during the week, I decided to make something that my hubby loves and that has great presentation but at the same time easy! This is my take on Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp for dinner on Tuesday!...my husband has Latin roots just like me so he appreciates fresh and "real meals".
Enjoy.

Congratulations to Miss Mexico, now Miss Universe

Beautiful Miss Mexico is now Miss Universe!

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