Celebrating Hispanic Heritage the Honest way

At Honest, we value diversity + inclusion and the various cultures and traditions of our customers and employees. September 15th – October 15th marks a month-long celebration of the cultures + contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. What started out as a week-long event in 1968 was later extended to a full month in 1988 and we have several ways you can participate in the festivities.

The holiday honors Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central + South America. September 15th is a special day because it marks the independence of several Latin American countries, which includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its Independence Day one day later.

Keep the celebration going by learning more about the Hispanic + Latin culture and history, participating in events, and supporting Hispanic + Latin businesses throughout the year.

Did you know?

There is often confusion surrounding the terms “Spanish”, “Latino”, “Hispanic”, and “Latinx”. The term “Latin” refers to geography, while the term “Hispanic” refers to language.

• Spanish refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, Spain.
• Hispanic refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a Spanish-speaking country.
• Latino/a or Latinx refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a country in Latin America.

Celebrate at home

In the United States, people of Hispanic origin are the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. This month is celebrated with community festivals and educational events.

Learn more about the diverse cultures and experiences of Hispanic and Latinx Americans at https://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/. You can check out an annual calendar of activities and events, from performances to exhibitions and presentations. While local festivities are usually held in person, this year they can be found online and easily accessible for the whole family.

Movie Night

A great way to celebrate is by hosting a virtual movie night that raises awareness about various Hispanic cultures like “Coco,” which is inspired by the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. In the movie, Miguel dreams of becoming a professional musician, but his family has a generations-old ban on music. In an attempt to prove his talents, he travels to the colorful Land of the Dead on a journey to unlock the real story behind his family history. This moving story about perseverance, traditions, the importance of family, and unconditional love, is great for children of all ages.

Dine In

From secret family recipes to modern takes on traditional meals, food has been a focal point of Hispanic and Latin cultures for centuries. Historically, food has played an important role in shaping one’s identity and was used to bring Hispanic and Latinx families and different people together around the dinner table to share in a common experience. Consider getting festive with a menu of tasty Latin American dishes. Bring together family while learning about Hispanic and Latin cultures through your taste buds with Jessica’s recipe for Chicken Enchiladas!

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken stock
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5 oz each), cut into strips
• 1 jalapeño pepper
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 jar (12 oz) salsa
• 1 cup shredded lowfat cheddar
• 1/2 cup shredded lowfat Monterey Jack
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, drained
• 1 can (16 oz) traditional enchilada sauce
• 1 can (16 oz) green chile enchilada sauce
• Mexican hot sauce
• Cayenne pepper
• Vegetable-oil cooking spray
• 8 corn tortillas (6 inches across)

Heat oven to 425°. In a medium pot, boil stock, chicken, jalapeño and garlic 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Strain chicken, run cold water over it and shred into a bowl. Mix in salsa and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine cheddar, 1/4 cup Monterey Jack, cilantro and olives; set aside. In a large pot over medium heat, combine enchilada sauces and add Mexican hot sauce and cayenne to taste. Stir until simmering. Set aside. Coat an 11" x 13" casserole pan with nonstick spray. Microwave tortillas 20 seconds. Place small handfuls of cheese mixture and chicken in center of each tortilla, roll up and place in pan, seam side down. Sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture. Ladle on sauce, then add remaining 1/4 cup Monterey Jack. Bake 20 minutes. Serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Book Guide

A great way to foster inclusion + promote diversity is through reading. These books recognize the voices and stories within Hispanic and Latin cultures. They're great for every young reader.

For preschoolers:

"Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes" by Roseanne Thong