munchachos, Author at Munchachos

Posted on 28 January 2019 6 January 2019

Australia Day

When is Australia Day and what do we Celebrate?

The 26^th January is Australia Day, when Australians celebrate all the things they love about their country.

The day marks the anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival in Sydney in 1788 from England. Australia Day was initially a celebration of the expansion of the British Empire. However, it has since become a celebration of the country’s cultural diversity. From the Aboriginals to the British, the country is a rich mix of nationalities and cultures.

First Fleet on their way to Sydney from Portsmouth, England in 1778

In fact, in a recent survey 75% of Australians said that Australia Day had a far bigger meaning beyond being just a day off work!

There is some controversy…

There has been much controversy in recent years about the date of Australia Day. Some celebrate the 26^th January as the day that the British Empire arrived on Australian soil. Others mourn the day that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lost much of their land. Many who can claim native heritage use the day to mark the survival of their ongoing traditions and cultures and others want to use it as a day to teach others about their nation’s past.

How do we celebrate?

Controversy aside, the national day provides an opportunity to celebrate the country as a whole, and what it means to be an Australian in 2019. Australia Day falls in the middle of the Australian summer and is often celebrated outdoors in parks or on the beach. Aussies enjoy outdoor concerts and performances, street parades and fireworks in celebration.

It is very busy on the beach in Adelaide on Australia Day!

We wish all our Australian friends a very Happy Australia Day!

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Posted on 21 January 2019 6 January 2019

Blue Monday

Blue Monday is a name given to the third Monday of January, the day that is deemed to be the most depressing day of the year. The premise behind this claim lies in the fact that it’s midway through January as people struggle to deal with their daily routines and New Year’s resolutions.

Munchachos Snacks Children: Resolutions New Years — Did you write any New Year’s resolutions?

But at Munchachos, we refuse to subscribe to this day! Yes, January can be a bit dreary, none of us feel very flush after Christmas and, let’s face it, it’s the month that is the furthest away from the next Christmas celebrations (!) but there are many ways to beat the blues.

We don’t have a huge amount of sun in this country but even the little that we have can affect our moods as sunlight can boost the amount of serotonin (or ‘happy hormone’) in our bodies. The best thing you can do to make yourself feel less blue is to head outside and exercise. Exercising reduces stress hormone levels and makes you more positive in general. It makes you better prepared to conquer the day ahead.

Munchachos Snacks Children: Blue Monday Toboggan — Tobogganing is great outdoor winter fun!

Furthermore, a big blues-buster is to eat the right things. Whilst we’re all into beating the cold with comfort food, it’s always a good idea to strike a balance. Diet also has an impact on the quality of your sleep, another huge factor in the avoidance of the blues!

So, don’t be blue! Head outside, do some exercise and then go home, crack open a Munchachos snack and reflect on the adventures you’re going to have this year. Make 2019 a good one!

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Posted on 14 January 2019 6 January 2019

World Religion Day

What is World Religion Day?

We celebrate World Religion Day on the 20^th January. The international day was established by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States in 1950.

The key focus of the day is to encourage people with different religious beliefs to come together. The aim is to also emphasise the common objectives that are at the core of every religion.

What is the Baha’i Faith?

The Baha’i Faith is a religion that focuses on the basic value of all religions. The Faith’s concentrates on all people living together peacefully. It suggests that even though the way people worship and what they worship may differ, the spiritual building blocks of all world religions are similar.

The Baha’is also believe that women and men of all races are equal; that education is important; and that slavery should be forbidden.

Munchachos Snacks Children: World Religion Day Baha'i — The Lotus Temple in Delhi, India is a Baha’i House of Worship

So what is the purpose of World Religion Day?

World Religion Day seeks to inspire the Baha’i’s key objective, which is to promote world peace. Above all, World Religion Day is meant to encourage people from different religions and cultures to speak and exchange ideas.

How will you celebrate diversity in your community?

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Posted on 7 January 2019 6 January 2019

Epiphany

What is Epiphany?

The 6^th January is Epiphany and marks the twelfth day since Christmas. It is the official end to the festive season for many Christians around the world.

The Twelfth Night is significant as a celebration of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptism. It also marks a visit to the baby Jesus by three Kings, or Wise Men. That is why Epiphany is also known as Little Christmas or Three Kings’ Day.

Where does the word Epiphany come from?

The word ‘Epiphany’ has Greek roots and means ‘to show’. This refers to Jesus being revealed to the world. It is also why when you have an ‘epiphany moment’ it means that something is revealed to you.

How do people celebrate Epiphany?

Here are some interesting facts about the Feast of Epiphany from around the world:

In some European countries, children leave their shoes out the night before to be filled with gifts. Others leave straw for the three Kings’ horses.

Shoes filled with gifts… and perhaps some scrumptious munchables?

According to Greek Orthodox Church’s traditions, a priest will bless the waters by throwing a cross into it. Worshippers dive in to try to retrieve it.

In goes the cross!

In Venice a traditional regatta, that started as a joke in the late 70s, forms part of the celebrations of Epiphany Day.

According to some, misfortune apparently befalls anyone who keeps Christmas decorations up a minute after Twelfth Night. Have you taken your decorations down?

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Posted on 31 December 2018 5 January 2019

New Year

It’s New Year’s Eve! A time for celebrations! But how will the members of our Munchachos Family be ringing in 2019?

France

In France, New Year’s Eve is called La Sant-Sylvestre. One French tradition is to kiss under the mistletoe at the stroke of midnight in order to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits for the year ahead.

Spain

Spaniards eat 12 grapes one by one, in time with the striking of the clock at midnight on the 31^st. If you eat them all in time, you will have a lucky and prosperous year ahead.

Germany

In Germany, one tradition is to melt little bits of lead over a small flame and then drop it quickly into cold water. The strange shape it then takes on are supposed to reveal what the year ahead will bring.

Jamaica

In Jamaica, it is unheard of to have piles of dirty laundry waiting to welcome the New Year.

China

1^st January is not as significant in China as in other parts of the world as they have their own new year in late January-early February which they celebrate with millions of Chinese lanterns, dragon displays and fireworks (we’ll blog about this at a later date!)

Mexico

At midnight on New Year’s Eve, many Mexicans open the door and symbolically sweep out ‘the old’. At midnight, they toss 12 cents (coins) on the ground and sweep them into the house for prosperity.

Italy

Many Italians wear red underwear to bring luck in the coming year!

America

One of the best-known New Year’s Eve traditions in the USA is watching the colourful crystal ball drop in Times Square. As many as a million people attend a party in the square and enjoy musical performances and fireworks..

Canada

In Canada there is a tradition of clapping and roaring at the time of midnights to push away all the past evils and negative energies.

New Zealand

Thanks to their location, New Zealand is one of the first countries to celebrate. the New Year. Because the country has quite a large number of Scottish immigrants, many of the traditions have Scottish heritage; including wearing kilts on New Year’s Day and ‘first footing’ where the first person to cross a threshold of the house after midnight brings good luck!

Greece

In Greece, the biggest event for a household is the Pothariko, when the first born son of a family must be the first to cross the threshold of the house with their right foot. This will bring luck to the household for the whole year. In some areas of Greece this person holds a pomegranate whose seeds symbolise happiness and good fortune.

UK

And back at home, there is a belief that the first guest to enter through the front door should be a young, dark-headed male bearing gifts such as bread (to be full), salt (to be wealthy) and coal (to stay warm).

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