Category: Worldwise

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. 

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.

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!

Sign up to Munchachos here and download our FREE app to explore, have fun, learn loads and get worldwise.

What is Kwanzaa?

For seven days beginning on 26^th December and lasting until the 1^st January, African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa. This holiday is named for the time of year when African tribes traditionally celebrate the first harvest of their crops.  

In spite of the fact that Kwanzaa is a relatively new holiday, it is celebrated by many. Its rapid adoption by so many is down to the fact that it symbolises what it means to be an African; celebrate specifically family, community and culture.

How do We Celebrate?

Many houses put out candelabra a little like the Advent candle or Chanukah Menorah, called a Kinara.  Its seven candles symbolise the seven nights of the holiday and the seven principles upon which the holiday is based.  These are called the Nguzo Saba and are: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba) and faith (imani). 

As well as the Kinara, people decorate their houses with straw mats and ears of corn to symbolise the harvest.  Many decorations, crafts and ceramics are hung around the house in the traditional colours are red, green and black, to mirror many of the African countries’ flags.  

On December 31^st, the holiday culminates in a feast called Karamu. This feast is made up of an abundance of traditional food which could include African creole, Cajun catfish, jerk chicken or Groundnut stew (and many scrumptious munchables too?).

We think it all sounds delicious and are very keen to try out some of these flavours. Perhaps they could be incorporated into a new Munchachos snack for 2019! What do you think?

Sign up to Munchachos here and download our FREE app to explore, have fun, learn loads and get worldwise.

What is A Christingle?

Christingles are candles set in oranges held by children at Advent services.  Each element has a special meaning significant to the Christian church.  

The tradition was begun in Germany in the 18^th century but then  popularised when John Pensom brought it to the UK and held Christingle services to raise money for The Children’s Society.  This year it is the 50^th year since the first Christingle service.

Ready to Make your Very own Christingle?

You will need the following: 

• An orange 
• A red ribbon 
• Dried fruits and sweets on skewers or cloves 
• A lit candle 

The orange represents the world; the red ribbon indicates God’s love wrapped around the world and the blood Christ shed on the cross; the dried fruits are symbols of God’s creations and the lit candle symbolises Jesus.  

Now for the fun part!

1. Tie a ribbon around the middle of your orange. Make sure its nice and tight!
2. Cut a small cross in the top of your orange and lay a square of silver foil (1cm square) over the cross. This might be a good time to get an adult to help. 
3. Place a candle on top and wedge it firmly into the orange.  The foil will help prevent hot wax running onto your hand.
4. Load four cocktail sticks with raisins, sultanas or soft sweets and insert them into the orange around the base of the candle.  Alternatively insert cloves all over the orange (it smells amazing!) 

Take a photo of your Christingle, send it to us here and tag us on Instagram (@Munchachos). We cannot wait to see your creations!

Sign up to Munchachos here and download our FREE app to explore, have fun, learn loads and get worldwise.