Are you hosting a 4th of July party this year? There are so many moving parts that you probably haven’t considered how to turn this year’s Independence party into an environmentally friendly bash. That’s where we come in!

1. CREATE YOUR OWN FROZEN TREATS AT HOME-RECIPES

Frozen treats are the perfect complement to sweaty summer days, however, many packaged popsicles and ice creams come with layers of plastic wrap that can’t be recycled. A fun, alternative to store-bought desserts are homemade sweets! You can make your own popsicles and frozen desserts at home with fruit juice, yogurt, and other common ingredients.

2. MAKE IT EASY FOR GUESTS TO RECYCLE

For every trash can, consider placing sorted recycling bins right next to it. You’ll want to use a bin for aluminum cans, one for plastics and one for paper items. This renewable party tip will eliminate any confusion your guests may have, and ensure your recyclables avoid the landfills this year.

3. SWAP OUT ONE-TIME USE PLASTICS

Instead, opt for using your regular washable dishes and cutlery.  If reusable dishes are just not an option, opt for compostable flatware made of corn, potato or bamboo. Be sure to look for these labels when purchasing.

4. REUSE AND REPURPOSE YOUR DECORATIONS

Instead of buying new decorations, use what you already have. White Christmas lights, flowers from your garden, or a bowl of bright-red strawberries, blueberries, and apples all look great!

Although your to-do list may seem long this time of year, back-to-school doesn’t have to be complicated. Simplify your prep by checking out our top tips for success.

1. Start a family calendar Whether you write them down or use a digital calendar, keeping track of your family’s daily plans will make your week run smoothly.


2. Simplify the snacks Packing a snack in lunches doesn’t have to be stressful. Reach for 15 bag boxes of Smartfood^® Mix for easy, great-tasting snacks that are loaded with variety!


3. Schedule in downtime Back-to-school is a busy time of year for moms too. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Take time to recharge by setting aside “me time” in your calendar.


4. Plan for fun Don’t let the end of summer be the end of fun. Keep the excitement alive and make the back-to-school transition easier by planning fun weekend activities.


5. Get some rest That means going to bed earlier! When you’re well-rested, you’ll be better equipped to take on busy back-to-school routines.

 

The beautiful game is about to take center stage, and all over the world, countries will be cheering on their team in the quest for soccer’s ultimate prize. 

For everyone watching at home, we’ve got some really fun ideas to make the most of your next soccer watching party. Give these a try!  

Kickoff with some apps

It wouldn’t be match day without some delicious flavors to fuel all the fans in your home. Need some inspiration? Check out some of our favorite game day recipes here. 

Wear your colors proudly

Just because you’re watching at home, doesn’t mean you can’t dress up as if you’re in the stadium. Bust out your full fan-gear, including jerseys, scarves, flags, and maybe even a little bit of face paint to represent your country loud & proud.

Decorate your home

Speaking of representing your country’s colors, why not use your favorite nation’s flag as inspiration for some decorations around the house? Get some streamers, balloons, and any other special touches that will bring your team good luck. 

Make some friendly bets

Just for fun. Have everyone in your family choose a player who they think will score the first goal of the match. The winner gets to decide what’s for dinner the next day! If you plan ahead, you can even have everyone fill out the tournament brackets to guess who’ll escape each round of competition. 

Plan a half-time game

While the players take a break in-between the action, your friends + family can compete in their own little competition. Have a round of soccer trivia, hold your own penalty kick competition in the backyard, or set up a piñata and see who the big winner is! By the time you’re finished, everyone will be amped up for the second half.

Hispanic food culture is all about big, bold, vibrant, and soul-comforting flavors that have been passed down from generation to generation.

It’s practically impossible to pick a favorite, but we’ve rounded up a few of our most beloved staples below:

Baleadas 

A breakfast staple in Honduras, these thick tortillas are stuffed with scrambled eggs, refried beans, and other fixings like queso duro or cotija cheese, and maybe a little dollop of sour cream.
 

Tostadas

These crunchy creations come in all shapes and sizes, using toasted tortillas as a base for all kinds of meat, vegetable, and seafood toppings. For an extra simple twist on this traditional treat, try out our Transporter Tostadas recipe made with Tostitos^®! 

Enchiladas

Grab some tortillas, load them up with your top fillings (beans, veggies, pork, chicken — you name it!) and cover them in a rich, savory sauce before baking to create this family-favorite. We also suggest checking out our one-pan Fritos^® Enchilada Skillet Bake.

Elote

Also known as Mexican Street Corn, elote is one of the most popular street food dishes in Latin America, and for good reason! Char-grilled, then slathered in a creamy sauce and topped with other spices, cheese, and other tasty fixings. If you’re feeling extra spicy, try out these CHEETOS^® FLAMIN' HOT^® Elotes. 

Arepas Rellenas

These Argentinian style arepas are stuffed with all kinds of seasonal ingredients, and are usually a bit thicker than their Colombian counterparts. You can make them from scratch with some dehydrated corn meal, and whatever fillings your hungry heart desires. 

Layered Doritos^® Taco

Okay — you caught us. This one wasn’t exactly passed down from our great grandparents...but we’ll certainly be sharing it with our own kids! Swap out standard taco shells and use a yummy layer of Doritos^® Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips as your bold base. Get the full recipe here.

September 15th to October 15th is officially recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month — and it’s an amazing opportunity to explore + celebrate one of the most vibrant and diverse cultures in the world. 

There’s no shortage of amazing flavors, music, art, and ideas worth honoring. So, if you’re wondering where to start, here are five of our favorite ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your entire family.  

Get artsy!  

Hispanic culture is rich in many things — and the fine arts are no exception. From Pablo Picasso to Diego Rivera, there’s so much beauty to explore. For a fun family activity, grab some paint brushes, and try to create your own masterpiece inspired by one of these incredible artists. 

Learn a Latin dance

There’s plenty of famous styles to try out: from samba to merengue, salsa, bomba, and the classic cha-cha-cha. A quick video search online will turn up all kinds of beginner’s tutorials, so carve out a little dance floor in your home, and start moving those hips! 

Support local businesses

From food to fashion and every shop in-between, America is filled with great, independent, Latino-owned businesses — and this month is the perfect time to show them extra support. 

Brush up on your Spanish!

If you aren’t already fluent, this month is the perfect time to start practicing. There are lots of free language apps + classes available online. Better yet, try finding a friend or family member who can help you, and challenge yourself to speak only Spanish for an entire day.

Try some new recipes

Or an old favorite that’s been passed down from generation to generation. Latin America has always been famous for its rich food culture, and you could easily pick a different country each week to inspire your family dinner planning. For a playful twist on some Hispanic classics, you can check out these recipes.

One of our favorite ways to explore different cultures is through our taste buds. You can learn so much about a country’s history, people, and traditions just by exploring new recipes. 

The best part? You don’t have to hop on a plane to bring those international flavors home! 

So, grab your foodie passport — ‘cause we’re about to go on a global taste adventure.

Argentina — Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri is a staple sauce of South American cuisine, and a quintessential condiment for any proper asado, AKA, an Argentinian BBQ. But it doesn’t only go great with meat! Try whipping up these BBQ Brisket Nachos made with Doritos^®, and top ‘em off with a generous dollop of the glorious green stuff. 

México — Huevos Rancheros

Looking for some bold breakfast flavors? This traditional farmer’s breakfast is guaranteed to satisfy, and you can dress it up with all kinds of hot sauces. For a bite-sized twist, check out this Mini Huevos Rancheros recipe that’s perfect for parties! 

Thailand — Vegetarian Thai Curry 

Want to spice things up a bit? The fragrant flavors of Southeast Asia are a great place to start, and they pair perfectly with Fritos^®,! Try this creamy red curry dish packed with delicious veggies and fresh lemongrass + ginger. 

Peru — Fish Tacos

The ocean is an endless source of tastiness down in Peru, and tacos are one of our favorite ways to enjoy today’s catch. Turn them into appetizers by grabbing some Tostitos^® to create this One Bite Fish Tacos recipe for a fresh flash of flavor! 

Greece — Feta Dip

Transport your taste buds to Mykonos with the island’s quintessential flavor of feta — one of the world’s oldest cheese varieties. There’s plenty of opportunity for variation here, but if you like a little kick, we suggest starting with this Creamy Jalapeño Feta Dip.