#WomanCrushWednesday Challenging the misconceptions of #Latina #Beauty moderated by @EmeraudeToubia #WeAreOrgullosa

THIS IS NOT A COMPENSATED POST

You know how every month has an official 'something' day?

September has a quite a few, notable ones including:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Self-Care Awareness + International Self-Awareness Month
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Self Improvement Month
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Healthy Aging Month
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - National Preparedness Month (ironic in the wake of Hurricane Harvey + Hurricane Irma)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Shameless Promotion Month (I thought this was a joke!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Save Your Photos Month
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Save Your Koala Month
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - International Strategic Thinking Month
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Superior Relationships Month
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Women's Friendship Month
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - and National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 - October 15th

Earlier this summer (well actually just a little before summer) I attended a launch event in New York City hosted by P&G's (Procter & Gamble) #WeAreOrgullosa Initiative where a frank panel discussion was hosted to challenge the misconceptions of Latina Beauty.

If the name sounds familiar it is because I have written about the program before in a post that was a writing challenge where bloggers/blogueras were asked to share their 'orgullosa' moments - moments we were most proud of. I look back on that post fondly as I still LOVE my list, if you missed that post, check it out HERE, but be sure to come back to this post!

The Orgullosa program is one of the largest platforms for Latinas by Latinas that provides tips and resources in the beauty, home and lifestyle categories.

In partnership with Crest, Herbal Essences, Olay, Pantene, Secret and Venus a panel conversation which was moderated by Mexican-Lebanese actress Emeraude Toubia (she portrays Isabelle Lightwood on the freeform fantasy series Shadowhunters) revealed a three step approach to breaking Latina Stereotypes that included:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digital Lookbook - featuring P&G brands and offering readers product savings, style tips and inspiration for feeling confident, beautiful and orgullosa.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Photo Gallery - that offers free downloadable photos - anyone looking to represent Latinas will now have more diverse and inclusive options

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Docu-style Video - includes live interviews with Latinas capturing cultural stories aimed to inspire other women to embrace the beauty of their own identity

The Video:

Latinas are often stereotyped as sex symbols and boxed in as having one hair color, skin tone and body type, and are sorely under-represented and inaccurately portrayed by media. Challenging these misconceptions and showing that Latinas are multi-dimensional and certainly not 'one-size fits all' is what fueled Orgullosa to put the power of social media to work and partner with Latina Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Influencers to share tips from their daily beauty routines as well as more personal cultural testimonials.

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"I was honored to have the opportunity to moderate this inspiring panel; each story reignited passion to celebrate the beauty and diversity of Latinas" ~ Emeraude Toubia

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Above: Actress Emeraude Toubia unveils a docu-style video launched by P&G's Orgullosa to celebrate the diversity of Latina Beauty at the #WeAreOrgullosa Event in New York City

Above: Left to Right: Georgina Morillo, Hiliana Devila and Ada Rojas, Far Right Moderator Actress Emeraude Toubia

These ladies are the participants of the Docu-Style Video. I love seeing brands partner with people to tell real stories. 

Above: Had to nab this Product Shot as many of these items were in our gift boxes.

Above: Treat Table with make your own treat mason jars to take home, NICE!

Above: This was during the day so there were no cocktails, but oddly enough this event gets my beverage of the summer award for introducing me to these, there were assorted varieties available for attendees, but these were my favorites with the prickly pear and orange variety (left) being my absolute favorite. I seriously need to find out if they need an Ambassador because I have not been able to stop talking about these!

Above: I  never pass up a flowers shot. Nothing brings more beauty to a space than flowers in my opinion.

Above: You all know I much prefer being behind the camera, so enjoy this rare butterfly sighting of me on the pink carpet 'step and repeat'!

MY TAKE:

More of these frank conversations need to happen to shatter and bust the definition of 'Beauty' wide open, for Latinas and all women.

There are a myriad of ways we can all be part of the solution, whether it's on Social Media or offline, let's celebrate one another, not bash or bully, not criticize photos or videos of other women. It's super easy to use the anonymity of the internet to join the 'mean girls' society, but it is just as easy to say something kind and WAY more empowering.

Ascending Butterfly has always taken a mind, body and soul approach to overall wellbeing AND beauty. and since I'm always listening to music while I write I am going to quote Lauryn Hill:

"How you gon' win when you ain't right within' ~Lauryn Hill (Doo Wop (That Thing)

I have decided to put my usual #WineWednesday to the side for this month and focus on a #WomanCrushWednesday instead, this week I am making all the ladies including the moderator, Emeraude Toubia, my Women Crush Wednesday.

I am also going to focus on various Women Entrepreneurs in this series.

Many will be the amazing women I met at the NYNOW tradeshow this summer. So be on the lookout for upcoming Women Entrepreneurs in my #WomenCrushWednesday series.

Remember Orgullosa is a COMMUNITY, so please head over and join to keep track of future campaigns and to nab great discounts on those Procter & Gamble household and beauty favorites!

READERS SOUND OFF: How do YOU define Beauty? What makes YOU feel most beautiful? Who is your #WomenCrushWednesday this week? Leave a comment here or tag us on social using the hashtag. And for my Latina Beauties also include #WeAreOrgullosa in your social posts so we all can participate in the ongoing conversation.

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This was a private event for Media, Editors and Influencers, and all opinions are 100% my own!  This is NOT a compensated post although it certainly should be. There were gift bags. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#MovementMonday} @BalletHispanico BHdos performance at #OrchidShow2015 @nybg NY Botanical Garden {#Photos}

I hope you got a chance to check out The Orchid Show: Chandeliers at the New York Botanical Garden, I absolutely loved it, and in case you missed it, you can check out my coverage of it HERE (just note that the giveaway is already closed).

In addition to being able to enjoy the Orchid Show this year, I also got the chance to enjoy a class in growing mini and macro Orchids (which I will share with you guys in a separate post) and a performance by BHdos, The Second Company of Ballet Hispanico.

BHdos are pre-professional dancers of Ballet Hispanico's second company, they serve as a 'bridge' of sorts between the School of Dance and the Professional Company, as well as the community and their own training careers. They work to bring Latino Culture to schools, communities and corporations through a 50 minute exploration of dance influenced by Spain and Latin America. The fully-costumed performances feature choreography from the current Ballet Hispanico repertory.

If you missed their performances in conjunction with the Orchid Show at New York Botanical Garden, you can still catch them at The Joyce Theater from April 14th-26th, so act FAST! And for my readers who are parents, Ballet Hispanico's registration for their 'Los Explorers' Summer Dance (preschool) Camps for Ages 3-5 is open!

Here are my photo highlights from one of the April Performances Ballroom's Best: Tango, Waltz, and Cha-Cha - A Celebration of Ballroom Dances at New York Botanical Garden:

Above: There is an amazing line up of upcoming activities at New York Botanical Garden, I will definitely be back again very soon!

Above: BHdos Rehearsal Director Nicholas Villeneuve shares about the history of BHdos and highlights the dance Program (midway he also leads the audience in an interactive dancing lesson, that gets everyone dancing!)

First Section of the Program: Tito on Timbales - Cha-Cha-Cha Duet: Music by Tito Puente

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha

Above: Ballet Hispanico's, BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha From Left to Right: Amanda Esposito and Christopher Wilson.

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing a Cha-Cha-Cha

Second Section of the Program: El Vals - Waltz Duet: Music by Greg Nestor

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing El Vals - Waltz Duet

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos dancers in motion performing El Vals - Waltz Duet From Left to Right: Nicole Garcia, Nicolay Espitia.

Third Section of the Program: Tango Vitrola - Tango Duet: Music by Vincente Creco and Roberto Firpo

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Christopher Wilson, takes the stage for the Tango Vitrola - Tango Duet

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Christopher Wilson, and his dance partner literally in mid air dancing the  Tango Vitrola - Tango Duet (I was super stoked on capturing the motion in this shot!)

Fourth and Final Section of the Program: Club Havana - Mambo and Rhumba: Music by Israel Lopez, Ruben Gonzales, A.K. Salim, Perez Prado and Francisco Repilado.

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner set the scene in a number entitled: Club Havana

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner set the scene in a number entitled: Club Havana

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner set the scene in a number entitled: Club Havana

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner are a powerful presence onstage during the scene in a number entitled: Club Havana

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner were bringing Mambo and Rhumba too life! Making us all feel like we were sitting in a Club in Havana!

Above: Now that's a FACE OFF! Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner were bringing Mambo and Rhumba to life! Making us all feel like we were sitting in a Club in Havana!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Christopher Wilson and his dance partner join in the final program Club Havana - Mambo and Rhumba

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Christopher Wilson and his dance partner look on at Nicolay Espitia and his dancer partner perform from the program Club Havana - Mambo and Rhumba (Isn't the effect of their movement cool?)

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Nicolay Espitia, and his dance partner in mid air!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancer, Left: Christopher Wilson and Right: Nicolay Espitia, in mid air!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancers. I loved how the camera was able to catch the movement of their skirts and how they blend in with the flower on the wall, they sort of look like dancing flowers!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancers. This time both teams are dancing simultaneously, not an easy feat as this is actually a pretty small stage!

Above: Ballet Hispanico BHdos, Dancers take their final bow!

MY TAKE:

Ballet Hispanico's BHdos put on such a lively performance, and the tribute to the musicians like Tito Puente in Program One entitled 'Tito on Timbales' was a touching tribute to those who know the musical legend 'El Rey Del Timbal' Sadly I think most people feel they have been exposed to 'ballroom' mostly because of the Television Series, 'Dancing With The Stars' but these dances have a very rich history, and so too does Ballet Hispanico, read about BH's founder Tina Ramirez.

Did you wake up this morning with a 'case of the Mondays'? I thought instead of a typical 'Motivation Monday' to start your day, we begin with a 'Movement Monday'. Just MOVE right now. Get up off your seat, put down your coffee/cafecito and pull up a you tube video on one of the dance styles featured above and follow along with it. Or use your favorite zumba video, or just pop your favorite Salsa song on and get to dancing! Move your way into a much happier Monday Butterflies!

How are you going to MOVE today on #MovementMonday, it's not just a Monday around here today butterflies, it's a movement, so start flapping those beautiful wings of yours!

·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received to post our recap of the show, and all opinions are 100% my own!  We were provided access to show for editorial consideration. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

#Receta de Pan de Bono / Columbian Cheese Bread #Recipe + Join the #TwitterParty #HerenciaDelBigote 10/8 at 6:30 pm EST!

#ad: This is a Sponsored Post brought to you by @BigotedeLeche Got Milk? See below post for Full Disclosure Information. All opinions are 100% my own.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month Butterflies! As you know my online alter ego is "The Official #TwitterPartyDJ" and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month I am co-hosting a Twitter Party sponsored by @BigotedeLeche which is the Hispanic side of the house for the popular Got Milk? campaign! They also decided to put my limited Baking Skills to the test and challenged me to make a recipe I had never personally made before! I was assigned Pan de Bono, Columbian Cheese Bread, and as I'd rather whip up a 9 course gourmet meal from scratch but have someone else bring the baked goods and desserts, I was a bit nervous about trying my hand at this one, but it came out delish and it was actually way easier than I thought it would be! (See below the recipe for Twitter Party details).

These are the cheese bread balls before going into the oven

Here is the recipe for Columbian Cheese Bread below:

Ingredients:

2/3 cup cassava starch or yuca flour

1/4 cup precooked cornmeal or masarepa

1 cup Mexican queso freso or Colombian quesito

1 1/4 cup feta cheese

1 large egg

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.

In a food processor, place yuca flour, cheese & masarepa.

Process until well combined.

Add the egg slowly while food processor is running.

Divide the mixture into 12 equal size portions, shape into balls.

Place on a baking sheet.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden Brown.

Here is the Golden Brown and Cheesy Delicious AFTER!

Serving Suggestion:

Be sure to serve warm. Great with Coffee or Hot Chocolate, but I also paired this with some home-made chili in lieu of biscuits! (Basket Optional!) :-)

Nutritional Information: 76 Calories. 4 Grams of Protein. 121.4 Grams of Calcium.

Twitter Party Details:

When: Tuesday, October 8th

Where: Twitter (if you don't already have a twitter account, this is the perfect time to get one!)

Time: 6:30 pm EST to 7:00 pm EST

Hosts: Nutritionist Su-Nui Escobar will be tweeting using @BigotedeLeche the sponsor's twitter handle

Co-Hosts: @Tracy_Iglesias (ME! The Official #TwitterPartyDJ), @couponmamacita, @mejoramihogar, @jeffmarias2001 and @NaturalmentMama

Prizes: Each blogger Co-Host will be selecting 2 winners (for a total of TEN winners) to receive a $50 Bigote de Leche Gift Card

RSVP Info: NO RSVP NECESSARY, COME AS YOU ARE!

While an RSVP is NOT required, I would love for Ascending Butterflies to leave a comment below with their twitter handles letting me know you plan to attend. Note: The party will be conducted primarily in Spanish and I will do my best to tweet in both Spanish and English during the party so as many readers as possible can participate! Make sure you are following ALL Co-Hosts as well as the sponsor so we may DM you if you are selected as a winner!

========EN ESPANOL=======

Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana Mariposas! Como sabes mi alter ego en linea es "El #TwitterPartyDJ Official" y en honor del mes del patrimonio hispano estoy organizando una fiesta en Twitter patrocinado por @BigotedeLeche usando el 'hashtag' #HerenciaDelBigote

Mi receta para 'Pan De Bono':

Ingredientes:

1 taza de harina para pan de bono

4 oz de queso crema libre de grasa

1 taza de queso rallado semi descremado

1 huevo

Suficiente leche, baja en grasa, para formar una masa suave

(aproximadamente unas 2 cucharadas)

Aceite antiadherente para cocinar

Modo de Preparacion:

Precaliente el horno a 350° F.

Rocíe una charola para cocinar galletas con aceite antiadherente.

Mezcle la harina con el queso crema y añada el huevo. 

Incorpore el queso.

Divide la mezcla en 12 bolitas y ponga sobre la charola para galletas.

Hornee por 20 minutos aproximadamente, hasta que estén dorados por fuera y cocidos por dentro.

Sirva con un café con leche o un chocolate caliente.

Son perfectos para un rico desayuno.

Información Nutricional

76 calorías

1.9g de grasa

1.1g de grasa saturada

4g de proteína

121.4g de calcio

Informaction Sobre El Twitter Fiesta:

Cuando: El dia 8 de Octubre

Tiempo: 6:30 pm EST

Los Premios: Tarjeta de $50 dolares USD de Bigote de Leche

No es necessario hacer RSVP!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am being compensated both to share my recipe and co-host the #HerenciaDelBigote Twitter Party. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.