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Fair Trade Jewelry and Ethical Fashion

Sneak a Peek as Artisans in Mexico Share a Favorite Family Recipe!

by | Artisans

A Family Tradition

Inspired by Artisan traditions passed down for generations, women in southern Mexico create handcrafted fair-trade jewelry, fashions, and home décor that reflect their ancient culture and create social change. They’re providing safe jobs with fair wages to support local families through financial sustainability, authentic community, and lasting hope.

(Read Time: 3 min.)

A Favorite Family Recipe

Our Artisan partners in Mexico want to share their favorite family recipe with you!

Rebeca and her mother, also named Rebeca, share their grandmother’s recipe for Caldo de Res con Elote that’s been passed down for generations!

Did you know Caldo de Res con Elote is a delicious and healthy traditional Mexican Beef Soup?

(Photo: Rebeca’s family cooking Caldo de Res con Elote.)

Caldo de Res con Elote

2 lb. beef chuck with bones

4 minced cloves garlic

1/2 medium white onion chopped in 1-inch pieces

2 carrots cut into 1-inch pieces

1 celery stick cut into 2-inch pieces

1 chayote squash cut in 2-inch pieces (can substitute potatoes or any other squash)

1 corn on the cob, halved

1 zucchini, cut into 2-inch cubes

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 head cabbage

Quartered Lime wedges Jalapenō peppers if you like spice

Corn tortillas to serve with it on the side and warmed up

Put 10 cups of water, garlic, and onion in a large pot with the beef cut up into cubes. Add salt and boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes. If there is foam or grease on the top, it should be removed. Add the chayote (or potatoes), carrots, celery, cabbage, corn, zucchini. Cover and let simmer for 25-30 more minutes.

Serve hot with lime wedges, cut up jalapeōs, and warm corn tortillas. Enjoy!

Rebeca & Rebeca’s Story of Hope

For as long as Rebeca can remember, her mom has been a talented weaver and embroiderer. As a little girl, Rebeca watched her mom create beautifully embroidered shirts for their family to wear and sell in their local village market in Mexico.

Even though Rebeca was the youngest of seven children, she was the most interested in learning her mom’s craft. She would often go to the market with her mom to translate for her since her mom only speaks the local language of their village and Rebeca learned Spanish in school.

Rebeca, Embroidery Artisan in Mexico
Rebeca's mom, also Rebeca, making their grandmother's favorite recipe.

Rebeca (left) is named after her mom, Rebeca (right).

Rebeca was lucky. She was able to stay in school until 6th grade, while her brothers and sisters were only able to go to school until 2nd or 3rd grade. Their life was hard, as their single mom raised seven children alone. Their family of eight lived in a very small home, sometimes without enough to eat. The kids started working to sell products to tourists when they were very young.

Rebeca loved helping her mom and learning how to embroider and weave. She loved making crafts and teaching others how to make them too. But Rebeca wanted her mom to rest, so she took over the business when she was only fifteen years old.

Now as an adult, Rebeca’s life is much calmer knowing that she has long-term relationships with fair-trade businesses and clients that love her products. She employs fifteen other women, including three of her sisters.

The fair-trade benefits of earning a steady income doing dignified work have allowed her husband, who used to travel to the U.S. several months every year to pick fruit, to stay home and help Rebeca run her business and take care of their family. Together, they have two kids and have been able to buy a small home. Rebeca recently shared her heart with Trades of Hope… 

 “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been!” – Rebeca, Embroidery Artisan in Mexico

More Mexico Blogs

Click on each photo below to discover more about our Artisan partners and products in MEXICO.

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1 Comment

  1. Susan Lykken

    I am continually amazed and inspired by Trades of Hope, the beautiful and hard-working artisans, and their wonderful creations! Thank you for all you have achieved!

    Reply

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Kathy Thomas

Kathy Thomas

Kathy Thomas is an inspirational writer with a passion for helping women discover and celebrate their unique gifts and abilities. Kathy is part of the Communications Team at Trades of Hope focusing on Artisan advocacy.