Working Towards Healthier Latino Communities

Administrator McCarthy Speaks to the NHMA Board of Directors at the National Hispanic Medical Association 18th Annual Conference.

The relationship between environmental protection and public health is at the heart of EPA’s mission and the agenda of the National Hispanic Medical Association. For years, Hispanic communities have been living in areas where the quality of the air they breathe and the water they drink does not meet national standards. In 2009, 70% of Hispanic children lived in areas with poor air quality. All too often, Latinos work in occupations where they are exposed to greater environmental hazards and toxic chemicals. Furthermore, when it comes to health disparities, Latinos, particularly Puerto Ricans, are disproportionately affected by asthma attacks and asthma related deaths. Make no mistake. Climate change is very much a public health threat; it widens the health disparities we work to address.

EPA will keep fighting for environmental justice—but we can’t do it alone. We can never underestimate the importance of Hispanic medical providers as a culturally competent link, ensuring the health of the Hispanic community in America. Therefore, EPA and the NHMA are starting to work more closely together to meet our common goals of improving the environmental health of Hispanic communities throughout the nation. We have been sharing valuable information and expertise to address the challenges Latino and underserved communities face, from air quality issues and many more.

Administrator Gina McCarthy and Dr. Elena Ríos with members of the National Hispanic Medical Association.

EPA recently took a step forward to protect the predominantly Hispanic farm worker community from the dangers of pesticide exposure. Each year, between 1,200 and 1,400 pesticide exposure incidents are reported on farms and in fields or forests. Last month, EPA proposed commonsense revisions to the Worker Protection Standard to protect farmworkers and their families. This is just one example of a step toward healthier communities. We’re not going to solve our environmental and health challenges overnight.  Yet, we know that together we can make a difference to ensure that we have a cleaner, healthier environment and true environmental justice for all.

EPA and NHMA’s goals of protecting our environment and public health are aligned. In fact, they are joined at the hip. Our future and the future of our children depend on clean air, clean water and a stable climate. Hispanic communities, EPA, and the NHMA are working towards that goal.

Together, we hope to make a difference, one community at a time.

Editor's Note: The views expressed here are intended to explain EPA policy. They do not change anyone's rights or obligations.

# Gina McCarthy and Dr. Elena Rios

Passover Haroset Recipes

Haroset, symbolic of the mortar the Jewish slaves of ancient Egypt used to build the Pharaoh’s cities and store-houses, is probably one of the favorite foods of Passover with recipes passed down in families from generation to generation.

Since most American Jews come from Ashkenazic backgrounds, they enjoy a version of haroset using just apples and walnuts, explains Susan Barocas, founder of the Jewish Food Experience, a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. At the end of a long winter, apples likely would have been the only fruit left in cold cellars in Central and Eastern Europe.

But the truth is that recipes for haroset are as varied and unique as the families that celebrate, with the ingredients reflecting the ingredients and flavors available in the all the many lands where Jews have lived. Figs, apricots, dates and oranges are popular in different haroset along with a variety of nuts and spices such as ginger and allspice.

In the end, haroset-making is deliciously imprecise. Nearly everything can be—and is—adjusted to personal taste. Making haroset by hand with a knife or in a chopping bowl is laborious, but it provides a wonderful opportunity to involve children and others in holiday preparations. But not to be discounted—the food processor makes it easy to prepare more than one kind of haroset to enjoy as part of your Passover, celebrating all the many journeys of Jews around the world through the many generations.

Here are three haroset recipes from Susan. Feel free to add the word “about” in front of any of the measurements!

TRADITIONAL ASHKENAZIC HAROSET

The apple-to-nut ratio, as well as what kind of apples to use, are up to the haroset maker. This version of this Passover classic has more of those ingredients and less sugar than other recipes. Even the consistency varies widely. Some people like it ground to a fine paste; others leave it chunky. It’s up to individual taste.

• 1 cup walnuts
• 3 apples, unpeeled, cored and cut into about 8 pieces
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or to taste
• 1 tablespoon sugar or to taste
• 2 to 3 tablespoons grape juice or sweet Passover wine

Put the walnuts in the chopping bowl if doing by hand or a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Roughly chop into large dice or pulse just a few times in the processor, being careful not over-process. Add the apple pieces and chop or pulse to desired consistency. Add rest of ingredients and stir well to blend. Makes about 2 cups.

MOROCCAN HAROSET BALLS

A typical Moroccan haroset recipe contains dried fruits and spices ground to a paste-like consistency. Traditionally, Moroccan-Jewish families roll the haroset into small balls that are delicious eaten alone or squished between two pieces of matzah. They also make a delicious snack or part of a Passover breakfast.

• 3/4 cup walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts
• 1 1/2 cups pitted dates
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 2 or 3 dried figs
• 1 cup raisins (dark, golden or any combination)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 or 2 pinches allspice
• 1 to 2 tablespoons sweet red wine or grape juice
• Finely ground walnuts or almonds (optional)

Using a food processor, pulse to coarsely chop the nuts, then add all the rest of the ingredients except the wine and finely ground nuts. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and well blended, adding just enough wine as you are pulsing to make the mixture stick together. Too much and it will be too sticky. As you pulse it, the mixture will form a large ball. Now you are ready to roll. Very slightly dampen hands with cold water. Gently roll the mixture into balls about ¾ inches in diameter or your desired size. Place the balls on a tray or baking sheet covered in wax paper and refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours. Serve or store in a covered container. Or you can roll each ball in finely ground nuts, which will keep them from sticking together so they can be stored immediately in a covered container. These treats will keep for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator, but rarely last that long. Makes about 24 balls.

PERSIAN HAROSET

Presenting this haroset shaped into a pyramid is traditional among the Jews of Persia. This recipe reflects the many fruits and spices of ancient Persia, known since 1935 as Iran. Jews have lived in Persia for over 2,500 years and developed a delicious, healthy cuisine alongside the larger Persian community. Any Persian haroset recipe almost always includes tropical fruits that grow in the country. A wide variety of nuts is used throughout Persian cooking, as reflected in the four types used here. Unlike the very sweet Ashkenazi haroset, this recipe adds a taste of cider vinegar, very typical of the savory-sweet combination found in Persian cooking.

• 3/4 cup walnuts
• 3/4 cup raw and unsalted almonds
• 3/4 cup raw hazelnuts
• 3/4 cup raw and unsalted pistachio nuts
• 2 unpeeled pears, cored and cut into chunks
• 1 unpeeled apple, cored and cut into chunks
• 1 cup dates, pitted
• 2 small oranges or 1 large, peeled, pitted, sectioned and finely chopped with juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger root
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• Sweet Passover wine or grape juice

Pulse nuts in food processor until finely chopped. Put into a large bowl. Chop the fruits, except the orange, by pulsing also, being careful not to chop the mixture into a paste. Add all the fruit, including the orange already chopped by hand and its juice, to nuts and stir to blend well. Add cinnamon, ginger root, cider vinegar and just enough wine to bind. Mix very well. Place haroset mixture on a square platter and shape into a pyramid using your hands. A flat spatula can be used to smooth the “walls.” Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours to let the flavors blend.

Matt Nosanchuk is the White House Liaison to the American Jewish community.

Gun Violence Prevention Champions of Change: #ActForOurKids

Last Thursday, parents, youth, advocates and community and national leaders from across the country came together at the White House to honor nine Champions of Change who have dedicated their lives to innovative approaches to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer.  

Among the honorees and attendees were victims of gun violence, parents whose children were killed by senseless gun violence and individuals whose siblings, friends and neighbors were killed or have been victims of gun violence.

One of the honorees, Mark Barden, became an outspoken advocate for gun law reform after his 7-year-old son was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. At the event, Mr. Barden held a photo of his family, which included all three of his children, and shared that, like many across the nation, gun violence did not become a real issue for him until it hit home. He explained that the loss of his son was a turning point in his life, and he has now dedicated his life to make sure no one else has to face this pain.

Each of the attendees had a personal motivator for their hard work. Reverend Glenn Grayson was motivated by the murder of his 18-year old son, and explained that he used that tragedy as a source of empowerment to show youth that they can make more of their lives than what the media, community, or society presents to them. 

Pamela Simon, Community Outreach Coordinator for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, also shared her story as a survivor. On January 8, 2011, while staffing the Congresswoman, Pam was shot in the arm and the chest. She shared with the audience that, “those bullets hit Democrats and Republicans alike,” and that the rift between both parties on this issue is a detriment and danger to this nation.

Each of these champions used their personal motivations and exposures to tragedies at the hands of irresponsible weapons use as a force of change in their communities. From creating organizations to rallying local, faith-based, or educational communities, these Champions of Change used their resources and voices to implement change across the United States for a more secure and responsible political, educational, and social environment for our children.

Read more about them and share their stories here. 

Valerie Jarrett meets with the Gun Violence Prevention Champions of Change April 3, 2014. (by Rumana Ahmed)

Rumana Ahmed is the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Office of Public Engagement.