Mexicans representing indigenous soldiers and the French army, re-enact the battle of Puebla during Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Mexico City.
AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo
Kirby Farah, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The holiday honors a 19th-century battle between the French and the Mexican armies that, strangely enough, may have influenced the outcome of the US Civil War.
A man dressed as Saint Patrick blesses the crowd in Dublin as the parade makes its way through the Irish capital in 1998.
AP Photo/John Cogill
The Irish continue to express gratitude for St. Patrick’s unselfish commitment to their spiritual well-being, even as the rest of the world celebrates by drowning in booze.
Christmas shouldn’t be the only time of the year to have greenery in the household.
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The chocolate industry is undergoing significant change at the moment, both for better and worse. Here are three trends on the positive side of things.
More and more Americans are choosing to be single.
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Singles can face mistaken stereotypes and value judgments that they are less happy, or lonelier. For many, being single is simply a relationship preference or even an orientation.
Go ahead Santa, take a cookie without guilt.
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Most Americans underestimate how many calories nutritionists recommend they consume each day, which means maybe you can probably have one more treat without feeling guilty.
If your child is staying home or allowed to go out without supervision while on school holidays, it’s a good idea to set some ground rules for their safety.
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Here’s some advice for concerned working parents with kids at home during school holidays, based on our research on home security, burglaries and young offenders.
The practise of ‘mindful eating’ can help you maximize the pleasure from rich holiday foods, without eating too much.
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From going out dancing to choosing smaller plates, two nutrition researchers offer some tips for reaping the fun of the holidays without destroying your health.
Be mindful of what you get excited about, as children will model your lead.
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Hide the credit cards and instead build traditions with your kids. Supporting a child through gift disappointment is important to their emotional, cognitive and social development.
Research shows that a parent’s level of generosity and charitable behaviour is linked with their child’s display of the same behaviours.
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Children start developing empathy and compassion as toddlers and should have a good understanding of generosity by age nine. Parents can help foster these behaviours.
The Blackfeet always faced their tipis towards the rising sun, including on winter solstice.
Beinecke Library via Wikimedia Commons
For indigenous peoples, winter solstice has been a time to honor their ancient sun deity. Their rituals reveal a deep understanding of the natural world.
If they ask, tell them the truth.
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During the holiday season, we are faced with social commitments that sometimes means spending time with people who grate on our nerves. Make sure to also spend time with people who help to refuel you.
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Research shows that when Americans are aware of the scale of food waste, and how much energy and water are used to produce food, they support measures to reduce the problem.
The benefits of naps are similar to those experienced after consuming caffeine, but without the side effects of caffeine dependence and possibly disrupted sleep at night time.