Aloe Vera

The Whole Enchilada, Please!

Mexican food is one of my favorite foods and because there are so many different varieties, I found myself hard pressed to choose just one dish. It's all so delicious! The more I thought about it, the more I wondered just what is it about Mexican food that makes it so irresistible? Mexican food has personality. It has that 'kick it up a notch', let's eat, dance, and have a margarita kind of mood setter quality to it. Mexican food is spicy, daring, and holds the true flavor of the southwest borderlands. Best of all, Mexican food comes in three temperatures: mild, medium, and hot! hot! hot! Depending on the chiles used, of course.

If I had to choose a favorite dish it would definitely be cheese enchiladas. The flavor can vary depending on the region the recipe is from. For example, enchiladas in New Mexico are often made with blue corn,instead of yellow corn, and green chile sauce is the preferred sauce. In Arizona, the Sonoran style of enchiladas are more common. The enchiladas are usually made from white or yellow corn tortillas and a red chile sauce is used instead of the green sauce. Some enchiladas are made with chicken and some with beef, but I think the cheese enchiladas are the best. The ingredients are simple, but the flavor is robust and addicting. Enchiladas of any kind are most often served with a side of rice and beans (refried pinto beans). The best part is that they are simple to make.

Aloe Vera

This week I came across another wonder plant of the desert. So before we explore restaurants and recipes for... oh so delicious... Mexican food and the like, I thought it would be interesting to talk about another great plant growing in the Borderland. Aloe Vera is truly a gem in the desert. Native to Africa, Aloe Vera can be found in desert environments in the U.S. and other arid regions. Aloe Vera has many medicinal and cosmetic uses and is widely sought after for these purposes. Aloe Vera is known to be effective as a digestive aid and can be used for skin conditions such as ezecema, burns, bites, insect stings, and itching. It not only has a healing efffect on the skin, but a softening effect also. Aloe Vera can be found in shampoos, lotions, sprays, creams and in other cosmetics.



The plant is a succulent, with long 'arms' and serrated edges. Inside the "arms" is a gel like substance. Although, the leaf itself can be ground into a salve, the gel is what contains the medicinal and cosmetic properties of the plant. Southwestern Indian tribes have long used this gel for burns, by breaking open a leaf and applying the gel directly to the skin. Aloe as burn relief is found most often in drugstores as an additive ingredient to sunburn gels, creams, etc. In addition, Aloe Vera can be found in pharmacies, supermarkets, and is easily found at online giftshops. So if think (like I once did) that the desert is a dry, barren, and useless landscape...well...now you know that looks can be deceiving. The desert is rich in resources. Throughout the semester, we'll take a look at a few other amazing desert plants, but next week's blog will be about some of the traditional Mexican food that can be found here in the Borderland. See you then!