Curandero Conversations

48. OLD FASHIONED GRANDMOTHER—ABUELITA ANTICUADA 

     Ever since I was a little girl, I remember my grandmother telling me about foods that we can eat and cannot eat at different times in life and I really never understood why.  In fact, I’m not sure she understood why.   She said that where she was from in Mexico, everyone believed this.  My grandmother raised me because my mother was not around and I don’t want to offend her so I listen, but I don’t want to just obey; I want to understand. When I was in school, I asked my teachers about my grandmother’s beliefs, but they just shrugged their shoulders.

     Now I am going to have a baby and I asked my doctor about what my grandmother is telling me and they just say these are crazy old wives tales from Mexico. They don’t understand either. I still live with my grandmother and she simply won’t let me eat certain foods because she says they will harm the baby.  I want to respect my grandmother, but I also want to understand her beliefs.  Is that unreasonable of me?

CURANDERO’S RESPONSE:

     No, it’s not unreasonable at all.  You have every right to understand.  Both my maternal and my paternal grandmothers had large families, and I am the eldest of 10 in our family. All my aunts and uncles also have large families. Being raised around large families, I know very well of your grandmother’s advice regarding food.  I have heard it my whole life and people frequently ask me about it. 

     She is telling you about how to be careful with what are called the hot and cold qualities of foods not the temperature of food.  In our culture and in others, there are many beliefs about what foods should be eaten or av