Cinco de Mayo is a great day to celebrate Mexican culture and indulge in the delicious foods, colorful décor, and festive music of the Mexican people. The holiday originated in the American West as a way to commemorate the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

There are plenty of great ways you can throw an afternoon fiesta or mid-afternoon BBQ dinner that is both healthy and true to Mexican roots. Here are a few ideas:

Salsa

By nature, salsa is a healthy dish. It’s simply tomatoes, onions, peppers, cilantro and some salt and pepper chopped up or pureed. You can add additional ingredients such as garlic, corn, pineapple, peach, and much more. Try out different varieties of pepper for a more or less intense amount of spice!

Make a Healthier Margarita

Many of the pre-made margarita mixes are loaded with sugar. You can make your own at home with just some limes, tequila, and simple syrup. You can also consider substituting agave nectar for the simple syrup. If your taste buds can tolerate it, take it easy on the sweetener to keep the calorie count down! You can also consider substituting the lime and sugar source for some healthy, organic juices. Pomegranate juice makes for a delicious variation on the traditional lime margarita. You can also use Santa Cruz Organic lemonade or limeade and add a few slices of lemons, limes, or oranges for a refreshing cocktail. Don’t forget to add the salt around the rim!

Re-Consider Your Guacamole!

Guacamole’s main ingredient is avocado, which is loaded with healthy fats. However, when you put them in dip form, chances are you’ll eat more than the recommended amount. Try this great recipe from Health magazine. It uses an avocado as well as peas and other fresh ingredients to deliver a guacamole that tastes great and is low in fat.

Fire up the Grill!

Grilling offers a great way to cook up some lean meats that taste great. Buy some carne asada, chicken breast, and your favorite heart-healthy fish, and get cooking. When they’re finished, you can lay them out with some tortillas, salsa, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, and more for a delicious taco bar!

Buy Colorful Dishes!

We all know that paper or plastic dishes and utensils are horrible for the environment. Instead, invest in some colorful dishes for your party. Visit your local dollar store or thrift store and find some great pieces to entertain your guests with. Your dishes don’t even need to match. The range of fun styles and colors will only add color and variety to your Cinco de Mayo celebration!

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