By Sofia Quintero
Sofia Quintero is a Puerto Rican-Dominican author, filmmaker and educator and most recently, cancer warrior. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2012.When I was diagnosed with breast cancer nine months ago, I had been amidst a major reassessment of my life. Too many things that had once brought me joy had become struggles. Writing went from being something I enjoyed to something I had to do to make ends meet. When it came to dating, I felt damned if I did, damned if I didn't. The most altruistic venture I ever undertook was plagued with one financial challenge or legal issue after the other.
So I began questioning my pursuits and revisiting my values. After much reflection, I discovered that two of my deepest desires are to be an inspiration and to cultivate an enduring legacy. So when I got the Call and diagnosis, it was as if the Universe said, "So you want to be an inspiration, huh? Pues, toma! Let's see what you do with that."
Related: "I K
...Read More »- By Sofia Quintero
Shirley Rodriguez
Sofia Quintero is a Puerto Rican-Dominican author, filmmaker and educator and most recently, cancer warrior. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2012.
I remember what my naturopath told me two weeks before the mastectomy. Your immune system is actually quite strong she said, her hand still holding my pulse. For you this disease is emotional. It's about learning to trust again. I instinctively knew she was right. My treatment plan had to include the medicine of forgiveness-of both myself and others.
In the midst of battling this disease-a mastectomy, haircutting, and chemo treatments-I find myself closer to my ex, Doc. He is among the first people I tell days after my diagnosis; our two-hour conversation is the first telephone call we have since our breakup five years ago.
Related: "I Kicked Breast Cancer's Ass" Part: The Diagnosis
We met on a dating site in August 2006. After two months of intense correspondence, Doc and I had cappuccinos and tiramisus ...Read More » - By Sofia Quintero Sofia Quintero is a Puerto Rican-Dominican author, filmmaker and educator and most recently, cancer warrior. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2012.
Shirley Rodriguez
"Don't shave your head! Why don't you just wait and see? La tia de fulano did chemo, and her hair didn't fall out." Almost everyone in my family said it.
But once I learned my treatment called for surgery followed by chemotherapy, I insisted on defying my relatives and shaving my head before I lost my hair. Allow a clump of hair to end up in my fist while tossing it seductively at the chulo in the bookstore? Ni lo pienses! I'd be damned if I gave cancer that much power.
Related: "I Kicked Breast Cancer's Ass" Part: The Diagnosis
So first off to Fekkai SoHo to cut off eight inches of natural curl into a Hallesque do. Next: gather some girlfriends for a ceremony to have each cut off a lock before the Big Buzz. They would create a healing circle both to ease the loss and imbue it with positive meaning. C...Read More » By Liliana Moyano for Shine Latina
Anise Halloween Drink
Halloween calls for creative costumes, decorations and fun gatherings. I love to host a good costume party and, of course, I always try to make a drink to suit the occasion. With temperatures dropping, I make sure to have a drink for warming up by the fireplace or out on the porch.
Our traditional liquor in Colombia is Aguardiente, an anise and sugar-based drink with a very unique and strong flavor. Some people drink it straight up, but in many bars and restaurants it is mixed in cocktails and hot drinks. Another typical beverage is the Agua de panela con limon. Panela is the final product of unrefined whole cane sugar. It is used in drinks, desserts, and some abuelas even use it to give their beans a sweet kick. So, I combined panela and anise liquor to make the perfect Halloween-inspired hot beverage. I took some pumpkin-shaped buckets and turned them into my serving cups. For a fancier, autumn presentation, serve the drink in an Irish cof
...Read More »By Ariel Nagi
El Dia de los Muertos has been the party of the year for the indigenous of Mexico for hundreds of years… Ready to try your own modern take on this bizarrely fun tribute fest? Here's what you'll need.
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