Tucson’s own homegrown La Tauna Tortillas is expanding from being the secret sensation found only at local farmer’s markets to a Sunflower Market near you.

They are known for their very delicious and completely vegan tortillas, made from whole wheat and oil and after many years the perfect recipe has been created were one need not sacrifice taste for health.

Whole wheat tortillas made with chiltepin

Other versions include the wheat tortilla that is made with chile de arbol and chiltepin to awaken the taste buds, and a wheat tortilla made with olive oil.

Soon to be released are:

• Gluten-free tortillas
• Mesquite tortillas (made with mesquite bean flour)
• Tomato and basil tortillas

Why this matters to your health

There is the myth amongst Mexican people that healthy foods do not taste as good as authentic Mexican foods, such as the “original” tortilla made with lard.

Anyone who knows a little bit of history, especially Mexican American history, will know that there is nothing “authentic” about the main ingredients of the tortilla; white flour and lard.

It is obvious to most people why lard may be unhealthy for you considering that it is pig fat, and the domesticated pig is not an authentic New World animal but was instead brought over by the Spanish.

Less obvious is the white flour.

Wheat grain

Flour is made from wheat which is also an Old World grain that was also brought by the Spanish and has great potential for health benefits and feeding the people.

Just as corn was made unhealthy by being processed into high fructrose corn syrup, the healthy wheat was processed into white flour, and one thing that most people can agree upon is that whole wheat is much healthier than white flour.

Not only does whole wheat flour have more nutrients than white flour, it may be that the naturally brown wheat does not naturally turn the bright white color found in white bread, but instead gets that color by being bleached that makes some people sick.

Yes, that bleach as in what you whiten your clothes with, and how healthy is it to have Clorox as part of your daily diet?

This is what led to the creation of whole-wheat vegan tortillas right here in the Old Pueblo that is spreading from farmers markets to Sunflower Markets. The master chef wanted to create a healthy tortilla that her son could enjoy but without the white flour that was causing him medical problems.

The result is a healthier tortilla that all Tucsonans can benefit from.

La Tauna Tortillas

We are a small family-owned and operated tortilla factory, based out of Tucson, AZ. We are committed to providing the best vegan tortillas in the market with none of the preservatives or additives found in most tortillas. Our tortillas are so delicious it is hard to believe you are eating 100% whole wheat tortillas.

Our recipe was born out of necessity, our younger son had been sick for some years and doctors could not figure out what was wrong with him. What finally helped him out was a change in diet that included whole wheat breads only.

Because of our Mexican background we disliked the flavor store-bought tortillas had, we were used to a homemade taste. We were faced with the need to make our own 100% whole wheat tortillas. After playing around with a family recipe for white flour tortillas with shortening we came up with our delicious 100% stone ground whole wheat tortilla recipe with oil instead of shortening and absolutely NO PRESERVATIVES OR ADDITIVES.

Our tortillas are not only unique, healthy and good for you but they actually taste GREAT, which is something hard to find most of the times with whole wheat tortillas.

We are constantly trying to educate our customers in the benefits of eating whole wheat versus regular white flour. Ninety percent of our customers that visit us to buy the white flour tortillas end up loving the wheat tortillas and take them instead or start buying them later down the road. Our customers agree our tortillas are unlike any whole wheat tortillas they have tasted, so stop by and test them for yourself.

We support the Tucson Community Food Bank, local farmers markets and local health food stores, please come and visit us there.

It was inevitable. Tucson’s two long-running nonprofit spoken word events, Ocotillo Poetry Slam and Odyssey Storytelling, eventually had to collaborate to create Double O Story Slam.  The first story slam will be held on Monday, June 27 at  Fluxx Studios, 414 E. 9th Street. The show starts at 7:15; come early, starting at 6:30, to sign up to be a teller.

What’s a story slam? It’s a contest where people tell real stories from their lives on a theme.  No costumes, no notes, no props, just the story.  June’s theme is “In Heat: Surviving the Summer,” and it is meant to be interpreted from a broad range of perspectives.

The first ten people to sign up will have a chance to try to tell the most compelling five-minute story.  Selected audience members will act as judges and determine which storyteller wins and gets a prize.

This uncensored all-ages show will appeal to students and elders and everyone in-between.  Everyone loves to hear a story and this is your chance to hear something juicy or to tell us something juicy.  The event is free with a $5 suggested donation at the door.  Refreshments will be available.

Ocotillo Poetry Slam is a project of Ocotillo Literary Endeavors, Inc. and Odyssey Storytelling is a project of StoryArts Group, Inc.; both parent groups are 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organizations.

For more information, contact Maya Asher, masherster@gmail.com, 480-390-1063 or Penelope Starr, Penelope@odysseystorytelling.com, 520-730-4112

WomanKraft, located at 388 S. Stone Avenue in Tucson, will hold a rummage sale June 10, 11, and 12. Hours are 8am to 4pm Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 3pm Sunday. Come by to see an eclectic collection including clothes, kitchenware, puzzles, books, movies, artwork, and even a unicycle.

The art gallery features local artists. The School of the Arts offers many classes covering a wide range of artistic media, see their latest newsletter for class schedules.

Look for the “Castle” and its colorful gate.