Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxiety

My Journey Through Depression, Bulimia, and Addiction

By: Yvonne Castañeda

Narrated by: Frankie Corzo

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

In Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxiety, Yvonne Castañeda shares vibrant stories of her childhood growing up in Miami as the daughter of humble immigrants from Mexico and Cuba … and how she came to develop an unhealthy relationship with food.

To help ease her mami’s nervios, Yvonne becomes a perfectionist from a young age, achieving high grades at school and mastering the piano. But as her Cuban family members openly make comments about her awkward desarrollo, or puberty, Yvonne enters a new phase of self-consciousness that begins her obsession with weight.

She abandons the piano for the high school cheerleading team and reinvents herself, becoming both skinny and popular. However, as a first-generation adolescent born in the United States, Yvonne wrestles with the conflict between the cultural norms of her Hispanic/Latino heritage and American societal expectations.

Plagued by doubt and low self-esteem, Yvonne begins a vicious cycle of weight gain and loss as she battles bulimia nervosa. Beleaguered by feelings of guilt, shame, and inferiority, she develops anxiety, depression, and a reliance on dangerous coping mechanisms.

Ultimately, sage advice from her dear abuela in Guadalajara, Mexico, guides Yvonne to a realization that shifts her perspective of herself and the purpose of her life, providing a foundation for inner peace and la solución to her past struggles.

©2022 Yvonne Castañeda. First published in the United States in 2022 by Santa Monica Press (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Struggles of self acceptance & addiction

Wow- I had no clue what one goes through with bulimia. This was a soft read but eye opener. What was enjoyable about the book was the Spanish language- expressions- it’s almost like a new way to use verbs and adjectives, it really connects you to the characters a bit more.

Wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking to walk in compassion and awareness. Beautifully written w/a side of humor

Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxiety” is more than a narrative; it’s an insightful journey into the heart of the different challenges we might face in life such as addictions, eating disorders and the anxiety of the cultural in-between. This book lays bare the commonality of these struggles, opening your eyes with each page. Initially, I found myself questioning its proclaimed value, but as the chapters unfolded, so did my appreciation and understanding. The author masterfully intertwines her personal battle with addiction and the transformative power of self-acceptance, enlightening readers with hard-earned wisdom. This book didn’t just touch me—it embraced me, helping me to be more empathetic and supportive. It’s a profound testament to human resilience, a guide on how to be a better mother, friend, partner and advocate. I think it is an essential read especially for young people. Definitely a heartfelt call to all who wish to walk in compassion and awareness. I feel the need to repeat that this book is not a manual for those with eating disorders but a broader look into depicting the intricate emotional faces of self-forgiveness and the compassion we extend to others, including our parents who faced the challenges of a foreign land. This book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a reminder that we all harbor the capacity to pull ourselves up, regardless of whatever battles we are fighting. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading and listening to it.