Pollen Facts

Pollen is produced by all plants, flowers or blossoms that contains the male germ cells (elements) and is necessary for the fertilization of plants.  Bees gather this microscopic golden dust from a flower’s stamen, compresses them in their “pollen bowls” located on their lower into a single golden granule we know as bee pollen.  Each bee pollen grain contains over two million flower pollen grains and a teaspoonful contains over 2.5 billion grains of flower pollen.

Bee pollen contains about 40% protein.  Approximately half of its protein content is in the form of free amino acids that humans can easily absorb, providing the human body a significant amount of its daily protein requirement.

Surprisingly, bee pollen cannot be synthetically manufactured in a laboratory.  Proof of this is that young bees die if one feeds them laboratory-made bee pollen.  This means that there are some elements yet unidentified by science that are present in bee pollen.  And these unidentified elements may very well be the reasons why bee pollen is very effective in providing nourishment and protection against ill-health.

BEE POLLEN:  Providing Complete Nourishment

Bee pollen contains an array of all the essential nutrients that correct this modern-day lifestyle of unbalanced, deficient and chemically-treated food.  Bee pollen’s percentage of rejuvenating elements far exceeds those present in brewer’s yeast and wheat germ.  Bee-gathered pollens is a powerhouse of minerals and vitamins, including Vitamin K, plus 12 different unsaturated fatty acids. It also contains biotin, a vitamin that is essential for the healthy skin, hair and nails. Plus, it provides protein, essential oils, folic acid, essential amino acids, flavonoids and carotenoids, elements which are important for the synthesis of vitamin A in the body.

Many elements present in bee pollen cannot be found in products of animal origin.  Bee pollen is richer in proteins than any animal source. It contains more amino acids than beef, eggs, or cheese of equal weight.

Chemical Composition of Bee Pollen (per 100 parts)

(Source: http://www.pureroyaljelly.com/pollen.html)

from “Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly, Propolis and Honey”, by Rita Elkins, M.A.

Amino Acids

Vitamins (per 1,000 milligrams of Bee Pollen)

Minerals (per 1,000 milligrams of Bee Pollen)

Other Minerals

Bee Pollen also contains 17 percent of rutin (vitamin P).

Hormones

• Gonadotropic and Estrogenic
• HGH (human growth hormone factor)

BEE POLLEN:  Health Benefits

Strengthens Capillaries

Bee pollen may be the highest source of rutin, a bioflavonoid that strengthens the capillaries, plus it provides a high content of the nucleics RNA [ribonucleic acid] and DNA [deoxyribonucleic acid].  According to the researchers at the Institute of Apiculture, Taranov, Russia, “Even if bee pollen had none of its other vital ingredients, its content of rutin alone would justify taking at least a teaspoon daily, if for no other reason than strengthening the capillaries.

Builds Healthy Hemoglobin

The effect of bee pollen on the composition of blood is staggering.  The levels of hemoglobin, red blood cells that carry oxygen, considerably increase in anemic patients when bee pollen is added to their diet.   Research has proven that bee pollen acts to reduce and/or normalize cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

Bolsters the Immune System and Protects the Body and Internal Organs

a. As super food, bee pollen has immune-strengthening effects.  A study conducted by Drs. E. Palos et. al. reported that  “An increase has been recorded in the level of blood lymphocytes, gamma globulins, and proteins in those subjects given pollen in comparison with control groups. The most significant difference occurred in lymphocytes. These results thus signify a strengthening in the resistance of the organic system.”

b. Laboratory work provides proof that bee pollen contains elements that inhibits the development of numerous harmful bacteria such as salmonella and some bacteria strains.  Bee pollen prevents infectious diseases such as colds and flu due to its antibiotic properties.

c. Bee pollen possesses a high proportion of cellulose and fiber.  These, together with bee pollen’s antibiotic factors, regulate the intestinal functions.

d. It is believed to have properties that protect against radiation and to have anti-cancer qualities.  A study conducted by Dr. Peter Hernuss and his colleagues on women with inoperable uterine cancer showed that those whose diet included bee pollen had a higher concentration of cancer-fighting immune system cells, had an increase production of  antibodies and an improved level of infection-fighting red blood cells.  They did not experience the awful side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea, hair loss and inability to sleep well.

e. The phytochemicals lycopene, beta-sitosterol, other phytosterols and numerous flavonoids contained in bee pollen have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate tissue and to reduce pain, inflammation and the risk of prostate cancer.  Also, some of the hormones in bee pollen may aid prostatitis as well.  Studies show that standardized pollen extract is an effective treatment for prostate enlargement and prostatitis, with no significant side effects.

f. Standard pollen extracts have been shown to protect the liver from damage and help it to detoxify.  Bee-collected pollen has also demonstrated a remarkable ability to help the process of detoxification, considerably reducing the toxic effects of aspirin and carbon tetrachloride.

Aids in Recuperation and Promotes Strength and General Wellness

1. The nutrients present in bee pollen:

a. aid the body in recovery from chronic illness

b. add weight during recuperation

c. reduce cravings and addictions

d. help overcome retardation and other developmental problems in children.

2. Bee pollen has been used to combat stress, general weakness and constipation.

3. Bee pollen’s B vitamin complex increases energy, vitality, endurance, and promotes longevity.  Athletes often use bee pollen for endurance, strength, stamina, and mental clarity.

4. Bee pollen restores appetite.

5. Bee pollen is helps control the incidence of acne and athlete’s foot.

6. Studies show that bee pollen may help in alleviating allergies.

Aids in Weight Loss and Fights Aging

Bee pollen can be a very effective fat loss supplement because the lecithin that it contains flushes fat from the body and stimulates the metabolism to burn calories more quickly.   Bee pollen nutrients help in slowing down the aging process and effectively lower cholesterol levels.

CHLOROPHYLL’S BEE POLLEN:  What sets it apart

The benefits of bee pollen have been written about for thousands of years in ancient medical texts as bee pollen contains all of the nutrients needed to sustain life.  Modern and ancient cultures throughout the world used bee pollen for many different reasons.  And the best bee pollen source that you could find here in the Philippines is one offered by Chlorophyll Manila.  Chlorophyll Manila’s bee pollen has all the benefits your body needs.

Why Choose Chlorophyll Manila’s Bee Pollen?

1. Chlorophyll Manila’s bee pollen is organic, fresh and unprocessed.

2. It is the bee-gathered type of pollen, the kind which gives the natural elements that cannot be imitated in a laboratory.

3. The goodness of Chlorophyll Manila’s bee pollen is reflected in digestibility, color and taste. Compared to coconut pollen which is tough, Chlorophyll Manila’s bee pollen is far more digestible.  .  Its bright yellow color assures one freshness and quality.   As for taste, it is so palatable that it can be eaten by itself.

Give your vegetable and fruit bowls that added zest and potency by sprinkling a teaspoon or two of bee pollen in them.  Treat yourself with a power drink by adding a dash of bee pollen in your freshly-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices.

So what are you waiting for?  Arm yourself with the nutrients of Chlorophyll Manila’s bee pollen.  Make certain that you get only the best natural and complete bee pollen nutrients!

Sources:

http://www.pureroyaljelly.com/pollen.html

http://alternativescentral.com/beepollen.htm

http://www.mercola.com/article/Diet/bee_pollen.htm

Chlorophyll Manila's Himalayan Pink Salt Lamps

Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt

The Natural Salt

Because your body deserves only the purest…

When I got to know about the Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt, I immediately searched the net about it.  I’ve read that it’s the best and purest salt you can get from the face of the earth that hasn’t undergone chemical treatment.  It is sooo unlike the common table salt because that one is subjected to chemical treatment and has many chemical additives, that is, anti-caking agents such as calcium silicate, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, and other compounds.

Even Pan Salt isn’t that safe as well. Some say it is still chemical since it undergoes chemical treatment.  Since I’m not an authority when it comes to salt, I rely on research, write-ups and testimonies of other people.

So far, I’ve chosen the pure Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt since this one does not undergo any chemical treatment nor undergoes any chemical engineering.  It is just mined and comes in its natural, unadulterated form.  Besides, it does not come from any of our existing polluted seas and oceans.  Let’s review history:

History

The Himalayan pink salt is mined in Pakistan Himalayas in an area known as the Salt Range.  When the Himalayas rose during the tectonic movement that caused the Indian Plate to come together with the European and Asian Plate, part of the primeval ocean was separated.  This trapped, uncontaminated primal ocean evaporated over time and formed deposits of salt in its most pristine form.

Known to be over 250 million years old, and formed during the time when the world was an unpolluted ecosystem,  the Himalayan pink salt is so pure and rich that it not only re-mineralizes the body but also promotes optimum health.   It contains 84 essential minerals and trace elements naturally found in your body.

Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan Pink Salt does not contribute to high blood pressure.  It supports your vascular system and respiratory system.  Since it has the natural 84 essential minerals and trace elements, it provided the body the much-needed raw materials in order for the organs to perform well.  A salt-less diet actually stresses the heart and some of our vital organs, according to research.  Muscle cramps are prevented and re-hydration is possible when one consumes Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt.  You may have stronger bones, an improved blood sugar health, and healthier brain cells with Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt.  A balanced amount of minerals in the body improves inability to sleep.

Now,  here’s something about other kinds of salt.

Sea salt, rock salt and common table salt:

Ø Refined to eliminate heavy metals and other pollutants present in today’s sea water in order for manufactures to sell.   The salt is rid of essential mineral and vital elements needed by the body.  All that’s left are two minerals – sodium chloride.

Ø Table salt is actually 97.5% sodium chloride and 2.5% chemicals such as moisture absorbents, and iodine. Dried at over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, the excessive heat alters the natural chemical structure of the salt.

Ø Eating common table salt causes excess fluid in your body tissue, which can contribute to unsightly cellulite, rheumatism, arthritis and gout, and kidney and gallbladder stones.

Ø Additives to salt such as iodine and fluoride are potentially hazardous to health.

Ø Potentially dangerous preservatives such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and aluminum hydroxide are added.  Aluminum deposits into the brain and may cause Alzheimer’s disease.

PERFECT   TO   USE   IN   ANY   WAY…

Himalayan salt can be used in cooking or mixed with spring or mineral water for re-hydration and to replenish electrolytes in the body.  To relieve sore throat, you can have a Himalayan salt solution.  You can also use Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt in baths and soaks to relieve you of stress, muscle and joint pains and even rheumatism.

UNRAVELLING THE ENERGY OF SALT

Facts about Energy and Body

ü ENERGY is synonymous to ions, ionic, and ionized.  These are words that usually refer to electrical charge or electrical potential.

ü Electrolytes affect and regulate the hydration of the body, blood pH, blood pressure, and are crucial for nerve and muscle function.

ü Drinking an electrolyte-containing substance, like sole or eating salt maintains electrolyte balance.

What is Sole?

Sole a fully saturated solution of water and salt. When water can no longer dissolve more salt, it is now saturated.  Salt crystals remain sitting on the bottom of the jar because the solution has reached its saturation point.  It is best to use Chlorophyll Manila’s Pink Salt for sole.

Making Sole

Step 1: Place 1 inch of Chlorophyll Manila’s Himalayan coarse salt crystals in a glass jar, preferably one with a non-metal lid.  Add 2 to 3 inches of good

quality artesian or spring water above the crystals, completely covering them with water.  Let the solution sit overnight.

Step 2: If all the salt crystals have dissolved, keep on adding salt crystals to the solution until such time that water becomes fully saturated with salt and

cannot dissolve salt any more.  At this point Himalayan salt crystals should be sitting on the bottom of the jar.

Step 3: Each morning, before eating or drinking anything, add one teaspoon of the Chlorophyll Manila’s Himalayan Pink Salt Sole to a glass of artesian or

spring water and drink it.  Your body will receive the energetic vibration pattern of the Himalayan pink salt and hold this energetic vibration pattern for

24 hours.  Keep the container covered to prevent the water from evaporating.   The fully saturated Chlorophyll Manila’s Himalayan Pink Salt Sole will

keep forever!  Salt is a natural anti-bacterial and natural fungicide. It simply cannot spoil or go bad.

MOON PHASE BATHING AND HIMALAYAN PINK SALT

Did you know that you one bath can equal a three-day fast in releasing toxins?

o Full Moon Salt Bathing: During the full moon, the minerals and energies in the salt can optimally be absorbed by the body. This is when the

body’s healing potential is at its peak, bio-energetic weak points can be harmonized, and the body’s own energy flow

can be activated.

o New Moon Salt Bathing: During a New moon, the cleansing effects are optimized because the body’s capacity for detoxifying is at its peak. A

salt bath taken at this phase of the moon will have a detoxifying effect equivalent to a three-day fast.

Step 1: Preparing the Bath…

Fill in a bathtub with water and a kilo of Chlorophyll Manila’s Himalayan Pink Salt.

Step 2: Preparing your Mind and Body…

Pre-wash with Chlorophyll Manila’s Himalayan Salt Soap.  Do not rinse.

Step 3: Dip and Soak…

Luxuriate in the Himalayan Pink Salt bath and immerse yourself in the natural salt inhalation therapy of exposure to the powerful, electrically charged, salty,

ion-rich atmosphere.  Experience and reminisce the familiar salty, liquid warmth and the safe, protective environment of our mother’s womb that so deeply

satisfies our emotional and physical needs. It’s here where we’re nourished and made to feel content.

Step 4:  Wash and Let Dry Naturally…

Wash with Chlorophyll Manila’s Pink Salt Soap.   Do not rinse or wipe off.  Just let yourself dry naturally.

Benefits Of  Himalayan Pink Salt Moon Phase Bathing

ü A sole bath is a lung and bronchial system cleanser

ü Bio-energetic deficits are rebalanced and weak links become strengthened, reactivating our body’s electric current

ü The organs’ functions start to resonate with the natural frequency patterns of the minerals in the salt bath, activating the natural regulatory mechanism of the body and its self-healing powers

ü A sole bath allows salt to be stored in the upper callus layer of the skin and binds water maintaining the natural, protective film of the skin and the skin does not dry out. Sole baths are good for dry skin as well.

ü The cleansing effects of a 30-minute sole bath equal that of a three-day fast. The toxins are released into the bath water through osmosis, while the minerals from the sole are absorbed through the skin. This reduces the acidity in our body and balances the pH factor of our skin.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF HIMALAYAN PINK SALT LAMPS

ü Himalayan pink salt lamps are mother nature’s ionizers that naturally provide negative ions, similar to the negative ions found on mountain tops, waterfalls, the seashore and the air after a heavy rain or thunderstorm.

ü No other ionizing device can equal the effectiveness of the ions emitted by the Himalayan Salt Lamp.

ü Three main benefits of the Himalayan Pink Salt Lamp:

Ø Emits natural negative ions

Ø Cancels out electromagnetic waves caused by pollution and electronic devices such as televisions and computers, thereby balancing the environment within which humans benefit most

Ø Emits a soothing and healing light that relaxes and energizes the body

ü Negative ions emitted by the Himalayan Pink Salt lamps are essential to human health and well-being, providing cur e for allergies, hay fever, headache, colds, flu, asthma attacks, sinusitis, stress, and migraine.

ü Human beings respond most positively to a balanced environment of 2 negative ions to 1 positive ion.  But today’s polluted world and an environment surrounded with electronic gadgets, this balance is hard to achieve.

ü Himalayan pink salt lamps not only add beauty and drama to any room, office or home but most importantly, they provide a refreshing, energized and purified environment that soothes away troubles and illnesses.

Other Uses of Himalayan Pink Salt Sole

ü Hydration and re-mineralization of the body

ü Mouth rinse and relief of sore throat and mouth sores

ü Nasal cleansing

ü Eye-cleansing

ü Treatment of cuts and wounds

ü Disinfectant, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial

The good thing is, Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt is available here in the Philippines.  It is now very affordable. Call/Text me at (+63)-915-9737148 for details on how to order.  You can also send and e-mail at gotrailblazers@yahoo.com for questions about where and how to get them.

You can do some research and ask your health adviser before deciding which kind of salt is best for you.  Remember, salt is essential to the body’s optimum function.   Here are some of the sites that you can visit to learn more about salt:

http://products.mercola.com/himalayan-salt/

http://www.ghchealth.com/table-salt.html

http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/adding-salt-to-baby-food.html

http://www.healthmad.com/Nutrition/All-Salts-Are-Not-Created-Equal.95044

http://www.querycat.com/question/c812fff6286b5abd6f7982b0138d0ec6

http://www.justnaturewise.com.au/_bpost_1302/The_Salt_Myth

http://www.m-salt.com/research.htm

Here are some pictures of my Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt packed in 500g containers.

Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt: Coarse Granules

Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt: Fine and Coarse Granules in 500g jars

Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt: Fine and Coarse Granules

Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt: Fine and Coarse Granules

Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt: Fine granules

Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt: Coarse Granules

1.  Whey Supports your Immune System

Whey proteins contain high levels of the amino acid cysteine, which is needed to help the body produce gluthatione. Gluthathione is a powerful anti-oxidant and plays a key role in maintaining immune health. In fact, one of the first symptoms often noticed in individuals with autoimmune diseases, such as HIV is a decline in gluthathione levels. Dr. Gustavo Bounous, a pioneer in whey protein research, has conducted numerous studies to learn more about the positive effects of whey protein supplementation on individuals with various types of cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, and HIV (Moreno YF, Sgarbieri VC, da Silva MN, et al. J Trop Pediatr. 2005 Jul 13). His positive results have inspired others to focus their own research on whey proteins. For example, one recent study found that whey proteins inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells (Nukumi N, Iwamori T, Naito K, Tojo H. J Reprod Dev. 2005 Jul27) while another study showed a reduction in the size of cancer tumors in patients consuming whey protein (Xu M, Suguira Y, Nagaoka S, Kanamanu Y. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2005 Jun; 69(6):1189-92) and can induce cell death of human prostate cancer cells (Kent, Harper, and Bomse; Toxicology In Vitro, February 2003, 17(1):27-33).

2.  Whey Promotes Infant Growth, Development And Survival

a. Whey proteins contain alpha-lactalbumin, which is the main component in human breast milk, is found to reduce risk of atopic disease (allergies) in infants (Hays T, Wood RA. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2005 Sep; 159(9):810-6).

b. Lactoferrin in whey improves the intestinal flora of premature infants and patients with damaged intestinal mucous by suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria while promoting the multiplication of nonpathogenic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium (Artym J, Zimecki M. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2005 Aug 12; 59:421-32).

c. Whey confers a high level of protection against cryptosporidiosis in newborn (Martin-Gomez S, Alvarez-Sanchez MA, Rojo-Vazquez FA. J Parasitol. 2005 Jun; 91(3):674-8). Feeding breastfed newborns with whey protein increases fecal bilirubin excretion and reduces jaundice without deleteriously affecting breastfeeding (Gourley Gr, Li Z, Kreamer BL, Kosorok MR. Pediatrics. 2005 Aug; 116(2):385-91).

d. Whey supplementation can stimulate gluthathione synthesis and decrease the occurrence of associated co-infections in children with Rapidly Progressive HIV Infection (Moreno YF, Sgarbieri VC, da Silva MN, Toro A, Vilela MM. J Trop Pediatr. 2005 Jul 13).  Whey aids in the prevention of relapse of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (van Dissel JT, de Groot N, Hensgens CM, Numan S, Kuijper Ej, Veldkamp P, van’t Wout J. J Med Microbiol. 2005 Feb; 54(Pt 2):197-205).

e. According to the Journal of Pediatrics, whey protein have been shown to help reduce the duration of crying spells in infants with colic (Lucassen PL, Assendelft WJ, Gubbels JW, et al. Pediatrics 2000; 106:1349-1354, Wessel MA, Cobb JC, Jackson EB, et al. Pediatrics 1954; 14:421-435).

3. Whey’s Benefit on Cardiovascular Health

Certain specific types of hydrolyzed whey protein isolate show promise in helping to naturally reduce blood pressure (Murray BA, Walsh DJ, FitzGerald RJ. J Biochem Biophys Methods. 2004 May 31; 59(2):127-37). Addition of whey in meals with rapidly digested and absorbed carbohydrates stimulates insulin release and reduces postprandial blood glucose excursion in type 2 diabetic subjects (Frid AH, Nilsson M, Holst JJ, Bjorck IM Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jul; 82(1):69-75). Milk intake and milk products like whey lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension (Ackley S, Barrett-Conner E, Suarez L. Am J Clin Nutr 1983; 38:457-461, Appel LJ, Moore TJ, Obarzanek E, et al. N Eng J Med 1997;336:1117-1124, Svetky LE Simons-Morton D, Vollmer WM, et al. Arch Intern Med 1999;159:285-293). Supplementation of whey showed significantly higher HDLs and lower triglycerides and systolic blood pressure than did the placebo group (Kawase M, HashimotoH, Hosoda M, et al. J Dairy Sci 2000;83:255-263).

4.  Whey Enhances Physical Performance and Help Create a

More Desirable Body Mass Composition

Whey improves body mass index in individuals participating in exercise programs (Burke DG, Chilibeck PD, Davidson KS, et al. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2001;11:349-364). Men engaged in resistance training programs while supplementing with whey protein concentrates showed greater improvements in strength than men using resistance training alone (Burke DG, Chilibeck PD, Davidson KS, et al. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2001;11:349-364). Whey protein supplementation improves work capacity and also caused decrease in percent body fat (Lands LC, Grey VL, Smountas AA. J Appl Physiol 1999;87:1381-1385). While moderate exercise enhances immunity (Davis JM, Murphy EA, Brown AS, et al. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2004;286:R366-R372), intense athletic training has been shown to stress the immune system (Nieman DC. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000;32:S406-S411, Mackinnon LT. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000;32:S369-S376, Nieman DC. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1998;76:573-580). Free radical production and increased inflammatory activity are thought to contribute to impaired immune activity in over-trained athletes. In highly trained individuals muscular performance and recovery can be hindered by oxidative stress (Gohil K, Viguie C, Stanley WC, et al. J Appl Physiol 1988;64:115-119, Sastre J, Asensi M, Gasco E, et al. Am J Physiol 1992;263:R992-R995, Sen CK, Atalay M, Hanninen O. J Appl Physiol 1994;77:2177-2187). The availability of gluthathione has been shown to reduce oxidative stress (Monograph. Altern Med Rev 2001;6:601-607)

5.  Has Anti-Bacterial And Anti-Viral Properties

Whey Protein Supplementation decreases the occurrence of associated co-infections in Children with Rapidly Progressive HIV Infection (Moreno YF, Sgarbieri VC, de Silva MN, Toro A, Vilela MM, J. Trop Pediatrician, 2005 July 13).  Diverse range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Yersinia enterocolitica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter jejuni, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Corynebacterium dipththeriae, Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium perfringens) were found to be susceptible to inhibition and inactivation by lactoferricin B in whey (Bellamy W, Takase M, Wakabayashi H, Kawase K, Tomita M, In: J Appl Bacteriol [1992 Dec] 73[6]:472-9).

6.   Contribute To A More Positive Mental Outlook And Better

Performance

The second most abundant component in whey protein is alpha-lactalbumin, which high in tryptophan.  A recent study looked at the relationship between tryptophan-rich diets and stress management.  Scientists had previously learned that stress causes the serotonin levels in the brain to decrease and this can contribute to mood disorders, such as depression and that whey protein was helpful in improving mood levels and increasing serotonin levels in the brain (Merens W, Booij L., Markus R, Zitman FG, Onkenhaut W, Van de Does AJ, Br J Nutr. 2005 Sep; 94[3]:415-22).  Consumption of whey protein improved coping ability in stress-vulnerable subjects (Markus CR, Olivier B, Panhuysen GE, Van Der Gugten J, Alles MS, Tuitan A, Westenberg HG, Fekkes D, Koppeschaar HF, de Haan EE, Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jun;71[6]:1536-44).  Whey protein-rich in alpha-lactalbumin improves cognitive performance in stress-vulnerable subjects via increased brain tryptophan and serotonin activities (Markus CR, Olivier B, de Haan EH. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jun;75[6]:1051-6).

7.  Impact Wound Healing

People who are recovering from surgery or are trying to heal a burn or wound often require additional protein in their diet and whey protein components help promote the growth of new body tissue (Thompson JM, Brett A, Rose SJ, Hum Nutr Appl Nutr. 1986 Apr;40[2]:136-40).  Milk whey exerts a direct action on the cells of cutaneous wound repair to enhance both normal and compromised healing (Rayner TE, Cowin AJ, Robertson JG, Cooler RD, Harries RC, Regester GO, Smithers GW, Goddard C, Beiford DA, AM J Physiol Ragul Integr Comp Physiol. 2000 Jun;278[6]:R1651-60).

8.  Improve Dental Health

One of the components in whey protein, glycomacropeptide (GMP), has been shown to help reduce dental plaque and dental carries (Zimecid M, Artym J, Postepy Hig Med Dosw [Online]).2005 Jun 30;59:309-23.  GMP has also shown inhibitory activity to enamel demineralization and promotes tooth enamel remineralization (Almutis WR. J Nutr. 2004 Apr;134[4]:989S-95S).

9.  Build Stronger Bones

Studies show that protein intake along with adequate amounts of calcium is important in maintaining or minimizing bone loss in elderly men and women.  Milk whey supports is able to recover bone loss in vivo (Kruger MC, Plimmer GG, Schollum, LM, Haggarty N, Ram S, Palmano K. Br J Nutr. 2005 Aug;94[2]:244-52).  Osteoporosis, which affects over 25 million Americans, is a major health concern.  Regular exercise and adequate amounts of whey protein and calcium in the diet can make positive difference to bone health and may help to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis.  Milk whey protein, especially is basic protein fraction, contains several components capable of both formation and inhibiting bone resorption (Aoe s, Tobe Y, Yamamura J, Kawekami H, Yahiro M, Kumagawa M, Itabashi A, Takada Y. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2001 Apr;65[4]:913-8).

10.  Other Benefits from Whey

a. Whey is a natural chelating agent, able to remove toxic substances like mercury, arsenic, lead, aluminum, etc. (Marshall K. Altem Med Rev. 2004 Jun;9[2]:136-56).

b. Whey is able to improve the quality of life in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (Planas M, Alvarez J, Garcia-Peris PA, de la Cuerda C, de Lucas P, Castella M, Canseco F, Reyes L. Clin Nutr. 2005 Jun;24[3]:433-41).

c. Dairy sources of calcium-like whey markedly exert greater protective effects from obesity which are most likely to attenuate adiposity (Zemel MB, Miller SL. Nutr Rev. 2004 Apr;62[4]:125-31).

d. The lung disease of cystic fibrosis is associated with a chronic inflammatory reaction and an over abundant of oxidants, this problem can be alleviated by whey protein supplementation which is useful in maintaining optimal levels of GSH and counteract the deleterious effects of oxidative stress in the lung in cystic fibrosis (Grey V, Mohammed SR, Smountas AA, Bahlool R, Lands LC. J Cyst Fibros. 2003 Dec;2[4]:195-8).

By:

ROBIN B. NAVARRO, M.D.

Cellular & Biochemical Medicine

WELLNESS & REJUVENATION CENTER

Unit LG-20 Cityland Shaw Towers

Cor. St. Francis St. and Shaw Blvd.

Tel# (632)636-7726; 636-7727

Sunday to Tuesday: 9am-6pm

SPECIALIST GROUP HOSPITAL AND TRAUMA CENTER

Tapuac District, Dagupan City

Tel#: (075) 523-6360; 522-2254

Proofpessor would like to express her heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Robin B. Navarro for allowing the duplication, posting and sharing of this original article in the internet.  Permission was granted as per telephone conversation on February 2, 2009.

KEFIR WHEY, KEFIR DRINK AND KEFIR THICK AVAILABLE AT:

For pick-up or delivery, please call or text:

CELLULAR PHONE:  (+632) 915-9737148

eMAIL:    gotrailblazers@yahoo.com

CONTACT PERSON:  AIRENE

Kefir Whey, a probiotic, fermented raw cow's milk product

Kefir Probiotic Drink 500mL

Kefir Thick Probiotic Milk Food 400 mL

HOW TO ENJOY KEFIR AND KEFIR WHEY

KEFIR FRUIT SHAKES AND SMOOTHIES:  A Better Way To Enjoy Kefir

50% Strawberries +  50% Kefir (drink or thick or whey)  +  Honey or Stevia  or  Agave Nectar (Sweeten according to taste)

50% Mangoes +  50% Kefir (drink or thick or whey)  +  Honey or Stevia  or  Agave Nectar (Sweeten according to taste)

35%  Mangoes or Apples  +   35% Bananas  +  30%  Kefir  (drink or thick or whey)  +  Honey or Stevia  or  Agave Nectar (Sweeten according to taste)

Try Kefir Variants with other fruits such as guava, banana, kiwi, chico, pineapple, apple etc.

You may play around with the amount of fruit, kefir and sweetener.

For those who prefer a less tart taste, try adding just 30-40% kefir to your fruit blends and smoothies.

Enjoy your Kefir Probiotic shakes and smoothies!

Sounds mysterious?  Before anything else, I’d like to ask you a very important question.  Have you ever considered yourself as a healthy person?  How about five,  ten or twenty years from now?  What do you think will you be suffering from?  Do you want to stay healthy and live a life full of energy or wallow in pain and endure the disease that is slowly taking over your body?  It’s just a matter of time.  But we have hope.  I, personally, am very hopeful for a healthier me in the years to come.

Last Thursday, January 15, was quite an experience.  I was lucky enough to be invited by Mr. Arthur Tanco, Jr. to a lunch in his farm in Tanauan, Batangas.  Little did I know that that it was going to be a unique opportunity to be with people who advocate health through natural and alternative healing, consuming only natural food, and using only natural products.  The group was composed of some doctors, a nurse and some professionals who are practitioners of alternative and who zealously support natural health and processes.  They were talking about things that amazed me so much that I was willing to spend the rest of the day just listening to them.  Together with the lovely TV personality and model, Ms. Angel Aquino, I just sat there like a sponge who tried to absorb what those wonderful, zestful people were sharing with us.

From the time Mr. Tanco and I picked the guests up at Bizu restaurant until the time we reached the farm, it was all talk about cleansing, natural products and healthy stuff.  Dr. Dorothy Prado shared her experiences and her further studies and travels abroad that involved natural health and healing.  She mentioned about music, drums, gongs and vibrations that affect us.  Every now and then the other guests would share their experiences and views on cleansing, crystals, balms, oils, and herbs.  They shared their views on those harmful products that the public is consuming.  They said that iodized salt and fluoride are really bad.   I was relieved that I was not the only one who believes that fluoride is bad for the health.  This fact was known to me years before.  There are fluoride-free toothpaste brands in the market nowadays but they’re more expensive.  They said that you can make your own toothpaste.  Just use myrrh – remember one of the Three Kings carrying myrrh to the newborn baby Jesus?  That’s one of the ingredients in your home-made toothpaste.  I promised that one of these days I’d experiment on how to make my home-made toothpaste using myrrh.  One of them suggested that we should make our own soap or get organic soaps.  Commercial soaps are very harmful for our skin, the largest organ of our body and the first line of defense against harmful elements.  Whatever is absorbed by the skin goes directly to the bloodstream.  It is not processed in the liver.  So it is better that you have eaten something unhealthy because the liver screens it and absorbs the toxins.  But your skin – no way!  You get the toxins full force.

Since everybody’s into health and natural healing, it is not surprising that topics such as liver cleansing will be discussed over lunch.   If it were an ordinary group of people, enema would have been an absurd topic.  But there we were, enjoying dessert over talk of coffee enema.  Enema, according to the MSN Encarta, is “infusion of liquid into the rectum to evacuate fecal obstruction or to introduce drugs for treatment, or radio-opaque material (barium sulfate) in order to define the colon on X ray.” They said they use coffee.    Almost everybody in the group except me and Angel is into it.  They told me we can do it at home.   Coffee enema is liver cleansing.  Coffee is very effective when taken as cleanser and not as food/drink.  The moment you consume coffee, it will make you acidic.  People who are into healthy living avoid food that causes acidity (http://www.drlam.com/opinion/acidic_body.asp ).  Consuming food and drinks that are acidic may lead to degenerative diseases.   Some people do coffee enema everyday, some once a week.  This practice is indeed very rewarding, according to our good doctors.   In addition, they also use wheatgrass juice instead of coffee.  So instead of just cleansing the liver, you nourish it as well.  Wow!  This is something totally new to me.  I’d want to do coffee and wheatgrass enema for a more detoxified, nourished me.

Further into the discussion was this talk about crystals.  It really mystified me.  I have never regarded crystal healing as effective.  I thought that is just mumbo-jumbo stuff.  But hearing them talk about vibrations that crystals in a crystal bowl create, healing and energizing you, was simply remarkable.  Suddenly I wanted to experience crystal healing.

Then the topic shifted to massage and our traditional “hilot.”  Dr. Dorothy Prado was vehement in her desire to support our traditional Filipino method of massage.  She said that we ought to promote it and explore the possibility of empowering our practitioners and healers who use “hilot.”  Silently,  I agreed with her.  She was right when she said we need to look back and explore our roots and embrace what is truly ours.  She said that Filipinos are truly good at duplicating that we could imitate anything except ourselves.  She said that “hilots” and people who are into alternative and natural healing are lost because they do not know their identity.   The group was hopeful, though, that in the near future something will take shape and as the universe is undergoing change,.  They said that the world is experiencing changing times -  from Piscean to Aquarian – a new phase, a birth process (Some people believe that this is the reason for the difficulty being experienced by the world today)- and so will the plight of our natural and alternative health advocates.

All these information and views were exchanged at the delightful farm of Mr. Tanco, Jr.   His farm is so very clean, well-organized and  of course,organic.  His plants come from different parts of the Philippines and the world.  You should see his thousand-finger banana plant from Thailand.  His tamarind trees yield sweet fruits even though the fruit were not fully ripened yet.  He has plans of opening his farm to the public who wants to do cleansing and meditation.  He loves agriculture and his new baby is the wheatgrass.  Every Saturday at the Salcedo Weekend Market you’ll find him and his team promoting health to the public, selling wheatgrass, kefir (a probiotic, fermented milk drink), almond milk, sprouted nuts, stevia, agave nectar, sprouts and raw linden honey.  His advocacy motivates him so that even on Sundays he is at the Legaspi weekend market.  Weekend market time is between 8:00 o’clock in the morning until 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon.  If you are interested, just look for the Chlorophyll Manila booth or simply the wheatgrass booth.

Mr. Tanco’s gracious wife, Mrs. Annie Tanco and Chiariya, our expert Thai chef (Chiariya owns a Thai restaurant in Makati, by the way), prepared a very delicious lunch for everybody.  We had Tom Yum Gung (a superb dish!), Binagoongan Rice (Thai version – really delicious!), tilapia in banana leaves, fresh greens, pomelo salad, Pad Thai (a winner! I really loved it.), Batangas native suman and bibingka, halo-halo in fresh coconut milk, and sweet mangoes.  The food that we had was truly a sumptuous treat!

To give you a background on how exciting the guest list was, here’s a sampler.  One of them is Medilen Singh.  She’s into organic farming and teaching people how to do organic composting and the like.  Her friend, Carol and Annabelle are all into alternative and natural health and healing.  Wow!  Here’s some more.  Two other guests, Dr. Paulita “Pinky” Baclig and Nurse Chei Ceriales are into cleansing and natural healing as well.  Both are experts on enema and other forms of alternative treatment.  Vivian Chao, the lovely cousin of Mrs. Annie Tanco also practices alternative treatment.  There were queries raised by the charming actress-model Angel Aquino and comments made by Maribel, the fashionable twin sister of Mrs. Annie Tanco.  It was all in all a delightful, very informative get-together.  I’d surely look forward to another gathering like this.

Alternative healing enthusiasts under the cool shade of the tamarind tree

Annabelle: loving the serene surroundings

Dr. Dorothy Prado, a dentist and Carol, an alternative medicine healer enjoying the wind and cool tamarind shade

Dr. Pinky Baclig and Nurse Chei Ceriales are into alternative cleansing

Annabelle is into alternative medicine and will never touch or use anything that's not organic and natural

They both love agriculture and organic and natural farming. Nature makes you glow and look really good.

Helen Chua practice alternative medicine and she's into natural products

Our very charming and gracious host, Mrs. Annie Tanco posing with that lovely smile.

Chiariya, our expert Thai chef and restaurant entrepreneur. We love your dishes, Chiariya!

Lettuce, lettuce and more lettuce!

Enjoying the afternoon tour around the farm.

Picking ripe fingers from the thousand-finger banana from Thailand. Sweet ones, I dare say!

Greens and healthy shades everywhere!

Yummy and healthful Tom Yum Gung soup! Thanks, Chiariya!

Delightful and healthful pomelo salad. The best!

Ohh-la-la! The best Pad Thai ever!

Chiariya's one-of-a-kind binagoongan rice, Thai version. Heavenly!

Sumptuous lunch for everybody! I hope there's a take two to this.

Skinning the aloe vera. We're in for a cleansing, nourishing treat!

That's impressive! It's equally impressive to taste aloe vera with freshly-squeezed pineapple juice.

Dr. Dorothy Prado administer acupuncture on Mr. Tanco's arm.

Dr. Dorothy Prado and acupuncture.

]]> http://proofpessor.wordpress.com/2009/01/28/alternative-healing-and-medicine/feed/ 4 proofpessor alternative healing 1 annabelle Dr. Dorothy Prado & Carol Dr. Pinky Baclig and Nurse Chei Annabelle Medilen Singh and Mr. Arthur Tanco, Jr. Helen Chua Mrs. Annie Tanco Chiariya mr-tancos-tanauan-farm-view-1 mr-tancos-tanauan-farm-view-4 mr-tancos-thousand-finger-banana-from-thailand mr-tancos-tanauan-farm-view-6 my-tom-yum-gung-1 delightful-pomelo-salad delicious-pad-thai chiariayas-binagoongan-rice_thai-dish-11 sumptuous-lunch-2 skinning-the-aloe-vera_a the-very-nourishing-aloe-vera-gel dr-dorothy-prado-doing-acupuncture-for-mr-arthur-tanco-jr_a dr-dorothy-prado-and-carol-both-practices-alternative-medicine_healing_21 http://proofpessor.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/137/ http://proofpessor.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/137/#comments Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:29:15 +0000 proofpessor http://proofpessor.wordpress.com/?p=137 ]]> Hi, my friends.  Being part of Chlorophyll Manila is really something to be proud of.  It is all about sharing the secrets to a healthier, more zestful and longer life.  I especially hold dear to my heart the very first event that I joined as a member of Chlorophyll Manila.

Chlorophyll Manila joined Zonta Club and Rustan’s Department Store in sponsoring the event “Look Good, Feel Good.”  A number of cancer patients benefited from the event.  They were given shots of the nourishing wheatgrass juice and chico kefir, our probiotic drink.  Aside from that, Bizu Patisserie sponsored healthful snacks for everybody.

Chlorophyll Manila is our wheatgrass and other natural products source.  It is owned by Mr. Arthur Tanco, Jr., a natural health enthusiast.  His advocacy is to impart to the general public the secrets to and advantages of living a long, healthy life.  He basically lives by his advocacy by consuming natural, nutrient-dense food and using natural products. He was able to share to the guests the advantages of juicing wheatgrass and consuming kefir as well as information on how to live a healthier life through juicing. He grows wheatgrass and nutritious sprouts and makes kefir (probiotic drink that’s superior to yogurt) and almond milk.  Included in his line of natural, nutrient-dense products are wheatgrass, probiotic kefir, almond milk, bee pollen, linden raw honey, stevia (a plant-based calorie-free sweetener), agave nectar (a sweetener that comes from the agave plant and safe even for diabetics), sprouted mixed nuts and seeds, sprouted walnuts, Himalayan pink edible salt, and sprouts (arugula, broccoli, and radish).

Chlorophyll Manila’s products are available every Saturday, 7:00a.m.- 2:00p.m. at the Salcedo Park Weekend Market, every Sunday, 8:00a.m.-2:00p.m. at the Legaspi Park Weekend Market, and Bizu Patisserie (Greenhills, Promenade, Greenbelt 2, Alabang Town Center).

Enjoy viewing some of the shots in the event.

Chlorophyll Manila's Mr. Arthur Tanco, Jr. and the lady guests at Rustan's Department Store

"Look Good, Feel Good" through juicing

Cholorophyll Manila's Mr. Arthur Tanco, Jr. intent on sharing his advocacy with the lady guests

The right amount of make-up on the right places

Food, food, and more food!  That’s what you’ll experience at the Makati weekend market.  Not only that, you can also buy organic products there.  These products come from different provinces and different cultures.  Although the goodies there are a little bit more expensive, going there is worth the trip.  It’s like a weekend treat!

My family and I went to the Makati weekend market last Saturday for the first time.  Located in Salcedo Park, corner Toledo and L.P Leviste Sts., Brgy. Bel-Aire, it is easily accessible by car, taxi or public transportation.   If you go there by car, make sure to go there a little bit early because of traffic.  But you need not worry because MMDA men assist in making sure traffic flows smoothly.  If you choose to use public transportation, the MRT is the best choice (although you may use the bus).  Just stop at the Buendia station and take a taxi.  Or from Buendia station, you may take the Washington route jeepney.  You can stop near Makati post office and then walk from there.  If you are not familiar with the place, there are people who’ll be more than willing to give you directions.  Just ask.

My first impression…?  The place was bustling with energy and commerce.  Despite the rain, people were enjoying their weekend treat.  There were organic herbs, spices and plants.  There were organically prepared, diet-friendly, low/no sugar/salt food.  There were native goodies and prepared with the best natural ingredients. There were taste-tests, too!    The stalls were full of mouth-watering native delicacies from different provinces.  Fruits were being sold almost everywhere.  Davao fruits were available there,  even my favorite sweet Davao pomelos and the heavenly durian.  The place smelled of barbecue – both pork and fish.  Hmmm…mouth-watering!  There was international food, too – from crepes, pies and cheesecakes to sausages and smoked meats!  You wouldn’t miss “lechon baka” (grilled whole cow) and “lechon baboy” (grilled whole pig).  The place was filled with delicious aroma!  After spending around 10 minutes in the area, the first thing my daughter said was, “Mommy, I’m hungry.”  LOL!  The scene and the aroma made me hungry, too!

Well, brushing off those hunger pangs, I began to concentrate on my real target – the wheatgrass!  Where could it be?  We hunted for the wheatgrass booth.  It wasn’t difficult to find.   The place where you can buy the nutritious wheatgrass and its fresh living juice was swarmed with people.  There you could see wheatgrass on trays, juicers, and other products.  The customers were listening intently to the amiable Mr. Arturo Tangco, Jr., the person who grows and sells wheatgrass who patiently answered all the queries of his customers.  I just stayed beside him and listened to what he was saying because  most of the questions I had in mind were already being asked by some the customers.  I did ask a question or two and those were if he had a contact number and if he had other outlets.  To the first query, he gave me a flyer for his number, website and e-mail address.   To the second question, he said we could buy wheatgrass at the Bizu Patisserie branches in Greenbelt 2, Greenhills Promenade, and Alabang Town Center.  There were also questions about the almond milk and another herb or was it a legume (the name escaped me).   He let his costumers taste the almond milk.  It was refreshing.   He told us it is very good for lactose-intolerant people, an alternative to cow’s milk.  I’m sure it is also very good for people with hypertension since all kinds of nuts are.  Whew!  I’m running out of space.  There’s so much information that I’d like to share with you.  

Now, let’s go back to wheatgrass.  The wheatgrass trays were selling like hotcakes!  I bought the last five trays of the first batch – lucky me.  Customers kept on arriving and asking for the wheatgrass.   It was hot commodity!   One tray costs P100.00 and will give you 2 to 3 shots of fresh wheatgrass juice.  If you buy the juice there, each shot costs P75.00.  They juice it right in front of you.   They also sell manual and electric cold press juicers.   And the gracious proprietor, Mr. Tangco, readily gave tips about wheatgrass and the products he sells.

After buying the wheatgrass, my family and I went around the other stalls and bought more goodies.  Fresh prawns, crabs (still alive) and fish were sold in one part of the place.   We bought special “budbod” (glutinous rice native product wrapped in banana leaves), salted eggs (they’re not really very salty), and a jar of salt-less and sugarless all-natural and organic peanut butter.  Next time I visit the weekend market in Makati, which is by the way open from 8:00 o’clock in the morning until 12:00 noon or so, I’ll buy some of those cakes and pastries,  a bit of those meaty goodies,  and some herbs and spices, too.  Hope to see you there! 

Makati weekend market location

The weekend market

The weekend market

wheatgrass booth

wheatgrass booth

wheatgrass drink

herbs & spices

organic natural peanut butter

special budbud

barbecue

grilled fish

goodies

lechon baka

meat & sausages

ornamental plants

provincial products

salted eggs & native delicacies

sausages, dried seafood & other goodies1

sugar-free pastillas

fresh seafood

Vigan longganisa

Have you ever heard that grasses are good for us? Well, in an ancient biblical manuscript discovered by a man named Edmund Bordeaux, the main teaching there is that all grasses are good for humans and the perfect food for us is wheatgrass.

I got really excited when I learned about wheatgrass and its juice the first time. I tried reading more on its benefits. I made it a point to visit the place where it can be bought here in Metro Manila so I can buy some and try the juice myself. I’ve tasted it.  It is very sweet and smells and tastes like fresh grass. It doesn’t taste bad at all. And for all its benefits, it’s well worth it.

Wheatgrass looks like your usual lawn grass. According to the articles that I’ve read, wheatgrass is a term used to describe young Agropyron plants, closely related to wheat. Its juice is said to be very beneficial for human beings because of its chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is similar to human blood (referred to as hemoglobin) because it shares a similar atom structure to that of hemoglobin in creating its molecules. The only difference is that hemoglobin’s metallic atom consists of iron and that of chlorophyll consists of magnesium. This similarity makes chlorophyll easy to digest by the human system and almost immediately begin oxygenating the blood upon digestion. In addition to that, wheatgrass is rich in vitamins, minerals, and 17 forms of enzymes and amino acids. It is a rich source of vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, and K. It is an excellent source of calcium, cobalt, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, sulfur, and zinc.

Here are some of the benefits of drinking the living juice of wheatgrass:

1. Great for blood disorders of all kinds.
2. Neutralizes toxins in the body and filter heavy metals from the blood.
3. Helps purify the liver.
4. Prevents heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
5. Helps to reduce high blood pressure & enhances capillaries.
6. Great for sore throats.
7. Prevents tooth decay and treats pyorrhea.
8. Improves digestion and elimination.
9. Increases the functions of the heart, lungs, vascular system, uterus and intestines.
10. Dissolves scars formed in the lungs for breathing acid gases.
11. An excellent skin cleanser. Treats eczema and psoriasis.
12. Prevents hair from graying.

The clinical uses of chlorophyll:

1. Clears up foul smelling odors.
2. Neutralizes Strep infections.
3. Heals wounds.
4. Hastens skin grafting.
5. Cures chronic sinusitis.
6. Overcomes inner-ear inflammation and infection.
7. Reduces varicose veins and heal leg ulcers.
8. Eliminates impetigo and other scabby infections.
9. Heals rectal sores.
10. Treats inflammation of the uterine cervix.
11. Gets rid of parasitic infections.
12. Reduces typhoid fever.
13. Cures acne and helps remove scars after it has ben ingested for 7 – 8 months.
14. Improves blood sugar problems.
15. Gets into the tissues and refines them.

(Source: http://www.wheatgrasskits.com/40pointsofwheatgrass.htm)

The benefits of the wheatgrass pulp:

1. Skin cleanser.
2. Great for skin disorders.

Extracting the juice out of wheatgrass is better than eating it raw because some of its juices might just be trapped in its fibers that our bodies will eventually expel not to mention feeling like a cow! It is best taken on an empty stomach (followed by a healthful meal) and within 6 minutes after extracting the juice. For starters, take 1 ounce for about a week and gradually increase the intake to let your body get used to its detoxifying effects. Some may experience nausea because of toxins long kept by the body’s cells are being expelled. One ounce wheatgrass juice is equivalent to the nutrients found in 2 ½ pounds of green leafy vegetables.

Wheatgrass can easily be grown at home. Its juice is easily extracted using a manual cold press juicer or an electric cold press juicer with a low rpm speed (around 76 – 80 rpm) so as not to destroy the vital nutrients found in the juice. Centrifugal type juicers are high-speed juicers usually commercially available and are not recommended for extracting juice from wheatgrass. They create heat while in the juicing process because they operate at high speed: 1000 – 24,000 rpm! Heat destroys the enzymes and the nutrients in the juice. It may be very fast at extracting juices but it will give you instant oxidized not-so-nutritious juices.

If you don’t have a good cold press juicer (they are a bit expensive-between P3,000.00 to around P14,000.00 and are not easily available in a typical appliance store) just buy a good mortar and pestle and use this to press the wheatgrass. Put the pressed wheatgrass in a clean “katsa” (cheesecloth) and squeeze the living juice out of it. Drink the juice within 6 minutes.

Here are some pictures of wheatgrass and how to extract juice using the mortar and pestle and the “katsa” (cheeesecloth). Happy juicing!

My wheatgrass at home

Pressing wheatgrass more

Pressing wheatgrass with mortar & pestle

Squeezing the juice using "katsa" (cheesecloth)

The living juice of wheatgrass

The Scent of Davao

     Davao, like a magic word, stirs in me a sense of nostalgia.  Davao embodies my roots, my origins and many wonderful memories.  For years, I incessantly prayed for enough leisure time so that I could savor again those sweet memories and once again embrace the land that I so love and feel its winds against my cheeks as I ride the waves of its seas and the valleys of its mountains. Then, the time to visit Davao unexpectedly came.  It was July 25.

     Upon arrival at the Davao International Airport, my companions and I went straight to Compostela Valley.  Compostela Valley is about 4 hours ride from Davao City proper by bus.  Since we were anxious to get there, we took the first available bus.  And since we had baggage and we didn’t want to change buses, we decided to take the non-air conditioned bus (Davao Metro Shuttle) that would take us to the Compostela town proper nearest to Mangayon, our target area.  The air-conditioned bus’ last stop is Tagum which is still far from Mangayon. 

     It was a hot, cramped ride because there were many people headed for Compostela that day was Compostela’s feast day.  Though the bus was full past its capacity, I experienced something that lightened the heaviness in my heart (for reasons I opted not to mention here).  In spite of the poverty that was all too evident as I passed the roads and very much evident in the passengers sitting and standing inside the bus, I had never seen people with such happy disposition. This was something I never experienced in Metro Manila.   Despite the heat and sweat, the bus riders joked around and their laughter filled the bus – laughter that seemed to shorten and lighten up the difficult trip. Wow! It was unbelievable! How could it be possible? But that was it  - a sweaty, cramped bus ride full of happy people. 

     The bus ride to Compostela Valley wasn’t at all the same as the bus rides I took in Luzon.  No vendors went up the buses to sell their goods.  Maybe it was because they were not allowed to come up the bus or maybe because our bus was non-air conditioned and the windows were open.  They just did their selling outside the bus windows.  The vendors sold sweet-smelling “bibingka” (rice cakes, like the one in the picture attached here), boiled native corn and peanuts.  It was unlike the bus rides in Luzon where vendors sold “espasol” (a cylinder-shaped Filipino rice cake originating from the province of Laguna, made from rice flour cooked in coconut milk and sweetened coconut strips, dusted with toasted rice flour), “buko” (young coconut) pie, “tamales” (rice-based delicacy wrapped in banana leaves), and “tupig” (delicacy made from glutinous rice mixed with raw sugar and coconut).  I easily finished off two pieces  of round bibingka on the way to Compostela.  On the roadside,  I saw makeshift stalls of vendors selling durian here and there.  Oh, I’d give anything just to be able to sink my fingers on a durian’s soft sweet meat. But I needed to get hold of myself.  I was in a bus and it couldn’t stop just so I could buy durian. 

     Finally, we arrived at our stop and we had to ride the “habal-habal” (a single-motorcycle that carries 3-6 passengers as backriders plus the baggages):ouch: to Mangayon, Compostela.  Usually, the ride is around 15-25 minutes habal-habal rough road ride from the town proper to Mangayon.  Goodness gracious!  I thought I would never survive that first habal-habal ride.  In Mangayon, I was reunited with some more of my relatives and we had freshly-picked vegetables, fruits, fresh fish and “tuba” drink all throughout the day.

     After Compostela Valley, we headed straight to Samal Island, now known as Island Garden City of Samal.   We took a non-air-conditioned bus from Compostela Valley again back to Davao City.  Somewhere near the city, our bus was stopped by a military checkpoint.  I was alarmed because uniformed men went up the bus.  Then they asked the men to step out of the bus.  That really frightened me because my cousin and the best friend of my uncle were among them.  I watched what they were doing to the passengers.  After what seemed like eternity, the military men finally let the male passengers get inside the bus.  My cousin, a resident of Davao, told me it was just SOP.  I told him it was really tense. I didn’t know then that conflicts are already starting with the disagreements over the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) and the Memorandum of Agreement.

     When we reached Davao, we headed straight to Pier 11.   We took the  ferry ride there to the Island Garden City of Samal.  Usually, the ferry ride is about 10 minutes (that time it was more like 5 minutes to me) and waiting time for the ferry for passengers to fill the boat at the station is about 10-15 minutes. The ferry leaves the pier even though it is not full.   And the fare is only P12.00 per person.  In Samal Island (now Island Garden City of Samal), we took the multicab to Penaplata, my grandma’s hometown. A multicab could also look like this multicab.  There were resorts in Samal but I didn’t have time to take a look at them.  In Penaplata, we had more of those charcoal-grilled fresh fish, squid, dried fish, and  fresh fruits, vegetables and tuba for lunch.

     We returned to Davao City that same day riding the RORO ferry.  For those who do not know the meaning of RORO, it means Roll On Roll Off.   Buses can be transported in it and so can your car/motorcycle for a fee of around P300.00 per vehicle.  Inside the bus on the RORO ferry, we couldn’t feel that were crossing the sea.  We were surprised when the bus just rolled off the streets of Davao City.

     Before going back to where we will retire for the night, we strolled inside  the famous People’s Park (a 71-million project under Mayor Duterte’s administration).  For everybody’s information, entrance is totally free.  Bags will be inspected and markers and knives will be confiscated at the gate.  Food is allowed inside so families can have their lunch or dinner in one of the huts there.  It is not very big but is a very clean park with clean toilets (no fees here either) and a far cry from Luneta in Manila in terms of landscape and design.  Around the park are numerous restaurants and we sampled Whaw! Restaurant for dinner.  It cost us a little less than P400.00 for 6 cups of rice, one whole roasted chicken, “pancit canton” (stir-fried noodle dish) good for 4-5 persons, grilled tuna jaw and drinks. And the food was delicious! What a bargain!

     The next day, we were able to tour Davao City.  While touring, we bought freshly baked bibingka (the best-tasting bibingka ever) and had “puto maya” with hot cocoa drink at Bangkerohan market. Then we went to a fruitstand and bought some Davao golden pomelo and durian.   Then in Agdao market  we bought dried fish.  I gorged myself with durian for two days.  

     After buying the goodies, we went back to the restaurants around People’s Park and sampled Penong’s (a restaurant) for lunch.  We had “sutukil, a combined term for <su> – “sugba” (grill over hot charcoal), <tu> – “tuwa” (cook fish in a sour soup suing vinegar and spices like the sour “iba” or kamias fruit), and <ki> – “kilaw” (eat raw without heat but only after soaking the meat in sour vinegar with spices like onions, garlic, salt and chili plus cucumber and radish at times).  We had tuna jaw for “sugba,” lapu-lapu fish for “tuwa” and “tanigue” fish for “kilaw.”   Wow!  I just couldn’t help but wonder how close the term “sutukil” is to the expression “shoot to kill.”   How ingenious!  It could mean that the combination is deadly because it is so delicious. And will make you yearn and come back for more!

     Well, when it was time to finally board the plane back to Manila, I wanted to stay longer.  I made a promise to visit Davao again soon.  I’d bring my mother again and we’d visit to more places there.  After about an hour and a half, I was waiting to collect our baggage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 and there at the baggage area lingered the sweet scent of Davao that seemed to tell me Davao is not that far away.

The Scent of Davao July-August 2008

People's Park August 1, 2008

RORO bus & ferry ride August 1, 2008

Sutukil Lunch at Penong

(Acknowledgement:  I’d like to thank the people or organizations who are authors of the links that I used in this blog.)

Well, it’s not only the students.  One by one, our dear professors are retiring.  Some have left for greener pastures.  What could’ve driven them away from this beautiful campus?  The professors have done great service to the country and our people.  They have helped shape brilliant minds.  They have inspired our youth to become leaders in their own right.  They have led a simple, honorable life in the University.  Our professors deserve so much more than what they are getting now.  They deserve not only honor and recognition but also a status that would let them live a very respectable life.  The government should make sure that this status is being enjoyed by each one of our professors.  But sadly, this is not always the case.  Their rights, benefits and compensation have not been considered justifiably.   Our University’s professors are not the materialistic kind but they also have needs.  With the kind of intellect, skill and disposition that they have, they deserve to be compensated well in all aspects.  Most of the professors at the University have dedicated their lives to their profession.  They have given brawn and brains and love and time all in the name of education. 

It is sad.  I ferverntly hope that I wouldn’t ask in one of the future enrolment seasons, “Where are the enrollees?”  Or when I come to visit our College, ”Where is Dr…..? Uhh? In the US of A?”