CONNECT THE DOTS By Chit U. Juan Back in 2012, while attending Slow Food’s Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre in Turin, Italy I was on my third year of being pesco-vegetarian. Almost no red meat since January 2009, after a big lunch of Angus steak at one of Serendra’s famous restaurants. So while counting my third year of “no red meat” I suddenly found myself in the Italian Pavilion with salami, sausages and the rest of the cured meats from artisanal producers. So I had some. And all will power went down the drain. Big mistake. I started gassing up and had to go back to our hotel, some few kilometers away. A well-meaning co-delegate asked me what was wrong and gave me a tonic to drink. “That’s all you have to drink today—salt and water,” he said. He had a dropper of a salt solution, and put some in my bottle of mineral water. It was Dr. Albert Jo. The next day I was better, much better to face all the meats and salami. Reena let me try a “bombetto”—another pork street food of Italy- pork neck I think ..cut in strips, rolled and then grilled to just a slight crunch and lots of flavor. I was back in the “tasting portions” for meat. Then I met Nicolo Aberasturi , a biodynamic farmer from Bukidnon who sells grass-fed meat. He claims, he gets gas with rice but not with grass-fed beef. So, today, everything in moderation. Mike Lozada, a “no grains” super fit and lean health buff eats meat, just grass-fed, but no grains. One cheat day a week. Eat anything you like. Today I will meet Dr. Jo again. He will share his wellness tips with our customers and friends and also our employees. It is our semi-annual treat for our staff to learn new things about our business while enriching their lives. What to eat to feel better. What not to eat to feel marvelous. That is Dr. Jo. “You are what you eat” he says. He does eat fish and cheese, and does not look over your shoulder to check what you’re eating. Cool guy, this doctor. He will also be with us in our Slow Food panel tomorrow, where our co-members of Slow Food Philippines will share their experience in growing and selling slow food. I first met Dr. Jo in 2010 when he came to our “farm to table” restaurant Le Bistro Vert. When we were forced to close in 2011 because of building damage, it led the ECHOtrio and partners to spread the good word on “farm to table” through our ECHOcafe and through our now new concept ECHOdeli, where Reena makes recipes from grass-fed meats and pastured pork and chicken. We also make real fish cakes from real fish…not the “fast food” kind. We make real chicken, not reconstituted nuggets. It may cost more, but are we not treating our bodies well by eating good, clean and fair food? Today, we also have a stand in WOFEX to display slow food and Ark of Taste. All these people involved are the same people who were with us in Turin two years ago. They practise and advocate Slow Food principles, and we will share these with the public tomorrow at our Slow Food seminar. Come over and learn a few good tips on how to eat well and save the planet in the process. Now I connect the dots. Why did I meet Dr. Jo of Rapha Valley in 2009 or 2010. Why did he “cure” me in 2012? Why did I spend three hours with Nicolo and Paula in 2012 walking around Turin’s city streets? Because Paula is to handle our pretty booth for WOFEX, and Nicolo will be a speaker in our panel tomorrow. Why was I in Baguio in 2009, talking to Mayette Paragas about her Slow Food booth in Panagbenga? I had no idea then. But I do now. Everything conspires in the Universe as our partner Jeannie says. And as the late Steve Jobs said so perfectly:”Connect the dots.” Backwards you will know why you met people, why you went to some place, why it all happened.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 23:27:10 +0000
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