(Foods image[1] from Positive Vitality)
Now, the Covid-19
pandemic should be a wake-up call for organic cultivators in the Philippines, considering
the rising world demand for healthy foods from organic farms or gardens. (I
understand Chooks-to-Go chickens are 100% organic – my salute to high-IQ manager
Ronald Mascariñas!)
Meanwhile,
this April, the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) came up with its own
970-word advice titled “Eating Healthy Before, During And After Covid-19[2]” (07 April 2021, FAO.org). Sorry! The
World Health Organization (WHO) has nothing
remotely resembling such health-conscious declaration – is the WHO for us?
Thank God for the FAO! They know what is good for them is good for us.
The FAO’s
advice has 6 items:
“1. Mix it
up!”
“Eat a
variety of foods within each and across all the food groups to ensure adequate
intake of important nutrients. National food-based dietary guidelines can help
you.”
“2. Eat
plenty of fruits and vegetables.”
“Fruits and
vegetables provide loads of vitamins and minerals as well as the fiber that we
need for healthy diet.”
“3. Take
the pulse of the situation, be wholesome and go nuts!“
“Pulses,
whole grains, nuts and healthy fats such as in olive, sesame, peanut or other
unsaturated oils can support your immune system and help to reduce
inflammation.”
“4. Limit
fats, sugar and salt.“
“As a good
habit, check the labels of all the foods you eat to learn about their
ingredients and nutritional value. Food labels are there to help you limit the
amount of certain ingredients or increase the levels of beneficial ones.”
“5.
Practice good food hygiene.“
“Practicing
food hygiene and safety is always important. Remember these five tips: (1) keep
your hands, cooking utensils and cooking surfaces clean; (2) separate raw and
cooked; (3) cook thoroughly; (4) keep food at safe temperatures, and (5) use
safe water.”
“6. Be
physically active and drink plenty of water.“
“Exercise
is important for both our physical and mental health… You should aim for at
least 30-60 minutes of daily exercise depending on your age and lifestyle.”
Question: Could you grow your organic food
yourself? Yes! How? Learn to love the
soil first!
(“Farming with a heart”
image[3] from NDTV Food)
I am the son of a farmer of Asingan, Pangasinan; I am an
agriculturist, graduate of UP Los Baños ’65; I am a digital warrior writer and
a wide reader since the last 21 years – I know this: If you love the soil, it will love you back. How do you do that? Simple:
As farmer or gardener, put back to the earth what you got from it, at least
your crop refuse, and the soil will grow healthy and grow your healthy food!
Organic – Before or during any illness or
disease, especially now during the coronavirus pandemic, we humans all need natural,
healthy and tasty foods!@517
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