(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 nothingremotely 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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