Unsual healthy delights

I always enjoy learning about new healthy alternatives that provide great benefits for our body. I had the chance to be toured around by my good friend Ruth Co in her different new establishments.  Each of her food joints at the Greenbelt 5 are unique in their own special way and all of them are born out of Arnold and Ruth Co’s passion to give only the best to people and they don’t settle for anything less than the best.  For example, if she sells ice cream, it would have to be Haagen Dazs. When it comes to her Thai recipes in her newly opened Thai Patio, it would have to be prepared from scratch by her Thai chef.  The husband and wife tandem also brought to us Oliver Sandwiches and Zing! Now, in her authentic French bakery, Le Petit Artisan, she made sure she got a French chef to train her team to make artisan bread. Ruth and company imports all the raw ingredients from Germany, consisting of a mix without chemicals or preservatives.  Le Petit Artisan recommends freezing their bread upon purchase and then toasting it lightly before serving to enjoy its wonderful goodness.

I was happy to find out about her charcoal and green tea bread, which she sells there. I was curious to find out whether she indeed uses charcoal as its main ingredient to which she confirmed.  She explained that charcoal has many medicinal benefits most especially for those suffering from gastrointestinal problems.  She’s had her friends tell her how they have felt much better after eating her charcoal bread. Though stools may turn black after eating it, there is no need to worry as it is just due to the color of the charcoal.

 I also learned that charcoal works well for allergic reactions, infections, purifying water, air, and food. One thing’s for sure, it’s great for barbecue, too!  It’s tasty and healthy — what more can you ask for?

 Another healthy find is Rawlicious juices.  My brother Melvin introduced me to his childhood buddy’s sister Angela Lichauco during a hike at La Mesa’s Eco Trail. We had lots of time to spare while exploring the beautiful scenery and we happened to talk about how valuable our health is. She told me about a business that grew out of her desire to share her learnings from having studied organic farming in Costa Rica. She and her friend Joanna Salvosa put up Rawlicious super green smoothies and juices. They are made from all organic fruits and greens and their proceeds benefit NGOs that focus on the environment and children like Tawid Kalinga. They are committed to running a green and sustainable business. For their flyers, they use newsprint paper and only use paper cups.  Whatever fruit or vegetable waste they incur goes to their suppliers for composting. Their used plastic bottles (which they encourage their customers to return) are given to a partner recycling facility. Angela and Joanna want to advocate a healthy juice alternative and help the needy while making sure they also make their environment a better place to live in. You can choose from these different recipes: Hella Green, a thirst quencher and energizer; Joe’s Green Mind, which cleanses and refreshes the body; Green Monster Xavier, which encourages healing and makes going (to the you know where) regular; and Crazy Safto, which calms the tummy.  The newest addition is Green Dream Casanova, made with organic cilantro, organic spinach, mango, pineapple, cinamon, apple, and wild honey. Angela sent me two bottles, which she randomly picked from her items to be delivered one day when I was super excited to taste her juices. I drank them the whole night while in a reunion with friends.  I felt energized and full!  You must try Rawlicious juices, too!  For orders, call Angela or Joanna at 09158503081 or e-mail rawliciousplanet@yahoo.com.