Reflections on S(au)NA and GyM(A)

As a birthday treat, I accompanied my high school friend to a hair color makeover. I took her downtown to my hairdresser, with whom I've had a love-hate relationship for over 20 years. I've always valued our deep "parlor chikkas" and this time my hairdresser asked me: "What do you think of GMA's SONA?"

I now live in two time zones - North and South of Cebu. The gym has become my second home as I'm working on my strength training and endurance. I was on my way to the sauna when I heard GMA's SONA over the television. I marveled at the roaring applause every time she addresses the audience and I couldn't help but think if it was speech protocol. Let's just say her outfit saved her speech and gave her a positive aura.

Lately, I've been giving my mini SONA (State of Nutrition Address) unintentionally to people I meet. It's interesting how our conversations naturally gravitate towards health and wellness as they ask me how I maintain my youthfulness as I don't look like I'm in my mid-thirties. As in everything in life, hard work and discipline. If only Filipinos actually practice discipline at home rather than be full of excuses that we are a poor country, we'd really be a fit nation.

The government celebrated July as "Nutrition Month" and I really wonder what they have been feeding the minds of Filipinos. Is it patterned after the Standard American Diet (SAD)? Glorious fast food and anything refined (hydrogenated oil, white sugar, white flour and white rice). Every person has a different body composition and it is their responsibility to get to know their bodies and what it needs in order to function well. The issue is not to convert people into following a specific diet but just to let them be aware of the variety nature has to offer.

Well, it's about time they do something about the potholes in the streets and potbellies of policemen. How can one keep the city in peace and order when they can't even keep their minds and bodies at peace and order? Shape up or ship out!

I haven't considered how difficult it was to be a vegan (from other people's point of view) until I chanced upon this blog conversation in the net: A: No, this is not me. I have not turned into a strict vegan. I am a carnivore.

We got a friend who just flew in from Cebu. Actually she's more of my hubby's friend than mine. I don't know her well, and the thing is that I'm on my toes even before she came in. What would I feed her?! What kind of food does she like? Is she allergic to anything in particular...you know, something that a worrywart hostess like me would fret about. She does not take coffee. She doesn't eat fish. Or anything in this whole wide world that would require bloodshed. I felt so duh...This is the first time I've played host to a strict vegan. I wish we stocked on tofu. She just blended some veggies.

B: "Hala oi imo unta na siya gipa baon og kamonggay from the Philippines. Naay daghan diri hehe! Bitaw, serve her oatmeal and tofu na lang all the time ngek! Ka-faet anang strict vegan oi mura man sab tag kanding ana. Oh I'll die if that happens!"

A: "She asked me if there are raw food restaurants around. Hayyyy!! I think she eats bird seeds too like Demi Moore."

C: "Well, I think you can buy vege-meat there. You can put it in substitute for the real thing, and she also doesn't eat dairy products right? Give her tea nalang. I wonder how she survived in the Philippines, where all parts of a chicken are eaten, well, if the worst comes, drop the hostess role and let her cook her own food, I'm sure she's good at it. I haven't eaten pork, beef, etc for quite sometime too, but I can't totally do away with the fish, they're yum-yum and the easiest to cook when you're traveling around the islands.

A: "She has money to sustain her lifestyle, where money is not a problem at all." Actually, they were talking about me. I just smiled. As I write this piece, I'm sitting on my couch and having my foot massaged by my personal therapist. This is how I want to live my life. Now, birdseeds anyone?

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