Our 2003 Wish List

Happy New Year to one and all, specially to the food/marketing enthusiasts who have followed us through the years.Thanks to you as well.

2003 has come so quickly and some friends tell us this was because so many startling (shocking and even fearsome)events happened in 2002 –turmoil all around the world, our own national problems, rising cost of living and certainly quite a few happy incidents.This made us reflect and in the course of doing that, we came up with a Wish List, not an impossible dream, but some do-able endeavors that would make our life bearable,specially for the little lady of the house.

We wish that

• the ever mounting, literally mounting, problem called garbage will find a solution or a dump, a place that would be safe for those living in the area;

• that the supply of water will be clean and therefore safe for cooking and bathing;

• that the sidewalks will be clear of vendors, with them realizing that the rule of law must prevail.For that matter, that all Filipinos will be ruled by law;

• that municipal officials will endeavor to create central markets in their respective districts to house street hawkers, giving them a decent place to display their merchandize.A US-based friend sent us a flyer of a Central Market, called a destination market –a concept where fresh food is sold, where eateries offer specialties and where aspiring cooks can learn the art;

• that kotong enforcers will desist from bothering the vendors, so they can make a decent living,without losing money;

• that the price of LPG will no longer increase, so with electricity;

• that the cost of organic vegetables and other food stuff will become affordable for everyone;

• that farmers will raise enough crops for local consumption;

• that local food stuff will be cheaper than their imported counterparts;

• that we become more conscious of eating healthy, depending on the natural flavors of ingredients instead of harmful food enhancers;

• that families will find time to bond,the best time being while sharing a meal;

• that we pray harder for a peaceful and bountiful year.

Now for some New Year tips

There is need to mind budgets more seriously. Impulse buying will certainly bring trouble.This has happened to us. Getting attractively packed, seemingly reasonably priced items from the shelves of supermarkets,we found lots of stuff that we could not use immediatelywhich, in the course of storage, have expired. You must pay attention to expiry dates.

• Have a food diary to use as guide whenever you go marketing/grocerying.This will keep your buying in check, so to speak.

• Resolve to cook and serve more fish than meat. Remember you can convert a meat recipe to fish and still get a dish as delicious.

• Go for fruits more than sweets.If you are unable to get the suggested five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, you can use a juice extractor to convert half a watermelon into three average glasses of juice.Carrots (extracted) mixed with oranges make a delicious blend.

• Learn to enhance some traditional dishes to give them a new taste,like use bagoong where recipes call for anchovies. Make a yummy spread without using mayonnaise by mixing Dijon mustard with olive oil,sour cream,cream,a little sugar, salt and pepper.Make sinigang of salmon head instead of bangus or shrimps.

Be innovative, be creative!

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Lydia D. Castillo’s e-mail address: inmybasket@skyinet.net