My Diet and Craving

I admit there was a time when I imposed a low low carb diet upon myself. Given a petite body of mine, others laugh at me when I say the word, “diet.” They find it unfit for me saying that word. Now my latest weight is 49.5 kilograms. Ten years ago, my weight was 47 kilograms, too thin which my former boss even called me malnourished.

A rice-less dinner.

This is an example of my dinner before. Two pieces of banana, one apple and yogurt. Sometimes, I replace yogurt with a glass of hot milk.

However, who would ever think that I too have cravings? Yes, I have. When I was in the paramilitary camp three years ago for my training, I had to eat two ice creams (in cone) in a day. Sometimes, when I was too stressed, I have to run to the store inside the camp that sells the Filipino ice cream.

Meiji - Japanese chocolate

Now, from time to time, I buy chocolate for me. I like black chocolate. I have read an article which says that black chocolates are better. Gone are the days when chocolates arrive in the office freely. Now, chocolates no more.  

Speaking of chocolates, the world’s famous brands of chocolates come from Europe but is there cacao in Europe? Anyone? As a sort of trivia, cacao (raw material for chocolate) was brought to the Philippines during the Spanish colonization. I have seen and read those accounts in some museums.

K-sweet

I also like Korean dessert. Korean sweets. Korean ice cream. There are more reasons for the Philippines to like Korea. Koreans top among the most number of tourists in the Philippines. For South Korea, imagine Korean War without the few Filipino soldiers who defended the parallel? In fact, a Korean War veteran was once a President of the Philippines – His Excellency Fidel V. Ramos. Thanks to Korea for returning all sorts of support to Philippines in various forms after the war.

With this, I can say that even in my food there is history in it. 

Artist in Fruits

Not everyone is destined to be an artist. Only the gifted ones bloom and leave a legacy that which we call - that of an artist.

Artists have specializations. Painters, sculptor, singers, theater actors, stage performers; name those specialties and you have it.

I was amazed by fruit sculpture. I saw this fruit sculpture as a centerpiece of an eat-all-you-can restaurant in Tacloban City. The fruits form part of the dessert.  I would have been happier had I met the person who made it.

As a lucrative business, fruits deteriorate soon. Unlike wood used for carving, fruits do not last long. Any mistake may mean a new one - a new raw material.

I have read an article before about a Filipina whose expertise is fruit sculpture. I forgot her name but I understand she belongs to the circle of few talented people in her turf.  

I greatly admire people with skill as this. They belong to the chosen few and that they deserve all the accolades and recognition of my generation. Fruits indeed make artists.