PinoyEcoFarmer

Green is definitely in. But do most of us really understand what green is and what it represents? Sadly, there are still those who have so many misconceptions that sometimes border on the hilarious.

Take this as an example. A friend (Jenny Bonto of Green Babes*) who is a very engaging speaker/writer/artist/entrepreneur related some rather awkward encounters with customers while selling “green” chicken in tiangges (bazaars). The most common would be “kulay green ba ang chicken? patingin nga…“  (is the chicken green, let me see).  – as if they were really expecting Incredible Hulkish-chickens inside the coolers only to be disappointed to see “typical” dressed chicken. Others would ask:   eh bakit daw mahal??? pareho naman ng timbang.? (why is it more expensive? it weighs the same as ordinary chicken?). To which she would patiently explain that ordinary chicken is TINIMBANG KA NGUNIT KULANG (loosely translated as “you were weighed but found lacking”) in protein.. antioxidants.. sobra ng (too much of) hormones.

They are called “GREEN” chicken because they “are raised outside on pasture rather than in crowded poultry houses. They have constant access to a natural diet and enjoy plenty of fresh air and sunshine. It does not use artificial growth promotants; does not feed meat or bone meal; and does not use antibiotics”.

Sometimes it frustrates her realizing that it is indeed hard to sell the truth (mahirap magbenta ng katotohanan!). Stories like these  made me realize that we still have a long way to go in educating most of the consumers. We must keep on patiently pushing though. If it is any consolation,  some corporations are now actively helping spread the sensibility of truly living the “green” way of life.

If you have a choice, would you rather have “green” chicken for your family knowing that it is safer? Or you’d rather go for the usual factory-raised, hormone-pumped and antibiotic-injected chicken we have grown accustomed to? You decide.

*Green Babes is a group of women entrepreneurs who are into the green advocacy. They are marketing/selling organically/naturally produced items. These women participate in various small bazaars to bring these products closer to the consumers. They will be at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center (Filinvest, Alabang) bazaar on May 3-6, 2010.

Jenny Bonto gets the “green” chicken from the Herb Republic at Los Banos, Laguna. She told me that Herb Republic is already selling “green” pork.

Note: The green chicken glassware image was lifted from www.allaboutnature.org

Here is the segment of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: Yellow Ginger aired on April 24, 2010.

open source video, online video platform, video solution The ginger chips are produced by Oceanfresh Products, Bacoor, Cavite/ Telephone Numbers: (046) 434-1824 – Bing Angeles

The turmeric or luyang dilaw will be one of the features in the program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho tonight (April 24, 2010). The Stuart Exchange has a more detailed description of the botanical and medicinal properties of turmeric or luyang dilaw.

I have been using turmeric as a tea for quite some time now. I just boil the roots and add some honey before drinking it although there are instant powders that are already being sold in the market. I had one post about the product here – “Delfa’s Organic Food Products”.

Yellow Ginger (Turmeric)

From simple food flavoring… ginger can now be used for candies and chips. And one type of ginger, known as “Queen of Herbs” because of its yellow color, is believed to be good for the health. Some people even attest that its extract can cleanse the liver from toxins, improves blood circulation and also good for the heart.

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open source video, online video platform, video solution Although his natural remedies for everyday minor ailments frequently use plants that we would consider to be exotic, many of these will grow really well in our own back gardens.

James shows us how to use lemongrass in an insect repellent spray, transform olive leaves into a pampering face mask, make a soothing burns treatment from aloe vera and chamomile and, perhaps most surprisingly of all, reveals that, not only can you grow tea bushes in this country, you can also turn them into a zingy mouthwash to help fight plaque and freshen breath.

open source video, online video platform, video solution Ethnobotanist James Wong shows viewers how to grow and transform common vegetables into treatments which might help ease muscle sprains and make a great addition to a low cholesterol diet. James also turns cucumbers into a soothing eye gel for sufferers to try.

open source video, online video platform, video solution Third episode of the six-part series exploring plant-based natural remedies and beauty treatments.

Ethnobotanist James Wong focuses on trees. His recipes for natural tree remedies include a soothing gel for varicose veins made from conkers, a fragrant cologne made from pine, a lotion to tackle head lice and a traditional tea which could help improve memory function.

One of my advocacies is the use of environment-friendly household essentials. The use of these products will definitely help prevent the pollution of our soils and water sources which are essential to good farming and to our health in general. We have been using products like these in our household whenever possible. Products like these are relatively more expensive but I want to view it as something that is less costly in “real” terms because it is safer to us and the environment. Unfortunately, most groceries do not carry these type of products or maybe I was not looking hard enough.

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