Healthy Kitchen Workshop by Lia Bernardo

Just last week, I was able to attend a workshop on Health and Wellbeing given by Lia Bernardo, in Mango Tree Restaurant in BGC. Lia Bernardo is not just an integrative health consultant. She is also a dear friend. 

I wrote about Mango Tree awhile back and I still have a deep fondness and affection for the owners and the staff who are not only very good at serving really great Thai food, they are also staunch advocates of children and adults with special needs.

This workshop was such an eye opening experience for me. I have always said that I try to feed my family in healthy ways, by giving them fresh local ingredients as much as I can. I also try to bake our goodies so that there are no preservatives, and less processed sugar in the sweets that they eat. In fact, one day, I hope to quit sugar all together but that’s for a different post, and a different time, when I have much more time to research and prepare our food all the time.

Through this talk, my friend Lia opened my mind up to the fact that if we are fully aware of what we are putting into our bodies, we can heal ourselves naturally. I have always researched all natural websites and alternative ways to treat my kids when they are sick, but I had never given much thought to the fact that so much of our food intake can act as medicine as well.

Ok. Let’s agree that there are some basic principles that I already have an understanding of before we go into the key points of “food as medicine” that I picked up from Lia. 

• Fresh is best. Raw is better.
• Eat 5 colors a day. (This is what I have always told my kids.)
• Read the labels.
• Home made vs. store bought. 

Let’s add some more principles to these from Lia…

• Everything has energy. (I knew this. I really did.)
• You are what you eat. (REALLY. TRULY, DEEPLY.)
• Take your nutrition from your food and not a capsule.

Flashback: You know, when I was pregnant, my doctor told me that, if I was craving something, I should eat it. (Save for sweets and desserts.) This meant, if I was craving a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or a steak with green beans, it usually meant that my body needed protein.

Conversely, something I hadn’t thought of before was the fact that if we really don’t like something (like we are repulsed by it?) then it means that our body doesn’t want it or need it…and we should not force ourselves to eat it. 

If you think about it, and you learn the foods that are good for you or the foods that “resonate with you.” (meaning they make you feel good too) then you are automatically on the road to balancing your mind, body, and soul. 

And we all know that we just want to achieve that balance? RIght? I feel like I am always trying to achieve some sort of balance in my life and if eating the right foods…Superfoods to be exact, will help? Then, I’m all for working these foods into my diet.

We have all heard of Superfoods. RIGHT? (Please say that you have heard of Superfoods?)

According to Mr. Google, Superfoods are nutrient rich foods which are considered to be especially beneficial for health and wellbeing.

Check out some of the Superfoods that Lia shared with us and the healing properties that they possess. All of them are readily available here in Manila and are actually quite affordable.

• Turmeric
  • Naturally helps in digestion, in purifying the blood, heals wounds, acts as a skin tonic, analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, fat metabolizer, cholesterol reducer, gas reducer, expectorant and acts as an anticarcinogen agent

• Kangkong
  • Naturally provides iron, helps with anemia, lowers blood sugar, is a great source of fiber and contains protein, vitamins A, B, and C. 
• Okra
  • Great for people who suffer from IBS, stomach ulcers, respiratory problems, hearth health, healthy skin, regulates blood sugar, great for weight loss, and good for those who suffer from anemia.

• Cilantro
  • May prevent cardiovascular damage, is good for those who suffer from diabetes, digestive system, fiber, rich in calcium, lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol,  can reduce the feeling of nausea and is a great HEAVY METAL CLEANSER.
• Coconut Water
  • Can help with athlete’s foot, pimples, acne, dementia & Alzheimer’s, burns, cuts, scrapes, eczema, thrush, bladder infections, yeast infections, allergies, ear infections and so much more.
• Malunggay
  • Is rich in iron, vitamin c, potassium, protein, vitamin A, calcium, and vitamin E

• Kaffir Lime
  • Leaves are great for dental health, can aid in digestion, purify the blood, and awaken the senses
• Tamarind
  • Is a great antioxidant, and an excellent source of potassium, iron, selenium, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.
• Galangal
  • is good for abdominal pain and discomfort due to digestive problems, can cure motion sickness, improves blood circulation in your hands and feet, and can treat arhtritis

• Lemongrass
  • Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels, strengthens the immune system, can reduce fever, combats unpleasant body odor, and is an antiseptic agent.

• Basil
  • Can help sharpen your memory, helps fight a cold, has antibacterial properties and can treat the bites of insects and leeches

• Eggplant
  • Can Prevent cancer, promote weight loss, improves skin tone, lowers bad cholesterol, is a good source of fiber, vitamins A B & C, and can gently treat your hair

• AND Four FOODS that can heal as antibiotics (Oregano, Garlic, Ginseng, Echinacea)

Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

• Boosts your immune system
• Balances pH
• Flushes out unwanted materials
• Decreases wrinkles and blemishes
• Relives tooth pain
• Relieves respiratory problems
• Cures throat infection
• Excellent for weight loss
• Reduces Fever
• Blood purifier

Ok. So, I always drink lemon water. That’s not a problem. I receive the benefits of lemon water every day because I drink lemon water every day, all day. 

I have been exploring cooking Asian food so much more, so using many of these ingredients at least weekly is very easy for me now. Through many of my cooking classes and also some new found friends who love the being in the kitchen as much as I do, I have a new fondness for exploring Asian flavors. Good thing, were were gifted with some new recipes to try out in our own homes! 

You know what I realized? If I don’t feel like cooking, or I am too lazy to put something that’s healthy for me and my family…there is always another place I can go which is a no brainer. 

Mango Tree.

Thai food has all of these FRESH ingredients and then some. Maybe I should start learning some more Thai dishes as well…after all, I have always loved the salty, sweet, sour, spicy flavors that layer one on top of another while I enjoy this cuisine. 

For more information on classes and workshops that Lia offers please visit www.liabernardo.com

Mango Tree Manila is located in BGC. For reservations you can call 02-621-3233. 

www.mangotree.com.ph