My recent farm tour in the beautiful town of Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental was an eye opening. I've been into several organic farms in the Philippines, heard a lot of scary stories about cancer and other diseases. It was in this farm tour with Dr. Jo both gave me a goose bump, fear, and hope. If only I've met him earlier, I might probably have brought grandma in his expansive FARMacy (farm and pharmacy) and try natural ways to fight lung cancer.
 |
| Rapha Valley Organic Farm in Negros |
I used to think food are just for nourishment. It helps knowing that these could actually work as a medicine for a healthy, sick or even the dying. Why did I said that? I found medicinal herbs and food that could make our body strong and fight certain diseases like cancer.
 |
| Rapha Valley Organic Farm in Negros with variety of herbs and crops |
 |
| Rapha Valley staff welcome us and serves refreshing cold towels |
 |
| Welcome are of the Rapha Valley Farm |
Rapha Valley Organic Farm is said to be one of the favorite destinations when in Bacolod especially for people who are searching for natural ways in treating cancer and other lifestyle diseases by eating organic and naturally grown food. Aside from the food, visitors will be awe in a picturesque view of the mountain. It's also the destination of choice for people who are sick and searching for cure through detoxification and healthy diet? We were told that many terminal ill patients with cancer and other lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, lupus, hypertension etc. Dr. Alberto Jo makes fresh, organic food specially curated for people with various diseases and illnesses.
It took us an hour to reach the town of Salvador Benedicto, the summer capital of Negros Occidental. Medyo malayo but it's all worth the time, effort and cost of traveling to Negros.
 |
| Dr Albert Jo of Rapha Valley Farm |
We were greeted with Dr. Jo's staff carrying herbal scented cold towels and lead us to his welcome area where he started introducing himself and his advocacy.
 |
| meatless dinuguan and cashew dip |
 |
| Dr. Albert Jo "your food is your medicine, so take it fresh". |
I went back listening to Dr. Jo's testimonies and learned that his eye problem was healed with the health benefits of spinach. Now, he's seeing clearly with a 20/20 vision, all because of spinach. He said "your food is your medicine, so take it fresh".
He's a doctor of medicine turned Integrated Practitioner and organic farmer. Today, he spends most of his time educating the people by giving lectures, talks about health problems in relation to the food we eat. He also brought us down the valley and explained each and every plants we passed by.
 |
| organic asparagus |
 |
| organic Carrot leaves |
 |
| Corriander |
 |
| Thyme leaves |
 |
| Mint leaves |
 |
| organic turmeric rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory |
 |
| Hanging and vertical plants |
Up next! We have stories about red rice and muscovado piaya from Fresh Start Organic Farm and probiotic swine at Penalosa Farm. I'm sure you're starving for more organic food/dish and wants to do some detox.
The Rapha Valley Organic Farm and Restaurant
Visiting a farm has never been boring. Not only that you would eat vegetable and talbos (sprout). Rapha Valley's cozy restaurant overlooking the entire farm with an awesome view of Salvador Benedicto. The place so relaxing, the air fresh and clean, less noise except for Dr. Jo who's not getting tired of giving us lecture about the food.The food was very good, even the way they present it was very appealing. Imagine eating fresh and pesticide-free meal. They have a handful of ingredients for the green salad.
We had two kinds of pasta dishes; green salad with a choice of vinaigrette with toasted sesame seed and guyabano dressing. It was my first time to have gumamela juice with kalamansi, the taste was okay.
Salad Station
 |
| Squash Cake and Tarragon Tea |
The squash carrot cake with cashew in honey puree matched my tarragon tea.
 |
| Turmeric Creme Brulee |
What seemed unfamiliar for most of us turned to be my favorite dessert, Turmeric creme brulee.
About 2-3 groups of visitors from different parts of the country come every week for a dose of organic food. When in Negros Occidental, take time to visit Dr. Jo and his farm, I promise, it's worth your time.
I concluded that the sickness I suddenly felt and the cause of vomiting was due to my intake of organic food. Perhaps my body was adjusting with the food I had since my arrival in Bacolod. The black puto especially the herbal juice (carrots + jack fruit) released the toxins and balances my acidic tummy. Now, I am trying to add 1 kalamansi in every glass of water. I just learned that kalamansi has alkaline property and good for people suffering from hyperacidity like me.
In every place you'll go, there's something new to discover....
Things I learned during my visit at Rapha Valley Organic Farm
- White Rice will give you nothing because all the nutrients are already washed away. Red and brown rice are even better and nutritious.
- Camote is the best substitute for rice. Just this morning, we had kamote (sweet potato) for breakfast. Because it's high in fiber, kamote helps release toxins in your GI system, it sweeps all the toxins out of our body causing flatulence. :)
- Camote is rich in carbohydrates, Vitamin A and other minerals. It's also an antioxidant. A boiled camote with the skin on is quivalent to 14% protein , 7,700 IU of Vitamin A.
- Green Vegetables alkalizes our body so I must include it in my daily food intake. I'm trying, in fact I included organic vegetables in our weekly grocery.
- Dr. Jo shared a recipe for detoxification. It's made up of 1L of water + 20 pcs kalamansi + cayenne pepper + molasses (available at Healthy Options). Fasting could be done in three days. Release of toxins should be done slowly every year.
- Carrot juice is good in preventing and fighting cancer.
- 3 Herbal Medicines he mentioned includes Basil, Lemongrass, Turmeric
Rapha Valley Organic Farm
Don Salvador Benedicto
Negros Occidental
Flickr photos by LivingMarjorney. Read more about #OrganicFarms, click here
If you're interested on organic agriculture, visit the following links Philippine E-extension Portal Agricultural Training Institute or follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/pinoyeXtension
WOW nalula mata sa pagbasa sa blog miss marj na amaze ako sa lugar ang ganda tapos puro sila organic now ko lang nalaman na pwede palang gawing juice ang gumamela juice with kalamansi..TAs yung mga pagkain ang sasarap puro mga organic...How i wish maka punta din ako jan someday miss marj..
ReplyDelete