Organic Ginger and Benefits

Ginger? I think all of us are familiar with ginger even 5000 years ago. Indians and ancient Chinese used this spice for ailments.

Ginger or Zingiber officinale is a spice came from the family of cardamom and turmeric.

My brother came up with an idea to grow ginger. He decided to make it organic, because most of us now are health conscious. Organic means involving the use of food produced with the use of fertilizer came from plant or animal without chemicals like fertilizers or pesticides.

Mixed with soil, organic products like saw dust, chicken dung and rice hulls. The mixture will enhace the soil health by nurturing and not harming the soil microbes. These microbes will help soil nutrients available to plants. Thus, making the organic soil very friendly to environment and health.

For me, ginger is a "super spice"! We can get health benefits like:
1. The presence of gingerol is the main bioactive compound, it has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects;
2. It can treat nausea (morning sickness, nausea after surgery, chemotherapy-related nausea and sea sickness);
3. Can reduce soreness and muscle pain;
4. Suffering from osteoarthritis? Anti-inflammatory effects of ginger can reduce pain;
5. Can help lower blood sugars and improve heart disease risk factors;
6. Can help treat chronic indigestion;
7. Reduce menstrual pain;
8. Lower cholesterol levels;
9. Contains a substance called 6-gingerol, claims to have protective effects against cancer (needs to be studied further);
10. Improve brain function and a protection against Alzheimer's disease;
11. Gingerol helps fight infections such as gingivitis, periodontitis and respiratory.

Are there any sickness/ailments that ginger can prevent/treat?

There are many ways preparing ginger. I prefer ginger tea (salabat). I just fill my french press then let it stay for about 10 minutes. Just a pinch of ginger powder because too much is spicy.

I use this "pure" ginger powder. A homemade spice made by my brother, no added additional ingredients. Just a pure organic ginger powderized for a cup of tea or juice.

Check his Facebook account for queries and orders. Click this: ORGANIC GINGER GROWER.

Aliwagwag Falls, Davao Oriental

Another must visit in Davao Oriental is the falls they called "Curtain Falls" or others name it as "Stairway-to-Heaven". The highest waterfalls in the Philippines with more than 100 cascading waterfalls. 

Aliwagwag Falls is a beautiful place for bonding activities with family and friends. There is a zipline in the Aliwagwag Falls Ecopark for adventure-goer tourists. With 680 meters long zipline, while hovering and breathtaking view of the nature. There is a monkey bridge to have a closer look of the falls. There are also picnic tables located near the falls so that it will be closer to the great view.

The Aliwagwag Falls is very accessible. No need to hike into a rainforest just to have a glimpse of the falls. The bridge in the above photo is the highway from Cateel, Davao Oriental. You can stop over and take photos along the road. 

Hope that I can come back someday here with my family. A not very long ride from Davao City, but a priceless experience.

BE AT DAVAO ORIENTAL... SAN LUIS BEACH

Davao Oriental is a very nice place. Oriental means "east". Davao Oriental is located eastern Mindanao. It lies along the eastern coastline facing the "world's largest ocean", the Pacific Ocean.
That's why San Luis has a long beach long.

There are also rivers found here in Caraga. The Manurigao River found in the northern part of the municapality and the Caraga River, found in the southern part.

One destination we've been is the beach. My mother-in-law's family came here. And so we went for a vacation because she's boasting that the beaches here are so beautiful with black sand and waves from the open ocean.

This was already my second visit here in Caraga. My first visit was just a wonderful experience. We ate "kinilaw na pusit". A fresh catch from the sea. The sunset was beautiful. By then, while getting dark, we lighted a bonfire. Watching the waves and the heavy sound as it approaches the shore.

My second visit experience in this beach line was extraordinary. Eating native delicacies like lechon, kinilaw and sugba (grilled). While eating, you can see the water sparkling because of the sun's reflection. And when you're swimming on the beach, you can see your feet underneath. The waves are massaging your back. Foot scrub with the sand. All in one treat and pampering yourself.

We had a lot of fun.
Very relaxing.
The sounds of the waves.
The breeze..
A surely must visited place in Davao Oriental.

EXPERIENCING HERITAGE: ILOCOS SUR

There are a lot of must-see places here in Ilocos. Our first stop was the Baluarte Zoo.
The owner, Chavit Singson, open the zoo for free. There are tigers, birds and even
a pony to ride on. There are also dinosaur statues to have pictures. Here is my
shot.

Another place we visited was the St. Augustine Parish Church, also known as Bantay Church. The Bantay Tower was a historic one.
It served as a watchtower for pirates during the Spanish colonial era, which gave its name Bantay (meaning to guard). Build
in 1590, and the oldest in Ilocos Region.

Another historic place we visited was the Heritage Village in Vigan. We roam around Calle Crisologo riding a "kalesa" (a horse with cart).

Hope you can visit Ilocos Sur too. Sure a historic rich culture.

Baguio City... Summer Capital of the Philippines

Baguio City! Is one of the destination of most people who wants cool summer vacation. Located at an altitude of 1,450 meters above sea level or 4,760 feet. Belonging to the Cordillera Administrative Region. Because of the cool mountain weather, it is considered the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

You know you're near in Baguio City when you see this work of art... The Lion's Head! Never miss the chance to stop at this famous landmark.

The picture above is the road to Baguio City! Nice view up there! Taken during early in the morning. A little bit cold.

There's a lot of tourist destination here in Baguio City. Just visit their official website for more information.

Happy Vacation!!

Summer Time 2014

Well, here in the Philippines, people are getting to hit summer vacations! And we are known for some beaches.

I scanned some of my photos and found these.

This photo above was taken in Surigao del Sur. Britannia Islands. Island hopping and scuba diving. They call this island a vanishing island. As high tide, only part of the island is seen.

This island has caves and corals. One of the islands of Britannia.

This photo is taken in Samal, Davao del Sur. An island just a few minutes away from Davao City. There are a lot beaches here. A variety of choices.

Happy Summer!