Growing up vegetarian didn’t seem like a hard choice. In fact, it wasn’t much of a choice at all. My parents raised my brother and I on a strict vegetarian diet. Our meals, like most Filipinos, consisted mainly of rice and a side dish of veggie-meat and fresh vegetables. Each time I’m asked whether being a vegetarian is hard, I always say that being vegetarian doesn’t necessarily mean eating healthily, at least for me, personally. I mean, after all, a five-cheese pizza and sodas and chips and all manner of junk food are technically, vegetarian
Vegan, on the other hand, is like vegetarianism on steroids – ironically, something none of their dishes will ever contain. Close to the ideals and principles of veganism, which seeks to base a diet on plants alone, is to also eat what is organic, or plants grown without the use of pesticides and growth hormones. Vegan takes the fundamentals of vegetarianism, which is to refrain from eating any meat, seafood, and poultry, and adds any meat products to the list of things not to be eaten. This means, no eggs, no milk and any variation or derivation of or from them in anything they eat.
So it’s without much alarm why most people are intimidated to take such a diet on. While others may have personal or lifestyle reasons to be vegan, the Vegan Society cites:
The word “veganism” denotes a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practical — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.
But for whatever reason you’re doing it, it’s best to go to, well, the best, the one at the head of the frontier – as any first-time experience should be. Actually, the place is a frontier in and of itself. By no means is the drive to San Benito, Batangas a quick one. But, boy, when you get there is it worth it. Situated on an over 100-acre coffee and coconut plantation and 1,000 ft above sea level, The Farm has been hosting its Wellness, Prevention, and Recovery programs since 2002 within a lush, green sanctuary that makes each visitor feel like they’ve stepped into a completely different world. With services such as Morning and Afternoon Yoga, Power Walking and Fun Run, and North Park Plantation Gardening, The Farm is a one-stop¬shop for all things wellness – for the mind, body, and soul.
They have not been without recognition either. Recipient of numerous awards for the better part of the past decade, a few include the Best Spa in the Philippines by Spa Asia Crystal Awards in 2005 and Spa Retreat of the Year by Baccarat Asia Spa Awards in 2005, 2007, and 2008. Most notably, in 2009 and 2010, AsiaSpa Awards acknowledged The Farm’s vegan initiative with the Spa Cuisine of the Year Award.
With Chef Lucring Buking at the helm ever since its inception in 2002, Alive! Restaurant has been serving not only healthy, organic dishes for the past eight years, but it continues to provide delicious servings that are friendly to the first-time vegan diner’s palette. Michael Di Lonardo, The Farm’s General Manager says of the menu, “We build our menu based on specific regional cuisines – Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Mexican – we strive for balance. Balance of flavors, textures and nutritional values. This is also done in our balance of raw and cooked items to achieve optimum nutritional benefits.”
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Tags: cruelty to animals, strict vegetarian diet, vegetarian vegan