caRAWling Christmas Par-tey

Because Raw Pinoys mean it when we say "Let's do this again!", we committed that the follow-up potluck par-tey must take place before this explosive year ends. Plus, it can't be an ordinary par-tey either; it's the happiest, healthiest Christmas par-tey me and my enzymes ever attended!

Woohoo!

The gathering proved to be extra special for me as it's an opportunity to introduce the new man in my life to my old friends Lakapati and (Surprise! Surprise!) Grace, their respective partners and to the rest of my growing living food-loving friends. I haven't really expounded why I chose this particular path to wellness as I was expecting a forkful of raw treats and bottomless glasses of smoothies and kefir cocktail would pave the way. Besides, I refuse to sound preachy. Waldo's your typical athlete who would choose high-protein food (he loves lard the most) over my kisses. Ha!

Quite unflattering but the only photo evidence of bonding that night with Bes!


The boyfriend meets my girlfriends!

I didn't get to take photos, not even my own contributions like persimmons (that Waldo hand-picked from the grocery) and buko juice (for the smoothies). I seriously wish I could share photos of Chin Chin's apple salad, blueberry-buko smoothie and others. Here's a couple of goodies that we stuffed ourselves silly that evening.

Dexter's salsa! The color of Christmas...in raw!


Fresh spring rolls!


Chef Asha Peri's raw parfait

While the feast was ongoing, there were scheduled screening of documentaries like Forks Over Knives and others and healing lessons from energy healer, Daddy Oscar Sangalang.

Daddy Oscar teaches us how to approach asthma


Daddy Oscar shows us what to touch when suffering from fever and/or burns

Right after this, Waldo and I approached him. To my shock, he informed me someone was really envious of me and he also identified Waldo's major burden since childhood just by examining our palms. Something tells me it won't be our last time to dialogue with him. Will it happen in his upcoming detox workshop next month?

Such issues didn't linger in my mind. As always, Toni Bernardo and the rest of the band made us dance to the pulsating beats. Since I was unable to groove away during the first raw food potluck, I compensated for the lost time that evening. Much to Waldo's frustration. When the clock turned 22:00, he started reminding me I could use some rest. My not-so-effective delaying tactics allowed me to stay for just one more hour. Sighs.

Percs galore!


And we dance to the beats!


Getting the train started!


Who runs the world? GIRLS!


What's going on?


Some girls would really rather dance by themselves, no?


While we discovered who's the dancing king...


...somebody's doing what he loves best: Waldo doing mitts (sort of) with Alvin...in the dancefloor!


When I started to feel knee pains for overdancing, I just watched him and this beautiful crowd lovingly...

We didn't hold any Best Dressed Raw Pinoy and Pinay competition that night, but I would like to nominate Chin Chin for that special award. Her shirt says it all!

WHERE CAN I GET THAT SHIRT, CHIN-CHIN?!

Aaaaaaand Christmas par-tey ain't Christmas par-tey without the raffles! With or without ampalaya juice, I'm just too bitter to appreciate this bit. All the time! Check out these cool prizes while I hug myself here.

This prize is brought to you by INDIGObaby!


My BFF Lakapati is giving away this bound sunshine! But, noooo! I didn't win.


And the grand prize goes to me...NOT! Blah.

Photos grabbed from Ingrid Dimaculangan and Imee Contreras. Without their permission.

Raw Pinoys' First Ever Raw Food Potluck!

Thanks to Facebook, a growing number of raw foodists in the country found a virtual niche to share recipes, photos, helpful links, inquiries, love, light and everything else in between. I can't complain about the incessant email notifications about this group's activity; it just goes to show that there's this burning abundance of knowledge and encouragement in the community. And it's just right that all these energy exchanges online be continued in an actual meet-up which - as predictable as it may sound - include or conclude with a raw food fiesta.

As inexperienced as I am, I didn't attempt to prepare anything elaborate. After all, the RSVPs gave me a hint that everybody's bringing meals and desserts. So why not offer something to drink?

My contribution for the raw food potluck. Ice tubes not seen in this photo.

When I arrived, I noticed everyone was occupied transferring their love and energies to the food they were preparing. I welcomed the mix of excitement and intimidation rush into my insides, eventually converting the latter into an invitation to be as knowledgeable as they are. I know I will advance someday, I better take it one superfood at a time.

Superfoods! Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


The frustrated Superwoman with the superfoods! Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.


This frustrated Superwoman thinks one photo is NOT enough! Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.


All right, here's the REAL star of the night. The superfoods! Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.

How else to start a gathering like this? By expressing our gratitude and sharing our energy to the next person. We truly felt the positive vibration at our fingertrips. It's such an amazing gift to be surrounded by generous and loving kindred spirits!

We be-leaf! Photo by Arvy Villamarzo


Have I told you that I'm ever cam-ready? Photo from Dexter Tan

Now...do NOT scroll down to see photos below if you're starving. You were warned!

Presenting the mango butter! Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.


Here's the close-up photo of the mango butter. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


DIY raw pizza. Photo by Dexter Tan.


Fruit salad! Photo by Dexter Tan.


Energy balls! Prepared by Chef Asha Peri. Photo by Dexter Tan.


Truffle oil fries. Prepared by Fristine. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Tomato boats. Prepared by Ingrid and Andrea. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Fresh spring rolls with miso cheese. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


NOT tuna pate. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Lentil salad. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Hummus. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Green shawarma. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Fruit salad in spirulina gata. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Dragonfruit. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Chocolate cups. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Choco tahini sauce with dragonfruit, bananas and longgan. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Bananas in hot tamarind sauce. Prepared by Fristine. Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Salsa! Photo by Dexter Tan.

Do I still need to remind you of my long-time relationship with desserts? Evidently, my demanding tummy coordinated with my feet to bring me to the dessert table right away. Guess what happens when you've had too much chocolates and superfood?

Ampogi ko! I need a new name! Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.


Got spirulina hemp milk? We do! Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.


Who's rawking and roaring? Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.


High on chocolates! Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan


Naka-move on na ang lahat, may chocolate moustache pa rin ako! Photo by Arvy Villamarzo.


Lovely ladies! Imee, Andrea, Ingrid and moi! Photo by Dexter Tan


Food Beauty Queens. Photo and - ehem - caption by James Tan.



Krizia's first food photo exhibit. And her groupies.


Mawawala ba naman ang games? Blender game! Photo by Dexter Tan.


...And prizes? Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.


Hilaw Henyo moment. And I guessed it right! Woohoo! Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.


Being seated next to Imee reminds me that I need to go back to yoga! Check out her lotus pose! Photo by James Tan.


I would like to be a percussionist when I grow up.


And we're jamming! [Don't ask why I'm not seen in this photo] Photo by Ingrid Dimaculangan.

Unfortunately for some people working in graveyard shift, they have to start dishwashing and preparing for their commute to the office as early as 19:30. They missed out on all the dancing, playtime with a hyper kid and other spectacular things they should not even bother finding out. Sighs.

With the abundance of food, some poor corporate slaves managed to bring a piece of heaven to work. Thanks to Elrik's late arrival, I took something I haven't really tasted during the potluck. Although I am yet to try the real pad thai, I was so intrigued to experience its raw counterpart. It was a mix of raw vegetables and Goji berries for dressing.

What's in my lunchbox? Raw pad thai and truffle oil (read: aphrodisiac) fries!


Close up of Elrik's raw pad thai!

Next raw food potluck, pleeeeeeease?