The Mocking Diet

Vegetarian diet---  in the Eastern part of the world is being seen as a " cumbersome".While in the West, it has becoming a fashion statement, a trendy way of living. Interesting!

A personal statement: Not all vegetarians are healthy, not all non-vegetarians are unhealthy. Its the upholding of making a wise decision and able to discriminate what's good and what's bad for our body. In the Eastern diet, especially Chinese--- a good percentage of vegetarian choices are mocked meat.

I've no idea who started this mocked meat varieties, its really contradicting. Many vegetarians take mocked meat to replace real ones, but why? Why go for imitation when there are real ones?

* mocked meats are made up of beans, gluten, lots of seasonings and sauces ( high in salt and sugar), soy- protein concentrate--- a highly processed food.

In actual fact, the mind is still holding on to the craving for meat. Its a suppression, that the consumption of meat happens in the mind; and not knowing what exactly the body is taking.  Thus, the mind and the body is moving apart, causing internal tension.

I know people rushing into a vegetarian diet for different reasons, and changed their diet suddenly. What's the rush? Practising the values of non-violence involve the others and also ourselves. Moving into a mocked- meat based diet is as good as mocking at ourselves.
Take one step at a time, monitor through the food choices and just be in full consciousness.

" Its better to be on a healthy non- vegetarian than an unhealthy vegetarian diet."

The cello is my weapon~ Dr. Beatocello

Just a 15 minutes walked out from the guesthouse, there is a hospital sitting at one side of the main road. As the day breaks, the locals would be waiting outside the hospital--- hospital for the children. We were on our way down to the central area, as the tuk- tuk passed by the hospital, i saw flashes faces with glimpses of hopes waiting for the door to open.

Beside the hospital, is a small concert hall--- where Dr Beatocello ( real name as Beat Richner) holds regular cello performance every Saturday at 7.15pm, free admission.

On a Saturday evening, we settled in a cushion seat, waiting for the show to start. Later, a man in smart causal, messy hair, armed with his cello walked up on the stage, without a word., sat down and played the first song. I used to attend concerts and heard how soloist perform for the audience. This Swedish man, played only for himself--- he was so engrossed that somehow the cello, the notes, the tunes and him has become one. As if the only thing he do whole day is this. Really shweet!

In between each pieces, Dr Beatocello would give a speech of the current situation of the hospital operations, the Cambodian children ( most of them suffered from TB), and very open about that they need funds and blood for the patients. And followed by a short video clips, that screened the history of how he came about in Cambodia, way before i was born.

I'm impressed, not only by what he has been doing--- but that he knows how to keep his passion going for himself by performing in public, and using his talents and skills to fulfill his mission to help the Cambodians.
Want to know more about this operation, please visit: www.beatocello.com

From Singapore, a group of wonderful doctors do also run " Operation Smile" , providing treatments for facial deformities to Cambodian children, check them out at:  www.operationsmile.org

We meet many people everyday, but how many of them are filled with so much warmth and passion, who are happy with what they has been doing, who are willing to go an extra mile, beyond their work space, and extend their hands to make a positive difference in the society? Not many.
I count myself lucky to meet a few...

Lady, you want some massage?

A day before the group arrive, shirly and i had our little holiday--- traveling around the town of siem reap intensively. We were told that the massage services are very affordable ( from USD3 on wards). A more premium range is probably charging at USD25 onwards.

Baking under the noon sun, feet were sore from the whole day of walking, we decided to check out the services. Went around hunting for Frangipani Spa as recommended by Kania ( a staff from Bloom Garden). It is located at a small street cluttered with other shops. The moment i stepped in, it a nice fuzzy homely feeling seeped into me. The operation is run by a group of Cambodian ladies, properly trained with good skills.

 

Out of curiosity, we went on to for a foot massage at one of the affordable range. We opted for the leg massages--- and never expect any foot reflexology, because its just "massage".

We probably got massage the same strokes for 15-20 minutes on each leg. And later they moved on our shoulders, neck and head. I could not stop laughing--- running on my shoulders, pressed my head like cracking a walnut; i must had look utterly funny with the violent shakes all over. I went back with some colours on my legs. Its was an interesting experience:)

a penny for a thought...