At Home Blood Transfusion

Filipinos love coconuts, or buko, as they are called here.  One of the favorites is buko pie, slices of coconut meat and custard baked in a flaky shell.  But the most common way you will see people consuming buko is by drininkg the water, or juice, inside.  All along the streets, men wielding big knives are ready to hack into a fresh coconut for a cheap and refreshing drink.  The liquid inside young green Asian coconuts, coconut water or buko juice as it is called in the Philippines, contains the same five electrolytes as blood.  In fact, in medical emergencies coconut water can be used intravenously when conventional hydration fluids are not available.

And here, buko is sometimes paired with a shot of wheatgrass juice for what The Farm calls a "blood transfusion."  We considered growing our own wheat grass, but when we learned just how much you need for one shot, we decided to just buy it  (about $2) when we can.  This is awesome after a long run, or just to get started early on a Saturday morning.

Fancy Bukos.

To your health.

Kid Recipes: Tofu Fingers

I may have already mentioned that I really like Ruth Yaron's book, Super Baby Food, because of the clear tips on food preparation and storage and cool toddler recipes.  Tofu fingers were so easy, just dip tofu slices in milk, then toss in a combination of bread crumbs, wheat germ and parmesan cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Yum.

Urban Recreation: Manila Ocean Park

Manila has a lot to offer.  You just have to be willing to battle traffic, crowds, and heat to enjoy it.  We decided to take crabby Toto to Manila Ocean Park, hoping the fish, lights, kids, etc would distract her.  Traffic was reasonable and we made it from Makati in about 20 minutes.  The line for tickets was very long and I quickly realized I should have purchased online ahead of time--lesson learned. After 15 minutes of slowing snaking through the line, I made it to one of the TWO cashiers who wanted to charge me extra for Toto.  I assumed she would be free of charge as all children under 2 feet are, but they actually measured her - a 13 month old - and decided she had to pay.  Granted, it was only about $12/person, but it was the principle, people.

Patience wearing thin, we headed inside.  Some areas were very nice, well ventilated, and nicely displayed.  Others, not so much. The poor crocodile was resting in some less than clean water with some debris tossed in by visitors.  And it was LOUD.  I am no stranger to screaming kids and they actually rarely bother me now that I have one of my own, but in a dim, tightly packed area it was a bit much.  Even Toto signed "all done." But Manila Ocean Park redeemed itself in the Jellies Room of Dancing Fairies.  With classical music playing in the background and jelly fish dancing around to changing colors, even the kids got quiet and we danced along with them.  

The strangest part was the mall we had to walk through to get to the exit.  Vendors were seriously selling everything from tiny umbrellas, which Toto desperately wanted, to frozen yogurt to high heels. Oh, and there was a vaccine clinic.  Would we go again?  Probably not until she is older.  And by then the terrifying 'Birds of Prey' exhibit should be open.

Is it better here or Manila Bay...?

Screaming Tunnel

Peaceful Jelly Fish

Healthy Food Find: Salcedo Market

Organic foods are very easy to come by in the US, hello Whole Foods (how I miss you despite your prices).  I make every attempt to keep chemicals out of Toto's body - organic mattress and sheets, all wood crib, herbal remedies, natural body products, and mostly eco-friendly toys.  That's one area I really need to work on, at this point I would say about 40% of her toys are made from natural rubber, chemical free plastics, or solid wood.  The other 60%?  I don't really want to think about it.

When it comes to food, I am pretty strict.  Sure, we let her try a bite of pizza here and a nibble of cookie there, but I make the majority of her food from whole, organic foods and the rest is Plum organic baby food.  There are several organic farms in the Philippines that supply major grocery stores in Manila, and our favorite for imported natural food products is Healthy Options.  That place deserves a post of its own.

For some reason I overlooked--for a year--this vendor at the Saturday market.  

Awesome assortment.  This week I picked up tomatoes, eggplant, sweet potatoes, and a mini pumpkin for $5.  Made some great baby superfood recipes from Ruth Yaron's book.  Eggplant slices covered in nayonaise, breadcrumbs, wheat germ and parmesan cheese baked at 450 for 15 minutes. Sweet potato pancakes: shredded sweet potatoes, egg, onion, herbs pan fried in canola oil, then dipped in (agave sweetened) ketchup for some color.  And the old fall-back, baked pumpkin, which Toto loves.  Interested in shopping at the market?  Swing by the Jaime Velasquez Park between Leviste and Tordesillas Streets, Salcedo Village, Makati every Saturday from 7am-2pm.  

Urban Athletes

After two years in the African bush, a stint in Albuquerque, then uber-healthy Denver, followed by a quasi-urban experience in SW Washington, DC, we have spent the last year in a mega Asian city. According to this article, Manila is the most densely populated city in the world.  It is palpable. Every inch of the city is covered with people, buildings, cars, pedicabs, bicycles, motorcycles.  It is literally stifling at times.  As you can imagine, exercising involves some creativity and flexibility.  Lots of miles on the treadmill, many hours in the yoga studio, and some early mornings in the private suburban neighborhoods pounding the pavement.  

Some dedicate colleagues suggested we join them in this year's Men's Health Urbanathalon.  To say I am hesitant to join a race in Manila is an understatement   Remember I mentioned the crowds?  Well, with that come some serious pollution.  Not everywhere, and not all the time, but when it's bad you can't see high-rise buildings two blocks over (don't worry, we have air filters running 24/7 in the house).  Momentarily caught up in the excitement, I signed The Shark and I up.  

One other thing, beyond the crowds and pollution, it is oh so hot in Manila.  So, the race started at 5am.  The first hour was pretty glorious being that it was dark.  The second hour was a little rougher when the sun came out and the traffic picked up.  Good morning smoke belching jeepneys! The race organizers squeezed in 14 drink tables in the 21KM route, including wet sponges.  Tip:  soaking your head in cold water feels really good.

2 hours and 12 minutes.  Not bad considering we had to wait about 10 minutes for our turn to scale the wall.  Check out the Men's Health Facebook page for more details on the race.  See you next year?

Slippery monkey bars in the dark

Yellow hand...poor blood circulation or spilled gatorade?

Military hurdles.  I had a small team assisting me on these (not pictured).

Don't worry, strong men are waiting on the other side to catch you.

That's me with the blue face.  Taking names.

Interested in running in the Philippines?  Check out these websites for race opportunities:

http://www.takbo.ph/

http://www.pinoyfitness.com/

Meet the Cast

It's about time this American family living in the Philippines joined the blogosphere.  While I've been blogging privately for years, I decided to start this public blog to share our experiences living overseas, cooking healthy with what's available, raising a child 8,000 miles away from home, and squeezing in yoga and running between the madness.  Oh, and to document my journey towards *eventually* becoming a yoga teacher and opening a studio and wellness center.  Why blog?  Well, I spend lots of time pouring over other people's blogs for recipes (Can you make it while holding a baby?), travel itineraries (i.e. Resorts with baby-sitters), commiseration (You miss the seasons? Me too!), DIY ideas (You can make vanilla?), and child-rearing issues (Will she ever sleep through the night?!).  Thought it was time to add my two cents, or centavos, or whatever.

Without further ado, meet the leading characters of "Finding My Pace:"

The Shark.  Passionate about biodiversity and climate change.  Loves running and reading.  Can't pass up on anything chocolate.  Fantastic dad.  Spastic driver.  Best thing that ever happened to me.

Just a little closer...

Moi.  Not pregnant anymore, but was and loved it.  A planner down to the minute.  A runner and budding yogi.  Wife, mama, full-time worker.  Crazed and loving it.

No, not a scene from "The Shining," just my preggo belly in our scary African hallway.

Toto.  The game changer.  Adaptable, adorable, and awesome.  Don't know why we waited so long.

Dressed for a Florida retirement party.  And owning it.

Moo Shu. The newest addition to the madness. A chill little pudge ball of love.

Yaya.  The woman behind the scenes.  Toto's third grandma, best friend, teacher, nanny.  The reason we can work and still have a life.  

Yes, for the 400th time, that is a light.

Follow us as we find our pace in this crazy, awesome world.