green, leafy vegetables

September 21, 2010

I remember “green, leafy vegetables” back in elementary. Unfortunately, I never took to heart the nutrients they bring, but I only tried to know which are vegetables, which are fruits, etc., for exam purposes. haha.

Since my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, all of a sudden we have to know all about these green leafy vegetables and some fruits. I’ve already talked about guyabano being a natural cancer cell killer. Some veggies are especially good in combatting cancer cells. My parents always tell people they meet about their new discoveries of how good a certain vegetable is. They sounded like a sales agent, really. haha. The line “don’t panic, it’s organic” comes to my mind, although it really is applicable to a different “context.” haha.

Our lesson for today: malunggay.

The malunggay tree (scientific name is Moringa Oleifera), once considered “the poor man’s veggie,” is also known as a “miracle tree” or “nature’s medicine cabinet” by scientists and health care workers from around the world.

Dr. Marcu, who has made some extensive research on the significant nutritional potency of malunggay, says that the “miracle vegetable” is an ideal energy food — the leaves can actually be eaten raw, but best added in meals as a special ingredient — or diet supplement that “can help offset a typically unhealthy Western diet” due to its high concentration of nutrients combined with low calories and low sodium content.

Findings of a study made in India, which were used as the basis of many news reports on malunggay as a wonder plant, states that malunggay contains anti-cancer compounds (phytochemicals) that help stop the growth of cancer cells. Malunggay is said to be effective in treating ovarian cancer, among a host of other diseases like arthritis, anemia, heart complications, kidney problems, scurvy, asthma, and digestive disorders (ulcer, gastritis, diarrhea, colitis, dysentery).

Aside from these, malunggay helps lactating mothers produce more milk. So a breastfeeding mother, say, in poverty-stricken areas in Africa, where cases of malnourishment are quite rampant, can curb malnourishment in her family if she eats malunggay-filled soup or salad, or just about any meal with malunggay ingredients. (source)

I wish I grew up to be a vegetable eater. Up to now, I seldom eat these green, leafy vegetables. But knowing these things now, I wish I could still learn how to like veggies. They really are helpful in all sorts of our physiological need, from as simple as tea tree oil acne treatment to cancer prevention and care. They are not just textbook truth; they are real.

send-off

This year was the first I have participated in a send-off — the culture in law schools wherein the studentry would cheer and applause, with matching shouting and drumming, the barristers the day before the bar examination, just before they ride the bus going to their hotels! The students from different organizations, fraternities, and sorrorities would gather together in full support of their orgmates and brothers and sisters, oftentimes waving banners with the pictures of bar candidates, bidding them goodluck.

It was really a festive mood, especially with the dragon dance. Actually, some of the barristers were teary-eyed. When I shook my brod’s hand and wished him good luck, it seemed like his tears were welling up. haha. The barristers must have really been happy to reach that stage, especially when the school’s mortality rate from first year is, I guess, 80%. Those of us from lower years wonder if we would ever reach that point. It must have been real hard work, some people dropping weight without glucomannan supplements, and some girls, as the professors say, already looking like boys. haha.

On my part, I thought of how these barristers must be feeling with all the full support of their friends, their family, the studentry, and the school. I thought to myself that if ever I would become a barrister one day, I would like to exempt myself from that send-off, to minimize the pressure. It’s not that people are pressuring, it’s just they look so enthusiastic, it’s kinda difficult to not realize what they’re hoping for you  — to pass the bar. Well, I guess it’s a matter of preference.

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the bar this year. They must have been eager to finish it. Imagine a whole month of stress. I hope all barristers make it. I hope our ora et labora work.