Pinoy Food & Other Cuisine :: Food PhotoBlog and Events |

Guess where I went for the weekend?

Imagine basking in The Farm at San Benito , the Hippocrates Health Resort of Asia doing work and relaxation at the same time. Yup, I was invited to participate in a nutrition camp sponsored by Nutrilite, the only global vitamin and mineral brand to grow, harvest and process plants on their own certified organic farms and Geiser-Maclang, Nutrilite’s PR. I was terribly excited. First of all, I love Nutrilite Vitamins. While in a short vacation to the USA in the mid-nineties, my sister introduced me to their top of the line vitamins, the Double X , a finely calibrated balance of 12 vitamins, nine minerals and 21 plant concentrates. I swear by it for the energy and vitality that I got from Nutrilite Double X.

Unfortunately even when Amway opened up its doors in the Philippines in the mid-nineties, the Nutrilite vitamins was not one of their first products. So I lost my supply of Double X.

Now the good news. Nutrilite is in the Philippines and I didn’t even know of its existence. I bet you didn’t know either. The Nutrition Camp was indeed a blessing.

Secondly, it will be my first visit to The Farm. I’ll talk more on this in another entry. For now, let me show you the wonders of being healthy and using the right vitamins and minerals for you and your family. You’ll be in for a surprise.

Joy Villareal, Nutrilite Product Manager and Alma Buenviaje of Geiser-Maclang

At the Nutrition Camp in San Benito Farm

Try asking someone what proper nutrition is and he will probably answer with a line from the latest dietary supplement commercial airing on prime time TV.

This is far from surprising given that the last decade has given birth to the “health bandwagon”, wherein living a healthy lifestyle is considered trendy, sophisticated and fashionable. And as the number of consumers who blindly snatch anything on drug store shelves increases, options for vitamin and mineral supplementation grow exponentially, wooing the market with sweet promises delivered by the country’s famous celebrities.

Realizing that there is a growing need to educate Filipinos about the truth behind proper nutrition and on the occasion of the forthcoming nutrition month, Nutrilite, the global inventor of dietary supplement, initiated a basic nutrition camp. Combining the basic principles of proper nutrition, the latest in dietary supplementation, and groundbreaking technology in wellness assessment, Nutrilite aims to redefine healthy living in the Philippines from fad to full understanding.

“Currently, there is a one size fits all nutrition phenomenon in the market; different people take the same dietary supplement without really understanding what they need. At the same time, no two people require the same health enrichment program. Thus, it takes a genuine know how grounded on science, research and commitment to deliver optimal health as promised,” explained Joy Andres-Villareal, Nutrilite product manager.

Joy Villareal, Nutrilite Product Manager

Set against the tranquil environment of The Farm, an overall wellness hub in San Benito, Batangas, Nutrilite tapped into the expertise of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) – the country’s nutrition think tank. Highlighting three topics namely the relationship between nutrition and health; phytochemicals in food; and stay younger and live longer with vitamins and minerals, the basic nutrition camp equipped a person with the proper knowledge before starting a healthy lifestyle.

“It’s time for a new nutrition conversation with consumers. When we change the way we talk about nutrition from technical jargons to messages that reflect consumers’ needs and lifestyle, they hear better what we want them to know. More importantly, they are able to take small, positive steps towards improving their health,” said Zenaida V. Narciso, Officer-in-charge, Office of the Deputy Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

Rounding up this nutrition getaway was the Live Blood Analysis (LBA), a groundbreaking medical procedure that analyzes blood in cellular level. By taking a drop of blood and observing it via a microscope on a video screen, a doctor can see a person’s state of immune system, possible vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, blood toxicity, and how healthy his or her vital organs are. At present, some studies are even exploring on the possibility that LBA can show the occurrence of cancer years before it actually happens.

Oh my gosh, my LBA showed that my blood cells condition is Roleau which means my diet is high protein. My blood cells are sticking together, all lumped together instead of normal whole blood cells. That was a wake-up call, indeed.

Anyway…

Nutrilite recognizes the long list of benefits proper nutrition can unleash which, most often than not, is not fully achieved because of misguided information. “Education is the key to proper supplementation”, added Villareal. And through this event, Nutrilite upholds its commitment to remain at the forefront of making optimal health accessible to many with straightforward products and expertly guided philosophies.

About the Nutrilite company

I am sure you’re curious about the pricing of these Nutrilite vitamins and minerals. The pricing is not the same as the synthetic brands that one buys in the local drugstore. Let me give you a background first on the company then you’ll know the cost-benefits of Nutrilite.

Nutrilite is the only global vitamin and mineral brand to grow, harvest and process plants on their own certified organic farms. Using farming philosophies that are 100% independent from synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers in more than 6,400 acres of farmland in different countries, Nutrilite ensures that their products comply with unparalleled, self-imposed standards from seed to serving.

Furthermore, instead of storing products for months in warehouses, they are carefully packaged and shipped soon after production, to maintain freshness. No other dietary supplements are grown, harvested, processed, and shipped this way.

Aside from cultivating its own farms, Nutrilite also takes pride in The Nutrilite Health Institute – a worldwide collaboration of experts who are dedicated to helping people achieve optimal health through research, education, and practical, personalized solutions. This world-class health epicenter is a personal and interactive way to create a roadmap in addressing a wide array of nutritional needs.

With that in mind, you get high quality vitamins unlike any other commercial brands. One pays a premium for taking high quality dietary supplements.

An apple a day may no longer be enough to keep the doctor away.

Given today’s hectic schedules, skyrocketing stress levels, and worsening pollution, leading a healthy lifestyle may appear like an enigma to many city dwellers. For instance, how can a busy executive follow the recommended five servings of vegetable per day if he eats his meals over client meetings or in a moving vehicle, limited to anything that can be ordered to go?

Vegetarian dish at The Farm composed of Baked Eggplant with Chili and Basil, Young Coconut Noodles with Green Curry Sauce and Organic Rice.

After my weekend stay at The Farm, I realized that I need to improve my lifestyle by eating the right foods. Looking at my current diet, I am amiss in most of my Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI) per day. I need to eat more green vegetables to reduce my high protein diet.

Bimbimbap with Mixed Grains, Korean dish at The Farm

It’s never too late for me. I can start today.

Nutrilite is the world’s leading brand of vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements that is grounded on the most advanced research and technology. Nutrilite is exclusively distributed by Amway Philippines. For product inquiries or to be an Independent Business Owner, please call 8148181.

Nutrilite Vitamins and their Suggested Retail Prices

1. Natural Multi Carotene - Php 990.00
2. Acerola C - Php 600.00
3. Lecithin E - Php 950.00
4. Natural B Complex - Php 410.00
5. Calcium Magnesium 250 tabs - Php 835.00/60 tabs - Php 360.00
6. Omega 3 Complex - Php 1,060.00
7. Garlic - Php 1,070.00