A few words on oil pulling and oral hygiene
A six-hour-long trek to Baler, Aurora, was compensated by the warmth of the reception accorded to me and my friends by the staff of Costa Pacifica, headed by its capable charming GM, Randy Salvador. For starters, a refreshing buko-lychee drink was offered us upon reaching their light and airy lobby. The drink, coupled with chilled, lightly scented face towels, was exactly what we needed to lift our weary spirits. To start a six-hour road trip at 4 a.m. is a good idea to avoid traffic and the heat, but the downside is sleep deprivation for everybody concerned as most of us in the group are nocturnal vampires with dysfunctional sleeping habits.
The minute we saw the breathtaking scenery of the Sierra Madre Mountains beyond the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean from the resort’s lobby, the tedious car ride was instantly forgotten.
GM Randy sensed we were famished so he led us to the breakfast buffet which had a tempting array of Baler’s delicacies. He made sure to whet our appetites with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and delicious fatless Baler longanisa, served with garlic rice and tasty scrambled eggs. He also offered us chicken binacol, a chicken soup cooked in buko juice, with added tender strips of young buko meat. He explained that one of the major industries in the area is copra and distribution of buko because coconut trees abound in certain areas of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Buko juice is a major drink in the resort, served super chilled in the shell, with crushed ice around it.
We spent the afternoon getting acquainted with the activities around the resort’s vicinity and found out that Baler is a surfing paradise. Many die-hard surfers go to Costa Pacifica to surf in the neighboring beaches or to learn at the Aliya Surf Camp & Resort, a stone’s throw away from Costa Pacifica. We were told that Baler is the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines, first discovered by the production crew of Apocalypse Now, filmed in the area in 1979. They left their surfboard to the locals and Philippine surf culture was born. Surfing could be done all year round, but the best months are from October till March when the waves hit their peak quality. It looks like a real fun sport and talking to some surfers tempted us to try it one day!
A picnic at Dicasalarin Cove was one of the highlights of our stay. It is a cove with a white sand beach surrounded by the most lush group of trees of the Sierra Madre Mountains where the endless sea of blue waters converges with the sky. This part of the world is literally heaven on earth that I half expected to see Jesus and His angels come down from the sky to bless us all. I felt God’s love engulfing my whole being as I walked down the stretch of the white sand beach and I could not help but utter a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.
The lunch prepared by Costa Pacifica’s chef was so hearty and healthy, that no matter how we indulged in it, we were sure that the meal could not have given us an ounce of fat. The fern salad (pako) was freshly picked, according to the chef who explained the nutritional benefits of the fern as well. Pako is rich in omega 3 and 6 and some antioxidants, and high in potassium and a good source of fiber. The Malaguno fish, part of the day’s fresh catch, was steamed and slightly marinated in lemon and salt. As we all know, fish is a heart-healthy food, a low-fat high-quality protein, and chockful of vitamins (D, B2,), minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and omega 3 fatty acids.
My friend Len (Olbes) and I roomed together and although we have been friends for many years, there were more discoveries to be made about each other. I learned about oil pulling from her, a practice that she has been doing for sometime now. She explained that oil pulling is good for oral hygiene, health of gums, teeth, throat, and helps the lymphatic system of the body as harmful bacteria are removed and beneficial microflora are given a healthy environment to flourish. There are so many other benefits of oil pulling, which she does with virgin coconut oil, but the above benefits are her targets.
Method:
Swish one tablespoon (or less for beginners) of virgin coconut oil (some use sunflower, sesame or olive oil) in the mouth for a good 15-to 20 minutes. As the oil is swished around the mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue, the oil continues to absorb toxins, and ends up turning thick, viscose, and white. This will create a soapy environment that cleanses the mouth as vegetable fat is an emulsifier by nature. Most interesting is perhaps the ability of oils to cleanse out harmful bacteria as well as reduce fungal overgrowth. These oils can also possibly help in cellular restructuring, and are related to the proper functioning of the lymph nodes and other internal organs (Source: FoodMatters).
The oil is spit out when it turns thick before the toxins get reabsorbed. Rinse well with warm salted water.
Discovering new areas in our country is highly educational and makes us appreciate the beauty of our country even more. But traveling with friends who have a positive outlook in life is a learning and uplifting experience, and makes you appreciate the beauty of friendship even more.
