Bringing sunshine to twilight years

My article on exercises for seniors elicited a lot of well-meaning suggestions from friends and readers.  A friend suggested that it segues to another article focusing on diet for the elderly.

It got me to thinking if there was such a thing as an elderly senior’s diet. 

As a matter of course, a majority of us have changed our eating habits from childhood to adulthood.  Many of my friends, including me, turned pesco vegetarians as we matured. Some concerned individuals have turned away from eating meat because of their animal rights advocacy. Animals have a right to life, too, they reason out.  As for myself, I have conditioned my tastebuds to like healthy food and have discarded my juvenile habits of indulging in junk food on a regular basis. I still like them, but hardly touch them now. 

As my parents got older, I noticed that they, too, have tailor-made their menu into three Bs: boiled, broiled, and baked.  We have a weekly family dinner and I can’t help but notice the gradual transition of the dishes that they serve us — from rich dishes dripping in creamy sauces  to simpler, wholesome-tasting dishes. Their menu today consists of vegetable, seafood, and lean meats. Consciously or unconsciously, my parents’ diet has evolved into a healthy one and they want their children to do the same.

More and more restaurateurs are conceptualizing menus that serve food for the health-conscious individual.

Upon a friend’s invitation, I recently discovered my kind of restaurant at 56 Jupiter Street, Makati.

A senior exercise class: Lifting the spirits of the elderly

A Tatler awardee for best restaurants, Kitchen 56 by Earth Kitchen makes use of farm-to-table concept.

Like the original Earth Kitchen, it is a restaurant dedicated to promoting the products of local farmers and indigenous peoples.

Kitchen 56 by Earth Kitchen uses organic ingredients free of pesticides, additives, and steroids, which can harm your body. It brings food in its purest form straight from the farm. Kitchen 56 also avoids using any and all processed foods in order to maintain its concept while simultaneously helping the indigenous farmers and their communities.   
I loved their fish taco, pomelo salad, mushroom soup, and fresh spring rolls.

My friend raved over her Fettuccine Bolognaise and mushroom ravioli.  We were told not to miss their yummy, homemade gelato with carabao’s milk and, true enough, it was worth all the calories. Their menu is varied and has dishes even for meat lovers.

Kitchen 56 is located at Sunshine Place Building. It is so-called as this five-story building is dedicated to bringing some sunshine into the lives of elderly seniors (young seniors and non-seniors are welcome, too) and serves as their recreational center.  The first of its kind in the city, Sunshine Place is meant to be their home away from home.  It is an excellent venue for them to socialize and enjoy recreational activities.  The second floor is a lounge where they can watch movies comfortably seated on La-Z Boys or play electronic mahjong, poker, bridge and the like.  The third floor has a fully equipped gym with a personal trainer who will assess your physical capabilities so as to determine the kind of exercise fit for you.  There is a dance floor with mirrors for Zumba and ballroom dance enthusiasts.  On certain days, they also offer adult ballet classes with teacher Danny Vinculado.  He says that his classes aim to stretch the seniors and improve their posture and balance, as well as teach them to be graceful.
Art and computer classes are also offered.  The teacher shares that most of his students can paint a beautiful work of art on their third lesson.  There were some budding artists there, like one lady who was ecstatic because she said she discovered her artistic talent at age 62! 

There were some happy seniors who were learning how to use their iPads.  “Finally, I know how to send an email. Now, I can communicate with my son in the US!”

On the deck floor, voice, piano, and violin lessons are offered.   Karaoke sessions are popular and readily organized if requested. 

In addition to all these activities, Sunshine Place also offers beauty salon services such as massage, hair and nail care.  My friend who brought me there claims that Sunshine Place is her one-stop haven.  After her Zumba classes, she gets a massage, then a shampoo and a blowdry to get ready for her dinner party.  Medical services such as nutrition assessment with a certified nutritionist, nursing care and a doctor for emergencies are also available.
The top floor is rented out for parties. There is a chapel for those who wish to start their celebration with a Holy Mass.  A dance floor, if needed, can be easily set up.

While I was there, it struck me that this kind of place should be in more places in Metro Manila and beyond.  Elderly seniors discover their selfworth while indulging in the activities they choose. It truly is a place that lifts the spirits of the elderly and gives them a sunny disposition in their twilight years.

* * *

 Sunshine Place is open to membership at friendly prices.  For inquiries, call the lady in charge, Juliette Go, at 856-4144.