A Day with Glenda

Nice name, yet Filipinos dreaded this name last 15^th of July, Tuesday. This was the local name given to typhoon Rammasun.  

My sister lives in the Bicol area. We had been exchanging text messages about the situation in Bicol. Manila was also part of  signal number two then later number three.  I was telling her Monday evening the weather inside our unit was still warm. It was my day off.  I kept vigil at the news on television. I am at the inner unit and I cannot hear rains or wind from the outside. At around two in the morning I heard some neighbors talking to our lobby guard. While some were busy on their cell phones.  I went down to the lobby.  My unit is at the second floor. There it was the rain and wind.  

Lunch Time

I have a small kitchen, yet it serves its purpose. What else but cook my favorite veggie.  

This is bitter gourd, ampalaya in Flipino lingo. Some may not like this vegetable as the name it connotes, bitter and it is so.  While there are times I like it eaten raw, with tomatoes, onions, garlic, salt and vinegar. When I have time to cook, I cook this veggie by sautéing and adding eggs. I do not add water. It has its own juice, enough to cook it on its own. It goes with fried fish, pork chop or simply plain veggie with rice for lunch!

Despite the not too good taste to some, this vegetable is very nutritious. Bitter gourd has the ability to lower blood glucose for diabetics. It is a good source of vitamin C when eaten raw.  It has lutein, good for eye disorders. It has liver cleansing properties and a lot more. Take few minutes searching the web. You will find numerous health benefits this vegetable offers.