Walk and Enjoy

Walk and Enjoy
Let love be the heart of who you are

Saturday 1 February 2014

I'm nuts for coconuts.



As I was leafing through the pages of the Better Homes and Gardens current issue, a coconut ice-cream recipe brought back memories of my long-departed parents and our simple life in a tiny town located in one of the islands in the Philippines.
Growing up in a tropical country surrounded with lush, verdant rainforest where monsoonal rains and seasonal storms bring damage more often than good to the community's livelihood, I was acquainted with eating one of the main staple foods. They're not only readily available all year round but they are free and have many beneficial properties. 
Feeling nostalgic about my childhood memories, I am sharing some photos of my hometown (and 2 of Fiji) and the coconut ice-cream I made today.

 Wishing everyone a happy week.
Thank you dear friends for visiting and leaving your sweet comments.

This week I'm joining Sandi of http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogpsot.com
Martha of http://www.marthasfavorites.com


My love affair with coconuts started from a very young age.

I shared my palate with all my brood and extended family. A strong close-knit relationship was integrated with understanding and respect for each other.

But as I get older and wander into another world for a better future, my tradition and heritage I keep and maintain as I face more challenging stages of adulthood.

But one important value I will always cherish is being humble and kind to those who are less fortunate and giving to those who are in need.











 

As I go along life's journey, challenges, trials, tribulation came my way. I managed to survived life stormy days, faith was my stronghold and helped me reached the future I envisaged.










Volcanic sand, estuaries and ponds might look boring now but in a child's eyes it was once a little sanctuary.



Families that are left behind keep me updated of  what's happening in the locality.



For wherever I may be, part of me will stay in the land that shaped me.


Crystal clear are the memories which are instilled in my personality.

For now let me drift away to the land far away, where life was once sweet and free of inequities.










For those of you who are interested to try the recipe, please let me know and I will email it to you.
Apologies for the gap between couple of photos, I just keep losing them. Hopefully I will figure how this works.


23 comments:

  1. I'm nuts for coconuts too, It's quite the 'in' drink at the moment. I have been enjoying your lovely bright photos, hope it's not too hot with you, it's stinking hot in Melbourne!
    Wren from Little Wandering Wren

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  2. Thank you for sharing this amazing scenery with us. The ice cream looks very refreshing. Always sweet to remember our younger days and special times shared with family.

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  3. Oh yes. We love the Philippines, too. Bill just returned from there. I am sad about the storm devastation and the impact on the coconut farms. It will take so long to return to the mature state the farms were in prior to the HUGE setback. I have two students from the Philippines. They are brilliant and sweet.
    Bill is coming to Australia soon and all of our friends say that it is HOT, HOT, HOT! Keep cool!

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  4. Oh Aida,
    I loved browsing through pictures from where you grew up. It's such a lovely place to live. The coconuts and the mangos are delightful. I loved what you said about being humble and kind to those who are less fortunate. You look so pretty here overlooking the water. What a special and peaceful picture this is.

    Thank you for sharing a few memories of your home.

    Have a nice Sunday.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  5. An interesting post with some nice images.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  6. My sweet friend,

    What a life you have led and continue to live! Everyone has had their share of life's challenges, but I feel that you are in a good place now, physically, spiritually and topically. What breathtakingly beautiful photos of your native Philippines, Fiji, and your present home, all beaming with their special bounties. I love coconut, for its fruit, its scent and its many bi-products, like lotions and creams and yes, ice cream!! Yours looks delicious and refreshing, and coupled with those colourful and tasty fruits, I'm sure it is a real treat both for the eyes and the palate.

    Thank you for sharing these truly inspiring pictures and words. If everyone were kinder, humbler and more generous to those less fortunate, what a wonderful world, it would be, indeed.

    Wishing you a lovely week!

    xo
    Poppy

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    Replies
    1. Thank you dear Poppy. You are so sweet and very kind, such inspiration to me. Hope you have a good weekend.

      Hugs all the way from OZ.

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  7. Oh! My! The coconut ice cream looks so scrumptious! I have a very dear friend who grew up in the Philippines. Her family moved to California when she was quite young and she became the senior class president of her high school. She had such a bubbly personality and married a dear man, and they had two children whom I used to baby sit. She was a joy to know. I haven't seen her in years as we moved 150 miles away to Central California. I am happy you have such sweet memories of your childhood too.
    And thank you for stopping by for a visit at my blog...I can't wait for the next Hobbit movie too!
    XO
    And have a lovely week!
    Teresa in California

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  8. I can understand you feel nostalgic about your childhood memories. The Philippine islands are so beautiful and their people so kind. Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures with us with coco nut palms, nature can be wonderful.

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  9. What a paradise, dear friend....incredible beauty...
    I can imagine how your heart aches anytime there is a natural disaster there...we are with you and the beautiful, resilient residents of the Phillipines...
    Food can be magical in the way it can transport us to sweet and gentle memories. Thank you for sharing this touching post.
    Bless you, dearest Ada....
    Hugs,
    - Irina

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  10. Oops...I missed the i in your name...typing too fast...so sorry, dear Aida!

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    1. That's okay dear Irina, I'm not offended by that :)
      Hope you are doing well. Thank you for dropping by.

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  11. Hello Aida! I'm stopping by for the first time via Poppy View. I simply had to click on over when I saw the word 'coconut' in your post. There are few things I love more than coconuts!

    Your native Philippines is such a lovely country, no wonder you feel nostalgic.

    I'm happy to have found you and your lovely blog!

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  12. i don't like toasted coconut or cooking with it, but i like fresh coconut, strangely enough. :) loved the shot of the sprouts coming from the nuts. :)

    (did you know you have word verification on your comments? thought i'd mention it in case you didn't realize it.)

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  13. Lovely series of photos, and your header is gorgeous. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.

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  14. Having coconut in my house when I was growing up was such a treat. My father always made a big deal out of opening the coconut and letting the milk drain out into a glass. Then he would split it open and give us each a piece. It was so good! Your ice cream looks delicious. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  15. I always loved coconut and yes, at frist here in Ecuador hubby would open many for me for cakes, puddings and yes, ice cream too! I still love them at the beach where they sell them with a Straw to drink it's wáter straight from the coconut! You brought memories for me too! Thanks for your sweet visit.
    Hugs,
    FABBY

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  16. Oh please E-mail me the récipe, I'd love to have it!!! Thank you in advance.
    FABBY

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  17. Beautiful pictures!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  18. Lovely pictures and the food looks so good. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

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  19. What a beautiful sentimental post! Your childhood home is an amazing place of beauty. I enjoyed seeing the coconut images. It is a staple in my life. I would love to try your recipe. Thank you! It is so good you are keeping up some of the traditions of your culture. You must missed it there.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  20. Happy Valentine's Day, dear Aida.

    I hope your day is filled with so much happiness and love.

    ~Sheri

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  21. Oh my friend, I love coconuts too and your sentimental post is lovely with great shots! I too love coconut and know how to make yummy desserts, I'm loving yours. Thanks for sharing. Hope you had a lovely Valentine's. I love tea pots like you too and these are the Oriental ones, but yes, I have the European type as well. I'm sure you miss your home land, it's only natural. Have a lovely week.
    FABBY

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