Ladies and gentlemen, the beautiful woman on the picture right there is Asha Peri. A Bali-certified raw vegan chef who trained under renowned raw food educator Elaina Love of Pure Joy Planet. She is 37 years old, in person she looks 21 and that makes me feel like I’m 54.
I was invited to cover her workshop “Desserts Gone Raw” held at Sugarleaf in Wilsons St. San Juan last Saturday, and it was a totally different experience compare to other events/workshops I usually cover.
First time I saw Asha, it was her illuminating aura that captures my attention. There’s a light in her that radiates. We learned that aside from her glowing young physique, good health is just few of the benefits she gets from eating raw. That afternoon, she demonstrated how to prepare healthy raw desserts, and everyone listened intently.
Participants, armed with curiosity and thirst for knowledge on raw foods preparation, gathered together as they witness Asha works her wonders in the kitchen. The workshop was very interactive as participants asked questions from time to time while Asha lovingly prepared the desserts. Some of the ingredients that are not familiar to the participants were passed around so that they could taste, smell, or feel the texture of it.
Assisted by the equally beautiful Chin Fernando, who is also into raw foods, they created healthy desserts using healthy ingredients such as fresh fruits, nuts, coconut meat, cacao butter, and more. Some of the desserts prepared were lemon berry cheesecake, fairy magic mango pudding, choco tartlets, fruit crepe and roll ups.
One thing I noticed about the desserts that was presented to us, most of them if not all has a touch of coconut flavor to it. Some say it’s a bit overwhelming, but other seems to like it. I love the Mango Pudding and the Chocolates, and while I appreciate the Lime Berry Cherry Cheesecake, it would not be something I would crave for. The desserts were all familiar to me but in terms of flavor, it’s a whole new dimension I was given a chance to explore that afternoon.
Asha’s talk at the latter part of the workshop was my favorite as she shared her some of her experiences and thoughts being an advocate of raw food. It’s like tapping into a new world, inspiring enough for me to explore this uncharted territory of learning experiences.
Asha has series of workshops for the entire year you might be interested to participate. Here are some of them:
August 20-21 - THE LIGHTER SIDE OF RAW: SAD BECOMES HAPPY (Standard American diet becoming light and happy food)
September 3-4 - THE LIGHTER SIDE OF RAW: QI AND CHI ENERGY FOOD (Japanese and Chinese-inspired)
These workshops will be held at Creative Space Bldg., A. Mabini corner Dr. Pilapil St., Kapasigan, Pasig City. To register please call 9160391 / 09178611212.
For more details and information about Asha Peri’s workshop, you can visit Asha’s Dahon Kusina Facebook Page here.
The workshop is in cooperation with Sugarleaf Food That Nourish. You can visit Sugarleaf at G/F Health Cube Bldg. 226 Wilson St., San Juan or you can check their website at www.sugarleafph.com
*photo credits to Eichel Alfonso
