Organic food, dining healthy

Organic Vegetables

KOTA KINABALU: Many people believe that organic foods have better and more beneficial nutrients and more natural due to the absence of pesticides and herbicides.

Organic vegetables are grown without chemical based fertilisers and more often than not fertilisers used are nature based such as soil, chicken droppings and vegetable matter among others.

One of the organic farm called Green-OS sited in Kinarut just half an hour drive from the State Capital, Kota Kinabalu offers vegetables and chicken to health conscious consumers here.

Jinnifer speaking about the organic plants

According to spokesperson Jinnifer Missi Operations Manager of Echo Adventures, although they do not sell the farm produce to walk in consumers, they do supply supermarkets and restaurants instead.

The farm is sited on seven acres of land, with two acres of developed area. Within the farm there are vegetable areas of various growth including the nursery to the vegetable beds where they are ready to be picked. The vegetables are quite luscious and lush which belie opinions that natural organic plants are smaller than the chemically fertilised plants. This is because the vegetables are fertilised with composted organic matter, with soil and processed oil palm fibres.

There are also chicken and quails available in the farm. They are well fed and fat but quite muscled as the range is on a hill slope. The chicken have to run up and down the hill as they are fed at the bottom but the coop are up on the hill. This is to ensure that they are well built and healthy. The quails are also quite big although they are cooped up.

The Farm

When the farm produce reaches the restaurant, namely Alu Alu Kicthen, diners can be assured of good delicious food due to the expertise of the chefs and of course it is naturally organic. The vegetables are fresh, luscious and crunchy even after being fried and the chicken is fleshy and hard without being tough. A good combination. There are an array of food offered at Alu Alu Kitchen and should really be visited by health conscious diners.

For those who are curious about where their food originated from they can ask to visit Green Os farm. Only 40 people can enter the farm at any one time and there is only one tour a day. This is a working farm and the staff have their schedule to meet in taking care of the livestock and the vegetables. They can inquire from Echo Adventures about visiting.-PW

Journalist publish entertaining book on local superstition

Ewon (middle) speaking to the author (2nd right) watched
by Yong Ted Phen, the KKJA Presdient and Muguntan Vanar
(2nd left) SJA  President

KOTA KINABALU: A book entitled ‘Strange Magic and Supernatural Encounters’ launched  recently can be a great source of information on the people’s way of life in the olden days. .

The book containing 12 stories, written by journalist Anna Vivienne, can accord readers with insight on the people’s lifestyle in the olden days, such as paddy planting, hunting, foraging, fishing and barter trading, among others.

Words in local dialects are also shared within the book and translated in glossary to enable readers to know terms and simple names of several items.

Family and friends who turned up to support the author

The book was launched by the Minister of Rural Development Datuk Ewon Benedick who spoke of her book as entertaining and informative as the superstition as well as beliefs the stories centred on are part of the local heritage.

 “Although we no longer believe or live our life around these superstitions, they are still part of our cultural background. Many young people may not be able to identify with them anymore but the stories can serve as a reminder to them that once, in the olden days, our ancestors believed in them.”

He also said that stories contained within are not only based on the Kadazandusun tribes but also other ethnic groups that live on the land, both ancient and in modern times.

“I therefore believe that this book can be a good light entertaining reading material for everyone especially young people who might not have heard of these tales before.”

The author with Media Consultant Liaw Sin
Kuang and graphic artist KH Hing 

He encouraged tourism industry players to promote this product to tourists as souvenir, adding although ‘we are moving towards the digital age where everything can be read online, physical books are still very much relevant in this day and age.’

He commended the author for her effort and encouraged her to write more books of this genre and augment the number of similar reading materials in the market.

The book entitled ‘Strange Magic and Supernatural Encounters’ share the traditional norm of the people from before monotheism to modern day; woven within the stories.

Anna Vivienne the author of the book in her speech said that the stories in the book which was long in the making, was garnered from tales told by her grandparents.

She said she fleshed them out with fictitious characters to make it more interesting to readers.

According to her, she wanted the book to be entertaining, informative and educational for readers of all walks of life, while stressing that similar story may occur in other communities but may differ in the telling.

“Due to the nature of this book, I hope that readers especially youth who are not familiar with local folklores and supernatural beliefs of the people will enjoy reading this book while acquiring knowledge of our own cultural heritage.”

“The content of this book can also be used as reading materials by English teachers, as the stories are not only informative but entertaining and simply delivered as well.  These stories may not be as fantastic as Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol), but they are derived from the tales of our own people, such as from grandparents,” she stressed.

She also hoped players in the tourism industry will adopt her book as souvenirs for their tourists, as it contain information on the lifestyle of the people in the past and will give them a brief insight on how we used to live before.

“I also hope that the book evoke interest in the film industry as it can be of tremendous entertainment to viewers and accord Malaysia information on our local beliefs and culture, the fun way.”

For those who wish to purchase the book, they are invited to call 011 26883963 or email tindalam@gmail.com for orders. -PW

Book to be promoted as tourism product

The author (second left) presenting the books
to Faye (3^rd right)

KOTA KINABALU: A book entitled ‘Strange Magic and Supernatural Encounters’ will be promoted by Borneo Holiday and Vehicles Rental Sdn Bhd as a tourism product.

Its General Manager Faye Robert said the book written by a local author comprised of stories based on taboos and beliefs of the Kadazandusun community and as such it will give foreign guests insights on the people’s way of life in the olden days.

She said that although the book is fiction, the beliefs and taboos that the stories are based on are actual.

“We are focused on promoting local products which includes nature, sights and sites as well as culture and traditions. I believe that most visitors are interested to know more about their host country and as such we are optimizing on what we have to offer,” she said.

Speaking during the presentation of books by its author journalist Anna Vivienne, Faye said she will be sharing the books with her guests and in fact has already sent a copy to an acquaintance overseas.

Anna Vivienne (3^rd right) with Faye (left) during her
visit to the latter’s office

Meanwhile, the author Anna Vivienne said, her book launched recently has evoked good response from the public and expressed her hope that it will continue to garner interest among the public.

She said although the stories are fiction, people’s lifestyle in the olden days, their culture and traditions life is woven through the twelve stories, thereby making it very informative.

“This book can be a good source of information on our ancient beliefs and taboos, superstitions and such, for our young people who have not heard these stories,” she said, adding that Borneo Holiday’s endeavour to promote the book will also go a long way these information to tourists as well as members of the public.

On her inspiration to compile the stories, she shared that she heard the tales from her parents and grandparents and has fictionalized them for entertaining reading.

“I wanted the book to be entertaining, informative and educational,” she said, adding that it has taken her more than a year to complete and finalise the publication.

Anna Vivienne is a co-author of a book of poem in collaboration with English writer Cat Deal. The book entitled  ‘Vampire Squid: Killed by a 3D Printed Periapt’ written under her pseudonym ‘Grace Latinggam’ is now available in Amazon.

The author, a veteran journalist and member of the Sabah Journalist Association (SJA) and Kota Kinabalu Journalist Association (KKJA) is writing her second book on the supernatural genre and hope to publish it soon.-PW