communityeats@rootmatters
MACAU
Community is such a vital part of life. Did you know why people who live in the Blue Zones have longer longevity than others in the world, and still function with a clear healthy mind, body and soul? Apart from healthy food and lifestyle, one of the key factors is community. They all have a healthy social network of family and community around them - supporting, caring and loving upon one another.
We have transitioned and settled well in Macau, SAR, since August 2018. Macau is a charming former colony of Portugual, handed back to China after a 442-year rule. It has often been described as the Monte Carlo of the East and is now transforming to a more world-class integrated resort destination, similar to Las Vegas of the West. The focus is not solely on gaming, but on conventions, exhibitions, cultural and sporting events, gastronomy, shows and entertainment, it is becoming more diversified and more of a destination.
With the longest bridge in the world dividing Macau to Hong Kong, and the border crossing to Zhuhai in China, this is a small city with under 650,000 people and 11.78 square miles in area, so a breeze to get around compared to our last city of Shanghai! We have gotten to know some parts of our neighborhood and local joints, although my aim is to explore the older parts as well as the newer ones over time.
When you first see Macau’s new developing sites over Taipa side, all the huge casino multi-complexes makes it look like a fantasy land of castles and empires, which at first is quite overwhelming. But now, they just make the city look incredibly glitzy and glamorous, especially at night, and they house many shops and some amazing restaurants. Then you have Taipa town where there’s many supermarkets, restaurants, and all the things you would expect of a small town. Of course there’s Macau side where streets are older and narrower, there’s definitely more colonial charm with its cobbled streets and historic monuments there, and the place is always bustling with people, tourists and trade. There’s also some great hiking grounds, many of which I have yet to try. So you see, you sort of get the best of all worlds within an arms length, as everything is so close. I really love that! We do love the bright lights to impress our visitors with a big WOW factor, but thankfully live in a quieter residential area, where there’s green and water, and it’s a quiet refuge.
Like with any place, we have gotten to know people through our church, school and work, but it’s also vital for me to integrate into community here. I want to get to know the people who are here and what they need, and feel an urge to share what I have been learning and garnering over the last few years on health and well-being. Joshua Rosenthal, founder of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, has said that his mission is to create the “ripple effect” on sharing what we as health coaches know and have learnt. After all it seems selfish to keep all this goodness to myself.
I have thought of many ways of how I should do this. My eyes light up when I think of food, and how it always is a catalyst for people to gather : ) So I thought maybe I would start by organizing some workshops and talks, or just meet for a snack, a smoothie, a tea or a meal together, and get to know more people here in Macau and of course as I travel. I like to call it communityeats@rootmatters and the aim is to get to know more people from all walks of life and to share great conversations, as well as good, wholesome food, health and well-being tips, along with some recipes thrown in. It’s as simple as that. We could meet at my home, kitchen, anywhere in Macau, or in the world, in parks, cafes, museums, anywhere really… the key is I share something to eat/drink/learn with my community on a regular basis.
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