To celebrate Nutrition Month, the Mama Sita’s Mga Kuwentong Pagkain (MKP) spotlights the stories of inspiring Filipinos, whose creativity in the kitchen proves one can enjoy healthy, wholesome meals and at the same time appreciate the value of living sustainably.
Jessica “Jeeca” Uy is a 24-year-old influencer who started an Instagram account in 2015.
Today, she has over 800,000 followers, a website, a book, and more posts up her sleeve, focusing on vegan cooking.
“I learned to cook when I was younger, but it was when I went vegan that I really got to apply what I learned growing up,” shares Jeeca, who went vegan in the same year she started her social media handle, @thefoodietakesflight.
The young cook shares that going vegan “overnight” and being vegan through college had its challenges, but she wouldn’t have wanted it another way. “I think being vegan made me see vegetables in a different light. I saw them as more than just a side or an accompaniment to another main ingredient. There are so many different vegetables with varying textures and tastes that I really love to work with.”
Her menu revolves around what’s fresh and available. Tofu and fresh shiitake and king oyster mushrooms are always in stock, as well as dry goods like rice, noodles, beans, and dried mushrooms. She buys from her local Chinese or Korean stores. Her freezer keeps frozen noodles, dumpling wrappers, and ready-to-eat vegan food.
Of course, there’s the seasonings and sauces she uses to create different flavor profiles.
Some of her go-to options include soy sauces, vinegars, sesame oil, vegetarian oyster sauce, sake, mirin, fermented bean pastes, and chili sauces. She even makes her own chili oil!
For Filipino cooking, Jeeca shares, “I love Mama Sita’s Coconut Vinegar, Sukang Iloko, and Pinoy Ensalada for vinegars–I have an ever-growing stash of vinegars at home that I use for cooking and making different sauces for dipping or marinades. I also love the different sinigang mixes, from the classic Sinigang sa Sampalok to Sinigang sa Bayabas. I love how these are vegan by default!”
Seven years after her lifestyle change, Jeeca can say that her food choices go beyond the plate: this young cook’s healthy cooking is also her way of living a more sustainable lifestyle. With her creativity, influence, and relevant message, Jeeca has shown that foodies like her can not only take flight, but also soar.
