Pleasure Planet People

Handmade sustainable means - original, pure, beautiful and cared for

2010-06-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

This is an unusual post as it's not food related. The common thread is the company is called "Dandelion" and behind it is Beck a adorable lady from Dalesford, Victoria make "bunnies" for children from left over alpaca offcuts and other fabrics.

These are soft, made with so much consideration, thought and love and are all individual. I adore having an excuse to buy one.

It's so special to receive a gift that is made just for you,free from nasty chemicals and dyes. These bunnies are a keep sake and really have their own personalities.

Buying one also is supporting a Mum with children in a local community rather than a large scale manufacturing plant in China.

Love Food Hate Waste - seasonal leftovers

2010-06-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

Mmm we waste so much food and people complain cooking takes time but really it's not true.
It is more about thought and creativty. For example last night whilst on hold to a telephone carrier I made a meal cleaning out the fridge

Batlow apples - Australian owned - panfried, chopped
Fennel sliced
Parsley - off the window sill
Almonds
Butter beans
2 rasher of bacon diced
Sage - little old yet lovely flavour
Pepper
Salt
Olive oil from Orange Region NSW

It was delicious! Check http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

The fundemental thing was that all the ingredients were local and great tasting alone so it did not take much to jazz it up.

Eating in Season - where have the seasons gone to?

2010-06-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

I was researching some content for a Northern Rivers "food calendar" today and it occurred to me that there was really not an accurate one and the reason for this as that there are variations in seasons and it is not as straight forward as Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring in all areas. Things that are allocated to a season are finding their way into other seasons sort of a seasonal migration because of the changes in climate. We are finding that basil is still growing because it is warmer but we are missing out on other things along the way.

My point being that if we are going to get people to eat local we need to provide them with as accurate information as possible about what is in season in their area and get down to the actual variety detail. This helps people to really get why we are in such strife on the planet.

In Australia - we never see anything on food calendars noting Indigenous seasons and I wonder how we can learn more so we work in harmony with our climates http://www.csiro.au/science/Ngadju.html

A review needs to take place for our "Grow" calendars - planting times are changing and what used to grow easily at a certain time takes more effort.

School Gardens get results..

2010-06-25T03:49:00.000-07:00

It is no suprise really - children love to interact and are naturally curious to experiment they make the perfect gardeners. This is such a better use of money and more should be spent on schools and providing space for proper canteens. Health Pyramids and rules around food are so uninspiring. Children forget about the number and type when they are in the garden and vegetables take on a whole new world.

No wonder children don't eat enough vegetables the ones they are fed from the supermarket generally are tasteless. I went to a rugby match for 14 year old boys in Orange a few weeks ago. I stopped at the Farmers' Market and picked up a box of apples as everyone had to take something for morning tea.
The apples still had the leaves on some of them and were outstanding. It was amazing how parents and children alike were bowled over by the apples - how they tasted and the beauty of them.
They were straight off the tree and had travelled about 2km with no storage, packeging or other treatment - ymm! I know Woolworths donates apples to school children but it really is not the same thing as we know hence the need for more gardens and fruit trees to line the schools.

In the same light I wish we could embrace sustainability with more creativity less about quotas and legislation more about design and rewarding resourcefulness.
School Gardens

Primo fined top dollar for incorrect labelling -watch out others

2010-06-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/09/2922602.htm?section=justinThank goodness we are seeing a turning of the tide with labelling and packeging of food. I am sure as more companies are exposed we will start to see a more correct representation of the cost to producing food which is good, clean and fair.

We are still awarding Royal Agriculture winners even though they are making jam from imported fruit and selling this at Farmers Markets around the country. It is imperitive that we have stricter guidelines on food labelling as in doing so it values the farmers and producers that are working hard to doing things the proper way and stay in the game.

Governments can do so much however consumers can demand that supermarkets stock local and go back to their suppliers for more info.

Try buying a jam in NSW which does not contain imported fruit - very scary because you cannot.
Try buying a juice from NSW at a cafe you can't. The only company actually using onlu local product is Nudie Juice and they use Batlow Apples - good on your Nudie.

Free amazing, inspiring sustainability lectures everywhere

2010-06-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

I will dedicate some more time to the blog as I have horded content and ideas for the past five years that I cannot wait to share. I am in the process of moving North, Bangalow, Byron area. I am going to live in a converted barn not far from Bangalow..more on this later but the exciting new is I can still work on projects in Sydney however the difference in rent will allow me to continue my business and I can grow foods, have the chickens and experiement growing more heritage foods ealier than expected as the barn is on a property with an owener who kindly wants to grow more...

Inspiring talks - there are so many things on it is so encouraging and affordable for all. I wish more people who support these talks as they really help us to make sense of what is truly happening in our world and be able to decipher government mumbo jumbo. Communities can create change and these type of talks and lecture provoke thought and inspire change.

I watched a documentary "Fresh" at the Alexander Community Centre a few fridays ago and ate organic popcorn - this was such a generous act and so enjoyable compliments of Milkwood Permaculture - thank you.

Corporates take note you spend so much on advertising why not create events or opportunities for people it is a much more constructive use of resources.
Well done to Universities, Councils and people like Milkwood Permaculture and any other speakers that dedicate their time to organising these events.

July 1st People before Nature FREE Public Lecture UTS "People Before Nature" if you are interested email me or call Robert Button 02 9514 1734 UTS Sydney
More to come also check out Live Local http://www.livelocal.com.au/

The Good Life - TV producers take note!

2010-06-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

It is no suprise that my favourite show as a little girl was The Good Life. I used to stay with my Nan in England every year and from living in Papua New Guinea with no television to England tv was a treat.
I loved the show...The relentless dedication to doing things properly and caring about the planet.
Producers be inspired to make something like this again but please don't make it another reality tv show or a competition we don't want a world of winner and losers

The Good Life

Randwick Council Sustainability garden course a winner!

2010-05-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

I am third week in the sustainable gardening course put on by Randwick Council and I love it.
This is a free course which is so inspiring and well organised. I would love corporates to do it as a team building event and of course pay for it.

This holistic apprecation for biodiversity is so life changing with the development of skills in a practical and valuable way.

Well done Randwick Council!!!! Fiona the sustainability manager is a gem

Farmers in the City -Viva la France!

2010-05-23T16:02:00.001-07:00

Love this event it is very much what I love doing. I would love people to have no traffic a few days and cycle if for community picnics and listen to people like Raj Patel.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/7757475/Champs-Elysees-becomes-farmland-for-the-weekend.html

She'll be apples,sadly not please buy Australian apples and buy direct from the grower

2010-05-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

Go to any fridge in a cafe, supermarket and you will find that there are no juices except one which is made from Australian local ingredients only. We are the land of rich and plenty of fruit and vegetables this is insane.

I went to the Northern Rivers last week and found Byron Bay Ginger Nectar -100% local healing, refreshing and a local business.

This is a simple act buy Australian fruit - Batlow are generation apple growers that are truly committed to providing good, quality product.

We all want an Australian flag but we cannot even buy an Australian apple!
http://fw.farmonline.com.au/news/state/horticulture/general/its-crunch-time-for-aussie-apples/1831973.aspx?storypage=0

Wake up Australia !!!!!!!!

2010-05-06T23:22:00.000-07:00

I had to write today we are so behind in this country it is ridiculous.
I am amazed that clients think they are doing me a favour and that the planet is sort of "negotiable".

We need to take things seriously read some of these articles http://www.sustainweb.org/

This is not a trend in food local and seasonal it is a must do holistic approach to our health, the planet and biodiversity. Events, caterers and venues must wake up and ensure they have a food strategy in place to address this and a comms strategy so that their clients and stakeholders undetstand their commitment

Alison - writes for Sprout a new magazine

2010-04-22T23:28:00.000-07:00

Sprout was launched @ the http://www.foodforthefuturefair.org

Published at the beginning of each season, Sprout is a celebration of local food, producers and cuisine. It is about living sustainably through promoting fresh, seasonal produce from Sydney region farms and encouraging people to make a difference by growing their own food and making sustainable food choices.

Sprout Magazine has regular features on growing your own food, and a seasonal food table and delicious recipes to cook up a feast with your fresh produce.

We will feature passionate experts, food lovers, committed producers, community organisations, government agencies, industry groups, and people who make food their business to focus on one of the best and essential things in life—food.

The true price of cheap food

2010-04-22T23:26:00.001-07:00

http://www.resurgence.org/magazine/article3035-the-true-cost-of-cheap-food.html

"Fresh Food people".. oh really

2010-03-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

Finally,

I find it amazing that this is new. We wonder why children don't eat fruit and veg and that we need to add some much sugar to receipes and add to flavour. The answer is of course is that the food has lost it flavour and has been stored for so long.

It maddens me that supermarkets are now priding themselves on their "donations to schools", corporate responsibility, sponsoring of community events! Please before you toot your horn deliver on what you promise and spend your profits on delivering fresh food that is not stored for months and pay the farmers so that there is an incentive for them to keep farming.

I am sure in the not too distant future we will see more companies being accountable. It cannot just be about profits and because they are "too big" that they are forgiven.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/19/2850317.htm

Nestle becomes accountable to Greenpeace

2010-03-22T00:47:00.000-07:00

It is so refreshing that we are finally seeing some of these issues exposed.
I wonder how many Easter Eggs are consumed with so little thought

http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2010/03/22/greenpeace-target-nestle.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AustralianFoodNews+%28Australian+Food+News%29

Government take note of progressive Farmers solutions to Climate Change

2010-03-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

This is encouraging. I am sure there are so many more of the Peter Andrews of this world out there that need to be unearthed as they have some well thought out solutions to climate change.

“These cutting-edge farmers are proof that adaptation to climate variability and climate change is possible,” he said.

http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/pir/australianfarmers/report.htm

Meat Glue!

2010-03-16T00:41:00.000-07:00

Truly I am sure if people took time to think about what they are putting in their tummies we would have some pretty big changes put on our food manufacturers. My general rule of thumb is ou should easily be able to identify the food group . http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/meat-glue-ingredients.html?campaign=daily_nl

Jamie in the Park -well done

2010-03-15T22:43:00.000-07:00

I was so lucky to see Jamie Oliver in the Park in Sydney. I can only say Jamie well done!
It was one of the best nights I have had and so refreshing, fun, generous.. It was fantastic to have a chef so honest and real about food actually inspiring people to cook and understand more about their food.

Jamie may be a very sucsessful business man but he is truly committed to changing how we eat for the better and not losing sight of the fact that he is one of us
Well done!

Slow Money - Share at market.............

2010-03-15T22:36:00.000-07:00

I love Slow Money it makes so much sense and it the root of the problems that we have and the only way we will create real change in the world. We are talking the talk but our investing is contricting what we say.
If we were to evaluate a stock in terms of what it contributes to people and planet there would certainly be a different share market.

I take the principle of Slow Money a step further and think we should look at how each investment contributes or costs and publish this to shareholders. We are never going to solve the issues of the planet unless we change consumption and reward companies that are committed to contributing rather than costing.

Slow Money ........
The idea is a simple one: invest as if food, farms and fertility actually mattered. Get anyone who invests money (and if you have a 401k or an IRA, that's you too) to direct just 1% of it toward small food enterprises and local food systems. Get at least that small sum of money out of the hands of Wall Street, huge banks and multinationals and use it, quite literally, as seed money. Invest in local farms, food systems, artisans, brewers, bakers, cheesemakers and so on and keep that money close to home.

We'd create a thriving economy that makes real, healthy food, instead of a fake one that just makes money for bankers. One that invests in people and the land, not in some distant amorphous concept called Wall Street.

Jamie Oliver wins prestigoius TED prize for speech on food

2010-02-22T22:28:00.000-08:00

This is well worth listening to -

http://www.jamieoliver.com/news/jamie-wins-prestigious-ted-prize

ps. a small peck ...today Red Rooster announced they are doing a "free range" burger

Prison Gardens a Growing Trend, Feeding Inmates on the Inside and Food Banks on the Outside

2010-02-18T19:20:00.000-08:00

We have all heard about food being grown in prisons and there are some amazing statistics. Perhaps we could arrange for prisoners to share their skills with community gardens so they can contribute their learnings and help others and heal themselves.

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/prison-gardens-growing-trend.htmlves.

Australian's increase their intake of takeaway regardless of the glut of food shows and chefs

2010-02-18T00:42:00.000-08:00

This is an interesting article http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2010/02/18/australians-abandon-cooking-for-take-away.html

I am not surprised by this fact and in many ways the media can be held responsible. Everybody it seems is a celebrity chef and writing recipes which is fine however what has been overlooked is that people have lost the knowledge with regards to "how to cook", and "the knowledge of preparing food and "the food". They are disconnected from it and therefore "quick steps" are made difficult and there is a inability to improvise and less appreciation for working simply with the product. This translates into a opportunity for sponsors to sell their gadgets which clutter our houses, provoke consumption and prevent us for touching and working with our hands. There is something enjoyable about whisking eggs. Does anybody ever think where there gadgets will go to and the fact that will eventually plastic and all form part of the soil which grows our veggies...mmmm food for thought!

We need to educate people with regards to the benefits environmentally of eating "good" food that is unprocessed and produced locally and is seasonal. They need help on how to poach, conserve, preserve and improvise and to be resourceful. People are put off from entertaining because of shows that make it so dramatic "My kitchen Rules"! A cauliflower soup with real cream and some old baguette, thyme from the garden rubbed with garlic is simple and delicious followed by a roasted nectarine and some well loved rice pudding. It is the process and simplicity which is missing. We believe we can't entertain unless it is complex and then we feel that we must be competitive and live up to the pictures and the people.

Sustainability means less on your menu but more thought and refining what you have so it is the best you can offer and using the best produce. It is a simple equation - the cauliflower is not that expensive and abundant in season, the bread left over and the thyme nothing so if you spend a little more to support a dairy farmer that honors his/her cows and makes cream using sustainable farming practices it is a small proportion of the meal but a significant purchasing decision for planet, people and plate.

We would be better off having some retired members of the Australian Country Women’s Association on television than the "food porn" that we have at the moment. There is hope with shows like The Chef and the Cook and Stephanie Alexander however we need to help the population and keep it real so that we inspire change, restore basic skills and help people make a stronger connection of food to soil to health to planet......

Why can't our food media stir us deeply rather than skimming the surface and focussing on fads. Do we get reports on the number of vegetables and fruit species that go missing each year?

Australia government needs to get moving on food and carbon footprint

2010-02-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

Supermarket food will be clearly labelled to show its carbon footprint as well as country of origin and animal welfare standards as part of efforts to transform the British diet.

Alison - this is an past article however relevant given the progress being made overseas. Addressing our carbon footprint with in turn improve quality and health aspect of the food because as we all know it is the processing that consumes the energy........http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/6936658/

New film exposes violence and death at Coca Cola plant

2010-02-07T22:33:00.000-08:00

Corporate responsibility extends beyond the product.......
http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2010/02/08/new-film-exposes-violence-and-death-at-coca-cola-plant.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AustralianFoodNews+%28Australian+Food+News%29

Five easy ways to go organic on a budget

2009-12-16T23:28:00.001-08:00

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/five-easy-ways-to-go-organic/?em&ex=1193544000&en=39941565969220ef&ei=5087%0A

Creativity provokes thought lets look at art to create and inspire change -wheat in the city

2009-12-16T17:34:00.000-08:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/12/climate-change-art-food

Doing things differently - why aren't we listening to people who are finding solutions to Climate Change

2009-12-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/specials/rightasrain/default.htm

Farmers come to Copenhagen Summit

2009-12-15T21:02:00.001-08:00

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_19785.cfm

Do we knead Folic acid in bread?

2009-12-15T20:58:00.000-08:00

Mandatory folic acid to be added to bread?
http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2009/12/14/leading-flour-miller-expresses-concerns-over-mandatory-fortification.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AustralianFoodNews+%28Australian+Food+News%29

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2009-12-15T20:54:00.001-08:00

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Ads by Get Media! Australia needs food policy to help ease global crisis A national and state food policy is needed to aggressively invest in expanding food production, if Australia is to play its part in easing the current global food crisis, according to the Queensland Farmers’ Federation.

QFF Chief Executive Officer John Cherry said the gathering of world leaders in New York to discuss the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, repeated referred need for concerted action by industrialised and developing countries to increase food production.

“Australia exports more than 70 per cent of our agricultural produce, feeding the equivalent of 50 million people in addition to our own population,” Mr Cherry said.

“We can play a substantial role in expanding food production and exports, as well as reaching improvements in agricultural productivity in sub-tropical wet and dry climates.

“As President Mutharika of Malawi told the United Nations, industrialised countries need to increase allocation of resources to agriculture and food production, and persuade the private sector in those countries to increase investment in food

production and agricultural science and technology.

“Instead in Australia, we have been making it harder for farmers to farm, tightening regulations and restrictions, reducing public investment in research and extension, and tightening our labour market that makes it difficult for farmers to expand.

“Farmers work with the world’s most variable climate and already face huge challenges and costs adapting to climate change now and into the future.

“A food policy would represent a high level national objective that Australia will seek to increase food production, and provide a context against which other policies which could impair that objective could be tested.

Mr Cherry went on to say that a food policy would question the imposition of new costs through the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme well in excess of most other industries.

“It would bring agriculture more firmly into the equation in debates about water policy, planning policy and regulation more generally,” he said.

“Federal and States Governments need to consider carefully the UN Secretary General’s call for a reverse of “the negative trend of chronic under-investment into the agricultural sector” and the liberalisation of trade rules.

“Recent UN data indicates that at least 75 million additional people slid into hunger and poverty due to recent food price rises, joining over 800 million others.

“A food policy would help ensure that Australia plays its part in reversing that trend,” Mr Cherry said.

Approaching Enviromental Responsibility

2009-12-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

Great article - which could give rise to changes in our food courts and inspiring ideas for people and places
http://www.insideretailing.com.au/Latest/tabid/53/ID/6912/Approaching-environmental-responsibility.aspx