Why we need to change the food system
This is the first in my blogs about Why we need to change the food system. The signs are many that there is a growing change in attitudes to the food system. Research just published for the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance undertaken by the Australia Institute backs that up with 53% of the community surveyed growing or raising some of their own food. Of those around 60% have begun doing so in the past 5 years and 20% in the past year. To read the full report Awareness of Food Security Amongst the Australian Adult Population go to http://australian.foodsovereigntyalliance.org/blog/2012/07/02/australia-needs-a-food-literacy-campaign/
The reasons for this new food growing movement and interest in Local Community Food Initiatives, sometimes described as Urban Agriculture, are numerous and underline the need for food literacy to explain its importance and to demystify food security and access issues in Australia. This will be the subject of future blogs. Watch this space.
Meet the Girls
This inaugural blog, The Backyard Pharmacy at Maison Bleue, introduces The Girls. Having travelled down from Elmore, Beebie the Double lace Barnevelder, Maggie the Plymouth Rock, Julia the Rhode Island Red and Lulu the Lavender Leghorn have settled into their spacious abode in the orchard. Voracious eaters, particularly since, despite the frosts, they have started producing the most wonderful eggs I’ve ever tasted, and each one with its own distinctive colour.
Here’s a recipe for my Herby Googness scrambled eggs, rich in protein, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals:
3 eggs
2 Tablespoons milk
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs – current favourites parsley, chives, fennel tops and coriander.
2 Tablespoons broccoli sprouts
2 Tablespoons cottage cheese/quark or labna
salt and cracked pepper to taste
Mix it all up roughly and stir slowly in a lightly oiled pan until setting. Serves 2. A great start to the day.