We enjoyed a 100 metre meal at Margan Resturant in the Hunter Valley recently. All ingredients were sourced fresh and from within 100 metres of our table. We started with a delicious corn soup served in a sweet teeny little cup. The main was slow roasted lamb with creamy potato mash, heirloom vegetables - all from the kitchen garden. Margan raise their own Black Suffolk lambs in the paddock next to the garden. We also enjoyed a glass of Margan Barbera - with the grapes grown less than 100m from our table. After lunch we wandered through the kitchen garden.... Read more →

In her first Foraging Friday post Tricia shares how NOT to harvest Prickly Pear, along with tips she has since learnt for how to safely pick, process and eat this weed. Read more →

I learnt how to milk a cow last week. Little Eco and I were lucky enough to spend the week farm sitting Purple Pear Organic Farm. The gig included milking a gorgeous Jersey cow called Patsy. Learning how to milk a cow was way up on the top of my 'skills I want to learn' list, so I jumped at the chance when it arose. I spent two mornings joining Mark in the milking (Little Eco even had a go) and then we were on our own for five days. The results of my efforts on day 1 & 2... Read more →

I get a buzz out of foraging for food. I love that foraged food is free, has super low food miles, and provides yet another alternative to buying food from the supermarket. It also seems absurd to ignore these local food sources. I believe there’s more to ‘the buzz’ than simply knowing the advantages of foraged food. I sense an almost primal urge to gather and forage. There are a number of foods I’m comfortable foraging, like Purslane (shown above), New Zealand Spinach (shown below), Blackberries and fruit from abandoned trees, but I’d like to expand the foods I forage.... Read more →

I’m dreading our next gas bill. We’ve had our heater on way too high and way too often. A collection of blankets on a friends lounge reminded me that a blanket is a nice cosy alternative to heating an entire room. We’re going to start wearing an extra layer or two and when we can’t do without our heater we’ll at least turn its thermostat down a few degrees. Do you rely on your heater to keep warm in winter or do you snuggle under extra layers and blankets? Read more →