Organic Meat

Organic farming often refers to the non-use of chemicals and pesticides in plant food production, using natural soil nutrients and mulches.  However, a major part of the farming industry is animal farming and the production of meat and meat products, so how do we know if meat is organic?  What are the benefits of eating organic meat and why should we indeed choose organic meat as part of our everyday diet?

Delicious Winter Stew!

“A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the resultant gravy”.   Wikipedia

No matter what stew you choose, a delicious rich tasting stew, filled with fresh vegetables, slow cooked meat and fresh herbs, is the perfect way to fill up and keep warm on a cool winters night!  We have sourced the tastiest, most flavoursome, nutrition filled stew on the planet and we are willing to share our secret, enjoy!

Grapefruit and All Its Glory

Despite the word “grape” in its name, you won’t find grapefruit growing on a vine. Grapefruit is a juicy citrus fruit and it is thought that it was originally from the West Indies, a cross between the pomelo and the orange.

Grapefruit are said to have a slightly sour, but very pleasant, taste. They are almost round, often with a flat bottom and a slightly tapering neck.  They are normally, thin-skinned and yellow, but some do come in red and red-blushed colours.  Inside, grapefruits are divided into distinct segments by thin, white membranes which radiate from the centre like wheel spokes.  The fruits very pale yellow flesh comprises hundreds of small translucent juice sacs.  Some varieties are seedless and others have reddish-orange flesh.

Solar Power Loves the Queensland Sun

 The clean energy recently listed the top 20 Australian suburbs with the highest saturation of solar powered homes, and guess what.......?  Of the 20 suburbs listed nearly 50% are in Queensland!  Not only are we proud of our sunshine and year round beautiful weather, it seems we are putting it to good use and helping to save the environment.

Truffles are a fungus!  In fact literally they are a fungus root that grows under the ground as a result of the roots of particular trees (for example oaks and hazelnuts) being infected with the appropriate fungus.   

While they were originally confined to the wild, the past century has seen considerable research, particularly in France, into developing the capability of cultivating them as a domestic crop.  The truffles form in late summer and slowly mature during autumn and are ready to harvest in winter.  They can be found breaking the surface of the ground or down to 200 millimetres deep and are best located by a trained dog, from the aroma they emit when ripening.

Hello Honey!

The honeybee has a delicate body, a short life and many enemies in the world, and yet is not phased and continues to be one of the most amazing creatures on earth.  Every day the honeybee goes about her business collecting nectar and pollen from the flowers and taking it back to the hive so that future generations of bees can survive.  And of course so we can enjoy the beautiful honey the bees produce, only they don’t realise that is one of the purposes of their actions!   The bee is willing to die to defend the hive, a very dedicated animal.

The Power of the Pomegranate

The pomegranate is an orange sized fruit with a tough reddish skin, the inner flesh is gelatinous and contains many seeds.  Pomegranate trees live for many years and produce many fruits.  The pomegranate tree is also an attractive tree that bears white and red flowers.  Once a pomegranate tree is planted, its fruit begins to develop after approximately one year.

Apples and Pears

Australia is a major producer and exporter of quality apples and pears, and is the official home of the famous Pink Lady red apple variety.  Being a remote island nation, with extremely strict custom laws regarding bringing food in to the country, Australia is free of many of the pests and diseases that plague other international producers.  Australian apples and pears meet the rigorous quality and food safety standards of even the strictest customers.

Our prime position in the Southern Hemisphere, means as Australia we are well placed to provide retail seasonal fruit to complement northern producers and help keep consumers supplied year round.

H2O – Water – Why do we really need it?

Why We Need to Drink Water

The human body is estimated to be about 60 to 70% water.  Blood is mostly water, and muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water.  Our bodies need water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs.

Australian Native Plants and Flowers

Did you know?

There are over 25,000 species of flowering plants native to Australia and we are matched only by South Africa in this abundance and diversity.  There are so many flowering plants in Australia that they haven’t even named them all yet!  Some experts believe there may be up to 30,000 natives in Australia.  Many of these are found nowhere else in the world, making them completely unique to Australia. 

All states throughout Australia are home to distinctive native flowers.  There are approximately 30 varieties which are commonly used in floristry throughout Australia to decorate Australian homes and businesses.  Many more are used occasionally or seasonally, or only in certain regions.  Every state in Australia has a native flower as its emblem, the Queensland floral emblem is the Cooktown Orchid.

New and Exciting Fresh Juice Recipes

Last year we featured a blog about the benefits of freshly squeezed juices and we promised you more information on fresh juice ideas.  We have scaled the planet for some juice ideas that you may not have heard before, something different, and delicious combinations that you simply must try.  All ingredients are available at the Noosa Farmers Market and we have also listed some of the health benefits of each for your information.  Happy juicing!

Start Your Own Vegetable Patch This Autumn

This is a beautiful time of year in Queensland, lovely warm and dry sunny days, with cooler nights, so why not engage in a fun and rewarding activity with the kids and start your very own Vegetable Patch now!

Teach the kids about nature, horticulture, healthy eating and so much more as you explore the world of growing your own fresh vegetables.  Then delight with them as you eat what you have grown! 

So what vegetables are good to plant in Queensland’s subtropical climate (in frost free areas) in March?  What seeds should you start with to ensure a successful veggie patch for you to enjoy?  We have put together a sample list of suggestions to get you started and a suggested harvest time so you can plan and grow:-

Each season mother nature provides us with an abundance of delcious fruits and vegetables so we can create culinary masterpieces at home.

The Noosa Farmers Market is the best place to grab your seasonal fruit and veg. This season the following fruits are readily available.

We know that banana stocks were severely damaged by the floods and cyclones but the best way to support an industry that is hurting is to buy the stock they have left so they can continue to re plant and grow more produce. with this in mind we have added a Banana Bread recipe below, its delicious and easy to make and you'll be supporting an industry that needs a helping hand.

Organic Fabric

Now we have all heard of organic farming and organic food, but how about organic fabric?  Is it possible to produce organic fabrics that are as diverse and user friendly as some of their man-made, “treated” counterparts?  And what is organic fabric and why is it a good choice?  We have found a number of organic fabric options for you, each with its own unique quality and uses, have a read, the options available may surprise you!

We Are Going Bananas – Support Us!

Banana Facts

• Some scientists believe bananas were the earth’s first fruit and that they date back from as early as 8000BC.
• There are in excess of 500 banana varieties in the world.
• Bananas are harvested green because they continue to ripen even after being picked.
• Bananas are rich in antioxidants, B Vitamins, fibre and potassium.
• A medium sized banana will give you approximately 10% of your daily fibre requirements.
• Bananas can help reduce the risk of certain cancers and improve your blood pressure, therefore reducing health risks such as strokes.
• The Australian Government places strict import rules on the banana industry.  This not only helps to keep disease and pests out of our farms, but also helps to support the local growers within Australia and keeps the banana farming economy strong.