Monday, May 14, 2012

Go slow eat some organic food


You know in our region, the Yarra Valley and the greater Melbourne, we have so many fine artisans, masters in their craft, that could rival any. We are so blessed to live where we live, to have access to some of the highest quality, nutrient dense foods in the world and we have a responsibility to our kids to preserve these producers for they are the ones that will save us all.  I know that I can be quite melodramatic at times, but its true.  Imagine, if your choices were to only purchase your foods from one of two stores, these stores stocking mainly mass produced, mass farmed foods, primarily fast foods....what do you think the future would look like...is that one where you are in control of your destiny... I don't know about you, but I don't think that scenario is healthy for anyone.  

 I know I constantly harp on about preserving food traditions, but its truly the single most important thing you can do for our food.  Cooking up a storm for your family and friends, does more than just fill the stomach, it fills the soul.  There is magic in a culture that values its food, and passes on this to their offspring.  These were the secrets of survival that stood the test of time and ensured starvation was kept at bay, and at least hunger was.  We are the first generation that mostly abandons this in favour of convenience and fast food, with research showing that our diet has changed more dramatically in the last 100 years than in the last 10,000 years of evolution.  Mostly not by choice, but need.  Our lives are so fast, that eating becomes refueling, more than it is enjoyment.  That's sad.  Make a stand, and make a change, you have the power in you!

It also so important to learn about where your food comes from, not only does this breed respect in the food (and reduces waste), but it also this connection that gives your food a face.  Meet some of our farmers here (this list is not complete, still awaiting some happy snaps of some of our other farmers;).

We are so committed to this, to fostering a community of people that want to learn, grow and share with the same common goal, to enjoy amazing food.  It's this passion, that drives us to create an independent space to foster this, our grocery lines in the store are produced from local artisans, our chefs, cooks and health professionals all local and committed to making your food the best.

So this week, we are going to go SLOW... FOOD, teach you how to make some sourdough culture for your bread, make biscotti, and a some other foods that have been around for centuries.  Join us on Facebook to learn more

Join us in preserving food, real organic food and place your ORDER NOW

FEEDBACK
Whilst we are on the subject of food...mmm am I not always, I was wondering if anyone has any special requests for cooking classes that they would like to attend at the farm.  Email us with your ideas...

IMPORTANT CHANGE
 Orders to the northern Suburbs, ie orders delivered on Tuesday's, will need to be made before 5pm Sunday's as of this next week.
  
THIS WEEK'S MENU
Ok so we had alot of requests for a high raw menu plan for this week, so tomorrow it will be available on the site.   

DON'T FORGET TO PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW.


GET A SMS REMINDER and BE ABLE TO TEXT ORDER  
Forgot to place your order??, register for our SMS reminder service and never miss getting the best organic produce delivered each week. REGISTER HERE.  Once you are registered you can then text through your seasonal box orders whenever you like.  How easy is that?  



DELIVERY DAYS
Don't forget that some delivery days and zones have changed, check here to see yours.  CHECK DELIVERY DAY/ZONES

  

To ensure you receive your delivery, why not ORDER NOW

  



WEEKLY PRODUCE REPORT


So the time has come, it is always pretty special when organic mandarins make an entrance into our lives, always right on time, when the Autumn variety of fruits tends to dwindle, these are the light. These are second picking, meaning that they are sweet and ready to eat.
We have fabulous ottway red potatoes...these are washed.  Yes its amazing.  These are a great all rounder potato too.
The organic leeks are amazing at the moment , flavoursome and huge.
Royal gala apples have now finished for the season, but don't despair it only gets better with Pink Lady apples being picked for us this week. Fresh from the trees.
  






Avocado, Apples, Banana,Fig,Grapes, Lemons, Nashi, Orange,Papaya,Pear,Plum, 
Artichoke
Asian greens,Avocado,Beans,Beetroot,Broccoli,Cabbage,Capsicum,Carrot, Cauliflower,Celery,Corn,Cucumber,Daikon,Eggplant,Kale,Leek,Lettuce,Mushrooms
,Onion,Onion, spring,Potato,Pumpkin ,Radish,Silverbeet, Spinach,Sweet potato,Tomato,Zucchini


 YOUR DAILY BREAD
    

  "You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself 
any direction you choose. 
You're on your own. 
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...."
Dr Suess Oh! The Places You'll Go


We thank you for your support as always, we are very grateful that you are making your body healthier, your kids stronger and the world a better place to be.  
  
 Thanks you are awesome, look forward to serving you, have a healthy week


Angela Gioffre 
(Your nutritionist) and the team at Organic Empire XXX

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Free weekly menu's, get super healthy. Organic ruby red grapefruit, great deal on garlic


So the weather's definitely alot chiller than I dare remember, especially here on the farm.  It really doesn't seem to warm up much more past -3 degrees, ok perhaps a slight exaggeration..This weather lends itself to slowing down though, it's the natural rhythm of this universe, when the temperature drops the activity slows.  Its at this time of the year that life goes underground, with the large majority of root vegetable flourishing, perhaps this is a perfect analogy of what happens to humans, its often at this time of the year we become a lot more reflective, refocusing and comforting ourselves with food.


We have been doing this already and have some fabulous things happening.

This week begins the first week our menu planners, completed, nutritionally sound and delicious created by our very own resident nutritionist....me.  We understand that life is busy and sometimes you just need some guidance, so every week we will have a new menu available for you to download and create a feast everyday.  This week's menu is a very light refreshing high green, high raw menu to start a fresh.  These menu's do not include meat, but if you enjoy meat, please add wherever, -except for in the smoothies and juices ;).
You can also purchase the menu box which comes complete with all the ingredients required to make this week's meals, great for 2-3 people.

In the next couple of weeks we will also have a new shopping experience, with a new shopping cart being installed on the store.  This will mean that it will be more interactive, which in turn makes it more functional and efficient.  This has been constructed with your feedback in mind and if there is anything that you think we need, email us.

Our store is coming along, we are just awaiting the kitchen now, it is being made from over 100 year old recycled floor boards, it is gorgeous and we can't wait for you to see it.  We have a fabulous line up of foodies, chef's, cook's who can't wait to share their magic with you either.  It's so nice when things come together, our aim with the store was to re-construct the disheveled interior with sustainable recycled materials as much as possible and we have quite successful in doing this, we polished the existing floors, after stripping back over 70 years of flooring.  Its going to quite a culinary experience.

DON'T FORGET TO PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW.

WEEKLY PRODUCE REPORT
We have amazing organic garlic from the Orbost region at a sensational price.  A great immune booster, and a sensational source of sulphur.
We have local organic watercress coming in this week, Organic Watercress is a member of the nasturtium family, which is the edible flower family.  Loved for its rather bitter and peppery taste.  Can be added to salads, smoothies or used as a garnish or flavouring. Powerhouse of nutrients, excellent source of  vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, manganese, and carotenes. It also a good source of calcium, fiber, iron and copper.

Organic Ruby Red grapefruit are in this week juicy and slightly sour.  If you are into grapefruit you will love them.
The organic cauliflowers are definitely coming into  their own, with the heads bright white.  Don't forget that you can eat the greens that surround the head.

YOUR DAILY BREAD
    

  "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."


We thank you for your support as always, we are very grateful that you are making your body healthier, your kids stronger and the world a better place to be.  
  
 Thanks you are awesome, look forward to serving you, have a healthy week


Angela Gioffre 
(Your nutritionist) and the team at Organic Empire XXX