Buy Organic

Humans have done so much to destroy and pollute the environment. It’s quite outstanding. There seems to be no end to the manner in which we pollute whether it be from intensive farming, oil spills, mining, or manufacturing.

We have created problems involving radiation contamination, lead contamination, industrial air pollution, and the pollution of groundwater by heavy metals. There are many other examples.

This kind of contamination of our environment leads to many health problems such as cancers, birth defects, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, mental retardation, asthma, and poisoning. In some of the most polluted areas, life expectancy is often under 40 years of age.

The top 10 worst polluted places on earth according to the Blacksmith Institute are:

1. Chernobyl, Ukraine - Pollution from uranium, plutonium, radioactive iodine, caesium-137, and strontium. 5.5 million people have been affected.
2. Dzerzhinsk, Russia - Chemicals and toxic by products from chemical weapons manufacturing as well as lead contamination. 300,000 affected.
3. Haina, Dominican Republic - Lead contamination. 85,000 affected.
4. Kabwe, Zambia - Lead pollution.
5. La Oroya, Peru - Lead, copper, zinc, and sulphur dioxide contamination. 35,000 people affected.
6. Linfen, China - Fly-ash, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, arsenic, lead. 200,000 people affected.
7. Maiuu Suu, Kyrgyzstan - Radioactive uranium mine tailings, gamma radiation, heavy metals, and cyanides. Potentially millions of people affected.
8. Norilsk, Russia - Strontium-90, caesium-137, sulphur dioxide, heavy metals (nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, selenium), particulates, nitrogen and carbon oxides, phenols, and hydrogen sulfphide. 134,000 affected.
9. Ranipet, India - Hexavalent chromium and azodyes. 3.5 million affected.
10. Rudnaya Pristan/Dalnegorsk, Russia - Lead, cadmium, mercury, and antimony contamination. 90,000 affected.

Australia obviously has its share of environmental problems but we are very lucky not to have anything as serious as these countries. It doesn’t mean something couldn’t happen here though, we have to be vigilant.

Although our problems are less severe we still need to work hard at improving our environmental record and solving problems such as soil degradation, air pollution in the major cities, and the pollution of waterways.

There doesn’t seem to be a huge number of farmers’ markets in South Australia but those available appear to be good quality markets. Farmers’ markets are a great way to get fresh produce, especially organic produce.

Farmers’ markets, or growers’ markets as they are sometimes known, are markets where local farmers sell their produce to the public. They have a reputation for selling very fresh produce at a very reasonable prices. Not only are the fruit and vegetables fresh, they are also in season which means they will have the best flavour possible.

Whether in Adelaide or in county South Australia look out for the following food markets:

Barossa Farmers’ Market
Cnr Nuriootpa and Angaston Roads
Angaston SA 5353
Every Saturday
7.30 - 11.30am

Battunga Growers’ Market
2 Marriot Street
Macclesfield SA 5153
Every Sunday

Willunga Farmers’ Market
Alma Hotel Car Park
Willunga SA 5172
Every Saturday
8am - 12.30pm

Please leave a comment if you know of other markets in Adelaide or elsewhere in South Australia. If you are in Western Australia and are looking for fresh produce then you can find a list of farmers’ markets here or there is a wide variety of farmers’ markets in Victoria if you live in that part of Australia.

I did think this article was pretty funny. They are suggesting that due to high levels of obesity in the US, people are weighing down their cars and thus consuming more petrol.

In a paper to appear in the October-December issue of the journal The Engineering Economist, the scientists conclude that each extra pound of body weight in all of today’s vehicles results in the need for more than 39 million gallons of extra gasoline usage each year.

The tab for overweight people in a vehicle amounts to $7.7 million a day, or $2.8 billion a year.

That seems to be an awful lot of money for a little extra weight or though I guess it’s more than a little extra weight.

If it is true, it just goes to show how little things such as the weight of your car can influence your fuel consumption. It is really important to take out everything from your car which you don’t really need such as sporting equipment, luggage, or books. So if you didn’t already need a reason to lose a few kilos then another reason it to help the environment.

Australia seems to be in a perpetual drought. This means we are forced to find ways to save water. There are a lot of things an individual can do to save water and water restrictions helps us to do so.

A difficult thing to do in times of drought is to successfully wash you car without using too much water. There are a number of things you can do such as:

• washing your car over the lawn to catch any runoff
• going to a drive thru car wash which recycles water
• washing your car in the rain with rain water (if it does rain)
• using a micro fibre cloth with a little water
• using No Wet waterless car cleaner

All are good options for reducing your water usage however No Wet is the only way to wash your car without any water. Unless of course you choose to never wash your car. According to No Wet:

NoWet is a premium quality waterless car wash, polish and wax that cleans and protects in one, easy application.

Not only does NoWet save water, but it is made from all natural ingredients and does not contain petroleum distillates, silicone, abrasives, harmful chemicals or detergents to pollute our waterways.

Carnaubra Wax is used to capture dust and dirt which can then be wiped away. A 1 litre bottle should be enough for 12 washes. This sounds good and they have gotten some good testimonials. Apparently, it won’t scratch your car either, which would be my main concern.

The other day I listed all the farmers’ markets in Perth and the rest of WA. Unfortunately there aren’t that many. Thankfully Melbourne is a different story and there are lots more choices there. I used to live in Melbourne (I’m thinking of moving back there) and they had some great organic fruit and vege shops then. I know there are even more now but you can’t beat a farmers’ market if you can get to one.

Here is a list of farmers’ markets in Melbourne and country Victoria. Feel free to add any I’ve missed and leave a comment if you have visited one of these, mentioning if it is has quality produce or if you had any problems.

Farmers’ Markets in Melbourne

Albert Park Farmers Market
Graham Street
Albert Park VIC
Every 3rd Saturday
8:30am - 1pm

Boroondara Farmers’ Market
Patterson Reserve
Auburn Road
East Hawthorn VIC 3123

Bundoora Farmers’ Market
Bundoora Park
Plenty Road
Bundoora VIC
Every 1st Saturday
8am - 1pm

Collingwood Market
St Heliers Convent
Abbotsford VIC
Every 2nd Saturday
8am - 1pm

Kingston Farmers’ Market
Cnr Nepean Hwy and Bay Road
Highett VIC 3190
Every 1st Saturday
8am - 1pm

Slow Food Melbourne
St Heliers Street
Abbotsford Convent VIC
Every 4th Saturday
8am - 1pm

South Melbourne Market
Cnr Cecil and Coventry Streets
South Melbourne VIC 3205

St Kilda Farmers’ Market
Peanut Farm
St Kilda VIC 3182

Farmers’ Markets in country Victoria

Aireys Farmers’ Market
Great Ocean Road
Aireys Inlet VIC 3231
Every 2nd Sunday
9am - 1pm

Cardinia Farmers’ Market
Packenham Racecourse
Packenham VIC 3810
Every 2nd Saturday
8am - 12pm

Central Murray Farmers’ Market
Alton Reserve
High Street
Echuca VIC

Central Victoria Farmers’ Market
Corner Midland Highway and Blackjack Road
Harcourt VIC 3453
Every 1st Sunday
9am - 1pm

Churchill Island Farmers’ Market
Churchill Island VIC
Every 4th Saturday
8am - 1pm

Daylesford Farmers’ Market
Victoria Park Daylesford VIC
Every 1st Saturday
9am - 1:30pm

Geelong Farmers’ Market
Little Mallop Street
Geelong VIC 3220
Every 2nd Saturday
8:30am - 12:30pm

Gippsland Farmers’ Market
McKean Street
Bairnsdale VIC
Every 1st Saturday
8am - 1pm

Knox Farmers’ Market
Mountain Highway
Wantirna South VIC 3956
Every 3rd Saturday
8am - 1pm

Metung Farmers’ Market
Metung Gippsland Lakes VIC
Every 2nd Saturday
8am - 1pm

Mornington Farmers’ Market
Vale Street
Mornington VIC

Moyhu Farmers’ Market
Cnr Whitfield Road and Meadow Creek Road
Moyhu VIC 3732
Every 3rd Saturday
9am - 12pm

Port Fairy Farmers’ Market
Cnr Sackville Street and Bank Street
Port Fairy VIC
Every 3rd Saturday
7am - 1pm

Talbot Farmers’ Market
Scandinavian Crescent VIC
Every 3rd Sunday
10am - 2pm

Traralgon Farmers’ Market
Kay Street
Traralgon VIC
Every 4th Saturday
8am - 1pm

Wadonga Farmers’ Market
Lincoln Causeway
Wadonga VIC

Wellington Farmers’ Market
Central Gippsland VIC 3850
Every 3rd Saturday
8am - 12:30pm

Yarra Valley Farmers’ Market
38 Melba Highway
Yering Station VIC
Every 3rd Sunday
10am - 3pm

It is believed that the cause of at least one third of cancers is directly related to our diet. This is why it is important to eat natural foods as much as possible. Fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains are imperative to a healthy diet. Processed foods are generally low in nutrients and full of artificial additives and preservatives. Processed high fat foods should be avoided or eaten occasionally.

Of course, we all know we should be eating less fat and processed food but it’s not always convenient. At least we don’t think it’s convenient. There is no difference in convenience between eating a piece of fruit rather than a high sugar chocolate bar. It’s just a habit which we need to change. Snacking on fruit and nuts and adding a couple more veges to the evening meal is a good way to get extra vitamins and fibre which is important in reducing our risk of cancer.

Eating organic food is another way to reduce your risk of cancer. Conventionally grown food is sprayed numerous times with pesticides, fertilisers, herbicides, and who knows what other chemicals. Traces of these end up in our meals which can build up in our bodies over time. These harmful chemicals are not used in the production of organic food which is why organic food is good for our health and well being. If you can’t afford or can’t always find organic food then you might at least want to avoid fruit and vegetables which contain relatively high chemical residues.

We are often told that eating bread is good for us but there is debate over white bread and its benefits. Some recent research is suggesting that eating large amounts of white bread can lead to cancer:

Scientists from the Institute of Pharmacological Research in Milan say that refined cereals trigger a surge in blood sugar and insulin levels, which is thought to fuel the growth of cancer cells.

Of course, this is only one research project but it would be wise to eat everything in moderation as well as eating more fruit and vegetables.

Farmers’ markets are a great way to get fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables as well as meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, and fish, depending on the market. The produce is often organic, free range, and grown in a sustainable manner.

Listed below are a number of farmers’ markets around Perth and in country WA. If you know of any other markets please leave a comment with the details.

Farmers’ Markets in Perth

Perth Organic Growers’ Market
Corner of Lime and Brown Streets
East Perth WA
Every Saturday
8am - 12pm

Farmers’ Markets in Country Western Australia

Albany Farmers’ Market
Aberdeen Street
Albany WA
Every Saturday
8am - 12pm

Boyanup Farmers’ Market
Boyanup Memorial Park
South Western Highway WA
Every 4th Sunday
8am - 12pm

Gascoyne Growers’ Market
Carnarvon WA
Every Saturday (May to October)
8am - 12pm

Manjimup Farmers’ Market
Rose Street
Manjimup WA
Every 3rd Saturday
8am - 12pm

Margaret River Farmers’ Market
Tunbridge Street
Margaret River WA
Every 2nd Sunday
8am - 12pm

I’m a bit disappointed that there is only one farmers’ market in Perth. Is that true? Are there others which I don’t know about?

Strawberries are not only delicious but high in a number of nutrients including calcium, manganese, potassium, and folate. They are also high in dietary fibre and antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect cells in the body which helps to prevent heart disease and certain cancers. Strawberries also contain anti-inflammatory properties which can help to block pain.

If that’s not enough, strawberries also contain a flavonoid known as fisetin. Fisetin has been shown to improve memory. Research is looking into how this chemical might help people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Unfortunately, you would need to eat around 5 kilos of strawberries a day to get the expected benefits of fisetin. As tasty as strawberries are, not many people would happily eat that much every day. Thankfully fisetin is found in other fruits such as apples, grapes, kiwifruit, oranges, peaches, and tomatoes.

A lot of pesticides are used on conventionally grown strawberries, so this is one food where you really should take the organic option. The problem with strawberries is that they perish very quickly and I find I often throw out a lot which I have purchased as they are damaged or too soft.

The best strawberries by far are home grown strawberries. They are so easy to grow and taste amazing. Buy a few seedlings from your local garden centre and plant them in a pot with organic potting mix. Feed them with a natural liquid fertiliser and before you know it you’ll be eating fresh strawberries. If you love strawberries as much as I do then you’ll want to plant quite a few because they don’t seem to last long. That is, they get eaten the second they become ripe.

Monocropping is where large farms focus solely on growing one crop. This kind of farming eliminates biodiversity of wildlife which leads to an imbalance between pests and predators which in turn leads to an increased use of pesticides and other chemicals. Mono crop farms tend to have poor quality soil and the significant chemicals used often results in the pollution of nearby waterways. Cotton farms are an obvious example of the negative effects of monocropping and how not to produce sustainable crops.

The problems cause by planting a single plant species (or a low diversity of species) in the one area can also be seen on a much smaller scale. Hollywood’s famous Canary Island date palms (which are not native to the area) have become diseased and they are all dying. There is no treatment for the disease and they are all having to be removed and be replaced by a variety of native trees. If there was more variety in the area in the first place then only a small number of palms would have been affected and the problem wouldn’t have been so serious. It also shows the importance of growing native species which are more likely to survive attacks by pests and diseases.

It is worth thinking about this when planting in your own garden. Use a mixture of native and non native plants for best results. This will attract a variety of insects and birds to your garden which prey on any pests you may have. A variety of species is also important. Plant flowers and herbs with your vegetables for best results. Remember that you don’t have to grow your veges in rows or even close by each other (unless required for pollination). Planting your crops in a random manner not only looks good but means if one plant gets infested by pests, others should survive because they are not all in the one area.

Read on for more tips on organic gardening.

This year’s Royal Melbourne Show saw first time entrant Black Forest Organics win 12 prizes in the 15 categories it entered. That’s a pretty impressive result.

They have been in the organic market for 2 years and opened their first shop in Ferguson Street in Williamstown only a few months ago. They specialise in pickles, relishes, conserves, and jams which are all pesticide free and preservative free. The Black Forest Grape Jam was a big hit at the Royal Show - a product which capitalised on the current oversupply of grapes.

This is an example of a small company producing a quality niche product which is completely organic and great tasting. This is what consumers want and will make products such as these become a success. Hopefully they will expand their range and start selling them nationwide.