i shot the bride sydney wedding photography
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
How blogging for Oxfam made tomatoes grow on my balcony...
Although this has nothing to do with wedding photography I am going to put some of my recent ramblings for Oxfam here...
I work as an voluntary "youth blogger" for Oxfam, on their site http://3things.org.au; a gig I enjoy, not just for the chance to write but because it has changed me (cynical old me) and my habits...
Whilst most of the other youth bloggers are funky things attending activism concerts, I am just me with my domestic life, my pregnant belly, my 3 year old, my man and our house we are trying to renovate. The best way I can make a change is with every dollar I spend.
Since being asked to pitch in with the "food" subjects, I have been inspired so much I have built my own herb & vege balcony garden. (I who has the green thumb of death) The secret to the garden's success is our west facing balcony that not only gets heaps of sun but I have put one of those shampoo hose extensions on our kitchen tap & can water it through the window! How's that for a convenience store? Eating pasta with fresh herbs is amazing & so much cheaper than buying the wilted crap from the supermarket. Gardening Australia is on the ABC on Sunday afternoons & whilst not listed as a comedy I giggle through each show. I've also found a way to avoid the drudgery of grocery shopping at the multinational duopoly of Coles & Woolies each week (by using Aussie farmers direct & going to our local farmers market here in Avalon - last Fri of each month). I've also become addicted to the wonderful taste of home grown tomatoes and organic milk. (but not together, obviously).
I also get to live vicariously through the adventurous spirits I interview (for the travel stories), making a difference rather than sipping cocktails by the bar. (Or, perhaps making a different whilst sipping cocktails by the bar) - she /he who makes a difference shall not be judged!
So check out some of the posts that might interest you and wish me luck with the garden!
Here's one to start:
From master chef to green machine
Noticed lately how grocery prices seem to have doubled over the past year? Well instead of getting your hate on and feeling like a victim of large supermarket chain pricing, lets create some zero food miles and grow our own food.
1: Grow our own herbs and vegetables
Even if you live in an apartment all you really need is sunshine in a sheltered spot and some good soil in pots. Buy a bag of organic soil for vegetables from your local nursery (about $8). Get your favourite herbs as seedlings (about $2.50 for 6). I managed to grow basil, dill, mint, coriander, tomatoes and peas on a small balcony, but only after letting them grow for 6 weeks. Don’t forget to keep the water from evaporating by adding a mulch of hay or bark on top.
2: Get a compost happening
A compost can cut your rubbish by half. All edible food except meat goes in as well as shredded newspapers. Again, if you live in an apartment there are options, such as a bokashi bin. If you have a backyard you can tip the compost in a bin there and it will break down after about 6 months and be a wonderful fertiliser for the garden. It helps to stir it up occasionally. If you don’t want to throw meat into your normal rubbish you can start a worm farm and they will turn this into another fertiliser.
3: Get a chook run
There are some great designs for mobile chook runs online, build one of these on a quiet weekend and get yourself some chooks! They will eat up the kitchen scraps, and fertilize the lawn or vegie patch for you if you move the run around and let them roam free. Plus you can eat their lovely yellow eggs! Happy chickens, happy humans!
- Tanya
Image: Utensils by limonada. Some Rights Reserved
I work as an voluntary "youth blogger" for Oxfam, on their site http://3things.org.au; a gig I enjoy, not just for the chance to write but because it has changed me (cynical old me) and my habits...
Whilst most of the other youth bloggers are funky things attending activism concerts, I am just me with my domestic life, my pregnant belly, my 3 year old, my man and our house we are trying to renovate. The best way I can make a change is with every dollar I spend.
Since being asked to pitch in with the "food" subjects, I have been inspired so much I have built my own herb & vege balcony garden. (I who has the green thumb of death) The secret to the garden's success is our west facing balcony that not only gets heaps of sun but I have put one of those shampoo hose extensions on our kitchen tap & can water it through the window! How's that for a convenience store? Eating pasta with fresh herbs is amazing & so much cheaper than buying the wilted crap from the supermarket. Gardening Australia is on the ABC on Sunday afternoons & whilst not listed as a comedy I giggle through each show. I've also found a way to avoid the drudgery of grocery shopping at the multinational duopoly of Coles & Woolies each week (by using Aussie farmers direct & going to our local farmers market here in Avalon - last Fri of each month). I've also become addicted to the wonderful taste of home grown tomatoes and organic milk. (but not together, obviously).
I also get to live vicariously through the adventurous spirits I interview (for the travel stories), making a difference rather than sipping cocktails by the bar. (Or, perhaps making a different whilst sipping cocktails by the bar) - she /he who makes a difference shall not be judged!
So check out some of the posts that might interest you and wish me luck with the garden!
Here's one to start:
From master chef to green machine
Noticed lately how grocery prices seem to have doubled over the past year? Well instead of getting your hate on and feeling like a victim of large supermarket chain pricing, lets create some zero food miles and grow our own food.
1: Grow our own herbs and vegetables
Even if you live in an apartment all you really need is sunshine in a sheltered spot and some good soil in pots. Buy a bag of organic soil for vegetables from your local nursery (about $8). Get your favourite herbs as seedlings (about $2.50 for 6). I managed to grow basil, dill, mint, coriander, tomatoes and peas on a small balcony, but only after letting them grow for 6 weeks. Don’t forget to keep the water from evaporating by adding a mulch of hay or bark on top.
2: Get a compost happening
A compost can cut your rubbish by half. All edible food except meat goes in as well as shredded newspapers. Again, if you live in an apartment there are options, such as a bokashi bin. If you have a backyard you can tip the compost in a bin there and it will break down after about 6 months and be a wonderful fertiliser for the garden. It helps to stir it up occasionally. If you don’t want to throw meat into your normal rubbish you can start a worm farm and they will turn this into another fertiliser.
3: Get a chook run
There are some great designs for mobile chook runs online, build one of these on a quiet weekend and get yourself some chooks! They will eat up the kitchen scraps, and fertilize the lawn or vegie patch for you if you move the run around and let them roam free. Plus you can eat their lovely yellow eggs! Happy chickens, happy humans!
- Tanya
Image: Utensils by limonada. Some Rights Reserved
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)