Thinking of others

It’s hard to stay focused with the many atrocious weather events happening around the world. So many people have lost their homes and livelihood, and sadly, for some, their loved ones. The pain must be immense. Recent weather bombs in New Zealand have also left people struggling to put their lives back together. Political change is swarming around us here, and with early voting kicking off this week, the sniping and rhetoric is getting louder and more insistent. On Waiheke many people have proudly nailed their colours to the mast, with more political billboards displayed on private properties than I have ever seen before. This election matters, with issues such as tax rates, water tax, dirty rivers and streams, the state of the health system, the nigh-impossible dream of home ownership, the rate of immigration, the refugee quota, early childhood education, free tertiary education, childhood poverty, free school lunches, the shocking rate of youth suicide, human rights, superannuation, the right to live, the right to die, and, importantly, the political purse: who would you trust with it?

There are deep issues here affecting us all in some way, and while we can discuss the issues at length, and it’s healthy to do so, and important to vote in order to express one’s opinion, when the votes are counted, the hoardings are taken down and the politicians begin making good their promises (I’ll try not to be cynical here!), life goes on.

On Waiheke, for many, that means a sustainable way of life with composting, worm farms, recycling, food waste reduction, household waste reduction, predator elimination and the maintenance of bush, waterways and reserves. It’s a good and brave and strong community, one that politics should never divide.

We all need to look at food wastage, water use and household refuse in New Zealand. It’s said we produce enough food to feed 40 million people. How about we share more, starting with those around us? On Waiheke we have Kai Conscious Waiheke (KCW), a movement that engages households in activities and events aimed to support sustainability through food waste reduction and composting. You can read about it here.

http://www.wrt.org.nz/projects/kai-conscious/

Then there is the Kai Conscious Café open every Friday where food no longer able to be sold because the packaging is damaged such as dented cans or squashed boxes, or produce that is misshapen, or food that is close to expiry date or just over it, along with other donated food, is cooked into tempting dishes and offered free to the needy. Read about it here.

http://www.wrt.org.nz/updates-from-the-kai-conscious-cafe/

Caring, sharing, looking out for each other, and not letting politics destroy friendships or part families, is my message this week. There’s some lovely food ideas here, too.

Ginger Chicken – as I say, thumping good thighs! Try this mid-week and balance the budget by serving with lentils.

What’s the deal with this avo and egg thing? Ilaria has been eating the combo for an age but it’s never really appealed to me because I imagined it would be too rich … oh, but I was wrong! Eggs ‘n Avo

And, peeps of spring are everywhere, with tufts of last summer’s tarragon appearing, fig leaves unfurling on my trees (still in large polythene bags awaiting planting!), mint plants threatening to take over the garden and the scent of freesias in the air. Gorgeous… Tarragon

And the first appearance of strawberries, dressed with maple syrup and gently tossed with golden cubes of mango. Bring it on! Mango & Strawberries

Julie