Sharing some Frenchs Forest Market & Orange Grove Market with Eri

We know that there are many of you out there who don't just restrict yourselves to visiting just one of our markets whether it be during the week or on the weekend and we thought it would be nice to spend a bit of time with someone who is not only passionate about the market experience but who also visits one every Saturday and one every Sunday!

On that note, we would like to introduce you to Eri who is a die-hard fan of both Orange Grove AND Frenchs Forest Markets.

How did you first stumble across Orange Grove & Frenchs Forest Markets

Initially a close friend of mine took me to another grower's market a few years ago.  I enjoyed it so much but because only held it once a month, I started searching for information on the internet about markets that were open every weekend.  Closest from where I live are either Orange Grove or Frenchs Forest and depending upon my weekend schedule, I try visiting at least one of them.

and take it from us, we KNOW that she tries to get to both when she can

We love that you attend both markets when you can and given you are not living within 5 minutes of each location, we appreciate it even more-so.  What is it about each market that makes them a "must do" for you

I just love going to the markets....simple!!!  Distance doesn't worry me one bit!  It's the lively community vibe I get from both markets that I love so much.

To me, markets are a place for an energy booster.  From these two markets I get great vibe, great energy, seeing a variety of fresh & unique produce and because some stallholders cover both markets, I get to say hi to them twice!

You have recently started to document your love for these markets with some incredible photographs.  How do you select what it is you will shoot and have you found from this, your relationship with stallholders has grown to a more personal level

Thank you, it is always nice to hear from someone that they like my photographs.

I don't really "select" what to shoot, it's more about things that caught my eye for whatever reason.  Every week is different; one day could be all about flowers and one day all about veggies.

Yes it has grown to a more personal level meeting people who share the same passion and thoughts.

Do you have a "must buy" at each market, and if so what are they and why

Must buy at Orange Grove

I love Birgitta's cakes.  The flavour spreads in your mouth and all her cakes are made with love.  And Croquembouche Patisserie....their macaroons are just divine.

The flowers are a must stop place for a photo shoot, especially under the early morning sun.

Must buy at Frenchs Forest

Getting Cannelé and tarts from Folie Douce.  They are amazing.  The Chef (Alban) brings an authentic and homey experience...I am a big fan of his.

I also love Common Ground with their Green Drink and green energy bars.

From your viewpoint, why do you think markets such as Orange Grove & Frenchs Forest are an important part of their respective local communities and what can we (as consumers) do to continue to support them

Markets are the place which brings people together.  It's not only just to buy things, it's an event.  You may plan to meet your family and friends at market and then go somewhere else afterwards.  

It's also a place where you are able to buy something you can not find elsewhere and the range of fresh produce is fantastic.  Markets in turn educate communities about the diversity of healthy and local food products.

We must continue to engage with these markets and show our support by buying local.  I also support by taking photos: it sends a message across the community on how great these markets are.....it's a weekend must do/stop/look around/shop experience.

**********

While we can't tell you exactly where Eri lives, we can totally state with clarity that we love she travels from her suburb to two of our markets most weekends and that by her sharing photos via various social media outlets she is doing her little bit in promoting that all important mantra of buying local.

A September Shoutout

As you know we love to share your love and as it's a new month we figured...well why not do a shoutout!  So here goes....a MASSIVE thank you to

Sophie (Marrickville Markets)

Kirsty (Riverside Markets)

 Gluten_Free_IsMyLife (Hornsby Market)

Dessert Makers (Frenchs Forest)

The Local Press (Orange Grove Markets)

Stephanie (Double Bay Markets)

Paleo Food

We have recently noticed a "new" trend of cooking or food preparation called Paleo, which is gaining more and more momentum.  But what exactly is Paleo food we wonder.

Wonder no more.  Fortunately for us we do have someone who can help us (and that means you too!) understand this phenomena.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Paleo Cooking with Simone.

What is Paleo

Paleo (or Primal as some call it) is a modern way of eating based on the principle that our bodies evolved over millions of years to eat certain types of good and that our bodies have not evolved to eat foods introduced within the past 10,000 years or so, when agricultural took over from traditional hunter-gatherer practices.

The basic principles of Paleo are:

• Eat fresh whole foods and avoid packaged/processed food
• Eat organic/pesticide free fruit and vegetables (avoiding potatoes if you have blood sugar problems)
• Eat organic or grass fed/pastured meat
• Eat wild (not farmed) seafood
• Eat healthy fats which include coconut oil, duck fat, ghee, lard, tallow, olive oil
• Avoid seed oils including canola, sunflower, cottonseed, any oil labelled vegetable or rice bran oil
• Avoid all grains/cereals (including corn which is a grain)
• Avoid legumes (including soy)
• Include in moderation nuts and seeds
• And for some it includes avoiding dairy

For many people, ditching the modern standard western diet full of processed food, additives, sugar, seeds, oils and grains has had a life changing effect.

Most experience weight loss and many long standing health problems are resolved.  For me, my dermatitis is all but gone, my skin is clearer, I no longer have aches and pains in my knees and my sleep quality is fantastic.

I also had long standing issues with panic attacks and anxiety which have disappeared and only come back when I cheat by bringing back some old eating habits.  My husband who became Paleo by default (as I do most of the cooking) has lost nearly 20kgs, arthritic pain in his fingers has disappeared and he no longer snores.

I like to think I have eliminated all the food (or food-like manufactured goods) that my body was never designed to ingest or process.  I am definitely eating my way to better health! 

How well does produce purchased at Orange Grove Market fit into the Paleo world

Shopping at Orange Grove fulfils nearly all of our weekly shopping.  I can get an amazing array of organic/chemical free/pasturised produce and except for a couple of the coconut products I source from another market.

I do about 95% of our weekly shopping here (ie. at Orange Grove Markets).  We are the couple lugging around a couple of granny trolleys every Saturday filled to the brim!

It actually is the highlight of my week and it has made me purchase much more seasonal produce as well.

How easy is it to produce a Paleo meal

Much easier than you would thinking looking at all the above exclusions!

It's just good whole food using spices and herbs for flavour.  At the moment in our household breakfast could be an omelette with bacon, mushrooms and spinach.

Lunch is normally leftovers or a salad of tinned tuna, and dinner could be anything from slow cooked lamb shanks with steamed red cabbage to a green chick curry served on a bed of cauliflower "rice" or a grilled pork cutlet with salad and sweet potato chips.

I tend to just stock up on what is seasonally available and base my cooking around that.  If you search on the internet under "Paleo" you will find an amazing range of delicious recipes and ideas.  There is usually a Paleo version of most of your favourite meals as well.

Do's and Don'ts

Do do your research.  Some great websites for beginners are Mark's Daily Apple, Robby Wolf and also my own Facebook Page (see below for links) which you can find giving hints, tips and photos  of what I cook on an almost daily basis.

Do leave your fears about saturated fat and what the loss of grains in your diet will do to your rear-end.  

The websites mentioned above have bucket loads of scientific research showing how the low fat/high carb western diet is killing our bodies with record levels of obesity, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer's to name but a few.

Don't think of this as just another "fad" diet.  It's a way of eating that you can follow to maintain a healthy, thriving body and mind for now and in to the future.

Don't over think it: try it for 30 days and see how you feel!

How has Paleo cooking changed your overall lifestyle

It's made me think a lot more about how our food is made and where it comes from. It's also really made me question a lot of nutritional information fed to us that is based on the lobbying by big agricultural companies.

I try to buy seasonal locally grown produce and cook based on what is available.  It has also spilled over into me thinking about the products we put on our skin including "facial cleansing" products.  Most of my make up/skin & hair care is now organic and as chemical free as I can get.  

I only clean my house as chemically free as I can get using bicarb soda, white vinegar, eucalyptus spray, clove oil and other non-toxic ingredients.

In many ways my life is now much simpler

**********

Incredibly informative and to Simone thank you for enlightening and educating us and encouraging us to give it a go.  

Useful links (as referred above) are:

• Paleo Meals by Simone click "here"
• Mark's Daily Apple click "here"
• Robb Wolf click "here"
• Balanced Bites click "here"