Comments on The Greening of Gavin: Goals for 2010

great info on the diet industry's dirty little...

2010-01-08T06:41:30.900+11:00

great info on the diet industry's dirty little secrets!

Oh silly me, right there in the post! Off the top ...

2010-01-03T18:46:33.857+11:00

Oh silly me, right there in the post! Off the top of my head, based on a look at the map, I'd be ok for beef, lamb, wine, beer and olive oil. Pity my range doesn't include the south-west food region - then I'd be ok for soaps, honey, all sorts of exotic fruit'n'veg, chicken, lollies and lots of treats. Might have to try a modified range for a while...

Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments. @ d...

2010-01-03T12:13:28.151+11:00

Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments.

@ dixiebelle. Cheers, yes going local is not for the faint hearted in this day and age. At least I have a substantial garden to fall back on.

@ Chookie. I figured that out after a bit more research. I actually go the idea of soap making from Rhonda's blog! Like minds....

@ belinda. Yes, Jan did mention that you two had met. I think you are referring to the Mt Atkinson Olive Grove in Rockbank which is just 10km away from us. Buying in bulk is probably the best way to buy as you mentioned. I already buy olive oil in 4 litre drums so I will see how much we can get.

@ Amiee. So far so good, but only about 50% local. Chicken shouldn't be an issue as we have chicken farms locally, and free range within the zone. I just don't think I could raise meat chicken unless the 4 horsemen were knocking at the door!

@ Liz. Thanks for the encouragement. By the map on 100milediet.org, it is just in the my local zone. I don't know if I will travel that far, as Bacchus Marsh is only 14km away and has lots of fruit and vegetables.

@ Mistress B. Castile soap sounds like it on the cards as I can get the olive oil locally for cooking as well. Should be fun.

@ nevyn. Thanks mate. Yes the sea, I didn't think of that. Port Philip bay is in my zone, but it might be hard to guarantee that the catch comes from there.

@JulieG. Have a look at the link I put for the 100milediet.org. It goes straight to the map with a big 160km circle on it. My bike has really good suspension, so it is not too bad now that my core strength is sound.

@ Chris. Thanks, I will put a tutorial up when we make it in the next week or so. We have two boxes of soap in the stockpile so want to start making it sooner rather than when we run out.

@ Pip. I hope I answered your question in my post this morning and tonight.

@ Phil. Thanks mate for the tips. Bacchus Marsh is definitely on the cards, in fact, we have strawberries from the u-pick farm in the fridge as Holly kept picking ours for herself!

@ Anita. Can you please send me an email with the pork and beef info. I would love to find out more.

Gav

Hi Gav, Good luck with the 100 mile diet. Like &q...

2010-01-03T07:51:23.567+11:00

Hi Gav,
Good luck with the 100 mile diet. Like "Pip at Rest", I'm keen to know how you'll substitute tea, coffee and even wheat products. I'm a bit of a grump without those staples, isn't everyone!! I wish you every success. I know where you can get pork and beef in your radius.
Happy New Year to your family.
Cheers
Anita

Hey Gav, there are plenty of frsh fruit and veges ...

2010-01-03T07:11:51.505+11:00

Hey Gav, there are plenty of frsh fruit and veges at Bachus Marsh and a lillydale chicken shop here in Melton.

Happy New year to You and family,
May 2010 be your best year yet

Phil

I'm interested to know what you will be doing ...

2010-01-02T21:21:11.532+11:00

I'm interested to know what you will be doing for sugar, coffee, tea and chocolate, (if you use/eat those foods) or will you have substitutes like honey for sugar?

Good goals for the future. I'd like to make so...

2010-01-02T20:19:02.799+11:00

Good goals for the future. I'd like to make soap myself, but I'm not sure when.

I know you'll have fun achieving all five goals this year. All the best. :)

How do you figure out what's in your 160km zon...

2010-01-02T19:37:36.166+11:00

How do you figure out what's in your 160km zone? I've been wanting to try something like that but wasn't sure what's within the blue line, so to speak.

Also, I've heard that recumbent bikes are good for people with back troubles, less strain because you kinda lay back on the main body of the bike.

Good luck with all your goals. I did the 100 mile...

2010-01-02T11:58:41.910+11:00

Good luck with all your goals.

I did the 100 mile map and half my area is out to sea. I'm still not sure if that is a good thing or not. I love seafood but I worry about depleted fish stocks.

I've had a lot of success with olive oils for ...

2010-01-02T00:52:48.285+11:00

I've had a lot of success with olive oils for soap which should fit in with your 100 mile goals also .

Good luck with your new years goals. I always read your blog with interest in your projects :)

sounds like a great plan to start off the new year...

2010-01-01T22:22:58.133+11:00

sounds like a great plan to start off the new year.
Keep in mind, whilst Shepparton is a great option, it is in fact just over 200km from your place.
I only go there when stocking the cupboards with a few months supply, otherwise I stick to the fresh produce from the local growers.

I'm curious to see what you eat on your local ...

2010-01-01T20:12:33.412+11:00

I'm curious to see what you eat on your local diet, as I know very little about what grows where you are. Have fun with it! Since you said meat was an issue, you might consider raising some meat chickens. I know - your chooks are pets, so it would be difficult.. but the alternative might be going totally veg! My goat kids are terribly cute too....

Hi Gav, If you haven't already talk to Jan, i...

2010-01-01T18:52:51.752+11:00

Hi Gav,

If you haven't already talk to Jan, in your sustainability group, about the local olive oil she found.

It's not super cheap, quite tasty, although for a smaller scale producer the price is not excessive either. Our Community Havest group has been buying their large containers then distributing it within the group at the per litre cost so maybe you guys could do the same to try and keep the cost a little more reasonable.

Kind Regards
Belinda

Gavin, palm oil isn't necessary for soap -- yo...

2010-01-01T16:42:23.852+11:00

Gavin, palm oil isn't necessary for soap -- you can use any fat. Certainly the famous Castile soap is made from olive oil. Rhonda at Down to Earth has a soap making tutorial on her blog.

Best wishes to you and your family for 2010!

Sounds awesome! It can be tricky, doing the Locavo...

2010-01-01T16:29:37.413+11:00

Sounds awesome! It can be tricky, doing the Locavore diet (or being an Ethicurean, or being into SOLE (Sustainable, Organic, Local, Ethical) food), but it's a good guide to try and stick with, making some allowances so you don't make yourself or your family miserable! Can't wait to read about it this year...