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TGoG Podcast 094 – Local Food Equals Less Waste

December 17, 2014 @ 22:32 By Gavin Webber 6 Comments

Listen to the Episode Below (00:30:00)
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Local food equals less wasteWhen you grow your own food you are less inclined to waste it.  This is the basis of this weeks episode.  My belief is that organically grown local food equals less waste.

I talk about our failed 100 mile diet and how hard it was to stick to it, and the realisation I came to that most of our food is grown with the assistance of fossil fuels.  In the second half of the show, I give tips about how to prevent food waste.

I believe that growing your own food is one of the most radical acts that you can achieve in your own home.  You break that dependence on the industrial food system and become that little bit closer to be able to look after yourself.  Especially that most of our food is grown using oil.

Did you know that for every 1 calorie of food grown, it takes 10 calories of oil to grow it?  That is unsustainable considering that fossil fuels are a finite resource.  Something to think about when you tuck into your next meal.

It you liked the show, please click-through to iTunes using the button below the player, and leave a comment and a rating.  It helps push the show up the iTunes charts where it will reach others who may be thinking of beginning their own simple/sustainable journey.  Every little bit helps.

Also, if you have any questions or observations that you are burning to share, please leave a comment below.  I answer as many as I can and would love to hear from you.

Next week we have our Christmas Special where Kim and I share what we achieved this year, including the highs and lows.  I don’t know if we will be singing this year, but you never know.  I might even belt out a verse or two of a White Christmas, that old Bing favourite that gets a hammering around here at this time of year!

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Filed Under: 160km Diet, Gardening, Locavore, Peak Oil, Permaculture, Podcast, TGOG Podcast, waste

TGoG Podcast 079 – Robyn Rosenfeldt from Pip Magazine

August 27, 2014 @ 14:30 By Gavin Webber 2 Comments

Way back at the start of the year I wrote a post about Pip Magazine.  Robyn Rosenfeldt was seeking funding via crowdsourcing to launch Australia’s first permaculture magazine in 10 years.

Listen to the Episode Below (00:37:14)
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I caught up with Robyn during this episode to see how things were progressing with the magazine (now in its second issue), to learn a little bit more about Robyn herself and her lifestyle.

Robyn Rosenfeldt - Pip Magazine

I found Robyn to be very down to earth who practices what she preaches.  Permaculture is imbedded in all things throughout her family’s lifestyle including the conversion of their 2 acre piece of land at Pambula on the south coast of New South Wales.

Robyn also talks about how she started the magazine and how you can submit ideas for articles to her.

You can find her contact details, social media links, and where to buy or how to subscribe to the magazine at www.pipmagazine.com.au

Pip Magazine


If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to visit iTunes to rate the show and leave a review.

You can also do the same within Stitcher Radio if you use that service.

It would help me out so much, which elevates the shows ratings so that others can find out about the podcast and learn about sustainable living in the ‘burbs.

Until next time, stay green and keep keen!

 

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Filed Under: Chickens, community, Gardening, Permaculture, Podcast, Poultry, Resilience, TGOG Podcast

Sustainable House Tour for Eastern Suburbs Permaculture Group

May 8, 2014 @ 21:18 By Gavin Webber 31 Comments

We love a good group visit to our home, and I delight in showing others how easy it is to do some of the things that we do to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Sunday was no exception.  Earlier in the year, we received an email from Milica, one of the Eastern Suburbs Permaculture Group members, who had attended one of our mozzarella cheese making courses.  She asked if we allowed home visits, to which we said yes.  Roll on the sustainable house tour once again.

Kim and I drafted up a list of tour options with costs, and sent it through to her.  They chose option 1 which was as follows; A presentation by Gav, a tour of the outdoor sustainable retrofit and food gardens, and a mozzarella demonstration and tasting afterwards.  The cost was $20 per person, which included tea/coffee and biscuits upon arrival.

So without describing the entire event, which I must say went for over four hours and running overtime because I talked way too long, I will post photographs taken by Paul and Milica who kindly allowed me use them here.

I have added in a bit of a running commentary where the pictures need additional explanation.

Our plastic bottle windmill

Our plastic bottle windmill

This upcycled windmill is attached to our berry trellis as you first walk in the gate.  Pam bought this for Ben when he was a baby.

Meyer Lemon Tree

Meyer Lemon Tree

Our lovely Meyer lemon that has lots of fruit and an abundance of new flowers.  We always get a good crop from this lemon tree.

Homemade upcycled climbing trellis

Homemade upcycled climbing trellis

Here is some homemade trellis I constructed out of an old frame for a portable gazebo.  Just added some mesh and chicken wire and bingo, boingo, two snowpea trellis.

Two clay ducks

Two clay ducks

These two cheeky ducks live near the greenhouse.  I never looked at the ornaments like this before.

My favourite budda

My favourite buddha

I give this little guys belly a rub most times that I walk past him.  Just for luck.

Ornamental zebra

Ornamental zebra

Dad, Mum, and bubs zebra keeping the grass down for me.  Note the nasturtiums and parsley that is sprouting up everywhere.

Gavin Webber talking about worm farms

Gavin Webber talking about worm farms

Here I am explaining the ins and out of worm farming to the group.

Upcycled towel rail now used as herb drying rack

Upcycled towel rail now used as herb drying rack

When we had Ben’s room remodelled, I saved the towel rail and use it in the car port as a place to hang bunches of garlic and herbs for drying.

Demonstrating the solar shower

Demonstrating the solar shower

Here I am demonstrating our newly installed solar shower.  More in a separate post soon about how we installed this shower and upcycled the screen.

Over looking the pool

Over looking the pool

This is a picture from the back fence looking north.  All the lighting in this area is solar.  It looks a bit like Melbourne airport runway at night.

2300 Litre Slimline Rainwater tank

2300 Litre Slimline Rainwater tank

This tank, which is in the pool area, collects water from half of the house roof.  It is plumbed into the irrigation system, and provides water for the swimming pool.

Chooks having a mothers meeting

Chooks having a mothers meeting under the mulberry tree

My feathered girls were the star attractions.  They came to check everyone out.  It was noted that they continuously stared at me during the my explanation of the recycled chook-house.  To them, I am man with seed, which is how they probably recognise and identify with me.

Cluckingham Palace sign

Cluckingham Palace sign

I love this beautiful sign painted by Kim.  My varnish job with marine estapol worked well, and it has hardly weathered.

Backyard Clay Oven

Backyard Clay Oven

Our backyard clay oven is next to Cluckingham palace.  I gave the soot on the front a good scrub before they arrived.  I can see the arch bricks again!

Soap demo

Soap demo

A cheesy grin while talking about the basics of soap making and what ingredients are involved.

Cracking open a bean pod

Cracking open a bean pod

Here I am cracking open a scarlet runner bean pod. Exciting stuff.

Scarlet runner beans

Scarlet runner beans

The pod contained the beans which before they dry are a lovely purple with almost a pink mottling.

I gave away heaps of these seeds as I always have too many anyway.

Pumpkin storage rack

Pumpkin storage rack

I finally found a use for this old pot rack.  It is under the house eaves, so it keeps dry.  Perfect for storing pumpkins as there is a good air flow so they don’t rot.

Front yard veggie patch

Front yard veggie patch

A selection of kale and some feral potatoes that I missed from the summer crop.  Garlic at the back of the shot.

Sustainable house tour - Front yard veggie patch

Front yard veggie patch

The front yard looks so big!  Mind you, when I look at it, it is nearly as big as the back yard.  Lots of room for veggies and fruit trees.

Barnea olives

Barnea olives

One of my olive trees have produced its first crop.  There are enough to fit into a baby food jar.  Next year will be a much bigger crop as the tree grows taller.

Small wicking bed

Small wicking bed

The salad greens in the wicking bed are growing well.  They have nearly doubled in size since I planted them.  Nearly time to pick the first leaves.

Home made cheese

Homemade cheese

Just a few wheels of cheese that I have lying around the back of the cheese fridge.  Now that the weather is much cooler, and the garden is under control, time to start making lots of cheese again.

Making Mozzarella

Making Mozzarella

Dare I say; a cheesy grin 😉

Cheese making demonstration

Cheese making demonstration

The final part of the tour was the mozzarella demonstration.

Draining mozzarella in cheese cloth

Draining mozzarella in cheese cloth

Here I am talking and draining at the same time.  Usually I can on do one thing at a time!

Serving Mozzarella

Serving Mozzarella

Once the demo was complete, Kim took the cheese off my hands and sliced it, topped it with heirloom cherry tomatoes and basil fresh from the garden, on some baguette.  It was delicious if I do say so myself.  I did under-salt the cheese but a quick grind of sea salt on top of each serve fixed that problem.

Well that was about it.  We all talked about all things sustainable for about another 20 minutes, then they departed in dribs and drabs.

It was great fun putting on this tour.  It was also a good incentive to tidy up the place a bit more and make it presentable for further tours in the future.

Besides that, we really enjoyed talking to like-minded people.  I think they all really enjoyed the presentation, tour, and mozzarella demo as much as Kim and I enjoyed preparing and presenting.

If anyone is interested in a group sustainable house tour (minimum of 10), just drop us a line via the contact page, and we will see what we can organise.

Hope you enjoyed all the wonderful photos.  They were great weren’t they?  A Big thanks goes out to Paul and Milica for letting me use them.

If there are any Pinterest fans out there, and any photos take your fancy, then pin away!  They are there for the sharing.

 

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Filed Under: Cheese, Chickens, Gardening, Permaculture, reuse, shower head, Soap Making, Suburbs, Sustainable Living, vegetables, worms

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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