Local Food Movement in UK

A Transition Food Strategy « Transition Network News

Transition in the Garden

By far the best way to become seasonal is to grow your own veg. This summer we have been fairly self sufficient in many summer treats especially tomato.

We don't have a lot of space just a side yard where I have constructed two raised beds and a bucket garden made up of 15 home depot buckets

So today it is time to clear way the last of summer (although my peppers are still cropping along with the basil) and plant up for winter


-- Post From My iPhone

Basil infused lemonade

Got lots a basil and a few lemons still on the tree then this a great refreshing drink for summer.

Add about a cup of water and a handful of fresh basil to the juice and zest of each lemon used. Blitz in blender and sweeten to taste (blitzing again to blend the sugar or honey)

Pour over ice or chill in a pitcher. Drink neat or added to some vodka


-- Post From My iPhone

Missing in action

Well it has been a while since last post hasn't it! Bit of a distraction finding a new job unfortunately. But I am back and hoping to get back to blogging again.

In my garden the tomatoes are ripe and tasty, the basil is trying to flower (pick regular!) and just had my first cucumber.

As we move into August the early season apples are in season so get your one a day. Planning on making scrumpy cider this year a throw back from my roots created from the orchards of Cupertino.


-- Post From My iPhone

Enjoy your Strawberries (Organically)

I am the inclined to go for seasonal and locally sustainable above organic when buying vegetables. That is in most cases. We are entering Strawberry season and the stores, farmers boxes and even roadside sellers are trading in the wonderful bounty. But I would offer a word of warning and that is with Strawberries, more than any other fruit or vegetable, I would suggest you look out for the organic ones. Strawberries have a very high retention ratio of pesticide residue. A study done in the UK found that over 67% of the Strawberries for sale had higher than safe (even legal) limits of pesticide residue.

So please buy organic Strawberries and enjoy this wonderful fruit while it lasts.

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Love Apple Farm

Love Apple Farm in the Santa Cruz mountains is the kitchen garden for Manresa restaurant. Located in the Santa Cruz mountains (coastal central California), Love
Apple Farm is located at 9299 Glen Arbor Road, Ben Lomond. It is run by biodynamic gardener Cynthia Sandberg.

Turns out this farm and the associated web site is a gold mine for local gardeners, offering classes on a wide range of topics, including bee keeping and online guides.

Worth a visit for any local food enthusiast as an example of what can be grown at the highest quality in your back garden which is the freshest way to get your veggies for your plate.

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The Book

If you are concerned about your diet then one book you should read this year is In Defense of Food by Micheal Pollen

This book talks about a diet based on food, it is about eating real food  practice performed by humans for thousands of years. Yet only now, at this time, in the most developed nation on the earth, with the most health conscious population, almost more nutritionalists than lawyers are we facing a diet related health crisis on multiple fronts.

Read this book, it won't tell you what to eat, it won't tell you to change what you eat, it will simply help make better decisions in choosing what you eat.

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