Going Green at the Go Green Expo

Faces were turning green with envy at all of the amazing products on display at this years Go Green Expo held over this past weekend.

Eco Store, juices, wines, Trade Aid, sodas, bikes, furniture, composting systems, laundry powder alternatives, cosmetics, public talks … and these were only some of the things on display.

I managed to snag two $5 tickets from good ol’ Grabone for myself and a friend. After catching the 007 bus there (I will forever find that bus number hil-ar-ious) on Saturday morning, we were away laughing at the ASB Showgrounds. Because neither of us own homes (yet) and LOVE food, naturally we bee-lined for the food section, and that is where we found this hugely popular stand with a beautiful (and if we’re honest, teary) ethos.

The Organic Mechanics, or Organic MCs, had a decent crowd of people lining up for their smoothies. A line that apparently one of their blenders was oblivious to at the time… (as is life). The smoothies were served in Ecocups,  and the vibrancy the boys put into their creations were most definitely present in the taste. What did I try? The Athena – feijoas, coconut water, banana, apple, dates and coconut oil = yummo! They also have an excellent facebook page where they have a range of awe-inspiring posts. Definitely worth a “like”.

Right next door to these guys was another hugely popular stall with Daniel from COYO “heaven in a mouthful”.

They offer both coconut milk yoghurt and coconut milk icecream alternatives with the yoghurt at the Expo to sample. I tried both the plain and the mango. I am a sucker for thick yoghurts and tend to buy different ones each time I do my weekly shop. I can tell you that this is definitely one of the thickest (and yummiest) yoghurt ranges I’ve tried. (FYI – the Puhoi Valley range would be up there, creamy wise). The real drawcard with COYO though, is that it’s 100% dairy free, gluten free, soy free and the health benefits of coconut are second-to-none. This business idea was thought up by Henry Gosling at 3am in 2009. Having grown up in Fiji and used coconut in most aspects of cooking, he had a few ideas about how to make this product work. You can find these products in most wholefood and health shops or you can use their Store Locator to do all the hard work for you. I’ll definitely be tracking down some of their coconut icecream!

Coconut seemed to be a strong theme of the day. I saw lots of different coconut oils, butters and sugars (which tastes surprisingly similar to brown sugar). The health benefits of this ‘Tree of Life’ are obviously spreading and people seem to be quite keen to incorporate these products into their cooking.

Here’s a selection of a few other things I saw (and rated). It really helped having so many testers available so I could try lots of ‘firsts’. I can now say that I have sampled fresh organic wheatgrass juice and yet, I still don’t know how I feel about it. The smell wasn’t so pleasant. The actual drinking of it was okay and the after taste was really nice and sweet almost. I’m still confused and I’m not sure I’ll ever figure it out. Perhaps that’s the point? So here goes…

It wouldn’t be a Go Green Expo without the Eco Store – and what amazing deals they had!

the COOLEST eco-friendly stationery

Certified organic liqueurs

Appreciating their amazing cardboard furniture

New non-alcoholic soda drink from Lion Breweries (conclude how you will). My fav – #2: Pear and basil.

Furniture made entirely from recycled tyres (and at a good price too!)

A competition that I’m going to win, because there ARE 160 containers in there…

Laundry balls that are better for the environment and your clothes.

You may have seen this little guy on Campbell Live…

Disposable palm leaf plates made in India.

Can be bought from the Kokako Organic Coffee Shop in Grey Lynn

It was really neat to see the streamlining of the Fairtrade and Organic certifications of products. Stall holders and visitors were both in high spirits sending off great vibes – I suspect from all of the energy boosting treats available and the affordable deals placed on products.

It was a great day out and I even came away with some ‘homework’ – Ecoman by Malcolm Rands. “From a garage in Northland to a pioneering global brand”. Can’t wait to get stuck in and learn more about the Eco Store’s humble beginnings!

 

 

Alberton Garden Gala

 

On Sunday 30 March, Alberton opened it’s doors (well, it’s gate and charged half price ($5) to look around the historic house) to the public with some performances and a few stalls/activities on show and aptly called it a Gala. After hearing about this from a friend who frequently walks past it’s Mt Albert location, I decided to check it out.

It was such a beautiful summer-like day with lots of young families with dogs. My great stall-discovery of the day (because I’m allowed to name such discoveries) was that of a gentleman called Graham Lamont. Everyone, meet Graham.

Graham: Winner of Best Stall Discovery prize

Graham is a lovely man from the Shore who sells relishes, chutneys and lemon honey. He gets his fruit and veg from the local Asian supermarkets because of their high turnover of produce and has a great spice provider over the bridge also. Graham does not frequent markets because of their ‘ridiculously strict rules’ so he was unable to tell me where we could find him. This, I have found, is even more disappointing than once anticipated as I find myself already half way through my tomato relish and it’s only been two days…

While I was strolling around I also managed to pick up a copy of “In Old Mt Albert” by Dick Scott which looks at the comprehensive history of the area. All it cost me was a gold coin donation to the Mount Albert Historical Society – great investment right there! You can also go online and read their newsletters which have interesting snippets of history. It’s so great to see that they’ve got it all electronic for people to access – on to it.

Now, while I was visiting Alberton I did manage to get inside the place and have a nosey around, after paying my admission fee of course. It was quite busy so I did get a few elbows (one of the Sunday Star Times crossword clues that day) while reading info boards and became very conscious of how slow I am at reading, especially “under pressure”. Nevertheless I enjoyed my visit and urge you to go have a look when you’re in the area next. As I do want people to see the place for themselves, I thought I’d give you a bit of a look at some of the great wallpaper prints within (c1880). They had a massive restoration of their wallpaper recently with funding from the ASB Community Trust and it looks flawless!

   

While viewing the interior, I did learn a little bit of history too (how could you not…). So here’s a snippet:

Allan Kerr Taylor was born in Serinjpatam, India to two Scottish parents. Allan, his five brothers and their father traveled to NZ in 1849 where, soon after, three of his family members bought farms in Tamaki called Glen Innes, Glen Dowie and Glen Orchard whose name has disappeared over time and is now known as St. Heliers.

Allan built the ‘farmhouse’ (Alberton, and if that’s a farmhouse I want to live in one!) on his plot in Mt Albert in 1863 which was modified and extended over time. In 1872 architect Mathew Henderson designed the distinctive Indian inspired ogee domed towers, half doors and the wide veranda seen today. After Allan’s death in 1890 Sophia, his second wife, really came into her own. She was said to have been the family ‘letter writer’ (I love her already), poultry farmer, and made their ten children do housework with the older two preparing meals to help out their financial situation.

I think if Sophia were alive today, we could be friends.

The day, for me, also consisted of a few cultural performances which were vibrant and well received.

Christine Major & the Morris Dancers

Jazz Band

Scotland the Brave

A Touch of India

The best part of the day? Seeing all the young children engaged in conversations about the “olden days” and talking to their parents about the history of Alberton. Their glowing faces as they discovered new rooms and noted the different way of doing things before we had all the mod-cons of today.

So, there are some kids out there who you can still pull away from those beeping, swiping, handheld pieces of metal to learn about their local history… and some adults too! Check it out!

The view from Mt Albert on my ‘scenic’ walk home.