FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER

I have recently found myself to be in Australia where I am making my way through the most beautiful beaches of Byron Bay and even more exquisite countryside and small farm towns on the winding back roads… I have been to a number of small dairy farms and cheese making kitchens, organic farms, farmers markets and even a large hydroponic farm just outside of Mullumbimby. I met the owner of an organic turmeric farm where I stayed for two nights and watched a turmeric harvest. The lovely couple who lived on the farm and operated the “Turmeric Gardens” were delightful and it turned out that they are one of the major importers of organic spices into Australia. They introduced me to the largest distributor of natural foods in Australia and escorted me the warehouse where I was able to go on a private tour with the owner of the company. I left with several amazing new products that I will be bringing back to the states!

The food here is about twice the cost of Northern California. I have yet to taste anything memorable even at the most highly recommended restaurants. I have stopped eating out altogether and have come to rely only on the farmers markets and a cardboard box that stores the fresh local fare: avocados, bananas, pineapples, red dragon fruit (cactus), and so much citrus… Amazing!

Today at the farmers market in Byron Bay I was asked by a man standing in line behind me where I was from. We got to chatting and I asked him about his shoes. They were beautiful and obviously hand made. He told me that he made them himself and I followed him to his car where he opened the trunk. Before we parted he reached into the back seat and gave me a bag of the most amazing fresh bee pollen I have ever tasted. He went on to tell me that he lives on bee pollen! I mixed about 4 Tablespoons of it with some fresh squeezed mandarin juice and it lasted me throughout the day. He shared with me that he mixes his bee pollen with organic fresh ginger juice, fresh lemon juice and raw honey with spring water. When my eyes lit up he pulled out a bottle of “Ginger Nectar” and I immediately looked for the address on the bottle. He said a good friend of his has been making it for many years right in town.

My next stop was the Ginger Nectar factory, which turned out to be a single woman in a beautiful warehouse. She spent a great deal of time with me telling me about the wonders of Ginger Nectar and the amazing responses that people have experienced from her juice. Ginger Nectar has become known as a delicious healing drink; a preventative flu and cold drink; and a hydrating and alkalizing drink... No surprise. I make the same drink for myself and my family (hot) when we are not feeling well.

This morning I am off to another farmers market and to meet up with many friends.

Goodaye Mate