Order organic! The new way to shop

Ordering fresh produce from online organic food stores are becoming more and more popular, and I now understand why after ordering a fresh box from ethical co-op. The produce is guaranteed organic and fresh, the service is convenient, affordable and supports our local farmers! I placed my order online on tuesday and collected my box today (the same Friday)

Ethical Co-op supplies organic, biodynamic and ethical produce around Cape Town and countrywide

"In 2005, a group of us grew tired of travelling the Peninsula and beyond to buy the best quality, best-priced authentic produce. We got together and decided to get it brought to us.

Now, our offering is available countrywide. We offer fresh organic fruit, vegetables and dairy in Cape Town, and, countrywide, a wide range of products that meet our high standards, such as herbs and spices, body products, seeds and paints. Products that we use every day on ourselves and our children because we can't find anything better for us, and the broader community. Our range is growing all the time, and if you know of a product that you think beats what we have on offer (healthier, produced more sustainably, and produced closer to home), please let us know about it.

We're a co-operative, so our aim is not to generate vast profits for shareholders. We've had almost no funding, and our overheads are low. Our markups are consequently quite low, and we quite often are better value than the supermarkets."

To place your order visit ethical.org.za

What's the difference between organic and biodynamic?
Biodynamic is a term that predates organic, and applies to farms that adhere to the anthroposophical principles of Rudolph Steiner. Biodynamic farms share principles with organic farms in that they do not permit chemical or GM additives, but go further in taking into account factors such as the influence of the moon and planets.

What does 'non-certified organic' mean?
Non-certified organic means that the product is grown or made according to organic standards, but is not certified organic. Certifying costs money and has strict auditing requirements, making it unfeasible for small farmers and suppliers. 

Moonlight mass revolution

Cape Town is one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world. It’s a wonder why more people don’t cycle in the city. Reasons to cycle:

• It’s cost-effective (in fact it costs nothing at all)
• It has zero carbon emissions (that’s a BIG reason)
• Cycling keeps you fit and healthy
• Its fun (Bonus!)

Reasons that could possibly deter people from cycling are the lack of sufficient bicycle lanes, lack of respect from motorists and there being no bicycle culture outside the sport. This is the thinking behind the moonlight mass initiative- to raise awareness for cycling in the city and the safety of cyclists in the urban environment and create a cycling culture.

The brainchild of Daniel Graham and Elad Kirshenbaum, Moonlight mass is a casual night bicycle ride starting at the Green Point Circle on a full moon once a month. Started as a social experiment on twitter the ride has been gaining popularity. On Tuesday there were way over 1000 riders, and the numbers are sure to grow!

Cycling on our Trend-e-bikes

The cycle was great fun, and felt so good to be part of an initiative where the people of Cape Town come together to champion a cause. My ride was particularly exciting and pumped up, some would say I cheated a bit (I heard that a lot). I was given the new Trend eBike to ride- a premium electric bicycle soon to hit SA stores! A very cool, trendy, eco-friendly alternative to a car. Look out for the initial launch of Trend eBike at the Hermanus Whale festive in September

The next moonlight mass cycle in Cape Town is on the 4 August- join the revolution!

For more info on moonlight mass cycle follow the event on twitter @moonlightmass, and @trend_e_bike for updates on the Trend eBike

A good morning hike!

Hiking has become one of my favourite things to do! A great form of excercise and also a really good way to meet people from all walks of life (pun intended:). Great for the body, mind and soul. I recommend joining a hiking club. If you're in the Cape Town area there's a great hiking group called Tuesday's Child started by my friend Michelle. The main hikes are (you guessed it) every tuesday bright and early in the morning.

Start your day off on a high!..;)

Here are a few pics from the last hike at Celia Forest...

These are a few of my favourite things

When in Cape Town- wine taste! I've found some hidden gems this week...

La Petitie Ferme, a wine farm in Franschoek just outside of Cape Town near Stellenbosch was my hidden delight. I caught up with a friend from London where we decided to ditch the conventional 'meet you for coffee at the mall' and instead, venture out into the magestic winelands of the Cape. Forty five minutes later we found ourselves sitting on the grass of this idyllic old french winefarm, with a bottle of La Petite Ferme Shiraz, a cheese platter for two and a view overlooking Franschoek at its best. A picture-perfect, relaxed setting, with good handcrafted wines- well priced and a good range. Totally worth the drive out. I couldn't have thought of a better way to show off Cape Town to this Londoner:)

Franschhoek has some really great restaurants. Try Huguenot street for a trendy hotspot. My favourites are The Common Room, Reuben's and The Grill Room

Next up was French Toast, wine and tapas bar on Bree street, with a wine tasting evening hosted by Eat out magazine and Monis. This once old city warehouse has been transformed into a sophisticated venue specializing in local and overseas wines. Think 1950's Paris vibes.

Monis held a tasting of their port wines. I've never been a fan of port, but after the wine tasting I've taken quite a liking to it. My favourite is the Mascadel 1991, with a good old malva pudding dessert of course:) A great evening spent with friends, in a loungy atmosphere of easy elegance. Needless to say, we "toasted to the good things in life".

To Cape winefarms and bars that boast world-class sophistication, and to fresh local neighbourhood restaurants that ooze simplicity- These are just a few of my favourite things.

Visit Eatout for SA's 1000 best places to eat

My Saturday morning delight!

I love markets. I love trendy "up-market" organic markets more. The Neighbour Market in Woodstock (Cape Town) embodies just this. The best part is that I didn't have to wake up super early this morning (as you usually do with other markets if you want in on the goodstuff). Opening at 9-2pm this market was my Saturday morning delight! Lets start with the food (oh the food!)... if you love fresh organic deli food- homemade pastries, freshly baked breads, quality cheeses, fine-wine, homemade jams, pestos and more, then you're in for a treat. With one long table to sit down and eat, there's a relaxed atmosphere lending itself to sharing food with friends, which is what I think markets are all about. And of course clothes, where you can find some good vintage buys. However don't expect "market" prices, as these designer clothes are not exactly "market" cheap. The average price for a blouse/ dress is around R450- but that being said you get what you pay for. The Vintage market is on Sundays.

An organic market wouldn't truly be organic without eco-friendly practices... The market has recycling depots and most of the stores are ethical and eco-friendly.

Community living at its best- this market exudes Cape Town living, and makes us rethink how we buy and consume by going directly to the source. Its one of my new favourite places!

YUM!

Visit neighbourhood market for more info