TIGblogs - Enigma's TIGBlog http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us He's out of our lives... http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/715995 WELL what I day, I guess I'm still in shock. This morning Michael Jackson died. In the background, as I write this blog, I have his song She's Out of My Life playing. It was such a shock when my boss burst into the room breaking the news. I had heard on the radio earlier that he had been rushed to hospital, but it didn't sink in, I didn't think it was serious. He's the King of Pop man. But it's real. He's gone. The King of Pop is dead.

Although I'm a bit young to have been around at the beginnings of his career in Jackson 5 and Off The Wall, I still kinda grew up with his music being played. My Mum was a big fan of his and Michael Jackson was always playing on the records/tapes and later CDs at home. It was also my Mum's birthday today, but I guess this kinda put a dampener on that for her.
Michael was legend man! His songs were transgenerational and Michael may not have got to live forever like he wanted, but his songs will definately live for forever for him, as his legacy. Especially the early songs from back singing with his brothers and the MoTown days, to Off the Wall and of course Thriller.


I'm going to end this post with a couple of vids of two of my favourite songs of his... Smooth Criminal and Black and White




My heart goes out to his 3 kids Prince, Paris and Blanket and to the rest of his family. Love you Michael always and forever xxx May you rest in peace. Peace be upon your family in this tragic time for all your fans and friends but especially for the Jackson family.
]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:06:00 EDT http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/715995 Getting back on the wagon http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/701013
Anyway, the first trimester of uni is almost over (last exam this Saturday) and I should actually be studying right now but what the hell! The reason I'm resuming writing to this blog is I am really thinking how I need to get back on the treehugger bandwagon. So I'm thinking I need a new challenge to help re-motivate me. After all, the climate change problem isn't going to go away on its own now is it. Every individual action counts. Which leads me to Greenpeace's latest campaign Sign On. With ambassadors such as Lucy Lawless and Keisha Castle-Hughes, Greenpeace is attempting to recruit as many people as possible to convince PM John Key to sign on to a 40 percent emission reduction target by 2020 in Copenhagen. Have u signed on yet? The world needs us because there is NO PLANET B.

Check out the vid below:



Okay, now back to my new challenge. As you know if you've been reading my blog since the beginning, I started manaakipapatuanuku with the six-month buy nothing challenge which had mixed results - although shortterm.

Now I'm going to look to another global pollution problem - PLASTIC. The problem with plastic is that it doesn't biodegrade, it photodegrades. Meaning it breaks up in light into smaller and smaller pieces which are dangerous to sea and bird life as these micro pieces of plastic are mistaken for food. There's also the chemical/toxic make up of plastic - it's basically oil and as we all know oil is a finite resource and peak oil is another constant threat. So to do my bit I'm going to attempt to cut plastic out of by life for good. To go on a plastic-free diet so to speak. I will be following in the footsteps of other plastic-free bloggers such as Fake Plastic Fish and Life Less Plastic and trawling through their blog-chives for inspiration and tips.

It's not going to be easy with temptation everywhere in this plastic world. But alas, just like the oil age, I think the plastic-age is coming to an end. But unfortunately existing plastic is going to be overstaying in our environment for millions of years yet.

So here's to:
- saying no to new plastic (I will retain existing plastic and buy post-consumer recycled plastic items)
- finding alternatives to plastic
- pushing for a plastic recycling plant in NZ (all our plastic we put in the recycling at present is being shipped to China. We should be cleaning up our own mess not shoving it onto someone else to take care of).

Here's to a new start and a life without plastic! XD
]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:06:00 EDT http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/701013 A new life in the city http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/610615 I KNOW it's been awhile since I last wrote on here. With moving towns and starting university it's been pretty hectic and I don't have internet access at home yet (I'm writing this on Campus). Anywho, for those who don't know yet I have left the meat-obsessed freezing works town Wairoa and am now residing in Wellington - Paraparaumu to be precise - commuting to Victoria University. I'm studying towards a BA in Maori and Anthropology.

One thing I've noticed so far in the vaast increase in diversity of city life and people compared to the town where everyone knows your name. There are so many different type of people here and as a result so many types of food options. For example, it's so much easier to find vegetarian options when eatting out at cafes AND fast food joints. It helps that I'm no longer limited to fish and chips, pies and Chinese takeaways too...

Anyway, this was just a quick update as I find time from my busy schedule.

-M]]> Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:03:00 EDT http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/610615 And now he might save Kiwi bacon... http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/599517 JAMIE OLIVER ASKED TO SAVE KIWI PIGS

BRITISH celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (pictured) will soon learn about how pigs are being made to suffer on New Zealand farms.

Animal advocates say standards on New Zealand pig farms will no doubt shock the pig-friendly celebrity chef. Footage obtained from inside New Zealand pig farms is being sent to Jamie Oliver this week in an effort to add international pressure to a campaign to improve pig welfare in New Zealand.

National animal advocacy organisation SAFE (Save Animals from Expoitation) says New Zealand pig farms fall well below standards in the United Kingdom, particularly since kiwi
farmers continue to use cruel sow stalls in which to keep pregnant sows. The group says New Zealand must follow the UK by banning the use of sow stalls.

“New Zealanders watching last night’s 90-minute programme, Jamie Saves Our Bacon, will be shocked to learn that those abhorrent farming systems are also commonplace in New Zealand,” says campaign director of SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek.

This year the New Zealand government is expected to review pig farming standards because sow stalls and farrowing crates have been found to be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

“New Zealand cruelly confines over 20,000 pregnant sows in stalls so small they can’t even turn around. Because sow stalls are banned in the UK we are calling on Jamie Oliver to support SAFE’s call to ban sow stalls to improve pig farming standards in New Zealand. The government is unlikely to act without such international pressure,” Mr Kriek says.

SAFE’s campaign to end the factory farming of pigs in New Zealand is gaining momentum. Over 35 MPs, actors, musicians and well-known personalities such as Auckland mayor John Banks, actors Robyn Malcolm and Tammy Davis, and television personality Jaquie Brown have added their support to help pigs in New Zealand.

ACTION: SAFE LovePigs campaigners will be travelling on busy
Auckland
city buses during peak hours tomorrow (Thursday, February
26) to remind tightly-packed commuters that pigs endure similar conditions
for their entire lives.
]]> Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:02:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/599517 "Pigs are massively intelligent animals" http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/598597 I'M CONTINUING the pig rant a bit. I just finished watching my favourite doctor House on the telly tonight and after it finished, flicked the remote to ONE and just happened to catch the last few minutes of British chef Jamie Oliver's expose Jamie Saves Our Bacon. The programme was based UK and European pig markets and how the the UK has one of the highest animal-welfare standards in the world in terms of pig farming. But their local farmers are getting undercut by the European pork industry, who have lower standards, but offer cheaper meat.

I'm not sure what the delio is with NZ Pig Farms and how they measure up with Britain's high standards. But after watching this I would like to find out. Where do I start looking? Does anyone know any commercial free-range pig farmers, preferably in the Hawke's Bay area, that would be happy to take me on a tour? Or even where I can source some information on New Zealand's animal-welfare standards for pig farming?

Another thing Jamie mentioned, and I've already heard this before from other sources, but pigs are really intelligent, highly sociable, and very clean animals. Just watch these videos exerpts below from Jamie Saves Our Bacon:




]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:02:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/598597 Internet copyright law delayed http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/597839 PARTICIPANTS in the New Zealand internet blackout protest have had a minor success.

Today was the day that Kiwi internet users united to black out their blogs, websites and social network pages in a bid to press the government to repel Section 92A of the Copyright Amendment Act.

It had been due to come into effect on February 28, but today Prime Minister John Key announced the controversal law would be delayed for one month, until March 27, to see if the sector could make it workable.]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:02:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/597839 Internet Black Out http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/595669 New Zealand's new Copyright Law presumes 'Guilt Upon Accusation' and will Cut Off Internet Connections without a trial. CreativeFreedom.org.nz is against this unjust law - help us


Creative Freedom is calling for fellow New Zealander's to black out their blogs, websites, bebo, myspace and facebook and other social networking pages between February 16-23.

The Internet Blackout is a protest against guilt upon accusation laws in NZ, 'Section 92A', that calls for internet disconnection based on accusations of copyright infringement without a trial and without any evidence held up to court scrutiny. This is due to come into effect on February 28 unless immediate action is taken by the National Party.

Several people took their protests to the parliament steps in Wellington yesterday, where protest leaders handed over a digital petition which so far has received over 13,000 signatures.

You can join the campaign by blogging about this unjust law and spreading the message and blacking out your bebo, myspace and facebook profiles. Find out how to black out your profile here.]]> Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:02:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/595669 My vege dishes are catching... http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/593609 MY carnivorous family in the meat-obsessed freezing works town are finally starting to catch on to the vegetable dishes can be nice too.

Sunday was the first day of the Wairoa Races, a highlighted family day out for the district. So we had the whole whanau hauling leftovers from aunty and uncle's wedding the day before from the marae to the racecourse for a picnic day out and, for some, a continuation of the party started the night before. Literally, some people COUGHbrideCOUGHgroomCOUGH (sorry got a bit of a cold today) had not even been to bed. Anywho... good times! Well, from what I can remember anyway, it all gets a bit vague towards the end of the night...

So with all the leftover food from the wedding I thought I'd also chuck in the car the zucchini quiche I made from the last oversized marrow in the fridge. At first some of the carnivorous family were like, "that's OK, we'll just mix it in with the bacon and egg pie", but really most were open-minded and thought they would at least try it. Thirty minutes later, when nearly everyone's had lunch, people are coming up to me commenting on how delicious the quiche was and how I made it. I'm sitting there grinning from ear to ear smiling modestly, and next thing I go to grab myself another piece and there's like three portions left!!

It's baby steps, but still a start of encouraging more plant consumption and less meat. Yes, I do acknowledge that freezing works is the backbone of the economy in this small town - it pays the bills for several of households in my whanau. The fact remains that meat uses up several times as much resources to produce as fruit and vegetable production - in particular the amount of water used. SAFE's Quit Meat campaign and Greenpeace (see links in my sidebar) have some information on this.]]> Sun, 15 Feb 2009 09:02:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/593609 Waste reduction update http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/590703 OKAY so this isn't Sunday or a confessional, like I'm meant to be doing for Crunchy's Food Waste Reduction Challenge for February 2009, but nevertheless, here's an update on how I'm doing.

I actually was doing quite well with the not wasting food thing. I've been reusing all the vegetarian leftovers in the house as lunch the next day. I made a zucchini queche that like lasted me all week because the carnivores I live with my family didn't really fancy any of my vegetarian delectables. I even made a chocolate zucchini cake to use up the last (almost, still a bit left) of zucchini's marrows we've been landed with. The cake was delicious, but unfortunately only half was eaten and I forgot about the rest that has been sitting in an ice cream container at the back of my car since I got back from Raggamuffin on Sunday (sorry, did I gross you out just a tad there?).

Now I've just one more marrow to get rid of (fingers xed) and tomorrow after work I'm going to make a great big super quiche to take to my aunties wedding on Saturday (valentines, how sweet...). Sorry, I should stop faking that I actually give a damn that it's valentines day on Saturday (note the lack of capital letters), it's the most overrated commercial consumer-driven event of the year. And I'm not just saying that because I'm single, even if I was in a relationship I would refuse to acknowledge it and be pissed off if I received a gift just because it was V-day.

But irregardless of my feelings towards the stigma of February 14, kudos to my aunty and uncle for finally deciding to tie the knot!! I wish them the best really and look forward to being their official photographer (co-photographer actually with cussie A).]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:02:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/590703 Zucchini madness and Venetian Princess http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/617711 THANKS to all who posted zucchini recipe ideas. I still haven't attempted to make the pickle, but I did fry up some zucchini fritters for tea the other night (thanks Johanna) and on SweetP's suggestion I found a chocolate zucchini recipe, which I just attempted tonight. Haven't tried it yet but it looks good! And should be a good snack to take to Raggamuffin on Saturday.

Anyway, just some random stuff for today's blog. I was surfing You Tube and watched the latest clip from Venetian Princess who posts some funny as blogs mocking popular songs, check out her Womanizer parody of Britney's song. Anyway, she also does Miley Cyrus parody's and since I absolutely can't stand Miley I thought I'd post this clip in hope that you'll subscribe to Venetian Princess on You Tube so, in VP's own words, "the number one spot can be a normal girl" so she can beat Miley!

Here's the video below, or click here. Join the team VP campaign! lol XD


]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:02:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/617711 Reducing food waste http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/581445
THIS month I'm taking part in the Food Waste Reduction Challenge being sponsored by The Crunchy Chicken blog. Not that our food waste really actually goes too waste, I mean most of it goes to my uncles pigs and a little to the compost.
Anywho, it's only February 1, but I have already started thinking about ways to use up some of the stuff in the fridge that is borderline dodgy. Just tonight I made a quiche/pie type thingy using one of the very large zucchini's from a bag of them given to us by Pa's friend down the road. I also used up several old little blocks of cheese that were starting to go so hard it was almost parmesan, and a bowl of cherry tomatoes picked from the garden vines, which are loaded at the moment. Since we'd already had tea when I cooked it, I suspect it will make for some scrumptious lunches at work for the next day or two.
The recipe was loosely based on a similar quiche Pa baked a few weeks ago, except I used flaky puff pastry instead of filo. Nothing fancy really, but here's roughly the recipe I used:
  • In a pan I fried one large grated zucchini (probably about 4 regular sized ones), one onion chopped and one clove garlic chopped in a little olive oil.
  • After the initial mixture was a bit browned, I chucked in a half a beefsteak tomato and left over cooked kamokamo (cut up small) and fried for a bit longer.
  • Crack a couple of eggs, beat, and chucked them in the pan and mixed it all up then took it off the heat.
  • Grease a baking dish (I used a square cake tin) and line it with the flaky puff pastry.
  • Slice up cheese and line the bottom of the pie.
  • Add filling. Then top with cherry tomatoes sliced in half.
  • Cut one more slice of pastry into striples and lay over the top in a criss-cross pattern.
  • Pop in the oven at about 160 degrees Celsius for around half and hour or until pastry is crisp/brown. Serves 4-6 (large slices).

I'm not really sure what we're going to do with the rest of the bag of zucchini's but this recipe for zucchini pickle highlighted in last Friday's Get Growing newsletter from NZ Gardener might be a possibility. It doesn't hurt to try it and the recipe doesn't look too difficult. Surely even I can muster it.

]]> Sun, 01 Feb 2009 02:02:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/581445 I'm still here!!! http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/580253 JUST a quick post to let you know I'm still alive, and an update on where I'm at. I just noticed that I haven't actually posted since New Year's Eve, so this is also the first post of 2009.

At the moment I'm just taking a break from the very intense Australian Open tennis semi-final between the very hot talented Rafael Nadal and another equally talented, and also left-handed like Rafa, and almost as hot Spanish lad whose name escapes me - Fernando??? The Fernando guy just one the first set in a tie breaker.

Anywho...
The big news from me for '09 is that I'm giving up journalism. Well for now anyway, taking a break. I've handed in my resignation and finish my job at the community newspaper and am uplifting from meat-obsessed East Coast town to go to Wellington at the end of February. In March, I start a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Maori Studies at Victoria University.]]> Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:01:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/580253 We need a resolution http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/561391 THIS is the time of year when people all start trying to get motivated about changing their lifestyle for the year ahead. I am no exception, and even though I often make resolutions, I seldom keep/complete them. This year though I'm going to try and change that. In the words of the great Aaliyah "we need a resolution".

Hear are my New Year's Resolutions for the year 2009: -

  • Go somewhere that I've never been before
  • Take risks, go with my gut more
  • Read the bible (both old and new testaments)
  • Try and do something every day (0r atleast once a week) that I've never done before
  • Spend more time with family
  • Walk more/bike more.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/561391 Unwrapping Christmas http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/561393 CHRISTMAS 2008 came and went and, judging from some of the gifts I received, I guess some some of my environmental sustainability messages are getting through.

For a start, Mum got me this steel watering can, yes you heard right, steel NOT plastic (FPF would be so proud). Then Dad sent e another parcel which included the two pictured items: - organic handwash which is also not tested on animals and a teacup-shaped soap which the label proudly declares is not tested on animals. I'm not sure if it still contains tallow or not but it's close enough. There was also a Kaffir Lime moisturiser which was not tested on animals but I don't have a photo because I left it in Dannevirke.
Anywho, now it's new year's eve and I'm here sitting on the computer getting drunk by myself. I was just playing Kiwi Trivial Pursuit with my aunty, cousin, nan and pa, but now we're all getting ready for bed - having a big whanau dinner with all the Harker's tomorrow evening. Now just to decide on my New Year's Resolutions (I'm determined to actually make an effort to keep them this year) and since I'm starting Uni in March that could be one of them - to finish my first year of study towards a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Maori and Anthropology.
Next weekend is the Parihaka International Peace Festival so I hope to see some familiar faces there again this time around.
-M
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/561393 In the garden again http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558309 I WENT to the plant market in Gisborne today. Bought some more eggplants and put them in the garden when I got home this arvo. I also bought a few marigolds (apparently to keep away the bugs), a watermelon, some sunflowers and punnet of 6 Cape Gooseberry plants.

I've always wanted to have a go at growing gooseberries ever since my Mum and I discovered some growing wild from dumbed organice matter on the river bank in Kopu Road about 10 years ago. I never have been able to find that spot again since we moved from the house we stayed at then. And ever since I got a taste for them, I have never been able to find any being sold in shops anywhere and have wanted to have a go at growing my own. So I've planted two of the plants so far. Not sure where I'm going to put the others, since apparently they grow quite big and bushy. Not sure when their season is or how long they take to mature but hopefully I could be enjoying fresh gooseberries sometime next year.

Has anyone grown gooseberries before? When do the season (I'm guessing Autumn)? And the seedling plant has quite a long stalk, do I need to stake it? It seems to be holding itself up but it's still small.]]> Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558309 More vegetarian Christmas recipes and in the garden http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558311 BBC website here. They've put together two vegan menus - one with traditional flavours and the other one a little bit spicy.

And in the garden today we finally had some rain this afternoon! I thought it would be more, considering how the thunder rumpled behind the hills, but the storm obviously had other ideas and moved on pretty fast. Gave the plants a good enough soaking though but no doubt the farmers will still be moaning that it's not enough - particularly the dairy farmers - and it probably wasn't enough for them.

I picked my first two Black Beauty zucchinis today! Only little ones but both plants have got loads of flowers on them so hopefully by this time next month I'll have zucchinis coming out my ears!

Picked 4 strawberries, nice and big and juicy too but I have to be in quick to beat the birds so sometimes I pick them when they're not quite completely red and put them on the window sill in the kitchen to ripen. It works for tomatoes so why not for these too.

The tomatoes, both mine an Pa's, are starting to get green fruits on them but no sign of reddening yet.

Maori potatoes are finally starting to get going, will pop another tyre over them this weekend.

Oh yeah, one of my plant pots which I have some beetroot seedlings coming up has also started to sprout mushrooms. Not sure if they're an edible variety though so I promptly pulled them out. Hmmm, maybe it's time to change the soil in that particular pot... I might re-pot those seedlings and do that this weekend.]]> Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558311 A vegetarian Christmas dinner http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558313 SINCE I'm the only vegetarian around the family Christmas dinner table, unfortunately I can't have a completely meat-free menu. At this stage in life it would be unexpectable for my family if a dished up Christmas dinner without the ham, much as I'd love to do. But it doesn't mean I have to bend my principles and here's a couple of tasty vegetarian (and also vegan friendly) recipes I have tried out in previous years.

VegWeb is a great place to start when looking for vegetarian and vegan recipes and while browsing the site I found this Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie (pictured) which is a really easy no cook recipe, similar to a cheese cake in method and texture.

I can't find the exact recipe I used that time but here's a similar one. I don't know where to get the ready made graham cracker crust she talks about in the recipe but I found malt biscuits crushed and mixed with vegan butter (i.e olivani) works fine. The recipe also has a chocolate topping, which I didn't. Instead I grated some of the remaining dark chocolate (fair trade and organic) over the top and decorated with chopped strawberries.

My other recipe can be a side or main dish. It is imaginatively called Mushroom Stuffed Filo Parcels: -
You will need: 6 medium sized field mushrooms (flat), Oil to fry mushrooms, 1 packet of fresh or frozen filo pastry, 25 grams of vegan margarine (melted), cranberry sauce.
And for the hazelnut stuffing: 1 packet vegetarian stuffing mix (or bread crumbs), parsley, lemon, thyme, 1 small onion (finely chopped), 1 stick celery (finely chopped), 15g vegan margarine, 25-50g roased hazelnuts chopped (I couldn't find hazelnuts but found pine nuts worked fine) and soy milk for binding.


Directions:
  • Pre-heat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius on fan bake
  • Fry mushrooms for 3-4 minutes on each side until tender, then cool
  • Make up the stuffing mix of your choice
  • Fry the onion and celery in the margarine and then add the stuffing mix and nuts. Add a little Soy milk if necessary to bind together. Leave to cool
  • Fill each flat field mushroom with the stuffing mixture
  • Take 3 sheets of filo pastry at a time. Cut in half so you have 10-12.5cm squares
  • Take one square and brush with melted butter or margarine. Place another square on top at an angle and brush again. Do the same with the third sheet.
  • Place a stuffed mushroom in the middle of the filo and top with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce
  • Bring the edges of the pastry up together and pinch them to form a little parcel (moneybag shape)
  • Repeat with rest of the parcels. Brush with melted margarine and place on a greased baking tray
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Serve dish hot with extra cranberry sauce. Serves 4-6.

NB: If you don't want to cook the parcels straight away you can put them in a sealed container and store in the freezer and whip them into the oven when you're ready for them.

]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558313 Vegetarianism http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558315 FOR the past couple of years I have been an on-again-off-again vegetarian and leading up to last Christmas I was trying to be a vegan - that lasted until Christmas dinner when my uncle brought out the freshly caught smoked trout.

Now I'm almost a vegetarian except I just can't seem to give up fish and chicken. Beef, mutton, even pork, I've never really liked that much anyway so those were easy to give up. Now some readers are probably now going to say "why bother giving up chicken and fish, you're crazy!". But the thing is, while I still eat chicken, I feel guilty every time - like someone on a low-carb diet might feel guilty munching a donut. If the guilt of discriminating chickens and fish but eatting those and not other meat wasn't enough the environment is another reason to quit meat - although I know this is a very contentious if not controversial issue.


So that leaves two options: (a) I Tell people I'm a vegetarian but still eat chicken and fish sometimes but that always leads to the "but what makes the other animals so special?" line. or (b) Just tell people I don't eat meat, which is like saying I'm fussy. Not a good look, especially when you're a guest and someone's place for dinner.

Now I'm thinking of trying hypnotism to give up chicken and fish. I mean people do it all the time for losing weight and quitting smoking. Why not use it to quit chicken and fish? If there was a way that a hypnotist can make it so that I don't like the taste of those meats. Okay so where do I find me a hypnotist?

Has anyone tried hypnotherapy for anything? What was your experience?]]> Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558315 In my garden and homegrown Christmas gifts http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558317 PLANTED some eggplants (aubergine) in the weekend. Two types, as well as five of the standard large fruiting type I also got a miniature bambino (or black egg) variety which has a smaller fruit. It's meant to be good for growing in pots so if you're short on space this will be a good plant. I've got it growing in a tyre. The garden centre only at the bambino one. I only just happened to be in the supermarket and they just happened to have some Awapuni eggplant seedlings. Must've just arrived because when I was in there again the next day there were none left so obviously a popular choice for the vegetable garden.

This is the second time I've attempted growing eggplants. Last year I didn't have much luck on the fruiting although the plant and leaves were huge! So obvious something missing from the soil. Any advice on what kind of organic fertiliser would help encourage fruit? I think potassium but not sure. I know for tomatoes pot ash works, can I put that on my egg plants too??

Just got a press release from Awapuni nurseries, which suggests gifting potted herb or flower seedlings this Christmas:

There’s no doubt the country is experiencing an economic downturn and,
with Christmas on the way, many Kiwis could get in over their heads buying
presents.

Awapuni gardening guru, Tod Palenski, says the solution is to invest
time and creativity not cash into gift giving this year.

“Christmas is about showing friends and family that you love them, and
nothing says that better than giving them something you’ve made
yourself.”

Tod says last year his children have made inexpensive gifts for their
grandparents by painting terracotta pots and planting them with
seedlings.

“Teracotta pots are very economical, and if you paint them with
testpots you’ll create a waterproof seal which helps prevent the pot and the
soil from drying out. "

When your budding Picassos have finished and their masterpieces have
had a chance to dry (and the kids have cleaned themselves up), Tod recommends
filling them with a quality potting mix containing a slow-release fertiliser.

“A slow-release fertiliser will feed the plants for up to four months
and will ensure the best growth possible.”

The final step is the fun bit – choosing and planting seedlings. If you
can’t face braving the maddening crowds at the supermarket, Awapuni has the
solution – online shopping. Their entire range is available on their website
(www.awapuni.co.nz)
and can be delivered to your door in a matter of days.

“Choosing what to plant is probably the hardest part, but the key is to
think about the recipient and what they’ll like the most.”

For girly-girls, grandmas and older aunts, Tod recommends pretty,
traditional seedlings, like Awapuni’s portulacca, impatiens and
petunias.

“Aspiring cooks and foodies will appreciate a mini garden of herbs,
planted in a large square or rectangle pot, which they can use in their gourmet
creations. Basil, coriander, parsley and mint all grow well in pots – and you
could even throw in a few cherry tomato plants.”

For friends and family who like to make a statement, pots painted gold
or silver with seedlings of bright redskin dahlias, dwarf asters and lobelia
make a dramatic statement, and look great as a Christmas table centrepiece. To
plant the seedlings, poke a hole in the soil with your finger and gently place a
seedling in.

“Awapuni’s Pop’n’Grow range makes this easy because each seedling has
its own individual root system, so you don’t break the delicate roots separating
each plant. They’re child’s play to plant and grow!”

Tod’s top tip this Christmas is to make the gifts as close to the big
day as possible, so they’re fresh and lively looking.

“Wrap them in foil wrapping paper or cellophane so the wrapping doesn’t
get soggy, and take care not to over-water them.

“This Christmas, spend some time, not a fortune on your presents,” says
Tod.

“Friends and family will appreciate the effort you’ve put in and
they’ll have a gift that lasts. Besides, anything’s better than another pair of
socks or packet of scorched almonds!"

Meanwhile, also going on in my garden at the moment: My moneymaker tomatoes are showing their first fruits - although still green. One of my strawberry patches has already been supplying me with berries although the other one doesn't seem to be doing so well. I suspect it might be too shady (I have them under the rimu trees).
Silverbeet's gone to seed, but I've got some coloured seedlings just starting to sprout in pots as well as marigold seeds which are yet to come up yet. Planted some Mrs Burns heirloom lemon basil. My Maori potatoes are growing very slowly. I should probably remember to water them a bit more regularly. Parsley is going to seed. Both zucchini plants are flowering and I noticed the beginnings of fruits today. Pa's tomato and pepper patch is thriving.
]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558317 Finding time for DIY and greening Christmas http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558319 OF COURSE Murphy's law would have it that when I decide I'm going to make all my Christmas presents this year then I just can't find the time. I have plenty of ideas involving harakeke (flax) weaving, knitting, painting, planting and baking but have been hectic at work and keeping up with my share of the housework that I can't find time.

I have made a start though:
  • I've almost finished knitting a beanie for Nan (to replace the one I knitted ages ago which a certain aunty borrowed and obviously liked it so much) so I thought I would make her another one. Only I ran out of red acrylic yarn and haven't got to the shop to my anymore yet.
  • A knitted beanie and a dozen secondhand golfballs for Pa.
  • I've got most of the photos printed for Mum and H's present but haven't put it together yet.
  • Still got to order brother P's present.
  • Not sure what I'm gonna get Dad and S yet or T and M (step siblings). I might pot up a herb for S...no not that kind of herb.

It seems I'm not the only one dreaming of a green Christmas. It seems Forest amp; Bird have the same idea. Infact, they've blogged about it here with suggestions like growing your own vegetables and fruits, buying local and getting green gifts. Some good suggestions so check it out if you haven't already.

]]> Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558319 WEEK 26: Revisiting the List http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558321 WHEN I started this challenge I compiled a list of things I wanted to buy when I finished the Buy Nothing Challenge. Now that I've completed the final week I think it's appropriate that I revisit the list and, after nearly six months, see what I think I might still want.

The List:
  • Auxillary chord - I will still get this so I can listen to my Ipod on my car stereo and other stereos.
  • ASUS EEE mini PC - I will still get this, but I've been looking around on Trade Me and I reckon I could pick up a good one second hand since they've been out for awhile now.
  • Chocolate - Although I LOVE chocolate, I'm currently boycotting the too main brands (Nestle and Cadbury) as according to Greenpeace's GE Food guide they may contain GE ingredients. At the moment I'm satisfying my sweet tooth with a spoonful of Molassis every morning (good vegetarian Iron source too) but I suspect I'll eventually get back to having a Whittakers Peanut Slab every now and then.
  • Tiki Taane CD - I've decided I'm going to start using iTunes and other legal download services and ditch the petro-plastic CD's in favour of virtual mp3 versions. Much less clutter in my bedroom and much better for the environment.
  • Car subs and speakers - I don't think this is necessary. I will hold off from this purchase for a while.

I've also added one extra thing that wasn't on the list. A Canon 45oD SLR digital camera. As I have started getting into photography lately and would like to have a decent camera. At work I use a 20D and since I'm used to Canon might as well as stick to that brand.

]]> Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558321 Been there, done that, bought NOTHING http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558323 AS I come to the final week of my six month Buy Nothing Challenge I can happily report that my Buy Nothing Weekend (incorporating International Buy Nothing Day on Saturday) went very well. It also helped that I only went into town once during the weekend to pick up my cousin, and pretty much stayed home for the rest of it. But with the exception of filling up the car with petrol, and going through the car wash (something I've been putting off for ages and just couldn't anymore because the cars so filthy), it was a successful weekend full of buying nothing.

I finish this challenge on December 5, this Friday, and while I know that I have still bought some things in the six months since June 5, I have probably made even more sacrifices and my bank balance also looks much healthier.

One such area of note is my wardrobe. Because I started at the beginning of winter I hadn't actually done very much shopping at all for warm clothes and as a result of not being able to buy any new clothes I developed a new appreciation for the clothes I did have from last winter. Suffice to say the few jerseys and jackets I have left from last winter got a very good wearing this winter. I also found that I have been wearing more of my clothes, and in different combinations, in a bid to get more variety out of my existing wardrobe to make up for the fact that I haven't been buying any new items. I still have my favourites though and those things probably got the most wear to the point that the materials possibly wearing a bit thin now from the amount of washes they've had.

I have learned to shop around more and think about what I want, impulse buying less. I have had six months of window shopping to practice that and most of the time my willpower has been strong enough to resist any impulse spluges.

As I countdown down to the final day of this challenge, I feel that I need something new for the new year. Then after reading Almost Mrs Average's The Rubbish Diet blog, and Mathew and Waveney's Rubbish Free Year attempts I think I've found one. I am going for a zero waste Christmas and a DIY Christmas Challenge. I'm going to try and make most of my Christmas presents, grow herbs and vegetables for my contribution to the family Christmas dinner and aim for a Zero Waste Christmas, or at least reduce our waste this year. For anyone else wanting to reduce their rubbish in the new year, Almost Mrs Average has blogged eight simple steps to slim your bin.

I really don't like to blog about my personal life but there is one other thing that's going to make this Christmas tough on myself and the rest of the family. This will be the first Christmas without my little brother who committed suicide in April. It makes it harder that since then the whanau has been getting more and more fragmented in the short time between then and now. It would be ideal if all of us extended whanau, cousins, Nan and Pa, Mum and Stepdad and bro were all having one big Christmas together. But as it is, it looks like this will also be the first Christmas where noone has really planned to host a big whanau get together and each little family seems to be doing our own things. It doesn't help that some of the fams have moved to different parts of the country or overseas, which is fine, I don't expect us all to live out of each others pockets forever. The timing just sucks is all.

Sorry for that big spiel. It might not seem like much to you reading this but this is actually the first time I have written those feelings out in the public like this. Actually, the first time I have written it at all. Once I started it just all started to pour out so if it doesn't really make sense to you it doesn't matter. The important thing to me is that I got it out, kind of a release.

-M]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:12:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558323 WEEK 25: Buy Nothing Day/Weekend, R U up 4 it? http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558325 THIS Saturday, November 29 is International Buy Nothing Day, a time to take a holiday from consumerism. A mild shopping detox perhaps. As you know from reading this blog, I have been attempting to extend the buy nothing day theme to six months and have just one more week to go.

The official BND uk website states that Buy Nothing Day is the biggest 24-hour moratorium against consumerism. People around the world will make a pact to take a break from shopping as a personal experiment or public statement and the best thing is - IT'S FREE!

My challenge to you out there is to extend Buy Nothing Day to Buy Nothing Weekend. So from Friday night when you get home from work, buy nothing until you get back to work on Monday morning. Because it's only a weekend, there are not exemptions, but you are allowed to prepare. Stock up on any necessary groceries so you don't run out, like milk, bread, toiletries etc.

Here are some things you might want to do for free to keep you occupied while buying nothing this weekend?
  • Read a book - you know that one that you've been wanting to read for ages but can never quite find the time
  • Start making Christmas gifts - get crafty and prepared for you DIY Christmas
  • Gardening - Plant some more summer crops, water or weed
  • Housework - Catch up on your housework (ofcourse if you're not, like me, too busy doing the above three options)
  • DVDs - Hire some movies out on your way home on Friday and just veg out in front of the telly.

So what do you say, R U up 4 it?

]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:11:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558325 Give green and save green http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558327 TREEHUGGER'S 2008 Holiday Gift Guide is a great place to start when looking for the environmentally-friendly presents for friends and whanau. It features more than 100 green gift ideas under several catergories in a bid to meet the likes of many different tastes - even your non-treehugger mates and rellies. Catergories include fashion, pop-culture, foodies and DIY but Check out the full range here.]]> Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:11:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558327 WEEK 24: DIY Christmas Challenge http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558329 IT'S that time of year again. Christmas is but a month away and as I wind down to the end of my six month Buy Nothing Challenge I am starting to think how I can implement my new-found philosophy into the silly season. And along the lines of Kiwi ingenuity, innovation and our love for the old DIY (do-it-yourself) the idea of a DIY Christmas sprang to mind.

I had already decided that this year I'm going to make Christmas gifts this year and have been thinking of other ways I can implement DIY, self-sufficiency and eco-consiousness into this Christmas. Here's some ideas I came up with:

  • Homegrown - Starting growing as many of the fruit, veges and herbs for Christmas dinner out of the garden. Things like basil, rosemary, chives, lettuce, beetroot, potatoes, tomatoes.
  • Bake bread - Learn how to make Maori Rewana bread.
  • Re-gifting - Got an old book, CD or something else that you don't like or want anymore that's still in really good condition. Re-gift it to a friend or family member you think might appreciate it more.
  • Get crafty - Unlease your inner artist and make something. Everyone has a talent whether it be painting, weaving, sewing, baking, knitting. For added creativity, move away from the traditional art canvas and mediums and do something like painting a flat stone or making a collage or photo frame of driftwood, shells and other items collected from the beach.
  • Photos - Capture a moment in a photograph as a treasured keepsake and put it in a lovely handmade frame (see above) as a way for the recipient to remember and treasure a special memory.
  • Recycle - Keep old Christmas wrap and reuse the following year or use old-newspapers with interesting designs on them. A work friend told me that when she was a poor uni student she collected copies of a Chinese newspaper offered free around the campus, captured by the interesting form of the characters, and used it as wrapping paper that year. Or you could ditch paper wrapping all together and use fabric, I find CanTeen bandannas that I buy every year during the annual appeal great. And it's supporting a cause.
  • A helping hand - Give a gift voucher offering a pamper service such as a free massage, babysitting or breakfast in bed.

Those are some. Anyone else is keen to take up the DIY Christmas Challenge? What other ways can I have a DIY Christmas?

]]> Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:11:00 EST http://AotearoaMaori.tigblog.org/post/558329