I had an unusual request a few weeks back, Rachel Sims a student at the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales  was doing a design project on Bush Tucker, she asked for a lot of different seeds, herbs and spices to complete the work.  She kindly sent the finished project to me to take a look and I was blown away, it is fantastic. 

"The aim of the project to establish new behaviours and attitudes towards Australia's native cuisine. The intent is to educate urban dwellers, redirecting their practice and broadening their knowledge of native food consumption" quote from Rachel's project

After being involved in Aboriginal art and culture for many years it has been a bit of an uphill battle to get non indigenous Australians to take the time to reflect on the paintings or try bush food.  After seeing a project like Rachel's it really gives me much joy to realize that the message has not ony got thru as to the importance of this land and what it produces, but also, that the message is understood.

"The quintessence of the project is to objectify bush tucker being an essential part of urban and rural Australia" quote from Rachel's project

Art reflects the emotions of the people at the time, it always has and always will.....Australian Aboriginal Art is now recognized as a world-wide art movement and as Australians we embrace it in every way, from the gifts that we give to overseas visitors to large companies like Qantas and at events such as our Olympic Games, proudly displaying Aboriginal icons and motifs.

The bush food industry is still in it's early days, but I am hopeful that within the next few years each Australian kitchen cupboard will have some food that is a native to this land and be able to incorporate it into their own every-day cooking with confidence. 

Rachel has kindly let me put a link thru to her project, please take the time to reflect on it and enjoy, not only the work that she's put into it, but also the valuable message.

Project 'Bush Tucker Taste Tradition'

I had a wonderful time talking to nearly 100 kindergarten teachers from Knox city in Melbourne.  It's fantastic to see such a lot of interest in creating bushfood gardens where the children can see some of our native plants grow and also be able to cook and eat them.  We made wattleseed ice-cream which was a real winner and an easy recipe to make, as well as that a bush tomato sauce with lemon myrtle pasta.  Keep up the good work.

I think that we've all been thru the situation when you need to buy a gift for someone and don't know what to give.  Ah yes, the humble tea towel has been given for Mother's Days, overseas gifts as they pack flat and Christmas presents.  How many times have our mothers and grandmothers wrapped freshly baked scones in them or the picnic sandwiches.  Tea towels have their place in history and even today when dishwahsers grace most kitchens (thank goodness!!) there is still a spot hanging from the oven handle for a tea towel.  These new Aboriginal designer tea towels are just the shot, you'd be proud to give one of these as a gift, use it as a wall-hanging or otherwise let it add a spash of colour to your kitchen.

Christmas isn't far off and the daunting task of finding gifts is on.  For some of us, the organised ones that is, it's never a problem and I've know people who shop all year for their Christmas gifts.  Unfortunately I'm not one of those, it's always been "last minute" and if my website customers are anything to go by, then that is the normal thing for most of us.  I've just got these drink bottles in and I reckon they'd made a great Christmas gift.  As well as the great designs they are practical, made with stainless steel so will take hot and cold drinks and made a really good practical gift, one that whoever receives it will actually get some use out of  go to bottles

If you have 4 people you have to buy for I've got a special offer for these bottles, instead of $21.00 each buy 4 for $72.00 (that's $18.00 each) go to our Christmas hampers section  for this special offer.