When I was Growing Up

In reflecting on the events of the past weeks, I am reminded of everyday health practices that I used growing up in a large family. We lived a modest life, living within our means. Both my parents were born during WW2, and my grandparents were born soon after WW1 and lived through the Depression. We ate…

Fook Shing

Located in Piper Street Kyneton, Fook Shing brings modern and vibrant south east Asian cuisine to life in an historic gold rush era pub. Fook Shing is named after the infamous Chinese Detective who was posted to the goldfields during Victoria’s Gold Rush. The policeman originally based in Melbourne’s Chinatown was the go to plain…

Wine online (or over the phone)

Athletes of Wine. athletesofwine.com.au Bindi Wines. https://bindiwines.com.au e: michael@bindiwines.com.au Botanica Estate. botanica-estate.com.au e: info@botanica-estate.com.au t: 0413 889 866 Chanters Ridge. chantersridge.myshopify.com/ Cloud 9 Farm. cloud9farm.com.au e: info@cloud9farm.com.au t: 0422 362 861 Cobaw Ridge. cobawridge.com.au/orderform.php e: cobawridge@bigpond.com t: 03 5423 5227 Curly Flat. curlyflat.com/buy-online e: office@curlyflat.com t: 03 5429 1956 Double Oaks Estate. doubleoaks.com.au/winery.html e: sales@doubleoaks.com.au t: 0433 762 629 Gisborne Peak. gisbornepeakwines.com.au/wine-store t: 03 5428 2228 or…

Harvest & Soul- Catering & Events

We are foodies and we are passionate about all things deliciousness! Our focus is on fresh, local and sustainable produce crafted into sophisticated, stylish and succulent menus. ​Harvest & Soul can provide a full range of catering and event services in any location. From the office boardroom or warehouse to the trendiest or most traditional…

Mushroom Mayhem

Foraging for edible mushrooms is gaining popularity in Australia. With their earthy fragrances of wet forest, mushrooms truly capture the essence of the cooler months. However, those who fancy collecting a few mushies for dinner should take heed. Dangerously poisonous species lurk among the edibles that could land you in hospital or even in the…

Open for Business

Businesses that have staff and have relied on a steady flow through their door, which has now dwindled into a shadow of its former self. Great news though, you can still support many of these places that you love. You may not be able to visit but can give them a big virtual online hug…

Same same but very different

Nothing should stop a local raffle from raising money for a needy community cause. Farmers Arms Hotel, in Daylesford, has taken their popular Friday night raffle live. Purchase your tickets in advance, and on Friday night watch as the excitement unfolds via their Facebook page. Our much-loved Bistro Terroir draws many visitors to our region.…

Curiosity the antidote to anxiety

Positive Psychology researcher Todd Kashdan, PhD, teaches that we can consciously decide to be curious. That focus lessens our sense of anxiety, and Carol Dweck calls this curious mindset a ‘growth mindset’ – a state of mind that allows us to see new possibilities. In times like these with the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and the…

RedBeard Historic Bakery’s Plain Sourdough Bread

RECIPE BY: John Reid Owner, RedBeard Historic Bakery, Trentham Cook Time 7 hours Servings 3 loaves Ingredients 850ml water 950g organic plain flour 200g stone ground organic wholewheat or wholerye flour 1 cup or 150g of starter 25g Pink Lake or iodised salt Method Roughly mix flour, water and starter by hand in a plastic tub, holding back…

Starting with sourdough

Around 6000 years ago, the Egyptians discovered how to make bread rise using natural fermentation. Ever since, bakers have kept a brew of fermenting flour and water called a leaven, or baker’s ‘wort’. Around two decades ago, RedBeard created wort from wild yeast and lactose bacteria harvested from potato skins, which is a traditional Scottish…

Virtual Spudfest

Our region’s rich, brown soil is ideal for growing potatoes; in fact, families have been growing them here since the gold rush days. Dotted around the region, you can see spud huts, the historic movable home used by potato diggers for many decades, and early in the year, bright green fields of potatoes colour the…

Cloverleaf Corriedale Stud

An artisinal producer of single source wool and yarn that is produced using ethical and sustainable practices. The stud sheep produce fleeces that are benchmarked for quality in state and national competitions and constantly win or place. Producing a medium wool that is great for spinning, the Victorian produced yarn is perfect for outerwear such…

Pink Muesli

Pink Muesli is a unique award-winning beetroot-based muesli made by a mother-son team in Blampied. Ingredients are sourced from local organic farms, hand-mixed in small batches and dehydrated over several hours to produce a nutritious crispy magenta-coloured product that tastes as good as it looks. The team is committed to supporting small local farms and…

Piper Street Food Co. Hot Cross Buns

PROVIDED BY: PIPER STREET FOOD CO., KYNETON Ingredients: Fruit Soak 125g Currants 125g Raisins 1 Orange – zest & Juice Spice Mix 10g Cinnamon 7g Nutmeg or Mace 7g Ginger 2g White Pepper Dough 500g Plain Flour 275-300g Water 100g Butter – diced 1 Egg – lightly beaten 15g Brown Sugar 10g Salt 5g Dried…

Farmers Arms Butternut Squash & Bean Ragout

PROVIDED BY: FARMERS ARMS HOTEL, DAYLESFORD Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 large onion, diced 500g butternut pumpkin peeled and diced 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground turmeric 2 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp dried chilli flakes 650g crushed tomato 1 tsp caster sugar 1 can 5 Bean…