Newsletter - December 2010

from the monthly eNews

recipes from DIY World in the monthly eNews

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Newsletter header

DECEMBER 2010

Dear Alfalfans,

For this last edition of the year we are trialling a new mode of delivering our eNews, which includes significant change to its design. This trial system is based on a web version of our newsletter instead of an attached .pdf document. Instead of downloading an attachment, this method relies on you clicking through to the articles of interest on our website. Hopefully you have received our December eNews without problems and will be curious enough to read through. Please, once you have checked it out, share any comments or issues with us via our CONTACT FORM.


		Calling all teddy bears - it's PICNIC TIME! Well, Alfalfa picnic time that is. Alfalfa House would like to invite all members, family and friends to our Christmas picnic. Visit our WEBSITE NEWS PAGE for details. HOLIDAY DATES - So you don't turn up and be disappointed we want to warn you that we will be closed over the Christmas weekend (25th to 28th inclusive) as well as the New Year weekend (1st to 3rd inclusive). New Year's Eve we will close early at 5pm. All other days we will be open as per normal hours. Some of Alfalfa's staff recently participated in the Global Consumers Cooperatives Conference and have provided a REPORT BACK. Last month MC approved two FOOD GRANTS - one for November and one for December. November's recipient was CROSS BORDER COLLECTIVE and the December award went to NUCLEAR FREEWAYS SYDNEY.


		What's new, back and out - Spring has definitely made itself felt with the first of the stone fruits making an appearance. Read Renata's FRUIT AND VEG UPDATE to find out which one! Interested in planting your own garden? Want to know when is the best time for what? Alfalfa celebrates both Summer and Christmas with a discount on its PLANTING CHARTS. Until we run out they are just $16+GST (reduced from $23). No further discount. CHRISTMAS TRADING - don't be disappointed by making sure you check out our order dates over Christmas. We'd love you to bulk order but there are some deadlines. Some members may have tried our garlic flowerbuds the last few weeks. Why not read up on all the beauty and benefits the garlic plant has to offer GARLIC PLANT FEATURE.


		An East Timor cup of coffee - Tradewinds is the first and only organisation in the world to be importing organic free trade coffee fully value added in East Timor. Read our BACKGROUND COFFEE FEATURE before trying some of Alfalfa's supply. What's new, back and out - as the heat picks up you may want to try our new chemical free sunscreen or sate your thirst on the flavoursome Red Dragon ginger beer. Click through to Monika's news on movements in the WORLD OF GROCERIES. Many suppliers will be closing for up to four weeks from late December which means certain items will be temporarily unavailable or in short supply. Read FURTHER INFORMATION on bulk orders, pre-pay orders and special Christmas trading. How about an easy to make festive hamper? Fill it with treats such as ... HAMPER IDEAS. There's no stopping you once you start.


		Lavender has a long history of helping out us humans. It's been used for medicinal purposes, as a relaxant and fragrance, as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, as an essential oil and cooking ingredient, to mention just a few. In fact, in Biblical times lavender was considered one of the holy herbs. Read our expert Naturopath, Elaine Parry's DETAILED LAVENDER GUIDE to find out why along with a recipe for Honey Lavender Butter. Want to know how to make your own flavoured oils? DO IT YOURSELF


		FROM A VOLUNTEER'S MOUTH - As we approach the end of another year Alfalfa is reflecting on all the hard work our volunteers have done during 2010. We can't do it all without you and we want each and every one to accept a ginormous, gigantine hug from us to you. From stock-take to film nights, cooking and collective tea, unpacking and refilling, gardening and recycling, the tasks are many and varied and the work behind them most appreciated. If volunteering is something you've thought about but haven't yet made it in, perhaps an account from regular ALFALFA VOLUNTEER ANTHONY KRITHINAKIS will help you take that first step.


		Alfalfa House is trialling a new section to our regular newsletter. We're calling it our Shout Out and it's for you, our members, to share some ideas and activities. If you think you have something to shout about, take a moment to read OUR TERMS and let us know if it fits the criteria. For our first Shout Out, we'd like to show off our volunteer designer for this December issue newsletter. Anais Taylor provided the design elements and we hope you enjoy the change of flavour. If you like Anais' style, you may also be interested in her SEASONAL PRODUCE CALENDAR 2011. In the hunt for more present ideas, another of our avid Alfalfan members, Michele Margolis, would like to Shout Out about the permaculture diary. Described as a "year of inspiration" and the "perfect ethical gift" you can visit the PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLES website for more details. Alfalfa House is part of the Bagshare program but they are having trouble getting new bags. Could members collect any unwanted green bags and deliver them to Marrickville Council's DROP OFF POINTS.