My sunshiny day,
I would spout to you my weekend spent between flu and stubbornness, spent playing with new friends and creeping 'round cliff-sides; but alas, the bulletin is already late, already long, & I still sorta have the flu.
Instead we'll get right to it, the good word:
News
GoogleGroups and mailing lists
(from Andrew)
We've been busy over the past month transferring all the email addresses from the old mailing list system to GoogleGroups. The difference shouldn't be noticeable for anyone on the standard 'Announcements' list (you are on the announcements list if you receive this bulletin each week), but it is an easier system for us to manage and it gives a few extra, funky options. This will be the final bulletin on the old system and we will be using the 'Thoughtful Announcements' group on GoogleGroups from now on. You should have received a notification recently stating that you have been added, but if you have any concerns about not being there, please email Andrew.
Additionally, we have created a 'Thoughtful Discussion' list to give members a place to discuss suggestions for the co-op, plan future events, or look for an eco-friendly share house to live in, just to name a few examples. If you would like to be added to this additional, potentially high volume, discussion list, you can either sign into GoogleGroups and go to http://groups.google.com/
If you have any questions about this new system, please feel free to contact Andrew by email or by visiting him in the shop on Thursday, or by taking a look at the extensive help section on the GoogleGroups website.
Meetings
To increase transparency, clarify systems, and get folks more involved, we will be having meetings every even Tuesday from 11 – 12 during the semester starting this weeks. Please feel free to drop in; in fact, we'd really like you to! There'll be snacks & everything.
If there's an issue you'd like to discuss, but you can't make it to the meeting, please email a coordinator & they'll be sure to bring it up.
Volunteers
Many thanks to all of the beautiful people that volunteered in week one! Your time is much appreciated.
Gimmie More
The co-op could use even more volunteers to help keep things clean, stocked, and fabulous, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. To see what's available just visit the website—the roster is posted. Thank you!
Roster Guru
Speaking of which, if you want a quick & easy, consistent Thursday afternoon volunteer opportunity, won't you sign up to do the roster? Please pop into the shop for more details.
Out-of-Shop Opportunity
If someone would like to help out and earn a volunteer discount, but can't work during shop hours, we have need of someone to process our membership forms and put them into a spreadsheet. This would be perfect for someone who would like to do a few hours work but not every week. Please speak to Andrew if you are interested.
Jars
I have forgotten for, oh, about five weeks, to do an all-call for jars. So:
Hear ye, hear ye! We need jars! All shapes & sizes! Lids absolutely necessary, glass preferred.
No, we do not want your Nuttelex containers!
Please drop spare jars at the co-op at your earliest convenience. Please do not tie them to the door when we're shut, 'cause those plastic bags are mightily hard to untangle. Just leave 'em by the door. They'll be safe, I'm sure of it.
Eggs
I love eggs. I haven't been able to swing veganism for love of pancakes. If you want a piece of the eggalicious action, it's imperative that you submit your order to Lauren or La (how cute is that, Lauren or La?) by Tuesday morning! Lauren will keep us all up-to-date on when eggs are in, and when Michele is off saving the world! (which means you might have to wait a week or two for more eggs).
Veggies
Oh silverbeet, thou are both beautiful in your shining depth of green and rife with nutrition! Stir fried or souped, you do our bodies well!
Okay, I'm being silly. Not really a new development. It is worth singing the veggies' praises, though, don't you think? If you want a piece of the delicious veggie action be sure that your order is in the silver box or under the door by 9:00am Wednesday. Please clearly specify the date or week on your order. If it is left blank or unreadable we will assume the order is for the current week.
Community
YOGA is on! Thursdays from 2 - 3 just outside the co-op. Novices & the experienced welcome. Mats provided.
Come try it, it's free!
Spirit Night, take four
What can I say? Treehuggers love a party. Please join TJAM (Tonia, James, Alice & Meghan) for a fun-filled night of chatter & music & laughter & muffins. Yes, I said muffins! The party starts at 8pm on Saturday 9 August, and will continue until three out of four Forsyth residents scamper off to bed from pure exhaustion.
Introductory Permaculture Course
One of our awesome, albeit quiet, members, is offering practical, hands-on, introductory permaculture courses. Full details attached. He's pretty amazing, so it's a good idea to check it out!
Introduction to Permaculture
Saturday, August 9th, 23rd, or 30th, 9am – 5pm
Illawarra Catholic Club, Hurstville
Course cost: $80 for the day, $70 concession/unwaged
Contact Loki Ysebaert on 0422 310 712 or loki.ysebaert@gmail.com
Film Screening
Pencil in your diary a film screening of 'The Power of Community' on Sunday, 24th August at 4pm.
More details will be in the next bulletin.
Focus Group--Paid Volunteers Wanted
(from Edwina)
You are invited to participate in a 90-minute focus group on reforming Australia's government. You will receive $20.00 for participating. The focus groups are part of ongoing PhD research, are open to all local UNSW students and will be held on campus in Week 4.
Please contact Paul Kildea on 0421 864 109 or at p.kildea@unsw.edu.au if you are interested in participating.
Recipes of the Week!
White Bean Aioli (a yummy vegan dip, not a gross mayonnaise thing)
1 (15 oz/ 425 grams) can navy or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
several pinches of freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
6 cloves garlic, chopped
- Combine the beans, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl to get everything.
- Preheat a small pan over low heat. Cook the garlic in the olive oil for about 3 minutes. You want just to gently heat it, not brown it.
- Add the garlic and oil to the mixture in the blender and puree. Taste for salt, pepper and lemon and adjust to your liking.
- Transfer to a container, cover and refrigerate until ready to use
A great dip for bread, crackers, or crisp veggies (capsicum, carrot, celery)!
Meg's Yum-Yum Pancakes
This is the easiest food ever & really hard to screw up. This recipe is for one normal person, increase flour & liquid if you're hungrier. Multiply for multiple eaters.
1 egg
1 T. honey (or sugar or maple syrup)
1 T. molasses (or double honey/molasses/syrup/sugar)
1 t. cinnamon, or whatever spices strike your fancy
1/2 banana, mashed
1/4 c. flour
1 - 2 t. baking powder
- Whisk eggs, sweet stuff, spices & banana until fluffy. You can use a fork.
- Add 1/2 the baking powder. It'll bubble! Whisk.
- Add flour & remaining baking powder. Use a spoon to just mix. Lumps are okay! Don't over-stir, or your pancakes will be all chewy.
- Put a little bit of oil in a skillet & get it toasty.
- Spoon the mixture into the skillet & make golden-beautiful. Makes two pancakes.
Notes: extra spices, dried fruit, & fresh fruit are all most excellent additions. Top with honey & flaxseed oil, and maybe a smidge of margarine/butter for extra deliciousness.
Be sure to experiment!
Out
There's setting yourself a challenge, and then there's being stubborn. I'm in stubborn mode; which is code for I really need to go back to bed & get over this flu. Compassion for yourself has to be holistic. Let's all try to remember that, shall we? And maybe remind each other.
Enjoy the sunshine & the gorgeous-gorgeous people in your life this week. Don't forget to flow. More on that next time, or at the co-op.
With love and cozy fireplaces,
Meghan