Ilona talks about A Wholefood Lover's Guide to Sydney

Can you give us a little bit of background about A Wholefood Lover's Guide to Sydney and why you started it

When I went travelling in the UK last year, my friend and I were looking for healthy food options online and we came across a site that was kind of a dictionary  and I thought "I wish there was something like this for Sydney".  Something that kind of pulled everything together in one space.  I imagined plenty of international visitors to Sydney wouldn't know where to start to get a wholefood fix.

Eventually I would like it to grow the blog into a one-stop-shop for all wholefood related news and events in Sydney.  

Being into digital communications and PR, I'm a big believer in naming things so they reflect exactly what they are so people can find them easily!  Hence the name "A Wholefood Lover's Guide to Sydney"

For those who may not fully understand, can you explain Raw, Vegan & Macrobiotic and why they are an important contributor to our overall wellbeing

I wouldn't even want to start trying to put a definitive description on those three things because it's highly individual, but I think a good starting point is the beliefs and philosophies underpinning the labels, rather than the actual practice.

What I love is that each are based on a belief about the close relationship between what we put in our bodies and our state of mental, physical and often spiritual wellbeing.  

Raw foodies are of the belief that by eating a diet of uncooked (not heated above 40 degrees) plant and sometimes animal food, delivers the most benefit to the body.  For them it is the way nature intended food to be eaten and the way the body is et up best to digest and assimilate nutrients.  

Vegan's don't eat food that is derived from animals.

Macrobiotics see each type of food falling on to a spectrum of energy with yin (or expansive energy at one end) and yang (or contractive energy at the other).  The body and the diet should be in a stage of balance for optimal health and so foods that fall in the middle of the spectrum should form the basis of one's diet.

Fascinating stuff. 

Has this always been a part of your life or was there a trigger within that led you to this lifestyle

No - although, I am Italian which probably explains my deep, deep love of food....from shopping, to preparation to eating.  I have always been a good eater but developed a terrible relationship with food in my early teens and going into adulthood (eating disorders and a stint of trying high-protein, low-carb diets).  I was never really overweight but I was striving for perfection.  Also, I have always had bad digestion all my life, I just didn't realise the severity of it until I was old enough to really think about it.

I tried everything - naturopaths, chiropractors, conventional doctors, tablets..everything.  I was about 27, on antibiotics and thinking about having a radical experimental surgery to fix it when a good friend of mine said "enough!" and sent me off to see Ken McLean (a macrobiotic counsellor at Kensington).

After 3 weeks of following his advice, I noticed a change.  Two months later I threw out the antibiotics.  That was around 5 years ago and since then I've come to understand what my body needs to keep functioning properly and that's a plant-based diet with only a little bit of animal protein and some grains, with a lots of greens and probiotic enriched food.

You are a massive fan of both Frenchs Forest and Marrickville Markets.  How did you fist discover these pockets of organic paradise and what is it about them that keeps you coming back

As I delved deeper and deeper into the wholefood scene, I discovered that farmers markets were an excellent source of hard-to-find ingredients and they were also a place where like-minded people gathered.

Each market has a different vibe to it, depending of course on the locals that frequent it and create the demand for certain supply.

An old flatmate told me to check out Marrickville and I LOVED how bohemian it was and LOVED all the food stalls.  I go there when I want a meal, more so than to shop.

I recently moved to Manly so Frenchs Forest is a new discovery.  It is just a regular part of my Sunday now.  It's definitely a market for grown-ups - the stallholders are really forward thinking and sophisticated in the wholefoods space.  I was in heaven when I discovered the Caseus stall!

I've never eaten so much raw cheese in my life yet had so few digestion issues.

Sometimes I make a trip out to the market simply just for them!

From your stance, why are markets like these an integral part of their respective local communities

You are not going to find good food in today's standard supermarket.  Mass production (to grow huge quantities, preserve, store, ship goods thousands of kilometres away) strip food of what it is that makes it good!

People come together over food, so I think markets like these are as beneficial for our need to socialise as well as for health or economic benefits.

Being able to talk directly to the merchant or producer, in most cases, means you can talk and learn about what you're eating.  They unite communities over beautiful food - what could be better than that!

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Absolutely!  Now if you would like to check out the goings on with Wholefood Lover's Guide to Sydney simply click "here" for the facebook page and "here" to go to the website.

AND we have it on excellent authority that there may be a focus or two on some of our Frenchs Forest Market stallies so stay tuned peeps!

Oysters & Oxtail

Gotta luv the catchy title of your blog.  How long have you been writing about your foodie experiences and why blogging

Thank you!  I started blogging in April 2012 mainly as a platform to practise writing. Food seemed like an obvious topic given that I was spending a lot of time reading about, shopping for and cooking it - why not write about it too!

What's great about blogging is that you can instantly self-publish and you can write exactly what you want.  Even if you don't care whether anyone reads it (which I certainly didn't to begin with), it forces you to be disciplined in a way that, say, simply writing a journal wouldn't.  I loved blogging so much that I started a food writing course with the University of Adelaide this year.  Unfortunately I had no time to keep up the blog as well, and it's currently still on hold while I figure out what's next.

Your article on Marrickville Markets is the perfect blend of words and photos.  How difficult is it to select which photos to include, or do you simply let the "moment" dictate or guide you to the end result

My post on Marrickville Markets has a far greater proportion of photos to words than most of my posts.  I really wanted to celebrate the markets and share the visitor experience with others

and I decided to just let the photos do the talking on this occasion.  After a good hour or so snapping away, I had an awful lot of photos and it was very difficult to edit them down - what's on the blog (which you can read "here") is just a fraction of what I took.

Marrickville Markets - as with so many markets - are so visually appealing and such rich, exciting material to photograph.  In selecting the best photos I think about composition, colour, texture - and with market photography I really like some element of human interaction.

How inspiring are markets like ours, to not only shop at but then to go and use the produce bought in a recipe book or two you may have lying around the at home

Absolutely!  The definition of my ideal Sunday would be to cycle to Marrickville Markets with my husband, buy lots of beautiful produce (and eat delicious things on the way round!), go home and cook a new recipe while listening to Radio National (I know, I'm starting to sound like a cliche!) and then eat it with a few glasses of wine.

From your perspective as not only a blogger but also a shopper, what is it about markets that make them "real"

What makes farmers' markets "real" is that direct connection with the people who grow and make the produce.  In today's Western world of food as a hugely commercial commodity controlled by a few powerful, faceless corporations, markets are increasingly popular as a way to experience a more authentic relationship with our food and where it comes from.  There's a beautiful sense of community that comes from sharing that experience of the market with other like-minded people.

If you had to sum up the world of Oysters & Oxtail in 5 words what would they be

For the love of food

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And on that note we say an ENORMOUS thank you to Oysters & Oxtail for not only sharing some of her time with us, but for writing an incredible blog on Marrickville Markets and sharing a little bit of insight as to why she feels markets like ours are an important part of today's busy, chaotic lifestyle where we all need to take time to "breath", enjoy the moment and get back to basics 

Gobbled & Gulped

We LOVE the title of your blog!  What was the inspiration behind the name

I wanted a name that was fun and playful to reflect the feel of the blog.  I 'm a bit of a kid at heart and Gobbled & Gulped just felt right.

Though saying it proves to be a bit of a mouthful....scuse the pun!

What is it about food and locations that draws you to want to write about hidden pockets, tasty delights and new discoveries

I love a good time and I love it even more if that good time involves a good feed!  It's actually pretty simple philosophy.

the famous Bowen's Egg & Bacon roll

Luckily Sydney loves a good time and a good feed too so there's always something new to try and discover, and it's my hope the blog helps readers to discover some good times of their own too.

You are a fan of our Kings Cross Market.  When did you first "discover" this Saturday Morning Place To Be and Be Seen

I've known about the markets for a few years but only truly discovered them when I moved to Potts Point in early 2012.  Now they are so close to my backdoor they're practically in my backyard!

It's been great seeing the markets vitality grow with new stallholders and a greater variety of yummy food on offer.

Your photography is amazing!  Do you have a particular subject in mind when you choose a topic for your blog, or do you take a bunch at each location and then let it "present" itself to you as you write

Truth be told I'm a total novice, albeit one with a good camera...it's makes a difference!  Generally I have an idea about what direction I want to post to take, but I find it best to be flexible and above all patient.

Sometimes it can take weeks to pull together all of the shots I want for a full post.  On other occasions, like the recent post I did on Kings Cross Markets (which you can read "here") I had way too many photos from just one morning.

Then the hard bit's deciding which photos NOT to use!

In 5 words how would you sum up the world of Gobbled & Gulped

Adventures in food and beyond

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Massive shoutout to Gobbled & Gulped for writing an amaaazing article on our Kings Cross Market (if you missed the link before here tis again...just click "here" and while you're there you should see what else she wrote!) and we are over the moon that we were a place you discovered!

Ponytail Journal

Cute name for the blog.  How did you come to use this name and can you tell us what inspired you to become a blogger

I came up with the name Ponytail Journal in an attempt to best describe its purpose: a publication that explores my life as a model, food fiend, lover of all things functional and adventurer.

Ponytail Journal began as a place to collect my thoughts and people started to like it!.....And I started to like that people liked it!  So here we are!

Your bio includes you as being a "pursuer of goodness".  For you, what defines "goodness" and how much of a role does this play in your everyday life

I think to key to a great life is to seek out the things that make you happy.  For me "goodness" is the umbrella of things that make me enjoy existing in our weird and wonderful universe.

Most importantly food (that is REAL and honestly produced) is my sensory happy place. It's what makes me look forward to getting out of bed in the morning and also nourishes me with energy to explore and enjoy.

Goodness is also in the embracing of what life has to offer us.  Whether it be cross-stepping to the nose of my longboard, connecting with people around the world, or having a really good cup of coffee; the act of experiencing is always far more fun than the sum of its functioning parts.

You recently did a most magnificent blog on Orange Grove Markets for which we thank you.  How did you first come to hear of us and did you come with the specific intention to write a blog

I used to live close by Orange Grove Markets and it still holds a special place in my mind.  I am a strong believer in supporting food producers who take pride and care in their produce.

AND I had a little stall myself at Riverside Organic Markets called Spring St Chow while I was studying!  We sought to bring all the goodness we could find and share it in the sunshine wit the community.

Constantly travelling, I have come to the realisation that Australia is a pretty gosh darn unique and amazing place. With incredible land, things like farmers markets help to funnel all the produce goodness into a kind of culinary Disney Land.

How would you sum up the world of Ponytail Journal in 5 words

Hunting for goodness and adventure

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And on that note we would like to thank Ponytail Journal for not only writing an incredible blog on our Orange Grove Markets (which you can read "here"), but for also being a stallie at one of our other markets during her studies, and wish her luck on her quest to find all things good and real!

Gourmet Wog

How long ago did you delve in to the depths of the loving arms of Frenchs Forest Markets

It will be 3 years in August.  We moved to Frenchs Forest from Ryde in 2010 to be close to the beaches and still be close enough to the city.

I visited Frenchs Forest Markets the first weekend after we settled and have been coming back every week: rain, hail or shine!

There really is such a wonderful vibe, the community comes out in their masses and the stallholders are all so friendly, up for a chat and their passion for their products really shines through.

Now we LOVE the name of your blog: when was it born and more importantly how on earth did you come up with such a fantastically Aussie title which once heard will always be remembered

Why thank you!  Gourmet Wog came about really because I just wanted to document my culinary adventures somewhere where I can reflect back one day.

I love cooking...I really do!  I have a very demanding full time job, a crazy little toddler who keeps me on my toes and when I get home from work, it's very likely you'll find me in my kitchen experimenting on some new dish, whipping up dinner for the family and sometimes secretly stroking the bench tops!  It's highly therapeutic: chopping, banging and stirring away after a long day in the office.

The blog is only 4 months old and in that short space of time, I've gained exposure from a lovely community of followers from all over the world.  It really shocks me sometimes when I look at my stats and see where my visitors are from!  I really do get a kick out of seeing the variety of countries and cultures who tune in to my every post.

The name of the blog?  Well to be honest it's a bit of a laugh.  I really am a bit of a larrikin sometimes.  Now I'm not full sick or fully tabouli, but I do make a mean kebab with all the trimmings.

I do get the occasional negative comment from someone claiming I'm being derogatory, but come on! I am a wog! A proud one! And if I can't laugh at myself, then who can?!

Why the urge to blog about Frenchs Forest Markets

Every resident in the area really should take the time to visit, support the local community and get amongst it.  It's such a wonderful day out and should be experienced by all!

Is there a gotta-have-can't-do-without item that you can't not buy

The smell of the honey cured bacon and free range egg roll gets me every time as soon as I walk in to the markets.  

It's become a bit of a tradition to grab one, then go across and buy a "Green Monster" Smoothie from the lovely smoothie stand and then start my tour!

My kitchen is always stocked with Baby Green olive oil and when in season, organic tomatoes, lemons and garlic.

Also free range eggs are magnificent from the markets. The yolk is always so big, bright and orange.  You just know these chickens are being treated well.

What other delights can we expect from the Gourmet Wog

I love the journey this blog has taken me on so far and I'm looking forward to the next chapters: stories about my crazy family's antics, delicious recipes from Italy, Greece and the Middle East and my humble garden updates

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Well from the Organic to the Wog we love your blog  (which by the way you can check out "here"), the fact that you come to our market rain, hail or shine,and for sharing a bit of time on your crazy world with us!

Jugernauts

Your blog Jugernauts is a fantastic mixture of pictorial with the odd paragraph or two thrown in to the mix.  What drew you initially to want to include Marrickville Markets

I was doing all these restaurant write ups and then realised that the markets don't tend to get written about as much so I thought I'd do a section for it as there is a lot of good food to be had there.

I also sell tees and have sold at other locations (newtown/glebe/finders keepers) and I appreciate the hardwork these vendors go through (packing, setting up.  It's a labour of love so yes I wanted to reflect that in my blog with a section dedicated to the markets.

And I had to include Marrickville Markets because I discovered it so late and it was such a different one.  More food focussed, less knick-knacks.  I had just to the AROM to check out The Bowery but the markets just kind of impressed.  

The stalls are unlike just anything I've seen at other markets.

As a blogger do you find at times it can 'take over" all other normalities in life; ie: are you driven to distraction by the irritating need to have to work to pay the bills, yet all the while yearning to simply go taste, photograph and celebrate via blogging

My blog is an extension of my lifestyle which is very much still in subsists of heading out to experience what Sydney (well, a lot of it is in the Inner West as I live in Newtown and just run around the local area) has to offer.  It's part of my life very much at the moment.  The blog is never far from my mind and being able to blog on the ipad (on the go) helps!

Who is one of your fave stallies and why

There's some great food to be had there:the satay tofu burgers, the truffles, the snag stand, some excellent home baked goods and vegetarian butchers

And of course the organic fruit & veg sellers.  It's a nice mix of eats and the tree lined "arcade" means you can just sit in the shade and take it all in...with the band playing.

It is one of the better markets around as it's not just a barrage of standard food kiosks in a market (location).

What is it about these markets that makes it such a unique experience from your point of view

The really good thing about Marrickville Market is that it adjoins The Bowery and Reverse Garbage and that's a highlight.

The organic produce, the hand made cheeses and truffles (again...having the truffles at market is just great!).  Also some superb pastries to be had.  The dulche de Leche Brownie is amazing!

It's one of the few markets on a Sunday...it's easy!

If you had to sum up Marrickville Markets in 5 words what would they be

Gem, artisanal, innerwest, organic, lazysundays

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Huge shoutout to Jugernauts for sharing some time not only blogging about Marrickville Markets, but being part of this blog and allowing us to include their photos.

You can check out the write up on our markets here

Taste for Travel

Taste for Travel: A sensational title which encapsulates the two things you love to do.  How long have you been blogging and what drew you to it initially

Food and travel are inseparable.  Taste for Travel was launched just over two years ago.  I've always been interested in journeys, as I've done a few of my own, but I'm even more fascinated by other people's journeys: what they discover and how travel changes them.

I love writing about my own backyard as much as I about other people's.  My first book "Asylum: Voices Behind the Razor Wire" told the stories of asylum seekers fleeing from persecution and torture and their journeys through Australian detention centres.

Blogging about travel and journeys on a less traumatic level than that was also a welcome antidote to my austere diet of editing disaster news in my day job.

How or what lead you to discover the delights of Orange Grove Markets

I was excited to discover Orange Grove Markets: my daughter used to work close by and she encouraged me to visit.

Orange Grove is a gorgeous yummy example of community connectedness, and a showcase for innovation and sustainable products.

When I lived in Greece, I would go to the weekly produce markets down the road to get my fresh fruit and veg, and have a gossip with the locals.  Markets are a meeting place and a vibrant experience for the whole family.

Children should be encouraged to taste and explore food sources and meet the people who make them.  Too many of their (children) food selections are pre-cooked or packaged in hype.  Markets are a tradition and a key to survival in many cultures, almost unchanged over the centuries, and have an even greater role to play today.

Some travellers go to museums, I go to markets.  As I said in the post on the market in Aix-en-Provence: "Supermarket food shopping is a disconnected task.  There's nothing communal about it except you're in a store with other people also pushing trolleys.  You have no interaction with the producers of the food you choose to buy".

We live in a concrete jungle, but visiting an open-air produce market reconnects us to the earth.  I find it holistic.

Your blog is a great mixture of not too many words so as to distract and just enough photos to entice.  Is it difficult to maintain this balance or is it as adage says "a picture is worth a thousand words", thus letting the photos do the "talking" as it were

Thanks for your observation.  The internet is awash with information and flooded with blogs and pictures. It's tough to get people's attention and hold it long enough to draw them back.

Attention spans can be very short now, and I try to keep the blogs succinct.  My rigorous journalist training is a handy tool.  Every word and every picture counts.

People want to discover places for themselves and shape their own experiences, not be told every detail in advance.  I hope I just provide enough information to entice.

What struck you most on your visit that prompted the blog initially

The almost carnival atmosphere at Orange Grove: the colour, tempting aromas, variety, value for money and chatting to the stallholders.  Each has a story to tell.  I only just scratched the surface

How would you sum your personal experience at Orange Grove Markets in 5 words

Community, innovation, delicious, fun, more-ish

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Wanna see what she wrote about?  Too easy! Simply click "here"

Massive thank you to Taste for Travel sharing some time, insight and most of all for sharing her love of our markets via her blog!  Honestly if you haven't already, you really should take the time to read what she writes....definitely makes you want to get out there and try EVERYTHING!

vegeTARAian

Can you give us a little bit of insight and history in to the world known as vegeTARAian

vegeTARAian is the creative outlet and inspiration for my exploration in to the world of food and cooking.  I share recipes, veg friendly eating options in restaurants and conversational pieces on ethical eating.

I'm particularly interested in reconnecting with food, to become more aware of what we are eating, local and seasonal produce, reducing food waste and raising awareness about factory farming.

As the food revolution as grown and become more accepting of alternate eating styles (eg: vegans, vegetarians, gluten free'ers etc), what have been some notable changes you have observed both personally and objectively

It's really exciting to see people genuinely showing an interest and being more accommodating to those of us with different eating requirements.

I find eating out so much easier now than it was a few years ago.  Restaurants are increasingly offering veg friendly options and where there isn't and advertised option, most venues are happy to alter a menu item if you ask.  

There are also a lot more vegetarian/vegan brands stepping in to the mainstream, available in supermarkets which is fantastic!

How did you come to discover Marrickville Markets and what was it that compelled you to write the beautiful piece that you did

I really enjoying exploring the Inner West, it's just an area that fascinates me.  When my sister moved to Marrickville she told how me how great the markets were and I just had to pop down and check it out and I'm SO glad I did!

I love the community feel and that you can spend the whole day there - chatting with the stallholders to learn more about their products, having breakfast and/or lunch with all the fresh and delicious snacks for sale.

Your blog with its innovative, creative and user-friendliness makes it not only for a fantastic read, but it is also educational and celebratory.  

How do you strike that all important balance where you don't drown people in words and select the appropriate photos to accompany whichever topic you are focussing on.

It's important to stay true to myself in my writing - I think people see right through you if you aren't genuine and honest.  While I'm still new to the world of photography, the one thing that stays with me is to think about what I want the images to say before taking the photo.

A lot of text isn't needed when you've got images that do a good job of telling the story.

For those who have been to Marrickville Market but maybe not been at the point to simply dive in and give it a go with Raw and Vegan, what 5 words of encouragement would you give

Local and fresh is best!

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A MASSIVE thank you to Tara and sharing a little piece of her world with us.  You can check out her amazing blog "here" and be transported in to the delights of alternative eating fabulosity.

The Adventures of Miss Piggy

What is the history behind Miss Piggy and her insatiable need to blog all things food!

I first came across food blogs when a friend of mine started the blog "Street Food". Before that I had no idea what a blog was, let alone a food blog.  From reading "Street Food" I discovered more food blogs and I just loved the sense of adventure and community that surrounded them.

Food bloggers all seemed so social - always catching up with each other.  It seemed like a great way to meet new friends who also shared a love of food.  

I'd just moved back to Sydney from Outback NSW, I needed more friends and I wanted to explore Sydney's food scene once again.  Hence Miss Piggy was born.

Food blogging is a great way for me to share my experiences of cafes & restaurants - many of whom are in Western Sydney where I live.  

I also love being able to share information about ethical eating and hopefully educate some readers about how to make better/kinder choices when shopping for food: especially meat & eggs.

Part of this education process is raising awareness of alternatives to shopping at supermarkets....like farmers markets!

Who initially guided you to our markets?

I've always known about Orange Grove Markets as a friend of mine used to live just up the road and did (most of) her shopping there.  That was about 10 years ago before farmers markets really hit their stride in Sydney.

The Adventures of Miss Piggy Orange Grove Markets

My niece also used to live near Marrickville Markets and I visited them after hearing about them so much.

The Adventures of Miss Piggy Marrickville Markets

I do love the organic feel of Marrickville Markets: it feels like you're a million miles from Sydney when you're shopping there.

I found out about the other markets (eg: Rouse Hill) thanks to Twitter 

The Adventures of Miss Piggy Rouse Hill Markets

What is it about markets that appeals to Miss Piggy so much

Animal welfare in farming (and in general) is a passion of mine and I try to follow a path of ethical eating as much as I can!  I try to only eat free-range meat and eggs where possible - especially at home.

I loving shopping at local farmers markets for free-range meat and other produce as it gives me an opportunity to talk directly to the sellers (and often the farmers themselves) about their produce and how their animals were raised.  That's just not something that can be done when shopping in a supermarket.

Given your appeal and fame status within the world of all things food, what has been one of the best reactions from a stallie you have written about in your blog

I'm not sure that any of the stallholders actually read my blog, but they are always happy to have a chat when I mention that I want to write about their staff for my blog.

The stallholders are always happy to pose for a photo and I think the most eager to pose has been the young chappy who sold fudge with his Mum at Rouse Hill Markets. HE knows the value of social media that one!

What 5 words would you use to encourage those who have yet to discover the delights of Organic Food Markets to get out there and give it a go?

Farmers Markets will change your life!  GO!!!

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Miss Piggy we thank you and we MUST let you in on a secret: marketeers and stallies DO read your blogs as do we and we thank you for sharing a little bit of your blog time and allowing us to include some of your photos.

For those who have yet to read The Adventures of Miss Piggy do not delay!  

The Adventures of Miss Piggy