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.

Seana Smith

We love that you share your love of our Frenchs Forest Markets in your blogs.  When did this love affair begin?

We moved to the Frenchs Forest area about 6 years ago and found the markets soon after that.  Quite a few friends of ours had told about them before, but we never made it there until we moved close by.

Being a busy mum with blogs continually on the go, do you find that our Frenchs Forest outings can  hinder personal time or is it a natural Flow. 

By that we mean: you go to have a good time, you try, you buy with the intent to go home, stock up the pantry, get the meal ready for the evening only to find you have an little voice inside saying "time to Blog Seana, time to blog"

The absolute best times for me to go is really early in the morning, and that's generally the time I have to drop off my teenagers off for a 7am shift at Beacon Hills McDonalds. Then I can whizz back to the markets and browse joyfully before the big crowds get there.

Otherwise I tend to go mid-Sunday morning and take my 7 year old twins with me. They do get in the way of my browsing and they're always asking me to buy them things!  But at least they can help me carry the bags.

Through your blogs and outings to our markets have you noticed the way people view the markets.  Instead of simply rushing in/out with said groceries and list ticked off, they take time to sit back, relax, catch up and get to know the traders etc.

I see lots of families all sitting around and relaxing but I never get to do that as much as I'd like.  My kids are totally active, a bit wild even and they are NOT good at sitting still!

Do you have an all time number one top recipe that you make with the produce you buy?

No top recipe with the things I buy, but my children do have some favourites: lemon tart from the tarts and pies stall 

and salty pretzles from one of the bakeries.

I love that there is heaps of vegetarian food on offer as my husband is totally veggie and we eat heaps of veggie meals. He loves a felafel pack

I like to wander around collecting together whatever takes my fancy.  Then when I get home and unpack it, I can write a menu plan for the week using what I've just bought.

What 5 words would you use to encourage other families to come, sit a spell, kick of their shoes and relax a while at FF markets?

Love the fact that the foods are fairly locally grown and seasonal

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We would like to thank the amazing Seana for not only blogging about us, but sharing a part of her busy life and her photos with the OFM crew.

You can check out more of Seana's fab blogs here:

Sydney Kids Food & Travel Seana Smith

The Mum's Diet

Seana Smith (Author) Facebook Page