Lateral Eating

Firstly, thank you for writing this fantastic article about Marrickville Markets!  What prompted you to start writing about your "Lateral Eating" experiences and what is the premise behind the name

Thank you for reading my blog post!  I started blogging as a way of archiving memories, particularly those related to food.  I've been fascinated with nutrition since I saw the effect that diet had on my performance and body composition and later when I studied an introductory course; I believe eating real food (ie. not processed/packaged) is extremely important in order to be healthy, and that's how I cam up with the blog's name and tag line: "Lateral Eating: eating outside the box - literally".

You make a very interesting point about the misconception that Paleo eaters are not vegan haters.  How long has the Paleo way been part of your life and why the switch

Yeah and I hope that applies the other way round too!  I've been following a Paleo lifestyle (and I love how you didn't call it a diet) for a bit over 2 years.  I first heard about in 2007 and thought it made a lot of sense, but as with most people thought it would be too hard to follow.

As I got older and particularly after moving to Australia, some of my chronic health issues (knew pain, reflux etc) got worse. I also noticed my digestion, mood and energy levels were out of whack.

One day I stumbled across Mark Sisson's blog (Mark's Daily Apple which you can read more about "here") and decided it was time to try an ancestral approach, which obviously worked!

When writing an article, do you have a particular format in mind or do you simply write about what "speaks" to you at that time and place when visiting markets such as ours

Because I'm a control freak and the blog is what I do for fun, I try to be as spontaneous as possible with it.  I do have an endless list of places I want to visit and recipes I want to tweak and share, but what goes in posts is always what grabs my attention or reminds me of something; things I want to share with whoever lands on my blog.

If you had to choose a favourite stallie at Marrickville Markets, who would it be and why

The Butcher's Lunch, hands down, for their amazing pork and crackling, coleslaw and aioli (the roasted grass-fed beef is almost as good).  They sell it in a bun but are happy to serve it in a container if you BYO.

How would you sum up the world of Lateral Eating in 5 words

Eat real food, move, meditate

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Now for those of you who have yet to read this fantastic blog, simply click "here" and dive head first in to the world of Lateral Eating which we are pretty sure you will enjoy!

Enormous thank you to Lateral Eating for sharing some time with us and for writing a great article about our much loved Marrickville Markets.

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 

The City Gourmand

Being suckers for branding and names we LOVE yours!  How long have you been blogging and what is it about local markets and produce that started you on this journey

Thanks very much!  The City Gourmand started back in July 2011, so it's had a few birthdays already, which is difficult to believe.  Being one of those annoying Asian girls that takes photos of nearly everything they eat, it was almost a natural progression into the blogging world.  It's essentially a visual diary of the food that I love to eat. Don't be fooled by the blog title.  Yes, I love fine dining in the iconic cities (Barcelona, London and Sydney of course) but sometimes the best food comes from your own kitchen.

One of the best things about the food scene is the emergence of farmer's markets that have sprouted up in the most convenient locations.  Kings Cross Organic Food Markets just so happens to be my local.

It harks back to the days of our parents who would visit the markets several times a day, being without modern refrigeration.  Today, food travels halfway around across the world to reach our shores (the concept of "food miles") and defying nature's seasons.  Yes, you can have pomegranate any time of the year, except it is flown all the way from Afghanistan.

So the philosophy of Buy & Eat Local is actually a compelling one.  What's more, we can support Australian farmers directly, cutting out the middleman.  There is something special about forging a relationship with local producers or farmers.  This is something that I am passionate about and write about regularly (see "here").

What is it in particular about markets, such as ours that need to be embraced and nurtured from your point of view

Well first of all, we need to spread the word about organic farmers markets!  They may not be as convenient as big chain supermarkets, but your shop will certainly be fresher and of higher quality.

Organic fruits & vegetables have a certain stigma attached to them, namely the price tag.  The important thing to remember is you don't have to try and shift mountains. One or two organic items per week and you're well on the way to improve your well being.

Another thing is to be adventurous!  Don't be intimidated by weird or wacky ingredients.  Though Sydneysider food vernacular is rather impressive, there are things that we tend to steer clear of.  Try your hand at cooking offal or a new heirloom vegetable like kohlrabi!

And if in doubt, ask the stallholder - their passion for their product is infectious!

Through your writings and observations, have you noticed a trend in the way people are now shopping, where perhaps they are making their weekly market shopping an outing rather than a dash in and dash out type of experience

It is true that people are ridiculously time poor these days.  Life often tends to get ahead of us.  An early morning visit to the local markets can be such an enjoyable experience and it's a great way to catch a few rays.

Indeed, I have noticed that the markets have become a bit of a forum for families, pets and farmers alike....it's incredibly social.  

So the new routine is this: arrive and make a beeline for a coffee, grab a brekkie egg & bacon roll and then peruse at your leisure.  Or maybe a few quick fire rounds of "Guess Who" if you are Kings Cross!  I tend to buy as much as I can, be it fruits or veg from organic producers and supplement my shop at a grocer only if I have to.

The farmers markets are a wonderful way to slow down, if only for an hour so, and I think that many are now starting to realising this.

What is one of your more favoured meals to prepare using fresh produce bought at market

On a lazy weekend, stay true to the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid!).  With minimal interference to such lovely ingredients, you can make an amazing spread for lunch or dinner.

In the same vein, I love making "Market Bruschette" with bits and pieces I've bought from the market.

Anything goes really... a few slices of sourdough, proscuitto, buffalo mozarella, heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil et voila!  I'm making myself hungry just talking about this!

If you had to sum up the "vibe" of shopping at Kings Cross Markets in 5 words......

These aren't necessarily "vibe" specific but:

• Community
• Buzz
• Abundance
• Variety
• Feast

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Insightful, articulated, absolutely what we strive to aim towards and humbled by The City Gourmand's words.  We thank her for such an inspiring interview and are certain that everyone who reads not only these words but also her own musings (which can be found "here") will gain a deeper understanding as to why buying local, buying fresh and keeping it real is so important these days of hustle and bustle.

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!

Dear Asparagus

We LOVE the title of your Blog. What were the reasonings behind it

I don't remember exactly how I came up with "Dear Asparagus".  I think I just wanted something quirky and food related, and that seemed to fit.

How long ago did you join The Land of Blog and drew you to it initially

I had been reading blogs for a while and loved seeing what everyone was cooking & eating and where they were eating out, so decided to start my own as a procrastination from the HSC (which was a few years ago now).

On of my friend started getting bored when I continually told her what I was eating for breakfast etc ("and I soaked the oats overnight"...) so I decided to have my own outlet to write all of these things that perhaps others might want to read.

I don't particularly mind if nobody reads it though.  For me it's there as a diary and I can refer to it, or look up a recipe I've written.

At the same time, it is nice to have followers and comments and it's like, "hey! Somebody likes to read what I write!"

Do you find yourself easily distracted during your day job (and study), wanting to simply drown yourself in food and all its glory

Haha!  Food is very distracting, especially when you work at a food market!  I suppose lots of my study breaks are for eating purposes and I always find myself the night before an exam preparing more elaborate meals.

Surely it counts as food chemistry study!?!

During every interview we have had for our own blog, we have noticed that the number one all time fave vegetable is kale.  What (in your opinion) is it that keeps it consistently at number one on the organic hit parade

Yes, kale is everywhere!  You walk through the markets and everyone is carrying bunches of it.  I love kale for its versatility: whether it's the base for an omelette, added to a minestrone or baked as "chips".

Quick tip: roughly tear the leaves and "massage" them (yes! that's right "massage them") for a minute with sea salt, olive oil and lemon.  They soften and taste less bitter (see recipe here: Kale Chips).

If you could sum up Orange Grove Markets in 5 words what would they be

Molives, community, early starts, friendly, you-must-try-the-pork-or-beef-roll-from-the-butcher's-lunch

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Huge thanks to Dear Asparagus for not just writing INCREDIBLE blogs but there are some sensational recipes just a waitin for you to try!

Dear Asparagus "Eat Your Freaking Vegetables"

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