take two: get a second cut of broccoliWith birds falling from the sky, more birds falling from the sky, mudslides in Brazil, sharks cruising flooded Queensland streets and scientists rebooting the zodiac, the year indeed seems off to an apocalyptic start. Hopefully we'll all be around for a bit longer to enjoy 2011... and broccoli.

A few days ago we enjoyed the largest, tastiest homegrown head of broccoli ever. Just picked, and lightly steamed, it leaves shop-bought broccoli standing... sadly it still looks like broccoli, so is, as always, a tough sell to

our tomato crop has been incredible this year...

nanobreweries set to trend this year in the US

JWT - one of the world's largest advertising agencies credited with firsts like creating the first global ad agency network (by 1930 they had branches in 30 countries), employing the first female creative director over a century ago (1908), and creating the first television advert back in 1939 - has produced its annual trendwatching report: 100 Things to Watch in 2011.

They take a stab at predicting what will trend this year - companies, events, artists, products, cities etc. And they have a track record - looking back at the 2010 report - of at least getting some of their predictions right. Perhaps because of their standing their predictions even become self fulfilling...

Now we know who to thank for Lady Gaga.

I scanned their list of trends for signs of environmental/green/eco trends set to feature this year:

Pic: funny-for-funny.blogspot.comFeasting and drinking has become symbolic of family gatherings at Christmas time. Bonds with family and friends are strengthened at this time of year. Or so the story goes... the planning and cooking of the meal can often be a source of huge stress and a time of family feuds too!

This year we are aiming for casual dining at home on Christmas Eve where everyone gets involved in the preparation of the meal.

The most important element when choosing your Christmas meal is to know where your food comes from. Support local, organic food. When it comes to deciding between an imported organic item, and its local non-organic counterpart it's an individual choice - each of us needs to weigh up the health benefits versus the cost to the environment.

Boar's head or nut bake? Or something in between?

Green your gifts
Not done your Christmas shopping yet? Or want to direct some merry gift-givers to your wishlist of green Christmas goodies. In part 2 of our Green your Christmas guide we take a look at some green gift ideas for greenies with a special interest.

DIY / GIY Enthusiast
Know that someone special who likes a project? Your Green-it-yourself enthusiast will leap at the opportunity to lower their eco-footprint themselves.
Geyser blankets and pipe insulation, CFL's, LED downlighters, low-flow showerheads & tap aerators would fill the stocking of the greenie comfortable with a shifting spanner. See the eco building and homes section of our directory for more details.

Low cost option? Gift a used tyre with instructions to turn it into a mini garden pond.
High end? Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panel and batteries. Or a home-sized wind turbine.

Eco Fashionista
Hemp is still eco-chic and a more sustainable natural fibre than cotton as it requires no pesticides, herbicides and little fertiliser. Organic cotton is becoming

Petrina Roberts gives an account of the conference in Turin:

As a result of our work in South Africa supporting local food gardens in Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and the Eastern Cape, I was invited to attend the recent Terra Madre Conference in Italy, funded by the Slow Food International Movement.

It was a life-changing event!

I arrived after a long flight having worked till 5am the morning of the 19th October to a wonderful welcome at the airport in Milan. Thereafter we travelled to the venue where the opening ceremony was taking place.

In 2008, scientists at the Stockholm Environment Institute reported that the carbon footprint of Christmas - including food, travel, lighting, and gifts - was 650 kg per person in England.

In 2008 consumers in the UK consumed approximately 10 million turkeys, 25 million Christmas puddings, 250 million pints of beer and 35 million bottles of wine. The UK spends £20bn on Christmas, with £1.6bn going on food and drink, of which approximately 230,000 tons of food worth about £275 million is thrown away. Let's face it, Christmas is a nightmare holiday when it comes to the environment.

Another large contributing factor to the carbon footprint of Christmas is the

hazel food christmas marketIf you're anything like me, you'll be racing around trying to get the Christmas shopping done two days before the big event - fighting crowds and cursing, as you slog through the mall, before wrestling a big oke for the last blue t-shirt in Mr Price, followed by the interminable queuing to pay for your hard won gift for your cousin. That was last year, and I swore never again! This year I would be organised. I would shop at markets and fetes, enjoying the experience and finding wonderful presents from local crafters, as well as indulge in fantastic home-made treats.

I am somewhat horrified to see the retail sector going Christmas mad already! Like a cat pouncing on a mouse, Christmas has already snuck up on me – and some Christmas markets have already happened!

So I made it my mission to share with you as many Christmas markets as I could. Below is a list of Christmas markets happening around the country. I know I'll

view of the cape grace hotelOn the 10th of November 2010 Fairtrade Label South Africa (FLSA) will be hosting ‘A Taste of Fairtrade’ - an exclusive wine tasting and canapé pairing event, aimed at introducing hotels and restaurants in the Western Cape to South African Fairtrade wines. The event will be held at the distinguished Cape Grace Hotel, where sommeliers, wine managers and restaurateurs will be presented with over 20 local Fairtrade wines, ranging from sparkling bubbly, to crisp whites, full-bodied reds and heavenly sweet wines.

strawberries by stimpy on deviantartIn true British tradition we will be celebrating the coming of the summer season with our SUMMER STRAWBERRY FAIR ON SATURDAY 6th NOVEMBER at The Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market. November is the season for Strawberries in the Cape Winelands, so instead of going picking, come fill up your bags with fresh, early morning picked strawberries from the popular strawberry farms in our area.

Other products include:
Strawberry Cupcakes & BAKES
Summer berry Dancers
Strawberry Soap & Salts
Plenty of champagne and strawberries
Smoked Springbok Strawberry Salad
Homemade Strawberry Jams
Rudi's Strawberry Sausage 
Sugar Cones topped with ice cream and strawberry pesto
Strawberry Kiddies face paint & Balloons, eagles and owls, sand art for the children
The Hearth Fair, Designer goods, Boutique wear, Emerging design & Crafts
Music & Picnic blankets for hire, gardens, oak trees, plenty of space and parking

The launch of our new