Jill's cob guest houseWe find the house via a combination of directions from McGregor’s locals and the ability to follow our noses once we have the rather obvious house in sight – there are not many homes in McGregor that look quite like it. Outside is a sign – cobbits cottage. It’s an apt description of what stands before us, built completely out of earth and serving as MAT’s headquarters.

our tomato crop has been incredible this year...

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.

Join Car-free Friday and pledge that on 03 December 2010 (that's tomorrow) you will get to work and back without your car!

In Cape Town there is a scooter rally tomorrow morning at 7.30 am at the Vespa parking lot on Dock Road by the V&A Ends at Greenpoint Vida.

If you want to rent a scooter, Scoot Dr is offering a deal of 50% off a rental (R125 for the day - pick-up the night before).

visit www.pureplanet.co.za for further details.

Anyone know of other events, contact us to let us know - sprouts[at]urbansprout.co.za

ps: have a look at how Seth is getting to work on the 2 Oceans Vibe blog - for some light-hearted relief...

24th Nov 2010 – just be still.

Fall still and be silent. Be part of the wave of stillness.

Our world is busy and in turmoil
we forget we all share the same space.
Go beyond nationality, religious belief or difference
and remember the still, silent present where everything is united.
That space is the same.
In cities or fields. Up mountains or in valleys.
In work, study or play. In fortune or adversity.
In peace or conflict.
In fact wherever you are.
It belongs to us all.

Fall still for a few moments, and remember, your self...

Just this Day is in its fourth year, its main event in the UK is at St Martin in the Fields where people will join together today to both discover and celebrate stillness and silence.

For more visit www.justthisday.org

Here's a challenging 'new' accronym that is sure to get the hackles rising and the tongues a wagging – the GINK – green inclinations, no kids.

The article I stumbled upon on Grist got me thinking. I was delighted actually. You see, we've had 'only' one child. I say 'only' as whoever we interact with (usually parents and grandparents) rather tactlessly refer to our decision as 'just' the one, or 'only' one, as if we've suffered a loss and the 'other' is missing.

Highlights from this article on the grist:

Monsanto has, in the last few weeks, gone from Wall Street hero to Wall Street doormat.

Thousands of farmers are reconsidering the merits of Monsanto's flagship Roundup Ready crop varieties...

What we're seeing is signs that GMO technology is much cruder and less effective than its champions have let on. After decades of hype and billions of dollars worth of research, much of it publicly funded, the industry has managed to market exactly two traits. More devastating still, it has failed on its own terms: it has not delivered the promised dazzling yield gains...

Millstone at Oude MolenThis is close to my heart, as, if like me, you're a Capetonian, then you will have spent time in this beautiful space.

Sign the petition here

New regulations now state the SA Government no longer has to pass Environmental Impact studies for urban developments. This seriously impacts on the future of the Cape Town based Eco village. Now the plans for mass low cost housing initiated by the ANC Provincial Government can go ahead unchallenged!

There's something about spring in the air that has brought about an upsurge in vegetable juicing and green smoothie making in our household.

Last night, for instance, we juiced a really delicious 'red' concoction – beetroot, cucumber, apple and pineapple – that our four-year old, red moustache in evidence, voted as 'even better' than the carrot juice we have finally got him to quaff.

My other half has expounded the health benefits of green juice for an age now. But no matter how many times I hear about how alkalising, high in anti-oxidants, rich in fibre, calcium and iron it is, there is something about the taste that is, well, I'm just not that mad about green juice.