Are You Consciously Aware of The Elixir of #Autumn?
“Consciously aware of what?” I “hear” you ask?
“What is The Elixir?”
I see you too are “keen and eager” to learn more food wise and conscious wise today!
Thank you to Tiffany from Conscious Lifestyles for allowing me to experience her “very unique,” “insightful” and “enlightening” Adelaide Hills Wine Region Tour called The Elixir of #Autumn.
Tiffany’s passion “very enthusiastically” shined through in sharing her views as an environmentalist who believes we need to “support local food growers,”, “eat seasonally” with minimum intervention; reconnecting people with the foods they eat.
What I particularly liked about the tour was experiencing Tiffany’s lifestyle philosophy of “reconnecting people with food” and understanding “the rhythms of nature and the rhythms of seasons.”; everything in its time and being able to appreciate reconnecting with the earth (nature).
Kristina Dryža from Grace and The Wind was a special guest on the tour who shared: “Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” – Henry David Thoreau
Many questions were raised along the way, but let’s start the tour eh?
Located in Basket Range in the cool climate of Adelaide Hills, Basket Range Wines produce “consistently high quality grapes,” including my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon.
Our hosts Mary and Phillip Broderick welcomed us to their vineyard which was purchased in 1980 and yielded their “first commercial vintage” in 1988 which won a medal in the Adelaide Hills Wine Show.
It was interesting to learn about “the traditional method” of making Vino Cotto ( a cooked wine syrup) with each vintage.
I also got to sample my first Moshico Coffee chocolate which is “handmade and moulded” using Moshico coffee beans and Belgium Callebaut chocolate; see featured photo.
Their son Louis “has added to the range by producing Basket Range Barrel Fermented Cider from apples grown adjacent to the vineyard.”
Louis encouraged us to look all around the vineyard and encouraged us to take in the magnificent “sunny aspects and steep slopes.”
I particularly enjoyed listening to Phillip’s stories behind the wines and cider, the fermentation process, hand pressed types of grapes and apples used and tonnes per yield.
Mary, Phillip and Louis’ wine passion was “enjoyably exhilarating” to take in.
Were we “conscious” of where food comes from?
Were we “conscious” if we valued food more it would lead to improved health?
There were some of the questions we were left to ponder; as Tiffany’s goal in educating people is to simple “appreciate naturally grown foods.”
Our next stop was Forest Orchards where our hosts Graeme and Fiona Schultz were a delight!
“It’s generally agreed that Forest Orchards grow the best and most sought after organic apples in Australia.” according to Wholefoods House; a great accolade indeed!
Forest Orchards is “certified organic” more than twenty years ago.
I particularly enjoy learning about the 10 different varieties they grow as well as learning how apple trees grow naturally.
Graeme was passionate to include that none of their apples are sold to large supermarket chains and I was very interested in their apples are delivered in “reusable crates” as opposed to disposable cardboard.
I was particularly interested in learning about apple plant and stem hormones and what were Graeme’s secrets for stimulating growth based on the direction of the stem; fascinating!
As you know by now, I LOVE to S-Q-U-E-A-L when it comes to all things food and wine. *blush blush*
I must admit as I was “mentally SQUEALING inside” as Graeme “graciously” allowed our group to pick apples to take home; thank you Graeme and Fiona!
I have a food confession!
I have never picked apples before and it has always been on my food bucket list!
Wait until you see what I have created with Graeme and Fiona’s apples and organically!
Are You Consciously Aware of The Elixir of #Autumn?
Are you “consciously” aware of food that is healthy?
Do you “consciously” live in the food moment and are you aware of what and how quickly or slowly you eat?
These were further questions that was pondered by me!
My awareness was “enlightened” on Tiffany’s tour that “health is my wealth!”; an expression I use often.
I particularly enjoyed learning more about the apple juice “hand pressed” machine and process and the varieties needed for the perfect balance of apple juice.
I really enjoyed the final tasting; healthy and refreshing indeed!
Before our group departed, we got to sample Graeme’s apple cider vinegar and learn more about the health benefits.
I found this interesting as I currently take apple cider vinegar shots daily to improve health.
Are You Consciously Aware of The Elixir of #Autumn?
I think you too are starting to “consciously” be aware of “appreciating” not only we are what we eat, but “appreciate” where one’s food is “naturally grown” and what our individual bodies need naturally.
Next on the Elixir of #Autumn tour was Nick and Sally’s Adelaide Hills Fresh Chestnuts where our group was introduced not only to the varieties of chestnuts, how their range of fresh chemical produce is cultivated, but what is in season; as Nick and Sally also grow hazelnuts, figs, quinces, tamarillos, feijoas, white sapotes (something food wise new with me) and pomegranates.
Do you know the “very hard work” and process that goes into collecting, harvesting and roasting chestnuts?
I will give you extra bonus points if you can identify this in the comments today!
As part of The Elixir of #Autumn experience, our group got to have a bit of a walk (did I mention it was bit of a walk lol) up (and down) the property.
I bet you could not guess what awaiting the group and me?
Have you ever picked chestnuts before?
I have a new “appreciation” of HOW much work it is not only to collect chestnuts, process them, the varieties and how healthy they are!
The group’s reward was a “lovely and delicious” chestnut soup, roasted chestnuts (had quite a few!) and I really enjoyed learning more about the health benefits of chestnuts; recipes, brochures, “hints and tips” about chestnuts were provided by Nick and Sally!
I must admit that my food knowledge of chestnuts was very limited prior to Tiffany’s tour, but I have VERY special memories of “roasted chestnut carts” in New York during winter and with a tear in me eye (of joy), the “smell of chestnuts” reminded me of my dad when we used to enjoy roasted chestnuts together.
Is food experiences any better?
What a “wonderfully exciting,” “very unique,” Adelaide tour I was “humbled and privileged” to experience.
Tiffany’s Conscous Lifestyles Tour was not only about the food, the passionate producers, the value that we all place on health, but “consciously” being aware to support local growers, to appreciate seasonal foods and most importantly….won’t my “body & soul” thank me for appreciating the seasons and appreciating nature naturally?
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