Giving at Christmas
Christmas is a time of giving, and at 31 Degrees, we like to give what we can. We’re only small, but we have a big heart!
We like to support local, not just because it sounds good, but because we believe that it makes a difference. We use local cream, local raspberries, local passionfruit, local coffee, local tea, and have a Pantry devoted to other local small producers, and any other products we use, we make sure they have a strong ethical stance, like our chocolate. We love that people support us, so we like to support others in return!
We were lucky to be a sponsor of The Pyjama Foundation’s Chocolate Gala a few weeks back, which empowers children in foster care with learning, life skills and confidence. The Pyjama Angels do amazing work, and we were so thrilled to be able to support them!
There are two organisations we’re currently supporting in store.
You may have seen is our adorable Harold, who’s melted state is indicative of what is happening around the world. Climate change is terrifying, because although we do as much as we can- we recycle, we support local, we limit our food miles as much as possible, there needs to be dramatic policy changes worldwide in order to recover- or at least limit the effects.
$1 from every sale of Harold goes towards the Climate Council, who provide independent, authoritative climate change information to the Australian public.
For more information, check out the Climate Council website, and for an illustrative view on the dramatic effect humans have had on this planet, take a look at the xkcd Earth Temperature Timeline.
At 31 Degrees, we love love. I (Kaitlyn) was married this year to the wonderful Anthony, my parents celebrated their 35 year anniversary, Nyssa got engaged to the amazing Sam, and Sara celebrated a 10 year anniversary with her fantastic Phil. We think it’s high time everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender, should be able to marry if they so desire- we’re one of over 1100 businesses and organisations that support equality and inclusion for all people. $1 from the sale of each of the specially marked products go towards Australian Marriage Equality, and we will continue to support them until marriage equality exists. Check out their website for more information on what they do, and remember- love is love is love!
Have a wonderful and safe Christmas and holiday season everyone!
On chocolate, sugar and buying local.
As a chocolatier and pastry chef, I’m at the forefront of creating things that are bad for you. Everything I make is made with full fat cream and refined cane sugar, and that is not going to change any time soon.
Why?
Because my goal in the end is simple: to make things from scratch, using a small number of high quality local ingredients, to create delicious treats that you only need a small portion of to feel satisfied, to have occasionally as part of a balanced and healthy diet.
It’s the time of year where gorging yourself silly on sugar and chocolate is expected and encouraged, as eggs and bunnies fill the stores (mine included). It brings with it the inevitable articles and blog posts about how to have a guilt free Easter. This concept upsets me greatly, as it creates a mindset that you should feel guilty or shameful about anything else you eat, and having shame connected to food is so terribly destructive. With years of a turbulent and tortuous relationship with food that has negatively impacted my health, both physically and mentally, it has taken a long time to grow to love food, something that I struggle with occasionally even today. Nourishing the soul is just as important as nourishing your body!
It’s nigh impossible to keep up with food trends, with a whole range of ingredients flitting in and out of lists that say it is the best thing for you in one place, and likely to give you cancer in another. It’s little wonder people are overwhelmed and happy to listen to whomever speaks the loudest, whether or not they are correct!
But what it all comes down to is to have a very simple attitude towards food.
Eat good food, obtained locally where possible, that nourishes you both mentally and physically, in suitable amounts. It aligns very closely with Michael Pollan’s famous concept, ‘Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.’ It’s shopping around the edges of the supermarket- whole fruits and vegetables (even better from your local fruit shop), fresh meat (from your local butcher), dairy, some pasta or rice if you want them- nearly every dish starts here.
If you want to have a treat, then do it- within reason. A slice of cake, ice cream or a chocolate? Buy something locally made, very high quality, made with local ingredients and not mass produced, and consume it rarely. Find the boutique stores, the high end deli’s, the quality market stalls. Serve a portion that fits in with your kilojoule intake, and sit down and enjoy it! Focus on the way it tastes, the textures and the contentment that you get from it. Appreciate each of the ingredients that go into making it, rather than just consuming empty calories from the lolly aisle.
By changing your focus to have a treat as exactly that- an occasional indulgence- perhaps we can dispel some of the negativity that surrounds food and start to enjoy it again!