After the 2020 Christmas holiday restrictions, I think we all deserve a good holiday and time to spend with our family. While shopping for the right sustainable products for those guilty pleasures can be tough. You probably ask yourself “where can I find chocolate but using sustainable packaging?” Where can I find a wine company not only doing good for the environment but will also impress our guests?
Thanks to the courier companies and online stores, shopping for eco-friendly products couldn’t be any easier. I have listed a few products that will help guide you through this Easter holiday indulgence without guilt.
Chocolate
who doesn’t like a good chocolate bar? But when you’re shopping at the supermarket have you wondered, is that cocoa sourced ethically? What happens to the plastic wrapping? We are trying our best to reduce our carbon footprint every day, should I surrender to the Easter eggs?
I came across this brand Alter Eco chocolate when I was on a trip to the US. Alter Eco source their cocoa from Peru and their coconut oil from India. They earned their fair-trade certification through all the good work they have done for the local people and the environment. Another thing you probably don’t know is that Alter Eco chocolate is the candy company that invented compostable candy wrappers. Make sure to put those wrappers in your compost bin.
Things get even better, you can now find Alt Eco chocolate at IGA, FOODWORKS, Harris farm etc.. They offer chocolate bars, truffles and grass-fed milk. Classic dark truffles are my all-time favourite. (I am not paid by Alt Eco, this is not an ad, I just truly cannot resist the great taste of their chocolate)
Wine
Personally, I am not a big wine drinker, but I would like to make everyone smile this holiday season, you know what I mean? We are from a country with some of the world’s best wines, there is no reason for you not to have a good glass of pinot with friends and family.
If by any chance you are visiting Australia or on a road trip within Australia, make sure you do not skip RIVERLAND in South Australia. There are 25 well known wineries from this region, including Angove wines, Salena Estate and Caudo Vineyards. There is a winery called Bankrock Station that I want to mention. Bankrock station has been donating to environmental groups in the past few years, also they restored the surrounding wetland areas for bird viewing and now the wetland has become the major breeding ground for migrating birds.
A project founded by Bankrock Station environmental trust is called “Saving the Spiny Daisy”. It is a native daisy that was once believed extinct in Australia but is now blooming in Bankrock station under care. The program aim is to bring this native plant back from extinction and so far, it is a success according to the Bankrock Station program manager.
Easter recipe- sustainable farming trout/salmon from Melbourne
I met the team from Buxton Trout & Salmon Farm 3 years ago at the Sydney food and wine festival. The first thing that attracted me is the great taste of their smoked trout. Then after I spoke with the owners from Buxton Farm I found they’ve been sustainably farming trout and salmon since the late 80’s. Their trout and salmon are no antibiotic, chemicals and growth hormones to encourage growth.
Another good thing about Buxton farm is that you can book a fishing trip to Buxton farm and fish your choice of trout and salmon, what a great Easter trip for the family to enjoy.
Here are 2 easy recipes with smoked trout, that look good and taste great:
Curried Rice with smoked trout
Smoked trout & cucumber open sandwiches
There are many more sustainable choices out their ready for us. Companies like Alt Eco, Bankrock Station and Buxton trout and salmon farm plus our own Oobamboo are all trying our best to give our consumers another choice for a less environmental impact shopping choice. As the Alt Eco CEO said: “it took several years, but we launched the world’s first compostable, non-toxic candy wrappers. And we’re part of a coalition to encourage the rest of the industry to follow suit.” If we make a change for the better, others will be encouraged to make a change as well.
I hope you all have a great Easter holiday and enjoy your guilt-free pleasures. Please comment if you know of more sustainable food brands so we can share in our community.