Makaibari Tea Estate - India

While in India last year, Tony and I had the wonderful luck to stay in Kurseong at the foot of Darjeeling, with the Christian Brothers. Fresh mountain air with incredible views, we didn't think it could get much better, until we were told about a biodynamic tea estate in the area owned by an eccentric man.

No sooner had we arrived at the estate and started our tour of the tea processing factory, when a man in a Safari suit complete with a bullet belt around his waist and boots pulled up over his trousers introduced himself as Rajah Banerjee, the owner of Makaibari Tea. It is difficult not to be enthused by a man who has such deep passion not only for tea but also for the environment and the welfare of his workers. (His additional liking for Safari suits is merely an entertaining bonus!).



The tour was followed by a tea tasting session with Rajah Banerjee, in which we were instructed to really suck the tea in (very noisily) and while my ladylike nature prevented me from completely immersing myself in this experience, Tony seemed to really enjoy it. Must be a boy thing!





Rahjah Banerjee prides himself on the return of full eco-systems to the Estate due to the nurturing nature of their production practices, gentle picking and complete avoidance of any synthetic pesticides. They have seen the return of species that have been absent from the area for decades and the arrival of some never before documented species such as the TEA DEVA, an insect that looks just like a tea leaf but has legs!

The world is a small place. At the Organic Expo, in July this year, we met the lovely team from Hampstead Organic Teas, who promptly told us that their wonderful tea is from the Makaibari Estate!

One word of advice for new players.........if you ever get the chance to visit Makaibari, do, but don't ask for milk in your tea...I did and apparently it is like asking for Cola with the best Scotch!

An Inconvenient Truth

If you haven't seen Al Gore's doco 'An Inconvenient Truth' yet, it is definitely time to get yourself to the cinema! Obviously I am already converted to the Green message, however it is always great to see it from another perspective. I would highly recommend taking along any skeptical friends or relatives! It was particularly refreshing to see Gore's look into the economics of environmentalism. Green capitalism can and does exist and can be a postive for both the company and the environment.

One important point is that the very best part of the movie, is the suggestions for what you as the individual can do to reduce your impact. So don't leave when the lights go up, as the suggestions (for some strange reason) come on after this. After all, the simple changes we make every day not only reduce our individual environmental impact, but also work to educate and inspire those around us - both young and old.

Enjoy!

Organic Beers - Saving the world, one beer at a time!

It feels a little frivilous talking about the virtues of Organic Beer after just meeting a man as wonderful as David Suzuki. However as he noted, it is the small changes that we all make, every day, that make a difference.

Things tend to have a knock on effect, so by merely drinking another Organic Beer with your mate, you may inspire him or her to look into Organics and eco-living and they may very well become the next David Suzuki..........think how many trees you would have saved then!

Additionally by choosing products produced without the use of synthetic petrochemical fertilisers, you are really reducing eco-systems disruption both on the farm and in our waterways.

So we want to hear all about your favourite preservative free or organic beers. Additionally if you have checked out the additives in your current regular drink and found some nasty surprises tell us that too!

Time to go...I believe it is beer o'clock!

Gina

David Suzuki My Hero!

Meeting David Suzuki was for me, like meeting Brad Pitt may be for some women. This incredible man has given so much to our world, yet remains humble and grateful in everyway. Last night I was fortunate enough to listen to him tell the story of his life (along with several hundred other people!)and it was nothing short of inspirational.

The take home message was simple......'It's not all doom and gloom' and that 'everyday people can and do make a difference'. His book 'Good News for a Change..How Everyday people are helping the planet' was a fitting purchase. I am still finishing the first chapter...so more details soon.

In my brief encounter with David, he asked just two things of me (while signing my book);
1.That I continue to 'spread the news'
2.That I continue to get young people 'like you (me)' involved

So thank you my wondeful CleanLife readers and subscribers for allowing me to do this good work through you and for helping me to spread the news.

Please do continue to direct anyone and everyone to CleanLife, the more people we have making small changes every week the greater ability we have to reduce our environmental impact and our synthetic chemical exposure. It's like insurance for our health and that of our planet!

Gina

Greeniology

I was lucky enough to meet the beautiful TV presenter and environmentalist, Tanya Ha today. As if being beautiful and eco-aware isn't enough, this lovely lady is also incredibly clever and has just released, the second edition of her book 'Greeniology; How to live well, be green and make a difference'. Tanya is certainly more 'hip than hippie' and her book encapsulates everything that CleanLife is about, so we hope you grab a copy and enjoy it. As Jamie Durie says "Every household needs a copy of Greeniology".

We are always on the hunt for a good read, so please tell us all about your favourite, green and healthy books.

Stay Green and Clean

Gina