The mission this month, is to expand your pantry of primal pickings and understanding of how to work with wild foods.

Modern foragers now source wild foods beyond the woods at whole food markets, specialist stores and even online. An expanding interest for native produce inspiring greater proliferation of foraged foods. The presence of indigenous plants and other culinary curiosities at the family dinner table – now a growing trend. With the increase in popularity and availability, one must consider expanding our knowledge for working with wild foods.

Becoming a Primal Epicurean

To unlock the hidden flavours of foraged or indigenous foods a working knowledge of how to prepare, preserve and combine wild ingredients is key. Often the best place to source information about native produce is from the supplier.

Wild food providers Loving Earth take pride in supporting their indigenous growers and providing their customers with useful resources about produce origin, nutritional value, historical, cultural and medicinal significance – with specially crafted recipes by professional chefs.

Online resources like the popular primal lifestyle blog Mark’s Daily Apple also offer definitive guides, recipes and reviews that relate information about wild foods and modern foraging.

Beyond this books like Wild Food by Juleigh Robins describe with beautiful illustration how to enjoy the delights of downunder – providing recipes and details on native herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Juleigh also owns Outback Spirit another online native produce provider that encourages the culinary use of wild foods (website references recipes and other useful info).

 

Diminishing the cultural divide through volunteer exchange programs benefits people on a global scale. Broadening the scope of ones experience and developing their skills with unique encounters that provide community aid – turns travel and self discovery into an adventure!

Australia an Adventurous Nation

Australian overseas volunteer efforts began in the 1950s with Herb Feirth. An Indonesian diplomat who inspired the formation of the Volunteer Graduate Scheme, a project that pre-dates the American Peace Corps and the British VSO.

Australian Volunteers International as it is now known, assisted with requests for technical experts who could live and work in Indonesia sharing knowledge to teach independence.

The Australian government in 1965 provided funding and their financing continues to support expanding requests for volunteers in overseas locations. Asia, the Pacific and Africa are all benefiting from assignments developed to improve conditions in local communities.

AVI offers community support via a partnership that allows local organisations to employ the volunteers. The assignments involve skills, experience for resolving development needs and training local staff to be independent. Assistance is also offered to host organisations for managing projects, improving administration systems and building networks.

The opportunities for people to improve their work skills whilst experiencing another culture are part of the benefits to volunteers. The effect to poverty and inequality gives purpose to the people involved. The AVI is the first of its kind but not the only (see below). Australians have a history of cooperating on an international level to achieve numerous objectives towards betterment.

Conservation Volunteers Australia also operates in foreign destinations and provides training courses and certification in Active Volunteering. Qualifications represent the reputable position of volunteers and indicate the career possibilities.

The field of professional volunteering is not restricted by age and the best way to start is by considering what cause interests you, the AVI can assist with providing information on volunteer programs in your area of expertise or interest.

Australian Volunteer program application periods coming up in 2012

21 January to 13 February 2012 – assignments start May to June 2012
14 April to 7 May 2012 – assignments start August to September 2012
14 July to 6 August 2012 – assignments start November 2012 to February 2013

Volunteer Travel and Cultural Exchange Resources

Depending on your point of departure, anyone interested in advancing their career and cultural awareness should consider ‘googling’ volunteer travel programs – the opportunities are without bounds, offering a plethora of places and causes to pursue your passion and find your purpose.

A few of our favourites, offering a wide variety of destinations and skill acquisition include:

Travellers Worldwide a leading international provider of Voluntary Placements and Work Experience Internships overseas.

Go Abroad over 27,000 opportunities abroad updated daily.

i-to-i work with hundreds of projects around the globe, organically developed by the local community, for the local community.

 

The mission this month is inspired by the architectural genius of London-based ‘United Visual Artists’ and their ‘Canopy’ of colours – an immersive and interactive light feature for Maple Leaf Square in Toronto, Canada.

Cleverly crafted, to resemble the experience of walking through a forest’s dappled light, Canopy is a 90-meter long light sculpture spanning the front facade of the Maple Leaf Square building.

This permanent architectural installation is made of thousands of identical modules, organised in a non-repeating growth pattern. Their form, abstracted from the geometry of leaves, reflect nature. A combination of daylight and artificial light sweeping through the work recalls the activity of cells within a leaf, leaves in a forest canopy, or a city seen from the air.

Structures resonating the magic of nature with it’s sensory delights, can be found in cities all over the world – by exploring these with an artists eye, our environment becomes an opportunity for immersive interaction.

Photographers often capture stunning visuals created by the interplay of light with structure, and with modern architects integrating patterns of illumination into their design – the cityscape has become the new canvas.

Resources: Here you will find a modest list of websites listing unique architecture around the world and photography tutorials to begin your adventure into ‘architectural photography’.

Architecture Picture: supports an extensive array of information with posts and links to amazing architecture and photography.

Smashing Apps: 50 Stunning Examples of Architectural Photography.

Architecture Media: 100 Years of Picturing Australian Buildings.

Photo.net: Offer’s a decent ‘How to Guide’.

 

Before technology and movies, there existed a freedom. The kind of imaginative, try something new, explore and play till you pass out, ‘FREE’dom.

In today’s financially stressful times, it seems only fitting we rediscover that freedom.

These pay-nothing pastimes, will get you started…

In addition to the ‘free-fun’ below, sites like MeetUp list groups (most of them free) where like-minded adventurer’s post details about upcoming excursions/activities.

Save Money Sightseeing…

Free Things to do in Italy 

Free Things to do in Tokyo

Free Things to do in Dallas

10 Free Things to do in India

Free Things to do in Shanghai

100 Free Things to do in London 

101 Free Things to do in Australia

Free Things to do in Cape Town, South Africa

Wallet-less Walking…

Among the most treasured pastimes around the world is also the most inexpensive ‘walking’. Walking groups will often let join for free or at minimal cost, otherwise resources like the American Hiking Society and Classic Hikes of the World offer detailed information (including: maps, reviews, gear guides, level of fitness required etc.) on hidden hiking gems.

No Pay, Play…

Children of the world have created all manner of imaginative games that test skill, engage the mind and present a physical challenge to the player – and all are free.

Hoop Rolling/Trundling (variations can be played using a stick and wheel): Played as a target game it is an ancient tradition among widely dispersed aboriginal societies. In Asia, the earliest records date from Ancient China, and in Europe from Ancient Greece.

Ultimate (frisbee): A sport played with a 175 gram flying disc – the object of the game, being to score points by passing the disc to a player in the opposing end zone, similar to an end zone in American football or rugby.

Aunt Sally (variant game coconut shy): A throwing game traditionally played in British pubs and fairgrounds. An Aunt Sally was originally a figurine head of an old woman with a clay pipe in her mouth, or subsequently a ball on a stick. The object was for players to throw sticks at the head in order to break the pipe.

Dandi Biyo: A game similar in style to cricket, usually played in rural Nepal with a stick (Dandi) about two feet long and a wooden pin (Biyo) about half feet long. The pin is a small wooden stick with pointed ends.

Click here to view the embedded video.

 

In the movie ‘Limitless’ an uninspired writer is introduced to a mind enhancing drug that enables him to utilise the full potential of his mind. Do we only use 10% of our brain? This widely circulated myth has been scientifically disputed but none the less optimising our mental alertness and functioning is an attractive proposition that makes use of our individual potential.

So, this month our focus is on brain boosting nutrition and skill-based activities that help optimise your mental prowess.

The main character in ‘Limitless’ played by Bradley Cooper uses an experimental drug to unleash his inner potential but there are natural alternatives which can produce similar effects…

Brain Boosting Nutrition

The following list of nutrients from natural sources have all been found to improve the brain’s ability to operate – enhancing cognition and elevating alertness.

Coffee with Sugar: It is well known that caffeine is a stimulant which works on the brain and can combat drowsiness and fatigue. Previous studies have even suggested three cups of a coffee a day can significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, possibly by triggering a chain reaction in the brain that prevents the damage done by the disease. It’s also well known that glucose, a type of sugar, is the main fuel which brain cells need to function properly. But research indicates the two complement each other when it comes to bolstering the brain’s performance.

Salmon: Along with other oily fish salmon are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. These acids contain DHA, which helps the brain transmit signals. Memory loss can result if there are low levels of DHA, even things like lack of concentration, mood disturbances, depression, schizophrenia and autism. Salmon is also high in the essential vitamins A, E, D and C and important minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium and selenium. When buying fish, opt for wild caught salmon, opposed to farmed. Wild Salmon have higher levels of omega-3′s and aren’t fattened on an unhealthy diet of grain-feed.

Oysters: Not just an aphrodisiac, oysters are rich in zinc and iron, which have both been linked to better mental performance.

Blueberries and Spinach: Early findings suggest that eating plenty of high-ORAC list fruits and vegetables, such as spinach and blueberries, may help slow the processes associated with aging in both your body and brain.

Eggs: Contain selenium which acts as a powerful antioxidant but is also believed to boost brain health and strengthen the immune system. Choline is another impotant nutrient found in egg yolks, and it plays a vital role in helping healthy cell membranes along with its ability to help mental function and memory.

Tumeric: This spice is a powerful antioxidant, shown to help stimulate the immune system. There are many health benefits associated with a healthier immune system such as dealing with allergies, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes and heart disease.

Kale: A vegetable powerhouse containing Carotenoids and flavonoids which help to slow mental decline associated with aging and help reduce your risk for cataracts.

Nuts: Portable protein, nuts also contain lots of brain-healthy vitamin E, believed to help prevent memory loss due to ageing. Walnuts are a great choice because, like salmon, they are also packed with omega-3 Cashews are another good one as they are rich in magnesium which has the ability to allow more oxygen into the brain’s blood cells.

Beetroot (also known as beets in US): A study at Wake Forest University in North Carolina has shown that drinking beet juice in a highly concentrated form can boost blood supply to areas of your brain that are important for maintaining healthy cognitive function, especially memory. This is probably due to the high levels of nitrate found in beetroot. A diet high in nitrates have been shown to increase blood flow to the white matter of the frontal lobes in the brain. This is important because it is these actual areas that are commonly associated with degeneration that eventually leads to dementia.

Skill-based Activities

Get your Game On: Play games that challenge and stimulate your mind including Picture Puzzles, Strategy Games, Crossword Puzzles, Card Games, Deduction Games (such as Clue), Visualisation Puzzles and Optical Illusions.

Read: Reading stimulates the brain as it activates your imagination. Reading also helps with memory retention and problem solving, especially if youre reading a mystery. Also, self-help books stimulate your brain by helping you to think for yourself, as well as find solutions in your mind.

Exercise: Exercising helps circulate blood that carries oxygen to your brain. Over the long-term, exercise is proven to increase brainpower and even create new neurons.

Meditate: Meditation has been shown to increase your IQ, relieve stress, and promote a higher level of brain functioning. Meditation also stimulates the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the area of the brain responsible for advanced thinking, ability and performance.

Breathe Deep: Deep breathing helps deliver oxygen to your brain. Oxygen helps you be more alert and awake. As little as 10 to 15 minutes of deep breathing daily can increase brain functionality.

Listen to Music: Studies have proven that listening to music strengthens the right hemisphere of the brain and actually changes the structure of it. Also, people who listen to music are shown to be more emotionally intelligent than those who don’t.

Write: In the movie ‘Limitless’ the main character is a writer a practice that improves memory and thought expression. Writing articles, blogs, or journal entries stimulates thought processes, which also enhances brain function.

Sleep: Clear mental clutter and avoid brain fog with sleep. When you dont get enough sleep at night, your memory and normal brain function suffers.

Become an Artist: Painting and drawing are both effective brain boosters, shown to stimulate the creative side of your brain.