We’re constantly amazed at the number of solo females travelling around Australia – most of them full-time.
Like ‘Wendy’ – who we met during our unexpected but most enjoyable stay hiding out from COVID in Toowoomba last year.
Brian was particularly impressed with Wendy’s purpose-built brand new mini-bus but the conversation soon turned to food – which he’s pretty interested in too!
But as it turns out this ‘foodie’s’ interest goes beyond what most people think about when it comes to food…
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BRIAN:
Now Wendy you're told me you’re very interested in food? (Yes) Tell us about healthy eating... as a lot of people don't eat healthily these days...
WENDY:
No, I don't know why. I don't understand it. I guess maybe it's to do with being how you're brought up. When I was a kid, we were eating the basics like steak and veggies and salads and things...
But then I travelled halfway around the world and you know, that sort of opened up my eyes to a lot of things, but I don't know, I just have a natural interest in health and well being and would like to be a vegetarian. I'm yet to get to that stage totally though!...
BRIAN:
Well, we're getting there.
WENDY:
You're doing it too?
BRIAN:
We have very little meat. We get our protein from other sources.
WENDY:
Apparently plants have enough protein.
BRIAN:
That's what we're finding out. We've changed our diet. It was never un-healthy, but it's a lot healthier now. I think the first & only time I had McDonald's probably 15 years ago ... that stuff is fried and all that sort of stuff. So not interested in that. We're not over the top in our vegetable style thing, although my wife, Kaye, would probably say we are, cos' that's what we're doing right now!
We’re eating a lot of veggies, but you can also make things that look like pasta and taste like pasta out of vegetables, if you've got a spiralizer, which we do. So what would you like to see happen with people eating more healthily?
WENDY:
Well, now that I'm starting to travel and meeting people, surprisingly I'm meeting lots of people who are interested in healthy food and organic food which I'm interested in well that's all I eat now. Mostly what I eat! We were saying earlier we need some sort of a 'go to' list where when you travel travelling, you can refer to it so you can go to an organic shop or store or something and know that you can feed yourself on organic on a daily basis. I know Coles and Woollies have organic foods, but they're restricted with what they have to offer. And there's also organic meat that you have to chase as well.
BRIAN:
It's a matter of doing a lot of research I guess and learning and getting it from reputable sources, not just from a group online or somewhere that says, I do this and I do that. And we have this. We have that.
Get it from proper recognised health organisations.
So… your background, you're a nurse? (Yeah). So you've got a little bit of information, (a little bit). Well you've get a LOT of information!
WENDY:
A little bit compared to others 😊
BRIAN:
It's the health aspect though, isn't it? as we get older that we need to be aware of?
WENDY:
Yes. You become more aware of your own health and everything, and you start developing all these things.
BRIAN:
Okay. So with the organic food, can you name a couple of things that you're talking about? Like the vegetables, the types of vegetables. Is it the way they're grown?
WENDY:
Well, they're certified. So this costs them a lot of money. They have to reach all these standards and continuously prove that they're living up to those standards in the growth of their soil. But all I know is that once they're certified, they have been approved for those particular standards.
BRIAN:
So in growing food, they might be using chemical fertilisers, which are 'natural' in inverted commas
WENDY:
Yea herbicides & things.
BRIAN:
For instance, if I have an apple as a snack... years ago you pick the apple up and eat it, and that's come from the shop. Who knows where it's come from, before it hit the shelves there. I now at least wash them.
WENDY:
Yes. Yes.... some people soak their fruit and veggies in vinegar & water for 20 minutes before they use them. (is that to cleanse them?)
Yea vinegar is very good, but I don't have the time for that... I still work!! I do wash them. I scrub them actually, I'll get my little scourer & scrub them under the water.
But I've recently realised, and I guess it's common sense. Chemical free fruit and veg are probably better than certified. Because certified uses sprays. Even if they are herbicides it's still just not as bad as that Monsanto glyphosate. (Oh, Yeah) They don't use glyphosate, but they do use other stuff. So you still have to wash it & everything. Yeah, it's pretty involved you're forever learning and discovering. (Absolutely) And who do you believe as well? It's so many different stories.
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