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February 2024 l The Nature Rules! Project - 4 books that start a movement

Nature Rules1_04Nov24.png

Image ⓒ The New LIteracy Programme™

Hope isn't a policy.

Unless followed by help, hope soon dies.

The local projects sector is vital.

Its morale also depends on knowing big emitters are playing their part to bring down emissions.

We have a strategy for empowering young people to make powerholders do their jobs.

♦

Director: Katherine Beauchamp - See full bio under Story

Research Director: Yamini Suresh

B.Planning: Town and Country Planning, (Hons 1st), School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India; Urban Fellow, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru, India; M. Environmental Management and Development (Distinction), Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

Specialist (Environmental Education) Science, Research, Artwork, Social Media

Yamini says: 'I believe children and young people are a key part of achieving climate action. Their passion is key. And this is the foundation of the environment education and literacy work conducted by Kate with the TNLP team, which I am excited to be a part of. With Nature Rules! we aim to empower young people and their families to act within their homes and communities and channel that energy into broader policy changes.

'It is important, timely work.'

Yamini’s professional interests lie in multidisciplinary engagement that empowers the global citizens and young people to access climate and environment education with ease.

Nature Rules! Specialist Advisers

Dr Jonathan Banks, scientist, farmer

Professor Tony Dalton housing

Charlie Wood full bio under Story

Nicky Moffat conservation, forestry

Dr Tiffany Cole art

Young people...and many more people coming on board.

November 2013 | Vale Charlie Trotter

The entire Helpings Team of The New Literacy Programme and Real Food Canberra were terribly sad to hear that Charlie Trotter has passed away, and far too young. Charlie was the first famous overseas chef to offer endorsement for our first publication: Helpings - Real Food for Young People by Young People.

Our own Helpings author Charlie Wood phoned Charlie Trotter at his world famous restaurant in 2011 in Chicago, to see if he would endorse our project and he didn't hesitate! This gave our young volunteer researchers and writers such confidence that that they went on to successfully obtain endorsement right around the world, ending up with HRH The Prince of Wales! (see website).

The influence of Charlie Trotter, through his cooking, teaching, sponsorship, the small library of books he has authored, his advocacy for real food and young people, has reached around the world, from slum children who growing carrots in window boxes to sell to his restaurants, to the volunteers at Real Food Canberra and beyond. He well deserved his induction into the Culinary Hall of Fame.

Fare well and thank you, Charlie Trotter. We are so sorry you had to go so soon.

March 27 2012 | Jemima Walsh, wonderful mother of two lovely girls, writes

Hi there publishers of Helpings,

Thank you for a great book which connects young people with real food and reminds us 'old' people what real food is. I have received lots of positive comments from friends and family about Helpings. I saw first hand how the benefits of embracing real food have paid off in my family in the war against the billion dollar processed junk food marketing machine. I guess it started when my kids went to preschool and we got the healthy eating message from some amazing teachers. Fruit break in our primary school reinforced the value of munch and crunch! I knew my own mind and body performed best without too much sugar and fat.

I believe in moderation but real food says it all in a positive way as opposed to categorising food as 'good' and 'bad'. A few months ago I was tired and we were late home and I thought that buying takeaway chicken and chips would be a fast dinner for my family and maybe a treat. I was amazed. My children wouldn't even touch the fried chicken and chips. I still remember the look of disgust on their faces. My husband and I ate it and felt sick the next day as the fat, protein, chemicals and carbs hit our systems in overload.

I'm truly amazed as I see my daughters make their own healthy choices day in and day out because their palates have become used to fresh and wholesome texture and tastes. Because of Helpings I let them cook in the kitchen and prepare all sorts of delights. I know that in our kitchen I am giving them a gift that will prepare them well for healthy adulthood. We are also learning to grow some of our own food and we recently all won prizes at the Canberra Show for our horticultural and produce entries.

Thanks again,

Jem

February 14 2012 | Real Food in the ANU Reporter

February 6 2012 | Food for thought.

--- Agora na Africa! - Now in Africa!

For far yummier fries - Helpings page 186
For WAY better hamburgers - Helpings page145
For superior smoothies - Helpings page 56

Thanks to Liam for sending us this pic of a forlorn tomato, to be considered in our hunt for the wobbliest or ugliest vegetable. (Helpings p 68-72)Sadly, this little tomato cannot be considered as real food. It fails the food miles test, having clearly come from another galaxy. (Yes, it did glow in the dark.)

February 3 2012 | Have you heard?

Have you heard?

Mothers are writing to say their kids turn on a Helpings meal every week.

The children go out and shop for real food, then prepare and serve the meal. Gabi, just starting year five,served up stir fry, salsa and lemonade the other night.

Working mothers, pay attention to this!

Leave a copy of Helpings around the house with some shopping money and come home to a three course

meal.

A recent article on Helpings from the Townsville Bulletin

https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/nqlife/

January 25 2012 | Pass the parsley pesto, please!

Constant summer rains on Australia's east coast have produced waist-high bushes of Italian flat leaf parsley.

Perfect for parsley pesto! ( Helpings 104).

Author Charlotte Wood suggests this crunchy, sharp, flavour-laden paste is good for fish and winter bean soups.

She's so right! However, we're spooning it onto pretty much anything: pizza base, bruschetta, baked spuds, bagels, sandwiches with leftover Christmas ham, ripped sourdough bread fresh from the oven.

Tips: It takes longer to pull the leaves from the stalks than the basil version but it's totally worth it. To freeze, add more olive oil.

1-2 cloves garlic

1.5 cups flat leaf parsley (stems removed)

1 tsp salt

1/3 cup olive oil (or more)

1/3 cup almonds

Process all in a blender.

Store in an airtight container. Glass is best. Label it and include the date. Refrigerate after opening. Stores well for winter.

January 20 2012 | Back to School with Helpings!

Back to School with Helpings! We're hearing of home economics teachers taking the book for inspiration and education.

And Jessica, a kindergarten/year 1 teacher from Preston in Melbourne writes:

I just wanted to pass on my congratulations and thanks for creating Helpings.

As a primary school teacher and garden program co-ordinator I am always on the look out for useful cookbooks for my students.

I have also found it challenging dealing with issues relating to GM food and how to promote positive food choices.

This book has covered a wide range of topics in a way in which even the youngest primary school children can understand.

I am a massive fan of the River Cottage and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall so to open to a donation from him as well was just fantastic.

I wish Charlotte Wood and everyone at Real Food Canberra all the best.

Eating real food is challenging enough as an adult and I'm grateful for this resource to aide teaching the next generation how to decode the labels on some of our so-called "food".

I will look at ways of making use of these incredibly valuable resources throughout the year. I have been telling a few teachers and community garden staff about your book and will continue to spread the word.

Your idea of organising a Skype conversation (on real food, with a primary school class) sounds fantastic!

I am also curious if the amazing diagram of Nature on pages 20-21 is available as a poster?

(Ed: It is now!)

Thank you again,

Warm regards

Jess Merlo

December 14 2011 | Helpings author, Charlotte Wood, and the ANU Chancellor The Hon Gareth Evans

Author Charlotte Wood with the ANU Chancellor The Hon Gareth Evans on Charlotte's graduation from the Australian National University December 14th. Charlotte holds her degree (Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability) and the Chancellor holds a copy of Helpings which he will give to his grandchildren.

December 9 2011 | Schools happy with HELPINGS lessons!

It is wonderful to see schools obtaining Helpings to use in cooking classes or for the library. One high school had six copies donated by an enthusiastic parent.

This message comes from Dr Michael Kindler, Principal of Ainslie Primary School in Canberra, Australia’s capital. Dr Kindler has two copies in the school library and posters up in the corridors.

Helpings (ISBN 9780980706154) is refreshing on several counts. It is written in refreshingly simple language, using refreshingly simple cooking steps so that children of young ages can grasp the techniques involved. It is also refreshingly beautifully illustrated, replete with enticing pictures of ingredients, filled with tips and ways to intrigue both chefs and consumers of the many meals described.

In five colour coded chapters, the reader is taken through foods based on dairy products and healthy alternatives, grains and pasta with a consistent emphasis on individual choice and health. Better alternatives to sugar are suggested and timely, and the book notes that moderate amounts of butter and vegetable oils form part of a healthy balanced diet.

This 220 page A4 sized book, with rich colour on every page, comes complete with recommendations by some of Australia’s best-known chefs, and carries international endorsements. Try and buy!

Michael
Dr Michael Kindler
https://www.ainslies.act.edu.au/

December 4 2011 | Prince Charles congratulations for Helpings.

December 1 2011 | Helpings Launch in Slow Food Newsletter

November 30 2011 | More endorsements for Helpings!

The Australian High Commissioner to the UK,

His Excellency John Dauth, writes:

Congratulations on … a very professional publication and, of course, a labour of love!

The Ambassador of the United States of America to Australia writes to lead author Charlotte Wood:

Congratulations. I wish I could be with you in person to celebrate the launch of the sustainable cook book for young people. Your commitment to this educational cook book by and for young adults is an inspiration. Like my Boss and the First lady, Becky and I have planted a vegetable garden … and are encouraging local, healthy, ‘slow food’.

Becky and I send you our very best for a successful launch.

Kind regards,

Jeffery L Bleich

It seems Helpings is reaching its target audience.

“I asked my very cool teenager, who prides himself on not reading, if he had seen the copy of Helpings I left lying around .

“Yes, looks good” he said. That’s a lot of communication! That's very high praise! AND he said he’s going to USE it! Real food wedges coming up!

Thanks and I need another copy - signed please.”

Letter to our website,

Greetings Kate and Duncan!

Thank you for a truly wonderful book launch yesterday at the Majura Primary School in the “Republic of Watson”! My heart is singing from the inspiration, creativity, excitement and results from the New Literacy Programme, the school's kitchen garden program and the achievement of the Queanbeyan Primary School's momentous canteen make-over.

If there is any way I can contribute to TNLP I would love to.

Wishing you continued successes,

Pennie Scott

The Bush Goddess

November 20 2011 | Learning the Speech Sounds of English in 2 CDs to be released soon!

November 16 2011 | Helpings - Real food for young people by young people featured in The Canberra Times - Food and Wine. Click the images to view them full size for easier reading. You can view the online Canberra Times article here.

November 11 2011 | ABC Radio Clip

ABC Radio clip and website story from the launch of Helpings, Genevieve Jacobs is the interviewer.

https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/11/22/3373251.htm