Pass The Mayo Please!

I really like using mayonnaise in sandwiches, dips, and as coatings with chicken and fish.

I'm somewhat of a fanatic about the taste of coconut. Also knowing that it's one of the healthiest foods to use in it's many forms, I was searching the recipes online and found this video.

I usually go back and forth between "normal" mayonnaise and veganaise.

I would love to hear from anyone that tries this recipe. Perhaps your own variations to it too.

Never eat the mayonnaise while still in the blender.....

Aquaponics in every home

A year ago, I jumped into aquaponics after being given a lettuce plant that was grown in an aquaponics system.

Aquaponic Lettuce

Not knowing much about aquaponics, I even mistakenly had this picture saved under hydroponics.
For those that don't know the difference. aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (raising plants in water without soil).

My lettuce became a center piece arrangement in my kitchen. Each day, I looked at that lettuce, I was spurred on to the internet and began researching aquaponics.

The Lettuce in it's new Aquaponics home

 Without dragging this post out too far. My lettuce gift, turned into a year long adventure into aquaponics that has taken me to the point of having multiple types of system spread between my home and a friends home. A lot of the knowledge, like many others in aquaponics, was learned through trial and error. From information read about or seen, mostly on the internet.

A new home for my First and Second Aquaponics Systems

 

First Aquaponics with Plants

 Eventually, I came across what many would think of a must have book for this type of aquaponics systems. It was the Aquaponics Gardening book by  Sylvia Bernstein.
Get a copy today!

Second Aquaponics System Startup

With a copy of Aquaponics Gardening always handy, I continued working on my systems and began joining a number of forums online. There are about 5 or 6 forums spread around from Australia to the US that are quite popular.
Sylvia Bernstein created the Aquaponics Community Forum, which I joined and this led to becoming a member of the Aquaponics Association.

Second Aquaponics System with Plants and Fish

First Aquaponics System Planted

The Aquaponics Source has just announced the addition of Aquaponics Gardening Course.

This online course is based on Sylvia Bernstein`s popular Aquaponic Gardening: A Step by Step Guide to Growing Fish and Vegetables Together.

The online course is discounted through August 2012 and there is a special package that combines the online course, with a free copy of the book. Find it here.

First Aquaponics System Fish Tank View

Greenhouse View of First and Second Aquaponics System

Second Aquaponics System Flourishes

I think many people are attracted to building aquaponics systems for various reasons and it would be great to see them in most yards and even inside homes. Building them from scratch and learning all the ins and outs is fun and almost an addicting part, but I would suggest that anyone even considering it, might want to get Sylvia`s book and even online course to really know what is involved. It can save a lot of time, money and uncertainty in the long run.

New Aquaponics System idea takes shape

I would also suggest that people become a member of a forum. There are a number of them out there. The aquaponics source community forum has over 7000 members at this point and growing, so it's a pretty good one to start with.

My Rack Mount Aquaponics in the Drive way

The Old Jacuzzi becomes a Fish Tank and the latest Aquaponics System

Whether your new to aquaponics or have been into it for awhile, joining the Aquaponics Association would also be a great move. Beyond being a member and it's benefits, I believe that as the world looks for solutions to food and environmental issues, aquaponics is standing out more and more. By being a member of an association for Aquaponics, it gives a much needed voice to the people doing it and tells the politicians, governments, financial and business communities, that aquaponics is a serious way to produce food and here to stay.

Don't have the space outside or just want to enjoy seeing your aquaponics system. Here is the designer AquaBundance system that would compliment any home.

Maui Farmers Union United August 2012 Meeting

MFUU Meeting LARGER SPACE THIS MONTH

Maui Farmers Union United Aug 28, 2012 Meeting Haiku Community Center Tuesday night doors open 5:30pm Dinner opening circle 6:00 pm sharp

HAIKU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GARDEN TOUR AND PRESENTATION 5PM TO 6PM We are pleased to announce our collaboration with the Maui School Garden Network and Community Work Day program in our outreach to the greater Maui community. We will be meeting at the Haiku school garden, Mala O Ha'iku, promptly at 5:00 pm. ( The garden is behind the school on the Haiku Community Center side of the school and should be approached from the Haiku Community Center rather than from the front of the school itself.) Rebekah Kuby of the Community Work Day program, Robin Imonti, a Haiku El parent volunteer who started the garden herself, and Jenna Tallman, the current school garden coordinator, will give an overview of the school garden program at Haiku El. Following this will be the dedication of the Kahalu'u Avocado tree that has been planted. Mahalo to Jayanti Nand for grafting and donating the tree to MFUU and Jerry Isdale for making the plaque with all of the participants' names who made this happen for na keiki. Finally, Jenna Tallman will be give us a demonstration on how to brew Bokashi to speed up the composting process while Vincent Mina will demonstrate the making of Fermented Plant Juice. Two very beneficial and easy fermentations that can be used in composting and feeding plants organically.

When the garden tour is finished at 6:00 pm, the group will proceed back to the HCC building for our locavore potluck dinner and rest of the evening MFUU program. (Food will be received from 4:45pm at HCC for those attending the garden tour and demonstrations.)

Meeting Agenda: Haiku Community Center

6:00pm-6:50pm- Locavore Potluck The food table has been looking so good lets keep it growing.... its becoming evident that those who bring food are doing it in the spirit of abundance and the celebration of food.......Way to grow our gatherings Maui!

6:45pm-7:00pm Announcements Vincent Mina President
7:00pm-7:15pm-Chefs Corner-John Cadman Kale Ocean Salad 7:15pm-7:30pm-Produce Scoops-Ryan Eareheart Mana Foods 7:30pm-7:40pm Harriet Witt- Cycles of Light and Life
7:40pm-8:10pm Jayanti Nand Tree Air Layering Demonstration 8:10pm-8:30pm-Update-Annual Meeting Oct 24th Bill,Evan,Vincent

Locavore Potluck & Produce Swap Bring your favorite dish to share

"Its all about celebrating the growing, sharing, being inspired and nourished by our food and community."

A Waste Free Event: Bring a vessel and utensils for dinner or purchase our recyclable ones at a nominal cost.

PRODUCE SWAP: Make it abundant Maui its your event... Bring your home grown farm produce, seeds or plant starts to share and swap with others.

Maui Farmers Union United

Brain Training Break

Jigsaw Puzzle » free puzzles

Maui Farmers Union United May Meeting

Tavares Center Pool Room ~Pukalani
Doors open 5:00pm Dinner opening circle 6:00 pm sharp Mtg. 7pm sharp

Dessert Contest ~Win Great Prizes! (Bring your entry between 5:10- 5:40 Judging at 5:45pm) Contest Details: Melissa Ebeling will register each dessert upon entering. You will need to bring your entry along with your written recipe between 5:15 & 5:40pm. Judging will begin at 5:45 pm sharp! One Dessert entry per person. Two judges will determine the winners on a point system, for presentation, flavor, and creative use of locally grown ingredients. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners. Judging will be completed by 6:00 pm.

Schedule: 6:00pm-6:50pm- Locavore Potluck - Bring a dish OR Dinner is $5 for Members, $10 for Non Members. Sign up as a member and dinner is on us! Be creative and add to the abundance, you are the event!!!

6:50pm-7:00pm Announcements - Vincent Mina President
7:00pm-7:15pm Chefs Corner - Elijah Manahan- Coconut Kefirs
7:15pm-7:45pm Kupuna Sam Ka'ai - Hawaiian Historian
7:45pm-7:55pm Ryan Eareheart - Produce Corner
7:55pm-8:05pm Bill Greenleaf &Lehue Vandervelde - MFUU Report
8:05pm-8:15pm Astronomy in Agriculture- Harriet Witt passengerplanet.com
8:15pm-8:30pm Gerry Ross - Seed Basic Workshop Review
8:30-pm-9:00pm Member Network/Meeting Pau

PRODUCE SWAP: With each month more folks participate... Bring your home grown farm produce, seeds or plant starts to share and swap with others.

"Its all about growing, sharing and being nourished by our food and community"
Note: We aim to have a "trash free" event and encourage folks to bring their own bowl and utensils. New: We will provide utensils at a nominal cost.

Maui Farmers Union United April 2012 Meeting

Next meeting of the Maui Farmers Union United: April 24, 2012 Meeting Agenda:

Locavore Potluck: Come and share the Maui abundance of what you prepare and grow!!! Bring a dish OR Dinner is $5 for Members, $10 for Non Members. Sign up as a member and dinner is on us!

Schedule:
6:00pm-7:00pm LocaVore Potluck
6:50pm-7:00pm Evening Announcements ~ Vincent Mina
7:00pm-7:10pm Chefs Corner ~ Jana McMahon-Kahanu Aina Greens 7:10pm-7:20pm Farmers Almanac ~ Harriette Witt
7:20pm-7:30pm Produce Scoop ~Ryan Eareheart-Mango Madness 7:30pm-8:00pm Lehua Vander Velde- MFU "You are the event" 8:00pm-8:10pm Bill Greenleaf-Annual meeting
8:10pm-8:30pm Seth Raabe- Our experience culturing and using IMO 8:30pm- 9pm Networking

Produce Swap: Lets make it abundant!!!

Bring your home grown farm/garden produce, seeds or plant starts to share and swap with others. Place it on the table in the back when you arrive.

Note: We aim to have a "trash free" event and encourage folks to bring their own bowl and utensils. And, if you like, a comfortable chair. It was standing room only last month!

~6pm-9pm Potluck and General Meeting. ~The fourth Tuesday of every month. ~Attendance has been high and we run out of seats so please consider bringing your own comfortable chair ~All meetings include: The Chef's Corner, Mana Foods Produce Scoops, Farmer's Almanac Astronomy Presentation, Educational Demonstration and Presentation, Legislative Updates, Announcements. ~Meetings are held at The Pool Room at the Tavares Community Center in Pukalani. (see map below) ~All meetings are free. ~All are welcome. ~Please bring a local foods potluck dish to share if you would like to eat with us. Alternatively, you may bring $10 (for non-members) or $5 (for members). ~YOU ARE THE EVENT Make it Feastive!!!

Please visit the website and sign up for the newsletter and membership.
http://mauifarmersunionunited.weebly.com/