Biodynamic Horticulture |
This is a unique system of agricultural practices based principally on the work of Rudolph Steiner and subsequent developments. A healthy soil will produce healthy plants. Fertilizing is accomplished with biodynamically processed cow dung and plants, applied in homeopathic doses. Pest and disease control is based on peppering (you burn what you don't want and apply the water dissolved ash back to the problem area), companion planting, avoidance of monocultures, as well as strengthening the plants with compost "teas". It is a very effective (in our experience) system with very low substance cost. It is labour intensive. It is a sustainable system which does not deplete the soil and creates products with very high nutritional value and great taste. Apart from that it is fun!
Further info: www.biodynamic.org.nz |
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Rudolf Steiner |
1861-1925, an extremely gifted Austrian teacher and philosopher, who gave a ground breaking comprehensive lecture series on biodynamic agriculture in 1924. He was the founder of anthroposophy and of the Rudolf Steiner schools.
Further info: www.rudolfsteinerweb.com |
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Permaculture in the New Zealand Eco Tourism Resort |
This term describes a type of agriculture or horticulture which is self perpetuating. It aims at working the land and the husbandry in such a way that "imports" (of fertilizers, pesticides, etc) become unnecessary. Permaculture, a term coined by Bill Mollison, is able to create produce in deserts and on the top of skyscrapers. It is a fascinating art of creating food stuffs.
Further info: www.permaculture.org.nz |
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Bill Mollison |
The father of permaculture, born 1928 in Australia. He is a university professor with a great talent for descriptive teaching. His big book on permaculture was the basis for our horticultural courses at the Bay of Islands Northtec. We learnt to see it his way: "turn a problem into a solution: don’t see the slug problem in your lettuce patch, realize that you have a duck deficiency!".
Further info: www.tagari.com/?p=58 |
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Carbon Footprint in the New Zealand Eco Tourism Resort |
It is calculated by evaluating the carbon dioxide emissions caused by our present lifestyle. If, for example, you become a vegetarian, you will "save" more carbon dioxide than as if you change from your car to a bicycle! Check it out: (carbon calculator)
Further info: www.carboncalculator.co.uk/index.php |
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Sustainable Tourism |
This is tourism which does not exploit neither country nor the tourism operator
(plan and organize so that you don't suffer burn out). An ultimate achievement would be that the body waste products of the tourists are being used to generate the fuel that you need to take them around. (But there are milder forms of it). Northland has pioneered a Tourism Charter of which we are members. Other regions in New Zealand have followed suit.
Further info: www.enterprisenorthland.co.nz/projects/activate/nstc_case%20studies.htm |
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Organic |
In our context we mean: of or relating to foodstuff grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides or hormones. Everything relating to or derived from living organisms. Simple, healthful and close to nature.
If you want to be sure that something is organic, it will be a good idea to see whether it has been certified.
Further info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/organic_food |
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Sodium Laureate Sulphate in the New Zealand Eco Tourism Resort |
This is what makes your toothpaste and shampoo foam. It is the same stuff that is used in the car wash. Basically it is an industrial cleaner which is not good for your body and not good for our water system. Once you realize that you use foamy toothpaste and shampoo every day…..
Further info: www.health-report.co.uk/sodium_lauryl_sulphate.html |
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The Dirty Dozen |
These are the twelve most contaminated food items. Non-organic wheat bread heads the list, followed by non-organic wine. The contamination comes from pesticides, fungicides and other toxic sprays. Vegetables with a large surface area, like broccoli, can store a lot of pesticides.
Further info: www.reneeloux.com/go_organic/dirty_dozen.html |
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Slow Food |
The slow food movement started in Italy and is meanwhile fondly practiced in New Zealand as well. It describes a conscious lifestyle where you take your time over a leisurely dinner of organic food, placing as much importance on pleasant conversation with your fellow diners as on the food and drink itself. We have had four hour dinners!
Further info: www.slowfood.com |
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Father Kneipp in the New Zealand Health Spa |
1821-1897 A German priest who invented the "water cure" which stimulates your circulation tremendously but softly. It helps the body to heal itself. The German health insurances have recognized the value of such a three week cure and have paid for it in full until very recently (now they have reduced the insurance cover on it a bit). We are promoting Kneipp treatments here in New Zealand.
Further info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastian_kneipp |
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Dr. Schuessler |
As German doctor from Rolf's home town Oldenburg who "invented" the twelve bio chemic cell salts. If you have a deficiency in any of the twelve cell salts, your body cannot process the nutrition given properly.
Further info: http://homeopathy-homeopathics-remedies.naturalhealthdoc.net/homeopathic-remedy-information/schussler's-biochemical-method.htm |
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Parmagnetic Tower |
This follows very old Irish tradition (from the Druid's times): A tower or pipe is filled with paramagnetic rock dust which emits ultra low frequency rays which act as a fertilizer. There are quite a number of farms in America and in Australia making use of this phenomenon.
Further info: www.geomantica.com/towers.htm |
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Dr. Bruker |
1909-2001 a German doctor who proved that raw food can be healing and that processed food causes illness.
Further info: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Otto_Bruker&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmax%2Botto%2Bbruker%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGLR,GGLR:2006-02,GGLR:en%26pwst%3D1 |
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Food Miles |
From gate to plate, i.e. the shorter the way from the producer to the kitchen, the better. Oranges from California to Kerikeri, the home of oranges, are not sustainable.
Further info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/food_miles |
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Energetic Healing |
This is the future of medicine.
Further info: www.healingenergy.com.au/energetic_healing.shtml |
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Feng Shui |
Organizing the lay out of your house according to the compass.
Further info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_Shui |
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Northtec |
The source of teaching on permaculture based horticulture.
Further info: www.northtec.nz/about_us.asp?pageid=106 |
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