Ooooby Blog

The weather has warmed more than a little recently in Auckland. Now, as ever, is the perfect time to start thinking about your veggie patch. Whether you’re an avid veggie gardener, or a bit of a rookie, growing your own vegetables is good for you, your family, and our planet. Even if you only start small to supplement your purchasing elsewhere it can be awesome Here’s why!

A veggie patch gets you moving! 

When you start growing your own vegetables, you’ll find yourself being a little more active. It’s great exercise! Research has suggested that a healthier way to stay active, is to try and incorporate exercise into our daily lives, for example, climbing the stairs, walking to the shops, and gardening!

Being outside a little each day also means you get a healthy dose of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is super important for bone, muscle and immune health and many of us don’t get enough. Spending a little time in your veggie patch each day, watering, harvesting and caring for your plants, not only gets you moving, it also means you get a healthy dose of sunshine! But remember, it’s about moderation. Be careful not to get too much sun exposure.

Gardening can be fun for the whole family, and it’s great to get the kids involved. 

It’s a great way to teach your kids about food, and where it comes from. It encourages them to have a healthier relationship with food, teaches them responsibility, and they’re also learning a useful skill for life. Growing your own vegetables can involve the whole family, from choosing what to grow, to looking after the plants. What a wonderful way to spend time with our family!

Growing your own vegetables is less wasteful.

You can pick what you need, as you need it. No produce sitting in the back of the fridge going to waste. And you also save on packaging, which is great for the environment.

And because a veggie patch can be less wasteful, it also saves you money. You no longer need to buy a punnet of rocket or thyme, because you’ve grown them yourself!  For example, planting a couple swiss chard plants per family member, will mean you may never need to buy swiss chard from the shops again. And swiss chard is easy-to-grow, and not particularly fussy, and the same plant will produce for more than one season, maybe more!

Yes, growing your own vegetables takes time and a little commitment, but it’s time well spent! And it’s an incredibly rewarding experience.

While, if you have kids, it may feel like the holidays are going on forever… Evenso, don’t forget to still take time and enjoy the summer and the bank holidays we have coming up.

For many of us, stat holidays and long weekends are an opportunity to catch-up on admin, chores, work, and even sleep! But holidays should also be an opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle, spend time with friends and family, and to rest. Here’s our holiday ideas for your next day off:

Have a picnic and enjoy the summer sunshine

Get the gang together and plan an afternoon picnic. And keep it simple! Get everyone to contribute, and think simple salads, sarmies and finger foods. Why not take along some fun games, the kids bikes, and your book. And don’t forget the picnic blanket, and the cushions, because nothing beats a nap in the shade on a hot summer’s day! Getting outside gives us an all important Vitamin D boost, which has been shown to make us happy, and help our immune systems – exactly what we need as we get the year up and running again.

Make brunch!

Holidays are for special treats, like pancakes! So why not make a whole lot, and have a marvellous brunch! Invite the family, and your friends, and get everyone to bring something to add to your beautiful brunch spread. You could do bubbles, G&Ts and freshly squeezed juice, and have a wonderful meal with the people you love. Make sure everyone gets involved with the dishes too!!

Enjoy a long, lazy lunch somewhere lovely

When lunch is usually on-the-go or at your desk during the work week, it can be nice to take the opportunity to enjoy a long, lazy lunch, somewhere special on a “weekday”. Try somewhere that follows a farm-to-table philosophy, with all the ingredients coming from organic, ethical farms and suppliers.

Head to the beach

It may seem like the full on holidays were only yesterday – well that is because they pretty much were! It doesn’t mean that you can’t head off to the beach. Either locally here in Auckland or somewhere out of town! We are blessed with so many gorgeous spots within such short distances from the city. Don’t forget that! Lap up what we have on our doorstep and go exploring.

However you end up spending your days off, we hope it’s in the company of the people you love, enjoying delicious, wholesome food! We can’t think of a better way to spend a holiday!

A new year always brings with it a heart for change, to do better, to be better. Whether you’re a new year resolutions kind of person, or not, we all want to make the most of the 365 days ahead.

For some, it’s exciting, having the opportunity to start afresh, but for many of us, back in the office, wading through more than 365 emails, reluctantly eating our kale and quinoa salad, exhausted from our first (and probably last) 5am spinning class, it’s easy to feel deflated, depressed, and already defeated. And it’s only the first week of work.

So this year, change it up. Make the list of things you probably should do in your life; lose weight, exercise more, eat less sugar, be nice to the in-laws…and then make another list.

A list of the things that make you genuinely happy. Things you look forward to, that excite you and inspire you. Perhaps it’s playing soccer with your son, or reading romance novels. Maybe it’s catching up with old friends, or trying new recipes. Write down all the things that put the biggest smile on your face, that make you feel good about yourself and the world around you. And do more of that.

With this in mind, we asked a few people, what do they want to do more of this year?

“Really enjoy and appreciate time with family and friends. I would love to go on more outdoor adventures and laugh more with my family. Even if it is just entering into the world of my two children’s imaginations and searching out all the “dinosaurs” in our garden with them.” – Brad

“Get more musical instruments to increase the size of our church band and so that I can learn and improve more on those instruments that I’m not too familiar with.” – Emmanuel

“Work more on building our home. I’m excited for my family and I to have a better home to live in.” – Morgan

“Mince Pies! Jokes, well kind of. Why can’t it be Christmas everyday… maybe every weekend to start. I want to spend more time drinking and eating and laughing with family and friends, not just on special occasions. Start making our way towards the “Italian family lunchtime gathering” style and way of life. Maybe even try and come home for lunch or a really early dinner every day with my family.” – Ryan

“Do more yoga, cook meals together with my family, and meet new people!” – Kerry

So at the end of the day, we only have one new year’s resolution. Do more of what makes you genuinely happy. That’s it. And the rest of those resolutions? There’s always next year!

Ooooby – Out Of Our Own Backyards

Ooooby – Out of our own backyards. That is where it started and that is the core philosophy behind what we do. At Ooooby we look to source the best available, seasonal, local and organic produce that we can. We strive to support as many small scale farmers – working to have a positive impact on the food system.

Local, small scale… We all love this idea. Love the concept and what it stands for. Knowing that if we support businesses following these principals we are ourselves contributing to a better and alternative option for the production and consumption of food. Who doesn’t love the warm fuzzy feeling it gives us? It is great to be able to pat ourselves on the back for “doing the right thing”.

How resolute though are each one of us in our belief? When the going gets tough or the numbers wrack up at the till, do we believe enough to follow through with our ideals?

But price matters… on both sides of the till

The most common question then is “well why is it so expensive?” This is a very real and fair question to ask. Well there are a number of contributing factors and these factors change all the time.

Prices from growers vary drastically during the seasons, depending on the type of produce and stage of growth. Therefore the amount and type of produce that can be purchased by a family for a fixed sum of money per week, will thus also vary. This can therefore skew the perception of value for what is in your basket at the market. Understanding the seasonal changes and fluctuations can therefore better inform and guide your purchasing.

The little growers that Ooooby supports often do everything by hand and cannot compete with multimillion dollar farms with investors, boards of directors and the latest and greatest technology. You will no doubt have heard the term “economies of scale”. Well this is one of the biggest challenges for many of our partners. In following organic practices, but with limited budgets or no backing, they cannot drop prices to match “massed produced”. If they did they would not be able to survive.

Well, at Ooooby, we want them to survive!!

Price haggling is not our thing. We ask for fair pricing from our growers, but will never push our partners into a corner in order for them to do business with us. Does this mean that sometimes our products come with a higher price tag? Sure, but we are willing to defend this in line with our ethos of supporting a better food system.

We also pride ourselves in the fact that produce is mostly harvested 1-2 days before delivery. So you are unlikely to find fresher and there is virtually no waste because it is harvested to order.

So what’s the difference between the Ooooby boxes?

At Ooooby our range of Organic Mix Boxes are intended for those who want more variety, a few fancy things, and less repetition from week to week.

In contrast our Value Boxes are approx 50% the same. “Expensive” items are removed to focus on bargains of the week, maximizing calories. This means if something is cheap and plentiful, you’ll get lots of it… and only ever mid season. Never new season or late season when prices are higher. There will also be more options for “ugly” produce. Things that might otherwise be discarded as a result of blemishes or irregularities – give them a second chance is what we reckon! This also means that there may be more repetition in the value boxes from week to week. Including some consistent “staples” to take advantage of the seasons and pricing.

Win Win for all.

Please don’t misunderstand our viewpoint and stance with regards to supporting the growers. We are also here for you, our loyal Oooobies. Finding the best balance that we can is so important to us. We’ll always work hard to ensure you also get as much value as possible when using our service. Ultimately, we strive for a win win situation in all that we do. Aiming to play our part in bringing as much joy to everyone as we can. On both sides of the story.

We are all in this together. So thanks for your continued support. If you ever have any questions or would like to give us some insight into your experiences, or send some suggestions our way, please do.

As humans, we feel we “need” lots of stuff – money, possessions, status….In truth, however, we have very few basic needs, but one of the most driving of these is hunger. Sadly, we have made the way we go about meeting this need far more complicated than it really needs to be – and our bodies are suffering as a result. So much of the food available to us today is so processed, refined and modified that it bears little, if any, resemblance to its natural origins. Our digestive systems, however, haven’t changed much from the earliest days of our first ancestors. Our bodies are designed to digest and process food in as close to its natural state as possible. The fact that we don’t eat enough food in this natural state is costing us, collectively, millions in medical bills. So, when it comes to eating the way we should, what is the real cost of organic food?

Organic food is more expensive than conventionally produced food. At least on the surface. We may pay more for organic produce up front, but there are many “hidden” benefits that end up saving us in the long term.

Organic Food Is Cheaper Than Healthcare

A recent study conducted by Associate Professor Hettie Schönfeldt, research leader for the Biofortification Programme of the Institute of Food Nutrition and Well-being at the University of Pretoria, found that men consume up to 13 974 kilojoules a day, while women consume up to 11 978kJ a day. This is significantly more than the World Health Organisation’s recommended daily average of 8 700kJ. Professor Schönfeldt attributes this to the fact that we eat too much food that, while it may be cheaper, is nutritionally poor, with a high energy content that comes mainly from sugar. This has serious implications for our health – and our wallets.

Organic Food Is Cheaper Than Paying For Our Planet

Because no synthetic chemicals are used in organic food production, the practice poses no threat to our soil and underground water. In addition, because most organically grown food is distributed within a small radius of where it was produced, less energy is used for transportation. This means fewer carbon dioxide emissions. Organic food production also reduces soil erosion, thanks to more soil being covered with vegetation (not just crops). This stops wind and rain carrying away the very fertile topsoil.

Organic Food Is Cheaper Than Your Time

These days, with time being everyone’s most valuable commodity, hectic lifestyles mean we are driven by convenience and trying to save time where we can. Because not everyone lives close to a farmers’ market or organic food store, ordering organic food online is becoming more and more popular. This has many advantages – over and above the fact that you get delicious, fresh and healthy food delivered straight to your door, hassle free. When you order online, you save considerable time. No getting in your car, driving to the shops, standing in queues or paying for parking. And no impulse buying! We all know how easy it is to go into a shop with a list of four items, only to leave with a big trolley load! Buying organic food online means you save money because you only buy what you need. This means more time with your family to spend on the important things in life.

So, to save time, money, our health and our environment, why not start your organic journey today? Right now. At Ooooby, we’re all about making organic happen for you, which is why we have a range of produce box options to suit everyone’s budget, taste and family size. We also offer a wide variety of delicious add-on goodies to help keep things interesting. Visit our site now and dive in: www.ooooby.co.nz

With the festive season in full swing, it is quite difficult to not get caught up in all of the festivities. We all begin to start scrambling around to ensure our FOMO levels are kept at a manageable rate.  As we try to unwind, we seem to get more and more stressed to ensure that everything is done on time, everything has been stocked up, all the right people will be able to make it and the list goes on. But is this really what the festive season is all about? Aren’t we supposed to be relaxing, with family and loved ones and enjoying a lovely meal as we reflect on the year that has been? And, I must really stress the point of relaxing because I don’t think many of us quite know how to do that. That is my idea of a perfect holiday, but everyone is different. With that being said, there are a few things you can try to keep in mind when attempting to enjoy festive season and ensuring that everyone has a good time.

Stock up on important things

Walking into the shops these days feels like a war zone, with explosions of colour and glitter around every corner tempting you to dive deep into your pockets and possibly spend money that you should rather have saved for the terror that is January.  It is so hard not to fall victim to their alluring colours with promises of sweet pleasures, and forget the real reason you actually needed to go to the shop in the first place. Before we know it, we have a trolley filled with the all the building blocks to build your very own chocolate factory.  Just focus on the important things, you would be surprised to see how much you save if you manage to limit yourself to only buying what you really need and walking right past items that you don’t.

It is only as crazy as you make it

The festive season tends to bring the inner child out of everyone. Question is, are they the happy baby or the temper tantrum baby? I think most of us would prefer to be the happy baby.  For us to be able to allow ourselves to be that happy child, first we have to learn to let go. As hard as that can be, it really is a case of just focusing on what really matters and not to think too much about things that don’t. We just have to try to stay calm and have faith that we have done all that can be done and it’s now just a case of enjoying the ride.  The more frantic your mind is when it is filled with thing that are out of your control, the more stress you put on yourself. As a result we tend to lose focus and moods tend to change towards the undesirable. Take a deep breath and stay calm.

Enjoy

A lot of people find this as being a case of ‘easier said than done.’  With all our demanding careers and commitments it’s hard to let the mind switch off and take in your surroundings.  Which is exactly what we should be challenging ourselves to do more of. Take a step back, take a deep breath, feel the breeze and simply just have a look at all the beauty that is nature that is all around us.  Take pictures of the happy moments and last but not least, try do something small to make someone else happy. Enjoy the festive season!

New Ooooby Team Member wanted for Ooooby Auckland in 2020

Keen to join The Ooooby Crew? … make a difference by working for a social enterprise with a mission to make the food system local and sustainable, have a positive impact on the environment and on people’s lives….

Overview:

We are looking for a fun loving and easy going, but hard working and somewhat a “Jack (or Jill) of all trades” person, who is able to troubleshoot and think on their feet quickly. Must be adaptable and flexible with regards to the role and requirements as well as timing (there will be the odd long day from time to time).

Strong communication skills and relationship building experience. Need to be able to make decisions on the go, as well as work quickly, efficiently and accurately. Good administrative capabilities and above average computer literacy – ideally also to be au fait with social media. Must be able and willing to oversee people and roll up their sleeves and muck in with the team when, and if needed. There is no job to big or too small, and no person is too good for any job on any given day – hairnet anyone?

The team member that will join the Ooooby Auckland crew will also need to fill their days, operate independently and work proactively during the slower operational times in order to help keep moving the business forward and bring some new innovative ideas to the table. There is plenty of scope to do this while having a laugh and keeping things light hearted and bringing your own ideas to the business.

Strong will and conviction in beliefs are important characteristics we are looking for, but so to is humility and willingness to consider the ideas, opinions and circumstances of others.

Ideally a health conscious, environmentally aware foodie or at least food enthusiast. Preferably a conscientious individual that understands the impacts of the food choices they make in a personal capacity. Most suitably with an interest in healthy eating, organic farming and sustainable living.

A friendly, family oriented peoples person. Being aligned with our company ethos – someone that truly wants to add value in what they are doing, will work tirelessly to ensure that people are happy and every situation needs to be approached with the aim of finding a win-win outcome.  If this, and what we stand for resonates with you, then you would probably be an awesome fit for Ooooby and we’d love to hear from you.

Job Requirements / Description:

Logistics, Customer Service & Marketing:

– Overseeing of weekly and ongoing operations.

– Managing and working with staff

– Logistics & supply chain management

– Product procurement and supplier relationships

– Customer relations and customer service 

– Laughing and helping bring laughter to the Ooooby hub.

– Involvement with online / social media management, marketing and sales

– online content generation (blog, newsletter, social media, product content)

-Compassion to others

Applications and CVs to:

auckland@ooooby.com / 022 5005 123

With all the holidays done and dusted (sad, we know), getting back into the swing of things can make you feel a little like you’re on a swing, that goes round and round and round. As life picks up again, with meetings, deadlines, work pressure, school runs, family activities, burst geysers and the like, finding time to make lunch, let alone even eating lunch, starts to seem like a rather daunting task.

For many of us, eating lunch has become a secondary activity. We chomp on sugary biscuits or lone carrot sticks in between typing, take bites of our sandwich whilst picking the kids up en route to our hundredth meeting of the day, and shovel handfuls of crisps as we check mails (and most likely read this blog post). We’re “multi-tasking”. What we’re actually doing, is lowering our overall productivity, making our desks (and our cars) dirty, and often eating things we shouldn’t, out of sheer desperation. Is this really what lunch has become? Isn’t there a better way?

We think there is, and it starts with making the time to eat. “There is no time!”, we hear you shout, but getting up, going somewhere (anywhere else), and just eating can take as little as 15 minutes. Now that sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? And it’s helluva good for you too. Here’s why:

• Ever noticed how some of your best ideas occur to you when you’re in the shower or cleaning your teeth? By giving your brain a rest, it can think of different things and spark new ideas, boosting productivity and creativity. It also means you get back to your desk feeling ready to tackle the rest of the day.
• Here at Ooooby, we love food, and we sure love eating it! Being away from your desk means you can eat more mindfully and focus on eating what’s in front of you, lowering the chance of overeating and helping you to feel more satisfied.
• And get your bum out that chair! Work those muscles, even if it is just walking to the cafeteria.

Take the challenge! Get a group of your colleagues, even if it’s just two or three of you, to commit to having lunch together everyday. Put a standing appointment in your calendars, to step away from your desks everyday to eat lunch, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. And encourage each other to stick to this. Very soon it will become a habit, and a healthy one at that, and you’ll find yourselves sitting for a little longer, enjoying the food, enjoying the company, and feeling a little happier returning to your desk.