The King of Plants

How long have you been part of the Kings Cross Organic Market community and how did you first find us

I have been with the markets pretty much when it began.  We were originally set up at the back of the market when it was held twice a month.

Why plants

Plants hav always been my hobby and interest, eventually I focussed on having my own plant florist!  It's always relaxing to work and be surrounded by so much green 

Your flowers are loved by many.  How do you choose which ones to bring to market and do you have a personal favourite

We usually follow the seasons but there will always be the $15 basics such as gardenias, lavender and rosemary.  As winter comes along we have the more exotic as well as the all year round indoor plants to brighten any home.

As you are right at the front of market, you get to see most of the colourful characters that make up the Cross.  Is there a stand out one for you

A lot of our customers are dog lovers.  We see all people who go to great lengths to get their pooches  super pampered.  

It's definitely interesting to see so many different ways dogs can be groomed.  We love all the characters and it's definitely a great community to be in.

What is it about market life that you enjoy the most

Market life is incredibly different to working in retail.  The stallholder community is like your second family.  We see them each week, catch up on goings on, share stories and always but always keep an eye out on each other...just to make sure!

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The plant king is there week in, week out with usually a new addition each week which makes your market visit all that much more worth while.  

Sharing the love with Solange

How long ago did you not only discover but fall in love with Kings Cross Markets

I discovered the market when I moved to Sydney in early 2011 but started visiting more regularly in the middle of 2012, initially for the flowers and then (as I started adopting a healthier lifestyle) for the produce.

What is it about these markets that keeps you coming back

It's a nice walk from where I live.  It's intimate but has everything I need and there are lots of fantastic places nearby

Do you have a favourite stallie and if so, who and why

I don't often indulge in their treats but I love the gozleme stall...soooo yummy

My fave has to be Slowly Does It Food.  Such a huge range of organic delicious produce.

Are the markets now part of your weekly kick-back and chillax Saturday routine

Yep, my routine is a boxing class in the park before strolling to the Markets, having a coffee, browsing and picking up a bag of green produce for the week.

If you could summarise why Kings Cross Markets should be on everyone's "must do" list in one sentence, what would it be

Kings Cross is better known for things other than its Saturday markets, but the vibe there on a Saturday morning is really energising.  And with Kings Cross Station being literally around the corner, it's super easy to get to and have a wander around.

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Huge thank you to the lovely Solange who took some time out of her busy day to share some what she loves about our Kings Cross Market

Sharing the King Cross love with Angelique

When did you first discover Kings Cross Markets

We wanted to buy some quinoa congee that used to be at a stall there.  Soooo many people raved about it, so it became a weekly habit to and get this delicious meal.

Then we moved across the road from the markets and every Saturday we pop downstairs to do our weekly groceries.  It was such a blessing to be so close, especially as my husband had been diagnosed with cancer a few months prior to our move.

Those markets were our lifesaver.  Whilst I was caring for my husband, feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, it was such a positive influence to know that the markets were literally downstairs and would be there each Saturday supplying our organic food.

We see through your blog (www.foodthink.com) raw is an integral part of your life.  Are you able to briefly outline the benefits of raw for those who may not yet be aware/enlightened

I wouldn't say that "raw" is the main thing we began in our eating with my husband's diagnosis.  In fact some people (and macrobiotic food also isn't 100% about raw), raw can be difficult for their systems to enjoy.

Our biggest goal is to eat 3 cups of green a day (kale, rocket, beans etc), 3 cups of colour a day (berries, capsicum, carrots, purple cabbage etc) and 3 cups of sulphur a day (leeks, onions, radish etc).  Blanching food is easier to digest.

We definitely avoid high heat cooking and much prefer the slow method.  We avoid anything BBQ as medical research has shown using this method can be carcinogenic.

So no more "throw a shrimp on the barbie" unless for a very short time with that type of heat.  Wok cooking is ok as long as the food is thrown in and out in a blanching style.

The reasoning for all of this is that the nutrients in food are destroyed if you over cook it.  Our brilliantly progressive GP says "EAT A RAINBOW" daily.  This is our guide (nb: OFM likes that expression!)

Do you have a "can't do without must have every week" item

We prefer to eat what ever is in season.  So the "must haves" change accordingly.  

In summer we LOVE our salads.  In winter we cut up raw kale and leave it at the bottom of the any warming dish that we make.  This way it is warmed, delicious but we also get to eat it as raw as possible.

Do you have a stallie and if so, why?

Rita's veggie stall is our favourite and is our sole reason for shopping.  It is conventional but doesn't mean the quality (for us at least) is any lesser and helps with our budgetary needs.

I like to chat with the stallholders and ask where their farms are, what sort of pesticides they use and even go visit them if I can.

Information is the key to understanding.

Can you sum up in one sentence why people should make Kings Cross Market their number 1 activity on a Saturday morning

It's easy, it's done, it's quick.  The earlier we go the less parking hassle (we now live on the other side of the Harbour).  There is usually a sunny spot to sit in after we have bought our food.  We get a take away coffee and enjoy people watching!

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With that we say thank you Angelique for sharing her love of our markets and we would like to end with this

Food To Think