The organic ‘movement’ was pioneered by great souls with vision beyond that of the run-of-the-mill citizen that simply shops what’s convenient and follows the trends for fast and instant foods. And many of those are strong and determined women in search of a healthy life and natural food.
Fifteen years ago Liz Eglington was recovering from a serious immune related illness, assisted by only natural healing methodologies, herbal remedies and organic food. “It was difficult to find REAL food full of nutrients and free of poisons, pesticides, antibiotics, GMO’s, growth hormones, chemical additives and all the other dangers associated with what they call ‘food’ on supermarket shelves,” she said.
She found a piece of land in the Klein Karoo, where she intended to create a healing centre for the critically ill on a barren and overgrazed piece of ground. There was abundant pristine air and clean water, so much needed for healing. The healing centre was to provide these essentials natural healing conditions and support all in one place.
human bodies indicate the environment’s health
“Just as frogs are said to be an indicator species for the health of the environment, so are human bodies whose immune systems have stopped functioning,” she says. Our bodies are heavily bombarded each day with poisonous bad foodstuffs, lack of essential nutrients and life giving clean water, cell phones and computers, pollution, stress, smoking and alcohol, and the myriad other perils of living in this consumer age.
Eventually our immune systems just give up, and the healing journey from there is a very long and arduous one. Liz’s body gave her instant feedback on whatever she put into her body, which would only accept whole healthy pure food.
When the healing centre did not manifest she planted olive trees with the intention of farming organically, ethically and sustainably. Liz realized that the “healing of the land” had to happen first. What her body needed for healing was exactly what the land needed - and so started that journey back to health for the farm and the farmer.
a living oasis is born
Both have achieved vibrant health and that was the beginning of a living oasis – a testament to working with Mother Earth and obeying all the natural laws.
Liz fell in love with the “holy” olive tree. She has since travelled to several major olive producing countries, such as Italy and Turkey, to learn more about them. There she found they were still farming them naturally, using methods developed thousands of years ago, such as:
- inter-planting with herbs,
- annual crops,
- green mulching,
- intercropping with other fruit trees like figs and pomegranate, and
- allowing them to mature into the beautiful magnificent trees that they are.
The oldest olive trees still living are 3000 years old in Palestine and 6000 years old in Lebanon. Read Carol Drinkwater’s books.
educational exchanges at markets
In 2001 Blue Sky Organics was the first certified organic olive farm in South Africa and now has a range of 23 olive and olive oil products. The farm grows the majority of its own ingredients such as onion, garlic, tomato, chilli, herbs and lemons in order to be sustainable and ensure quality.
Liz at first sold her entire range through the major supermarkets, but now prefers to support markets and festivals for direct contact with the consumer and the resultant educational exchange that this facilitates. Liz is passionate about passing on what she has learnt in her journey of healing herself and her land. She believes that illness or vibrant health is a CHOICE - one that each of us can make. Who do we support? What do we put into our bodies?
olive leaf the most aggressive free radical scavenger
Their newest products are their range of olive leaf teas, which have generated impressive testimonials. “I believe this is our best yet,” she says. Olive leaf is believed to be the “most aggressive free radical scavenger known to man”, is a natural antibiotic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial, powerful immune booster, prevents and treats shingles as well as eczema, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and a myriad other conditions.
Olive leaf has been used for thousands of years, together with olive oil and herbs, to keep people healthy through famine and wars as well as times of plenty. There are many stories of how villagers in the Mediterranean countries stayed healthy through the war years because of their access to these life giving foods.
Liz now consults with farmers wanting to farm organically and writes articles for various publications, has appeared on TV programmes and given interviews on various radio programmes.
organics must go mainstream to save humanity
There is a pet friendly self-catering cottage on the farm for visitors to experience the blissful peace of nature in balance, with many walks and climbs for the energetic!
Liz feels it’s important to change the perceptions of Government and “big business” towards organic, so that organic food can become mainstream. “This is essential for the sake of the Earth and our current environmental crisis and to reduce the gross poverty and nutritional starvation besetting humanity.” World Health statistics indicate that there are now more people dying from the effects of gross clinical obesity - R1.3billion - than those dying from starvation - R1 billion.
She currently holds a Directorship on SAOSO (South African Organic Sector Organisation) and PGS (Participatory Guarantee Systems).
rewards for hard work
Liz has been amply rewarded for her tireless work for the environment and Mother Earth:
- She now has vibrant health and boundless energy!
- She was the 2006 Woman Farmer of the Year Western Cape.
- She was a Finalist for the 2011 Eco Angel Award.
- In 2010 she was a Finalist for the Most Influential Woman in Agriculture.
Where can we find Liz’s health products?
In Cape Town: the Ethical Co-Op has her entire range (internet based) and you can also find them at Organic Zone, lovely little shop in Lakeside, Muizenberg. I always stop there on my way home from town.
In Port Elizabeth: Organic Footprints have the entire range (internet based), also Fruit n Veg and Fig Tree. Also at Dessies deli and restaurant, Walmer.
People can also order directly from her, as well as at the following markets:
- Earth fair off main road Tokai, every Saturday morning
- Wild Oats market in Sedgefield every Saturday morning
- Bryanston organic market at Waldorf school in Bryanston Johannesburg
Liz is giving a compost workshop on weekend of 7 & 8 July at the farm, which you are welcome to join. See more information on her workshops on our calendar (link).
Contact Liz Eglington at lizeglington@netconnect.co.za, read more at www.blueskyorganics.co.za or call 0836533635.
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