The Old Beaten Track
Title: The Old Beaten Track
We all know the risk on the horizon right? Social, economic and environmental instability are destabilising our fragmented food system. Just imagine if another disaster had happened at the same time as COVID-19. Which is not a stretch of the imagination when you look at the news and see geopolitical relations at the moment or see strange weather patterns that are creating droughts lasting into Autumn.
The real and perceived logistic breakdowns in the food chain have shown many people it is more important than ever to build a stronger local food supply, so that the food grown in their backyard, street, town or region is feeding the communities who live nearby.
Meanwhile, a 38-hectare site, which is on prime site in the central city is being used to ride horses around in circles. The Taranaki Racing Inc (TRI) pays the council $1 per annum for that privilege.
The public are being asked for their views on the future of New Plymouth's racecourse at the moment.
Four options are being offered in the survey:
- Granting a “forever” or perpetual lease to the race club.
- Granting a lease of up to 33 years.
- Creating a short-term lease of three to five years.
- Ending the lease.
I encourage you to make your opinion heard and fill in the very quick survey available through the NPDC website.
www.newplymouthnz.com...
The survey closes on July 10 and will be used to inform decision making.
Please note that I don’t want to demonise horse racing fans, we all need our hobbies. But there are plenty of country tracks where the racing can continue.
Imagine an urban food hub with orchards, community gardens, market gardens, food forests and educational sites with the latest innovative regenerative agriculture techniques being showcased.
Food is front centre as one of the four pillars of Taranaki's future economy. Justine Gilliland, chief executive of Venture Taranaki said the following in the Taranaki 2050 Roadmap Report.
“Starting now, we will cooperate and collaborate to drive innovation and
individual/collective opportunities to establish Taranaki as a respected region for premium, sustainable/low-emissions food and fibre by 2040, to achieve prosperity, environmental and social success, with the collective value of kaitiakitanga.”
Taranaki’s economy has a significant food and fibre industry. It contributes more than $1.5 billion annually to Taranaki’s economy, sustains over 10,200 jobs in 3,813 businesses and comprises more than half of Taranaki’s manufacturing base. Taranaki has the second highest food production GDP per capita in New Zealand. I think that is worth celebrating and amplifying.
Future predictions are that food is going to be playing an even bigger part of our economy going forward post COVID-19. WITT is just across the road from the current Racecourse. I know they would really appreciate a site nearby where they can engage in hands-on education for their horticulture and agriculture students.
In Melbourne, Australia the Collingwood Children's Farm is a thriving inner city site that is a great resource for schools to take their kids and every weekend it is abuzz with Farmers Markets and visitors to their farm to fork cafe.
More than 160,000 children live in households without enough food or the variety of foods that are required for good health. That is 1 in 5 children in Aotearoa. At the same time farmers have high suicide rates and agriculture is New Zealands biggest contributor to carbon emissions.
The food system is broken, but we know how to fix it, we just need to showcase the regenerative agriculture methods to this and future generations of farmers. We need to connect the dots between the urban consumers and the rural farmer. We need to show tourists that we have a vibrant food story and practice in Taranaki and New Zealand.
The path to change is lined with delicious and nutritious food. We just need to be bold and set a path that is different from the old beaten track.
CUSTOM COMFORT: THE REALITIES OF ADJUSTABLE BEDS
In modern sleep solutions, adjustable beds have gained significant attention.
They are known for their promise of enhanced comfort and customizable sleeping positions.
These innovative sleep systems have captured the interest of people who value their personalized comfort and want to improve their sleep.
Let’s explore the world of adjustable beds and look at the expectations and reality to decide whether these beds live up to the hype.
What is an Adjustable Bed?
An adjustable bed is often referred to as an adjustable bed base.
It’s a sleep system that allows users to elevate various mattress parts to create customized sleeping positions. These beds are equipped with motorized mechanisms that let users adjust the angle of their head, feet, and body alignment.
The primary purpose of adjustable beds is to provide comfort and reduce common sleep-related issues like snoring, acid reflux, and back pain.
Adjustable Beds: Do They Help?
Adjustable beds offer a promising solution for improved sleep quality and enhanced comfort.
Let’s look at the expectations vs. reality regarding whether adjustable beds help improve sleep quality.
Expectations: Improved Sleep Quality and Health
Adjustable beds are touted as a solution to various sleep-related problems.
These beds are often marketed to reduce discomfort by allowing users to find their optimal sleeping position. Be it elevated for breathing ease or with legs raised for improved circulation.
With the ability to customise sleeping positions by elevating different parts of the mattress, these beds can alleviate common sleep-related issues such as snoring, acid reflux, and back pain.
Whether adjustable beds truly help can be answered with a resounding yes.
Reality: Evidence-Based Benefits
The reality aligns with the expectations.
Adjusting the bed to provide better support for specific body areas can reduce chronic pain and improve comfort during sleep.
How to Choose an Adjustable Bed?
With various available options, choosing the right adjustable bed requires careful consideration.
Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Motor Quality and Noise. Opt for beds with high-quality motors that operate. Noisy mechanisms can disrupt your sleep and lead to frustration.
Mattress Compatibility. Ensure the adjustable bed is compatible with your existing mattress, or choose one that pairs well.
Number of Adjustable Zones. Look for beds that allow you to adjust different areas for personalised comfort.
More Features. Some adjustable beds include massage settings, USB ports, and under-bed lighting. Decide if these features are important to you.
Warranty and Customer Reviews. Research the manufacturer's warranty and read customer reviews to get insights into real-world experiences.
Adjustable Bed vs. Regular Beds: A Comparison
The differences go beyond aesthetics when comparing adjustable beds to regular beds.
Adjustable beds offer versatility and customisation that traditional beds often cannot match. The ability to adjust the angle of the head and feet can cater to specific sleep preferences and address various health concerns like snoring, acid reflux, and back pain.
Regular beds provide a fixed sleeping surface without the adaptability that adjustable beds offer.
While adjustable beds offer personalised comfort and targeted support, traditional beds still have their place, especially for individuals with simpler sleep needs.
Expectations: Enhanced Comfort and Flexibility
The primary expectation when comparing adjustable beds to regular beds is that the former offers enhanced comfort and flexibility.
The ability to customise your sleeping position is believed to be a game-changer, particularly for those with specific health concerns or preferences.
Reality: Personalized Comfort and Support
The reality is that adjustable beds do indeed provide a level of comfort and support that traditional beds often can't match.
The adjustability factor can cater to different sleeping positions and reduce discomfort, improving sleep quality and well-being.
Reduce Tension and Sleep Better
In the world of sleep solutions, adjustable beds have proven to be more than a marketing gimmick.
When searching for top-notch adjustable beds in New Zealand, Beds4U is your ultimate choice.
With their thoughtfully curated collection of adjustable beds, experience unmatched comfort and support for a revitalising night's sleep.
Discover Beds4U's range for a refreshing and pain-free start to your mornings.
Share your New Zealand music memories...
It's NZ Music Month and New Zealand really has some beautiful songs from artists that we call our own.
Whether it's April Sun in Cuba, Don't Forget your Roots, or How Bizarre or Bic Runga's 'Sway' - songs have a way of unlocking memories and evoking old feelings.
In honour of NZ Music Month, share a New Zealand song or artist that is special to you and explain why.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
What's On: Yoga: Experienced Level
Yoga: Experienced Level
- East End Surf Life Saving Club
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