| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| wellington womble |
downsizer vanilla pod bulk buyfollowing on from another thread, a bulk buy of vanilla pods is underway!The idea is much the same as other co-operatives, in that I'll co-ordinate getting money in and vanilla out, but we all benefit from the discount, postage should be fairly minimal, as vanilla pods aren't very heavy! At the moment it looks like about 5 vanilla pods (20 grams) for about a fiver, depending on postage and how many takers there are, as we can order either in multiples of 200g or in kilos if there are enough people. You can, of course have multiples of 5. Either PM me, or shout here, and I'll sort out numbers and definite costs. Once I have numbers, then I'll start chasing for money, and when thats all in, away we go, just in time for the icecream season! |
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| jema |
We will be in on this. Not sure how many as it is more "kateis" field. | ||||
| bagpuss |
Me please
edit, 5 will be fine |
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| sean |
Me too, 5 should be enough. | ||||
| Jonnyboy |
Same here | ||||
| ButteryHOLsomeness |
i'll just have the one lot of 5 please | ||||
| jema |
I'll say 5 to. | ||||
| Viking_Chick |
I would be interested too - 5 pods (or more if you had surplus) | ||||
| cab |
Ten for me, please. | ||||
| jocorless |
I'll say 5 for me please
Joanne |
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| Nick |
Could I please put my name down for five? | ||||
| wellington womble |
I'm taking notes! I'll probably order next week, unless anyones in a hurry? | ||||
| Bugs |
Hmm, mysterious. What does the chap have planned for 10 pods? Wine? Soap? Enquiring minds need to know...(alright, nosey Bugses want to know if there are any more messes that she could possibly get an excuse for trying out herself  )
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| sally_in_wales |
A year or two ago I was lucky enough to get- very cheaply- almost 250g of really top notch ethically harvested and fair trade vanilla from a friend in the right part of the world. We put 1 pod into a gallon of rum, and a few weeks later had the most fab vanilla rum ever, we put a lot of the rest under sugar and just keep swapping in new sugar, which also holds the beans in good condition for later use, and we put about 10 split pods under high proof alcohol where they still sit and which is the most wonderful vanilla essence for cooking with.I do recommend using one of your pods for liqueurs though, most excellent stuff. Also made the house smell fab when the parcel arrived. I'm still up to my ears in vanilla or I'd join in this bulk buy too! 
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| bagpuss |
hmmm, I am going to masocw at the end of july I may have to get some good vodka to add vanilla too | ||||
| thos |
Terry wants 5 too. It would probably be simplest to send it to my sister-in-law and she can bring it across. | ||||
| cab |
Five for me, five for a colleague of mine who expressed an interest. Although to be honest, there are SO many things you can do with vanilla that I would easily get throgh 10. Ice cream, liquers, custards, milk shakes... |
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| bagpuss |
Must try the milkshake recipe I saw which involved chocolate ganche and raspberries |
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| Northern_Lad |
Leave out the raspberries and the milk and I'll test it for you  
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| twoscoops |
5 for me, too, please WW. | ||||
| alison |
5 for me too
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| Daydreaming |
5 for me too please
And should we have some recipes for icecream and stuff up too? I'd love some. I've always wanted to use vanilla but I'm afraid too because it's so expensive |
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| wellington womble |
Last call!
For those of you who are already in, I'll get definite prices sorted out, and start chasing payment and addresses next week. |
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| kinkycat |
I suppose I am too late for this? If you do it again I would like to get some. I LOVE vanilla, but too expensive and almost impossible to grow. | ||||
| tahir |
Have you tried? |
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| Treacodactyl |
If so dooooo tell. 
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| kinkycat |
Oh God no. As this is my first year of growing anything I rather enthusiastically decided I would grow vanilla, but found out that it takes 18 mths- 3yrs before you get orchids from a cutting, which dies within a few hours if not hand pollinated...and then if you are successful (oh so unlikely) there is a lengthy curing, drying, resting period for months afterwards. Plus you need a full on really reliable heated greenhouse and not a south facing windowsill! I get angry if one of my tomatoes drops off early, I could not stand the tension and disappointment of failed vanilla. I do now understand why it is so expensive. | ||||
| tahir |
You had us all excited there...
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| wellington womble |
Not too late, just say how many you'd like.
I'm just waiting for a response from my organic people, and then I'll hound you all with PM's chasing for cash! Lets hope their faster that kinkycats plants! |
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| tahir |
And more reliable |
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| Guest |
If it's not too late - can you put me down for 5 as well please
thanks |
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| Treacodactyl |
Who are you? |
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| wellington womble |
If you own up, absolutely!
For everyone else, I am just struggling with the maths (never my strong point) and we'll be away! |
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| wellington womble |
OK - here we go........
Vanilla pods are going be slightly cheaper than anticipated at £3.68 per 20g, (as near as I can get it.) We expect that this will be about 5 pods - it may be 4 large or 6 small, but I'll divide them as equally as possible. Large ones can always be cut in half with scissors. Total cost is going to be £4.18 (including 29p delivery, and 21p, 2nd class post) If anyone is concerned about the post, special delivery will be an addtional 75p - £4.95 in total. Anyone who has ordered 10 pods will obviously pay double for the pods, but the delivery/postage costs are the same (ie £7.86 total, £8.61 for special delivery) These are for UK postage, so anyone in sunnier climes it might be more - own up when you PM me (although your address might give it away!) As soon as the majority of people have paid up, I'll order, although obviously I'll be keeping your pods if you don't cough up! PM me with your preferred method of payment and your address. I'm not fussy, and will happily take bank to bank, cheque, PO or amazon vouchers, but given the silly amount one of the first two seems sensible. I don't mind posting to a post office or work address if people are nervous about giving out addresses, although it goes without saying that I will keep your details confidential, and use them only for the purpopse for which they are given! Hope it all makes sense, any queries, PM me, and pay up! |
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| Viking_Chick |
Hows the bulk buy coming along? | ||||
| jema |
Flip I missed the last post here asking for the dosh  is it still open?
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| Bugs |
I think Womblewoman is otherwise engaged at the moment, but as far as I know it's all still on, she's just waiting for some cash input first. | ||||
| Jonnyboy |
Correct, expect an answer next week. |
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| ButteryHOLsomeness |
don't worry jema you're not the only one!
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| kinkycat |
Oh no, panic, panic...I have moved house and am now finally back online, phew! I do hope I have not really missed it this time  . Best start pm-ing relevant people I suppose...
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| alison |
panic for me too. Have I missed out.
I still really want some.
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| nettie |
I've only just seen this, is there any chance I can have some too please? | ||||
| wellington womble |
So this is why I came back to a boxful of PMs! Yes, its still on, and No, its not too late. I just didn't think it was fair to nag, and then sod off on holiday!
How about we put a timetable on it? You've got till Friday to pay up, and then I'll nag next week, and order for those who have paid (only) on the 20th August? Sound fair enough? |
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| Jonnyboy |
Sounds good, thanks from everyone! | ||||
| wellington womble |
Last call. cheques or virtual money by Friday if want me to order for you........... | ||||
| jema |
Hopefully you have ours? | ||||
| kinkycat |
My bank tells me you have my money. Can't recall whether I have sent you my address... | ||||
| mrsnesbitt |
Did you get my cheque WW? | ||||
| wellington womble |
Yes, yes and yes!
I have sent out little nudges to everyone who said they were interested, but hasn't paid (most people have now) and looks like we're go for next week. If you haven't received a nudge, and you asked to be in, then I've got your readies. Anyone in any doubt about if it's reached me, PM, and I'll confirm. Claire |
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| wellington womble |
Just to let eneryone know, I have now ordered the vanilla pods, but they don't have enough stock for us. They are expecting more in this week, and have promised to let me know when they have it, and send it out straight away. | ||||
| judith |
Downsizer bulk buy causes worldwide vanilla shortage! | ||||
| Jonnyboy |
No problem WW, thanks for keeping us informed. | ||||
| Northern_Lad |
...leading to increased mechanisation of the process, increased use of pestisides, worsening conditions of the staff, increased deforestation... What have you people done!!!??? |
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| wellington womble |
Perhaps we should grow our own next time! 
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| Jonnyboy |
It seems like world wide vanilla stocks were finally getting back to normal after the Madagascar hurricane, Looks who's just spoilt everything.... | ||||
| Bugs |
Vanilla planifolia. Haven't found it yet. Not sure how it would feel on my unheated windowsill. Spend far too long lurking around the PoW conservatory at Kew to see if there were any pods. Believe me we have looked in to it
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| Treacodactyl |
If you do a quick search I think this has cropped up more than once. If anyone ever sees a vanilla orchid for sale please post up details. |
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| kinkycat |
https://bne078u.server-secure.com/v...ure/vanilla.htm
if you are brave enough. |
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| kinkycat |
Sorry, link does not appear to be working so you might try this:
http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=100890 |
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| Northern_Lad |
...and here's the direct link:
https://bne078u.server-secure.com/vs1495_secure/vanilla.htm |
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| Bugs |
Thanks Kinky and NL! But 15ft...I knew there was something else I'd forgotten
Anyone ever heard of screwpine? |
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| wellington womble |
Very miserable, I imagine! I didn't mean it! 
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| Treacodactyl |
OK, a European source for less than $150! |
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| kinkycat |
My kitchen is finally (mostly) installed and I am getting those culinary urges again, so, any update on the vanilla shortage? | ||||
| wellington womble |
Not so far - I'll try and chivvy them along a bit. I absolute promise that I haven't run off with your money, or used it to fix the exhaust back onto my car. If I catch up with them tommorow, I will give them permission to confirm I have ordered, to anyone who would like reassurance (if they insist on a password or something silly like that, it'll be 'downsizer' - I don't think they will though!) | ||||
| kinkycat |
I have no doubts as to your integrity! I really have just had my kitchen fitted and after a couple of months of near starvation I am ready to cook again. Plus vanilla pods will look so nice in here.
Pain about your exhaust. My car window fell inside the door, was retreived, but now the passenger door will not open from inside. If Mr Kinky drives he has to walk around the car to open the door for me, upon arrival in sainsbury's carpark I feel like royalty! |
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| JB |
Deposed royalty that's been reduced to shopping in Sainsbury's but royalty nonetheless
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| wellington womble |
Right, they have finally come into stock, so I am expecting them in the next few days. Hopefully they'll come over the weekend, so I can get them sent out, but it will probably middle of next week by the time they wend their way to you guys.
Sorry its taken so long (I think they must have been growing them!) |
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| judith |
Excellent news
So what's everyone going to make then? |
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| alison |
I am going to start off a new pot of vanilla caster sugar. | ||||
| wellington womble |
As good a way as any to store them - after all, they have to live somewhere while you are thinking up new ways to use them, or baking things to go with custard! Apparently you can use used vanilla pods (ie ones you have already taken the seeds out of for something) to make vanilla sugar - I'd guess you need to let them dry first though. |
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| sean |
Storing them in with your coffee's quite good too. Could you store them in with eggs to flavour them for cakes and stuff, like the truffled scrambled eggs idea? | ||||
| wellington womble |
Right, they have finally arrived (althouth you wouldn't beleove the row I just had with the post office to get them to give them to me!) so I get them parcelled up today and sent out Monday if I possibly can - hopefully (postal service allowing!) you will all get them by the end of the week!
Thanks for your patience, and not suing me! |
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| sean |
I've gone off vanilla...
Hurray, three cheers etc. etc. |
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| jema |
So we should try and recall the hit squad then?
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| nettie |
Hoooray!!!!! | ||||
| Bugs |
What vanilla order? I don't remember ordering any vanilla - who are you anyway?
Mmmmm. What am I going to do with it all
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| wellington womble |
If you aren't nice, I shan't send them! My kitchen smells wonderful
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| Bugs |
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| wellington womble |
The pods have landed!
They went second class today (unless I have PM'd you to tell you otherwise) so most of you should have them by the end of week (although goodness knows with Royal Mail) If anyone who is expecting some doesn't get some by Friday, let me know. Most of you will have more individual pods that you were expecting, as there turned out to be more pods to the gram than we thought, but I have divided them by wieght, so you'll all get what you paid for. Good luck with the custard! |
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| nettie |
Hooray again!
Thanks for sorting it all out Claire
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| Cathryn |
Custard yeuch horrible stuff - reminiscent of being force fed school dinners by school canteen ladies/bullies. However the family love it so I will stick a peg on my nose and get stirring. Me, I am just going to sit and sniff the pods. Lavender vanilla and cinnamon - heaven. Many thanks | ||||
| sean |
Got mine in the post this morning. Thanks very much for sorting everything out WW.
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| jema |
Same here, and Amipest has already been playing! Thanks a lot. | ||||
| Jonnyboy |
I'm out before the post, oh the suspense!!
Bulk saffron next? |
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| bagpuss |
Does this mean we get to send someone to marrakesch or somewhere like that! |
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| Jonnyboy |
Tehran probably! | ||||
| Bugs |
Nah, they grow saffron in Wales these days.
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| Northern_Lad |
Shouldn't she be at school? Send the parents to jail, that's what I say! |
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| Treacodactyl |
And we grow our own in the back garden.
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| jema |
As she explained to me Vanilla suger only takes a few minutes. So she did it before school 
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| Bugs |
I was wondering if we have many spare again, we could trade a few on here. I'm sure they would be appreciated. |
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| Northern_Lad |
Good echange rate to. 1g Saffron = 15Kg spuds |
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| jocorless |
Mine have just turned up - lovely whiff as I opened the envelope
Big thanks to WW for all the hard work co-ordinating this Joanne |
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| kinkycat |
Got them, very excited about getting started. Thank you very much indeed WW, I hope sorting it all out was not too stressful for you. | ||||
| wellington womble |
Glad they're starting to come through - no problem to do, just took a lot longer than I expected, thats all!
I don't know what to do with mine. Himself likes custard out of ambrosia tins, but I like custard tart. I might save them for the rhubarb season! I love rhubarb and custard! Having said that, it would be shame to waste the apple season, as apple pie and custard isn't bad. I found an apple tree yesterday........... |
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| nettie |
Thanks WW, just got mine too
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| Jonnyboy |
None for me,  I expect it's all down to the distance.
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| sean |
You just carry on believing that....
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| Jonnyboy |
I hope your pods go mouldy. |