Physical, Mental and Emotional Health : Fancy an Olive Oil Tasting? (EVENT)

By Yael Stark

I met Albertina Torres many moons ago when our kids were attending the same play group. Our roads parted but we remained friends. Albertine ( Nina ) went back to Spain and her journey took her to her passion; olive oil.

In 2008 Nina co- founded a film documentary company with her husband Zev Robinson. In 2012, after 3 long years, they released 'Arribets everything else is noise'; a documentary that focuses on the traditional way of life and its relationship to agriculture, food, and sustainability in the Arribes region in Spain.

" We seem to forget where our food comes from" said Nina in a chat we had earlier on... " we lost touch and track from the food we eat. In this part of Spain they have been consuming 90% of the produce for generations ; no waste, all organic and recycled." Rather impressive, I thought, especially in light of today's food waste problems..

The documentary has attracted the Slow Food movement, which has been supporting them since. The movement "reconnects people with where their food comes from and how it is produced so they can understand the implications of the choices they make about the food they put on their plates." It started in Italy to resist the opening of a McDonald branch in the Vatican.

The documentary also has attracted the EU which commissioned them in 2013 to produce another documentary about organic food and olive harvesting. Part of the film was to interview one of the top agronomic consultants in Spain, Miguel Abad. Miguel makes sure that the process of production of olive oils conforms with organic farming regulations and that it respects the environment and has no affect on the quality of the olive oils.

Nina took the opportunity to ask him for advice about the top extra virgin organic olive oil brands in Spain. He produced a list of 10, which after rigorous research, Nina condensed to 4, and decided to approach them and bring their products to the UK.

Tomorrow you have a chance to meet Nina and taste the top brands of extra virgin organic olive oil. I have tried them on Monday and I can't have enough. I drizzle them on my salads, toast, even on the pasta and rice.

Where does the olive oil tasting take place?

At Jay Thankey ( row 70 in our Practitioners' List) Natural Health, 339 Ballards Lane , North Finchley, London N12 8LJ , nearest tube station Woodside Park, Northern Line

When?

Friday 27th of June ( tomorrow ) between 13:00- 16:00

Cost?

Free.