There is no doubt that the kidneys are important to removing mercury. However, you seem to be implying that the liver does not do the same; that is quite unproven, and a growing body of evidence claims just the opposite. You might want to google a phrase like "biliary secretion of mercury." Measurements in humans have shown that the amount of mercury eliminated in the stool can be equal to the amount from the kidneys. Four possible mechanisms were proposed in that study, including via the bile. Another study in humans correlated the amount of mercury in bile, and its deposition in gallstones with increasing exposure to mercury. Experimentally, it has been shown that tying the gallbladder shut, or reducing glutathione stores in the liver reduces clearance of mercury by the body. It has also been shown that demethylation of mercury by the liver can lead to inorganic mercury accumulation in the liver. As far as herbs go, there is some evidence that garlic can protect somewhat against mercury - possibly by increasing glutathione.

White Bunching onions (He-Shi-Ko is a variety) flower in spring and set seed. They also multiply by the shoots splitting at the base. Left to their own devices, they form a clump. You can pull up the clump and use the whole thing or reset one of the shoots to keep going. They are the first greens to come up in spring but aren't much good when flowering and can become pretty strong during a hot summer. Left to their own devices in poor soil, they don't grow very big but they sure persevere. However, they don't have bulbs - just a white section the width of the shoot. I like them for early spring scallions in salad or sallet or however you say it. (Sallet was the original English form of the word)

Hi Nicki, I've bought a couple of kits from Bunnings recently. They had standard button mushrooms and portabello. Also seen them at Waldecks, but they were a bit pricier. If you're looking for something more exotic I spoke to a guy who sells oyster mushroom kits at the Kalamunda markets the other day. He said he sets up shop at the Guildford markets too. Noticed that you're from the Southwest tho, so I don't know if this Perth-centric info is any help to you, but hope it is helpful in some way.

Was in the exact same situation. We looked at the Aga - loved it - but the ovens are very small and we would need to learn to cook very differently. We have no upper cabinets going into our new kitchen so a double oven was out. We are instead going with a 36" induction cook top and two french door ovens - less space requirements for the doors. We are putting one oven under the cook top and found room to put a tall cabinet next to our pantry for the second oven and a warming drawer. Good luck. Definitely go look at the Aga in person so you can really see if that style of cooking will work for you and your family.