No Grocery Store/Eat Local Challenge


Why you want to participate in a no-grocery store/eat local challenge!
1. It's an opportunity to get out in the community and meet the people that grow and make your food. Learn where your food comes from and support local farmers whose seasonal livelihood often depends on your support. 2. It doesn't get more "farm to table" than this! You can guarantee that your food hasn't travelled a long distance. No need to head to a specific section of the grocery store or check labels in order to find out where your food is coming from. 3. You will feel SO good! THIS, is a real-food “diet,” friends! You will consume so much more fresh produce then you otherwise would. Tempting, processed foods just aren't an option, and snacks turn into cut-up fruit and veggies, stir-frys, salads, and omelets. I’m not into dieting, but if you’re looking to get “healthy,” the RIGHT way, this challenge is for you!!! 4. You don't have to go to the grocery store all summer! Even this simple fact will be enough incentive for some, as many despise entering the grocery store - especially those with young kids. This challenge is a fabulous vacation away from bright lights, long lines and tantrums in the aisles. 5. You're forced to learn new skills - like baking and how to make condiments. When you're precious mayo, pickles and pasta run out, you'll be forced to learn how to make your own, and trust me, you'll be glad that you did! This is a great opportunity to brush up on your survival skills! 6. You will learn to appreciate seasonal fruits and veggies. As fruits and berries come in to season, you'll never be so happy or grateful to see them. Don't be afraid to ask your neighbor if you can climb their plum tree, or get a little scratched up collecting blackberries! 7. You will produce much less waste (garbage and recycling). Many store-bought foods come packed in packages and bags. In comparison, when you’re eating food from your garden, or supporting your local farmer, you're using your own bag (hopefully) and eliminating a lot of potential waste. Throughout this process you will notice that your garbage can will look awfully empty come garbage day - an easy way to decrease your family's ecological footprint. 8. You will learn to live without foods that you didn't think you could live without, and kick unhealthy eating habits. Everyone has their weakness– and things that they think they "can't live with out." For many people, it's sugar! This challenge is a great opportunity to kick those cravings, in a healthy, non-diet-oriented way. 9. You will use up the food that's ben lingering in your pantry. We all have it - pasta, soups, dried beans etc. - all collecting dust and hiding behind mason jars and bags of chips in your pantry. This challenge is a good opportunity to clean out the pantry and make room for future, fresh stock and home-canned goods (because you'll be looking for that dusty food in a few weeks). Whatever's left in your pantry at the end of the summer - you'll probably never eat it!
The "Rules"
We set aside a few rules for ourselves to follow, some have been carried on from last year, and other's I've since added or changed now that I have a better understanding of what's in store. 1. NO shopping at the grocery store, butcher, drug store, big box stores, etc.…essentially no shopping anywhere where there’s tax and a roof. Toilet paper is an exception, although, surprisingly, feminine hygiene products are NOT! Buy a Diva Cup, already! 2. You CAN eat food from: farmer's markets, side-of-road fruit and veggie stands, your garden, your friends garden, people you've traded with, fishermen and farmers. You can also eat the food that's lingering in your pantry, and, of course, food that you've foraged. 3. You can eat out twice a month! You will SO be looking forward to this! 4.- Raw, organic sugar (which I use for canning and wine-making purposes only)
- Salt (for fermenting and preserving food)
- Organic flour (for baking bread - I make sourdough, so I don't use yeast, but that it something you also may want to get ahead of time)
- Rolled oats (which I use for homemade granola to turn flour for these muffins)
- Coconut oil (I use this for all of my cooking needs, and it is my main, fat-source)
- Dried nuts and seeds (which I use to make nut milks, and are another healthy, fat and protein source that I can't source locally)
- Rice and quinoa

FAQ:
Can I afford to eat like this all summer? We found that we spent about the same on food - if anything, a little less. You save money by not buying unnecessary food at the grocery store, and end up spending more on quality food when you support local. Remember, your couple extra dollars are going into the pockets of hard-working, local farmers, and thus, the local economy. But I didn't start a garden this year, should I still do the challenge? Yes! I had a very modest garden last year, and this year too. Farmer's markets and fruit stands offer a bounty of options! Is it difficult to source local meat? A little... and if you're a "meat for every meal" kind of eater, then this challenge will either be costly, or shift to your eating habits. My solution - eat less meat! It's not necessary to eat meat for every meal - it's hard on your body and the planet. You can still get plenty of protein from farm fresh eggs, quinoa, nuts and seeds. When do I start? How long should I continue this challenge? That it really up you, but I'll start around mid-June to July, when the food is really available and the markets are in full swing, and continue on until mid to late September. Last year we did 6 weeks, so this year we're pushing for 8, but do what you can :) Ideally, set a goal and stick to it! Is it ok for kids? What if I have a picky eater? Of course - a summer of whole foods, teaching your kids how to grow food, source local food, and that food doesn't grow in the grocery store, will be a great life lesson. And personally, didn't have a problem with feeding my toddler at all! Also, I don't believe in catering to picky eaters, so I won't be accepting that as an excuse :) I live in the City, is this even possible? My best friend, who lives in Vancouver, proved that you can do it! It takes a little more effort, and often driving to rural, farming communities, but yes, possible.*************
I hope that your join me in the Summer 2015 No Grocery Store/Eat Local Challenge! Look for the Facebook page (coming soon), where we can share our tips, likes, dislikes, food-share info, farmer's market locations etc.