What I have done so far...

I am not quite halfway through the month of the local food challenge for both Mrs. Crunchtastic the Blue Collar. After a rainy, yet leisurely Mother's Day, I thought today might be a day to pat myself on the back for the changes we have made.

We have kicknamed my husband the "barrista" because he makes the best darned iced tea and coffee this side of Starbucks. We have banished the countless glass jars and bottles of store bought iced tea and now rely on our refillables each day. It's always a treat to try a new flavor and of course the tea is fair trade and the sugar organic. Our coffee - from a Florida company - is also made at home and toted in our stainless mugs to work each day.

Two local bakeries in our area now supply our family with freshly made loaves of wheat, multi-grain and even a yummy cinnamon swirl for a treat. And... the occasional cannoli! I had forgotten how good a slice of whole wheat toast with a little organic butter and jam can be for breakfast!

I found La Vida Local, a local business that sources locally produced food, dairy and beauty supplies from community farms, dairies and mills. I now rely on the wonderful Julie for my eggs, chocolate milk, butter, cheese, bacon, pancake & cake fixin's as well as beans, oats and a variety of other organic and / or locally made items. We are having a ball trying new things and making meals from scratch. Hey - I didn't know I could MAKE potato salad from scratch, OK!

In short, this challenge and my bookworm challenge for the wonderful Bean - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - have almost changed my life. I cook more, but have more time. I spend more on a loaf of bread, but have more money in the bank. I learned that those big-box retail stores actually needed me more than I needed them!

To Do List - Growin' Some Green

Another item from the To-Do List is getting my hands - and those of my children - dirty planting some green edibles. I have always loved planting flowers and perennials, but living here in suburbia big gardens are a no-no. Not so much a rule per say, but between the rabbits looking for their next meal and the chemicals getting sprayed on just about every green surface around, it's just not feasible.

This year we decided to tackle some container gardening for a few veggies and herbs. My kids think produce comes from Costco in a crate, so hey, 4 pots of something growing is progress, right? Today (in the windy rain!) we planted little cherry tomato plants we found at the Farmer's Market, a pot of carrots from seed, green beans from a real bean and a small container of herbs - in actual organic soil. For the first time, give or take 55 days, we will actually eat something we grew! More pictures to come as our veggie garden *hopefully* grows to fruition!

Living La Vida Local!

I am gearing up for Blue Collar Crunch's first ever challenge (one of my first wholehearted attempts at completing a challenge!) which starts tomorrow and I am really looking into not only eating organic, but locally as well. After reading Greenpa's post on hunger in the modern world, I almost felt sick to my own stomach and I realize that eating the way we had been eating is just wrong.

The last 6 months or so we have been making changes, replacing common food items with organics or those with less packaging, but that was simply dipping my toe into the kiddie pool. Not that I am throwing out any of the food in the pantry. It's there, it's going to expire at some time and it needs to be eaten and most certainly not thrown in the trash. So - I visited Local Harvest for some ideas on local food sources that I can use to replace what needs replenishing.

It's a little early for farmer's markets here in Michigan. It was a whopping 27 degrees last night with a chance of snow, so I am still going to have to rely on a conventional Trader Joe's for some organic produce, eggs and dairy. However, I found a unique company not but 20 miles from my home called La Vida Local. They source local food, coffee and beauty items from right here in our own state and will even arrange delivery right to my doorstep! I didn't even know that there was a mill 30 minutes from my house milling their own organic flours and cake mixes. It's like a whack on the forehead. All this time, buying a cake mix from Oklahoma City, when there is a better alternative right in my backyard! And, given the rotten economy in our state, I could actually support another struggling family, just like us? Well, whack me again, why don't you. I think I deserve it! But not after this month! Whatever I need will be carefully thought out, researched and purchased with Greenpa's post in mind!

How does your garden grow?

I have always had a pretty good looking landscaping and perennial garden, but haven't taken the dive into growing actual food. Here in the 'burbs with all the bunnies, squirrels and critters that have been displaced by rapidly growing housing developments and strip malls, gardening can be a close second to warfare. Chicken wire, fencing, wire mesh and chain link - you name it, it's not keeping the furry guys out of your green beans.

So, this year as one of my challenges, I am going to attempt a few small container gardens I can keep up close and personal to my back door. I found the Sean Conway Organic veggie seeds at Target and picked up some green beans, carrots, lettuce and lavender. If I can make this work, I might spring for the tomatoes and basil too! In the next few days I plan to find some organic gardening soil and re-purpose some flower pots to become veggie pots. Pictures and more to come!