Sunday, January 06, 2008

A New Leaf


As the new year unfolds, I find myself thinking more and more about what I can do to make this world a better place in the coming year. I have often thought about getting one of the local farm delivery bushels, but I live in a house with one very picky eater in it and worry that some would go to waste, as the selections are made for you. I don't really have the money to buy food that will go unused and, well, it kind of seems like it would defeat the purpose. So I started searching around for alternatives and I think I have arrived at a couple. I've long known that there is a local poultry seller in neighboring Glenview. I pass nearby at least once a week in my travels. We eat a lot of chicken. Today I was cheered even further by the discovery of a local market that sells mainly local produce. Even better, it is an independent business, which I prefer to patronize. Best yet, it's no further than I used to travel to another store that I frequented, so I don't feel like I'll be burning tons of fuel to get there.

Time off of school has given me the chance to reflect that I kind of didn't have time for in the past year or so. I'm hoping I can start some new habits during these three months off that will carry me through the rest of my schooling with myself, my family and our impact on the planet in better shape. We have already gone on a "lights off" campaign and I have taught the kids to turn off the lights while proclaiming, "Save the polar bears." I know we have only begun to make some changes, but we are all mindful of the consequences and I think that's a good place to start.

5 comments:

lulu said...

Talk to the lovely Jane. She's way into the whole local food thing. I'm sure she'd love to know about the poultry place, and I know she's planning a winter trip to Madtown for the farmer's market.

Tenacious S said...

Lu, I will. Miss you already!

Cap'n Ergo "XL+II" Jinglebollocks said...

I've got a blogcake about this very thing in mind for Pensive Tuesday, which I think is 1/15 or thereabouts. I'll have to link to ya'.

Coaster Punchman said...

I like the idea of your kids yelling "Save the Polar Bears!" every time they turn off a light. I might start doing the same.

There was an article in the NYT this morning about how food allergies in kids may be caused by all the crap and genetically modified stuff in our food. I've long thought there was a problem in our food supply that is making people fatter than ever. I don't buy the whole "too many video games" thing - people have been lazy asses for a long time but it's only in the past 20 years that everyone has gotten so fat. I tell ya, it's the high fructose corn syrup. It's the devil.

Tenacious S said...

CP-I don't buy the video game thing either. Bink is an addict. but rail thin. It definitely has more to do with what you eat.
Lemon-Can't wait to read it! Day two for us on the new regime and we've had two good meals.