You all know that I believe strongly in buying local, buying fresh, buying organic, buying fair trade whenever possible. I don’t see this as a new thing, it was the way I was raised.  Yep, way back in the 1960s my parents who lived through the Depression drilled into my head that the only way one could be truly free was to be as self-sustainable as possible. Rather than dependence on people you don’t know, my dad said, have relationship with neighbors and those that you will see each day.

Dad felt this was the strength of a country, neighbors taking care of neighbors not government babysitters.  My parents were middle aged when I came along and I was an only child.  They poured into me a love for the environment and a strong sense of responsibility for those around me. I have always felt very driven to protect, to do the right thing, to care for.

It is hard, these days to juggle ethics and need. Groceries are outrageous and I can’t always buy organics. But doing what I can is better than doing nothing at all.

Today’s Blogsurfing is a bit different than usual. I have come across several sites that make it easy to shop locally, shop organically and shop fairly.  Only you know what your budget will allow you to do, but if we each do something then things will change.  Rather than hoping for socialized medicine? Perhaps paying a neighbor’s doctor bill yourself would be possible.  Rather than depending on government organizations to feed the homeless? We have been known to go home, fix a lunch and take it back to a homeless person. Rather than depending on government organizations to maintain a safe food supply buy locally and see how your food is raised or better yet, raise it yourself!

Yes, it is time for a change. It is time to stop existing as wage slaves and drones and start making thoughtful decisions that put our country in a healthy place. We were discussing Feudal times and serfdom this morning at breakfast. Only us, I know, but my 16 year old mentioned and not for the first time) that the American people are little more than serfs. We own nothing.  If someone can take it away from you, well you don’t really own it do you?

Ready?

• Regional Best – What are you looking for locally? Well it is right here!
• This isn’t food, for the most part, but did you know you can shop local on Etsy?
• Pick Your Own farms make an awesome family outing. We pick blueberries in East Texas every year. Find farms near you.
• Local Harvest – the name says it all.
• Eat Well Guide- Restaurants, organic farms, more.
• USDA list of Farmer’s Markets

And while I usually stick to links this week I am going to give you a few tips because this issue is just that important.

• People like me, who raise goats for milk cannot legally sell the milk for human consumption in most places. BUT some goat dairies will be glad to rent you a percentage of the goat for a season. So, you would rent 1/3 of the goat and get 1/3 of everything it produces for a season.  Don’t laugh, should you choose to take your 1/3 of the manure you will find you have a great fertilizer for your garden. Other goat dairies will sell the milk as a nutritious drink for your pets. What you do with it after you buy it is, of course, up to you. You can check with the NDGA or the AGS for farms near you.
• Ask around at feed stores. People who run feed stores are usually chatty and know everything that is going on on the agricultural side of things. You may be able to find leads to eggs, milk, and even veggies and fruits.
• No matter how small an area you have you can raise herbs and a container of salad greens. There is nothing that beats fresh cilantro!
• Get a dehydator.  Dehydrating produce is fast and easy, and you don’t have to deal with hot jars. Buy in season, preserve, and eat all year. Dehydrated food takes a fraction of the space as frozen or canned.
• If you are growing green beans and your neighbors grows tomatoes….TRADE!

Every little thing will turn into a big thing if many people do it.

Image: Cori

Post from: Baking Delights