Why all the fuss about buying local? Different aspects are important to different people. Here are my reasons:
Local Economy: spending locally keeps 61 cents of every dollar local, compared to 44 cents of a dollar spent at a national chain. I especially want to support local, independent bookstores, a real gem in danger of being swept up in the aftermath of the Wal-Mart revolution.
Green Focus: Buying produce shipped from the other side of the U.S. or even beyond North America wastes fuel. Complain about gas prices all you want, but realize also that the fuel needed to ship your yogurt from California to Michigan in a refrigerated truck is part of the supply-and-demand game. Fruit flown from South America should be part of your miles-per-gallon perspective. If you don’t want to support oil companies, then don’t.
Taste: I grow as much as I can in my garden then supplement with my local farmers markets, road-side stands and co-ops. Fruit and vegetables grown in season are the least expensive way to buy and ironically have the best taste. My taste buds are so spoiled now that I can’t buy out-of-season produce in the store. It tastes horrible, if it tastes at all. The tomatoes and strawberries have been picked while still green then sprayed with a chemical to redden the skin. Hmm. Is that why they’re white inside? Disgusting.
What’s the most important local? You are. By my definition, you are a “local” no matter where you live. Take care of yourself. You are important to everyone around you – your friends, your family, your community all depend on you.
So do a little long-term planning. Look at the next few years and figure out how you’re going to make the most of them. Sometimes we already know what needs to be done; we prefer to leave those thoughts for tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes – it’s always today!
As Jim Rohn said, “Take care of your body, it’s the only place you have to live.” See you tomorrow!
Evolv™ e84 challenge packages are based on doing something simple every day for 84 days, adding up to a big change. That’s the way good habits work. It’s also the way bad habits work. Find out more about 84 days to a healthier you. Visit www.sharonhayward.myevolv.com for more information and you can contact me there as well. You can also call me at 616-450-8531. Call Joe Manzanares at 303-923-8061. He’ll answer your questions and help you decide what’s right.
I agree. The food is getting less and less appealing. Making a change always seems like a big deal, but it’s sort of like stopping to read the road map. Once you do it, it’s not that big
a deal and can make a huge difference. 🙂