Why Localize?

If the news of supply chain disruptions in the US due to cataclysms abroad, oil spills, molasses spills, economic peril for the greater part of the world's people and environmental degradation on a scale unprecedented in human history aren't enough to open our eyes to the need for localization I'm not sure what is. 

I have an idea though that what we need is not more gloom and doom prophecies. While we need to be aware of the dangers, what we really need is hope. We need to know that there are alternatives, that they are achievable and that they will produce positive abundant results. We need to know that while the task seems insurmountable and impossible to tackle on our own, we are NOT alone. There are many others like us out there passionate about doing their part to make this world a better place. We need to do our part too. Every day in big ways and small, we can make changes that will move this world on the road to a better future. 

I can do my part by setting a positive example and sharing my successes -and my failures- with you here.

Challenge number one: getting the family to support and participate in achieving my goals (more on that in a later post).

Success number one: preserving local food for winter use. It doesn't get any more local than this!

These jars of Salsa Verde were made from green tomatoes, green peppers, onions and cilantro all grown in our own garden and canned by my fabulous husband. Thanks sweetie! I'll be enjoying this tangy delight on everything from nachos, to enchiladas to salad for the next 6 months. (There are another 10 jars you don't see in this picture.)

We also scored these wonderful finds at Chase Farms in Wells, Maine. Chase farms is one of the oldest continuously operated family farms in the US. 50 pounds of Chippewa potatoes grown exclusively by Chase Farms and harvested with a horse-drawn digger. These will be a great addition to the root cellar. Potato and Leek soup in December will be a welcome treat.

And these beautiful squash along with Chases own humanely treated, vegetarian fed, all natural beef and local Maine Cheese. 

Our larder is filling up with dry beans, flour and other sundries from local farms, markets and our own garden.

What are the payoffs? Along with the culinary delights described above and the fabulous batch of chili my darling is cooking up at this moment with some of that gorgeous green sauce, are the sense of real deep satisfaction and self confidence garnered from being able to take care of one's self directly without relying on wages earned working for someone else to provide for our daily food. The connections and friendships made with local food suppliers and the knowledge that by purchasing the fruits of their labor we are helping them to meet needs such has clothing, shelter and energy. And what's more, by doing this we have reduced food miles, carbon emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels just a little bit while enjoying some of the freshest, healthiest food we've consumed in a long time. 

On Raisins and other "Necessities"

I'm not feeling all that well today. As a result I'm turning to comfort foods. It was Oatmeal for breakfast (with cinnamon and raisins), a little more of the same later on and then a slice of raisin toast for a snack mid afternoon. A theme is beginning to develop here.... I'm a raisin addict. I confess it wholeheartedly. I love their natural sweetness: in my cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, granola, in a muffin, or toast. How many more things can you eat them in?... Oh yes, bread pudding! The thing is, raisins are primarily produced in California. That's WAY outside my local area. What's a girl to do? (Scratches head and turns to her trusty computer.) After a few minutes of research I have the answer. Prunes! Prunes are just dehydrated plums and plums grow wild, literally wild, in New England. They are an indigenous plant! They are also cultivated widely here. I can probably purchase prunes from a local farm or at the very least grab myself a bushel of plums and dehydrate them myself. Once dried and chopped they will be just as sweet and delicious as my beloved raisins, and best of all they'll be local.

On a more serious note. For those of you who have been wondering about my earlier query regarding facial tissue (AKA T.P.) I was unable to locate a manufacturer in New England. But I did find one in New Jersey. If any of you local living enthusiasts have a stumper like this one, a good source of information is Thomas Register. 

So, I'd say that is local living challenge number one solved with an 80% success rate (New Jersey is just a little bit outside of New England). With regards to the raisins, well I give that solution an A+. Prunes are fabulous and the solution is totally local.

A Year of Living Seasonally and Locally in York County, Maine

The movement toward local sustainable living is catching on with concerned individuals across the globe. As climate change continues to threaten our future, more of us need to be asking ourselves the question, “what can I do NOW to avert the looming environmental, economic and social devastation that is inevitable if we don’t make a change?” In response to this question, I have decided to embark on the adventure of local living. I will make every attempt to source all of my personal and household needs from within my local area (80% of food, goods, and services to be produced and purchased from within 50 Miles, with the remaining 20% produced and purchased from within New England.) I believe that if I cannot locate what I need or the materials with which to make it from within that area, then I don’t really NEED it, and I can live without it. (We'll see.... And you'll read about it here. Anyone know a toilet paper manufacturer in New England?)

Living in the North East. I’ve picked a challenging time of year to embark on my experiment of living locally and seasonally. The equinox has just passed. Days are getting shorter and the bulk of the season’s harvest has already been brought in. Perhaps I should have timed this better, perhaps more planning now and starting in the spring would make things go more smoothly, but I’m eager to get started. The situation is desperate for our world. There is no time to wait. And, the harvest IS coming in. There are long cool evenings just perfectly suited to puttering in the kitchen, canning and storing up summer’s bounty. The Alpaca down the road have warm coats and I’m looking forward to getting myself a cuddly sweater and some yarn for knitting myself a nice toasty pair of socks or bedroom slippers.

Is your life filled with things purchased from big box stores, shopping malls and the internet, things that have not made your life richer or more satisfying? As I embark on this adventure in search of a life richer in experience and wealth of spirit, I invite you to join me. Together we can start a revolution that will set this world back on the right path. Stay tuned to this blog and to my website www.sustainableme.me to follow my journey and get valuable tips, information, inspiration and resources for helping you on yours.   I believe that as you travel this road, you will experience a greater sense of gratitude and connection with your environment. You will begin to have a greater appreciation for the simple pleasures of life; a warm sweater, hearty roasted root vegetables, a fresh salad, sun kissed strawberries, all in their own season.

As I step out onto the road, I look forward to meeting you just around the bend or over the next rise. I am filled with anticipation for the new discoveries we’ll make, the adventures we’ll have, the truths we’ll find, and the friends we’ll meet along the way.

Please share this post with the planet. The “One Earth Revolution” begins November 1, 2013. Visit http://www.sustainableme.me/one-earth-revolution.html for more information.