So, I have some sad-ish news. Financially, my challenge has become a burden. I love the idea of eating meat from a small farm a stone's throw away, but I just can't afford it. I love picking up local eggs at the Farmers Market, but at what expense? My debt... It's not worth it.
I am a VERY frugal young lady. I don't go around buying designer bags and fancy dresses for every occasion. I cook at home as often as possible, but every once in a while, an expense comes up, and it sets me back.
I am still paying off medical bills from last summer when I had mono, I am struggling with the last $200 of over $1000 I racked up on my credit card from YEARS ago when I was unemployed after college, and I owe money on the bicycle that carried me across Iowa last year on RAGBRAI.
Someday, when I have a little more money and a lot less debt, I will gladly spend my extra cash on local yogurt and flour... But for now, my financial responsibility is what I need to focus on. My New Year's Resolution was to be debt free, and my efforts have stalled. I'm excited to cut a few costs and get back on the right track.
I'll continue to get my CSA, and frequent the Farmers Market, but for now, I'll be buying milk, yogurt, eggs, flour and sugar with coupons. And, I'm sure to my coworker's delight, I'll get back to blessing the news room with my sweets.
I'll continue to shy away from packaged and processed foods as well as fast food joints, those are some great habits I've adopted, but I won't deny myself some Menchies or Ben and Jerry's once in a blue moon.
As my 50 days of local eating comes to an end, I want to thank everyone who supported me. My parents, who acclamated to my dietary needs and brought me to the grocery store when I was at my wit's end, my friends who got excited to invite me over when they were eating local meat and agreed to meet me at local restaurants, and all my followers who read every word. (and those of you who missed a few, I still love you).
I promise I'll keep up with the blog and highlight awesome local in-season produce and Des Moines hot-spots as well as satiating your sweet tooth with some forbidden fruits (think avocados and pineapples...) So, keep reading!
Thanks again, Love and Local Eating! (I just made that up... how sappy??)
Alisa
This is exactly the reason that the trendy push for "local" everything will fade fast. Whether they admit it or not, most people are strapped financially, and many deep in debt. I know it is painful for hipsters to hear, but without the big box stores that have great buying power leading to low prices, the daily struggle would be much worse.
ReplyDeleteFinances almost always trumps idealism in the end. I wish our leaders could wrap their heads around this, but that's a completely different discussion.
There is nothing shameful about buying your groceries on sale from Hy Vee, Fareway, or even Wal Mart. What would be shameful is being fiscally irresponsible because you are following a trendy fad or trying to impress others.