L is for Locavores

 L could be for LATE, as this post is in fact late, (sadly I'm often late, I'm overly optimistic about what will fit in a realistic time frame) & life gets crazy, plus I have to get the rest of my family off the computer, LOL - but really, L is for

LOCAVORE is the 2007 Word of the Year for the Oxford American Dictionary!!

Isn't it odd, how a practice that once was normal life, became lost, and has now returned as a conscious movement? I do feel the locavore concept is extremely important, and try to use local produce and meats when possible. I am fortunate to live in a rural area that supports a great deal of smaller, family scale agricultural operations. Many people grow and sell vegetables and fruits, grass fed beef, chicken, rabbit, chevron and lamb are all easy to come by in this area. Farmers markets and roadside stands abound, it's wonderful.

It pleases me when I can feed my family a healthy, wholesome meal, from ingredients that I know were raised or grown with care, (usually by people I know) that are fresh, and quite often organic. I'm glad to be keeping my money within my local economy.

Our family does produce a small percentage of our food supply ourselves, and this too is extremely satisfying.

So my challenge to each of you is to take a step toward increasing your local food consumption, try one thing you haven't before - grow parsley on your windowsill, choose a local item at your supermarket, stop at a farmers market, be creative, take charge of your choices - it feels good!