by Cookiecrumb
So here I am, merrily flouncing my way through ELC 2006. I haven’t fallen off the wagon even once, and all of a sudden that feels very embarrassing to me.
The only exceptions I declared for the month are salt and tea (I erroneously declared wine, forgetting that, um, I live pretty close to wine country). And I have my own source of local salt, if I choose to use it. (Soon, I promise.)
I have no genuine reason to feel embarrassed about my diet: All these great foodstuffs are available in my area; it’s just lucky for me (more than lucky, it’s intentional – it’s why I live here).
But when I read the remarks of other ELC participants who are stumbling through this endeavor for the first time, or who live in areas not as well blessed as the Bay Area, I wince.
Some of them are still trying to learn how to provision with local items. Some haven’t fully chosen to make the effort (one commenter on my blog said he lacked the determination). Others just don’t have the resources in their regions.
I think every one of them is doing a great job, with whatever resources they have.
But it occurred to me the other day, as I was shelling English peas (from Northern Californiashire) out on the patio, that I have yet another resource we don’t all get to luxuriate in: Time.
I don’t have a job. I was unceremoniously relieved of my position, along with about 80% of my colleagues, in a mass purge a few years ago. I thought about finding another job (I actually applied for a bunch, but I didn’t get a single reply; great economy, eh, George?).
So I can spare the time to shell peas for lunch.
It was a very simple lunch, really, nothing fancy: Chopped hard-cooked eggs, cooked peas and chopped cooked potatoes, cloaked with butter and salt. Stir. Eat. Groan.
Didn’t cost much. Completely local.
But it took time.
Not a lot of time.
But it needed my full attention. And, attention? Well, I got plenty to go around.
Not everybody does.
You who work, or who tend to children, or who have other pressing demands… I salute you.
Cookiecrumb lives in Marin County, California, and writes I'm Mad and I Eat, a blog that carelessly weaves food and politics, and occasionally devolves into utter silliness.
