Is it over?

by Expat Chef

I woke up Saturday feeling a bit lost. The feeling continued even as I took my little one to the park to play. Across the lot, the children’s farmstead and petting zoo was empty and locked up tight for the winter.

She looked longingly across the way. “I want farm,” said the sad little voice.

“So do I, honey, so do I,” I said.

You see, last weekend was the last of the farmer’s market days for the season, and the last of the children’s farmstead days as well. Both of these things had been a huge part of our weekends for months now. Seems like nothing went right the whole rest of the weekend. Life just wasn’t normal. How could all this be over?

I began to dread the long months ahead like never before. The previous weekend, I obsessively stocked up, taking three trips to the car to load nearly fifty pounds of winter squashes and apples and cider. I know, nuts. Speaking of which, I go a bag of those, too. A few jams (five) and some honey (eight tubs). Okay, this is starting to scare even me.

The thing is, I can’t just let it go. I won’t. The challenge may have been for a season, but its really about a lifetime. The things I learned will stay with me long after the challenge, and this site are done.

I learned that we humans demand a lot of convenience and that may not be a good thing for us, beyond the environmental impacts. Anything we want, no matter the season, we just go to the store and buy. Often 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That kind of lifestyle lets us take things for granted. When we eat local, things are only in season when they are meant to be in season. They are at their peak of ripeness and flavor. We must wait for the fresh berries, the first peaches. We look forward to it. We don’t take it for granted. And then, and only then, do we truly value and enjoy the food. It’s a powerful lesson.

I also learned that a busy working mom can incorporate eating local into the family diet. You just have to slow down and make gathering food a pursuit, not a chore to just check off the list. While the sacrifice involved in a true 100-mile diet (canning, all made from scratch, giving up coffee) may not be realistic for me — especially the coffee — it doesn’t mean that the average family can’t choose and buy local for many of their food options. In fact, it proved to be a healthy choice that helped me introduce new fruits and vegetables to my child each week. I got so used to this style of shopping and eating, that I feel lost without it. I don’t want to give it up.

Fortunately, you don’t have to, not completely. Thanks to some great articles on eating local in our paper, I learned about several sources of milk, meats, eggs and other foods that I can buy local year-round. That, plus enough squash to feed a small army for a couple months, and spring will be here before I know it.

The farmers know they’ll be back soon enough, as well. As sad as I was, they didn’t seem too disappointed. After all, they said with a smile, they get to sleep in for a change.

My Eat Local Challenge Sweet Potato Pie is going to be featured in a special Thanksgiving section of our local paper. The food section editor is also attempting a 100-mile diet holiday meal. I’ll post a link and the recipe here when the article comes out.

Cheers, everyone! Thanks for such a wonderful experience. I am hoping to see you in the spring, too.

Until then, you can find the Expat Chef in her kitchen. The oven's on, soup's on the stove. It's warm and welcome in my kitchen. Come on by.

Comments

[Jamie]

"...taking three trips to the car to load nearly fifty pounds of winter squashes and apples and cider."

You should see our back porch, all full of apples, pears, and pumpkins! :-)

Our farmer's market has wrapped up, too, which leaves me feeling a little lost, because I was only just getting warmed up. Luckily I have a neighbor who wants to buy greens and eggs from us.

[SuzanneM]

Yes, even after the challenge is over ... it's never really over. It really does change how you eat for the rest of your life.

I love the image of your pantry getting stocked for the winter. Cider, honey, nuts, apples.... yum. Thanks for sharing.