Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Change the World Wednesday - Road Blocks

It's a new year and glad to get back to the Change the World Wednesday challenges over at Reduce Footprints.

This past week the challenge was in regards to road blocks. What roadblocks do I encounter when trying to be green.  This one was rather easy for me.  The greatest roadblock I have is in my desire to buy local.  There are several farmers markets during the summer but non that have been convenient for me to get to.  There is one in Tower Grove Park that I hear is wonderful, but it's at least a 30 min drive. When I drive 35-40min each way for my commute to/from work 5 days a week, I just don't always want that commute on the weekend (plus the park is by my work so it just feels like I'm headed to work again).

There is a farmer's market closer to where I live but it is during the week and closes around 6pm. That just hasn't been a possibility for me.

However, I was able to change my hours at work this past fall and now I normally work 7-3, which gives me plenty of time to get to the farmer's market close to my house.  However another roadblock is that baby girl is supposed to arrive in early May.  My life is about to be turned upside down, in a good way.  I think, though, that buying local and fresh produce is important enough to me that I could hopefully make this an outing we can do together.  Sure, as an infant she'll have no clue and it'll be tougher for me to get around, but I'm hoping I can get into a routine and make it a habit.

5 comments:

  1. Yea! I love the farmers market here. My problem with it is its only seasonal, so now in the winter I have nothing. Also I've noticed that at the big one around here you have to be careful alot of things are still imported (umm citrus? that dosen't grow in MN)

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  2. Oh, a baby girl! I'm so happy for you!! :-) When I've been walking in the park and see moms walking or running while pushing a baby in a stroller, I've always thought what a great advantage those kids will have. Even at the beginning of life, they are introduced to a lifestyle that is healthy and that will become a part of their routine. So I think your little girl will also have an advantage because buying local and living green will be something she has always done with you. What a lovely gift to give a child! :-)

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  3. Amber - I do hate that it's seasonal too..I still want to eat fresh stuff in the winter. Plus I've noticed the same thing with one of the biggest year-round farmers markets, things are imported and not locally grown. You have to do the research on which vendor to go to and that just turned me off.

    Small Footprints - I didn't even think about that, starting her off living green. Now I feel really good about my choices. haha

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  4. Hi from the meet and greet and what wonderful news - congratulations! I think I'm so lucky where I am in that organic farm shops are pretty close by. Anyway, you've already found an awesome solution that is going to benefit you and your daughter in so many ways!

    Warm wishes
    Rae aka mrsgreen@littlegreenblog.com

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  5. Thanks for stopping by Rae! You are very lucky! It's hard to find organic and local where I am. It can be done, but it's not very convenient for where I live. I'm hoping the solution I've come up with will work, we'll find out this summer. The good thing is that I can get into a habit of going while on maternity leave...at least there will be a handful of weeks where I'll be sure to make it to the farmer's market. haha

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