Someone asked me recently why it was that I hardly needed to go to the grocery store.
After researching what is really going on with our food system, it’s imparative eating healthy is important to me. When I first moved into this food desert city in the south, I found that there is very little healthy food in the grocery stores. The stores are loaded with packaged, processed “food-like” snack substances with long ingredient lists (that are hard to pronounce!) If the ingredient list is longer than a few ingredients, then it is too processed for me!
I live in the city in the upstairs of a back house under a gorgeous massive oak tree. I am an urban farmer. I eat seasonal, local produce, cook from scratch and have little need to buy much at the grocery store.
I eat mostly a fresh diet of veggies, fruit, some grains, seeds, beans, eggs and a little pasture raised meats. I also make my own probiotic foods like saurkraut & kefir, fresh nut milk, salad dressings, sauces and I have a great pantry to make shopping a breeze. My personal pantry grocery store is just steps away! I am a “semi-prepper” as I have always thought it was a good idea to store some extra food and supplies in case of an emergency of some sort.
Eating seasonally, has been sooo rewarding especially being in a different part of the country with new special foods to this area that were not frequently on my plate in my past location.and exciting especially when you get to eat some of what you grew yourself. I am able to get a lot more fresh food diversity in my diet too. So I capitalize on whatever is in season and put some of it up in the freezer for the winter too.
I harvest weekly from the public permaculture/perennial garden that I manage and other yard gardens that I work in. I get unlimited herbs all year, which make a big difference for making the ordinary, extraordinary,as well as for medicine and teas.
[Dried Stevia Leaves]
Plus, I support local farmers and get seasonal veggies regularly from them to round out what I have growing and so that I can have access to a larger variety of produce without having to grow it all myself. I think it’s the best of both worlds!
I also am able to get pasture raised meats and eggs from local farmers.
Often I can find some organic options for dried beans, nuts and grains, pasta, coconut oil, olive oil, coconut milk/water and some dried or canned tomatoes/unsweetened fruits, sea salt, pepper, teas at discount stores like Big Lots. When I do, I stock up.
Neighbors with fruit trees are often happy for others to harvest fruit so that it doesn’t go to waste. A great opportunity to offer your help and take home some bounty to be canned, frozen or dried.
You can do this too! Just start. Take little steps. You’re body will thank you!