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Day:         01
Days Left: 29

It’s one thing to talk about accepting a 30-day challenge…to plan for it, gear up for it—it’s quite another to actually do it. Day One has come and gone and I’m so happy! I have to say, it feels really good to move through the saying and into the doing. So there were a couple of glitches along the way—mess up and move on. 
       The first thing I’ve learned is that I need to change my shopping days. I usually go shopping on Monday. Unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any farmers markets in my area on that day. The serendipitous thing is that I’ve been wanting to get to the farmers market in Rhinebeck, NY (Sundays 10 am. to 2 p.m.) and this past weekend I finally made it. 
       Once there, I made practically a beeline for the Wild Hive stand. First, because I know Don Lewis and then because they are my source for local grains and flours. Can I just say that I love doing my shopping in a place where vendors give hugs because they’re that happy to see you? Try it—you’ll see I’m right. After I bought some spelt flour and wheat berries from Don, I made my way around the market and picked up some great stuff—super fresh mixed greens, juicy peaches, cucumbers and on Don’s recommendation, locally grown cantaloupe from the vendor across the aisle.

I need to stop for a moment here and share this: On nice days like today, I bring my laptop out on the deck and do my writing here. I just heard a weird noise behind me and whirled around to see four wild turkeys walking around and calmly picking through the leaves and grass, looking like they’re having themselves quite a lunch. Wish that camera was working! Not a bad office, I must say…

OK, the turkeys have gone their merry way. Aside from changing my shopping day, I found more room for improvement. I loved my farmers marketing experience, finding amazing local food and chatting with the vendors, but I realized that despite the chit-chat, I didn’t find out anyone’s name, I didn’t introduce myself and at the moment, I can’t tell you exactly where the peaches and the cucumbers and the cantaloupe came from. This week when I go back, I’ll make sure that my interactions are even more meaningful. I’ll even take the (working) camera and get a few snapshots.
       I’m also finding that I need to manage my time differently. I made a lot of great stuff—whole wheat bread, granola and beef stew, but I didn’t leave myself a lot of time for lunch. Or for that matter, dinner, and so I ended up kind of snacking on a variety things that fit my challenge guidelines. That’s not the way I want to eat and so I’m adding another guideline.

Another interruption, courtesy of Mother Earth—there’s a tiny grasshopper sitting on top of my laptop watching me as I write. I love my job.

I don’t want ever want to stand in front of the fridge again, wondering what I can eat. I like having a plan. As much as I like knowing where my food came from, I also like knowing what I’m having for breakfast, for lunch, for supper. If I need a surprise, I can throw in a random snack. This prompted me to add another condition to Challenge Guidelines.

1. Local, with regard to this Challenge, means my food must be grown and produced within a 100-mile radius (see Going Local)
2. There is a List of Exceptions to which an item may be added after careful consideration (to date, the list is simply olive oil, lemons, salt, pepper and a few other spices)
3. Each meal should be planned in such a way as to optimize its savoring and enjoyment

So Day 1 was a success between delicious food and lessons learned. One down, 29 to go!