Start with an Egg

Ever since college I've wanted to save the world! This desire has manifested itself in multiple ways. At times it was Africa or even the environment that I tried to resuscitate. Either way, I have a voice within me that shouts out loud, that whatever I'm doing must have a greater purpose. (And it should be massive and most of the time un-accomplishable.) 

I started my journey to save the world, in the poorest country in Africa, and now I'm advocating small farms in East Tennessee. I want to say that I'm beginning to realize that I can have the greatest impact on what's in front of me, and change the world by changing the world I see outside my bedroom window. I say "I want to say", because it's so much easier to chase after the loftier goals, it's more sexy, so to speak. I've also got to face my temptation to look good doing good. 

I suspect that if you're my age, you will face similar challenges. There are plenty of books out there stating my generations desire to save the world and that, in fact, we will actually have an impact. You may not want to save Africa or the environment like me, but I'm sure you have a desire within you to do better for our planet and it's people. 

I challenge You, Me and Everyone In Between to start saving the world with an Egg. Not just any egg, obviously. Today, bring four dollars and some change to the Main Street Market and buy one dozen eggs. Your choice has many implications... 1. You're voting. Not on a ballot, but with your money, for safe healthy food in Chattanooga. 2. Local Economy. The money you spend goes directly back to the community of Chattanooga, not some far fetch community hundreds of miles away from here. 3. Environment. These eggs came from forty minutes away rather than forty hours, which means less fossil fuel wasted. 4. Africa and other poor countries. By buying local you make a choice not to support major industrial food corporations, who abuse and take advantage of poor workers with poor working conditions in our country and other countries. 5. It taste better and anyone can cook an egg! 

The world's not going to change until we change. We can complain about the government or the industrial supply chain, but they're just feeding the masses what they ask for. Change starts with you, me and everyone in between and it starts right now in front of us. 

Disclaimer: I still buy food from the industrial food chain. It's practically impossible not to. If together as a society, we decide to spend our money differently, I hope that in the years to come, it will be possible to live off of your local food economy, only. That would change the world. 

How to use the Market

I've realized that both you and me can over complicate stuff. The market's actually a very simple concept. People have been growing and exchanging food for thousands of years. Today, I feel that it's necessary that I write about how to use your local farmers market.

Go in with this mindset...
I'm not replacing a grocery store with a farmers market.
I don't have to spend a lot of money.
This is much more of a relational experience, than a shopping experience.

Simple Steps...
1. Visit your favorite ATM and take out the minimum withdrawal amount.
1.a If you don't want to visit your favorite ATM, grab whatever change you can find. (in pants pockets, between sofa cushions, under the car seat)
2. Drive, walk, bike, scooter to your local market.
3. Make one lap around the market before you spend a dime.
4. Pick one booth and strike up conversation with the farmer. Tell them, "This is my first time to the market, what do you suggest I buy with $x.xx and how do you suggest I cook it"? Chances are, this will lead to further conversation. I guarantee the farmer will exchange conversation with you.
5. Don't leave until you've spent all of your change or minimal withdrawal.

Today, I forgot my wallet and all I have is six bucks. I'll buy my standard dozen eggs from SCF. With the extra two bucks perhaps I'll buy okra or a pepper, maybe a squash.

Just go to the market and spend some money! Enjoy good food. Don't buy too much, you'll overwhelm yourself. Don't be afraid to talk to the farmers, they're actually some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

See you there!

Excuses

Recently, I've found a few excuses to not eat well. I'll be extremely transparent. Rather than you accusing me of being a hypocrite, I'd like to confess first.

1. I'm too busy. I'm in a new season of life. With this season has come a fully loaded schedule. I'm working long hours. When I get home, I don't have time to cook, let alone buy groceries. I have three squash sitting in my fridge that I bought at the market 3 weeks ago. It's a shame, I was going to stuff them with tomato and cheese, then bake them!

2. No one to eat with. Because time doesn't expand as my schedule expands, I've had less time to invest in relationships. Before, I was cooking for friends frequently. Now, I'd rather not go to great lengths to cook for myself. Give me left overs or a taco from the local tienda!

3. It's expensive. Not only does it take time, but it also takes money to eat well. I want to pay off my debt, I want to cut cost in whatever way possible. And because of this, I skip a meal here or there, or I go extremely meager in my eating.

These excuses are misdirected.

1. What if eating well made me a more efficient worker or a less cranky friend? Or, my mind could solve problems better when it had the proper sources of energy?

2. Relationships are the most important thing in the world. (In my opinion) Eating a meal is an amazing venue for a relationship. Serving a friend by cooking for them, gives me life. I'm recharged in these moments of fellowship over an awesome meal. (Much more than eating, quickly, leftovers, so I can move to the next task) On top of that, life should be balanced between work and play.

3. It's an investment not an expense. Invest in your health. Build a strong foundation now so that when your older you can live better for it. You can also impart on your children healthy eating so they can live happier lives.

I'd like to repent from my unhealthy eating. I've become my own target audience. I'll write more as I press on!

For now, may You, Me & Everyone In Between enjoy good food with good people.

Stop Focusing on the Cow

Photo from bossie.

There is a group of farmers in the world that believe it's more important to pay attention to their pastures than their animals grazing. I'm no expert on farming and would never pretend to understand this concept. However, I think I understand at least the surface of the concept.

If the grass is good, the cows are happy. Cows were created to eat grass. If the cows are happy eating good grass, then they're pooping on the grass. If the cows are pooping, the chickens are pecking through the poop for worms and all sorts of goodies. If the chickens are eating, then they're obviously happy and obviously pooping. If both the cows and chickens are both happy and pooping, then the grass is fertilized with the good stuff and the cycle continues. It all depends on good grass.

This farming jujitsu of sorts is metaphoric and inspires me to ask how can the concept can be applied to my life? (not so much poop though) How much of life am I spending focused on the cows when I should be focused on the grass? What is the grass?

Just a thought this week.