I’ve been a bit of a failure as a vegetarian lately. It’s okay; it really was never my intention to go meat-free forever. My experiment with vegetarian cuisine has taught me that it’s possible to eat well without making meat the main focus of every meal. I’m equally motivated by health and animal welfare concerns. Eating a ton of meat isn’t that good for you, even if the John Wayne colon story was debunked. Large-scale agribusiness endangers our food supply and institutionalizes cruelty to living, feeling creatures. I believe these things, I do. I want to make ethical choices, I do.
Yet I have never been to a farmer’s market, although there are many in the vicinity. Their hours are limited, or they are in the city and parking is an issue. Driving in cities is high on the list of things that make me irrationally anxious. I’m working on it, because the city has so much to offer. (I am also mildly fearful that they are all going to be cooler than me at the farmer’s market.) Sometimes I buy organic produce, but just as often I don’t. Such a big chunk of our monthly budget goes to the grocery store, and it’s hard to justify spending that much more. Not buying meat for every meal makes it possible for Prince Silas to exclusively drink organic milk. And such a lot of milk the greedy little prince drinks. Throw in a few interesting cheeses and you’ve got flexitarianism, baby. When will I eat bacon again? I shan’t seek it out but I will know when the time is right.
But maybe I should visit a farmer’s market. I’m sure there is nothing to be afraid of. Rumor has it there’s a woman selling homemade nim chow at the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet farmer’s market. And honey, ma honey. Now is not the time for me to learn the ancient art of beekeeping, but the least I can do is support local apiaries. I’m a bit old to be eating honey from a container shaped like a bear, anyway.
Even small choices can contribute to positive changes.
Hi,
The nim chow is awesome and (my ex was a bee keeper) the honey is awesome. It is better than the one that comes from the bear jar. 🙂