The personal sustainability project I would like to undertake has to do with food. My goal is to try and use more local, organic food that is healthy, and learn how to use it to make plenty of new dishes and recipes. My preliminary action plan involves talking to a few friends (including a classmate and one of my neighbors -- who happens to work at Bloomingfoods) about the types of food they eat, how to use local, organic products to create a balanced diet, and hopefully to obtain some recipes that I can cook myself. As another part of the project, I might do some research into the advantages and disadvantages of local food, such as comparing the ecological footprint of local food versus mass-produced commercial food brought in from across the world. I know such studies exist, I would just like to find them and do a write-up on them or something. Other topics to address could be the obstacles faced by small-scale, local farmers (such as structural issues that prevent them from competing on an equal footing with major food producers), or a comparison of the economic advantages to local vs. non-local food sources.
I have several motivations for this project. One is that I would like to learn to incorporate local food to reduce my personal ecological footprint. A second is that I would like to improve my diet in general. I am not much of a cook. I know how to make some things, but frankly, I'm getting tired of the food I cook. I would like to incorporate more variety in my diet, and make it healthy to boot. I figure learning to use different ingredients to make different dishes would enrich my culinary life. The last goal is a financial one. I just think that I spend too much money at Kroger every week. I'm really not sure that switching to more local food and raw ingredients instead of stuff that comes in a box will save me money, but it's worth a shot.
That's my idea for now. If anyone has comments or suggestions, please feel free to post them.
This is a very important topic you are embarking on with a fascinating reading list!
ReplyDeleteMeasures of progress and success? Economics only?
Omnivore? Vegetarian? Vegan? unprocessed or food miles - cooked vs. raw? what makes the most difference to biospheric and personal health in food choices?
Cold turkey on Kroger, or gradual plan?
Measures of success: not just economic. How much I'm able to change the way I eat, whether I'm able to creatively come up with new things using more raw ingredients, trying to cut out processed/packaged foods as much as possible, etc. I honestly don't think that can be done entirely, because there will probably always be things I need that come out of a can. So I'm not sure yet how to deal with those things.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely gradual plan, and definitely omnivore. I've been trying to cut down on red meat in favor of chicken and fish and doing a decent job so far, but I just can't bring myself to give up meat entirely. When I do go out for a burger or whatever, I'm trying to make it local and/or eating less fatty portions, etc.
I'm excited about your personal project, Andrew! Let me know if you want to talk about ideas or recipes, or anything. Have fun!
ReplyDelete