Let me preface this by saying that I am not a purist; I do not buy everything locally. There are are those here in Roanoke who do and kudos to them! After spending time further researching this topic for this post, my eyes have really been opened as to how important this is and why I really need to be doing this as much as I possibly can.
Buying local helps us maintain our culture, commerce, economy, community, and the environment. Jane Jacobs teaches us in her book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, that having people live, work, and shop in traditional neighborhoods allows us to connect, which is a good thing. We learn from one another's ethnic and economic diversity, and we develop a stronger sense of place and identity. We are safer. We look out for one another and have a stronger sense of community.
Big box stores actually hurt the local community. Their profits go back to corporate headquarters and to their suppliers. Communities actually lose employees due to the downsizing and closings of local businesses as a result of a big-box stores running the Mom-and-Pop stores out of business. Average wages are also reduced, there tends to be higher poverty rates, less civic and social well-being, and sometimes they cost cities more.
Local businesses hire local people, spend more of their money in the community by shopping, banking, advertising, and using local professionals for their needs. Local business owners keep more of their money within the community and give back more of their dollars to local charities.
When we talk of buying local, we must also think about Sustainability. Utopia would be the ideal balance of the Planet, its People, and their Prosperity. Nonetheless, we live in the world of Capitalism, and if you can dream it, someone will make it, distribute it, then strongly encourage others to buy it. It's the American way.
You can't buy everything locally. I'm just encouraging you to buy local whenever you can.
What is your opinion on buying things locally?
As my friend Nikki always says, "Live, love, laugh, share, and pay it forward."
Suz
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tips for a Greener Kitchen
Here are a few recommendations for greening up your kitchen:
1. Spray Mister for Cooking Oil: Instead of wasting money and filling the land fill with disposable spray cans at the grocery store, visit a kitchen supply store and buy a spray mister which you can fill with your favorite oil. If you use several different kinds of oils (extra virgin olive oil, olive oil, peanut oil, et. al.), buy a mister for each kind. The misters come in a variety of colors and shapes for you to distinguish one from the other.
2. Towels: Ditch the paper towels and use dish towels, old towels, whatever is on hand. These you can toss in the washing machine and reuse over and over.
3. Cloth napkins. Stock up during the sales after each holiday and you'll slowly build your inventory. Have each member of your family choose a color or pattern each week, then when it's time to wash a load of towels, just toss them in.
4. Appliances: When it's time for a new appliance, consider an ENERGY STAR appliance which will save you money by using less electricity and water (where applicable). These machines are designed to work better, smarter, faster.
5. Spices: Buy good spices in small quantities. This will ensure that they stay fresh, thus enhancing the flavors of your culinary creations.
6. Microfiber cloths: Linen towels used to be the best for drying dishes and now microfiber cloths have come along to do the work of both cleaning and drying everything in your home from dishes, to furniture, to floors, and beyond.
7. Baker's Racks and Pot Racks: These make a great display of your pots and pans that you use on a regular basis, keeping them handy, yet out of the way.
8. Cook: Plan your meals and cook at home. This will save you money and with a little preparation, you can have a home-cooked meal even on those busy days when you are walking in the door at dinner time. There are delivery companies that will ship groceries to you. Better yet, get together with some friends to prepare meals or go shopping together and split the cost of bulk items.
9. Crockpots: Yes, there really are good recipes for meals you can toss into the crockpot on your way out the door in the morning or if you have a busy day planned at home.
10. The refrigerator: clean the coils, reseal it if you can pull a dollar bill out from the door when it's closed, and reset the temperature--cooler in the summer time and warmer during the winter months.
Feel free to add your tips and tricks below.
Enjoy your day,
Suzanne
1. Spray Mister for Cooking Oil: Instead of wasting money and filling the land fill with disposable spray cans at the grocery store, visit a kitchen supply store and buy a spray mister which you can fill with your favorite oil. If you use several different kinds of oils (extra virgin olive oil, olive oil, peanut oil, et. al.), buy a mister for each kind. The misters come in a variety of colors and shapes for you to distinguish one from the other.
2. Towels: Ditch the paper towels and use dish towels, old towels, whatever is on hand. These you can toss in the washing machine and reuse over and over.
3. Cloth napkins. Stock up during the sales after each holiday and you'll slowly build your inventory. Have each member of your family choose a color or pattern each week, then when it's time to wash a load of towels, just toss them in.
4. Appliances: When it's time for a new appliance, consider an ENERGY STAR appliance which will save you money by using less electricity and water (where applicable). These machines are designed to work better, smarter, faster.
5. Spices: Buy good spices in small quantities. This will ensure that they stay fresh, thus enhancing the flavors of your culinary creations.
6. Microfiber cloths: Linen towels used to be the best for drying dishes and now microfiber cloths have come along to do the work of both cleaning and drying everything in your home from dishes, to furniture, to floors, and beyond.
7. Baker's Racks and Pot Racks: These make a great display of your pots and pans that you use on a regular basis, keeping them handy, yet out of the way.
8. Cook: Plan your meals and cook at home. This will save you money and with a little preparation, you can have a home-cooked meal even on those busy days when you are walking in the door at dinner time. There are delivery companies that will ship groceries to you. Better yet, get together with some friends to prepare meals or go shopping together and split the cost of bulk items.
9. Crockpots: Yes, there really are good recipes for meals you can toss into the crockpot on your way out the door in the morning or if you have a busy day planned at home.
10. The refrigerator: clean the coils, reseal it if you can pull a dollar bill out from the door when it's closed, and reset the temperature--cooler in the summer time and warmer during the winter months.
Feel free to add your tips and tricks below.
Enjoy your day,
Suzanne
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)