Think positive!

September 3rd... and so far, so good!
Jon and I, in the midst of 85 mph winds and rain, went grocery shopping. The most entertaining part was standing at the door of the store waiting with a large crowd of people, helpless, patient for the weather to let up just enough to dash to our cars on the opposite end of the parking lot, hopeful we would not get soaked! Then laughing at the impatience of others, shoving their way through with 3 children in tow saying, "IT'S JUST A LITTLE WATER!" Then nearly being knocked over by the force of the winds as they stomp into the torrential downpour, with the poor sack boy, head drooping in dread, following close behind. Most people were kind enough to let the grocery workers wait at the door while they drove up to the building.

Anyway, after all that fun... I have to tell you how simple and yet frustrating my grocery trip was. I have never paid so much attention to the food I was buying until now. The trip was simple because I recognize some of the packaging from local businesses, knowing they are US made. What made the trip difficult was the lack of labeling. When you find things with muliple ingredients, the package will only claim processing or distribution in the US. And I never realized how much of our food comes from Thailand and Guatamala.

On and up note to the US purchases, they were the store brands, the cheap brands... for the most part.

Crest, my store of choice last night, has their store brand that is US made. As I looked over pasta, though, I found that each brand, differing in price by $.10 to $2.00, all came from the same manufacturer. But I managed to find some healthy, whole wheat pasta claiming 100% made in the USA.

I also found that if you look down, you will save money! Kraft Mayo in a small jar was 2 for $5, Kraft mayo in a large jar was 2 for $4. Eggs were $2.79 for 18 or 2 1/2 dozen for $2.50, same brand!

Really, I don't mind the imports so much. I just don't like the toys and plastic junk from China. But this was an eye opening experience and gave me a desire to find out more about where the things I use and eat come from.

On a different note, I was talking with some people about all that we had given up and when they asked why, I had to pause to remember why I started this. It wasn't to make a political or environmental stance, to conserve electricity or be green. It was mearly to see what I could live without that our society deems necessary to live. I can honestly say, each thing that lessens my load of stuff has made me happier. I have found myself living each day with a new sense of awareness. I do things on purpose and have found more time and money to just relax and enjoy my kids and life. All in all, I have put so much less thought and energy into the "stuff" of life and so much more into the sustenance so that my extra time and money can be put where it needs to be!