This whole Local Bite Challenge we have coming up in a couple of days has been in the works since I first had the idea last Fall…which has given me lots of time to plan and design what I hope everyone will consider to be some very cool details mixed with a variety of options and aspects that appeal to a wide variety of people across this small globe of ours.
Great, right?
Well, truth be told, what all of the time has also meant is a lot of free moments during which I have small freak outs about this whole thing.
Here’s a peek into my head (but you have to read it as one big run-on mash of craziness)…
Are we crazy?Can we really just eat food from within the state of New Mexico for a full 100 days?What about the budget?That’s less than we spend now on regular food and local food is so expensive!What will I do without my black tea?Is anyone even going to participate?Am I crazy?Where’d I even come up with this whole thing?!What will we eat for breakfast besides eggs, eggs and more eggs for 100 days?Why didn’t I plant more carefully so we’d have spinach and kale already abundant in our garden?Kim is breast feeding Sprout!Is she going to be able to eat enough on our limited budget?Coconut and avocados and bananas and coffee!What will we do without those?!
So, yeah…there’s a lot to think about!
And worry about.
And obsess over…if I let myself.
On the flip side, though, all this time has also allowed me to think about how growth-filled this whole experience is going to be!
I think about how much better we will feel after eating zero processed, out-of-a-box meals for a full 100 days.
I think about the relationships that will be forged with various members of our community.
I think about all of the food we will not waste, because it is good and fresh and is what we have for the week!
And I think about all of the skills we will gain by DIYing so many food items that normally come in a box, bag or jar…like mayo and butter and sour cream…like tortillas and tamales and fresh baked bread…all.the.time!
Delicious, and very cool!
The learning curve will be steep, no doubt.
Exceptions will be made, of this I am confident.
There will be days that are rougher than others.
There may even be some tears. (I’m pretty sensitive, did you know?)
But the point here is to stretch ourselves beyond our current comfort zone and to affect some positive change in our lives, in our communities and for our planet as a whole.
And, in the meantime, maybe even have a little fun and enjoy some amazingly delicious, fresh, local foods!
Cheers!
xoxo,
M
I am so looking forward to seeing this unfold. I was really tempted to participate, but things are so crazy here right now that I can’t even plan regular meals very well much less source everything locally. I bet you will do fine and it may even change the way you source your food permanently.
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I am actually hoping/intending for it to make a permanent impact on how we source our food 🙂 And just in case you missed it, there are smaller weekly challenges anyone can participate in, too. You can do one, or all fourteen 🙂
I hope you have a lot of fun with the challenge!
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I think you’re going to do an amazing job! Best of luck with leading the challenge.
As someone who eats a primal diet, a lot of the worries about where the wheat, rice or other grains, and starchy vegetables will be sourced are nonexistent.
We do use coconut oil and olive oil however, and since our daughter’s diet is limited due to severe life threatening allergies, we’d be out of the challenge before it even started. Her need for good fats goes beyond just animal fats. Unfortunately coconut oil and olive oil can’t be sourced here in NM.
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Thank you, Angela! I do think it’s going to be great, I’d just be lying if I said I’m not nervous 🙂 I do want to make sure you know, in case you’re interested in participating, that you can set your own parameters for the challenge! So, if you want to say that coconut oil, or anything else necessary in your diet, is allowed, that’s totally great! The goal is to push ourselves, not be unrealistic or completely miserable! 🙂 Also, there are mini weekly challenges if you’re interested in those, too 🙂
I admit, I’m nervous about this. And my boys are afraid that we’ll starve to death.