I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my power as a consumer. In the lack of any useful government legislation, the most power I have is my middle class salary and my purchasing power. What if even 20% of the market pulled out of corporate economy as much as we have? I’m not sure the system could stand it. I think it would have to change. Granted.. I’m not an economist – if anyone is and wants to comment I’d love to hear from you. I started out making food choices to limit my plastic consumption. The fringe benefit has been that we are eating a lot more whole and healthy food. And, lately, now that the infrastructure is built and habits formed and bulk food purchased, we’re also saving money on our food bill. That means I have more money to eat politically (and go on more trips, we can talk about carbon foot print and planes another time, pick your battles I say). Here are some things that we’ve changed:

-buy local and sustainable eggs and meat
-organic, waste free milk (yaaaa! Limestone Creamery)
-buy in bulk from local distributors where possible
-make it as much as we can ourselves at home

Some of these choices cost more in the short-term. Overall, and in the long run we actually save money. And in the loooooonnnng run (my grand kids long) it is going to cost much, much less.

One small change at a time, making new habits slowly.