Exceptions to the rule… Yes, we are weak.

So, a couple weeks into our little local eating experiment, I feel that we need to come clean about something.  We’re not really eating 100% local this summer.

AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I know, you’ve been deceived, and I apologize.  We really are trying our best, but there are just some things that we decided beforehand we would rather not do without.  The list is as follows; feel free to judge us all you like.

1.       Peanut Butter

The stuff is just too delicious.  But peanuts, sadly, are not really grown locally.  However, stay tuned for a future blog post from Pam about how we’re getting this as locally as possible!

2.       Spices/Herbs

Here I am deferring to the wisdom of Barbara Kingsolver from her book, Animal, Vegetbale, Miracle.  We use spices in such small quantities that the amount of energy spent to get them to the table is relatively negligible.  We will get as many things locally as possible (including growing our own things such as basil, mint, lemongrass, cilantro and more), and look for fun local substitutes for others, but we’re not going to make a big deal out of occasionally using some salt and pepper or cinnamon or something like that.

3.       Olive Oil

With the exception of butter (which I love and will continue to consume in large amounts) there are no good alternative cooking oils, so we’ll continue using olive oil.  We’ll also probably use it in salad dressings and things like that.  I’d like to find some from as close by as possible (in other words, NOT imported from Italy…), but we’ll see what’s available.

4.       Maple Syrup

I don’t even want to think about pancakes, French toast, and the like without maple syrup.  It’s just too good.  Plus, Pam gets it straight from the source from her family in Vermont, so that sort of counts as local, right?  Right?  Shut up.

5.       Sugar (when absolutely necessary)

As much as possible, honey will be our sugar substitute of choice.  However, some baking recipes just won’t be the same without at least a little bit of sugar, so we may need to use some in small amounts, perhaps in conjunction with honey at times.

6.       Chocolate (also when absolutely necessary…)

What?  It’s delicious and sometimes you just need some chocolate.  To go as local as possible we’ll look to companies like Theo Chocolate, which produces it’s own chocolate right here in Seattle with organic, fair trade, sustainably grown cocoa beans, and finds local sources for as many of its other ingredients as possible.

7.       Coffee (written by Pam)

Alright, let’s face it... Pam can’t really survive without coffee in the morning. SO, she has found a few companies in Washington that work with small family fair trade, organic farms in South America and roast the beans after they have been transported here. Locally produced coffee works for me. Really... expecting Pam to go without caffine is not a good plan; this is an excellent exception.

8.       Dairy Queen Blizzards

Ok, before you stop reading this blog altogether, hear us out on this exception.  Last fall I bought a Bear Card, which is a discount card that offers deals all over Olympia that the Olympia High School sports teams sell as a fundraiser every year.  Now, since I’ve got it, I need to use it, that’s just who I am.  I can’t just let it sit in my wallet unused.  And one of the few discounts that I actually like to use is the buy one get one free small Blizzard at Dairy Queen.  So here’s what we decided: when we’re in Olympia this summer we will allow ourselves the occasional Blizzard treat.  Judge if you must, but I think it’s legit.

So that’s the extent of the exceptions that we have outlined for our summer of local eating.  We’re always looking for fun local alternatives, so if you have any ideas relating to these different areas please share them!  Also, if you feel the need to rebuke us for our failings, by all means, go ahead.

Some of you might think, oh, well, all these exceptions don’t really make it worth it then, right?  Wrong.  Anything you can do to eat more locally helps diminish our dependence on an industrial food system that is out of control and helps to strengthen local economies.  Anyone living in Washington (or, for that matter, most other places) should not have to purchase any non-local produce (outside of maybe the occasional avocado or pineapple) during the summer months, because really, fresh, local produce is just a hundred times better than what you find in the grocery store on a daily basis.  If anyone is looking for a way to start eating locally, try eating only local, seasonal fruits and vegetables for a summer and see if you want to switch back to supermarket produce afterwards.  My guess is you won’t.