New Experiences

As a writer, I love new experiences. Sometimes, I go out of my way to have one.

This week, my new experience was going to... you'll never guess! When you see where I went, you'll say, "Big deal! I go there every week!"

For me, it is a big deal for several reasons:
A mildly prejudice act, directed toward me, took place in the chain store I visited last week.Grasshoppers have been a pestilence in our area for so long, that I haven't been able to have a garden.I like knowing that I am supporting local farmers, ranchers in the area.I love fresh food grown right here in the good old U.S.A.! No preservatives, no crap, just good ol' homegrown food!If you haven't guessed yet, I went to the local Farmer's Market. I grew up tagging behind my mother in grocery stores, so my first trip to an outdoor Farmer's Market had to be documented and it couldn't have happened on a better day. October 4, 2004, we buried my sister, age 39, who died from cancer. Eating fresh could help prevent that in my life, so making this change is a really big deal.

I'm looking forward to shopping this way. I spent about the same amount as I do at the store, but I was slightly disappointed in the prices of grass fed pork/ beef. Very highly priced considering growers don't invest in feed for those animals. I think I'm ready to start raising my own, and figuring out a way to keep those pesky grasshoppers from eating my veggies next year!

One thing I will miss is not having to go to several different places to purchase what I need, but then, I did it before the big chain super stores opened. It just takes a little longer, and it makes for a nice Saturday outing.

Can't wait to try some of the new organic super foods I purchased. Feeling better already!