The Monday Hum: Got a Black Thumb?
Sustainable living encompasses a lot of complex issues. But is it so complex to actually improve your own individual way of living?
No. If it were, I’d be too lazy to do it.
I would venture to say that most of North America has some kind of sustainable infrastructure in place these days. Urbanites needn’t fear their lack of available dirt—in fact, you may want to have your soil tested for chemical residues and heavy metals before you try growing anything in it. You just don’t know.
Landless urbanites can look for the following eat-better options:
Growers’ co-operatives.
Community-Supported Agriculture projects.
Farmers’ Markets.
Community gardens.
Small local abbatoirs who personally know the farmers who are bringing meat to them.
A home grain mill and a local organic grain grower—wheat, flax, oats, millet, whatever suits your fancy.
Unless you have the proper zoning and a pasture, and can own your own animal, milk is highly regulated. It’s not legal for farm-gate purchase. However, health food stores can supply ingredients for making yogurt and cheese. (Didja know? Pre-made yogurt off the store shelf contains as much sugar as the same amount of ice cream. Yep, that’ll help you lose weight.)
If you have even a small patch of ground, you can turn it into a highly productive dietary supplement. No, I am not saying, “Eat dirt.” Next week, we’ll look at how to make estimates for the individual human unit (that would be you).
