New Year challenge - a $1000 grocery bill
In my opinion, there needs to be a huge
change in our collective mind set, globally, as to what
activities are acceptable and
which are not.
Iam back in the shed refreshed from an idyllic week relaxing with family at Kai Iwi Lakes near Dargaville and thinking about goals for 2018.
My friend included me in a planned overseas trip to Las Vegas in October but my gut feeling was to decline.
I felt bad as it sounded fun and I did not want to be rude but the more I think about environmental impact the less inclined I am to go out of New Zealand on a plane ever again.
It’s weird because overseas travel plans seem to be on everyone’s agenda or bucket list these days with weekends in Rarotonga, African safaris and Mediterranean cruises more available and affordable than ever before.
Travel and tourism is trendy with good deals and cheap rates heavily advertised.
As a dairy farmer I am acutely aware that everything we do has an effect on the environment.
Milking cows, driving a car, eating food – we humans are constantly consuming resources and some are constantly criticising the actions of others while remaining seemingly blind to their own impact.
If the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is vital to the future of life itself, then why is air travel for fun ignored as arguably one of the worst contributors worldwide of carbon dioxide and global warming?
Cheap fares are surely a travesty in this instance.
Yet I have not heard one conversation about it, which is in stark contrast to the environmental impact of my main activity, dairy farming, which is slated in the media ad nauseam.
At least what I do produces something useful - food, which is more than could be said for a frivolous boozy break in Las Vegas.
And so I have already told my friend the Las Vegas trip is not for me, I will stay home and milk my cows and I felt a little bit upset saying it but I know it was the right decision for me.
I am not going to go to Las home and appreciating what’s on our own doorsteps could be a start.
I doubt my opinion will be a popular one with cheap fares and technology making the world seem a smaller more accessible place and people hankering for the perceived glamour of globetrotting.
Nonetheless it’s not for me to tell others what to do but I can govern my own decisions which leads me to my big plan for 2018.
As well as staying home and milking my cows I am aiming to spend less than $1000 on groceries this year. Why on earth would I do that?
Last year to promote my book about sustainable grocery shopping, ‘Pig Tits and Parsley Sauce’ I did a ‘stay out of the supermarket challenge’ which lasted for 57 days.
I really only stopped because I had visitors coming for Christmas.
This challenge involved me using the resources I have.
These include raw milk, home kill meat and free range eggs to live, rather than running off to the supermarket as is most people’s habit.
To achieve it I made bread, butter, cheese and yoghurt as well as pastry, pizza bases etc.
I even leant to mill my own flour which was really easy and fun to do.
I document my progress on my Facebook page, which has nearly 6000 followers. You are welcome to join.
❚ Lyn Webster is a Northland dairy farmer.
C/KG/LW PRICE P/HEAD