local focus – Hippie Ways

Since I was only born in the ’60’s and not actually RAISED in the ’60’s I get a lot of strange looks when I announce to those who ask that I am 100% hippie. Hippie Chick

I’ll have to say that the majority of strange looks come from the younger folks I know. Occasionally they will ask me what makes me a hippie since I don’t wear long hair, I do shave my legs, and don’t dress in love-child clothes and beads that sport peace symbols.

Older people (those 65+) tend to just smile and look at me as though they expect the lightning to strike at any moment.

I think that what I find the most entertaining is that the majority of folks I converse with on the subject of hippies and so forth are quite astounded to discover that I’m not just some grammar assaulting stoner.

If you read back a few posts, you will find the post entitled Mayonnaise and Philosphy .

This is most likely where the journey began…

I have found over the years that my choice to not use chemicals, to do what I can for myself and to simplify life by way of not getting overly hyped about all things consumer related is VERY misunderstood.

People tend to look at me strangely when I tell them that I make my own hair spray, toothpaste, dishwasher soap, laundry soap and granola bars. I’m really not sure what they expect. Do they expect me to dress in hemp sacks and sandals? Are they perhaps expecting bad teeth, dreadlocks and body odor?

The way I see things is that one can be quite “hippie” and NOT sacrifice quality. Think about it – the finest fabrics don’t always have a designer label. I have recently discovered an absolutely SINFUL body cream…and guess what…it’s handcrafted from ingredients that are NOT harmful to your skin, the environment, or imported from far off sweat shops.

If one puts a little thought into their daily life, make conscious choices when it comes to what they buy, where it’s made, how it’s made and what’s actually in it…you’ll be surprised at how much of an impact it will have.

Take some time and really think about this…

It’s a bit of a buzz-term for a lot of things. Really, I think location has to do with pretty much EVERYTHING these days that is pertinent, intelligent and mindful. I am inspired today to NOT change my LOCATION in my quest for food. Project du jour….egg salad.

What does this have to do with anything?? It’s quite simple really. Maintain a LOCAL FIRST policy with all things. How is this accomplished, you ask? It all fits in with my Hippie way of being, and making conscious and intelligent choices when it comes to parting with my money.

First things first: how to make egg salad. Boil up a few eggs, and peel them. Chop them up with a little parsley, chive (or green onion) maybe a little celery and carrot. Blend with a little mayonnaise and ta-da…luncheon is served. Takes all of about 10 minutes and you have a fresh feast at hand. Now, for the tricky part…local first.

Item One: make your own mayo. I do, it’s simple, I’ve written about it before and if you’d like the recipe just ask.

Item Two: Parsley, chives, bunching onions (the little green dudes), celery and carrot are ALL ridiculously easy to grow in your own backyard, patio, windowsill, etc.

Item Three: Local Eggs?? Short of having chickens in your own backyard, this is tough one for a lot of folks. I will eventually have my own chickens, but in the interim…I buy from a local farmer. I find the farm eggs to be FAR better than the factory farmed-serial numbered eggs that you find in the grocery stores. The farm eggs actually TASTE like something. You can even water poach them (anyone who like Eggs Benedict knows what I’m talking about) and NOT end up with a pan full of tasteless foam! I purchase my eggs for $3.00 per 18-pack ($0.65 cheaper than the local grocery store) and the eggs are SSSOOOOO much better.

The best part of this is that I know exactly where the eggs come from, whose farm they are raised on, how the birds are treated, and so forth.

Item Four: The base of all decent sandwiches….BREAD!! Pretty much EVERYWHERE has a little bakery within a decent walking distance. The next time you buy bread, here’s a cool idea – read the label. If it’s on a store shelf…it had to come from somewhere. How many miles are on your toast before you ever see it? Take your daily bread seriously…

Frankly, I don’t really give two hoots about “food safety”. Common sense, although less and less common these days, still rules my decision making processes. To my mind, it just is more intelligent to purchase my food items from someone that I KNOW rather than trust my government to look after me. I do get the occasional odd look over my choices, but here is my rationale:

Would you trust a food source you could neither see or touch? I don’t.

Would you trust a building housing upwards of 200,000 birds to provide you with clean, wholesome eggs? I don’t.

Would you be inclined to eat something that had spend X-number of days sitting in a warehouse? I’m not.

Would you be inclined to eat something that had then spent X-number of days in the back of a reefer truck? Nope.

Well, there you have it. If you are going to stuff it in your face, a little common sense would tell that you should know where it came from and exactly what it is. Remember your Mother yelling at you?? “DON’T PUT THAT IN YOUR MOUTH!!! YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE IT’S BEEN!!”

And for the record…my egg salad had ZERO miles on it, no carbon footprint, no diesel-market ratios or other statistical anomalies, and no other green-washing necessary.

The best part…my location didn’t have to change one bit. 🙂