Mindful Consumption 1

So far this year my only “resolution” has been more mindful consumption (I’m thinking about adding “getting organized” but that might be a bit too pie-in-the-sky). I don’t have any particular expectations or rules: just trying to take note of where the stuff comes from that goes into me (and around me).

I’m focusing on food because it’s my #1 expenditure. But I’ll note other things as they come into my world.

Today was my first grocery trip of the year and it was a small one; just some basics and sale items (I’m a sucker for markdowns). Here’s what I got, the cost -M indicates a markdown, and where it’s from:

1. RH Phillips Night Harvest Merlot -750ml x2, $3.99M each, CA
2. Naturally Nested cage free eggs -dozen, $2.49, Unknown source, distributed in Billings, MT
3. Treasure Cove Feta Cheese, $1.99M, IL
4. NaturalDirections Coffee -12oz, $5.89M, Unknown source but USDA Organic and fair trade certified and distributed from OR.
5. NaturalDirections soy milk -half gal, $2.09M, as above.
6. WesternFamily skim milk -half gal, $1.79, Unknown source, distributed from OR.
7. WesternFamily saltines, $.99M, “product of USA”

I won’t be winning any awards from the Vegans out there (mine is the soy milk though, the skim is for Julie, I swear!), nor from those 5th precept stallwarts. But after passing up the lovely Equadorian bananas it’s at least all American – not that I’d mind buying from Canada, but what do they grow up there beside trees and Celine Dions?