Juliana's Day 1

Day one isn't over until I'm asleep because right now I want to snack so badly!!! If only I had local crackers or rice cakes or something to put Carmelis goat cheese on I'd be set!

So day one went really well! Breakfast was tough because I have to have the same breakfast everyday to regulate my blood pressure which drops really low and makes me feel fainty. I usually have cereal but I found some oatmeal at Quality Greens from Enderby! So I had that with some Dutchman Dairy milk from Sicamous. Lunch consisted of a delicious vegetable stir fry and some  Little Straw Cuvee Noir from here in Kelowna. The stir fry had locally grown bok choy, broccoli, tomatoes, bean sprouts, carrots, mushrooms, onions and garlic! For dinner I had a pork steak from Vernon with baked goat cheese from Carmelis on top and some more steamed, local broccoli. I really missed having a homemade latte today but I have so much energy I feel like I don't even need it.
Yesterday, I did all my prep by checking out a few grocery stores that carry local foods such as Quality Greens and Choices Market. The girl from the deli at Quality Greens helped me find sausages from Vernon, they had a ton of variety. Their produce was extremely varied for locally grown produce and not any more expensive than buying imported produce. I definitely thought it would be a lot more expensive to stock up on local foods. At Choices, Manager Patrick gave me a tour of the meat, dairy and produce section pointing out all local foods, where they were from and what I could eat. He was extremely helpful with finding meats and milk. Carol in produce introduced me to the farms they have partnered with and it was really cool because they know their suppliers really well. The relationship really enforces the community building aspect of this diet and reminds me of the "100 Mile Diet" book by Alisa Smith and J.B MacKinnon that I am reading to supplement this diet with. The couple really get to know the people behind their food which creates some really need bonds and friendships. Tomorrow is going to be difficult because its my husband's birthday and I'm hoping I can be strong!! Wednesday I'll be hitting up the farmer's market and Urban Harvest to meet some of the local producers of the Okanagan's food so I'm really excited for that. Today was an easy day because I was home all day working on projects so I had time to cook meals and plan my eating schedule, tomorrow however I'll be in school for six hours and then going straight to my husband's birthday party so I'm going to have to be super organized to make it through the day on local food.

In addition to this blog I am reading through the "100 Mile Diet" as mentioned above. This Vancouver couple began the 100 mile diet because of statistics that were beginning to bother them. Such as the fact that our food travels an average of 1500-3000 miles from farm to plate! Their concern began largely for the environment and the effects of pollution from transportation including transporting food. The couple believed that it would be easy at first and so far they are just learning the challenges that are posed by only eating from within 100 miles. They do allow themselves a few rules, if they are invited to someone's house they eat what is made for them, if they travel they are off the hook and if they travel they can bring back food from a 100 mile radius of that spot. Realizing that they could no longer have the popular brand and snack foods, condiments or sauces they loved and when their first dinner cost over 100 dollars they seriously doubted if it was possible. I can't wait to read more:)