Obviously, I cannot commit to anything but veganism…

…and if I tell you anything else I’m a liar.

The Eat Local Challenge went well, not that you would know it by reading this blog.

The most challenging part of the challenge was the planning.  I think new vegans (without the option of restaurants,convenience food or roommates that cook for you) experience the same thing.  Every meal was a challenge. I think it should be an “Eat Mostly Local Month,” where you build up your Michigan arsenal for the first week or two, and then the rest of the month should be easy.  I’d say that I did about an 85% adherence to eating locally.  If I would have sat down and menu planned, it would have been easy.  I don’t menu plan normally, so who am I kidding.  I think a buddy would have helped, someone to keep you accountable and shares meals with you.

I could afford to eat a few times at a local restaurant, The Brass Cafe, who was participating in the challenge.  Not a vegan restaurant at all, more of a gourmet schmancy place, but they did a great job.  The chef is very accommodating and understands how important ingredient info is to vegans.  Could do with a few more options, but it will come in time.

I could try to summon memories of the food I ate, but with no pictures, what’s the point?  I made a few loaves of bread using Michigan spelt flour, used some Oryana Coop’s Soysage, Roasted Garlic and White Bean Soup (VwaV), Cauliflower and Red Lentil Curry (vcon), obviously a few other meals, but I cannot remember them now.

In summary, my advice to anyone wanting to try going local:

• Get support.  Either in the flesh or online; a community is essential.  Funny how local works.
• Plan it out.  Ok, you don’t have to menu plan, but at least sit down and get some basics.  Choose a local veggie or bean or something to focus a meal around, and find ways to incorporate more local into the recipe.
• Explore.  Our Coop got a few local restaurants to participate, and I beleive they were doing many local options already. Find out what your town has to offer.  Going to restaurants can be inspiring and exciting, even if you didn’t have a great experience, at least you can walk away knowing how much better you can cook than them.
• Share.  I hate to say the dreaded “P” word, but potlucks are great for this kind of challenge. You don’t have to bust out the tie-dye napkins and the bongos; potluck is just another word for informal gathering.   I love cooking and eating with people.  What better way to get ideas and to get excited about local?
• Don’t Give Up.  I caught myself mindlessly eating potato chips from Colorado, and was ready to throw in the apron.  It can be overwhelming thinking about what you eat all day long.  There is temptation and old habits everywhere, it just takes time to get through them.  You will create new habits and create new temptations.  Soon, you will mindlessly be eating Michigan Cherry Jam out of the jar with your hands.

Tags: local, michigan