Counterintuitive
Given that I now have no income (apart from Government support) until the middle of January, you might think it foolhardy of me to do the bulk of my food shopping at the wonderful farmers' market last weekend. It's not the cheapest place - most of the food is organic or near-organic, which naturally makes it pricier than the produce at the national big two supermarket chains, & at least as expensive as the fruit & vegs at my little convenience store downstairs. Yet I not only got enough fruit & veg & eggs for a fortnight, but I bought some organic cold processed honey, some gourmet cheese and a very small piece of organic saltbush lamb.
In my defence, I will point out these facts/emotional factors:
* the food is of the highest nutritional quality, not to mention, bursting with colour, perfume and texture. Dealing with the debilitating side effects of high dose steroids, I need peak nutrition
* the atmosphere of the market is an instant mood lift - people of all ages, children in prams, on bikes and scooters, dogs of all sizes, the hum of social intercourse, people recommending foods & talking to the producers
* the friendly help the stallholders give, every time, especially the young woman on one grocery stand, who helps me pick out the right size & amount of different produce when my brain won't work
* it's a 10 minute walk from my place, including through a little park (more people, children & dogs), compared to a 25 minute walk to the big supermarket & an hour wandering the crowded, noisy aisles
I get to enjoy the gourmet treats I'd like to believe are my birthright (!), plus learning more about the sorts of food products mentioned in the food industry magazine I sub-edit
It's research for my new blog on healthy eating.
Fortunately, the increased appetite many people experience when on steroids hasn't hit, & in the hot weather we're having, I'm happy to eat small, light meals. So I might be able to survive the lean 6 weeks on high quality, low quantity gourmet foodstuffs, eked out with the old staples of rice, noodles & beans.
In my defence, I will point out these facts/emotional factors:
* the food is of the highest nutritional quality, not to mention, bursting with colour, perfume and texture. Dealing with the debilitating side effects of high dose steroids, I need peak nutrition
* the atmosphere of the market is an instant mood lift - people of all ages, children in prams, on bikes and scooters, dogs of all sizes, the hum of social intercourse, people recommending foods & talking to the producers
* the friendly help the stallholders give, every time, especially the young woman on one grocery stand, who helps me pick out the right size & amount of different produce when my brain won't work
* it's a 10 minute walk from my place, including through a little park (more people, children & dogs), compared to a 25 minute walk to the big supermarket & an hour wandering the crowded, noisy aisles
I get to enjoy the gourmet treats I'd like to believe are my birthright (!), plus learning more about the sorts of food products mentioned in the food industry magazine I sub-edit
It's research for my new blog on healthy eating.
Fortunately, the increased appetite many people experience when on steroids hasn't hit, & in the hot weather we're having, I'm happy to eat small, light meals. So I might be able to survive the lean 6 weeks on high quality, low quantity gourmet foodstuffs, eked out with the old staples of rice, noodles & beans.