What does "Buying Local" Mean to You?

The kids and I have been in Michigan this week, visiting with both sides of Grandparents and having fun with all our family. I always enjoy going back home where I grew up and I lknow the kids are making special memories.

On our way out to my parent's house we stopped by the Farmer's Market in Depot Town because my Dad was there selling black raspberries and handmade rugs he makes on an old fashioned rug loom. I thought the kids would get a kick out of seeing their Papa selling at the market and I wanted to meet his friend Sam, who also sells at the market and is an organic farmer. Sam is taking organic farming classes at a local university and asked me a question which I thought I knew the answer to but found out I didn't... "What does local mean to you"? My answer was "within a close distance of my house". Sam explained that his organic farming class had asked the same question and arrived at many different answers. If my answer was correct then cherries from Traverse City wouldn't be considered local in Ypsilanti or Ann Arbor. So, his organic farming group defined "buying local" as regional. So, even here in Indianapolis, we could bring in cherries from Traverse City and that would be more local than something from California. I learned something new and I have a new appreciation for "buying local".

The ultimate local produce though is when you can go in your own backyard and pick fruit and vegetables for free. At Mama and Papa's, the kids had fun picking the black raspberries and I think they ate more than what they put in the basket. We also picked strawberries from the strawberry patch and even though it is the end of the season... berries in the store just don't compare! Mama made shortcake from scratch and we had strawberry shortcake for dinner. You just can't beat it!

Florida Enviro Tour Inspires Us All

We just got back from a 2 week family vacation to visit with my friend in Cape Coral, Florida. We also took a long weekend to Key Largo so the kids could see the ocean and experience the crystal clear blue water. We have great lakes in the Midwest (especially in Michigan) but you usually can't see your feet even in the shallow parts so the crystal clear water was beautiful. The backyard pool was a big hit and we had our choice of Sanibel Island and Ft. Myers Beach. We were having such a great time, it was hard to leave to go to Key Largo.

We found the Florida Key's to be a great family vacation with the feel of a Caribbean Island but without the price tag and hassle of going out of the U.S. The kids keep busy for hours snorkeling right on the hotel beach finding horse shoe crabs and small schools of fish. But I was really excited when my teenage daughter asked to go on the hotel's Enviro Tour. We were picked up at our hotel in a small dingy boat and our tour started in a boat launch just around the corner from the hotel. Our captain, Dominique, showed us reef fossils on the walls of the boat launch and explained how the Florida Keys had been a live coral reef many years ago. Limestone is the natural resource they cut from the fossilized land. We then went out to the Mangroves and learned how Mangrove Forests help filter salt water, provide habitat and breeding areas for fish, and protect the mainland from storms. Dominique allowed the kids to touch an upside down jelly fish (they didn't get stung), found a hermit crab, star fish, sea horse and many other small sea creatures which they collected in a small aquarium (jar) and released in a safe and healthy shallow area near the Mangroves. The opportunity to learn about the Florida Mangroves and local sea life was a wonderful educational experience for us all. I think it brought us full circle because we saw how choices people make inland affect our lakes and oceans and the animals that live in and around them.

We had an interesting discussion on the way back to Cape Coral and it was fun to see how much the kids had learned. They were pointing out trash on the side of the road and concerned about it getting into the Ocean water. We took the scenic drive back along the Everglades, looking for alligators and tuning into the local radio conservation recording.

The trip has personally given me a greater appreciation for clean water and how non-toxic alternatives for our homes can make an impact beyond our families and community. I have become newly inspired through the eyes of my children. Although Florida and other areas are more in tune with natural conservation and green alternatives, the Midwest is catching up and I am hopeful that our children will be the real change makers and inspire us all.

Safe and Non-Toxic Ways to Remove Weeds

Over the last couple years I have moved toward natural gardening and I must admit that up until now that meant pulling weeds by hand and using a hoe. I made this choice as part of my overall commitment to reduce my children's exposure to chemicals in and around our home.

My husband has been teasing me that my flower beds look more like weed beds and unfortunately... he is right. I was telling a friend about my weed bed and how I am having a hard time keeping up and she told me about a great new tool... The Rocket Weeder. It is easy to use and ergonomically designed to allow you to pull weeds at the root while standing. I found it works best for larger weeds like dandelion and thistle and is a great choice for anyone looking for a safe non-toxic alternative to herbicides.

In a recent issue of Indiana Living Green, they shared other safe options to control weeds. Horticultural Vinegar with 20 percent acidity works on individual weeds (a safe alternative to Roundup); however it is non-selective so use it carefully around other plants. ILG also recommended corn gluten as preemergent for crabgrass and other annual weeds. However, it works best when applied in early spring before the last frost date.