Ever since I started dating a farmer, I’ve become more cognizant about my actions as a consumer. Not just in terms of the food I eat, but also what things I buy—or rather don’t buy, but learn to make myself.
My “well, duh” epiphany about making things from scratch occurred a few summers ago when I made a huge batch of my own sundried tomatoes instead of paying $7 for a teeny-tiny jar at the grocery. This got me thinking…what else do I purchase—offhandedly thinking that it could only be purchased at the store—that I could make.
Let’s face it, it is excruciating effortless to pop into any store and plop down some cash for whatever your heart desires. As a result, we forget that is can also be easy—and maybe even cheaper, healthier, sustainable and enjoyable—to make things ourselves.
In addition to the ease-factor, I see two other hurdles: time and ability. Obviously as a student who is also working full-time, these can be major inhibitors. What if I could eliminate these barriers though? Could I be a little more homestead in my daily purchases? Or, is that not a realistic goal today? If I can’t make something myself, is there an alternative vendor where I could purchase these items by some other local artisan? How much money can I save, and what harmful by-products will I eliminate?
With this blog, I will research and provide how-to guides that the average (and busy) consumer can implement; interview and create a database of local alternatives to use when you can’t make it yourself; and examine the positive (and negative) effects of rebooting my consumer habits and reviving the art of living from scratch.
Seattle From Scratch 