Today was a neat local day! I woke up and had a delicious bowl of granola and raspberry yogurt that...as cliche as I know this sounds...tasted like sunshine! And a crunchy and wonderful BC apple to round it out. I read the granola package more seriously this morning, and noticed that it is sweetened with agave syrup...really really not local.
Since I ate a late breakfast, I didn't really do lunch. Instead I had another apple and a Kananaskis cookie before running out the door to bring my friend's baby pug to Animal Services to have his manhood done away with. When we were leaving Animal Services we were all hungry and thirsty in Inglewood...and I really was intending on either saving my hunger until I came home or going to one of Calgary's great restaurants with local restaurant items.
But instead, after being stuck in downtown traffic for a solid hour, we ate 100 riblets for $4 and drank virgin pina coladas. Now, I am fully aware that for the the little riblets to be so inexpensive there is no way they were even close to local, and I'm willing to bet the pina colada syrup wasn't made in Pincher Creek.
BUT after a delicious "dinner" snack of ribbies with great friends in the sunshine, I had the best local food moment I have had in a long long time. While dropping my friend Tristan off at home he said (I assume half-jokingly) "want a piece of rhubarb?"...from his GARDEN! So I was all over that, obviously. Not only do I adore rhubarb, but licking the end and dipping it in sugar is the most nostalgic summer activity for me! It reminds me of eating it until my mouth felt raw as a child in my grandma's back yard. But I was also over the moon to eat from a friend's garden! (please note his identification in the photo, Alberta license...really local!) THIS is how things should be! It would be so beautiful if everyone could trade food from their own yards with other foods that their friends and colleagues are growing! I know that we have a short growing seasons, and there are only certain things we can do, but man! We should really be making the best of it while we can!
My big food realization for the day is that, the way our food systems are right now, it is very, very difficult to eat 100% local. I am doing the best I can within my means, and I get so excited with each step and each meal that takes me closer to being local. I feel really good about the food decisions I have been making, and will continue to make. A sense of place seems to be quite easy to find...if you want to find it....
On a completely different note, I spent time with an old friend today and it made me smile lots and lots! I love when old friends become new friends all over again!
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