fair-trade

i was wandering the aisles of the grocery store this week. mostly trying to get essentials and stock my kitchen. but it was a taxing process.

if i was in england i would know exactly what to get. what was more cost efficient. what was worth the brand name and what didn't matter.

but instead i was looking at prices. and frankly appalled. and left wondering what on earth am i going to start cooking for myself. i'm going to have to start to new habits. new ways of cooking. and definitely new ways of saving money.

and i also have noticed the lack of fair-trade items. i always bought fair-trade bananas, coffee, sugar and chocolate. and it was so easy to buy local veg. and then i found an aisle with british products and almost wept.

i miss knowing how to shop. how to be economical but spend the extra when its worth it. like on fair-trade food. or local produce. because it helps the world and helps the environment.

my kitchen has become the constant reminder of what i miss most of all. cooking was where i found comfort and joy. and now i find myself having to learn all over again. it reminds me that i never really lived in the US- never really supported myself as an american. instead i cooked and shopped like a european for 7 years.

but i am thankful for finding some small reminders of britain. lyle's golden syrup to make tiffin bars, heinz beans to have beans on toast with cheese, my favourite digestives for when i need them and galaxy chocolate so i don't have to worry about someone sending me some from england. small mercies. and maybe one day the US will understand the importance of fair-trade and start shopping like they know their choices affect the world. yet for now i am just thankful that i will learn, i will adjust and eventually i will just be thankful in my kitchen without wishing to be at sandford road in my tiny kitchen cooking for 8 :)

my find of the week . . .