How we survived (20 days - no supermarket)

How we Survived 20 days with no Supermarket

Is wasn't as challenging as we thought, I reckon we could have lasted another week.

The whole impulsive idea was driven by the feeling that we were spending too much time at the supermarket. We hadn't planned it and therefore hadn't stocked up beforehand - but we had lots of pasta, rice, oil, chicken and rolled oats on hand. The tomatoes and other garden produce kept us going. I received many nice messages and comments - but I had to keep explaining it wasn't  because we had run out of money, or due to some new diet or frugality measure.

Porridge topped with a dollop of homemade boysenberry syrup become our preferred breakfast. We had to share the remaining deodorant spray, and Mario confessed he used Draino on the berry stains on my white T-shirt! Our dog Vito made it through the last few days on a pasta meal, a can of sardines and some free beef bones from the local butcher. He couldn't believe his luck; we've decided to cut back on the canned food for him in future.

But the best part was the 'swaps'. We traded grapefruits, babysitting, house-minding and berry jam for cheese, milk, eggs, apples and a banana. Our last meal was a wonderful if slightly unusual 3-course feast which we enjoyed as we watched that disturbing documentary about supermarkets and the food industry in USA: FOOD, INC

Day 20: Silver beet fritters with
tomato, red onion, cucumber salad 

Now we have almost cleared our pantry  we are going to limit our buying to a fortnightly $100 online supermarket order, and support the farmers markets, local butcher, and roadside grower stalls more. Nelson is a perfect place for this. Also, this way we can keep up the fun times with the swaps, foraging and barters.

Anyone out there want to swap some good cheese for grapefruit marmalade?


Lizzie