One of the benefits I think about is the sense of community and connection. When you go to the grocery store you see items shipped from around the world, but when you go to the local garden you're able to see what the area around you can provide in order to get more connected to the land around you.

To me, eating mindfully is noticing and enjoying what I am eating. Sometimes I need to eat at my computer due to the work I have and it's more for sustenance than it is to enjoy my cooking. When I am able to relax and focus on the eating then I am able to savor the food.

I have been noticing how easy it is to walk from my house but when I drive to a location then I have more scenery. I have enjoyed finding local trails but in order to increase the enjoyment I wish that the cars along the road/highway were less noisy.

I feel much more connected to the community when I am not in a car. When you are on a bike or walking you can see other's faces much more clearly and provide a brief smile or wave. In a car I feel as if I am an individual but when outside I feel as if I am part of a community.

I really enjoy going to local farmer's markets and buying fresh food. Not only is the cost normally less than the supermarket but the farmers also get better margins as they do not need to send the food through the distribution ecosystem. The food is also fresher as it is coming directly from the farm and has not been processed much. Another benefit is supporting the local farmers so that they can continue to grow new and interesting foods to the market to buy!

I think that people eat more meat in richer countries because it is more costly than plants. I am also aware of meat being a status symbol of the well-off decades ago which likely plays in as well. I think that eating more meat effects the planet through the resources needed to produce the meat. If we ate less meat then there would be less demand and supply of meat would likely decrease resulting in lower amounts of emissions

I stopped eating meat in 2019, but I still eat seafood on occasion (particularly when I visit my parents on the East Coast). With documentaries such as Seaspriacy in the spotlight, it feels hard to determine what information is correct, and equally as hard to understand how we as individuals can create the most effective impact. Is veganism really the solution we should all turn to? Maybe we should instead shift the focus on buying from businesses that source locally/ethically, and support organizations advocating for legislative change to prevent illegal fishing. Regardless, this is a great, straightforward tool to help guide us as consumers along the way.  

I have to admit, I'm very guilty of always being in front of my phone or compter while I eat. I tend to go through the workday without taking a proper break. Very grateful to have this action to remind myself to eat lunch outside on the balcony - definitely helps for a clearer mind in the afternoon! 

I usually bike to places when it is within a few miles. These days, during the pandemic, carpooling has become more complicated but I am hopeful for a future of carpooling. I also try to use public transport when available but my bike is usually just as easy, faster, and can be on my own schedule 

Whenever possible I try to purchase from women-owned businesses, especially women of color. Changing our purchasing habits can greatly affect our communities. It starts off as a habit that I need to change, takes more mental energy to think about, but now I typically reflexively look for companies owned by women or POC. Our family has a rule for gift giving it must come for a minority owned business.