Local, Local, Local

So I just finished reading Eaarth (read it!) and my motivation to eat locally, conserve water, and conserve energy has been given a bit of a kick. (Sidenote: I've been blogging a lot less lately simply because I'm tired with this pregnancy...and my kids have turned a bit psycho on me).

Eaarth focuses primarily on three things: food, water, and energy. Basically, the author explains what we have done to the Earth up to this point and what we must do from now on. In a nutshell, we must start thinking local, local, local. We all knew that, of course, but it never hurts to be reminded.

 Food: I did a little more research on farmers markets in the area. Like I said before, all of the ones in Houston are in the center of Houston (and Houston is a massive sprawling city much larger than LA or New York). HOWEVER, I found one in Tomball. Tomball is a small town outside of Houston and I guess I just never thought to Google "Tomball Farmers Market"...It is less than 10 miles from my house! I will be checking it out this weekend.

So what have we done in our effort to eat local? We went to Gramen Farm to buy goat milk because I am attempting to make cheese. We also bought cow's milk and eggs. However, I have recently acquired a gnat problem and did not want almost cheese hanging from my sink. So, while I was attempting to eradicate the tiny pests (Trying to drown them in vinegar and dish soap did not work. They swarmed the mixture but none committed suicide. I have been spraying them with water and then wiping them up...one by one.) my kids drank all of the goat's milk. The cheese will be made after our next trip to the farm.

However, I did manage to make Sweet and Salty Bacon Cornbread from Good Meat using mostly local ingredients. Local bacon, cornmeal, eggs, butter, and buttermilk. Is there such thing as local salt, sugar (I think most of ours comes from Louisiana), and baking soda (Wyoming)? I don't know....There is certainly plenty of local honey around here so I guess I could substitute that for sugar in a lot of things.

 Energy: The book compares future energy use to CSAs. In other words, we need to start developing local energy (CSEs). Question: How much does it cost to put solar panels on one's house? For now, I am waiting for my current contract to expire with Amigo Energy and then I will switch to Green Mountain. I don't really know what else to do besides conserve...Any ideas?

Water: Let me just say one thing. We must use so much less water than most people simply by being dirty. I wouldn't call it being dirty (please dear God don't let my husband be reading this), just not taking many baths. Another benefit of homeschooling! I've never washed my car before either. We swim in our little plastic pools quite a bit, but then always use that water to water the plants. Still working on a rain barrel...

Right now, I'm also focusing on not using paper towels and on using cloth diapers. I've also thought a lot about y'alls suggestion that I make a pallet compost bin. However, I'm worried about rodents. They are already pretty common here and I don't want to make the situation worse. I know about stuffing the food scraps into the middle and whatnot, but....any other suggestions?

In other sort of related news, I won my first giveaway! And it is the most useful (for me) giveaway ever! I won two books.

This one.

And this one!

I won them from Living Homegrown, a great resource that you should check out if you haven't already. I will definitely be blogging about the books after I receive them. My dad is working on a coop from scraps at "the farm" as I type. Thanks Dad!