Have you ever heard the expression what you focus on expands?
Doing “gratitudes” each morning allows me to be aware of the blessings in my life, and living here is one of them. Let other British Columbians have their Gulf islands or settle in the Okanagan Valley or the big smoke of Vancouver.
Of course, those areas are beautiful, too. What part of B.C. isn't? However, the Cariboo has its own special charm with crisp winters, wild landscapes inhabited by hardy, down-to-earth people, and that is what drew me to this place.
As a newcomer to this fair area, I set about learning who, what, where, when, and naturally I found it.
Patti Tawiyaka, who organizes the Community Garden behind the Emissaries of Divine Light parking lot, invites parents and children to plant a seed and cultivate the firsthand miracle of growing something.
Damian Pettman, associated with the Horse Lake Co-op/C.E.E.D.S., grows food for the people of this community, and we can purchase organic, fresh produce from this local grower.
Howie McMillan recently got the South Cariboo Meat Co-op off the ground for local ranchers, making it possible for them to bring their products to a wider market, and at the same time, enabling us to have a choice. I love being able to vote with my dollars between indiscriminate large feed lots and homegrown, natural methods of raising livestock.
Patricia Spencer, who co-chairs the South Cariboo Sustainability Committee (SCSC), has invited the community to view and discuss documentaries together to learn about sustainable methods of living and to offer a forum for us to meet and connect with one another.
Chris Newton and Sandra Burkholder of Darfield in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District have constructed a permitted zero-carbon home in building an earth-bermed tire dwelling (aka Earthship). Undoubtedly, this structure will stir the imaginations of people and encourage them to learn they can grow food inside their home year round no matter what the growing season is outside.
There are many knowledgeable people in this region and I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know and learn from them.
After reviewing a documentary, In Transition, hosted by the SCSC about towns brainstorming a path away from oil dependence and towards food independence, we tossed a few ideas around ourselves.
The cost on all levels to eat food grown and shipped from the other side of the planet is staggering, so I would like to share an idea that seemed to me well within our individual grasp.
I invite the Free Press readers to join me in growing their own garden.
Have you heard of the 100 Mile diet? It's a book that challenges folks to eat exclusively from products made within 100 miles of where they live.
The purpose of the experiment was to teach us that we aren't producing enough food locally, as evidenced by how hard it was to eat this way for 90 days. Many issues from peak oil and healthy eating to local economies can be addressed by creating or supporting locally grown food.
Sometimes the simplest of solutions can be the most elegant ones.
The 100 Mile diet in 100 Mile House – do you think we can do it?
Nicole Chayka is a Bridge Lake resident.