It's not always easy
Goodbye guilt
Hello and welcome to this week's piece.
I’d be over the moon if you’re able to support me, as it takes time and dedication to research and write these posts. Do please think about a monthly or yearly subscription.
If it isn't possible please do consider
I’ve had a few messages saying that some of you don’t know how to ‘like’ my posts. At the top of the email under the title, and date there should be a row of symbols; a heart, a comment balloon, a symbol for downloading and another for sharing/redirecting. The like, comment and restack symbols are also at the bottom of the email. ‘Restack’ means that my piece gets seen by more people in the ‘notes’ section of the Substack app. Every like and comment helps more readers to find my work.
I would love it so much if you’re able to share my posts on Substack, on your social media, and/or to forward them on to a friend who might enjoy reading them.
According to my newsletter data, the majority of you read my posts in your inbox. I’m eternally grateful as I know how many emails can arrive each day. For those of you who would like to check out the world of writers on Substack, here’s the app.
It's not always easy
I don't do new year resolutions, I believe that life turns in circles, not straight lines, so any time is fine for making changes.
Last November I finally joined ZOE after several friends had recommended it.
I got my test results and I'm learning how to deal with mostly what I already know. That I turn to food more often than I should. That I snack too much. Large bags of crisps (that's the only size in the US) are anathema because I'll eat them all. Thats already on my radar. But, I am adding more kefir, kimchi and unpasteurised sauerkraut into my diet, more nuts, seeds and pulses. I’m a huge fan of Hodmedods and I’ve just placed a big order with them.
In December I got a chest infection and didn't feel like eating much. Followed by Christmas and New Year. Keeping a food diary over this period it was important to tell myself that there's no need to worry about feasting or fasting. But I do need to be better at meal planning and buying ingredients.
It's almost two years since I left London Farmers Markets. I shopped at farmers markets frequently because I had to be there. There's no farmers market where I live which means making a journey to shop.
I have ME. When I used to be on call, it would take me around two days to recover. I'd somehow make it back home, every muscle achingly screaming, barely walking upright. Crawl into bed and stay there. Sometimes I'd bring food with me so I wouldn't need to move again until I had to. Usually I'd just want to sleep away the pain.
I try as much as possible to use farmers markets, but now that I no longer have to be on call, I'm away at weekends or I have other commitments. Or I listen to what my body tells me and pace myself. What choices do I have in my neighbourhood? Lidl. Tesco. Asda. There isn't even an independent shop or all night Turkish green grocers. If I want decent high welfare meat or poultry I have to travel. Ditto for fish. My energy levels go up and down. I don't own a car, so sometimes I have to make sensible decisions. Buy online. Use Lidl. Last week at Notting Hill Farmers Market, the week before in East Oxford I stocked up on fruit and vegetables. Working with a community garden we often pick and share out vegetables. I make my own bread. Fish and meat aren’t always on my menu so my farmer's market needs are limited to organic eggs and whatever else tempts me. Clever
carries cash to her local farmers market, when it's gone it's gone.It's not a cliche to say that freshly harvested vegetables taste so much better, and often last longer than supermarket varieties. I can't get purple sprouting broccoli at Lidl. Or decent English apple varieties. Sometimes mid week if I've run out or need something I'll strike it lucky at the greenhouses on the high street that divides its offerings into African \Caribbean on one side, British produce on the other. Bread fruit and soursop to the left, sprout tops and leeks to the right. Sadly never any radicchio or the chicory family.
Some of you tell me that you can't always shop at farmers markets and feel guilty about it. Don't be. It's not always easy or straight forward. There aren't farmers markets in every locality. That means a journey. There aren't enough fresh fruit and vegetable markets, at least, not in the UK. Supermarkets and out of town hypermarkets have put paid to many. Conversely I know several people who choose to shop at Waitrose rather than go to their local farmers market.
Tell me how you shop. Absolutely no judgement. How do you aspire to shop? For many of us it's a mixture of supermarkets, independents and markets, shopping online, maybe buying from a co-op or veg box. We do what we can. But whatever you do, shop without guilt.
So lucky to be able to walk to local shops here in London and yes, there is a Turkish greengrocer ( albeit a grumpy proprietor and much of his produce looks equally sad) and the Albanian butcher ( who is clearly depressed) .. and the Italian deli ( run by the son who inherited it but really wants to move to the countryside) … so I’m supporting them, with my attempts to cheer and my purchases 😂🤣 ( once a social worker ….. )
I'm so sorry about your health challenges. I have had some myself and know how hard it can be to find energy. I like markets but I try, as much as possible, to eat organic veg. (At least those that are high on the 'Dirty Dozen' list) and there is only one stall at our market that covers this. They do, in the right season, the most amazing colourful and flavourful tomatoes.