Swap shop

I usually find lent a bit of a struggle. So much so, that usually by the end of week 1 my targets have slipped a few notches down the ladder of good intentions.

So in the last couple of years I’ve tended to set my expectations to zero. It’s fail-proof and guilt-free.

If you’ve visited a supermarket this week, you’ve probably noticed those funky black posters displaying evidence that it’s Fairtrade Fortnight. From 22^nd Feb – 7^th March, the Fairtrade Foundation is encouraging shoppers to pick up a packet of FT coffee and leave their regular brand on the shelf. FT products have literally multiplied since they first started out (in the UK) in the early 1990s. Oj, T-shirts, fruit, flowers, wine are now in pretty good supply. I have to agree that I think switching to FT whenever we can is something that positively conveys a change of consumer taste. So when you buy FT, make sure you use your loyalty card because it helps supermarkets know what you’re interested in. And I think our consumer choice plays an increasingly important part in shaping the decisions that supermarkets make.

And so, back to Lent... which I've not spent a lot of time thinking about, admittedly. But I do think that it's good to do something which makes room for others and gives the chance to see God’s mercy, and experience his grace and a maybe even a wee bit of life transformation. And actually, there’s a challenge in Isaiah 58 that fasting should not just be something that leaves us unchanged, but it should actually engage our hearts and change our attitude to those around us.

Here's where it says a bit more about this: Isaiah 58: 5-7

So... yeah... God loves justice and he pursues that. I totally believe that he cares massively about people who are at the fringes of society. Those who suffer injustice, those who are left homeless after an earthquake hits, or washed out of their homes after a flood. And he cares that people get a fair price for their bananas, their rice, or whatever they've sowed and planted and harvested. So, if you haven't already made your swap to Fairtrade, you've got until 7th March to sign up to the Big Swap. Just swap one thing... Go on...

Just do it... but first of all...

Some research...

I'm well excited about this challenge but I'm spending this week just checking out where I can get locally produced food from, and getting some recipes. I've ordered a few bits and pieces from Abel & Cole. That alone was a joyous online experience. I am not sure whether I will be able to contain my excitement on Thursday when the delivery comes.

One of my first blog readers agrees that a solitary diet of baked beans (and these are not just ordinary baked beans, these are organic baked beans) is not exactly going to do anyone any favours. I therefore feel justified in taking a brief (but essential) research period.

So hey, if you've got any suggestions for a varied, low cost diet, why not post your recipes here?

Thanks : )

Well. Here goes.

This has all happened a LOT quicker than I thought it would. Through some bizarre twist of fate, the people I lunched with on this fine Saturday afternoon, must surreptitiously have sensed my underlying mood of procrastination.

So, the plan is this: I am going to live on 2 dollars a day. Which isn't a lot, considering I just bought a latte yesterday for £2.1o, so I'm thinking this actually might be quite tricky.

But it's all got to be ethically sourced, Fair Trade or locally produced. And I'm going to try and do this for a week and see how I get on. Do you grow your own spuds? I want to hear from you. You can be my friend.