I still havn’t found a local veg box scheme, and I’ve not yet needed an emergency shop so still not done the local corners shop.
Apart from it taking a bit of additional time, it’s been good. I had a lovely chat with the butchers at a new farm shop in Walsall, who happily split a big box of chicken breast that they had on offer into two’s for me so I could freeze them. This shop one actually had trollies and also lots of normal shopping items so I felt like it would be a sensible option for long term grocery shopping. I also loved that the chickens were wandering about right next to the carpark.
The toughest decision we had was Friday when we almost ate in a large chain restaurant for ease and speed as we were about to go to a show, however lucky for us, we dropped into a fab bar and restaurant, that squeezed us in as we just wanted quick eat. The food was fabulous, and service brilliant. I had an amazing salmon superfood salad, and our server Victoria was lovely, I’m so glad we made a bit of an effort, and I believe we had a better meal because of it.
Biggest positives this week
- Getting great food and service at an independent restaurant in the city centre
- Finding a farm shop with trolleys
Biggest challenges this week
- still not replaced my smoked paprika
- panicking now that I only have 5 tins of tomatoes and one jar of passatta in the cupboard!!!
I’m still struggling to work out if this is a long term option. I still think its partly due to habit, and I’m used to just doing a big shop and then having loads of different ingredients in the cupboards. I feel like each shop is just a small top up, but I’ve never once struggled to think of what to make for dinner, and have a pretty well stocked fridge, freezer and cupbards, so I must be buying enough food.
Today we are having home made bread, locally cured bacon and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Does it taste better because I know I’ve sourced it locally, and supported an independent local business, damned sure it does.
So roughly halfway into the challenge, and it really doesn’t get feel like a challenge at all.
Shops and restaurants this week
- Rileys fruit and veg, Lichfield
- Evans Butchers, Lichfield
- Hayhead Farm Shop
- Bank Bar and Restaurant