Snaptongue

Today is Blog Action Day and I, like many other bloggers around the world, have committed to discussing the environment for one day.  The following is my contribution.

Since I have been gardening for several years now, I have come to realize how much money, fuel, and time is spent on moving food from one place to another.  Just so it can appear on the shelves of your local supermarket.

Some time ago, as tasty New Jersey peaches were ripening, I noticed peaches from California being sold in my local big chain supermarket (which touts itself as selling local produce when possible).  My husband and I wondered, why?  From that point on we decided we would only purchase produce from local farms as much as we could.  Even if it was only during the summer.  And you know what we found?  That food actually has flavor and tastes so much better.  Why are we shipping food so far when local farms are bought out by developers and turned into high-class condominium complexes?  It just doesn’t make sense.  Why should I buy locally, you ask?  Here’s some facts provided by  http://www.foodroutes.org/.

1. It’s cheaper.  What happens when there’s some disaster in a part of the country that supplies most of a certain type of produce?  Prices go up.  Only about 10% of the energy used for food is for its production.  The rest is for packaging, transportation, and marketing.  Go to a local farm to buy vegetables.  No shrink-wrapped Styrofoam packaging needed.

2. It tastes better.  Food traveling long distances begins to break down and lose flavor.  It’s just not fresh. Fruits and vegetables are often picked before they are ripe so they don’t spoil before getting to their destination.  By doing that they are denied the chance to get nutrients from the plant.  Also, local farms have produce bred for taste and freshness instead of for a long shelf life in shipping.  Food really DOES have flavor and you’ll find out when you buy locally.

3. The local economy is strengthened.  By supporting local farms and businesses, you’ll be keeping them in business and preventing more housing (and traffic) from coming to your area.  Also you’ll know where your food comes from, who picked it, and who’s getting your money.

4. You’ll protect the environment.  Your food won’t have to travel so far which means a reduction in fuel emissions and packaging.  You’ll also be keeping local farmers in business and keeping diversity in your area for wildlife.

So with that said, I now ask you…

Why wouldn’t you keep it local??

I noticed today’s word of the day is “palindrome” which is a word, phrase, or number that is read the same backwards and forwards.  “Madam” is, for example, a palindromic word whereas “Do geese see God?” is a palindromic sentance (well, question in this case).  Number palindromes are lots of fun and I particularly enjoy palindromic dates.  In a few years, once January 2, 2010 rolls around (aka, 01/02/2010, [as written in the standard American date format]) don’t forget to wish your friends and loved ones “Happy Palindrome!”  Just a word of warning though to keep in mind, they may think you had a little too much fun partying the night before for New Year’s….

I just signed up to participate in the first Blog Action Day.  This is a day which is asking bloggers from around the world to unite on October 15 and discuss one single issue.  This year’s issue is the environment.  As a hobby gardener, this is a subject which is near and dear to my heart.  I hope you’ll join me on October 15 to discuss this issue which, as inhabitants of the great Mother Earth, affects us all.

If you have your own blog, I encourage you to join.  Just click the banner below and sign up.  It’s quick and easy!

Today’s word of the day on the online dictionary is “panjandrum.”  When I first saw the word on the home page I immediately thought “pajamas.”  So I just had to click on it to find out what it means.  Turns out it refers to an “important personage or pretentious official.”  Now I bet they wouldn’t be so pretentious if they wore footed character pajamas. LOL!

I thought I should give you all a little background on how I started this little business of mine.  I have been editing for 6 years now and LOVE the part of my job that involves anything to do with the internet.  I’m on it frequently doing research and so I guess it was only natural (and a matter of time) that I would put the two together.

Things started at the end of last year my husband decided he would like to start a side business doing woodworking.  I was all for it and thought it would be great for him to do what he loves AND make a little extra spending money on the side. Of course, what does every new business need?  (Especially certain budding woodshops?)

A website. 

Websites had always been a mystery to me (how do they DO that?!) until hubby and I took a class on web design, figuring we could create the woodshop website ourselves.  I enjoyed the class so much that I decided I would like to learn MORE and maybe do it for a living.

Around the same time I was laid off from my last job and thought…

1. It’s really nice being home all day.  (Unfortunately, with no money coming in, I did have to find another job. Luckily I landed a job with a  great company.  AND it’s with the same boss I had at my last job–hehehe). 

and

2. I could start my own little company. Since I spend so much time on the computer and internet, why not make it work for me? So I set my sights on starting Snaptongue.

My immediate vision for Snaptongue was to offer web design.  However since I am still learning, I am currently offering only proofreading.  Eventually though, I hope to offer both services to my clients.

Isn’t it funny how things have a way of working out?

Hello out there and thanks for reading my blog!  I hope this will be an informative and fun venture for all.  I honestly don’t know where all this blogging will lead to so let’s just see how it goes.  Stay tuned ’cause this could get interesting!