Here is a Tibetan Blessing Prayer that I always think is appropriate for this month of MAY:
MAY I be happy
MAY I be peaceful
MAY I be free
MAY all my friends be happy
MAY all my friends be peaceful
MAY all my friends be free
MAY all my enemies be happy
MAY all my enemies be peaceful
MAY all my enemies be free
MAY ALL BEINGS be happy
MAY ALL BEINGS be peaceful
MAY ALL BEINGS be free
This last verse reminds me that when I allow other sentient beings, the many-legged, four-legged, two-legged, no-legged, finned, winged, scaled, shelled, tailed, furry and bald, to live, I am creating more happiness, peace and freedom for myself. So I naturally feel MERRIER as I celebrate this month of flowers and gorgeous weather, named after the Roman goddess of “growth”, when all things are alive and sprouting up again.
May is also the month designated for the 5th Annual North Central Florida EAT LOCAL CHALLENGE. It is all about accepting the challenge to “eat local, seasonal food, at home or in locally-owned restaurants, every day, for the entire month of May!”
Appropriately enough, it had its kickoff last Sunday, with a Community Celebration at the CITIZENS CO-OP, in Gainesville, Florida. If you have not yet gone to visit this wonderful downtown venue, owned by its members (who are people like you and me who make a commitment to join and then receive its many benefits such as a vote in decision-making and an everyday discount when shopping there), this is a great time to see it! Do you realize how fortunate we are to FINALLY have a vibrant, growing and thriving co-op right here in our home town?
As an active member of community food cooperatives ("co-ops" for short) for most of my adult life, I had been hoping for a co-op to open in my own town, because it is so much more than just a place to buy food at a discount. It is a community center, family activity center, and educational facility all in one. When the CITIZENS CO-OP had its Grand Opening last July, I was so excited to be able to shop there the first day!
The folks on the staff are caring, open-minded individuals who go the extra mile to offer a diversity of products to represent all of the members. Thus you will find within this store something for everyone: locally-grown, usually organic, fresh produce from nearby farmers, Jose’s Tempeh (Yum!), vegan specialties for all of us vegans, bulk items, hand-made soaps, hand-crafted jewelry, recycled and repurposed items, and a lovely patio for Sunday afternoon mini-outdoor market and music Celebrations. For shoppers who want it, they also carry locally-produced honey, free-range chicken and organic meats.
I also have been able to special order specific products through the Co-op, such as Arrowhead Mills’ Vital Wheat Gluten flour in 25-# bags, for making my homemade Seitan. Did I mention that there are some copies of my EARTH ANGEL KITCHEN vegan cookbook on display for sale at the Co-Op at a special discount?
Other clues that the people who make up the Co-op care about it and their community: The walls of the Co-op have beautifully hand-painted murals, and there is a corner set aside for posting community events and opportunities. The Citizens Co-Op is located next to the Civic Media Center on South Main St. in Gainesville, and shares their parking lot. Sometimes they collaborate on local events.
If you are attempting the May challenge to “eat local” and do not have your own garden, local Farmer’s Markets are a good option. However, because of my schedule, I am often not able to visit them. What I usually do instead is simply bring my cloth bags to the CITIZENS CO-OP, which is open 7 days a week, and do as MUCH of my shopping there as I can. Like most folks, I am on a budget, but I am finding more Co-op items each week that have a comparable price to other stores in my town. Since I would rather give them my business, I make an effort to “Shop Co-op” (as their new bumper sticker reads) as often as I can, and each time I do, I feel as though I am Blessing and Nurturing my community. Learn more at:
Peace, Love & Tofu, Linda Joy
