by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley

Well, with holiday baking slipping quickly behind us and 2008 approaching in a matter of hours, we decided to hold on to our local recipes for later and start thinking about New Year's resolutions. Forget the dieting and exercise — here are three resolutions for 2008 that will really make a difference for us and Vermont (and may be easier, too!).

One: Stop shopping at corporate/chain stores
Sure, it may be easier to drop by Wal-Mart or Staples for those little things you need. You may think you're saving a few bucks, but you're not. We'll pay the price someday, and right now, Vermont workers and downtowns are paying the price. Support your local small businesses. You can get almost anything (except fabric and thread… sigh) in downtown Montpelier, where we live. Somers Hardware, Montpelier Pharmacy, Bear Pond or Rivendell Books, Capital Stationers, plus myriad clothing stores and coffee shops — and not a Starbucks or McDonald's in sight. Check out your downtown, or the downtown of a nearby town. Support your neighbors, not globalization.

Two: Choose one food group to buy locally
If you're not ready to make a commit to (almost) all local foods, choose just one food group for 2008. Every time you buy that food in 2008, buy it Vermont-grown or Vermont-raised. Dairy products or meats would be the easiest, grains and legumes harder, but possible. Fruits and vegetables would be possible as well — but you may not want to start this resolution until July unless you've planned ahead or are friends with a farmer with a good root cellar! Just think of the great tastes you can explore, and the farmers you can support. Branch out to self-production as well — if you choose dairy, learn to make yogurt or mozzarella. If you choose fruits or veggies, plant some tomatoes or some blueberry bushes, or a whole garden. Help Vermont feed itself.

Three: Learn one practical, self-reliant skill you don't know already
What is it you'd love to learn how to do yourself? Repair your clothes or make new ones? Build furniture, or fix up your tool shed? Change the oil, or change a tire? Can or freeze produce? Bake bread? Rewire a lamp? Think of a practical skill you've always wanted to know how to do — and learn it! You probably have a friend who knows how. If not, ask your local library to sponsor a class — there are probably others in your community that would like to learn, too. Support the traditional Vermont values of personal and community independence and self-reliance.

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About Common Sense
Common Sense is written by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley, a mother-daughter blog team. They live on an urban homestead in Montpelier. Send them your questions and comments about food, fuel, family, or financial independence! Write to mountaingirl at vtlink dot net. You can also check out some of their other writings at their website: Spirit of Life Publishing