Buying Local

As the whole "Go Green!!" and "Buy Organic" movements continue to gain popularity, you can't help but notice that there's a big push to buy local.

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There are several reasons why one should buy local but just a few are that - 

1. It lessons the environmental impact caused by manufacturing plants, transportation, etc

2. It supports the people in your community and therefore supports your community. The more money spent in your own town, the more your town thrives. 

3. The products you buy tend to me more unique or specific to your community

etc etc etc etc

Here's a complete list

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My experience with buying local started with my disdain for chain restaurants. The food tends to taste manufactured and is full of sodium. I love to find a neat little restaurant that is specific to the place I'm visiting. I want to see what makes a community unique and different. Like in Boulder, when we ate at the Persian Restaurant that had been built in Tajikistan. 

It was so much more interesting than Applebee's. 

The other thing that began to interest me was our farming community. Living in South Carolina, a state that's economy was built on agriculture, we have lots and lots of farmers all around, even in the city limits. Whole Food sometimes sells strawberries grown in Simpsonville and I buy milk from a farm in Starr, SC. We have a fun little farmer's market downtown during the summer, and a year round Farmer's Market on Rutherford Rd. Obviously, the biggest things we buy at the farmer's market is okra, squash, tomatoes and corn, simply because those are some fairly standard summer crops in the south. One can also buy milk, fresh eggs, tomatillos, boiled peanuts, fresh berries, and local honey. 

Little known fact, well I think it's little known, if you eat local honey, it helps with allergies. You have to eat it during the winter before pollen season, but the exposure somehow helps you build a tolerance to the pollen of your region :)

My quest to support local has grown, though, to include as much as I possibly can. While I do most of my grocery shopping at Whole Foods/Earth Fare, I do try to buy what is most local to me. I look at labels and sometimes it takes me a long time to find the sweet potatoes grown in Whiteville, NC but I just prefer those over the CA ones. 

I try to buy clothes from local shops like the one I discussed the other day. I try to buy my running shoes from local running stores, get my bike serviced at local bike shops, and even buy plants from local nurseries. 

Certified SC Grown!

That means that I do pay more for things many times. When it's not mass manufactured, it's more expensive to make. It's difficult for a business owner to employ lots of workers and they don't necessarily get a discount on buying supplies in bulk, but the money is worth it. If it means I have to buy less things so that I can support my fellow neighbor, then so be it. I have everything I NEED anyways. 

So I will continue to spotlight local businesses on my blog as much as possible because it is something that I believe in whole heartedly!

Namaste, Y'all!

Local Highlight! - StylebyBecca

One thing I'd really like to do moving forward is focus on local business throughout the upstate. I think buying from local business is one of the most important things one can do. You're supporting your community when you shop local and helping build a stronger economy for the people in your area.

I met Rebecca Gordon Pike in my running group about a year ago. She always came out to Wednesday morning speed groups and killed it! So when I heard about her opening a new store (a year ago), I couldn't wait to visit. I found a cute store with lots of unique, stylish items at a reasonable price. I bought everything from nail polish, a sweater, some earrings and a ring. I can't wait to go back but have to hold back a bit simply because I always end up spending money!! I asked Rebecca if I could interview her for my blog because I want everyone to visit a hidden gem in the art district of Greenville.

1. Tell me a little bit about your store - 


    Style by Becca is a cozy and intimate boutique located in the Arts District - I offer cutting, coloring, waxing by appointment only Monday through Friday. The boutique is open for shopping Tuesday through Friday 9 until 5 and after hours by appointment only. I also offer personal shopping and styling

2. How did you come up with the idea for Style By Becca?


   Style by Becca is the name of the blog I have been writing for a few years... My clients always wanted to know how I would wear an accessory or item of clothing so I just thought hmmmm..... it's not wrong or right but it's Style by Becca's way, haha

3. Who are some of your style icons? 

    Audrey Hepburn and Rachel Zoe

4. How would you describe your style? 

    An eclectic mix for sure. I love layering and lots of lace. I am not a label girl - if it looks good and I love it, I will wear it - I love accessories and scarves and anything pretty 

5. Tell me a little bit about yourself. 

   I was born in New York state and grew up loving all things having to do with fashion. I told my mom at the age of 5 that I wanted to grow up and be a "hair person" haha. I went to Cosmetology school and graduated in 1991. I currently am licensed in both New York state and South Carolina. I opened my first hair salon almost 9 years ago and after my divorce and simplifying my life, I came to the tough decision to downsize and not have staff any longer. I wanted to have a cozy boutique and just work one on one with my clients. I wanted to have more time with each one and just be creative. I had the best staff but I just was not passionate about managing people any more. I am a runner and also love to practice yoga. I am a vegetarian and am very interested in a health lifestyle. 

6. Tell me about the location of your store - why did you choose it? 

I moved my business to the Arts District in March 2011 - I loved that area and being so close to my artists friends. It is close to downtown and just so quaint. 

7. What do you love about Greenville? 

I moved here almost 20 years ago now - time flies - I love downtown near my studio and I love that there are so many creative people as well as places to eat. It's also turned into a great running city. It's close to the mountains, big cities and the beach. 

8. You have some exciting news about Nick Arrojo - tell us about it. 

Well, I became an Ambassador store that exclusively carries his product line. I feel honored to be chosen. He is an amazing artist in my industry. I will be attending a two day class wit ARROJO at the end of April. I am so excited!

9. Any special events coming up?? 

   Style By Becca studio is usually open late for shopping the first Friday of most months 6 until 9 pm. I am currently brainstorming with some other gals for some fun shopping events featuring some artists that make homemade goodies

Please go visit Rebecca at her store at 1279 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC 29611

Like her Facebook Page

Follow her blog

Tortilla Maria - Yummmmmmia....

Ok, that might have been a stretch but whatevs.

I accidentally found a new place in Greenville called Tortilla Maria. It is a locally owned, state funded, Mexican Restaurant with organic, fresh ingredients.

The owner is a half German, half Parisian man who moved to Greenville with his half Mexican, half American wife. He had a career as an engineer, but decided to start this business in South Carolina. He is working on a lot of things, and even has a deal with the hospital and school system to sell his tortillas. They are made right there in his store!!

I have been twice this week because after eating there once, I just HAD to go back. The food is so good. The corn tortillas were soft and you can get them with all kinds of things. On my first visit, I had the chicken tacos, the second, I went with the special, the pork rib tacos. 

They were sooooo good. Each time, the taco had home made soft corn tortillas, some type of organic meat (the ribs were cooked in an oven until the pork fell off the bone), fresh onions and cilantro. You had the choice of different types of salsa and then a sour cream type sauce. 

Each dish comes with a side of black beans and spanish rice. You can get a green ice tea which has no sugar added, mexican coke (not made with high fructose corn syrup), etc. 

I loved that the ingredients were fresh and healthy. What I will say is if you are not used to eating healthy, this might taste a bit bland (ask my husband) because they don't use salt, and things like that. 

What I did not get was the soup, but I tasted it and it was delicious. I think he used some type of cumin, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. 

I HIGHLY recommend tortilla maria because it's a healthy option and a local business!!!