We had a little whoops last night when Pete arrived home with a large slab of Fruit & Nut chocolate that we devoured while watching CSI on the telly. We’re going to have to amend our 3 non-essential purchases list to include something other than chocolate. I’ve given it some thought and have decided on books, a little obsession of mine. I can’t pass up a trip to the library without looking at the books for sale, nor can I pass a charity shop (and we have 4 in our village that I pass every day while walking to school) without going in and more often than not emerge with a few books under my arm. So I won’t buy any books this week, and will try to curb my habit in the future.

I have a visit to the Farmers’ Market planned for tomorrow morning, to buy the ingredients for my locally sourced organic meal that we are having tomorrow night as one of our Downshifting Week actions. I am going to try to visit the Farmers’ Market every month to continue this theme, and I’ll also be trying to use the farm shop in the next village, and the Country Markets instead of stopping at a supermarket so frequently.

As this week continues I realise that I’ve left the hardest actions for last, but I’m enjoying the personal challenge of making a difference to my life and the planet.