Gratitude Friday
Feeling very grateful today. Jeff went out last night with a friend in search of more dumpster goodies, and here’s what he found. I seriously can’t believe that so much goes to waste so regularly. If you’re considering doing this- please do it! Needless waste or good free food? I mean, what’s there to think about really?
Apples and oranges galore, a mango, lots of different kinds of bread, organic yogurt and cottage cheese (that just expired that day and is perfectly good). See those packages on the left? Baklava. Lots and lots of baklava. Oh my. (B- let’s meet soon and I’ll tell you where he found it all!)
Plus they found all these discarded fruit crates, which I’m really excited about! I have had a project in mind using crates like this, and I was actually looking into buying them. Now I don’t have to! I’ll keep you updated on what happens with these.
I can’t tell you the last time that I had a bowl full of fruit like this… and these oranges are delicious. Sunshine in every bite, I tell you. The reason I’m guessing they were thrown out? In each bag there was ONE bad orange (which my chickens are devouring as we speak).
And what a treat to have these flowers grace our surfaces…
This stuff is fun. I’m liking that we just went to the store to get butter today, and that’s it. BUT, I don’t really think this feeling of gratitude is about the dumpster diving. It’s more about us, and how much fun I’m having being ourselves and trying new things. We’re adventuring, you know? We’re willing to mess up, to have fun, to be for something… I don’t know. I guess I just feel alive. I’m definitely grateful for that.
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This morning I took a tour of the facilities at the drug treatment center I’m the new gardener for. It was amazingly inspiring, and I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to contribute to what they’re doing. They are helping people in a huge way, and I just feel so privileged to be a part of it, even if it’s just getting them some fresh food while they pass through those doors. On the way back from this tour, we all had a conversation about what has helped the organization be as successful as it is (meaning they’ve grown a lot, helped many many people, and continue to get better at what they do). Long story short, they try not to make decisions based on fear. Despite many doubting voices and lots of budgetary constraints through the years, they’ve just made a point to keep doing the next right thing, and here they are- doing better than ever. That’s something when it comes to a non-profit like this. It’s really something to think about. It’s encouraging, to see faith in what’s right materialize into a whole successful community of helping individuals and renewed lives. I’m really grateful to have access to the light that they carry there- hope and love and community. I think I’m going to be gaining a lot more from them than they are from me. So that’s awesome.
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Also, I’m grateful for a well-deserved quiet night at home- complete with snacks and movies and watching the snow slowly float down and cover everything in this perfect crisp white blanket.
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What are you grateful for?
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That is an amazing haul!
You know, learning how to take care of one’s self is a huge part of recovery. Part of that is nourishing your body with healthy food and learning how to eat properly, so you’re actually contributing a great deal to the treatment there!
I know you gave me more info on the treatment center before, but I can’t seem to find it. Would you mind shooting me a quick e-mail when you get a chance (joellacritter at gmail) with the name of the place or website or whatever? It kind of sounds like my dream job to work at (or run!) a place like that specific to women in recovery.
Emailed! Thanks for all your sweet encouragement! I hope you are able to live out that dream- we so need more people who have a heart for the recovering community. 🙂
wow fruit crates!
I’m glad I’m employed, and they pay me more than I can spend. Friends and family are nice too.
Yay gratitude!
and you’re a gardener! awesome!
It is crazy how much good food gets thrown out! At least you’re making use of it now 🙂
It’s kind of sad that people have to go out and do this at night, in secret..
Sure, it’s sad. BUT it’s also exciting and fun. 😉 Although I do wish it was less taboo, overall.
Hi Grace! I used to work with Gretchen at Ozone and she gave me your blog because she thinks we’re like-minded (I met you once briefly at an Endgame book club meeting). I’ve been reading for a few months now and this post is really inspiring. When I lived in a co-op in Ann Arbor, dumpster diving was a lifesaver. However, I have a serious concern. I’m now living in Austin where the weather very infrequently hits 40 degrees. Is there anything you would feel unsafe “rescuing” from the dumpster when the weather is warm? (Meat, cheeses, fruits, whatever.)
-Rebecca
Hi! I remember you. I didn’t know you had moved! You’ll have to let us know when you come back for a visit. Anyway, I’m new to all this, but I suppose that I’d probably avoid most dairy, eggs, and meats, although I probably wouldn’t feel as squeamish about cheese depending on how long it had been sitting there. I guess I’d still go for fruit/veggies and bread, etc., as long as it looked good. I do hear that they often will toss things that are still frozen, so I’d definitely try to find stuff like that. 🙂
Would you be comfortable telling me where you go? My email is rebeccakatharine@gmail.com
Ooh, those fruit crates are fantastic! Whatever it is you’re planning to do with them, please post about it–I’d love to hear about the end result.
I’m giggling because the ad at the top of this page says “BOOYAH! Save up to 90% on local eats!”
And then look what you can get in exchange for just a little bit of fun work? You should post the marked prices on your dive finds…amazing!
I am starting to plant seeds for Paul, and your photos are helping. 🙂
Three bags of oranges! Nice find!