“A woman should wear fragrance wherever she expects to be kissed”-Coco Chanel
Laura Reynolds looks at some of the cheapest beauty products available
Earlier this year, I came down with a bad bout of what I like to call ‘eco-guilt'. Symptoms of this affectation appeared in the summer; the height of the panic being when I realised that my efforts to be green all year long (picture the recycling frenzies in Goodricke D Block) had been stamped out by one week’s worth of travelling. So naturally, draconian measures were to be implemented at the start of this academic year.
After pondering on this issue for a while, it became all too clear one of the best ways forward would be for me to stop paying my weekly visit to the temple of consumerism that is Morrisons. Or Marks and Spencer for that matter. Yes, I was not to visit the dreaded giants of distribution in my effort to live more sustainably.
Instead, I would buy my food from the market, and my other supplies (miscellaneous items such as candles or tissues or the odd spice or two) from local organic shops, as well as York’s eco-heaven that is the Fairtrade Market on Parliament Street. Clothes would be purchased exclusively at vintage or charity shops.
Well, let me tell you my life has not been quite the same since, as I welcome into it the cheery (and rather flirtatious) fishmonger, who as well as being extremely smiley is also very informative, and the butcher, who recommends his ‘cheap cuts of the week’. Not to mention the variety of the fruit and veg stalls, where no out-of-season tasteless strawberries are to be found. The market’s eco friendliness is accentuated by the fact that I no longer have to contend with the guilt and financial burden that comes with excessive supermarket packaging. I am buying foods that are in season and come from local producers (rhubarb from the ‘rhubarb triangle’ is especially delicious, as it is grown locally using candlelight, which makes it distinctly sweet and perfect for making crumble). It is delicious and most importantly fresh. So not only am I saving money, I am eating healthier and tastier foods.
My shopping experience is made more ‘human’ as I can actually learn about the produce I am purchasing and establish a relation with the people selling it. No longer do I merely pick up goods and dump it in a trolley, the only contact being a mere ‘hello’ (on a good day) from a bored cashier. Also, I do not have to contend with ridiculous amounts of packaging and plastic bags (take your own!).
This lifestyle requires two important elements though: dedication and organisation. I must say that it is rather tempting to pop to Sainsbury’s local on occasion, for the odd bar of chocolate, or something I forgot during my green shopping excursion, and indeed I have to admit, the convenience of the supermarket is far greater than any other food shop, being open late and having a huge range of choice. But this is where the organisation comes in. The market starts packing up at four, so get there early to get the freshest produce. Then again, hanging around until it shuts can be a good way of getting yourself a bargain (50p for entire bags of bananas for instance). You have to pick your times carefully if you are to get the most out of this eco-shop.
Since I stopped going to supermarkets, I can honestly say there is nothing I regret about making this step. It has made me realise how wasteful they are in contrast with the traditional market and local wholefood or organic shops, which York has by the dozen. It makes you think about how people lived before consumerism and supermarkets. In my experience this is the best lifestyle move you could possibly make as a student, as you will eat genuinely good food for less money. And for the more environmentally conscious of us, it will definitely alleviate the looming guilt we eco freaks go through in this ‘disposable’ culture we live in.
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