I wanted to let everyone know about a great new blog by Rachel Neftzer where she chronicles her efforts to eat ethically during Lent. Inspired by reading Everyday Justice, she decided to figure out what it would take for her to eat consciously this season. She writes -

So following Julie’s example, I’ve decided that this year for Lent I will begin the process of sorting through what it looks like to eat ethically. Part of this commitment is sharing the information that I find in this blog. I’m also hoping that those more knowledgeable than me will contribute so that I can learn more and more about eating ethically.

So far I’ve established the following (and I’m sure, imperfect) guidelines for myself:

1. I will seek to buy produce that is organic, locally grown, and/or in-season.
2. I will reduce my consumption of meat. If/when I do buy meat, I will buy grass-fed beef or free-range chicken, locally if possible. I will be intentional about learning all that I can about the treatment of animals from the companies I buy from.
3. I will learn more about the brands that I buy and seek to buy only from ethically-conscientious brands.
4. I will buy from grocery stores with commitments to ethical and sustainable standards.
5. I will buy directly from local farmers when possible through farmers’ markets, CSAs, and co-ops.
6. I will be conscientious about the amount of food I consume and will seek to not overconsume.
7. I will be conscientious about using food before it goes bad, reducing waste.
8. If I eat out I will seek to eat at restaurants that support local and sustainable products.
9. I may consume food that was purchased prior to my commitment (but all new purchases during Lent must be ethically-conscientious).
10. I will happily eat with and receive food from those I am invited to share a meal with.
11. And finally. . . I will share my findings with you!

In this blog I will share recipes, tips, restaurant and grocery store recommendations, articles, book recommendations, and local resources, among other things. I will also share my experiences and the obstacles I run into as I seek to follow Jesus in the way I eat. Hopefully I’ll learn from you as well, and by the end of Lent I will have learned eating habits that will continue far beyond the Lenten season.

So I encourage you to follow her journey, encourage her along the way, and learn from her experiment.