100 mile diet. Could you do it?

I've been a local food advocate for quite a while. There are many many advantages to a local living lifestyle, like being able to talk to a farmer face to face about the use of pesticides, and knowing that your food didn't come from a country that has laws even more lax then ours about the use of pesticides on our food. Another advantage is that many local farms use organic growing methods, but because becoming "certified organic" is so expensive, they cannot advertise as an organic farm without big$$. Also, supporting local farmers, and the local economy, and not to mention locally grown food is just so darn good! I think of tomatoes, picked green, and processed hundreds, if not thousands of miles to the local grocery store. Think about the nutrients lost because they are not allowed to fully ripen. Besides, they have ZERO flavor!

I've been researching the 100 mile diet for quite some time now, and am thinking about doing a "trial run" to see how feasible it would be here. Although the great advantage is that I live in Ag country AND I just planted a veggie garden. I suppose it would probably help that I don't eat meat, and that the eggs I use are local free range, though milk would be a tough one for me for sure.

So the basic rules of the 100 mile diet are (taken from their website)

Rule #1: The Restaurant Rule

No meals at any restaurant unless the restaurant is either participating in the 100-Mile Challenge or is otherwise deeply committed to sourcing locally raised and produced foods.

Rule #2: The Traveller’s Rule(a) When travelling, the 100-mile circle travels with you; that is, you must either bring local food from home or eat foods from within the 100-mile circle of your destination.(b) It is not acceptable to make trips outside the 100-mile circle in pursuit of distant foods.(c) When returning from a trip, it is acceptable to bring home a small amount of food not found within your 100-mile circle. Likewise, if friends come to visit, they are free to bring small gifts of local food from their home areas.

Rule #3: The 99-Percent Rule(a) The foods that 100-mile challengers eat at home should be prepared using only local food products or products acquired under rule 3(b).(b) Food products that are wholly local except for very small amounts of minor additives are acceptable. This is to encourage 100-milers to support producers who are dedicated to local foods but are not as exacting as participants in a 100-mile challenge. Such products might include wine made with yeast, cheese with added rennet, or salt-cured meat, but would not include wines made with large amounts of added sugar, cheese with added ingredients, or meats cured in non local marinades or sauces.

Rule #4: “The Randy Rule”(a) Under exceptional circumstances, 100-milers may break from the challenge rules. Real examples of exceptional circumstances included a conference gala, an uncle’s traditional pancake breakfast, and wines set aside for a 10-year anniversary. The 100-mile challenge is intended to build, not break down, a sense of community.(b) If a 100-miler finds he or she is regularly making exceptions, he or she should should take on an additional challenge that helps deepen the experience, build the 100-community, or support the community at large.

I think it's going to be tough, but a fun learning experience. I think we're starting next week, only because this week have been hectic, and I want to give some real attention to the challenge!