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100 Mile Life/Grandma Core

Tag: local-living

Transformative Journey: Reflections on the 30-Day 100 Mile Challenge — October 4, 2025

Transformative Journey: Reflections on the 30-Day 100 Mile Challenge

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

I didn’t have a perfect plan when I began the 30-Day 100 Mile Life Challenge. I also did not spend weeks preparing. I simply felt the nudge to start. The “why” was clear. The shifting world situation contributed to this. Rising transportation costs also played a role. There was the fragility of small businesses. Additionally, my own wish to play a meaningful part in shaping a more sustainable way of living was important.

Starting With “Why”

At first, my preparation was simple—pulling out a map and drawing that 100-mile (120-kilometer) circle around my home. That radius became both a boundary and a guide. From there, I peeked into my pantry with fresh eyes: What do I really need? What do I do without? And most importantly, how can I source what I do need? How can I do this in a way that strengthens both my household and my community?

Shifts in Awareness

One of the biggest transformations has been in my awareness. I no longer glance at labels occasionally; now, it’s a daily habit. Where was this made? Who raised the animals? Does this company run ethically? Does my buy ripple out to support my local world rather than drain from it? These questions are no longer optional—they’re part of how I live.

Even my refrigerator and freezer tell a different story now. Instead of stockpiling “just in case,” I choose foods that nourish both my body and my values. Each item feels less like clutter and more like an intentional choice.

Facing the Challenges

Of course, challenges surfaced. Budget-wise, not every local product fits comfortably into a monthly plan. And then there’s the reality that bananas and oranges will never grow in Ontario soil. Still, I found that most of what I buy can be sourced close to home. And honestly? That feels like a victory.

This journey also reminded me of my grandmother’s way of life. Granny knew her household budget well. Yet, she relied on milkmen and delivery services for staples like eggs and bread. I feel like I’ve stepped back into that rhythm. Grocery deliveries and milk arrive at the door. This occurs with the modern convenience of online ordering. This allows me the gift of slowing down and checking origins carefully.

The “Grannie Core” Connection

Part of this journey has been living out what I lovingly call a Grannie core life. I create a cozy home with what I already have. This means I avoid filling my house with “new” at every turn. It means rethinking my wardrobe. I turn to thrift shops before malls. I pull out fabric for sewing projects. I resist the lure of fast fashion.

Fiber arts are another layer. I promised myself I wouldn’t buy yarn or fiber unless it was locally sourced. I stumbled once, with cotton, but the experience reminded me why I love wool and why local matters. Staying away from craft fairs has been hard. Nonetheless, it has also freed me to truly appreciate the stash I already own.

The Emotional Impact

Emotionally, the month surprised me. I expected more frustration, more longing for things I “couldn’t” have. Instead, I felt joy—especially when I discovered a local choice that fit beautifully into my challenge. More than anything, the transition felt smoother than expected. That gives me hope that this isn’t a fad, but a way of life.

What’s Next?

So, what’s next now that I’ve crossed day 31? For me, the 100 Mile Life doesn’t stop. This is more than a challenge—it’s a lifestyle I want to deepen. I’ll keep tightening my circle, keep making better choices, keep asking the hard questions.

This month has shown me that living within 100 miles isn’t about limitation. It’s about connection—to the land, to my community, to the wisdom of those who came before. And that feels like a gift worth carrying ahead.

✨ Reflection Question for You:
Have you ever tried living within a “circle of enoughness”—whether through food, clothing, or crafts? What did you learn from it?

💌 As always, thank you for sitting with me in this cozy corner of life. May you find joy in small, local things today.

From my rocking chair to your home,

Grannie Doll

Grocery Savings Without Feeling Deprived — September 19, 2025

Grocery Savings Without Feeling Deprived

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

“Embracing the 100 Mile Life for sustainable living”

Living a 100 Mile Life can seem like it cost more. This involves sourcing as much of our food, fibers, and essentials from within a 100-mile radius. But here’s the truth: When you embrace seasonal eating, you can discover grocery savings. Shopping local produce doesn’t leave you feeling deprived. In fact, the 100 Mile Life can actually make your meals richer, simpler, and more budget-friendly.

1. Shop Seasonal, Shop Abundant for Grocery Savings

One of the best grocery savings tips is buying what’s in season. Local fruits and vegetables are most affordable when they’re abundant. Instead of expensive imported strawberries in January, enjoy crisp apples in September, squash in October, or sweet corn in July.

GrandmaCore wisdom: Buy in bulk when harvests are plentiful. A bushel of tomatoes or apples costs less per pound. With a little preserving, you’ll enjoy budget-friendly seasonal meals all winter.

2. Build Relationships With Local Farmers

Knowing your farmer means knowing your food—and often, saving money. Regular visits to a farm stand or market can result in small discounts. You will get bonus extras, like “take these cucumbers, they’re odd-shaped.” Sometimes, you can even barter. Supporting local farmers not only strengthens community, it helps you cut costs compared to supermarket shopping.

3. Embrace Simple, Frugal Meals

Local ingredients often encourage simpler recipes. A hearty soup made from root vegetables, beans, and fresh herbs can be filling and healthy. It can cost far less than take-out. These meals embody frugal grocery shopping while connecting you back to traditions of home-cooked care.

4. Reduce Waste and Stretch Your Grocery Budget

When you buy farm fresh food, it often lasts longer. Still, reducing waste is key. Roast beet greens with the roots, simmer chicken bones for broth, shred day-old bread into croutons. These small choices stretch every ingredient, creating grocery budget hacks that save you more than you realize.

5. Redefine “Treats” in the 100 Mile Life

A cinnamon bun from a local bakery, a wedge of regional cheese, or berries you picked yourself—these become meaningful luxuries. Because they’re intentional rather than impulse buys, you savor them more deeply while keeping your grocery budget in check.

The Joy of Enough

The secret to saving money on groceries without feeling deprived is embracing the joy of enough. Focus on seasonal eating. Support local farmers. Practice mindful shopping. You’ll find the 100 Mile Life doesn’t shrink your world. It expands it in surprising and satisfying ways.

✨ Friend, what’s one local food swap you’ve made that saved you money? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear!

💛
With gratitude and hope,
Grannie Doll

The Challenges of Living a 100-Mile Life 🌿 — September 18, 2025

The Challenges of Living a 100-Mile Life 🌿

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

When I first began

this 100-Mile Life journey, I knew it would be an adventure. It would be full of discoveries, creativity, and connections with local growers and makers. What I didn’t fully realize was just how many little challenges would rise up along the way. Each one has stretched me, sometimes frustrated me, and often surprised me. But they’ve also shaped this path into something deeper than just “buying local.”

🌱 Food & Meal Planning

One of the first things I noticed was how much my pantry had to change. Foods I once took for granted—bananas, coffee, rice—suddenly became special luxuries I had to think twice about. Planning meals meant paying close attention to the seasons. Strawberries in June are heavenly. Come January, I’d better have canned or frozen some if I want to taste summer sweetness.

It takes more work to preserve, to store, and to plan. But in that effort, I’ve found a rhythm of gratitude. Every jar of tomatoes in my cupboard feels like a victory.

🧶 Fiber & Clothing

Then there’s my love of wool and fiber arts. Finding local wool has been a joy, but it also comes with hurdles. Some farms don’t produce enough to supply bigger projects, and local mills are fewer than you’d think. If I want to spin or knit a sweater, it takes patience. I need to piece together skeins from different sources. I will also learn to work with blends I wouldn’t have chosen before.

Yet, those limitations have taught me something precious. The garment on my needles has a story. It is tied to my land, my hands, and my community.

🏡 Household & Lifestyle

I’ve also had to rethink the everyday items I once bought without a second thought. Spices, oils, cleaning supplies—many don’t come from within 100 miles. Some I can substitute, some I can make, and some I simply go without. Convenience has shifted too. There’s no longer quick trips to the big box store. Now it means going to farmers’ markets, local shops, or even a neighbor’s porch.

💰 Budget & Sustainability

Another challenge is the cost. Buying from small farms and artisans often means paying a little more. But here’s the flip side: That money goes straight into my community. It supports real people I can actually talk to and thank.

Time, too, is part of the cost. Local shopping doesn’t always happen in one big swoop—it takes more planning, more intentionality, and sometimes more patience.

🌍 The Emotional Side

And then, there’s the heart side of it all. Family and friends don’t always understand why I’d choose to “limit” myself. At times, it can feel like deprivation. But I’ve come to realize that what looks like a limitation is actually a doorway to creativity. Every missing item is an invitation to discover something new, to slow down, or to lean into community.

Closing Thoughts ✨

Living a 100-Mile Life isn’t simple. It has stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. But with each challenge comes a reward—deeper connections, greater creativity, and a growing sense of gratitude.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning to live more fully where we are. We do this with what we have and alongside the people who share our corner of the world. 🌿

So yes, there are challenges. But they’re the kind that shape us into something stronger, wiser, and maybe even more joyful.

💬 I’d love to hear from you. What challenges have you faced if you tried living within 100 miles? Or do you imagine you’d face challenges? And what local treasures have you discovered along the way? Share your stories in the comments—I think we can learn so much from each other’s journeys.

With gratitude,
Grannie Doll
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” – Psalm 24:1

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