After lazing around all last week**, I’ve had to pull it together — because the October 2008 Eat Local Challenge** has officially begun! Locavorian foodies everywhere have signed up to eat only foods that come from 150 miles of where they live for 30 days.

And I’m one of them — except I’m only doing the local thing for lunches. This’ll let me retain my usual breakfast routine — muesli plus soy milk plus fair trade, organic coffee — and allow me to eat out for dinner. Because I’ve done a modified 100-Mile Diet before**, you’d think the challenge shouldn’t be too hard for me — but doing that diet actually made me realize how difficult it is to be a local eater in this globalized world. Realistic goals, IMHO, are really the way to go with these challenges, or I’ll end up getting stressed out and drinking California wine for all three meals.

Why eat local? The Challenge website names 10 good reasons**, ranging from a desire to support the local economy to the simple fact that local produce generally just tastes a lot better. Fodder to blog about is an 11th reason for me — and for many foodie bloggers out there.

Sadly, my tomato plants** aren’t bearing fruit yet — but my neighborhood farmers’ market is open every Wednesday and Saturday. Plus, both my co-op grocer Co-opportunity and the Whole Foods near me carries lots of local stuff, so I won’t be skipping too many lunches.

Curious about the challenge but too scared to give it 100%? Then give it 33%, like me, or set other exceptions that make a semi-locavorian month possible. Plus, there are many other ways to participate** without making a month-long commitment.

Pictures of my gourmet local meals to come soon…. If you decide to join, let me know what exceptions you allowed yourself in the comments!

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