As you know, I traveled to Asheville, North Carolina a few weekends ago for a yoga intensive. What I didn’t know is how much I would fall in love with the city. I loved everything about it; its natural beauty with quaint streets, shops and rolling hills, the people, the energy of the place. One aspect of Asheville that impressed me most was the community support of local food, art, music, etc.
I live in a somewhat backward community with regard to green living and sustainability. We do have a recycling center nearby and two drop-off spots in town, but no curbside recycling like most cities and towns these days. I am appauled by the enormity of trash people on my street sit out on trash day. 3/4 of it can likely be recycled or reused. While farmers markets are becoming more abundant, there are fewer vendors and choices here than in most larger cities. Lately, I’ve been traveling to the Athens Farmers Market, which is about an hour away and the variety is splendid. Athens, Ohio is home of my Alma Mater (and the place I teach yoga), Ohio University. In the next few days, I will be publishing an Examiner article on local farmers markets in the hopes of driving more local people toward this choice.
Back to Asheville . . . I was so impressed with the choices in what appeared to be a rather small town. According to B, the woman I rented a room from, Asheville very much supports local and vehemently rejects larger chain stores in their quaint little town. Here is a photo gallery from my visit:
Bulletin Board and Recycling Center right outside the French Broad Cooperative
Wildwood Herbal had stands outside of both local grocers (all organic, natural food)
Shelves inside French Broad Cooperative, displaying REUSABLE items
My salad bar lunch from Greenlife Grocery – it was fabulous (I should’ve taken a before & after pic)
I think I may have been MOST excited about this in Greenlife - dispensers with organic shampoos and body washes INSTEAD of buying plastic bottles OVER & OVER again. Refill instead . . . it isn’t rocket science, is it?
Refillable herbs and spices. Use the spoon inside and take what you need. Again, genius!
The Loft – Lost Objects … Found Treasures. This shop was SO cute – lots of antiques, but updated. Chandeliers with bright colored beads, unusual objects. It was an adorable little shop!
Inside The Loft. There was so much to take-in there!
So, that’s my photo tour of Asheville. If you haven’t been there, you must visit. As I was writing this post, I thought about describing the vibe. There is just something about being around a mass of conscious people. The energy level, the vibration, is higher. I felt different upon my return home, lighter. I wanna feel like that ALL the time! If you live in or close to a city like this, please leave a comment. I will come visit you! We can eat local food, take a yoga class, listen to live music, enjoy a glass of wine, have great conversation and soak in the vibe together!
Happy Tuesday!
Posted by namaste*heather 
