"Going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It Means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependant on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs."

- Michael H. Shuman, author of the book Going Local.

Choosing greener alternatives is important for sustainability but where you shop in many cases is the most important factor. Shopping locally is important for environmental sustainability as well as economic sustainability. When you shop locally you are supporting members of your own community who are also vested in the heath and success of the community. You are also travelling less and requiring less things to be shipped meaning less carbon, pollution and traffic congestion.

I was psyched when I found this graphic while perusing one of my favorite sites (Elephant Journal), which led me to Local First. Local First an organization aimed at promoting sustainabile economic devolpment in the greater Grand Rapids, MI area. There I found a list of 10 resons to shop local. There are far more than just 10 but the internet likes lists and the number 10 so to start here is a version of their list I tweaked a bit...

1. Local Economic Stimulus.

When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as the local tax base.

2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support.

Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners.

3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity

The unique character of your local community is defined in large part by the business that reside there, and that plays a big factor in your overall satisfaction with where you live and the value of you home and property.

4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced.

Small local business usually set up shop in the town/village center, providing a centralized variety that is much friendlier to a community's walk score than out of town shopping malls. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

5. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses.

Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally. Plus the more jobs you have in your local community the less people are going to have to commute which means more time and less traffic and pollution.

6. Customer Service Is Better.

Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. You are also going to see these people around town and they are less likely to blow you off or be rude becauses they have to face you day after day.

7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community.

Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community's welfare and future.

8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public Costs.

Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores.

9. Competition And Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices.

A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

10. You Matter More

We talk a lot about exerting influence with your purchasing choices, or "voting with your wallet." It's a fact that business respond to their customers but your values and desires are much more influential to you local community business than the large big box stores.
To read more about going local check out Ecolocalizer, a great site that provides news, ideas and inspiration to "Think globally, act locally."
via Elephant Journal and Local First

To get you started, here are some terrific local markets in your area:

Masstown Market

Amherst Farmers Market

Sunrise Country Market

Green Thumb Farmers Market & Bakery

Truro Farmers' Market

Cattail Ridge Family Market

Cross Roads Country Market

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body, and unfavourable lifestyle habits. Naturopathic Medicine emphasizes disease as a process rather than as an entity.

Treating both acute and chronic conditions, naturopathic treatments are chosen based on the individual patient – their physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environment and lifestyle factors. In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation and traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, may also be used during treatments.

In Canada, the naturopathic medical profession’s infrastructure includes accredited educational institutions, professional licensing, national standards of practice, participation in many federal health committee initiatives, and a commitment to state-of-the-art scientific research.

Read more: http://www.cand.ca/index.php?78&L=0

Naturopathic Approaches

Naturopathic treatment can take the form of a variety of therapies and approaches, including:

Dietary advice – a balanced diet is an essential component for a healthy body
Herbal remedies – traditional remedies utilised for hundreds of years for healing
Homeopathy – the practice of treating like with like in diluted remedy form
Hydrotherapy – the healing power of water
Iridology – analysis of the iris for diagnosis of health issues
Massage – the manipulation of the tissues of the body for healing and relaxation
Nutritional supplements – especially useful when immunity is compromised by illness
Osteopathy – manipulation therapy concerned with the musculo-skeletal system

Naturopaths will not necessarily utilise all of these therapies, but will have a range of therapies they specialise in. It should be noted that this list is not exhaustive, and other therapies may also be used.