Cheap Date

I have started to see that another great gift of yoga is freedom from rampant consumerism...
Last week, my husband and I went on a spontaneous date. A cheap one at that. We decided to go to Oliver's, a local pay by the hour pool hall off Dutchman's Lane in the Ville. With two cokes, and hour of pool for the 2 of us ended up being around $8. They have nice, tournament tables and varying prices throughout the week. Before we played pool, we went to a local Mexican restaurant, Bazo's Mexican Grill. The tab there was under $14 for dinner for the both of us. So, after dinner and a hour of pool, we spent around $25. Also, these places are both locally owned and operated businesses, which are very worthy and important to support. My husband and I have made the decision to support our local economy and try to purchase local products as much as possible.
I shop at local Farmer's Markets, locally owned Paul's fruit market, local restaurants, go to a local mechanic instead of a big corporate dealership, and purchase other local products when available. It's about choices. If I don't agree with big business philosophies, then the best thing for me to do is to put my money where my mouth is and to stop supporting things I don't agree with and support the things I do agree with.
I was talking to a friend last week about Yoga being a grass roots effort. It requires people to take small steps to improve their own lives. When we feel helpless, like what we have to offer doesn't make a difference, we can take action. Start by recycling, walking more and driving less, shopping locally, buying products which have traveled a shorter distance to get to you. These are all small ideas which help the earth in a great big way. Think globally, start locally!