*scrape, scrape* Yup, that’s the sound of me demolishing my second 1.5kg tub of peanut butter since the challenge began. This could not have been accomplished without the nearly 80 apples (recently switching to pears) that have also been consumed in the nearing 70-day mark. Of all the benefits and surprises that have emerged from this challenge who would have thought it would help brush me up on my math skills.

As the final month is underway and the market is filling up with a growing number of foreign travelers, temptations are getting stronger and the list of “I can’t waits” is growing by the meal. Now is the perfect time to shed light on the wonderful and enlightening gifts this challenge has presented me with.

1. As if it were possible…. I feel healthier
2. My 13yr old hormonal skin has become baby soft and blemish free
3. I’ve met some amazing people, shared some humorous stories on how we are surviving and have been able to educate those around me on the impact our food has on the planet
4. My grocery bill has been cut by nearly 1/3
5. I can now make a meal out of anything and can prepare zucchini in about 8 different ways (zucchini hash browns is now a lifer!)
6. Less packaging!! No bags, no plastic, no cardboard (except for the odd blueberry container). Just dump it in the cloth bag or pick it straight from the garden– my kind of food!

In a months time when all is said and done and pumpkins, squash and apples (do these ever NOT grow) are my best mates I look forward to reminiscing on this awakening experience and can’t wait to sow the seeds for next years crop.