Sprouts for Victory

Besides harvesting seeds from your produce that you buy from the grocery store, you can save lettuce and carrot ends, and even plant whole potatoes to keep yourself in good stead in the months to come.

Honeys are in season, so if you’re looking for a natural sweetener from local sources; honey might be a good source of sweetness—however if you’re drinking coffee, and want a sugary hit ask your barista what’s available in the area, or if your on a specific diet bring your own; most courteous coffee shops will let you pick from any sweetener in the shop, including your own. You’re just prohibited from distributing your sweetener without the proper licensure.

The protocol in tea houses is similar to coffee shops, and restaurants; expect mind your p’ and q’s, sometimes public places have eyes and ears that aren’t so friendly. But if you leave a good impression, many people will forgive you your strangeness.

And if that fails, make yourself an asset. That way if you come back you stand a better chance of being welcomed. And it never hurts to have a crocheted or knitted something to pass to the host/hostess for the trouble, if you prove troublesome. Though in the higher end communities a hospitable tip is more welcome than bartering wears.