I've been living without plastic for nearly a week now and it has been ok. I have really enjoyed it. Saturday was a challenge as I woke to discover Thames Water had cut my water off while they mended a burst water main cue frantic dash trying to find water in glass bottles but found the last two in the back of Sainsburys. Hurrah. I loved doing my shopping locally on Saturday and was really pleased that although I spent more at farmers market and butchers market, I spent substantially less at Sainsburys and think I was within my usual food budget. (One of the things I'm interested in is whether I spend more or less overall during this challenge.) The farmers market was super fun this week as I had good chat with the people from Wild Co who sell the most amazing salad leaves and was recognised at the cheese stall as the "girl giving up plastic". However my trip II to Whole Foods has changed that slightly. I found a range of goodies in Whole Foods in High Street Ken - paper-wrapped chocolate, museli, coffee, almond butter, bulk goods that you can dispense in paper bags (nuts, mango, seaweed crackers) to help with snacks at work. While there are some things that are brilliant in Whole Foods - it is also a place full of plastic and it really hit me on Saturday. Also I found lots of packaging that I couldn't work out if it was paper or plastic - like the Clearspring ranges. I'm assuming it is all plastic but at some point will check. Having come down with a horribly sore throat I also found some throat sweets in glass jar there (we just do not speak of the price). Since Saturday I have been sick so drinking honey and lemon and padding about at home so it hasn't been hard to remain plastic free. I need to find a better way to keep bread fresh though. My hot cross buns from the farmers market went super dry. I have been surprised by all the lovely messages I have been getting about the challenge from friends and family at home and abroad. It is very cheering indeed. Going into the second week and still feeling positive about the challenge.