Welcome to Brisbane Unchained

Inspiration
Inspired by a blog post from Courier Mail food writer Natascha Mirosch and also by Dave Gorman's America Unchained, we (somewhat unoriginally) decided that for the month of May we should attempt to live an Unchained lifestyle.

What Does This Mean?
Basically in principal this means avoiding chains for everything: groceries, fuel, alcohol etc. It has also been mooted that we should shop as ethically as possible; reducing food miles, buying organic foodstuffs where possible, buying unchained too so products from large conglomerates etc could be out too.

The Rules
Much debate has been had about what constitutes a chain for us. Whilst it's easy to agree that Coles, Woolies etc are out, what does it mean for our favourite franchisees (I'm looking longingly at you Pizza Capers)? Also what does it mean for IGA? It's an independent chain of franchisees who are all nice and sell yummy food and are a bit.... well, nice? Can this really be an unchained month if we decide to include chains that we like? I think this is something we might have to work out along the way.... maybe our chaining instincts will kick in soon.

Mitigating Circumstances
We have my (Emma's) parents visiting us during May and whilst we shall attempt to influence their buying behaviours, we cannot necessarily guarantee that we be able to do so. They're old and a bit set in their ways! We also have a 3 month old daughter so sometimes we need to eat 'conveniently' at the end of what may have been a tiring day. This does not necessarily mean take-away (although once again, I'm looking longingly at you Pizza Capers) but could possibly mean a quick pasta 'n' sauce being knocked up to provide some sustenance.

What We Hope to Achieve?
Well we hope to prove, if only to ourselves, that it is possible to shop in a manner with consideration to the products being purchased. The original blog posting that inspired this commitment commented that 50% of off-sales in alcohol retailing are controlled by two organisations: Coles and Woolworths. Whilst, to us, these behemoths have a place in the retail service chain and do contribute significant amounts to the economy in terms of corporation tax and employment, there are plenty of other retailers in the local communities that contribute equally, if not more. Local stores tend to also then engage other service industries locally: accountants, other distributors and the benefits then flow through the local community further.

Supporting local stores will hopefully contribute to their survival and enable local stores to maintain a presence in local communities and not be driven out through excessive property rates which only larger chains can afford.

If anyone has read this far and sticks with us through the month - thanks! And if we then provide inspiration to others to undertake such an initiative then thank you on behalf of those recipients of your custom!