Barbara Kingsolver wrote this book about her year of trying to eat local food.  Animal, Vegetable, Miracle 

It reminded me of Living the Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing a book that was something of a cult classic for the hippies in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

Basically these are nice sentiments made possible by the mass production and distribution systems that they are a rebellion against.  I fell for it in the 70’s why shouldn’t our children fall for it now.  I will predict that the back to nature movement will gain strength as the baby boomers retire and have the time to return to this kind of harmless daydreaming about a simpler life.