Do you remember about a month ago when an economic expert suggested the 3/50 project as a way of saving the local economy?

Cinda Baxter’s idea is to have consumers – me and you – pick three locally-owned businesses in the area and spend $50 there every month. By consistently spending money at three favorite vendors who are locally based and not a nationally-owned chain, it is possible to have real returns to the local economy.

Baxter states on her website that out of $100, $68 will come back to the local economy when spent at a locally-owned business. A nationally-owned business only returns $43 to the local economy. And that online purchase you just made gives nothing.

I brought the idea up recently at our family dinner, asking my husband and kids what three places we should spend our money at every month.

We all agreed on the first place. St. Anne Country Market right here in town. We love the meat we get from this small store. Plus, if you tell the owner what you like, the product will find its way on the shelf. I love being able to buy my Yoplait yogurt and Barilla pasta right there.

We started thinking about a second place and decided on Rondinella’s Italian Import Market that is located on Route 50. They have a great Italian Beef sandwich. We have tried the ready-made raviola, Mozzerella balls and various breads. I have not gotten the biscotti yet but that is next on my list. They also sell Nutella at Rondinella’s. If you do not know what Nutella is, let me just say it is a chocolate/hazelnut spread that might be described as heaven in a jar.

We have not selected a third place yet. The problem is in the choosing. Should it be a fun place like Hidden Cove or a bowling alley? Maybe it could be a restaurant such as Bull’s in Kankakee or Dixie Delight in St. Anne. Maybe it could be my favorite quilt shop, B&J Sewing in Bourbonnais or a locally-owned coffee shop.

We are still working on that final selection. But we know that we want to keep businesses going and have to spend money there to make it happen.

Now it is your turn. What are your three businesses that you plan to spend $50 dollars at each month?

Karyn Bowman lives in Kankakee County with her outdoor writer husband and four children. Become friends with Karyn on Facebook or send an e-mail to momgoestothemovies@sbcglobal.net.

Once again, one of the players on the Bulls has Plantar Fasciitis. It is affecting his playing and making it rough for the rest of the team.

You are probably wondering how can that particular ailment can cause so much havoc. Can’t they just put a brace on the foot or wrap it to give the foot some stabilization?

Oh, if only it were that easy, my friend.

I can tell you the pain of Plantar Fasciitis because I have had it. It is sneaky and painful. You going along, doing what you need to do. Your feet might feel fatigued but nothing too big deal.

Then you sit down, maybe to rest or to eat or to drive home. Then you try to stand back up and the inside arch of your foot hurts, it burns and each step is torture. You are hobbling because it hurts so bad.

Now imagine what Noah must feel. He is playing at the beginning of the game and all is going well. Then the coach decides to give him a break, Noah sits on the bench until it is half time and they go into the locker room. Noah stands up and feels the tell-tale burning sensation on the arch of his left foot. He limps to the locker room, no doubt in my mind to put a bare foot on ice.

I was in my 30s when I started having symptoms. But like a lot of health concerns, I pushed it off. My feet would hurt every morning when I got up. I would slowly make my way through getting the kids up and going, then head for breakfast downstairs.

I saw an article in the Daily Journal about Plantar Fasciitis and contacted the clinic in Manteno. Dr. Rebecca helped me with shoe inserts to better support my arches. She also gave me exercises to stretch the Plantars plus I had to ice my feet every night. Man, did that ice hurt. I did not mind the stretching so much because I could feel the improvement.

Eventually, I ended up doing steroid shots in both of my heels. Dr. Rebecca had to put several pokes in right on the muscle and it hurt every single time. I nearly cried with each injection. But I did manage to keep my feet still enough for her to do the shots. The end result was worth it. I was back to being able to walk and move without being in pain.

Other people are not so easily cured. Some have to do a sound wave treatment, last resort treatment is to do surgery.

Luckily, Noah is young and he can recover. He may not be able to have steady play time now. But with good treatment and his own discipline in following a treatment plan, Noah can get through it.

Karyn Bowman is also known as Mom Goes to the Movies. She lives in Kankakee County with her outdoor writer husband and four children. Become friends with Karyn on Facebook or send an e-mail to momgoestothemovies@sbcglobal.net.