It has been interesting to read the comments regarding Monday's TV programme where Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall looks at what we throw away. Most of us on here already do more than average to ensure less waste.
Our perception and the brain washing from the supermarkets into how long we can keep food is one of the key issues. Long ago, before all the best before dates, my mum (and I bet everyone else's mum) used their eyes and nose, but there was hardly any process foods. We all have differing views on what is still good to eat.
My family have laughed at me for years, I don't like to eat meat which has been minced up and then put back together, sausages and burgers are top of my list along with chicken which is reformed. I do eat sausages and burgers but only from our local butchers shop, they cost a bit more but taste totally different than most of the supermarket brands, how we make savings is to buy expensive ones but eat less. Our portion sizes are really bad, see this chart below it's an eye opener.
Process food is off our shopping list.
We often have meals without fish and meat.
We follow a few simple rules.
1, It does not matter how cheap it is or even an BOGOF, if we don't want it we don't buy it. This simple rule has stopped us throwing away food, for many years we loved the bargains, and then struggled to eat things before going off.
2, We no longer do a big supermarket shop for fresh meats and veg, we buy little and often, this can cost a little bit more, but waste also cost us.
3, We only keep clothes in our wardrobe we can wear, and not endlessly shop for new, I know what is in my wardrobe and have space to see everything. We do still like a bargain and buy most clothes at end of season sales.
4, Most important, if it ain't broke don't get a new one, again my mum hardly ever shopped for anything new other than to replace a broken item, we never missed out as children. We have been brainwashed into needing new things each season and year, we have no need to redecorate our house each year.
So is our lives boring
No we spend Saturday having fun together instead of the slog of a trip to town for needless purchases. Having less stuff is empowering, less to worry about, we quickly learn't we don't need to want so much. We have most everything we require, but more importantly we think before we buy, because,
If it's not in the house we can't throw it away.
After all it's not rocket science.
I'll get off my soap box!
I have had loads of stitching time, another design worked out
I have to decide how I am going to fill the triangle gaps,
to follow a design will be messy,
I might just choose one design for each space.
Su will be around later for the final session for her wedding invitations.
some good points there,I never look at dates but then I buy very little in these days, the portion size chart is a good one, should be sent to every house hold, you only have to look at buffet restaurants and see how people pile up there plates then waste it, I am getting into making more clothes rather than buying, I hate shopping for clothes my next project is a jersey top, I have the pattern and fabric ready.
ReplyDeleteYour stitching is looking lovely, I love the way it resembles patchwork.
My stitching envy is growing, I have put the cross stitch on the back burner as I want to get the 4 quilt wips finished. As you say most of us follow a sensible spending regime and waste as little as possible. Those portion sizes look minuscule on paper but on a plate are not too bad at all.
ReplyDeleteYour stitching is really beautiful....an absolute credit to you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of your points.....I use my nose and common sense for most foods. I do not clutter and use the things I have until they wear out. Like you I buy foods etc from local people, little and often. I have saved money long term. My life is simple and I like it that way.
We have cut our portion sizes in recent months and are still full after every meal. We were taught to clear our plates so when we had larger portions, of course we both ate it all. Putting less on the plate is now better for us and we still have clean plates at the end of the meal. Put less on the fork and savour every mouthful.
ReplyDeletexx
I am really enjoying my new clothes regime. I am not buying new things, making, altering, upcycling and gradually the amount of clothes is reducing - and the need for more cupboard space! I love opening a drawer/door and being able to see what's in there!
ReplyDeleteI saw that programme too. I couldn't help but feel sorry about all those chickens raised and slaughtered, just to get thrown in the bin. It makes you want to become vegetarian just thinking about it, but it wouldn't stop it happening.
ReplyDeleteI never go to town any more! I can't stand it!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I was shown plastic versions of portion sizes while at a training session last year, it was really surprising to all of us seeing it like that. The cheese portion was a so tiny!
ReplyDeleteSometimes we really do get so caught up in the consumerism and it becomes hard to see what we really need to be buying.
ReplyDeleteI missed the food waste programme, I'm going to see if I can catch up on it somewhere when I've got time. The stitching is coming along beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThat programme certainly opened a few eyes I think!
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