There was a report on this week's 'Country File' TV programme about the benefits of cutting out meat altogether for one day a week and that we should eat far less red meat than we do. The idea is being sponsored by Sir Paul McCartney and it is not only beneficial to our health, but also good for the environment in general, because methane gas, as produced by cattle is the biggest contributor to Global Warming. There was a great deal more in the report and I found it very interesting indeed.
It did strike me, however, that had I seen it nine months ago, I would have found it offensive in the extreme! Isn't it fascinating how we, as humans (or at least me, at any rate) are ready to dismiss out of hand a new idea, without having tried it! Having been a vegetarian for the best part of nine months (is it really that long?) it made perfect sense and I can vouch for the fact that our new eating plan still excites and is still delicious. The fact that it is also good for us and the environment is a wonderful added bonus, as far as I am concerned!
Monday, 24 August 2009
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Economies and the downside of being retired
Now, I love being retired! We made the decision to do so, some five years earlier than originally planned, due to Ray's health and I am very glad that we did. He has made a remarkable recovery and although he still has to be careful (and always will) it does mean that he can rest, whenever he needs to. And far from being bored, the exact opposite is true for me. I just cannot believe how quickly the days go by! It is wonderful not to be chasing the clock and to be able to take each day at the pace that is comfortable for us.
Sadly though, the plain economic fact is that pensions do not rise in line with the cost of living! Our utility bills, for instance, have doubled this year and we are seeing our food bills creep up slowly but surely as the weeks pass. For lots of reasons, all our credit cards were shredded some months ago and we determined not to use them ever again. So, this week, I decided to conduct a small experiment. We have to get into the mindset that if we haven't got it, we do without, until the next big shop. We are nowhere near being poverty stricken, but we do need to stop just nipping down to the shops, whenever we feel we cannot live another moment, without whatever it is we are wanting. So, aware that we had a plentiful supply of all the basics and the ingredients for the meals I had planned until next Monday (when we do the next big shop) I decided that we would see just how little money we could spend this week. The bank balance is fairly healthy, right now, having had Ray's pension paid into it last week and mine due in tomorrow, but even so, I just wanted to see if it could be done. And I am both pleased and proud to announce that Ray and I, together, have spent a total of £1, this week! That was on a little quiz that his work people are putting on for charity, so as it is for a good cause, we felt it was right to do so.
So, it can be done and to be honest, we have not gone without. We have had food, whenever it was needed and not one of has felt in any way deprived. So, a good week all in all and one which will be repeated in the future, you can be sure of that.
Sadly though, the plain economic fact is that pensions do not rise in line with the cost of living! Our utility bills, for instance, have doubled this year and we are seeing our food bills creep up slowly but surely as the weeks pass. For lots of reasons, all our credit cards were shredded some months ago and we determined not to use them ever again. So, this week, I decided to conduct a small experiment. We have to get into the mindset that if we haven't got it, we do without, until the next big shop. We are nowhere near being poverty stricken, but we do need to stop just nipping down to the shops, whenever we feel we cannot live another moment, without whatever it is we are wanting. So, aware that we had a plentiful supply of all the basics and the ingredients for the meals I had planned until next Monday (when we do the next big shop) I decided that we would see just how little money we could spend this week. The bank balance is fairly healthy, right now, having had Ray's pension paid into it last week and mine due in tomorrow, but even so, I just wanted to see if it could be done. And I am both pleased and proud to announce that Ray and I, together, have spent a total of £1, this week! That was on a little quiz that his work people are putting on for charity, so as it is for a good cause, we felt it was right to do so.
So, it can be done and to be honest, we have not gone without. We have had food, whenever it was needed and not one of has felt in any way deprived. So, a good week all in all and one which will be repeated in the future, you can be sure of that.
Monday, 10 August 2009
Visiting the Farmer's Market
We trolled off to Didcot on Saturday, because that was where the nearest Farmer's Market was. I simply loved it, although was a wee bit disappointed that the vegetable guy wasn't there, but I suppose we are all entitled to holidays, now and then. It was really, really good, though and we picked up a programme of their intended future appearances and three weekends out of four, for the next few months, they will be at either Newbury, Wantage, or Hungerford. It seems to be a consortium of local farmers, which pleased all of us no end, because it means that we should get to know them over time.
We bought some cider in a box, which is delicious, some home produced unsalted butter, which worked out at only £1 for a half pound block, some raspberries, plums, home made soap and some really lovely bread, so all in all, it was an excellent experience. The butter guy had some amazing cheeses, so they will be bought on our next visit! Most of it was a little pricey, but well worth the extra pennies, if what we have sampled thus far is anything to go by.
The veg box scheme has been cancelled, which is a shame, but is, we feel for us, the best decision, bearing in mind the falling standard of the produce and also the fact that we seem to have fruit and veg coming out of our ears, right now! The aim this week is to spend as little as is possible and use what we still have, before it needs to be thrown. So, some interesting meals planned for the week, culminating in a big shop next Monday, if I have my way, which will be good for us, the environment (because we won't use any petrol) and most of all, for the bank balance!
We bought some cider in a box, which is delicious, some home produced unsalted butter, which worked out at only £1 for a half pound block, some raspberries, plums, home made soap and some really lovely bread, so all in all, it was an excellent experience. The butter guy had some amazing cheeses, so they will be bought on our next visit! Most of it was a little pricey, but well worth the extra pennies, if what we have sampled thus far is anything to go by.
The veg box scheme has been cancelled, which is a shame, but is, we feel for us, the best decision, bearing in mind the falling standard of the produce and also the fact that we seem to have fruit and veg coming out of our ears, right now! The aim this week is to spend as little as is possible and use what we still have, before it needs to be thrown. So, some interesting meals planned for the week, culminating in a big shop next Monday, if I have my way, which will be good for us, the environment (because we won't use any petrol) and most of all, for the bank balance!
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Small update
I am very aware that I haven't added to this blog for ages, so here goes.
We are starting to harvest the potatoes and the few that we have had, thus far taste completely fantastic! The difference is just amazing and they are well worth the wait. We have been eating our own home grown salad for ages now and again, the difference in taste from the shop bought stuff is very noticeable indeed.
As a result of this and also because there are several Farmers Markets around here, we have decided to ditch the Veg Box Scheme we are subscribing to. The quality of the produce in the boxes has deteriorated - it started off as very good indeed, but as the weeks have gone on, we have noticed that the quality has slowly been getting worse and now, we cannot eat some of the stuff in there, before it goes off and has to be thrown away. Going to Farmer's Markets, will, we feel stop the waste. We can see what we are getting, before we get it and can just buy what we need, knowing what there is in the garden, for instance. We shall see how it goes, so watch this space!
There was some research published recently, about organic produce not having any more nutritional value than non organic. Shock, Horror! Apart from the way the survey was done (if the newspapers are to be believed) it seems to have completely overlooked the fact that those of us, who choose organic, like we do, do so not for the nutritional value, but because it is better for the environment. Yet another case, I feel of a set of facts and figures being tailored to the writer's perspective, rather than being approached with an open mind and letting the facts prove whatever it is they actually prove!
We are starting to harvest the potatoes and the few that we have had, thus far taste completely fantastic! The difference is just amazing and they are well worth the wait. We have been eating our own home grown salad for ages now and again, the difference in taste from the shop bought stuff is very noticeable indeed.
As a result of this and also because there are several Farmers Markets around here, we have decided to ditch the Veg Box Scheme we are subscribing to. The quality of the produce in the boxes has deteriorated - it started off as very good indeed, but as the weeks have gone on, we have noticed that the quality has slowly been getting worse and now, we cannot eat some of the stuff in there, before it goes off and has to be thrown away. Going to Farmer's Markets, will, we feel stop the waste. We can see what we are getting, before we get it and can just buy what we need, knowing what there is in the garden, for instance. We shall see how it goes, so watch this space!
There was some research published recently, about organic produce not having any more nutritional value than non organic. Shock, Horror! Apart from the way the survey was done (if the newspapers are to be believed) it seems to have completely overlooked the fact that those of us, who choose organic, like we do, do so not for the nutritional value, but because it is better for the environment. Yet another case, I feel of a set of facts and figures being tailored to the writer's perspective, rather than being approached with an open mind and letting the facts prove whatever it is they actually prove!
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