They Live In Another World...
I was watching the tv series Food and Drink on Monday. One reporter was criticising our return to "Comfort" food. Well, I like it. It is simple, tasty...often less expensive and it does not necessarily mean it is unhealthy. During the last war when food was rationed and people mainly ate vegetables it is said we were probably were more healthy.
Michel Roux Jr made a version of Shepherd's Pie mainly vegetable based. Then we had some pretencious wine expert suggesting what drink to have with it and one of her choices was some fancy Champagne. How often would you get "Champers" out to drink with such a meal?
Probably costing for one bottle what many people may have to spend for a week or more on food. It turns out that this expert happens to run her own business selling wines etc...
The other night I took ages to decide if I should treat myself to some cider £2.49 for four cans...They will probably last me at least a month. My other pleasure has been closed to me, though not a big drinker I was happily having an odd can of larger/bitter for 25p a time.
I would love at least one cooking programme that would show quick and simple food. Thankfully, I know most of this anyhow...but a lot of the charities, though their hearts are in the right place there is a limit what they can do...all they do is state the obvious like wearing lots of clothes and using hot water bottles to stay warm and having lot of warm drinks but they can't put more money in your pocket so you can buy good food.
Though I hate this Government and what they are doing and they won't be worrying about what they eat or the heating of their homes etc...and they even have a food allowance as part of their set up, even they could be doing more to promote healthy easy eating on a budget either in leaflets, on websites or other ways...
Even the official Government backed plan to get people eating better push meals that are quite expensive and many of the plans to improve health cost money to do. We really need to learn from the past.
Michel Roux Jr made a version of Shepherd's Pie mainly vegetable based. Then we had some pretencious wine expert suggesting what drink to have with it and one of her choices was some fancy Champagne. How often would you get "Champers" out to drink with such a meal?
Probably costing for one bottle what many people may have to spend for a week or more on food. It turns out that this expert happens to run her own business selling wines etc...
The other night I took ages to decide if I should treat myself to some cider £2.49 for four cans...They will probably last me at least a month. My other pleasure has been closed to me, though not a big drinker I was happily having an odd can of larger/bitter for 25p a time.
I would love at least one cooking programme that would show quick and simple food. Thankfully, I know most of this anyhow...but a lot of the charities, though their hearts are in the right place there is a limit what they can do...all they do is state the obvious like wearing lots of clothes and using hot water bottles to stay warm and having lot of warm drinks but they can't put more money in your pocket so you can buy good food.
Though I hate this Government and what they are doing and they won't be worrying about what they eat or the heating of their homes etc...and they even have a food allowance as part of their set up, even they could be doing more to promote healthy easy eating on a budget either in leaflets, on websites or other ways...
Even the official Government backed plan to get people eating better push meals that are quite expensive and many of the plans to improve health cost money to do. We really need to learn from the past.
posted by The Great Gildersleeve | 3:38 pm
10 Comments:
I so agree with this, Gildy. They should be doing this here too. Food prices are rising everyday and your dollar buys less and less which is extremely hard for poor folks. Simple recipes for simple nutritious food that would help stretch your money would be really good.
But...this makes sense so...no go. :o/
I've seen the same types of food shows here. "How to cook on a budget", things. "This meal only cost $2"...well they had to buy boxes and spices and meats that cost a heck of a lot more than $2 even if they didn't use it all in one go...doesn't really count to me.
If they took $20 dollars and bought groceries for the week and showed you how to cook seven nights of dinners for four people
now THAT would be helpful! :o)
Also the ones who say, "And this truffle butter was $50 but it's worth it" Huh?
Crazy.
Jan
Jan,
We see the Hollywood version of the States and yes many of the homes are larger and probably better than what we have but I am sensible enough to know this is not how most Americans live and in relation to the economy many are struggling just as much as any other country.
Its alright having your dreams and aspirations and hearing the rousing speeches the politicians give out and all the hooping and cheering that the crowds do at such events but get out and talk to the "Real" people and they hurting.
This includes those who are working.
Yes it's anecdotal but what the politicians and Government are doing over here when I get on a bus, in a taxi, talk at a supermarket checkout etc...there is not one person(and I am talking of working people, unemployed, carers, ill, the elderly, female, male, young, single/married etc...)happy with what those running the country see as their priorities, at grass roots we are not talking about the same things that they and the media are.
Our trouble is that all the parties lean to the right and to have a true democracy you do need a kind of alternative view to kind of stop all policies being put through on the nod or to allow for compromise. Extremes of any view are bad.
often it feels as though we have a dictatorship over here...
At present people are worried about keeping a roof over their heads, having food on the table and staying warm pretty basic right but essentials to having some comfort.
It has been reckoned that 80%+ of income is eaten up on the cost of living and there is very little for so called treats/entertainment.
I am sure I heard that 20 shops a day are closing, well that adds to the jobless statistics and that is less money being spent to keep business afloat and people in work.
We have a couple of popular cookery TV personalities that are known as the Hairy Bikers(two blokes)who ride bikes, have rough accents and to some extent were dressed pretty ordinary and so they connected with many of the viewers.
But their new series in what austere times they claim they are cooking Gourmet food at cheap prices that we can all do.
And as you said the other night they purchased three boxes of King Prawns that cost a lot of money and to be honest they cost what some people might spend for a few weeks on their meals so inexpensive? Not really.
If you income is good I don't object to people being rich or enjoying their wealth but they on another programme showed a Sunday lunch for 4 people and it came in £20($30.38)£5($7.59)per portion, it probably is good value but what kind of a wage are you on to spend £20 on one meal?
Of course you should treat yourself if you are able.
Their programmes could reach the States and you can look them up on the BBC Website...
The closest competition other than Labour(which was the previous Government before this one)is UKIP but even that leans towards the right too but it worries the established parties as many people vote UKIP to give them a bloody nose and show that they are unhappy with the present set up.
However when election comes around again, people go back to voting between the three main parties again and its more of the same.
There is a by election taking place as I type this and it would appear that the Lib Dems will win(I suppose they are quite central in their views)then UKIP, The Conservatives(bit like your Republicans)we think will be third and Labour(Your Democrats)will be fourth.
I think most experts/people thought Labour and UKIP would take first or second place or vice versa because of the dislike of our coalition Government which is made up of the Lib Dems and Conservatives.
And this by election happened because of a politician having to resign because of something that saw him in court and could see him going to jail.
Oh yes! I know the Hairy Bikers! Love those guys! :o)
Jeez, Gildy, you don't even WANT to know whats going on here! It is absolutely off the charts crazy!
We have got a government locked in death grip heading over a "Fisal Cliff", you've probably heard of this nonsense. If not, just type in Fiscal Cliff and you'll find more than you ever pretended you wanted to know!
You know, Gildy, I've voted for the same party since I was eighteen years old. I never agreed with everything they said but it was closer than the other party to what I believed. This last year I dumped them both! I voted Independent and I have to tell you my conscience feels much better for it. We are so locked into not letting the other guy win over here right now...it's truly becoming a sickness. Everything is going to hell in a handbasket and they can't agree whether it's day or night. Stupid.
I'm putting in a vegetable garden his year. I have a pretty good sized lot with a small house. This way I know at least we'll have something if things get too wonky. My boys are going to help my husband get it going. With the space I have I think we could help most of the family from what it can produce.
I'm also going to get some berry bushes and dwarf fruit trees going. They take a little longer to bear fruit but hey...don't think this problem is going anywhere soon...and even if it did...we'll eat from it anyway and it's way better than store-bought, so win/win.
More and more people are planting Victory Gardens. I think the government better watch out...if the people ever realize they don't really need them all that much they could be out of a job! :oP
You know after I posted about the WWII recipes, I got curious and started looking online to see if the government DID have any recipes and such. They do have some...not many though, and I'm doing most of them anyway. :oP
Seems like a waste to me. They really could be helping people.
So, don't feel too bad. Things are crazy all over the globe it seems.
Jan
My neighbour(a builder)says if work does not pick up over the next six months he'll be out of a job. He says that he has 37 men laid off at this time.
He said the jeans he was wearing today were worth £3($4.50)the shirt from the charity shop I use that cost 99p($1.50)
He said he's no longer buying soup in the shops(and making his own)for his lunch when at work.
If I can stay where I am, I have a garden and have been tempted to create a vegetable patch.
But living alone eating less/small portions I can make vegetables last over many meals and they are still reasonably cheap.
At present I can have a bag of three large carrots, two onions, a swede and two parsnips for £1($1.50)A swede on its own can cost 80p($1.20)
If I don't go for the big branded names I can get big bags of mixed frozen veg(already prepared)for around 80p. Again, I can get quite a few meals out of that.
Growing my own may still be a good idea though. I could maybe cheat by using raised beds and grow bags etc...
The Hairy Bikers are doing theatre tours and appearing at the theatre I was at earlier in the week(sold out)gald you can understand them.
I like them too(generally)but as I may have said I think that they would be ideal at doing a series promoting economical easy food.
The latest series claims to be inexpensive and many of the featured recipes are costly.
I have been keeping an eye on what's happening in America. Its not good...
Cut and paste this link...
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pm-meets-families-facing-poverty-food-bank-031152445.html#sCyq8ZU
No. It's not good. People are getting very fed-up with the whole mess.
At least he tried to go see what's going on without it being nothing but a photo-op. You have to give him that.
I know when times are bad, folks tend to want to blame someone. I get that. But blaming the poor and hungry is just insanity.
I honestly think most of it DOES come from ignorance. They really do believe that most folks on welfare are just lazy.
I know for a fact this is just not true. I mean, sure, it happens, but in no way to the extent that these folks think.
All it takes is one devastating illness in the family to eat-up everything you earn, have saved up or are insured for, and when it's gone you have to find a way to keep a roof over your head and food on the table, let alone try and hopefully rebuild your life.
And many have to quit their jobs to take care of their ill family member. What happens then?
Would that it WERE just lazy people! My gosh I can't think of anyone who'd live this way by choice!
Jan
This story had just appeared on Yahoo but it happened a few weeks ago...they made it sound as though he met those who use the service but as we've seen, he met those who give out the food.
There is a series of protests taking place across the country against the Bedroom Tax next weekend. I have never ever been at a public meeting like that before but may attend this one...
Its a coincidence but one takes place approx 7 miles away. The other is in a city where in the evening I see one of the shows I booked ages ago. So if I attend that one I would already be in the town anyhow. So I don't have to make another journey.
The demonstration is virtually next door to where the show happens/bus terminus and by going earlier it means if travel is disrupted I will not be late. I'll just go three hours sooner than planned.
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