Jump to content
  • entries
    44
  • comments
    803
  • views
    10,040

Food Bytes


Mikiesboy

2,415 views

Food

 

We all need it. We all buy it or grow it. This blog is a few of my pet peeves.

 

Michael my poor dessert-deprived husband needed some pie. So, rather than ask me to bake him one, he bought one. It cost him $2.50.  It came in a box. The list of ingredients did include pumpkin, but it also included 20 other ingredients, several i can't spell or pronounce.

 

This pie tasted disgusting and very chemically. One bite was enough for me. Mike on the other hand ate his piece and eventually the remaining pie. He paid for that, details not required, but it sure wasn’t worth the money he would have wasted if he didn’t eat it.

 

I have trouble understanding the resources we waste on ‘food’ like this horrible processed pie and other things that are full of chemicals and additives.

 

Do we do it because they are cheap to purchase? As a poor person I didn’t waste the little money I had on crap like that pie. Not that I ate well, because I really couldn’t afford to. The best meals I got then were from the missions.  But had I had some place to cook, I’m sure I could have eaten better than I did.

 

Another big problem with our food is looks. How food looks has cost us flavour and nutrition. 

 

Think: Big tasteless strawberries. Sure they are pretty, but have no flavour. So why bother eating them???

 

I asked the produce manager why we only get these and not local strawberries (in season, of course). He said we have to buy the USA’s strawberries in order to get their lettuce in the winter. Huh!

 

Imperfect fruit and veg, is a thing now.

 

You can buy it in many stores for a cheaper price than the perfect option. It’s silly not to sell it or buy it.  That curved potato tastes no different than does the smooth round option.  Often those go to animal food, or to rot.  What a waste.

 

Last fall Mike and I were in a No-Frills grocery. They had farm fresh cauliflower. They were beautiful, huge examples but they would have been rejected by most stores because of their size and colour.  They were on the yellowish side, not pure white. But it was delicious, tasted no different that the white version. They also came with a lot of green. There was a staff member there to cut away the leaves, but I said no thank you. The green helps to keep the head fresh.

 

Just like tomatoes on the vine. I shake my head when people pluck them off their vines because they don’t want to pay for whatever that vine may cost when weighed. Leave them on, pay the extra 1cent.  The fruit will continue to ripen. Mine last for a week or two on their vines while sitting on the counter.

 

I don’t have the answers for everything.

 

But we can teach about food. How to buy it, store it and cook it.  Sadly few schools do that anymore.  Maybe it’s time to bring that back.

But you don’t have to be a kid to learn. And there is nothing as satisfying as baking your own bread, or serving your family a healthy and tasty meal. It’s not hard, you just have to make an investment of time and some effort.

 

Now… I have a dark sweet cherry coffee cake baking… smells done to me.

 

Eat well!

  • Like 16

43 Comments


Recommended Comments



glitteryantlers

Posted

  On 4/23/2017 at 11:14 AM, Bucket1 said:

I am reading this after returning from my greengrocer - we used to have those monster strawberries for a few years, whoppers but no taste, everyone stopped buying them and now we have good flavoursome strawberries again (some big, some small, all tasty) - I have half a kilo calling my name :) 

 

Tomorrow I am back at work and I think I will have instant soup in a cup for lunch. Before you all hit me, home-made instant soup. I can't remember who sent me this link but I will love them forever...   http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/09/diy-chicken-dill-instant-noodle-recipe.html, and this one too http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/09/diy-instant-noodle-cups-food-lab.html

 

This is one of those ideas you can play with depending what you have in the cupboard. I looked at the original recipe for the chicken and dill and my version is now way different but it works. And the title of the second link is true - my work colleagues do get jealous and it is so simple.

Expand  

That was not fair, I'm so hungry now, but it's already bedtime!

  • Like 2
Former Member

Posted

  On 4/23/2017 at 5:34 PM, Mikiesboy said:

K just to be a bit pedantic .. do they have to be fast?  I'm thinking simple and good for you ... sure some with speed would be welcome, but somethings take a bit of time.

 

Expand  

My thought was, that most people take convenient food, because they think it is the fast way. I am ok with a mix, some with more time, some fast. What would you prefer, a blog or a thread?

Mikiesboy

Posted

  On 4/23/2017 at 6:28 PM, Lyssa said:

My thought was, that most people take convenient food, because they think it is the fast way. I am ok with a mix, some with more time, some fast. What would you prefer, a blog or a thread?

Expand  

Yep quick weeknight meals .. a mix is goo.   Let's do a forum .. 

  • Like 4
Former Member

Posted

  On 4/23/2017 at 6:35 PM, Mikiesboy said:

Yep quick weeknight meals .. a mix is goo.   Let's do a forum .. 

Expand  

:D Yeah, I am excited. I start one in the lounge. I have to think about portions. I am so used to cook for at least four people now, often more.

Mikiesboy

Posted

  On 4/23/2017 at 6:40 PM, Lyssa said:

:D Yeah, I am excited. I start one in the lounge. I have to think about portions. I am so used to cook for at least four people now, often more.

Expand  

I cook for two most of the time. So i need to think what to do with leftovers.. I think this will work nicely. 

  • Like 3
Former Member

Posted (edited)

  On 4/23/2017 at 6:43 PM, Mikiesboy said:

I cook for two most of the time. So i need to think what to do with leftovers.. I think this will work nicely. 

Expand  

Do you have a name suggestion? Recipe of the day / The cooking way, a healthy recipe for the day/....

or Cooking spot - what goes in the pot?

Edited by Lyssa
mollyhousemouse

Posted

  On 4/23/2017 at 6:45 PM, Lyssa said:

Do you have a name suggestion? Recipe of the day / The cooking way, a healthy recipe for the day/....

or Cooking spot - what goes in the pot?

Expand  

Why not the name of the blog post that inspired it all?  Food Bytes?

  • Like 2
Mikiesboy

Posted

  On 4/23/2017 at 9:19 PM, mollyhousemouse said:

Why not the name of the blog post that inspired it all?  Food Bytes?

Expand  

duh...lol  Good idea if Lyssa likes it !

  • Like 3
Bucket1

Posted

Looking forward to GA's newest forum... it should be tasty :)

  • Like 3
Bucket1

Posted

  On 4/23/2017 at 6:28 PM, Lyssa said:

My thought was, that most people take convenient food, because they think it is the fast way. I am ok with a mix, some with more time, some fast. What would you prefer, a blog or a thread?

Expand  

What about when I made a big batch of spaghetti sauce and freeze it for later? I get a lot of quick and easy meals out of that. Real convenient food :)

  • Like 3
Mikiesboy

Posted

  On 4/24/2017 at 1:00 AM, Bucket1 said:

What about when I made a big batch of spaghetti sauce and freeze it for later? I get a lot of quick and easy meals out of that. Real convenient food :)

Expand  

Batch cooking is smart. As you have explained you can make it one time and then divide up for a large number of meals. Food like this or chili, stews, soups are great for this. Other things, if you're cooking rice for one meal, make enough for two. If ground meat is on sale, you can cook it and freeze in batches. You can use it for spaghetti, or shepherds pie. I have a 27lb leg of pork in my freezer. I will need to put that in the oven on 225F for overnight. Once it's cooked I can use it for a pork dinner. I can make gravy and freeze it for a bunch of meals, stir frys, pulled pork... all sorts.

  • Like 2
Arpeggio

Posted

I'm a sucker for big strawberries. I always think, "They look delicious!" And I take them home and bite them and YUCK. I had some organic ones from an Amish community once (I think it was Amish, they had carriages) and they were so sweet and soft, not hard and sour.... -drools slightly- 

 

Anyways. 

 

I'm one of the worst when it comes to processed foods, but I can't help it. I'm not a great cook and I'm poor as hell. XD

  • Like 3
Former Member

Posted

  On 4/24/2017 at 4:27 PM, Arpeggio said:

I'm a sucker for big strawberries. I always think, "They look delicious!" And I take them home and bite them and YUCK. I had some organic ones from an Amish community once (I think it was Amish, they had carriages) and they were so sweet and soft, not hard and sour.... -drools slightly- 

 

Anyways. 

 

I'm one of the worst when it comes to processed foods, but I can't help it. I'm not a great cook and I'm poor as hell. XD

Expand  

We started the new thread already in the lounge. Maybe you will find something you might try. :)

Mikiesboy

Posted

  On 4/24/2017 at 6:59 PM, Lyssa said:

We started the new thread already in the lounge. Maybe you will find something you might try. :)

Expand  

 

  On 4/24/2017 at 4:27 PM, Arpeggio said:

I'm a sucker for big strawberries. I always think, "They look delicious!" And I take them home and bite them and YUCK. I had some organic ones from an Amish community once (I think it was Amish, they had carriages) and they were so sweet and soft, not hard and sour.... -drools slightly- 

 

Anyways. 

 

I'm one of the worst when it comes to processed foods, but I can't help it. I'm not a great cook and I'm poor as hell. XD

Expand  

Yeah..look in the forum.. lots of great ideas being thrown around. Dynoreads left a great list for a basic pantry!

  • Like 3
Page Scrawler

Posted

  On 4/24/2017 at 4:27 PM, Arpeggio said:

I'm a sucker for big strawberries. I always think, "They look delicious!" And I take them home and bite them and YUCK. I had some organic ones from an Amish community once (I think it was Amish, they had carriages) and they were so sweet and soft, not hard and sour.... -drools slightly- 

Expand  

I'm planning on growing some carrots, broccoli Rabe and Romanesco this year, in addition to my usual herbs. :) I've also found that some store brand products are usually better (and cheaper) than the big name brands. Welch's Grape Jelly is mostly corn syrup, but Meijer's "True Goodness" Organic Grape Jelly is sooooo much more yummy! :heart:

  • Like 1
Page Scrawler

Posted

Sam Stern's "Student Cookbook" is an excellent resource, with tips for buying, storing, and preparing groceries. It was one of the earliest cookbooks I bought when I started out in the kitchen. (Mainly because I thought Sam himself was a cutie. :gikkle: ) The Britishisms were a little tricky to figure out, but eventually I got there in the end. I still prepare a few recipes from the pages when I need a quick bite, but don't want to use every utensil and appliance in the kitchen. :)

  • Like 3
dughlas

Posted

I think simple beats fast for most folks especially those just learning to make their own instead of mass produced.

dughlas

Posted

  On 4/23/2017 at 6:43 PM, Mikiesboy said:

I cook for two most of the time. So i need to think what to do with leftovers.. I think this will work nicely. 

Expand  

 

Consider things that can be divided and frozen. I find that gives me quick and easy when I need it. Knowing I have something nutritious in the freezer that I can simply reheat is a blessing when I have a serious migraine.


Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...