We have now completed 2 weeks of lent! Hooray! It has been a lot of fun so far. We have discovered farm shops and little local shops, delicious fresh foods and way more choice than I thought there would be.
The things that have been hardest to source have been recycled loo roll and our usual brand of tea. The loo roll problem has now been solved by asking the lovely chap who runs the farm shop to add Ecover loo roll to his order (he says it will probably come in by the weekend). The tea problem should be fine by next weekend too as the fair trade stall will be on at church on Sunday.
Also available at the fair trade stall will be some Easter eggs with imagery actually reflecting the Easter story: not something I think I've ever seen before. I think that will be fantastic!
In terms of our spending, so far we have not saved money, but we haven't overspent either. We seem to be spending almost exactly the same as before. Bearing in mind that this fortnight we spent a lot of time finding new shops and chatting to shopkeepers, and then feeling obliged to buy something from every one, I think we really could save money doing this. We have definitely bought a lot less silly impulse purchases that have not got used and gone off in the fridge!
I'm not saying that after Easter I'll never use a supermarket again. I will. Probably out of normal shopping hours. Probably I'll buy things I don't really need. But at this point I don't see us going back to the level of supermarket use we were at before.
This weekend I got a very shocking reminder of why we wanted to do this. A colleague posted a link on facebook to an article about someone's idea for dealing with the cruelty inherent in intensive chicken farming. Here is a link for those interested. Basically this guy is suggesting that, rather than improve the conditions for chickens, we should just remove half of their brains so they are not aware of being maltreated. While we're at it let's chop off their feet so we can pack more of them into a small space. We can input nutrients through a feeding tube and hygienically remove excrement in a similar way. There is a slight problem in that their muscles will not be in use so won't develop properly, but we can just give them electric shocks to stimulate them.
What an absolutely backwards way of dealing with the problem! It absolutely confirms my belief that a society where this seems like a good idea needs radical change. Surely we don't need meat to be so cheap that we have to decapitate the animals so we can ignore their welfare? Surely the answer is to live more sustainable lives consuming a healthier diet with food produced in a way that is fair to everyone, the chickens included?
I really want the world that our daughter, her children and their peers live out their lives in, to not look like that. I want them to know what is involved in the production and supply of their food and for that to sit well with their consciences.
Tuesday 6 March 2012
Tuesday 28 February 2012
Lent 7
What I want to discuss today predates our lenten observance but I think it is related. For a while now, we have been trying to pay more attention to where our meat comes from. As a family we enjoy our meat. When I was pregnant I think the thing I missed most was parma ham, and on the day I came home from the hospital Jim had prepared for me a platter of meats! But we are also very aware of the environmental and animal welfare issues associated with mass produced meats. So we have been trying to resist processed meats and cheap meats of uncertain origins.
In choosing to buy locally sourced, responsibly farmed, the cost has inevitably gone up. Not being unduly affluent, this has meant eating meat less frequently. There are lots of delicious vegetarian foods out there and I like a lot of them. I will often choose a vegetarian meal in a restaurant because it sounds more appetising and interesting. Jim has also come around to this way of thinking in the last year. (He used to say that a meal without meat was only a snack)
All this not withstanding, we were chatting last night after Bella had gone to bed, about the fact that today is payday for me, and the thing we wanted to do to celebrate was to go to the butchers' and buy some lovely meat! We decided on pork chops and, in honesty, I was thinking about those pork chops for most of the following 24 hours. They were delicious. Really delicious. Nothing fancy, just cooked well with roast potatoes and carrots, some greens and some apple sauce. But amazingly tasty. I was imagining how good they would be all morning and afternoon and I have been dwelling on how mouthwateringly scrumptious they were ever since! We also bought some lovely smokey bacon which I am also looking forward to, perhaps for breakfast.
Good quality meat really is a treat. I would much rather have amazing meat once or twice a week than the chicken kievs and turkey ham sandwiches we used to eat. It makes me appreciate it, and it makes me happy to know that the pig has given up his (or her) meat after a happy life.
I also love the fact that when we go to our butcher we know where the meat is from, and that it is responsibly farmed. We can trace the steps from the farm to our table. I'm sure that's technically possible with supermarket meat but it's certainly not as easy.
So, in conclusion, pork chops are really really really yummy!
In choosing to buy locally sourced, responsibly farmed, the cost has inevitably gone up. Not being unduly affluent, this has meant eating meat less frequently. There are lots of delicious vegetarian foods out there and I like a lot of them. I will often choose a vegetarian meal in a restaurant because it sounds more appetising and interesting. Jim has also come around to this way of thinking in the last year. (He used to say that a meal without meat was only a snack)
All this not withstanding, we were chatting last night after Bella had gone to bed, about the fact that today is payday for me, and the thing we wanted to do to celebrate was to go to the butchers' and buy some lovely meat! We decided on pork chops and, in honesty, I was thinking about those pork chops for most of the following 24 hours. They were delicious. Really delicious. Nothing fancy, just cooked well with roast potatoes and carrots, some greens and some apple sauce. But amazingly tasty. I was imagining how good they would be all morning and afternoon and I have been dwelling on how mouthwateringly scrumptious they were ever since! We also bought some lovely smokey bacon which I am also looking forward to, perhaps for breakfast.
Good quality meat really is a treat. I would much rather have amazing meat once or twice a week than the chicken kievs and turkey ham sandwiches we used to eat. It makes me appreciate it, and it makes me happy to know that the pig has given up his (or her) meat after a happy life.
I also love the fact that when we go to our butcher we know where the meat is from, and that it is responsibly farmed. We can trace the steps from the farm to our table. I'm sure that's technically possible with supermarket meat but it's certainly not as easy.
So, in conclusion, pork chops are really really really yummy!
Sunday 26 February 2012
Lent 5
The other day someone asked "What about the employees of the big supermarkets?" We didn't do any shopping today (small independent shops don't tend to be open on Sundays) so I thought I'd take the opportunity to respond.
First of all I would like to clarify that we don't believe that supermarkets are intrinsically wrong, or mean, or evil or anything silly like that. Supermarkets provide a service which is great for many people. They are open outside of office hours and they have lots of goods and sometimes services available in one location with plenty of free parking and disabled access. They are cheap and convenient. None of these things is bad. For us, however, they are a luxury. Our working patterns mean that one of us is usually around in the day, so we are able to go to shops that are only open in office hours. We live in an area that is well supplied with independent stores in easy walking/cycling distance. Indeed, until a new Sainsbury's opened up just down the road, we didn't visit supermarkets very often. We did a big shop once a month and that was about it. But recently we seem to be in there 3 or 4 times a week. It is convenient and we think we end up spending more money. If we can't do without supermarkets, who can?
Secondly, fasting for lent is not about giving up things that are evil. If I thought something I was doing was evil I hope I would stop doing it anyway, without waiting for lent! Fasting for lent is about giving up a luxury, challenging yourself to grow in self-control. That is what this is about.
Thirdly I don't believe that our family of 3 avoiding Sainsbury's for 40 days will make a noticeable difference to their shareholders or employment plans. I doubt even if everyone who reads this blog followed us in giving up supermarkets (which is not going to happen!) that it would make any difference. But let's say, for the sake of argument, that our fast made a difference...
a) With or without supermarkets we buy food. In buying our food from different businesses we are simply supporting someone else's employment.
b) Local shops combined undoubtedly employ more staff to shift the same amount of stock, so we are actually supporting the employment of more people.
c) More shops equals more shop fitters, window cleaners, insurers, business rates, phone lines, etc, so more employees there too.
d) Supermarkets are surely better at tax avoidance so we are, indirectly, helping to reduce the government deficit (with ensuing benefits for all).
e) Supermarkets have more bargaining power so are able to get the same produce for a lower wholesale price. By buying locally we are supporting producers.
f) Supermarkets give a false illusion of choice and actually supply fewer varieties of fruit, veg, etc so we are supporting diverse growers.
This is all before we even touch on environmental impact, health benefits, potential financial savings to us, and education for our daughter on where her food comes from.
So, whilst I hope I don't sound smug, I feel that our fast will do us good and I pray that the small impact that we can have will perhaps be the difference that keeps some small business going.
First of all I would like to clarify that we don't believe that supermarkets are intrinsically wrong, or mean, or evil or anything silly like that. Supermarkets provide a service which is great for many people. They are open outside of office hours and they have lots of goods and sometimes services available in one location with plenty of free parking and disabled access. They are cheap and convenient. None of these things is bad. For us, however, they are a luxury. Our working patterns mean that one of us is usually around in the day, so we are able to go to shops that are only open in office hours. We live in an area that is well supplied with independent stores in easy walking/cycling distance. Indeed, until a new Sainsbury's opened up just down the road, we didn't visit supermarkets very often. We did a big shop once a month and that was about it. But recently we seem to be in there 3 or 4 times a week. It is convenient and we think we end up spending more money. If we can't do without supermarkets, who can?
Secondly, fasting for lent is not about giving up things that are evil. If I thought something I was doing was evil I hope I would stop doing it anyway, without waiting for lent! Fasting for lent is about giving up a luxury, challenging yourself to grow in self-control. That is what this is about.
Thirdly I don't believe that our family of 3 avoiding Sainsbury's for 40 days will make a noticeable difference to their shareholders or employment plans. I doubt even if everyone who reads this blog followed us in giving up supermarkets (which is not going to happen!) that it would make any difference. But let's say, for the sake of argument, that our fast made a difference...
a) With or without supermarkets we buy food. In buying our food from different businesses we are simply supporting someone else's employment.
b) Local shops combined undoubtedly employ more staff to shift the same amount of stock, so we are actually supporting the employment of more people.
c) More shops equals more shop fitters, window cleaners, insurers, business rates, phone lines, etc, so more employees there too.
d) Supermarkets are surely better at tax avoidance so we are, indirectly, helping to reduce the government deficit (with ensuing benefits for all).
e) Supermarkets have more bargaining power so are able to get the same produce for a lower wholesale price. By buying locally we are supporting producers.
f) Supermarkets give a false illusion of choice and actually supply fewer varieties of fruit, veg, etc so we are supporting diverse growers.
This is all before we even touch on environmental impact, health benefits, potential financial savings to us, and education for our daughter on where her food comes from.
So, whilst I hope I don't sound smug, I feel that our fast will do us good and I pray that the small impact that we can have will perhaps be the difference that keeps some small business going.
Friday 24 February 2012
Lent 3 - Farm shopping
Today we had a fabulous afternoon visiting some of Worcestershire's farm shops. We went to Top Barn farm shop, near Grimley. They had lots of fruit and veg as well as meat and dairy, confectionary and cakes (that's all the major food groups right?) We have already finished all the fruit we had and don't get another delivery for a week so we got some English pears and fair trade bananas. We also found some made in Worcestershire butter!
This morning, on the way to our baby-sign class, Bella and I had spotted a farm shop in Rushwick called Roots, so that was our next stop. This was a real find. They had all the fruit and veg, meat and dairy as before, but they also had a freezer section with locally made ready meals, loose frozen veg and ready to bake frozen croissants, pain au chocolait and apple turnovers! They also had porridge oats. I still haven't found anywhere to buy breakfast cereal so this could be an alternative. I'll just have to allow more than 2 mins for breakfast!
The guy in this shop was really friendly, especially when we told him about our lenten observance, and he said they had a fishmonger coming tomorrow so we'll probably give that a go. He said that everything they sell is organic and most is locally produced. We could see the chickens that lay their eggs in the field behind the shop!
As well as all this local produce they also stock Ecover cleaning products, even offering to refill some products. I have a feeling we might be popping to Rushwick quite a lot! It's in easy cycling distance (Bella and I cycled there this morning for our class) so we can be even more eco-friendly if we really want!
The other thing we did today was plant some seeds for some home grown veggies. Probably only the lettuce and the cress will be ready in time to be part of this experiment, but it felt good to be laying foundations for a summer of super fresh veggies, and besides, Bella's been watching Mr Bloom's Nursery and he keeps telling us to get growing!
This morning, on the way to our baby-sign class, Bella and I had spotted a farm shop in Rushwick called Roots, so that was our next stop. This was a real find. They had all the fruit and veg, meat and dairy as before, but they also had a freezer section with locally made ready meals, loose frozen veg and ready to bake frozen croissants, pain au chocolait and apple turnovers! They also had porridge oats. I still haven't found anywhere to buy breakfast cereal so this could be an alternative. I'll just have to allow more than 2 mins for breakfast!
The guy in this shop was really friendly, especially when we told him about our lenten observance, and he said they had a fishmonger coming tomorrow so we'll probably give that a go. He said that everything they sell is organic and most is locally produced. We could see the chickens that lay their eggs in the field behind the shop!
As well as all this local produce they also stock Ecover cleaning products, even offering to refill some products. I have a feeling we might be popping to Rushwick quite a lot! It's in easy cycling distance (Bella and I cycled there this morning for our class) so we can be even more eco-friendly if we really want!
The other thing we did today was plant some seeds for some home grown veggies. Probably only the lettuce and the cress will be ready in time to be part of this experiment, but it felt good to be laying foundations for a summer of super fresh veggies, and besides, Bella's been watching Mr Bloom's Nursery and he keeps telling us to get growing!
Thursday 23 February 2012
Lent 2
Today Jim went food shopping in town. We were out of tea bags and, whilst we had planned to restock from the fair-trade stall at church on Sunday, the thought of 3 days without any tea was too much, so he started off by going to the corner shop. Jim had Bella with him and the shop keeper got talking to Bella. He ended up giving her a Kinder Surprise! It was slightly bashed so I think he wouldn't have been able to sell it; nonetheless, I doubt that would have happened in Tesco!
Jim then went into the town centre. We needed cheese so he went to the little cheese counter in the market hall. Here he had a little conversation with the cheesemonger who recommended two local cheeses, one actually from Worcestershire. These weren't actually more expensive than the Sainsbury's cheese we usually buy. He also went to Papson's, a little Italian deli, and got some orecchiette Pugliese.
At work I bought some creme caramel from that the catering students had made and we had this for desert (delicious!) Also one of my students has just become an Avon rep and I thought that's probably a good idea, rather than restocking my mascara from Sainsbury's.
Over our delicious dinner, Jim pointed out that in town it seems like there are more coffee shops than grocery stores, even if you include Marks and Spencer, the Co-op and the Chinese supermarket. So far so good!
Jim then went into the town centre. We needed cheese so he went to the little cheese counter in the market hall. Here he had a little conversation with the cheesemonger who recommended two local cheeses, one actually from Worcestershire. These weren't actually more expensive than the Sainsbury's cheese we usually buy. He also went to Papson's, a little Italian deli, and got some orecchiette Pugliese.
At work I bought some creme caramel from that the catering students had made and we had this for desert (delicious!) Also one of my students has just become an Avon rep and I thought that's probably a good idea, rather than restocking my mascara from Sainsbury's.
Over our delicious dinner, Jim pointed out that in town it seems like there are more coffee shops than grocery stores, even if you include Marks and Spencer, the Co-op and the Chinese supermarket. So far so good!
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Lent 1
Happy Ash Wednesday!
I'm feeling quite excited about our little experiment. We had a lovely Shrove Tuesday yesterday, and managed to do a 2 course meal of pancakes for 3 using only things we had in the cupboards anyway. All credit to the wonderful Jim for making it so! Bella did really well too and even ate scrambled egg!
We also decided not to do a massive shop yesterday and stock up on essentials. Even though lots of people have been suggesting this is the only way to get through, we felt it was sort of missing the point. It wouldn't really be giving up supermarkets would it!
In discussing our plan at work and with friends people are interested but no-one has offered to join us in our fast yet. Opinion is divided as to whether we will spend more or less money as a result.
Other discussions focus on what counts as a supermarket. Obviously the likes of Sainsbury's, Tesco and the Co-op are out, but what about Wilkinson's, Marks and Spencer or Poundland? Does Homebase count as part of Sainsbury's? You get Nectar points there. But then, if we can't frequent anywhere that offers Nectar points, does that mean I have to shun BP petrol stations too?
Mainly though, people seem to think it would be a nice idea but not really practical. We'll see!
I'm feeling quite excited about our little experiment. We had a lovely Shrove Tuesday yesterday, and managed to do a 2 course meal of pancakes for 3 using only things we had in the cupboards anyway. All credit to the wonderful Jim for making it so! Bella did really well too and even ate scrambled egg!
We also decided not to do a massive shop yesterday and stock up on essentials. Even though lots of people have been suggesting this is the only way to get through, we felt it was sort of missing the point. It wouldn't really be giving up supermarkets would it!
In discussing our plan at work and with friends people are interested but no-one has offered to join us in our fast yet. Opinion is divided as to whether we will spend more or less money as a result.
Other discussions focus on what counts as a supermarket. Obviously the likes of Sainsbury's, Tesco and the Co-op are out, but what about Wilkinson's, Marks and Spencer or Poundland? Does Homebase count as part of Sainsbury's? You get Nectar points there. But then, if we can't frequent anywhere that offers Nectar points, does that mean I have to shun BP petrol stations too?
Mainly though, people seem to think it would be a nice idea but not really practical. We'll see!
Monday 20 February 2012
Lent -2
So, after much discussion, the Willis family have decided to have a go at giving up supermarkets for Lent. I thought we'd better start off by saying where we are at right now, in terms of our supermarket addiction!
We have a lovely Sainsbury's about 10 minutes walk from us, but I have to admit that usually we go by car. We tend to visit 3-4 times a week. We don't really tend to do big shops, as that seems to lead to buying loads of things that then don't get used. Rather we wonder around the store with 2 or 3 things that we need to get and also pick up a few things that catch our eye. I am terrible for looking for the "reduced for quick sale" items because I'm convinced they're bargains. This quite often leads to buying things I would never usually want because they're a "good deal".
We also have a milkman. At the moment we get milk delivered 3 days a week, although they do offer more.
For about 4 months now we have been getting fortnightly deliveries of organic fruit and veg. This has definitely changed our eating habits, increasing our consumption and variety of fruit and veg.
We are omnivores but we generally try to source good quality meat. We try to buy local, free-range and sometimes organic meat. This is more expensive so we don't eat meat as often as we used to, but it is definitely a delicious treat. We have meat in our main meal about 3 times a week.
Locally (within 10 mins walk) we have 2 quality butchers, 2 bakers and a newsagent. There is a homewares/hardware store that sells some cleaning stuff, two chemists and a pound shop that has all kinds of random items. The local greengrocer closed down just before Christmas. We also have a non-supermarket petrol station that is only 2 mins drive away.
Our daughter is 15 months old but pretty much eats what we eat and we use washable nappies.
So, in summary, we have pretty much everything in place so I don't think it should be too hard. It makes me wonder why we end up in the Supermarket so often? What are we actually doing there when we don't need to be?
We're keeping this blog to see just how easy this is. Hopefully this will be a life affirming, local business supporting, carbon-footprint reducing, health improving lifestyle change. Watch this space!
We have a lovely Sainsbury's about 10 minutes walk from us, but I have to admit that usually we go by car. We tend to visit 3-4 times a week. We don't really tend to do big shops, as that seems to lead to buying loads of things that then don't get used. Rather we wonder around the store with 2 or 3 things that we need to get and also pick up a few things that catch our eye. I am terrible for looking for the "reduced for quick sale" items because I'm convinced they're bargains. This quite often leads to buying things I would never usually want because they're a "good deal".
We also have a milkman. At the moment we get milk delivered 3 days a week, although they do offer more.
For about 4 months now we have been getting fortnightly deliveries of organic fruit and veg. This has definitely changed our eating habits, increasing our consumption and variety of fruit and veg.
We are omnivores but we generally try to source good quality meat. We try to buy local, free-range and sometimes organic meat. This is more expensive so we don't eat meat as often as we used to, but it is definitely a delicious treat. We have meat in our main meal about 3 times a week.
Locally (within 10 mins walk) we have 2 quality butchers, 2 bakers and a newsagent. There is a homewares/hardware store that sells some cleaning stuff, two chemists and a pound shop that has all kinds of random items. The local greengrocer closed down just before Christmas. We also have a non-supermarket petrol station that is only 2 mins drive away.
Our daughter is 15 months old but pretty much eats what we eat and we use washable nappies.
So, in summary, we have pretty much everything in place so I don't think it should be too hard. It makes me wonder why we end up in the Supermarket so often? What are we actually doing there when we don't need to be?
We're keeping this blog to see just how easy this is. Hopefully this will be a life affirming, local business supporting, carbon-footprint reducing, health improving lifestyle change. Watch this space!
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