I stumbled across this amazing blog - The One Dollar Diet Project. Two perfectly sane adults, with reasonable incomes, decided to spend a month eating only $1 per day worth of food (each). It is absolutely fascinating to read about their experiences - they write thoughfully, honestly, about health, food, poverty, making do, and enjoying what you have.
I was thinking about this, because - my fridge is currently pretty darn empty, and I'm looking at it remaining that way for the next week or two. My lifestyle change of eating predominantly local food occurred at the same time (but not because of) as a drastic reduction of the amount of money flowing into my household. I learned the incredible value of a 25# bag of flour, the joy of bulk organic potatoes, how to barter for food, the excitement of free freezers and canning supplies found on craigslist and freecycle, re-discovered the fun and frugality of canning and freezing local vegetables, and the exquisite joy of an orchard producing bushels of fruit - free for the picking. And wildcrafting! Once you open your eyes to the natural world around you, you can't believe how much free, delicious food is available....simply for the taking. (And trust me when I tell you, my homemade pizza with sauteed wild nettles, ramps and morel mushrooms is simply out of this world).
Don't get me wrong. Given the choice, I will still splurge on food. I LOVE food! Imported cheeses, fine wines, great whiskey, and expensive fancy mushrooms make me swoon.
But...... I have also discovered the joy of peasant food, and how to concoct something delicious out of very very little. Have flour, water, maybe some eggs? Make noodles. Have milk too? Crepes! Pancakes! Have dried beans, rice, and a few spices...a myriad of ethnic-inspired dishes are at your fingertips, for pennies. Got veggies from the garden? Vats of healthy, delicious veggie soups await. I simply cannot fathom spending $6 for artisan bakery breads after having discovered the joys of Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes. Even using local organic flours, homemade is bread is ridiculously cheap and easy - not to mention fresh, healthy, and delicious. Roasted root veggies with a touch of olive oil, rosemary and sage, are sinfully sumptuous.
I don't know. I'm just rambling, but, really...it's all very interesting, isn't it?
I was thinking about this, because - my fridge is currently pretty darn empty, and I'm looking at it remaining that way for the next week or two. My lifestyle change of eating predominantly local food occurred at the same time (but not because of) as a drastic reduction of the amount of money flowing into my household. I learned the incredible value of a 25# bag of flour, the joy of bulk organic potatoes, how to barter for food, the excitement of free freezers and canning supplies found on craigslist and freecycle, re-discovered the fun and frugality of canning and freezing local vegetables, and the exquisite joy of an orchard producing bushels of fruit - free for the picking. And wildcrafting! Once you open your eyes to the natural world around you, you can't believe how much free, delicious food is available....simply for the taking. (And trust me when I tell you, my homemade pizza with sauteed wild nettles, ramps and morel mushrooms is simply out of this world).
Don't get me wrong. Given the choice, I will still splurge on food. I LOVE food! Imported cheeses, fine wines, great whiskey, and expensive fancy mushrooms make me swoon.
But...... I have also discovered the joy of peasant food, and how to concoct something delicious out of very very little. Have flour, water, maybe some eggs? Make noodles. Have milk too? Crepes! Pancakes! Have dried beans, rice, and a few spices...a myriad of ethnic-inspired dishes are at your fingertips, for pennies. Got veggies from the garden? Vats of healthy, delicious veggie soups await. I simply cannot fathom spending $6 for artisan bakery breads after having discovered the joys of Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes. Even using local organic flours, homemade is bread is ridiculously cheap and easy - not to mention fresh, healthy, and delicious. Roasted root veggies with a touch of olive oil, rosemary and sage, are sinfully sumptuous.
I don't know. I'm just rambling, but, really...it's all very interesting, isn't it?
posted by girlwithasword at
1:15 PM
3 Comments:
It is very interesting :) I love new ideas. I have gone back to making everything from scratch . I made homemade granola bars last night. Cost me pennies each and much better than store ones.
your pizza sounds out of this world. I did pick the dandelions I found in yard yesterday. Gonna sautee them up with onions and put on my baked tater tonight for dinner.
Yes it is amazing. I am young and have only been married for a year. I keep finding new ways to use what I have or make something myself from scratch instead of buying it for 10x the cost of making it. I still have lots to learn but the hunt for new ideas is almost as fun as actually trying them out.
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