For the first time in a few days I actually left work on time today and rushed home to do the invitations for my mum and dad’s 40th wedding anniversary next month.
All was going well until, I managed to break the punch I was using to create the border on the cards…. They only wanted 10, I’ve managed 9! How incredibly frustrating. I mean if it had broken after doing 2, that would have been bad, but after 9 – it just added insult to injury.
After a bit of a panicked phone call to my parents the crisis is averted as they will manage with only nine. Phew!! I’ll post a picture when I’ve finished them.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Monday, 18 August 2008
Tomatoes Update
Well, our first season of tomato growing has not been as bad as we had envisaged. The picture shows just one weeks worth! And we’ve not had to buy any for a few weeks now…. So, less expenditure, and those who read my previous post, you will be thrilled to hear – NO PLASTIC!
The Green Quest
Well, I’m on the “going greener” band wagon again.
I’ve been reading an article on the BBC website about one of their reporters who is trying to not buy any new plastic for an entire month. It means that she is trying to not buy anything that has plastic in it, around it or on it.
Its made exceptionally interesting reading, and its made me think. So much so, this weekend on our usual shopping trip (without the last antics of tantrums and parking worries) I tried, and failed rather spectacularly, to not buy plastic.
I think it’s a great thing that this person at the BBC is doing, and from other blogs and comments I’ve read can see the real benefits of not using plastic, but at the same time I think we have to be at least a little bit realistic.
For the vast majority of us who shop at the usual large supermarkets shopping without plastic is virtually impossible, as discovered by me at the weekend. We came away with just one thing that didn’t have some kind of plastic in its packaging – bananas. And I’m sure that if I really investigated the true origin of those it would involve plastic of one type or another at some stage in their growing and shipping life, not to mention the obvious food miles its taken to get them to the store.
It really is amazing to think that so much of what we consider perfectly normal and ordinary has a wrapping on it that is threatening to wrap our world.
I’ve been reading an article on the BBC website about one of their reporters who is trying to not buy any new plastic for an entire month. It means that she is trying to not buy anything that has plastic in it, around it or on it.
Its made exceptionally interesting reading, and its made me think. So much so, this weekend on our usual shopping trip (without the last antics of tantrums and parking worries) I tried, and failed rather spectacularly, to not buy plastic.
I think it’s a great thing that this person at the BBC is doing, and from other blogs and comments I’ve read can see the real benefits of not using plastic, but at the same time I think we have to be at least a little bit realistic.
For the vast majority of us who shop at the usual large supermarkets shopping without plastic is virtually impossible, as discovered by me at the weekend. We came away with just one thing that didn’t have some kind of plastic in its packaging – bananas. And I’m sure that if I really investigated the true origin of those it would involve plastic of one type or another at some stage in their growing and shipping life, not to mention the obvious food miles its taken to get them to the store.
It really is amazing to think that so much of what we consider perfectly normal and ordinary has a wrapping on it that is threatening to wrap our world.
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Growing Pains
Well, in our bid to be more environmentally friendly, and also to try and reduce the shopping bill, we’re growing our own veg. Not wanting to take on too much we’re only trying some simple salad type things – radishes, spring onions, tomatoes, chilli, peppers, and various herbs.
So, here are some pictures of how they’re coming on so far…. I don’t think we’re exactly going to feed the fivethousand here, but, for our first growing attempt, I don’t think we’re really doing too bad.
So, here are some pictures of how they’re coming on so far…. I don’t think we’re exactly going to feed the fivethousand here, but, for our first growing attempt, I don’t think we’re really doing too bad.
Saturday, 1 March 2008
Food for Thought
Well, following on from my last topic of Organic food v Supermarket food, I would like, I suppose, to have a bit of a rant about supermarket shopping generally.
Today, we tried to go shopping – for normal stuff, salad, bread etc. After categorically stating I would never go back to our local Tesco after last weeks chaos, we went to our less than local Tesco Extra store.
I suppose I should really explain what happened last weekend before continuing…. We got to Tesco, queued to get into the car park, managed to grab one of the last few trolleys that were left, and then proceeded to manoeuvre around the hoards of people that seemed to have descended on the store. At one point I got so frustrated by the whole experience I stood in the middle of isle blocked with people, trolleys and internet shopping staff and said “I hate this Tesco, I really, really hate it! I hate it soooo much, I swear to God I am NEVER coming back here!!” and I meant every word and hadn’t exactly said it quietly. There were a few raised eyebrows from other shoppers, although I did get one knowing nod from the lady who was squashed next to one of the shelves. Then as if to add an extra evil twist, we then had queue to get out of the car park.
Anyway, back to this week…. We got to Tesco Extra, and queued to get into the car park (again), drove around the car park not finding a parking space twice before leaving and feeling frustrated. Still needing shopping, we decided to try something completely different and go even further a filed and go to Morrisons. Got there, found a parking space relatively easily, and feeling hopeful entered the store. We were met by utter madness. People everywhere! And of course, now it becomes clear why the entire world was out shopping today, its Mothers Day tomorrow. The basket that we had picked up on the way in was quickly abandoned in an isle and we left hurriedly, and once again shopping-less and feeling frustrated.
Ok, so, “third time lucky” they say, we made our approach to supermarket number three – Sainsbury. So far it looked good, no queuing to get in, we found a parking space easily, even picked up a trolley without any problems. Then we entered the store…. For the first time in the past two weeks, shopping actually wasn’t the traumatic experience we were preparing ourselves for, it was fine! We came away with all the shopping we wanted with a minimum of fuss, but feeling relieved that we had actually finally achieved what we had set out about 2 hours earlier to do.
I guess, my question really is, why on earth is shopping like this. It shouldn’t be. Everyone has to do it, and we can now do this 7 days a week and quite often 24 hours a day. So why is it at the weekend, when everyone should be doing “fun” shopping in town for clothes etc. are they now going to Tesco, Asda and all the other big supermarkets. To me this really doesn’t make sense. Is it that society is getting greedier? or is that more people are working between Monday and Friday so the weekend is the only opportunity? Is it the fault of the supermarket or consumer? – Why? And when did this happen? It hasn’t always been like this.
I am perhaps over analysing this social hobbit a little too much, but the sheer frustration and annoyance we went though today is beginning to be a regular thing and am really beginning to understand the popularity of internet shopping (although that in itself poses questions – if more people are grocery shopping online, whey are they at supermarkets as well?).
Exploring a couple of these ideas, the supermarkets certainly don’t seem to help the whole shopping experience at times. Parking is obviously important, especially if the store is out of town, but is it absolutely necessary to cram cars in like sardines in a can? This I know isn’t solely restricted to supermarkets, as I recall recently getting into a parking space at a local shopping outlet and not being able to open the doors of our car wide enough to get out. It does seem that unless you have Smart car, its virtually impossible to park in a sensible sized parking space.
It also seems that as these stores get bigger and, obviously want to stock more products, the isles get smaller and smaller. I may as well also point out, whey do they put fruit and veg at the front of the store when all the heavy stuff is at the back – so, you put all your nice fresh soft and squashy fruit and veg in the bottom of the trolley and then pile in the bottles and frozen goods on top? Is this really practical?
Consumers play an equally big part in making grocery shopping quite unbearable. The bigger the trolley the ruder people seem to get! Is there any reason why people can’t just use the words “excuse me” when reaching for something you’re stood in front of? Or, equally say “sorry” when they ram you with their basket? And whilst on the subject of consumers, what on earth do people do with the quantities of things they buy? Admittedly, we have no children, and although are on a tight budget we can more or less not have to think too hard about how much we buy to put in the freezer. But it does astound me when I see people buy goods in the quantities they do – what do you do with 48 packets of crisps?
What worries me is that there used to be trends in shopping, Christmas, Easter, Public Holidays, would always increase supermarket popularity. Now every day is the same. It does seem to me that people and stores alike are getting greedier. Consumers with the goods they buy, and stores with the goods they sell and profits they make. Is there an end? Will things change with people being encouraged to ditch cars for a more eco-friendly mode of transport? Questions, I’m sure, that will get answered in time. I can only hope, however, that shopping in the future will not be the experience I am now finding it.
Today, we tried to go shopping – for normal stuff, salad, bread etc. After categorically stating I would never go back to our local Tesco after last weeks chaos, we went to our less than local Tesco Extra store.
I suppose I should really explain what happened last weekend before continuing…. We got to Tesco, queued to get into the car park, managed to grab one of the last few trolleys that were left, and then proceeded to manoeuvre around the hoards of people that seemed to have descended on the store. At one point I got so frustrated by the whole experience I stood in the middle of isle blocked with people, trolleys and internet shopping staff and said “I hate this Tesco, I really, really hate it! I hate it soooo much, I swear to God I am NEVER coming back here!!” and I meant every word and hadn’t exactly said it quietly. There were a few raised eyebrows from other shoppers, although I did get one knowing nod from the lady who was squashed next to one of the shelves. Then as if to add an extra evil twist, we then had queue to get out of the car park.
Anyway, back to this week…. We got to Tesco Extra, and queued to get into the car park (again), drove around the car park not finding a parking space twice before leaving and feeling frustrated. Still needing shopping, we decided to try something completely different and go even further a filed and go to Morrisons. Got there, found a parking space relatively easily, and feeling hopeful entered the store. We were met by utter madness. People everywhere! And of course, now it becomes clear why the entire world was out shopping today, its Mothers Day tomorrow. The basket that we had picked up on the way in was quickly abandoned in an isle and we left hurriedly, and once again shopping-less and feeling frustrated.
Ok, so, “third time lucky” they say, we made our approach to supermarket number three – Sainsbury. So far it looked good, no queuing to get in, we found a parking space easily, even picked up a trolley without any problems. Then we entered the store…. For the first time in the past two weeks, shopping actually wasn’t the traumatic experience we were preparing ourselves for, it was fine! We came away with all the shopping we wanted with a minimum of fuss, but feeling relieved that we had actually finally achieved what we had set out about 2 hours earlier to do.
I guess, my question really is, why on earth is shopping like this. It shouldn’t be. Everyone has to do it, and we can now do this 7 days a week and quite often 24 hours a day. So why is it at the weekend, when everyone should be doing “fun” shopping in town for clothes etc. are they now going to Tesco, Asda and all the other big supermarkets. To me this really doesn’t make sense. Is it that society is getting greedier? or is that more people are working between Monday and Friday so the weekend is the only opportunity? Is it the fault of the supermarket or consumer? – Why? And when did this happen? It hasn’t always been like this.
I am perhaps over analysing this social hobbit a little too much, but the sheer frustration and annoyance we went though today is beginning to be a regular thing and am really beginning to understand the popularity of internet shopping (although that in itself poses questions – if more people are grocery shopping online, whey are they at supermarkets as well?).
Exploring a couple of these ideas, the supermarkets certainly don’t seem to help the whole shopping experience at times. Parking is obviously important, especially if the store is out of town, but is it absolutely necessary to cram cars in like sardines in a can? This I know isn’t solely restricted to supermarkets, as I recall recently getting into a parking space at a local shopping outlet and not being able to open the doors of our car wide enough to get out. It does seem that unless you have Smart car, its virtually impossible to park in a sensible sized parking space.
It also seems that as these stores get bigger and, obviously want to stock more products, the isles get smaller and smaller. I may as well also point out, whey do they put fruit and veg at the front of the store when all the heavy stuff is at the back – so, you put all your nice fresh soft and squashy fruit and veg in the bottom of the trolley and then pile in the bottles and frozen goods on top? Is this really practical?
Consumers play an equally big part in making grocery shopping quite unbearable. The bigger the trolley the ruder people seem to get! Is there any reason why people can’t just use the words “excuse me” when reaching for something you’re stood in front of? Or, equally say “sorry” when they ram you with their basket? And whilst on the subject of consumers, what on earth do people do with the quantities of things they buy? Admittedly, we have no children, and although are on a tight budget we can more or less not have to think too hard about how much we buy to put in the freezer. But it does astound me when I see people buy goods in the quantities they do – what do you do with 48 packets of crisps?
What worries me is that there used to be trends in shopping, Christmas, Easter, Public Holidays, would always increase supermarket popularity. Now every day is the same. It does seem to me that people and stores alike are getting greedier. Consumers with the goods they buy, and stores with the goods they sell and profits they make. Is there an end? Will things change with people being encouraged to ditch cars for a more eco-friendly mode of transport? Questions, I’m sure, that will get answered in time. I can only hope, however, that shopping in the future will not be the experience I am now finding it.
Monday, 25 February 2008
Food Update
Well, we had our Venison last night and actually it was delicious. Not too dissimilar to beef really, but with a slightly different flavour. I did a garlic and mustard mash to go with it along with a pepper sauce (although that was a packet so I cheated a bit there). Its an expensive treat but I would recommend it!
Tonight we are having the garlic chicken – hmmm, I’m going to be popular in the office tomorrow with all this garlic LOL. We’re cooking it with a stirfry so hopefully they’ll go together ok.
Tonight we are having the garlic chicken – hmmm, I’m going to be popular in the office tomorrow with all this garlic LOL. We’re cooking it with a stirfry so hopefully they’ll go together ok.
Saturday, 23 February 2008
Organic V Supermarket
Ok, well, for my first entry into my blog in 2008, I thought I would start with something a bit different – Organic Produce.
Today we basically did the rounds where food shopping is concerned. We started at about 10am this morning with a farm shop selling a small selection of just about everything including a butcher and a fishmonger.
I must admit, that this was not the first farm shop we had been to and I if I’m honest, I think I prefer the other one. But, we did get a few things, chicken, and some salad bits. We got these amazing Spanish tomatoes (although I’m sure that isn’t good for “food miles”) which were absolutely fantastic. The chicken we’ve not sampled yet, but its currently stinking out our fridge with garlic as it had been marinated.
We then went on to an organic butcher, and I have to say their meat looked amazing – I don’t think I’ve ever seen beef like it! We spent quite a lot of money there on not very much frankly. Having said that it was probably our own fault as we bought some venison – God only knows what I’m going to do with it mind you. I’ll keep you all informed!!
Next on the shopping agenda was Tesco and then finally Sainsbury, although Sainsbury was only because we forgot something at Tesco.
It was surprising when comparing what we had bought at the farms to what was in the supermarkets. There was in most cases a complete difference in price, but when we had the salad for tea tonight it was quite clear that the supermarket salad did not have as much flavour as the organic equivalent – I noticed this particularly with the peppers.
Well, I’ll write again tomorrow when we’ve had the venison – wish me luck! Ha ha ha .
Today we basically did the rounds where food shopping is concerned. We started at about 10am this morning with a farm shop selling a small selection of just about everything including a butcher and a fishmonger.
I must admit, that this was not the first farm shop we had been to and I if I’m honest, I think I prefer the other one. But, we did get a few things, chicken, and some salad bits. We got these amazing Spanish tomatoes (although I’m sure that isn’t good for “food miles”) which were absolutely fantastic. The chicken we’ve not sampled yet, but its currently stinking out our fridge with garlic as it had been marinated.
We then went on to an organic butcher, and I have to say their meat looked amazing – I don’t think I’ve ever seen beef like it! We spent quite a lot of money there on not very much frankly. Having said that it was probably our own fault as we bought some venison – God only knows what I’m going to do with it mind you. I’ll keep you all informed!!
Next on the shopping agenda was Tesco and then finally Sainsbury, although Sainsbury was only because we forgot something at Tesco.
It was surprising when comparing what we had bought at the farms to what was in the supermarkets. There was in most cases a complete difference in price, but when we had the salad for tea tonight it was quite clear that the supermarket salad did not have as much flavour as the organic equivalent – I noticed this particularly with the peppers.
Well, I’ll write again tomorrow when we’ve had the venison – wish me luck! Ha ha ha .
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