The old ways....

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Ok, this pertains to food so go get a bib or a towel to place crost ya'll's chests if you need to....But its not All about food..:}
So many folks are having to return to some of the "Old Ways" as a means to take care of their families, and I for one think its a very cool thing.

A bit ago I just gave a young lady some fresh potatoes out of my garden. She was amazed, she had never seen potatoes being grown in an old tire, and had never had very fresh veggies before. I dug up a couple, and showed Her how to do so. She was delighted, even though her "OMG I'm going to get my hands dirty and icky" syndrome set in...lol. And I showed her how to cook the fresh "Taters" too. Actually it was taters, 2 kinds of bell peppers, and onions cooked slow in a tiny bit of butter. She had never had fresh taters cooked in a cast iron skillet and I thought their eyes were going to roll in their heads from "Mouth-gasms" LOL.


She and her family have set upon some hard times, like many in your society right now, so I have been teaching her, and her husband different ways to do things and how to make a squeeky-tight budget stretch just a little bit. Hal, her husband, has been a "Desk Jocky" all of his life and had never really done much manual labor before. When his company folded unexpectedly, he had to do something to make ends meat,(pun intended) and put food on the table. The lady across the street told him she'd pay him 50 bucks to trim back a huge Lilac Bush that was blocking her bay window. Even tho he had never done such a thing, he did it. Not only did she give him 50 buck for the hours' job, she made a dinner for he and his wife. It humbled him and made him feel bad at the same time. He now does landscaping, started his own business and actually enjoys working in the outdoors.
I have been teaching his young wife how to cook "Old fashioned" meals to help stretch the food budget. And, she got a job cleaning a couple of houses here in the area. She's learning about fresh veggies from the Farmer's Markets, and we've been having fun canning and freezing foods already, for the upcoming winter.

Hal went fishing this last weekend, and caught his first good sized Salmon. Its big enough to where we fileted the darn thing, and got it freezer wrapped for future use. Alot of people now days have never had to grow their own food, or fished for it, or even go hunting for it, but more and more Are. Many are learning how to go to the various farms and "U pick it" types of places to harvest their own food stuffs, and are cooking more at home, rather than heading for the first fast food place you see. People are heading for Swap Meets to find gently used items such as beautifully made quilts and blankets, and more people are buying in bulk at Meat Markets nowdays. This little gal that I'm teaching has borrowed almost all of my ancient Betty Crocker cook books, and has been trying her hand at making bread and other goodies. And, she's learning what to pick, and cook, out of my garden. She makes a mean chickie n dumplins from my recipe...LMAO

So are reverting back to the old ways really all that bad? So we take a few steps back in time, so what? Alot of it may be better and healthier anyway. People are chopping their own wood nowdays, learning how to make rather than buy so many clothes, and are picking up more bicycles than driving. Many are learning how to provide for their families like never before and are the better for it.
Is it so bad? Tell me if this is something you could do.
Cat, off to make some home made noodles for the beef and noodles for my dinner tonight....;)

[DuckiesDarling]

Actually, I do a lot of that now. Learned growing up from my parents, the garden sucked this year though. Too much rain and then when the weather cleared and it could be worked dad came down with double pneumonia and everytime me and mom went out to garden he would insist on trying to help. We finally gave up. So mom has been buying green beans and tomatoes from road side farmers, ears of corn and some beets. We've been canning and even though I hate canned tomatoes they love em. I get my share of jars of green beans and beets and bags of corn to freeze and it really helps with the economy right now.

Times have been tight enough I've made a gravy for the dog and added in a few food scraps so he could eat when I couldn't afford the dog food or hadn't been able to get to town to get some.

I've long made my own biscuits and pancakes but even though I have seen noodles prepared I have not yet made my own pasta.

The tire and things are great for areas where there isn't room for a full on garden. I'm lucky, I live where we have quite a patch for producing food for winter fare.

[gfofbiguy]

Any hints for apartment dwellers that live in the desert? :( I would love to have my own garden, but can't due to living in an apartment. I do grow herbs in my window-boxes, but anything else is difficult. And the farmer's markets are not the greatest here....

[BiCycler]

One of the hottest people I know grows so much food she can't possibly eat it herself. She is always sharing her garden. (One year she grew only purple flowers in her flower beds, just for me. I love her very much). We have community gardens all over the place. Some where people keep their own plots and get help from other community members and others where the growing and harvest is shared. We also have a food recovery society here that calls on homeowners to allow their fruit trees etc to be picked for distribution to needy people. If a home owner isn't interested or otherwise does not want to harvest from their yard, they can donate and don't have to lift a finger to do so.

Your questions:

So are reverting back to the old ways really all that bad? Is it so bad?
Of course not. I have been experiencing a steady simpliifcation of my life for about ten years or so. A lot of that simplification is accomplished by 'reverting back to the old ways'. I cook more at home now. I cook meals that are more like two for ones and put half away for another day.

Tell me if this is something you could do.
Well, I'm getting there. I haven't owned a car in more than nine years. (Yes I have a license and can afford a car). I cycle everywhere I go. I try to eat whole foods or at least minimally tampered foods. Cooking I've mentioned. Thrift stores are my favourites for clothes for two reasons. They're as cheap as sh*t and I really like the idea that a piece of clothing and it's materials is being used and not discarded. Before you grimace and imagine a walk through my closet to see the horrors I have hanging there, let me say I am selective about what I buy too. I am slowly reducing my footprint on the planet. It's a learning process that for me started when I wanted to get off the world for a while so I could take a break. So, yes, I think it's something I could do.

[DuckiesDarling]

Any hints for apartment dwellers that live in the desert? :( I would love to have my own garden, but can't due to living in an apartment. I do grow herbs in my window-boxes, but anything else is difficult. And the farmer's markets are not the greatest here....

https://www.topsyturvy.com/3/?

[12voltman59]

I actually think that in many ways--its a "good thing" that people are having to go back to old ways of doing things. In recent years I have been doing more and more of my own gardening--I have done some limited "jarring" as opposed to canning--but I want to do more of that--I have been using an old huge stock pot to do that and have had good luck in what I have done--mostly making jellies, jams and salsa.

I know that the new rules put out by the USDA suggest that to be totally safe when doing this sort of thing--you should actually use a pressure cooker. I think I am going to get one--not far from my lake place is a community of Amish and they have this great little store run by a member of their community that has all kinds of things for cooking, canning etc. and I have taken some of their advise in doing what I have to date.

I really want to get more into doing my own raising of veggies and fruits--I am even considering finding a place out in the country so I can raise some chickens for fresh eggs and fresh birds--maybe at some point raise a pig or two along with having some lambs and a few cows--that is way on down the line I think though----just a goal to shoot for---

I think its great that ya helped them Cat--people need to do more of that.

We need to get back to raising our own stuff when we can---it is better for our health and also it does save energy---these days--I really only want to buy produce and fruit that cannot be raised in my area either due to weather or climate--but if I can raise it myself or buy it at one of the many stands and farmers markets we have in this area.

[gfofbiguy]

https://www.topsyturvy.com/3/?

Ahh, yes, but a neighbor tried that and both with tomatoes and with peppers, and it didn't work out too well - gets too hot here (115-degrees in the summertime). I actually had been thinking about it myself, but waited to see how theirs worked ........ ahh, well, will keep on with my herbs :)

[Realist]

Those who survived the Great Depression, were good at raising their own food, canning, smoking meat, etc, etc. They ate things that we'd sneer at, today. Just recently, an old man from Louisiana told me that wharf rats, nutria, and bull frogs were "right tasty", when simmered in gravy and served over biscuits!

Here in Florida, during the depression, they killed the gators and Key deer nearly to extinction. Ducks, quail, squirrels and rabbits were getting scarce, too. Weeds, like lamb's quarters, dandelion and even stinging nettles can be eaten and are nutritious. Cabbage palm is excellent and can be cooked just like regular cabbage.

Both my grandparents and parents raised cows, chickens, guineas, pigs, had gardens, and rarely purchased "store-bought" food. When I came along, I couldn't be bothered with all of the work and effort it took to raise my own food and I've never been serious about it. You have to have a lot of fertilizer and water, down here, to raise decent vegetables, because the sand's no place to raise really tasty crops...other than oranges and grapefruit. The food I've eaten in Kentucky and Pennsylvania always tasted better to me.

But, you're right, Cat, and it's wonderful that you're teaching others. We've lost a lot of folks, who knew how to live well on just a little. And if people like you don't share what you know, no one will have a hint how to survive when things get worse.

They ARE going to get worse, too!

[julbug]

This is our first year for a garden. Not much of a bounty yet, but we are hopeful on the tomatoes, peppers, melons and corn. Our kids are having a great time with it and we are talking about doubling the size of it next year. If we get a good harvest I would like to share, or can, although I've never done it, I have watched my step-grandmother do it a long time ago. I also go to a farm stand for fresh eggs and they may be carrying milk and cheeses soon! Can't wait.

I think its a good thing to take a step back to where our foods are fresh and not full of hormones and chemicals. I try to do as much as I can with fresh produce and foods, haven't tried making pasta yet.

[citystyleguy]

beautiful posting, cat!

i find these expressions of '...the old way's...' kind of funny; i'm not that damn old, yet my moms always prepared foods '...straight from the ground...'; a city girl born on a farm, her own mother prepared everything from what was grown, whether plant or animal, nothing came from a food company. except for sugar, coffee, and maybe a couple of other odd things, everything was produced on the farm.

taking off from the farm as fast as she could move, moms took it all with her; what she didnt grow, she got from the neighbors, and soon set up a fruit and vegetable exchange. this also included flowers as well; unless it was for a funeral or a wedding, i dont think she ever bought a flower from a florist.

every meal we had, from earliest memories, to when she no longer had the strength, our meals came prepared from the basics. if she shopped stores, it was for those ingredients that could never otherwise be made by her; thus we drove all over the metropolitan area once a month in search of indian spices for curries, the different asian communites for hot peppers, other spices, as well as for items from the butcher, baker, and the green grocer, old european markets for sausage, cheeses, other spices and herbs.

my friends, gf's, and ultimatly my wife, where entranced with what she could do with a few fresh ingredients. hell, until i was in university, i had never been inside a mcd's, taco bell, etc.; even now, i cook things in the same way, it is my way of relaxing, connecting with those that i have lost; i cook so damn much i have to drag the stuff to work, so much so, that my admin asst has given up cooking for the hubby, just grazes my almost daily menu i take into the workplace.

so keep up on the lessons, those learning from you will cherish you for generations to come! as always my beautiful cat, loves from the city! :cool:

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

lol As I fly into LAX next month, I'll throw a kiss your way, City-honey...lol
Cat

[Gay2Bi]

For the past couple of years I've been growing an ever-expanding garden. It started as a few tomatoes and bell peppers, and then my brother expressed interest in learning to grow food, so it took off from there. My motivation was that I could see something bad coming our way in terms of the economy, but I didn't know what it would be, so I wanted to be prepared for lean times. As it stands, I've been unemployed for over 18 months now, so the garden is definitely helping.

What I am growing? What ain't I growing? :) I've got four raised beds my brother and I built, plus a bunch of containers. So, here goes:

In the beds, I've got: yellow squash, cucumbers, dill, zucchini, black beans, beets (now harvested), red cabbage, green cabbage (if the seeds ever sprout), kale (ditto), heirloom Brandywine tomatoes, red and yellow bell peppers, multi-colored bell peppers (one's purple, the other two plants haven't ripened yet so the colors will be a surprise), onions, garlic, Swiss chard, basil (going to seed), lettuce (going to seed, but planting a second crop when it cools off), flat parsley, carrots, Brussels sprouts, broccoli (never sprouted, can't replant because the tomatoes invaded the space), sweet corn, green beans (haven't gotten any yet - too hot for them, apparently), Long Island Cheese (the best squash for pumpkin pie), spinach (harvested, but planting a second crop in the fall), peas (ditto), sweet potatoes, quinoa (hasn't sprouted, trying again), and amaranth (ditto).

In my containers, I've got mustard (ready to harvest), okra (starting to harvest, ready to make gumbo!), strawberries, celery, big beef tomatoes, watermelon (in a container, but the vines send out roots into the ground), rosemary, lavendar, oregano (died of heat shock, replanted), sage (ditto), thyme (ditto), and chives.

Whew! I also have a plum tree (first season for fruit and got tons of it), a catawba grape vine (lost my whole crop to a fungus last year, but this year it's under control), and an elderberry shrub. I also have some Native American herbs: bayberry, bee balm, juniper berry, and wild ginger; I'm looking to add a spice bush next year if I can find one.

My four beds total about 78 square feet (3 @ 6'x3' and 1 @ 8'x3'), and the containers sit on the back deck (except for the watermelon, which is hanging in the yard). I do crop rotation among the beds and succession planting within them. Everything, of course, is organic. It's amazing how much food you can get out of such a small space!

[Kiowa_Pacer]

OMG Mama. You're just wicked mean. This woman makes the most Marvelous natural foods I have ever tasted, and its mainly from her gardens or is just old fashioned cooking. She has taught me several things, and has actually got Ki to eating healthy again.

My daughter has a stomach disorder, and has developed a yearning for the kale(sp) that Cat grows. She cannot seem to get enough of it, and will pig out on it if we dont watch her. She cannot digest normal things, and we have had her to many specialists over her young life. She eats holistic, natural cooking and hasn't one bit of difficulty. So I have turned to a natural cook for advise many times.

I cannot tell you why that the natural stuff works where the 'medical' stuff does not, but it does, and if it makes one feel better, then God speed.

My suggestion to anyone here in the state: Go congregate at Mama's house if you want a good, wholesome, home cooked meal!

Kit

[rissababynta]

Lately, I've been making my own pasta because it is much cheaper. We garden when possible too. We also don't waste our money on small bags of frozen side stuff. If we want hash browns with breakfast or french fries with lunch, we whip out our potatoes and do it ourselves...tastes better and saves a bit of money in the long run. But heck, we've been doing all those little things for a long time now anyway. Just wish we had more time to be able to fish or something...that would be great.

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Oh Thanks Kit, just send everybouddy ta my house! lol I could just See me and Miss Belle in that tiny kitchen of mine. Talk about some good eats comin outta there...lol
Laughing Cat

[Long Duck Dong]

hugs cat..... I love the old ways......

currently we lack for a garden area tho that may change soon....

I have a fond love of home cooking, and fresh vegetables, the smell of home baked bread from a wood stove, fresh milk from the cow, lol... there is something about home grown and cooked food that fills the heart as well as the stomach

that is what I really miss now.... the communal spirit and warmth of a small community, chairs around the kitchen table. hot pot of coffee and hot scones from the oven.... and visitors calling in, dropping off and taking away different things......

I used to do hunting and we could always trade for fresh vegetables and fish and fresh eggs.... and there was always a full pot and a full belly to be had by all......

sighs..... damn modern life lol

[**Peg**]

Any hints for apartment dwellers that live in the desert? ....

hi gf... take a look at this: http://www.windowfarms.org/

[Falling Leaves]

We too, use everything given to us. Unfortunately our soil here is not garden friendly without much work and we did not get there this year. Next year for sure.

Our fruit trees are bearing, I have just made crabapple jelly and will make something out of the mulberry's as they are almost ready. The peach tree is young so not sure of the fruit it will give us.

Where I work I feel very fortunate that community garden members bring in boxes of free produce. I freeze or cook whatever I can, zucchini for bread in the winter, squash into casseroles, tomatoes and jalapenos into salsa. I have made noodles before from scratch and nothing store bought tastes as good. I am researching how to "can" vegetables but have not done so yet.

We share with neighbors as they do with us. The old barter system is good, you don't always need money, exchange what you have and both will benefit. And some community gardens around here will let you come pick what you want for free. So we take what nature gives us and try to use it wisely.

[Falling Leaves]

I wanted to add that I do envy you herb gardeners, I don't have the touch for that somehow. I did however find a nice place in Colorado to order dried herbs online, very inexpensive, good quality and quantity for a low price.

I dearly miss my dehydrater though, it bit the dust last fall and have yet been able to afford to replace it. Nothing like getting good meals from something that can be saved in the summer and used in the winer.

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Absolutely right, Falling :}
I love the barter system. It's worked for thousands of years, why change it now? lol Love wandering thru Farmer's Markets and Pea Patches where you take/dig/pick what you need. Places like Community Co-ops are great for beans, barleys and rices, too. And I love swap meets that have fruits and veggies from the local farmers. Good stuff Maynard. lol
Cat