~Make do and mend~
~Rationing~
~Frugal~
All terms that are derived predominantly from War time living. But, theirs is not the only generation that have had to cut back to get by. Many families know these hardships now, almost 79 years to the date of the first rationing (8th January 1940) when bacon, butter and sugar were rationed.
I was brought up in a very traditional rural household. We didn't have buckets of money, but we didn't need it .We made everything from scratch for our meals. We were lucky enough to have an orchard and several vegetable patches over the years. The summer months were an exciting time - how many strawberries would appear on the enormous strawberry patch? What colour would the beans be inside the broad bean pods. Would the cucumber plant actually break out of the greenhouse this week?
I am proud to say, that although by no means an expert, I have succeeded in providing my children with not too dissimilar memories. The excitement of the first courgette, runner bean picking and checking for tomatoes is an exciting shared pastime in our home come summer time.
I refuse to pay extortionate prices for something I am more than capable of growing. We are lucky enough that we do have the disposable income that generations before did not have, and some do not now. It feels extraordinarily wasteful to spend so frivolously.
Jack Monroe is a fabulous blogger and cookbook author who knows the financial struggles all too well. She has budgeted and cooked from scratch for herself and her little boy. Growing herbs on her windowsills and creating delicious meals, on just £10 a week.
As you know, I am hugely inspired by the frugality of war time living, cooking and homemaking. Jacks book is quite literally a Frugal homemakers dream. Healthy nutritious meals on a shoe string.
I highly recommend adding this book to your collection. It is a purchase you will not regret.
XxP&TxX
