tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post3633798538588697159..comments2024-03-29T21:11:37.724+10:00Comments on down to earth: The marketing of convenienceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55784896263510217282013-05-26T03:36:56.047+10:002013-05-26T03:36:56.047+10:00yes, yes, yes. As always, it is so encouraging to...yes, yes, yes. As always, it is so encouraging to visit your blog. And I love seeing pictures of your linens...it reminds me of my grandmother who is 1000+ miles from me. <br /><br />~Katie<br />www.simplefoody.org Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17313676895153652855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3243389872438140432013-05-22T22:14:28.559+10:002013-05-22T22:14:28.559+10:00Well, I do go for the convenience occasionally... ...Well, I do go for the convenience occasionally... sometimes out of laziness, sometimes because it's good convenience.<br />I tend to make my own breadbuns when at school, but when at home, there's no need to, because our local corner-of-the-street shop carries bread from the local bakery and that's sourdough. And sourdough bread, local bakeries and corner-of-the-street shops are three things that I really want in my life.Hana - Marmotahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03532515160608083460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74670478518300099652013-05-19T11:41:44.433+10:002013-05-19T11:41:44.433+10:00AMEN.
(I assume sooky-lala is some kind of bad na...AMEN.<br /><br />(I assume sooky-lala is some kind of bad name for a sissy....?)Margohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16345165456341197559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91958725125945028252013-05-17T05:49:41.358+10:002013-05-17T05:49:41.358+10:00Wow Rhonda! You are so good with words! You have e...Wow Rhonda! You are so good with words! You have expressed so well the way the marketing companies prey on our weaknesses. I will be reading this to Belle (10 years old) because we went to a shopping centre recently and were astounded at the obvious marketing ploys we saw *everywhere*! This post clearly expresses some of the things we discussed on that shopping trip. Thank you.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10975556587020883049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42632456205461648542013-05-16T18:44:38.045+10:002013-05-16T18:44:38.045+10:00I love this post! I go to knitting and crochet cla...I love this post! I go to knitting and crochet classes each week for a paltry sum of only $5 per class from my local wool shop. I had to smile when I read a comment above about dropping stitches and having to undo. I've been there many time too. I'm now at a point where I can knit quite well now. I intend on knitting all my husband's and my clothes. I figure I will have a nice basic little wardrobe for us both the year after next. I'm happy to take the time to do these labours of love. I have begun to look in shops at the (lack of) quality of the knitting and wool used - yet we pay top dollar for these clothes! <br />Along with knitting and crochet I have a goal to spin my own wool and use natural dyes in the future as well. I<br />My journey began years ago now when I started a raised garden bed. I then had to learn to preserve my precious haul. That started me on the path of preserving and jam and sauce making. I tried knitting at that stage but didn't have the patience for it. Now I do have the patience and I did persevere. Now I love knitting our clothes and crocheting! <br />I also agree that the big supermarkets use fear to turn people off making their our stuff! We are so paranoid of germs and cleanliness! Convenience does win out most of the time, unfortunately. How many times I have the comment of "why make when you can buy so cheap". But a lot of what you buy is cheap and nasty anyhow. The clothes I knit I know will last the test of time - and they will be what we want in the colours we want. <br />We don't own our own home - and may never have the means for that, but we are allowed to have a raised garden bed here and we use it! We grow whatever we can with the room we have. I do deals with the local fruit shops too. <br />The one thing I do find interesting and at times difficult, is the amount of skill it takes to be self sufficient! The internet is such a good source of knowledge! I have learned heaps from YouTube! There are times when I need something and find myself asking if I can make it myself. My skills have grown over the years and so has my confidence! <br />I love this blog and log on regularly! It's wonderful to have the support of others when you decide on a lifestyle that is different to most of those around you! It's also nice to have the admiration of others when you produce something amazing!<br />My husband and I live on the disability pension and living more simply helps us to be frugal. Dayamitranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50781987730820682742013-05-16T06:48:29.097+10:002013-05-16T06:48:29.097+10:00Oh, awesome post...I've had so many of these t...Oh, awesome post...I've had so many of these thoughts! It seems there is a real tendency to favor convenience at all costs. I used to buy into it, but have never been happier and more fulfilled as when I gain the skill and confidence to do it myself! BLD in MThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08497511995276601468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34658267245260729802013-05-16T06:22:43.158+10:002013-05-16T06:22:43.158+10:00Realistically Supermarkets are here to stay becaus...Realistically Supermarkets are here to stay because we will all need to buy produce from them. Now how much we let them influence us is totally up to us. There will not be a knock at the door from the 'food police' to chastise or admonish you if you buy something extra at the supermarket one week. There will not be a knock at the door from the 'food police' wondering why you have not spent 'X' amount of dollars this week either. You are you and I am me and we do NOT need big business like big business needs us because without us eventually the companies could cease to exist. We have all been witness to so many companies which have 'gone into receivership' so never underestimate the power of the people.<br />Do NOT let big businesses rule the way you want to do things. Never forget without us little people there would not be any big businesses.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758926343154376267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-48906082537087588442013-05-16T04:28:13.338+10:002013-05-16T04:28:13.338+10:00Dear Rhonda,
Please reconsider writing about why i...Dear Rhonda,<br />Please reconsider writing about why it's a good thing to remain skilled and be self-reliant. Your writing is inspirational and encouraging, beautifully and sincerely expressed, and I think having a post --both practical and philosophical-- explaining the need, benefit, etc. of skills and self-reliance would be a wonderful and much-needed post, one that we could all refer to when we need someone there cheering us on and helping to restore confidence and resolve. <br />As always, many thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience.<br />Helen in the USAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18445557157018623492013-05-16T03:31:27.198+10:002013-05-16T03:31:27.198+10:00I agree, life is ever-changing and often we find o...I agree, life is ever-changing and often we find ourselves in a situation we'd rather not be in, but have to work with nevertheless. It seems to me you're doing that extremely well, doing what you can do and just getting on with it. I hope those 3,237 days fly by, Katie. :- )rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34120092934121694192013-05-16T02:38:35.898+10:002013-05-16T02:38:35.898+10:00I've been following your blog for quite a whil...I've been following your blog for quite a while now and I find comfort and hope from reading both your comments and those of your readers. We each have to make the decision for ourselves to do the things we can for our families. <br /><br />My husband is disabled, so my dreams of staying home and taking care of our family have been put aside so that I can be the breadwinner. Certainly not what I had planned, but that's what has to be done. I work long, hard hours. And I have bowed to convenience once in a while; however, some things I do take the time to do. I quilt & embroider. I make my own soap and laundry detergent. I grow a small vegetable garden - my children are grown and gone now, so our needs are less. The things I can't grow I pick at a pick-your-own farm. I can some vegetables, tomato sauce and all my jams & jellies. And I have paid down a significant portion of our mortgage. When I retire in 3,237 days (not that I'm counting!) we will be debt free and able to have the freedom to make the choices we want for our 'golden years'. <br /><br />I applaud your efforts to bring homemaking skills to all. So many of the things I learned from my mother & grandmother are skills that many have forgotten. But I have been taught my children and am teaching my grandchildren the value of a dollar and hard work. I feel there is hope for future generations. katiemedarlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17586227244750342166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13334899079326549532013-05-15T22:30:20.974+10:002013-05-15T22:30:20.974+10:00I agree...especially in the food industry. Over th...I agree...especially in the food industry. Over the years, I have watched the frozen food section change from vegetables, juices and ice cream to convenience dinners of every variety. I wish I had taken photos of the before and after freezer cases since they began changing.<br /><br />But, I believe the change has come about because most adults these days work such long hours and have little time for meal preparation. With children that do sports, then need help with homework, getting home at 6:00 PM tired and hungry, doesn't leave anyone time to prepare a proper dinner. I am not advocating this lifestyle. I just believe it is the norm for so many parents and single adults in our world today.<br /><br />Your advice is an oasis in a hurry up world.Jingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07357961722537445285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11017182917187776232013-05-15T22:09:57.719+10:002013-05-15T22:09:57.719+10:00A topic near and dear to my heart Rhonda. I can&#...A topic near and dear to my heart Rhonda. I can't cast stones, as a young woman with small children I did as I was expected and bought into the convenience food-in-a-box mindset. When my children were teenagers I began making my own food to the greatest degree possible. Now that my children are grown I make our soap, yogurt, spice mixes, dinner, desserts, etc. from scratch. I have a pumpkin granola recipe that I now use to shun boxed cereals - and it's absolutely delicious. Maybe each family has needs at different times, I'm just glad I finally reached this place in my life and wish I had gotten here sooner!<br /><br />~Taylor-Made Ranch~<br />Wolfe City, TexasTexas Homesteaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04875287623361173707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-58532597678322069432013-05-15T17:47:09.807+10:002013-05-15T17:47:09.807+10:00Bravo! It's wonderful that you are encouragin...Bravo! It's wonderful that you are encouraging your kids to be practical and self-sufficient. My 23 year old daughter is always amazed at how many of her peers are unable to cook from scratch or make things for themselves. (not in an arrogant way, just genuine surprise) What better legacy could you hand down to the next generation than this? Fab! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-48863926175753716532013-05-15T17:43:39.407+10:002013-05-15T17:43:39.407+10:00I loved this post Rhonda, and like you, I gleaned ...I loved this post Rhonda, and like you, I gleaned a lot from yesterday's comments too. Thank you for always reminding me about what matters. I feel as if I have been a bit lazy lately with regards to homemade cleaning products, and other things I used to do. I bought into convenience when I was ill with a virus and have gotten out of the habit of things a bit. Today I have renewed enthusiasm and will be taking a long, hard look at how I've been doing things around here. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things again. I'm so glad your blog is here as an inspiration and resource for us all. Big hugs to you Rhonda! :) xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31753923042566192332013-05-15T14:31:32.304+10:002013-05-15T14:31:32.304+10:00Great post yet again Rhonda. All that commercialis...Great post yet again Rhonda. All that commercialism and advertising, remember folks, it's not your health or anything else they're interested in, they're just out to get your money, full stop. Sue Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16463317651625459406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55639225536218307792013-05-15T13:15:30.648+10:002013-05-15T13:15:30.648+10:00This is so true Rhonda. I am learning to knit - a...This is so true Rhonda. I am learning to knit - and it is frustrating. A simple handknit for myself. Thus far I have found an errata in the pattern - admittedly listed on the ravelry page, but I didn't notice it until I was casting off the sleeves and realised there were not enough stitches. Had a cheap needle from Spotlight break and lose a chunk of knitting. Then I dropped a stitch and the only way I could remedy it was to unpick, then drop more stitches in so doing! Now I have knit on but find I have a small hole. My husband said, 'maybe you just have to realise this is your first effort and it is not going to be perfect". Too true. Practice makes perfect. <br /><br />That said, it does make me realise how 'cheap' store boughts are. I don't think they reflect the labour that goes into them at all. The Provincial Homemakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09595525404908754875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9134112885651659682013-05-15T12:49:28.784+10:002013-05-15T12:49:28.784+10:00Standing up and cheering for you Rhonda. You are s...Standing up and cheering for you Rhonda. You are spot on with this post. <br /><br />I did the shopping yesterday and it finally hit me how much I resent spending our hard earned dollars on supermarket food. I especially loathe how high priced, over packaged and chemical laden foods are the ones that are pushed on consumers who seem to not care and just believe the hype that comes with them. I have been watching what I spent my grocery money on and have always made as much food from scratch as I can but I still have to buy some products and it's those that really get me. Yes the veg garden is growing but we are a long way from self sufficiency there. Hopefully in a few years that will have changed. Today DD2 and I made up marinades from scratch for the chicken wings I had bought and a loaf of raisin bread is about to go into the oven. Thankfully she is one child who is embracing the "make it yourself and make do" revolution.<br /><br />As for the not giving up and keep on trying. I have been gently pushing that message with my youngest son of late. He lacks the confidence (mainly he tells me cause Dad is so good at making things) to try things for himself. I get the "but I'm useless" comment lots. Not so!! My son is a chip of the old block so to speak and incredibly creative and handy for a 13 year old. I keep telling him it's just practice and if you stuff it up then try again. He has been helping me lots in the garden and has designed the best watering system made out of what he could find. Slowly but surely his confidence is growing and he is getting really interested in Permaculture and we are designing our food forests and choosing which fruit trees to plant together. We have also had lots of talks about how the computer only uses a bit of your brain, but practical skills use lots and that those are the skills that will make him a self sufficient and highly regarded young man. Slowly but surely the message is getting though. <br /><br />If a 13 year old can try new things then surely as adults we have the courage to do the same?Calidorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07118238727781108509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43168872159612567362013-05-15T12:32:32.397+10:002013-05-15T12:32:32.397+10:00Your posts reaffirm to me that these life skills a...Your posts reaffirm to me that these life skills are indeed so important even when convenience is so close. For me the knowledge that I'm giving our children an insight into these forgotten skills is satisfaction enough to keep up the effort. Thanks for your posts Rhonda x Nicole.IAmInLoveWithMyFamilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16257882600051379665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76362761378004217682013-05-15T12:00:46.475+10:002013-05-15T12:00:46.475+10:00I was out all yesterday, but I wish I had seen tha...I was out all yesterday, but I wish I had seen that post when my eldest was small! I did the bottled foods thing from 6-12 months, and ended up with a fussy eater that at nearly 7 is finally willing to try new things. Our second bub HATED baby food and refused to be spoonfed, so she had small bits of what we were having. She's still a little picky, but she is willing to eat pretty much anything. This time around, we'll be doing the same as we did with the second, because it seems to work the best and it is so much easier! Less time spent shopping, no checking the ingredients list for colours/preservatives, no separately prepared meals, etc.Mishihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03618556202180054642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75332382545050786362013-05-15T11:56:36.076+10:002013-05-15T11:56:36.076+10:00Hi Kerry, thank you. I love the Scenic Rim. Shane ...Hi Kerry, thank you. I love the Scenic Rim. Shane and Sarndra used to live out there before Alex was born. It sounds like you're living a great life out there. All the best.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-58827212814274880062013-05-15T11:40:19.904+10:002013-05-15T11:40:19.904+10:00Dear Rhonda,
Can I say I love you're blog! Ido...Dear Rhonda,<br />Can I say I love you're blog! Ido as much as I can on all fronts.<br />We live on 3 1/2 acres, a bit neglected as of late, as we moved<br />a house from Cooparoo to our 17 acres in the Secnic Rim. We are<br />good at being frugal, we don't make excuses as too why we can't<br />do things, we just get in and do it. I'm lucky to be able to <br />manage my time,I only shop once every 6 weeks or so at Aldi and<br />Woolies for ingredients to make things from scratch, as they are a 45min<br />drive away - and I think what I could achive in that travel time.<br />Yes I do work oustide the home 2 days a week, we work for ourselves<br />a rural mail run and love our life. My 2yo son knows milk comes<br />from cows and his mummy can make cheese,custard, yoghurt from scratch,<br />bread. We are on a journey to be self reliant, and informed.<br />Cheers KerryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74506060705315041862013-05-15T11:28:43.304+10:002013-05-15T11:28:43.304+10:00Why are we so concerned about trying new things? O...Why are we so concerned about trying new things? Or not getting it right first time? We are so hard on ourselves, and quite possibly others, if we do something and it isn't perfect.<br /><br />What happened to good enough? Good enough to eat? Good enough to wear? and if not those, then good enough to learn from? Who are we trying to impress?<br /><br />Let's just give it a go. Learn new skills (that will take time, of course). Be kind to ourselves, in both our expectations, and the things we make, eat, clean with etc, etc, and to the world.Just Joyfulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02404359368224055713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91553368577308016542013-05-15T11:12:13.869+10:002013-05-15T11:12:13.869+10:00I'm starting to resent having to go into shops...I'm starting to resent having to go into shops - I try to shop as much as I can at Aldi for the things I need but will be starting the vegie garden this winter (when the ground is softer) and will be doing a short lesson at our community neighbourhood centre about how to make my own soap (this is one thing I need to learn by watching and doing rather than from a set of instructions - I can't wait and it gives back to our community centre as well). We have our own chooks which is handy considering the amount of eggs we eat and it doesn't leave all of the marketing open to interpretation as to whether it is organic, free range, bairn laid etc - I know where it comes from - We really do need to be more consious of how much the marketing companies are 'tricking' us into believing what is true - try margarine is better for us than butter. <br />I make my own lemon cordial as a summer treat (from our two lemon trees). I have to admit I have tried numerous times to make my own bread but it comes out yeasty and very dense - I figure its a case of trial and error - with some tweaking I'm sure it will work out the right way one day !!! in the mean time we eat some whilst its hot and the chooks enjoy a good feed.<br />Kellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89665502293587918702013-05-15T10:48:59.785+10:002013-05-15T10:48:59.785+10:00I LOVE the word sooky-lala...we use that a lot in ...I LOVE the word sooky-lala...we use that a lot in our house when my daughters are cranky:) I definitely think homemade products are generally superior to what you can get at the store...homemade stock is the one that sticks out in my mind. My first attempt at soap didn't work out and I did lose my confidence but i'll try again.<br />There was one time though that convenience won out. When we brought my little girl home from hospital (she was premmie), one of my girlfriends dropped in with some home cooked meals for us. In the bag also was a massive pile of paper plates, paper coffee cups and plastic cutlery. In the middle of what was a very stressful time for us as a family, not having the additional task of washing up was nice and i spent that time snuggled with my eldest daughter who was very teary and emotional at the time. In that sense i think convenience products have their place, but i prefer to DIY :)Lauren Hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59352407793282799322013-05-15T09:50:29.731+10:002013-05-15T09:50:29.731+10:00I would have loved to be one of those mothers who ...I would have loved to be one of those mothers who gave the kids the same meal that the parents ate....I was not. It was a matter of feeding them and making sure they ate. I did not like it but it was what it was. A tired mother with a very stressful marriage I could not tackle one more thing. I would not waiver on their sleep and worked really hard to ensure they had their routine and when my son was two and we moved house he came out of his room downstairs that many times than I care to remember. I persisted over about 3 nights where I stood outside his room and put him back in his bed time and time again and after 3 nights it was done. The food was another issue....my kids don't get cordial and still don't unless they go to a party, they eat fruit but the meals were not what I had envisaged for them. Not bad but not what I had wanted. When my son was 8 I had enough strength (divorce, moved house and got myself through day by day) I had had enough of the same comments at dinner time....I lost it one night and I said to him "I spent a lot of time making a lovely healthy dinner and if you don't like it you can keep those thoughts to yourself as I don't want to hear about it". Also if you don't eat this meal there is nothing else available including dessert which was yoghurt or peaches. I stayed firm and hard and just thought enough is enough. He has made leaps and bounds and eats anything I put in front of him. We still struggle with veggies and salad apart from lettuce but I made minestrone soup and he loved it with all those veggies. Sometimes you do what you can with what is going on in your life and other times you have the strength to put in to change the situation. Also I love showing my kids how to make things from scratch and they are learning every day. They love the homemade better and it's healthier and they know it too. Sometimes tired exhausted mothers do their best at the time and sometimes we are in a position to make it a lot better. Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13278810299840471966noreply@blogger.com