tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post4351236612807330639..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: The new normal in the kitchenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-39756183742128749392010-11-08T01:11:15.125+10:002010-11-08T01:11:15.125+10:00that's a great list, i'd love to see more....that's a great list, i'd love to see more. i do a lot of these, but not consistently. i aspire to have simple routines of baking bread, making cheese and yogurt, i'e just begun preserving, and i hope to have a garden this year that produces enough to feed us. perhaps we will be very ambitious and get some hens! we're just about to begin a new life where we'll be near organic farms that can get us started.elisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03666174167150041505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11745250670862250782010-11-05T13:10:31.634+10:002010-11-05T13:10:31.634+10:00Reading through your list makes me realise how muc...Reading through your list makes me realise how much further we have to go! We still have many opportunities to become more sustainable in the kitchen. We (mostly) use loose leaf tea, I have begun making crocheted washcloths which we use mostly, I use bicarb and vinegar for cleaning (I'm still trying to convert my husband!), we cook many things from scratch, and try to buy organic or free range where possible. We now have a vege patch and chooks and try to utilise our own produce as much as possible but also give some away to friends. That's a good start, at least! Maybe in five years time I'll be able to double it?dillpicklehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167045189440606367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67147561610822735492010-11-05T08:14:22.105+10:002010-11-05T08:14:22.105+10:00One of the reasons it's so wonderful to read b...One of the reasons it's so wonderful to read blogs like yours is that it keeps me motivated. It's hard work to be as sustainable as possible - first, because it takes time, and second, because it requires mindfully going against the cultural tide. This blog helps me "refresh" and keep going with this way of life. Or get back on track when we begin slipping. Thank you!Karynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10775592484866509189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78495159928791876102010-11-04T03:41:44.359+10:002010-11-04T03:41:44.359+10:00Ann, yes I have seen that program. It's delig...Ann, yes I have seen that program. It's delightful. I love her choice of food and that she uses a combination of fresh, local and preserved (by her) food.<br /><br />Claudia, I went back to meat after reading Nourishing Traditions and the value of slow cooked gelatinous meats.<br /><br />Donetta, I should have added cloth napkins too. You probably remember the cloth napkin swap we had here a few years ago. I think you took part in it.<br /><br />Great work, Kimmy.<br /><br />Dear Charis and Dani, thanks for the ginger treatments. :- )rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20415672727909461902010-11-04T00:46:57.639+10:002010-11-04T00:46:57.639+10:00Reading through this list was so encouraging, sinc...Reading through this list was so encouraging, since it helped me to take stock of the changes we've made, too-and there are many! It's good to do that kind of inventory now and again.<br />Donetta- I agree: one of the nicest changes has been switching to using cloth napkins all the time. I really don't know why I didn't do this sooner. I've just gathered a hodge-podge of napkins from second hand stores, and they sit in a big colourful stack by the dining table. They really aren't noticed by my laundry ritual, and cost next to nothing. <br />The funny thing is, how many comments we get from guests! They say things like: how we shouldn't have pulled out the dressy napkins just for them: paper would be fine! And I laugh while explaining: This is what we use every day-- isn't it luxurious!?<br />I think I'll blog about this, soon, at my own site.Ashley @ Root And Twighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04318142287266832407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27029922717328691852010-11-04T00:11:17.657+10:002010-11-04T00:11:17.657+10:00Interesting Rhonda: went from being a vegetarian t...Interesting Rhonda: went from being a vegetarian to eating meat and got to know the butcher! Most people do it the opposite way round. Any particular reasons for this?hopflowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14808010877609649152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-73784702283270114152010-11-03T22:59:42.002+10:002010-11-03T22:59:42.002+10:00Rhonda one of my life mantras is to watch what peo...Rhonda one of my life mantras is to watch what people do and not what they say. I love the way you lead by example and show how you implement change in your life!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15032479084775154076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78511285227710050372010-11-03T16:12:44.351+10:002010-11-03T16:12:44.351+10:00I hope you and Hanno feel better quickly.
Have yo...I hope you and Hanno feel better quickly.<br /><br />Have you tried ginger, honey and lemon with hot water (and a touch of brandy at bedtime)?<br /><br />I agree with you - will never understand the fixation, especially in the US, with all the take-away coffee they drink. Have they never seen a kettle / coffee percolator for their homes / offices, or a coffee shop, if they're desperate and not near home work?<br /><br />We have made it a rule, since our children were born 29 odd years ago, that EVERY evening we would all sit round a table and share our evening meal, at a table appropriately set with china plates and proper cutlery. I cannot imagine having dinner any other way.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04020970904311512357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88703184429215250622010-11-03T13:09:36.122+10:002010-11-03T13:09:36.122+10:00As always, your blog is such a pleasure to read! I...As always, your blog is such a pleasure to read! It's so great for getting me back into a correct state of mind :)<br />Anyway, I wanted to stop by and tell you about ginger baths. I don't know if you already know this, but an old herbalist's trick is to put some regular, powdered ginger (start with about 1/3 cup to see how sensitive you are) in the bathtub like you would bath salts. The ginger, since it can get into your open pores, stimulates your blood and lymph circulatory systems, so you more easily flush that bug out. If you try it, do so before bed, because you'll likely feel woozy afterwards (all those toxins in the bloodstream, being released). By the morning you'll feel a lot better. I swear by this when I have a cold, the flu, muscle aches, or just the yucks that you can get after a trip, etc. <br />Hope this helps :) feel better soon!Charishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13717583589806299271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78155530770649961942010-11-03T12:26:26.882+10:002010-11-03T12:26:26.882+10:00So many changes are so common in the life style no...So many changes are so common in the life style now. My favorite is cloth napkins at supper. Just LOVE IT!<br />Hope you both get to feeling better.Donettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530145585581721795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63897510916688879312010-11-03T09:49:32.585+10:002010-11-03T09:49:32.585+10:00Looks like someone on the right track
Coffee is o...Looks like someone on the right track<br /><br />Coffee is on.peppylady (Dora)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01649272822470007714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2064328781648270192010-11-03T07:27:12.481+10:002010-11-03T07:27:12.481+10:00Oh no Rhonda!! My favourite thing if I was out was...Oh no Rhonda!! My favourite thing if I was out was a cappachino and often in a cardboard cup. Not that it is a regular occurance as I stick pretty close to home, but it did happen, I confess .Sometimes we don't think about the things we do until someone points it out. I think maybe in the back of my mind I was thinking cardboard was biodegradable , but I should have been thinking about how many trees made the cups in the first place.<br />I think I will take my own coffee cup with me if I am out somewhere now . <br />There you go, you saved a tree this morning. I have got a long way to go yet on my sustainable journey and little things like this are so doable!!<br />best wishes,<br />thegirlwithgreenthumbs.blogspotKimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09958193502828236814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-23388080628612749692010-11-03T07:02:21.168+10:002010-11-03T07:02:21.168+10:00We wash up by hand, because we don't have a di...We wash up by hand, because we don't have a dishwasher in our rental and although sometimes I would like one, I'm quite happy most of the time without it. If I buy my own house, I would consider not having a dishwasher now, but would never have thought of it previously.Gastronomy Galhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05955438178695030127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78246126582363777572010-11-03T06:58:49.657+10:002010-11-03T06:58:49.657+10:00I've fallen in love with my kitchen and dining...I've fallen in love with my kitchen and dining at home all over again in recent weeks after discovering 'The Free Range Cook'. Have you seen this cooking show Rhonda? It's on Saturdays at 6pm just before Gardening Australia .. I think you would love it as she ( kiwi cook Annabel Langbein) cooks with fresh, seasonal produce much of it straight out of her abundant garden and orchard or sourced from local farmers and suppliers. Her kitchen is quite rustic and the show has a very non-commercial feel, no big chain supermarket sponsorship such as you see on Masterchef. I have bought the cook book and it is the best one I have ever owned, I have been inspired me to get into my garden, try new recipes and to make even more of our food from scratch. I have recently done a review of the book and show at my blog for anyone who is interested. It is on the same time as the news here so is easily missed. It is the highest rating tv show in NZ and the book is already on its first reprint - selling faster than Harry Potter apparently!<br />Loved how you have made this list to show it is a journey... doesn't happen overnight but each step taken is one in the right direction.Ann at eightacresofedenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15524581927752695509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66434250066427280492010-11-03T06:55:42.874+10:002010-11-03T06:55:42.874+10:00Enjoyed reading this post and seeing all that you ...Enjoyed reading this post and seeing all that you have accomplished over the years! I am at the very beginning of trying to find a new normal:)Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01570522220381534259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11729824633291908462010-11-03T06:51:02.280+10:002010-11-03T06:51:02.280+10:00I've bee trying to do many of the same things....I've bee trying to do many of the same things. I often lament the lack of space in my kitchen and wish for a bit more counter space, but we're working on clearing it up and setting it up as efficiently as possible and in a way that helps us live more sustainably. I've replaced all teflon with cast iron, clay, and stainless steel (from the thrift store), and I buy as much local and organic as I can, preferably directly from farmers. I cook almost everything from scratch, and look for ways to reduce waste. There's a lot left to do, but the progress feels good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81293449520744631312010-11-03T06:21:31.681+10:002010-11-03T06:21:31.681+10:00I just LOVE to visit your blog. It always reaffirm...I just LOVE to visit your blog. It always reaffirms our choices in what works for us that our extended family thinks we are NUTS about doing. Thanks for sharing your life with all of us and PLEASE feel better soon.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07553330657363385668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26291875226537334942010-11-03T05:54:21.334+10:002010-11-03T05:54:21.334+10:00I'm right with you. We've done away with d...I'm right with you. We've done away with disposables, we compost, we make, we reuse - we don't have global finite resources, we have to make what we have last.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10555001676886354389noreply@blogger.com