You know what it's like. You pop in for bread and come out with 7 items. You never got around to writing a list so have to go back the next day for milk, and you come out with another 6 items, and a magazine...
We did a lot of that over the Christmas and New Year holiday. First we had a big gathering and kept needing obscure things like tooth picks and Tabasco sauce. Then it became a habit; something to get on the way to the beach, or because chicken was on special. We both did that one, and ended up with lots in the freezer. Oh, and I had such fun with the online order and delivery service.
We put a sudden and determined stop to it abruptly on the morning of the 4 January.
'Let's see if we can survive without the daily supermarket visit?' he suggested.
'Of course we can,' I snorted.'We have heaps of supplies. It'll be a game - we can barter and forage, and cook up things from those obscure packets and tins at the back of the pantry.After all half the world doesn't have supermarkets!'
We are up to day 7 now and its just getting interesting. Last night we had chicken, couscous and peas. At least I think it was couscous, it was in an unmarked bag behind the wholemeal flour. Then we ate a rather old dessert thing we found in the freezer.
Hopefully the lettuces in the garden will flourish soon so we can make a big salad. The emergency milk carton is out of the freezer now - we have watered it down to halves. The only bread left is some rolls, frozen. Hubby's making bread tomorrow. Someone at work says she will swap me plums for grapefruit. Our last tomato in the bowl is over-ripe (waiting for the lettuce), but the ones on the plants in the garden are still a bit green... its going to be tough bridging that gap. As the freezer empties we will become more inventive with the dry stores. At least we still have lots of rice and pasta.
After 7 days abstinence it seems possible to leave the supermarket and food buying out of life. Sort of a pantry detox experience. I don't miss it - the music, the announcements about Richard Till's latest recipe, the mood lighting, the free samples of wine, the trolley, the nice checkout lady, the new product displays...oh hell, maybe I do!
13 days to go, and counting.
Lizzie
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| New Year's Day - toothpicks galore |
We put a sudden and determined stop to it abruptly on the morning of the 4 January.
'Let's see if we can survive without the daily supermarket visit?' he suggested.
'Of course we can,' I snorted.'We have heaps of supplies. It'll be a game - we can barter and forage, and cook up things from those obscure packets and tins at the back of the pantry.After all half the world doesn't have supermarkets!'
We are up to day 7 now and its just getting interesting. Last night we had chicken, couscous and peas. At least I think it was couscous, it was in an unmarked bag behind the wholemeal flour. Then we ate a rather old dessert thing we found in the freezer.
Hopefully the lettuces in the garden will flourish soon so we can make a big salad. The emergency milk carton is out of the freezer now - we have watered it down to halves. The only bread left is some rolls, frozen. Hubby's making bread tomorrow. Someone at work says she will swap me plums for grapefruit. Our last tomato in the bowl is over-ripe (waiting for the lettuce), but the ones on the plants in the garden are still a bit green... its going to be tough bridging that gap. As the freezer empties we will become more inventive with the dry stores. At least we still have lots of rice and pasta.
After 7 days abstinence it seems possible to leave the supermarket and food buying out of life. Sort of a pantry detox experience. I don't miss it - the music, the announcements about Richard Till's latest recipe, the mood lighting, the free samples of wine, the trolley, the nice checkout lady, the new product displays...oh hell, maybe I do!
13 days to go, and counting.
Lizzie
Cool! Sounds very challenging. I can't wait to see if you manage. You might have to buy a pet chicken so you can at least have eggs.
ReplyDeleteYes, we are down to just one egg now; its getting tougher...
DeleteSuch a great idea. I could never do it. The supermarket is like a social activity for me. Sad.
ReplyDeleteWe are discovering other pleasures - went berry picking today. Might go to a pharmacy tomorrow - or the library.
DeleteLoved your description, I could picture your every move with admiration.... you had me biting at the bit as I read each line wondering what the outcome was going to be :0)
ReplyDelete11 days to go - still haven't reached the back of the cupboard yet. Contemplating something with burgher wheat tomorrow(wonder why we bought that!?). Plenty of dog food though, so Vito hasn't noticed a thing.
ReplyDelete