global peasant
I was just searching for a recipe to use for dinner tonight and came across a wonderful cookbook review by Diane Thompson (global peasant) in Vancouver. She reviews Delia’s Frugal Food which was originally published in 1976 and has just been rereleased. It isn’t at Plenty yet but I’ll track it down and order a copy or two for the store. The cookbook sounds intriguing but I was particularly caught by Diane’s reflections on frugality. Here is a part of her blog post:
“In case you haven’t heard yet, apparently frugal is the new black. Being one who prides myself on staying left of the mainstream, suddenly realizing that I am in the thick of a gathering trend is a reality that leaves me feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Groucho Marx was famously quoted for stating “I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept people like me as a member”. But really, I should just get over myself and be grateful that the previous era of gluttony and over consumption has been forcibly decreased and people are now looking for different ways to live well with less.”
I’ve recently picked up a copy of Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered a collection of essays by British economist E. F. Schumacher which was also originally published in the 70′s. The subtitle on Delia’s Frugal Food seems fitting for Small is Beautiful as well: ‘The 70′s Classic – Now More Relevant than Ever.’ It was already decades old when I last read it for an undergraduate course and it’s moved with me from box to shelf, from box to shelf ever since. It seems like a particularly good time now to revisit its themes: smaller, simpler, local, more personal. By refocusing on things like time spent with family and friends, time digging in the garden, time poking around exploring the landscapes and cultures immediately around us it’s easier to take current events in stride. Maybe it’s not so much ‘living with less’ as its living in a bit more discerning, meaningful way? Is it too much to hope for that as a society we’ll finally embrace the old adage ‘less is more’? As Alice Waters has shown (check out The Art of Simple Food) eating more simply doesn’t mean eating any less flavourfully or well. I’ll post some reflections on Small is Beautiful as I reread it.
Here is a bit more from Diane Thompson’s posting:
“I feel very strongly that being frugal need not equal scarcity, deprivation or lesser quality. When approached with the right attitude, practicing frugality offers one an opportunity to be creative, innovative and resourceful. It also presents us with good reason to share with others, to trade skills, knowledge and resources and, in turn, to build and strengthen communities. I am hopeful that such experiences will, in turn, make us become more grateful and appreciative for all that we do have, be it material or not.”
May 2nd update: There was a good article in today’s Globe and Mail which is along the same lines:
Focus, F7, HOME ECONOMICS: AND CULINARY JUSTICE FOR ALL
Broke? Get cooking
It’s hard to love a recession, John Allemang writes, but bad times can be good for your diet, your health and your pocketbook. He includes comments by a local Slow Food proponent and chef, Mara Jernigan, based at Fairburn Farm in the Cowichan Valley.