Thursday 4 February 2010

Do we really need to produce our own foods?

Time and time again I come across people whose eyes glaze over whenever I jump on my 'PLANT foods, REUSE things, SAVE money' soapbox. Even The Husband (miser frugal wizard extraordinaire :) ) has been known to mutter

"Just go to the bloody shop and buy a new one" When I am on a roll.

The baby formula/milk crisis in China has really shaken him though. He has issued strict instructions that on no account are we to buy any foods produced in China. Now as you may know, The Husband is Chinese, this ban is going to hit him hard as a lot of his favourite condiments are only produced in the PRC. He is taking a stand though; A stand against how his own people can do such an horrific thing as tamper with a child's only source of nutrition (In China, most babies are formula fed :( )

Of course, this is excellent for my goal of our family eating only locally produced foods.

Now here is a picture of the potatoes from the Potato Co op which I organised (on a forum I'm a member of)



Can't wait until mine grow and then I can save my own seed.

Yesterday I did one of the many things on my list of 'to do's'. I popped into a fabric shop and bought the pattern for the Tot's X'mas present. They were having sale so the pattern cost me $4.95 (I will be selling this later if anyone is interested in purchasing). I also found some lovely lilac cotton for $1.99 a metre. All up this present will cost me $25.


IThey have also put in orders for dolls, can anyone recommend a pattern for those old Holly Hobbie dolls?

Now to update my gardening for the week. When we bought this house I inherited a huge garden bed edged with sleepers (and six palm trees, blergh!). To keep it simple I haphazardly planted into that bed in a random riot. This week I realised that to maximise my planting and for ease of access, I needed to turn the huge bed into a series of keyhole beds. This has now been done and I urge anyone faced with the same issue as I was to do the same. Yes I have lost a little planting space but it is so much easier to get to my plants now. Should have done this in the first place!

1 comment:

The Crone at Wits End said...

1.naturewitch Says:

September 21st, 2008 at 2:26 am e

Hi Crone
Have a few doll patterns that might be suitable. Will copy and send once exams are over in a couple of weeks. xx

2.Julie Says:

September 21st, 2008 at 2:45 am e

Love the teepee. I considered one myself but have no room for it! Instead I am making a Hopscotch Rug - a roll-up mat with a hopscotch grid marked on it for us inside when it’s raining. Can’t help you with the doll pattern I’m afraid, but have fun with all your sewing

3.Nat Says:

September 21st, 2008 at 4:22 am e

We feel the same about the milk thing. Boycotting all Chinese products. We had reduced already because of other stories that had come out earlier in the year but this one was the final nail in the coffin. What happened to all the Buddhists in China and ‘Right Livelihood’ in the Eight fold Path? I don’t know how some people sleep at night. *shaking head sadly*

4.Em Says:

September 22nd, 2008 at 10:44 pm e

love to see pics of your keyhole beds - I’m in the midst of doing something similar with our vege patch. Not entirely sure what I’m doing, but I’m sick of faffing around; time to get on with it and see what works.

5.molly Says:

September 23rd, 2008 at 4:53 am e

As each day passes my gut tells me to keep preparing for the harder times to come, so my answer to your question would have to be a resounding YES lol

Love thqat teepee! See you Saturday

Blessings:)