The New Veg on the block

[Deeps]

I am currently re- reading ' Independence Days' by Sharon Astyk.It is basically about local food systems,and embracing your own local ( staple) foods.To me,that is a good idea.Against my better judgement,we have been to Tesco this morning,( The Duchess insisted we fill the fridge,prior to her going into hospital in the morning).As we walked round ,we went through the vegetable aisle,and it was good to say, " got it all in the garden".We are working with what we have,so to speak.

The point is,that not many folks are able to do that, and as a result I don't think the UK has a truly ' staple' diet; we have gotten used to an ever varied variety of foods from around the world.That's not a bad thing,but it seems that we have got to start changing our ways.It truly shocked me when I read of imported Kenyan beans,not just being beans,but imported water! We are buying packs of water that belong in Kenya! Of course,we have known that we have to change for the last 50 years...

The Extinction Rebellion crowd are shouting at governments around the world to change things to ' save the planet'. It has to start with us at an individual level though.Government,generally,does what the electorate employs it for.So if the cry goes out for more houses,another airport or more mobile phone masts,they tend to facilitate it.In my opinion,the change that activists wish to see,has to start with us,the individuals.That change,initially,should be food..Farming is ' blamed' for something like a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions.Well,we all eat the food the farmers produce,we have to.Its up to us to choose where that food comes from.

I can see a change,possibly in the time I have left on earth,whereby the planet has to eat what it can produce at a ' local' level.If what the campaigners say is correct,we shall have to. Overnight,that would have a ripple effect,and cause a reduction in transport,energy use,water,packaging and so on.Yes,it would mean a more plant- based diet,and I think it would also foster a return to a more simple,local way of life.No more shiny shite,no flying off to sunny resorts three times a year...but not having to be on the financial treadmill either to pay for all that damages our home. Food is that powerful. What a thought.

But are we too selfish to adopt a far more basic diet?

I think you know the answer to that mate. Hope all goes well tomorrow.

[Arzosah]

But are we too selfish to adopt a far more basic diet?

I think you know the answer to that mate.

I think I have the same answer in terms of individuals but if local organisations start emphasizing the need to eat locally, and *do* it as well, I think there might be a chance. In terms of local diet, it might also mean that for a while some experimental crops are grown - that we might have *new* staples.

Hope all goes well tomorrow.

From me too.

[jansman]

Deeps, Arzosah, thanks.

[Deeps]

Had the Banana blossom and it was a bit 'meh'. It looked like it was compressed leaves as some of it was easy to separate but with a bit of effort it was easily coated in flour and then batter. It was nothing to write home about although Her Maj (who did the meal) said the recipe called for seaweed in the flour mix to give it a 'fishy' flavour and we didn't have any. She also said that pretty much all the recipes were for battered fish. If your diet dictates you don't eat flesh then its an alternative but for prepping its not as useful as the Jackfruit, I'd have it again but as we both eat fish it would be a cheap alternative rather than a 'go to', at least for us.

I'd be interested in what others have to say about it.

[Stonecarver]

Think I will give the Banana Blossom and jackfruit and no doubt forthcoming pineapple tortilla in a tin a miss. Stick to natural stuff. My teenage sons probably lynch me if gave them this instead of proper meat. Also all this lab grown meaty substitutes has questions on what is in it and of any nutritional(as many have said)benefit.

Plus Jansman hope all went well at hospital. Since probably read this after been probably.

[grenfell]

But are we too selfish to adopt a far more basic diet?

You could probably paraphrase that question to " are we too idle to grow our own basic foods? "
I make a decent enough living partly on "looking after" peoples gardens , keeping the lawns mowed , edges trimmed and flower beds near . Granted so.e of my customers are quite old but many are young and fit enough to do the work themselves but choose not to. Now if people won't even cut their own grass what hope is there for them putting in potatoes and cabbages?

[Arwen Thebard]

But are we too selfish to adopt a far more basic diet?

You could probably paraphrase that question to " are we too idle to grow our own basic foods? "
I make a decent enough living partly on "looking after" peoples gardens , keeping the lawns mowed , edges trimmed and flower beds near . Granted so.e of my customers are quite old but many are young and fit enough to do the work themselves but choose not to. Now if people won't even cut their own grass what hope is there for them putting in potatoes and cabbages?

We know plenty of people who attend the ER protests and marches [such as the school kids strike last Friday] and drive past the park and ride or train station to park in the city centre where they are protesting global warming. Last Friday we know 7 people who attended the march and took 3 cars between them. The majority of them have nice front gardens and manicured rear lawns with maybe a patio pot growing a few toms and such like. Yet they all have their names down for an allotment when they have plenty of space in their own large gardens. Such hypocrites.

And Jansman point;
"The Extinction Rebellion crowd are shouting at governments around the world to change things to ' save the planet'. It has to start with us at an individual level though."
I couldn't agree more. Those same people I referred to above haven't got a water filter, a pantry, a veg plot, or any useful skills between them. But they do have plenty of holidays, drive 2 or 3 cars etc etc etc.

Our day will come brothers when the preppers of the world will stand up and unite together, pitchforks and scythes in hand, in a unified cause and ready to lead the way in showing the... (Just kiddin)

[Deeps]

Arwen, I think its the double standards you mention that rankles most with a lot of us. Outside of the Oval Office, you'll struggle to find anyone who thinks we shouldn't do something about global warming but travelling many miles to dress up, bang a drum and wave a banner maybe isn't the most constructive. Lots of fun for all involved though....

Not very exciting so not likely to happen but a 'stay and home and don't use any power' day would maybe have more direct impact on 'da man', at least the power and transport companies. Unfortunately there's no drama though and (colour me cynical) no one can see that you're 'engaged' with it all though.