6 Thoughts on Food – Miss Write

I’m hoping the panic-buying craziness has abated here now. I passed Lidl on a dog walk yesterday around 3.30pm and the car park was half empty. El Husbandio went into the store this morning and found bananas, bread, spaghetti and milk, all of which were in short supply this time last week. 

I’m not going to lie, it was pretty terrifying at times, seeing people being so selfish and anxious. I wasn’t worried about running out of food though, but more scares of how the behaviour of the Gen Pop can deteriorate fast and cause even more issues. 

The situation in the shops has really made me think about our relationship with food and groceries in general. I’ll give you a few examples…

1. When everyone seemed to be going mad buying pasta (not us, we’ve been preparing for a while!) you could always find lasagne sheets. So it appears the British public in general do not know how to make a lasagne from scratch.

2. No one needs to buy 48 rolls of toilet paper. That’s a year’s supply for the average person, almost! Even if you’re a family of five, that’s still ten weeks, roughly, if you’re careful. The question I had is should bog roll be sold in packets of this size where there’s a bit of a shortage? I’m all for bulk buying to help environment and save packaging, but should stores be able to break them down into half packets, at least.

3. In times like these, it pays to be creative. No bread? Make some! (It’s easier than you think, especially if you have time on your hands). Not sure how to use a spice that’s been sat in the shelf for months? Google a recipe. And a vegetable bake with cheese sauce can take almost any veg you can get your hands on! We actually had a surplus of bread today so I’m baking bread pudding as we speak. The recipe is here if you feel inspired … 

**Edit: photo added below**

4. I think it hasn’t occurred to some people to rinse their cupboards dry before buying more of what they’d really fancy or what may not be available. Short of a dessert for the kids? Dig out those lonely jelly packets in the back of the cupboard. Ever tried plant-based milk? No? Now’s your opportunity – and oat, almond, soya milk is long life and may have more availability in the stores. I recommend oat milk on cereal, almond milk in coffee, and soya milk in baking.

5. I hadn’t realised how much I rely on bananas. They’re cheap, and so flexible. I put them in cakes, fruit salads, cereal, sandwiches,  pancakes, eat them for snacks… They’re my firm favourite – when they’re available! I’ve started to enjoy a pear now, but berries (my absolute fave) are still as expensive as ever. I’m going to pay special attention to our minimally productive blueberry bushes this year!

6. I have always been a big advocate for the Love Food Hate Waste campaign and I’m wondering how food waste will reduce post-CoVid19 as people become more frugal and appreciate food a little more… Here’s hoping!

So, what are you having for lunch?

Lou x