Simplifying Life

ceridwen

Hi

Before I start going through whats come up on the thread today and PM's - I will answer promise!

I'm feeling bit guilty about being a bit preoccupied when I've had specific queries re vegetarian food - so havent felt able to give much of a response.

So - okay - can I start with reiterating a little bit of a theme song - student cookbooks = very good thing. I am very much a fan of student cookbooks - as they are pretty "simple". By and large they are written from a viewpoint of recognising that their readers want interesting, filling food at a cheap price and without having to give much "mindspace" (as I call it) to food. Also many of their readers have little/if any experience of cooking. It does take quite a long time of cooking one's way through various recipes before one has acquired the knowledge/experience/confidence to start formulating ones own recipes - well it did with me anyway! lol. These days I can work out pretty well which recipes will work and work out how to make "something out of nothing" from the storecupboard - rather than checking out a recipe and then going off to buy the ingredients. But it did take me personally QUITE some time to be in this position - maybe because I had to very much "start from scratch" teaching myself.

So - okay mea culpa and all that and I give below recipebooks for those who want a physical "paper" thing to operate from and produce (simple of course!) recipes:

MEAT-EATERS
"Peckish but poor" - Cas Clarke

VEGGIE
"Vegetarian Grub on a grant" - Cas Clarke (a student one)

VEGAN
"Students Go Vegan Cookbook" - Carole Raymond

SEMI-VEGGIE
(as in it doesnt include meat recipes, but there are a few fish ones)
"Its not rocket Salad - affordable meat-free recipes for students" by Viv Swallow


ACCESSIBLE RAW FOOD
"Raw Food made easy for 1 or 2 people" - Jennifer Cornbleet (not a student one)

"Eat Smart, Eat Raw" - Kate Wood (not a student one)

ACCESSIBLE MACROBIOTIC
"Keith Michells Practically Macrobiotic Cookbook" - Keith Michell (not a student one)

Right - that one is sorted. Hope you like them. Off to fill my own stomach - then I'll see what posts there have been today and answer PM's.

See ya later.

ceridwen

PS and in the interest of "simplicity" - I DO have to mention that raw food cookbooks dont assume you have a cooker (they dont involve having one) - BUT they do tend to assume other equipment you may not have.

The "Raw Food Made Easy" book assumes you have a liquidiser and food processor and the "Eat Smart, Eat Raw" book does have a few recipes where it also assumes you have a dehydrator (not a lot at all - most you can do with a food processor and/or liquidiser if that).

ceridwen

JoJoB wrote: »

That's quite alright moany . I have been planning this for about 6 months so have done a fair bit of research. Was supposed to be making the plunge this april but then realised that's when baby is due, so it will be next april now as spring is the best time for doing all the building and settling in. So I have another year to make notes! <scribbles>

Will be heading to Wales this summer to visit yurtler families and have a chat about what to expect and pick up yet more info. But a little like having a child it is still a leap of faith and all the research in the world will probably not fully prepare for the reality.

But that's the fun of it, innit.

... and I would (seriously) be interested in visiting you once you are ensconced in Yurtland. I wish you well - and am very curious to come and have a looksee.:beer:

ceridwen

moanymoany wrote: »

The best of luck JoJoB , with both the baby and the yurt.

DH has just come in and I've read him the posts. On hearing my apology post he said to me - We all have a purpose in life - even if it is to act as a warning to others!'

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: okay Moanie - looks like its both you and me "going visiting" - as in real world stuff - when JoJoB gets up and running yurt-wise.

ceridwen

JoJoB wrote: »

I'm going to need the rain, having no taps in the yurt.

Hope it aint raining when Moanie and I come "visiting" - I'm thinking that I could double-up with having a looksee at the Centre for Alternative Technology - thinking it may not be too far from you??:D

ceridwen

mary43

Dont beat yourself up. You'll get there. You're doing your bit - and thats more than many would do.

Keep at it gal:D

angela110660

ceridwen wrote: »

Hope it aint raining when Moanie and I come "visiting" - I'm thinking that I could double-up with having a looksee at the Centre for Alternative Technology - thinking it may not be too far from you??:D

Went to CAT last year - it rained buckets the day we went but who cares - it was a brilliant place to visit.

ceridwen

PM's replied to - please check inbox.

'Night all! Sleep well.

ceridwen

Aril

Hi everyone!
Today I haven't actually targetted a specific area but have dealt with all the stuff I had to get rid of. 2 bags have gone to the charity shop, another book has gone to a freecycler and I have got rid of the last bits that the small person turned out of his room. Tomorrow I shall start looking at the books downstairs and perhaps the CDs.

Well done everyone - one week of simplifying achieved. If you don't feel you've achieved enough keep a mental note of what you have already managed even if it isn't on the scale of what you had hoped. Another quote " Don't look how far you have to go. Look at how far you've already come"

I am really enjoying this thread and the £4000 thread on the DFW thread. They are giving me inspiration at a time of year when my depression can flare if I don't monitor it very carefully. It's also leading me off at many different tangents. The only trouble is that I'm so enthused that I now want to join every challenge going which is typical. Then I overload myself and I'm back to square one. In a new simple approach I'm starting with the grocery challenge and then I'll reassess next month and see if there's room for the PMS one as I'm soooooooooooo tempted now the BM has died:D
Aril

JoJoB

ceridwen wrote: »

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: okay Moanie - looks like its both you and me "going visiting" - as in real world stuff - when JoJoB gets up and running yurt-wise.

You'll probably find me crying cos I miss my telly.

As for the CAT place, think that's up in North Wales unless I'm mistaken. I'll be darn sarf. Think I will visit CAT this summer too though, as part of my composting toilet reccie.

moanymoany

JoJoB wrote: »

You'll probably find me crying cos I miss my telly.

As for the CAT place, think that's up in North Wales unless I'm mistaken. I'll be darn sarf. Think I will visit CAT this summer too though, as part of my composting toilet reccie.

Hey ~JoJoB, where darn sarf will you be?

You've got me thinking - break through the pain barrier moany - do you need planning permission for a yurt. If someone bought a wood, could they put in a yurt without planning permission? Interesting thought!