It has been really interesting to read all of your comments on my post about food being wasted. Thanks for your input. I know I have said it before but it is the comments and subsequent ‘conversations’ that really add value to the blog.
Tonight I want to share an old post from 2012 on a similar theme. The thing that really strikes me about the processed food is the brightly coloured packaging – lots of red and yellow are the dominant theme. Are we really that easily seduced by pretty packets?
Over the past couple of days I have been working hard to re-instate more photos into the old blog posts so I encourage you to do a bit of blog-surfing and see what you find. You can always comment on old posts and I will respond. If you choose one that still has no photos please leave a comment and I will make it a priority.
I thought I would share this photo of hang-gliders over our backyard. We live quite close to a popular launch site and in the right conditions they often drift over our property. I prefer to keep my feet on the ground but it is marvellous to lie on the back lawn and gaze up at them floating overhead.
organised castle 
I just want to say how much I’m enjoying your flashbacks. They’re giving me a chance to see, or rather a _reason_ to look at posts you published before I started following you. Thanks. 🙂
Thank you, Julia. It is easy to forget that not everyone has read it all. Even though I wrote the posts I enjoy re-discovering them.
It is also interesting to observe the changes in my writing (I think it has improved) and also the quality of the photos – new camera and improved skills.
This is not really about your topic today but I need to vent.
My daughter and her family waste so much food due to simply putting too much on the children’s plates when it is obvious that they NEVER eat it all and most times don’t even go close to eating it. It therefore often causes arguments. You know, the age old “Eat your dinner”. When the children are at our place I give them realistic sized meals and they generally eat it all. I usually keep a little in excess which can either be offered after they finish or used the following day. No waste. Also, they have a real sense of achievement when they eat it all.
There is easily enough wastage each day to feed another person. Conservatively, I would estimate that they throw out at least $5 worth of food each day. That is over $1800 p.a. Why can’t they see what they are doing? They could certainly use the extra cash for other general living expenses. I have mentioned it to my daughter and she says she has spoken to her husband about it but for some reason he cannot seem to be able to reduce the amount he serves to the children. I wonder why? I guess it is good that he often cooks dinner and serves the food so I should look for the positives.
I see the issue as being 3 fold.
*It just seems such a shame to put so much wasted food into the bin (no, not the compost……but that is another story…..)
*The children become upset as they know at first glance they can’t eat everything on their plates.
*So much money is being spent on food when it could help in other areas.
Next I will start on the amount of unnecessary washing which is done each day!!!
Maybe it is time to go home and leave them to it again. Out of sight, out of mind!
Enjoy your week. 🙂
Hello Susan,
Thank you for your post. Whilst it is a vent, it is a very valid comment and I understand you pain. It is difficult to stand by and watch your children making what we perceive to be obvious mistakes with simple, cost-effective solutions.
Perhaps your son-in-law is modelling behaviour from his own childhood which causes him to serve larger than required amounts.
When you mentioned the unnecessary washing, I wondered whether it is just easier to grab an armful of clothes rather than sorting out what really needs washing? This is the sort of scenario that could benefit from a serious dose of decluttering and simplicity. Less clothes, less choice=less washing. These sort of changes will not happen overnight, unfortunately.
The best thing you can do is to set an example to the children when they are with and perhaps discuss the how and why of what you do. Encourage their input and increase their understanding.
It is easy to be wise from a distance and I am further removed than you but it is probably best not to look too closely and distress yourself.
Best wishes.
Ultimately all we can do is offer advice but not be seen to be interfering. The bottom line is that the choice is theirs and perhaps having the wisdom of age is helpful. 🙂 Once I am back home again and can’t see it every day it will soon be pushed to the back of my mind.