I remember when…..
This post was inspired by this post by Jeff at View From the Clouds. It got me thinking about the intolerance I have to so many foods in recent years. I am going to take a trip down memory lane again.
I remember when
- I remember when Fruit and vegetables were not all perfect in shape. Some even had flaws in the skin. Apples were not all round, carrots came in all shapes and sizes. While they were not perfect looking, they were as nature intended and FULL of flavour.
- I remember when biscuits (cookies) were not packaged. You bought them loose, by the pound. Shops had large wooden barrels, filled with biscuits that had broken and you could buy those at a give-away price.
- I remember when milk was delivered to your house in glass bottles with silver foil lids. Sometimes birds would pierce a hole in the top to get at the cream of the milk. You could clearly see the section of cream at the top and could skim it off yourself – usually to have on cereal
- I remember when cheese came in massive blocks straight from the farms and would be cut with a cheese wire. A slice would be cut off, placed on greaseproof paper and weighed. If it was too much they would trim a piece off and weigh it again, until you were happy. Then it was wrapped for you.
- I remember when ham was sliced for you, straight from the bone. In fact all cold meats were sliced freshly in the shops – and not from processed chunks of meat, but from real joints of meat. They would even give you any bones that were left over, for your dog! Even bacon was freshly sliced for you.
- I remember when butter came in large blocks and a piece was cut off and patted into shape using ‘Butter Pats’ (what else?). It was then weighed and wrapped in greaseproof paper for you.
- I remember when ‘Wagon Wheels’ were huge! You’d be hard pushed to eat it in one go. In fact I remember when all sweet (candy) bars were huge and a fraction of the price
- I remember when they used real cochineal to colour food and not a cheaper, chemical replacement that, I might add, I am allergic to!
- I remember when the only ‘Fast Food’ we had was Fish & Chips. The only bad thing about that was that it was fried and came wrapped in newspaper! It didn’t harm us because we didn’t eat them often. In fact I don’t remember ever replacing a home cooked meal with fish & chips – until fairly recent years. I don’t enjoy them much.
- I remember when foods were all as nature intended them to be. No additives, no artificial colouring and full of flavour. All meat was safe to eat because all animals ate naturally. You made your own minced meat so you knew what was in it. There was no plastic packaging, and everything you bought came in a brown paper bag. Not a promotional carrier bag to be seen.
We didn’t have the food selection we have today. Fresh foods (and I use that term loosely) from far off countries was unheard of, and obviously not possible. Given the choice of less to choose from, but foods that are not tampered with by all kinds of processes, or the selection we have today with all the additives and irradiation I would, without a doubt, go with the the foods that are as nature intended.
I know that we are now programmed to go by ‘looks’ more than actual content, and the faster pace we live means that some look for quick meals but I’m interested to know what younger people would choose, given the choice. Let me know in the poll below.
Loading ...
Stumble it!
Subscribe by Email
Barb - WillThink4Wine
| 30 July 2009 at 18:43
I rarely eat out and we still cook meals at my house almost every meal. Having said that, I am trying to lose weight and AS WE SPEAK I am eating a pre-packaged microwavable Lean Cuisine Pizza – Bacon Alfredo. Which is quite yummy, actually.
Barb – WillThink4Wine´s last blog ..tying things together
beetle
| 30 July 2009 at 19:29
Barb: Of course, if it’s available we will, at some point, eat a ready meal. Some ready meals have no artificial flavours or colours and that’s the one we go for
Black Cat
| 30 July 2009 at 20:49
This brings back childhood memories! It’s no wonder so many of us have food intolerances these days with all the pesticides and additives that our food is “treated” with!
Black Cat´s last blog ..R.I.P. David…
BIBI
| 30 July 2009 at 20:55
I wish I could remember when… I was born in ‘72, so I do remember something.
But I do remember when milk tasted more ‘creamier’ than it does now.
We also didn’t eat out as much as people do now. (Which I am guilty of now). Maybe because it is so convenient!
Anyway, I do opt for more natural meals today. Look at what processed food has done to our little ones. There are too many that are obese now! What a shame!
BIBI´s last blog ..Home Is Where the Heart Is!
Comedy Plus
| 30 July 2009 at 20:58
I remember these things too Babs. Times have definitely changed haven’t they. Thanks for the wonderful reminder of how nice things used to be.
Have a terrific day. Big hug.
Comedy Plus´s last blog ..Take This Job and…
Awake In Rochester
| 30 July 2009 at 22:20
Food! One of my favorite topics. I remember some of that. The Milk man. Milk in glass bottles. Ah, those were the days.
Awake In Rochester´s last blog ..Random Ramblings #6
Swubird
| 30 July 2009 at 22:29
Babs:
I remember all the things you listed. Only I also remember riding in wagons with those big wheels. I also remember hand churning to make butter and buttermilk. The only fast food places we had were a couple of independently owned hamburger joints. McD’s wasn’t invented yet. I remember eating tomatoes right from my grandpa’s garden, drinking milk right from his cows as he milked them, and gathering eggs everyday from his chickens. Do I miss those simple days? You betcha!!!
Happy trails.
Jay
| 30 July 2009 at 23:01
I’ve been eating a lot of processed ‘ready meals’ lately, after my shoulder surgery and all. But I’m now suffering acutely with the fibromyalgia again and I’m pretty sure it’s related.
But one good piece of news is that they have rescinded the directive that all foods have to be a perfect shape before they can be sold to the public. Look out for deformed apples! Straight cucumbers! Knobbly pears and forked carrots! Yayayay!!!
Evie
| 30 July 2009 at 23:39
I remember the milk,and hated that creamy top but used to love leaving out the ice cream container with the pegs to tell the milkman how many we needed..That must sound so funny to some people now days.
.. oops I “should” add healthy too huh? 
We have gone to eating foods as least processed as possible. Eating organic is just too expensive, but I try and make everything from scratch, using ingredients that have no numbers in the list.
I must say that I feel soooo much better when doing this.
I went to a natural medical doc once and he said most of the things wrong with me have to do with what I eat, and that, my body would thrive on a natural food diet.
Which is basically what it is now and boy was he right.. pity it took me years to realise this fact
I like “your” days and memories, it sounds of a time much more simple, appreciative and happy
JD at I Do Things
| 31 July 2009 at 13:46
Sigh. This makes me nostalgic for a time I never knew. Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories.
I’ve read about milk with the cream on top. I would love to be able to buy a bottle like that today. And fresh meat and cheese! Even bacon!
I have to admit: I do love my convenience foods. I probably eat way too many additives because I’m lazy. And I rummage around for the perfect apple. But your post makes me want to change my ways and eat more healthfully.
JD at I Do Things´s last blog ..They Call Me Julia so you don’t have to
beetle
| 31 July 2009 at 15:38
Black Cat: I know. There are so many foods that upset me now. You know they even colour Tomato Puree. It says it’s pure tomatoes, and when you look closer it has red colouring in it, which is probably why it stains so badly!
BIBI: What really bugs me is that we have no choice with a lot of it. Junk food aside, additives are in almost everything we eat.
Sandee: Times have changed, and sadly not all for the good.
Awake: They were good days for me. I was only a child and everything was lovely
Swubird: I just knew you would have similar memories and then some
Milk straight from the cow!! We can still get free range eggs thank goodness!
Jay: I am sure that all these chemicals hidden in food stuffs causes most of what may ail me too! I am so glad that at least the ‘perfect look’ is going. That will help the farmers, I’ve no doubt!
Evie: I must admit that I think, aside from the war effects, I grew up in the very best years. I am always thankful for that. The only sad thing is that because I lived in that era, I miss it.
JD: The sad part is, that unless money is no object, you can’t eat healthy any more. Organic food is so expensive. Something is sadly wrong when you have to pay twice as much to eat foods that are natural, and have no chemical additives.
Shinade aka Jackie
| 31 July 2009 at 19:33
I can’t say that i remember all of the things listed. But, I do remember a great deal of them! Oh the meat was just so delicious. Now it all almost has the same taste!!
Thanks for reminding me of sunny afternoon picnics with my mother when I was a little girl. She would have a portion of meat, and a chunk of cheese, and some crackers.
We spend the afternoon watching clouds and snacking. It was wonderful!!
Big big hugs!!
Jackie:-)
beetle
| 31 July 2009 at 20:02
Shinade: Yes, the supermarkets have delicatessen counters, though they sell nice foods it still isn’t the same.
Jaffer
| 31 July 2009 at 22:40
Milk isn’t delivered in England anymore ? I remember when I was there way back in 1991 (which was the last time I really vacationed there), those glass bottles with a red foil on top. I’d poke my fingernail through it – much to my mother’s dismay !
So now you have to buy milk at the supermarket ?
Here in Ontario we get milk in bags – I am glad we still have those because bag milk has been phased out in other parts of Canada – they buy milk in cartons/plastic jugs.
Jaffer´s last blog ..Yes, I’m still around and a couple of updates
beetle
| 1 August 2009 at 0:09
Jaffer: I think you can still get it delivered in bottles but, to be honest, it’s more convenient to buy as you need it. We signed up for the delivery a while back and found we had too much milk queued up. We changed the frequency and started running out ha ha! We had to resort to the plastic bottles of milk from the supermarket.
granny Grimble
| 1 August 2009 at 13:36
Not only was the food full of nutrition and flavour, but the way we bought it was delightful. I lived in the same house from age 11 till after my three children were born, so always shopped in the same grocery store. I took my list and while Mr. Sleeman asked how thick I wanted my bacon, and gave me samples of cheese to taste and choose from, he also enquired about my Dad’s bad legs, and how my sister’s school play went. Later he would ask how my little girl was coping with going to school and give her a chocolate biscuit because she looked cute in her brownie uniform.
Sugar in blue paper bags, broken eggs at give away prices, and peope who cared about people. Aaaaah!
LadyBanana
| 1 August 2009 at 21:59
I definitely remember having only “in season” fruit and veg, in fact it was something to look forward to
LadyBanana´s last blog ..Shazam!!
beetle
| 2 August 2009 at 1:23
Granny Grimble: Oh yes, I had forgotten that they asked you how thick you wanted your bacon! Life was so much simpler then, and the pace much slower
LadyBanana: Yes you’re right. The pleasure when you saw the first strawberries or cherries in the greengrocers. And asking for a certain veg and being told they were expected in a week or two
Maureen
| 3 August 2009 at 18:20
I remember when we had a grocer come down our street to sell fruit and vegetables off his cart! That was only in summer, of course, but what fun! He did that for years, and was known by one and all for his delicious offerings….
There is nothing like fresh, local food. Which is why I love my garden.
Maureen´s last blog ..Creeper In The Virginia Creeper
beetle
| 5 August 2009 at 4:52
Maureen: I wish we could grow fruit & veg in our garden but the drainage is poor and everything dies
Ruth
| 5 August 2009 at 11:04
Ohh, milk delivered in bottles. I can still feel the sweat on the glass. But I never saw birds poking the lids – awesome!
Jeff
| 5 August 2009 at 14:01
I’m so glad my “injected meat” post was able to serve an actual purpose!
This was a great post Babs – really brings out the flavorful memories of the old days. And that’s what I remember… when food used to taste good.
Jeff´s last blog ..I’m taking it as a good sign!
beetle
| 5 August 2009 at 15:12
Ruth: Most people remember the bottled milk. It stayed around longer than the rest. Finding little holes in the top was a frequent thing for us. I suppose London birds didn’t have so many tasty treats on hand
Jeff: Yes, we savoured the flavour back then
Shinade aka Jackie
| 5 August 2009 at 15:57
Just popping in to say hello and I hope you are having a good week!
Theresa
| 5 August 2009 at 17:34
Babs, my husband always talks about how his gran would buy broken biscuits. I couldn’t agree more though about all your points especially the “perfect” fruits & veg now. Do they even have milkmen in England anymore? I can’t remember the last time I saw one when over there.
Theresa´s last blog ..EJDSS Team Giveaway
DrowseyMonkey
| 6 August 2009 at 3:52
Yous old.
LOL!
Okay – I remember a lot of that too. Not the loose biscuit thing tho, don’t think I’d like that … doesn’t sound hygienic.
As for additives … I wish we had less.
beetle
| 6 August 2009 at 4:36
Shinade: Hello to you too! It’s been a nice week so far thank you
Theresa: I’m not sure if we still have milkmen. We had our milk delivered in bottles until we cancelled it 2 or 3 years ago.
Drowsey: Yes I is old
You have to know that we were made of much tougher stuff back then, but that’s another post. A few (or more) germs did us no harm at all. It was before they wrapped us all in cotton wool. No fridges, no washing machines, no vacuum cleaners, and definitely no ‘Health & safety’ act. I could go on 
Eric "Speedcat Hollydale"
| 9 August 2009 at 18:15
The milk man! … I had all but fogotten about him. I think we need to bring that back myself.
Seems most foods are in a CAN now with an easy open top.
When I was young, most veggies were from the farm. SOOO much better. I am embarressed to saqy that I almost never have fresh veggies around anymore. I should change that …
Hi Beetle
Eric “Speedcat Hollydale”´s last blog ..Cactus House in the Yuccatanis Watershed Tropics
Eric "Speedcat Hollydale"
| 9 August 2009 at 18:16
ooops … foRgot
I always typo – always!
meleah rebeccah
| 9 August 2009 at 18:59
“I remember when milk was delivered to your house in glass bottles”
me too. and I miss those days!