On 3/22/07 7:40 AM, "lucretia borgia" wrote:
No that's not at all the thing. Maybe where you live the "time" that a work day, etc takes hasn't changed in 40 -60 years, but it certainly has here. And was your work week a 60 hour week, or a standard 37.5 hour week, or 35 hours or 40? Here, even a "40" hour week doesn't include "lunch" - and the
40 hour work week is usually 50 or more. And, memory does have a way of coloring things - for all of us.The standards that seem to have gone into "a normal day" have shifted. Kids have more stuff scheduled into their days, etc, and working is a bit more hectic with traffic and hours.
I am not suggesting, nor did I , suggest buying rubbish food. What I did suggest was there is something to be said for being able to purchase semi-prepared foods as a time saver. I know that they've had that at M&S for at least 25 years, and similarly better grocery shops, and some private shops have that here.
Sure, and in my house we had dinner together, sitting at a table, as well. My mom worked, and after school I'd often go with her to do the shopping. But, she'd be home from work around 5 - not 7. Dad wouldn't get home til later - and we'd eat with him at 7:30 typically.
That same family now - around here - mom is lucky to be home at 6:30 or 7 - making for a very hectic rush to get everyone with food and around the table by 7:30 or so. Sure it takes organization, and eveyone doesn't want to eat something from the crockpot or baking all day - everyday. Or mushy vegetables - which I know you never did.
It is definitely a balancing act. If your workday has you leaving the house before 7, and not getting back until after 7, starting to cook at the time - well if you want more than the simplest - puts dinner pretty late. And most people like a few minutes to come in, wash up, etc. Certainly many young people aren't well organized - no argument. OTOH, I was referring to the issues that seem to have arisen with the growing class of working women, or professional women. You know - those who have jobs that are like those which in their culture were traditionally held by the man of the household. The jobs where you can't just leave because your time clock punch out time ended, or your shift ended. That sociological shift brings with it other issues. And, when I was working in France I really noticed it. I would go to work around or before 7, not get back until after 7, and was struck with the fact that there were few options of the "casual" or fast way to get dinner cooked. FWIW, the boss of the group I was working with (my bosses counterpart) is a woman, with a teenager at home at the time, and she certainly felt it. Heck, our best friends- she's a professor, he a scientist - 4 kids (though 1 at college now, 1 out but still home) - their schedules are amazing. And they're pretty frugal with the groceries - he does the shopping - she does most of the cooking. It's really hectic - but they've always tried to have everyone at the table for dinner together - but you never know what is getting slapped together on a weekday. And she teaches at night 1 night. If anyone is running late -which happens a lot around here - then even for them it turns into an occasional let's go grab a quick bite, or see what's already prepared in the freezer, etc.
In a Metro area like here - traffic can cause you to spend huge time in a commute 1-3 hours . The average commute has gone from about 35 minutes to more like an hour plus. With totally unpredictable problems. It's not just me. A huge business has sprung up of "commercial type" kitchens where you go in, and do a 3 hour cooking session - with your friends -the company supplies the recipes, the goods, and you do all the prep - then leave with trays ready to be put in the oven or somesuch - for serving. Nice recipes - makes it a fun thing - and people go for an evening session or a weekend - and come out with 3or 5 meals. And, it actually works out to about the same price as if you'd gone grocery shopping separately. Big thing in this area, I think there are about 3 companies doing it. It helps the less talented in the kitchen to do more complicated dishes, and is like a bulk cooking thing
- so all the time is blocked at once. We have some friends that really like it - the local one is called "Let's Dish" .
Yes, no doubt going crazy using prepared food costs more. But not for everything is it outrageous - heck, even COSTCO has prepared main dishes ready for the oven, etc. My point is that it's nice to have a choice that you can work into your budget. Not discussing welfare families living on McD's.
Choice - it's a concept. Time in kitchen versus a meal costing a few dollars more (prepared foods - as in pre-seasoned meats, or casserole dishes aren't the cost of a restaurant). And sometimes, it's nice to have an option of either a good carry-out, or a helping prepared food. Not all the time. As a choice. What's time worth versus what you're doing with that time. Doesn't work for everyone, but options are a nice thing.
Yes, and we all know that whatever you've done everyone else should be at that standard. Sounding a bit crotchety and superior there.
Whatever - I'm sure you are the shining example of female talents and wisdom that all of us should aspire to meet. I'm just pointing out that as it happens times have changed a bit, and options are a nice thing. Period.
ellice