Food Costs Don't Matter! It all depends on the Tender Loving Care of the Peron Preparing the Food!

I read an article today in the Daily Mail (British) that detailed the eating habits and costs (per week) comparisons. The list is just amazing.

The poorest countries eat Fruits, Vegetables and home-grown foods. The richest countries eat packaged and processed foods. The US eats plenty of fast foods, especially the minorities. US Whites eat plenty of processed cereals. Japan eats plenty of seafood. Australia loves eggs. France loves water and wine. Rich people from Luxembourg love pasta. Germany spends the most and they love their bottled drinks.

This takes me back to my childhood. My mom was a stay at home mom and my Dad worked 3 jobs. During the day he worked in the Factory. In the afternoon/evening, he painted houses. On weekends, he hauled sawdust for the Factory. We were poor, but didn't know it.

My mom was a great cook. Her grocery shopping for her family: 25 pounds of beans. 25 pounds of rice. 50 pounds of Flour and potatoes. She bought large cans of shortening. She grew her own tomatoes and peppers. She canned them. She bought spices: Cumin, Garlic, Chili Powder, Salt, Pepper, Basil, Baking Powder/Soda.

Every meal for her family of 10 children included the staples: Beans, Rice or Pappas (potatoes), homemade tortillas. Monday - Thursday there was some recipe made with hamburger. On Friday, there was some recipe of Fish - whether tuna, fish-sticks or salmon paddies. On Saturday, some type of burritos. On Sunday, Chicken. She spent a minimal amount of money for groceries for 10 children. Maybe $30 per week. She was just amazing. However, besides rice, potatoes or tomatoes, we didn't eat many vegetables other than corn or peas. It wasn't until I met and married my husband that I started eating mixed vegetables, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and other veggies. On Holidays, we ate Tamales, Menudo, Barbacoa and other specialty foods. She always made wonderful deserts, including home made cakes (never a boxed batter), pies, canned fruits and jellies. She often made "chocolate' " which was made almost like coffee with Hershey's chocolate, water and cinnamon sticks. Very delicious. I don't know how my mother did it. She made the most delicious dishes, spending just pennies for groceries.

Looking over this article and this list, it makes you realize, it's NOT about money. It's about the tender, loving care of the person preparing the meals.