So tonight I decided to make an easy, fairly quick stir fry with noodles. And realized, in the process, why so many people choose to call out for pizza - or, at least, prefer to buy their food already mostly prepped 
As I went out to the remains of this summer's garden to get some green onions and chard leaves ... I thought that most people buy this stuff at the market.
As I pulled the frozen shrimp out of the freezer (and thought about the day that I will maybe have a chance to harvest some fresh from the sea), and put them in a bowl of water to defrost, and then peeled the shells off, being careful to put them aside to add to the freezer container of things for making a fish stock ... I thought that many people would buy their shrimp already shelled and cooked.
As I opened the tote in the storeroom, after removing several buckets from on top of the lid, and dug a couple of carrots out of the damp sand ... I thought that others would buy their carrots already peeled, and possibly already grated.
As I peeled and chopped the onion and garlic, and grated some ginger ... I thought of the many who choose to buy these things already chopped/minced/grated.
As I made sure that the excess bits of the veggies all made it into the correct bowl - one for the chooks, one for the worms, and the rest for the compost ... I contemplated the hordes of people who don't think about any of those things, and just throw it all in the trash.
As I gazed into the 'fridge, wondering if there was anything in there that needed to be used up (quarter cup of cream, and a few tablespoons of leftover corn) ... I thought of those who don't think that such little bits are worth saving.
The noodles were easy; they were bought some time ago, and have been safe in the pantry waiting for this stir fry. Asian noodles, with shrimp paste in them. Interesting idea. Next time, as I make my own, I will be able to contemplate those who buy their noodles from Singapore - as I did, but only once, and only to see if it was worthwhile making my own - it is.
So, an easy and fairly quick dinner ... which would have been even easier and quicker had I allowed myself to depend on various (and, to my mind) dubious food service companies. Oh well ... it took a bit longer, but it tasted good.
(And, it all came from the garden/pantry/freezer. So, if I discount the time that *many people* would have taken to go to the store to buy the ingredients for this night's dinner, it really was easy and quick!)
As I went out to the remains of this summer's garden to get some green onions and chard leaves ... I thought that most people buy this stuff at the market.
As I pulled the frozen shrimp out of the freezer (and thought about the day that I will maybe have a chance to harvest some fresh from the sea), and put them in a bowl of water to defrost, and then peeled the shells off, being careful to put them aside to add to the freezer container of things for making a fish stock ... I thought that many people would buy their shrimp already shelled and cooked.
As I opened the tote in the storeroom, after removing several buckets from on top of the lid, and dug a couple of carrots out of the damp sand ... I thought that others would buy their carrots already peeled, and possibly already grated.
As I peeled and chopped the onion and garlic, and grated some ginger ... I thought of the many who choose to buy these things already chopped/minced/grated.
As I made sure that the excess bits of the veggies all made it into the correct bowl - one for the chooks, one for the worms, and the rest for the compost ... I contemplated the hordes of people who don't think about any of those things, and just throw it all in the trash.
As I gazed into the 'fridge, wondering if there was anything in there that needed to be used up (quarter cup of cream, and a few tablespoons of leftover corn) ... I thought of those who don't think that such little bits are worth saving.
The noodles were easy; they were bought some time ago, and have been safe in the pantry waiting for this stir fry. Asian noodles, with shrimp paste in them. Interesting idea. Next time, as I make my own, I will be able to contemplate those who buy their noodles from Singapore - as I did, but only once, and only to see if it was worthwhile making my own - it is.
So, an easy and fairly quick dinner ... which would have been even easier and quicker had I allowed myself to depend on various (and, to my mind) dubious food service companies. Oh well ... it took a bit longer, but it tasted good.
(And, it all came from the garden/pantry/freezer. So, if I discount the time that *many people* would have taken to go to the store to buy the ingredients for this night's dinner, it really was easy and quick!
)
