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Quote of the Day: J.R.R. Tolkien

September 18th, 2011

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

~J.R.R. Tolkien



Food – good, healthy, real food, is something that I value above many other things in life. There are a lot of things I would give up if needed in order to afford good food. There are a lot of things I don’t do so that I have the time to cultivate some of my own food in the garden. I’m willing to pay my local farmer’s more for their products because they’re better and healthier than their mass produced counter parts. In my life, food is high on the list of my priorities – maybe that’s one of the reasons our home is such a merry one.

What’s high on your priority list?

17 Comments to “Quote of the Day: J.R.R. Tolkien”
  1. Annie on September 18, 2011 at 7:35 am

    Definitely food! I think my family thinks I’m a little crazy for the emphasis we put on affording and preparing good food from scratch. They “don’t have time” or “can’t afford it” but of course they have lots of expensive electronics, travel frequently, buy new trendy clothes, etc. I agree… it’s all about priorities and ours happens to be good food.

    We cut many other things in the budget before we cut food. I don’t work outside the home mostly because we like our life better when I’m around to grow vegetables, tend the animals, cook our food, mend our clothes, and take care of the odds and ends of house repair. We love good food for the pleasure of eating it but also because of what it does for our health. I can’t help but believe that we’re healthier eating real, slow food without preservatives and colorings than the alternative.

    Reply to Annie's comment

  2. Christina on September 18, 2011 at 8:43 am

    I completely agree with everything you wrote. Good food is definitely one of my top priorities!

    Reply to Christina's comment

  3. Allison on September 18, 2011 at 9:01 am

    It is nice to hear you say that you are willing to pay your local farmers more and you understand why! When my husband and I sell our apples & pears at a local farmers market, sometimes we get the comments about the cost…..which always blows my mind. I can guarantee that it is right in line with the year old produce you are buying at the grocery store (or less even) and it taste 100% better and is locally grown!!!

    Annie, my family acts the same way!

    Reply to Allison's comment

    • Susy on September 18, 2011 at 2:16 pm

      I know, I don’t understand why people are this way. The products are so much healthier because they’re fresh and not to mention they taste 10000 times better.

      It’s all about priorities though and some people have different ones. I have people that tell me local food is too expensive while they’re texting on their iPhone while talking to me. I know how much a cell phone bill with data is – and that’s exactly why I don’t have one!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  4. Denimflyz on September 18, 2011 at 10:24 am

    I am very low income, but I buy produce and staples, from our local farmer’s market and meat from a neighboring small town. My prices I pay are just a tad more than the grocery but so much better and I personally know my food.
    I have dropped pretty much everything materialistic, cable, for one, but I do have internet access as being disabled, I cannot get around like everyone else, but the internet keeps me posted to all that goes on and the many blogs and simple living bloggers I keep in contact with. I have made many friends through the blogging world, where I have no friends where I live as too many who live in my community are connected with materialistic and consumerism, and the attitiude of “I am so much better than you because I have more money and homes and things”.
    Just because I am low income, doesn’t mean I go hungry, as I don’t. I grow gardens, and supply about 50% of my produce for my family. The rest, I purchase wisely, cook from scratch, and enjoy my meals, I also barter herbs and herb mixes for meat from the Farmer’s Market. I enjoy everyday, as I can and will continue to do so. People here where I live think that I am a freak as I sit out on my patio, run oil lamps and take to life like a hippy, I just sit back and let the world rush by while everyone is trying to keep up with the Jones.

    Reply to Denimflyz's comment

    • Susy on September 18, 2011 at 2:18 pm

      I’m with you one that, no cable, not many new clothes, we try to limit electric & water usage to save $, we don’t go out to eat, we don’t shop, we grow our own, and eat seasonally all to save money.

      And there’s so much more freedom and satisfaction in living simply and being proactive about your situation! Physical health is not the only kind that is made better through this kind of lifestyle!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  5. kathi cookk on September 18, 2011 at 5:34 pm

    Good food and exercise (preferably outside)! These are my top priorities.

    Reply to kathi cookk's comment

  6. Kathy on September 18, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    It’s wonderful to see these comments. As someone who grows food organically, I am happy to see that it is a priority for many of you. If you care enough about it, I think you can find a way to afford it. Those of us who farm are not getting rich on growing food. I do it because farming is my passion. It feels good to not only grow our own food, but also to provide others with good local organic produce through our CSA.

    Reply to Kathy's comment

  7. alison@thisbloominglife on September 18, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    I’m with you on food. I actually wrote a post yesterday about the pressure on farmers. It is a hard battle for so many, and buying direct you get to be part of the whole cycle. Better for everyone! Thanks again, Alison

    Reply to alison@thisbloominglife's comment

  8. daisy on September 18, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    Good, clean eating and living simply. Oh, and I need to be outside at least some time during the day-EVERY day. Organics rock!

    Reply to daisy's comment

    • Susy on September 19, 2011 at 6:11 am

      I hear you – I must get outside & get a little sun & fresh air every day. I notice big difference in the way I sleep a night when I do.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  9. KimH on September 18, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    Yum.. your photos are awesome I personally live with a foot in each world.. but I especially appreciate food, cheer, & song… wish that I had some hoarded gold though. ;) Life is goot!
    Today I made 2 apple pies with apples from our CSA and I canned 19-1/2 pints and 8 pints of my X’s Nanny’s zucchini relish which is a must have in my world.. Ahh yes.. I do appreciate good food! :D

    Reply to KimH's comment

  10. kristin @ going country on September 18, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    I kinda dig all three of those–food, cheer, and song. They go together.

    Reply to kristin @ going country's comment

  11. goatpod2 on September 18, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    We’ve been eating more healthy now though!

    Amy

    Reply to goatpod2's comment

  12. Tammey on September 18, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    Susy..Your sourdough bread looks delicious…Would you be able to share the recipe sometime…I know you are really busy now..trying to get caught up from your vacation..no hurry! Tammey

    Reply to Tammey's comment

    • Susy on September 19, 2011 at 6:14 am

      That particular loaf was Norwich Sourdough from Wild Yeast, a great blog about all things sourdough. If you’re wanting to master sourdough (which does have it’s quirks), I’d highly recommend reading:
      Classic Sourdoughs, Revised: A Home Baker’s Handbook – a fairly quick read which will provide a quick & easy technique for good sourdough every time
      The Bread Builders: Hearth Loaves and Masonry Ovens – an in depth look at sourdough and the science behind it, also includes info on how to build your own wood fired oven or bake in a cloche for that perfect artisan crust and crumb.

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • Tammey on September 21, 2011 at 4:17 pm

        thank you!

        to Tammey's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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