I checked out a few different books at the library on homemaking recently. As I have read through these, I have enjoyed them, and gotten helpful advice, but I noticed that there are no real short-cuts to running a house properly.
Although it is helpful to find new “tools” and techniques for homemaking, it all comes down to me actually doing it. We live in a time when getting things done around the house is pretty much optional. Society has given us a short-cut on most homemaker tasks. It’s all about faster results, with less effort. Sounds nice, huh?
This is something that has always been difficult for me. Growing-up, we were not told to make our beds, because they would just get unmade that evening. Food just had to be quick and easy. Cleaning was a good thing for when company was expected. I don’t mean to complain about my childhood, but let’s be honest, this mentality is rather common these days.
I have grown to understand why this thinking is not right:
- We discover all these wonderful “time-saving” techniques and products, and then…. what? We sit, get lazy, and end up snacking our time away, often times in front of a television.
- Any “fast, convenient, out-of -a-box food” is not even close to being as healthy as fresh, home-made food.
- It teaches our children to look for the “easy way out“.
It takes a deep dedication for women in this day and age to really take the step to be a hard-working homemaker, and then actually keep with it. I really do want to make our meals from scratch, using healthy ingredients. Then I walk into a grocery store. All the advertisements are for convenient meals. “Don’t bother making a homemade pie. For $5 you can enjoy this wonderful treat with none of the work.”
The bakery is always my biggest weakness. I know most of the products there are not a healthy or economical choice, but man do they look good! It is in these moments of temptation that I wonder, “Is it really worth all my extra work?”
If I can just manage to get out of the store without caving, I know that the moment I get home I will realize it was the right decision. Those store-made treats are nowhere near as good as homemade, and much less healthy. If I just can’t get beyond that feeling that I would really love a yummy treat, I can make one that tastes better. Yes it is harder to come by, but that really is a good thing. I need a pie to take hours of letting the dough sit in the fridge, and require lots of work, otherwise I would have one all the time!
And it doesn’t stop with foods. Strong chemical cleaners can clean your oven in a jiffy, just don’t mind the toxic off-gassing. Or, with vinegar, baking soda, and a little elbow grease, you can save money on cleaning products, and even more, not expose your kiddos to toxic fumes.
So how are we supposed to ease the temptation of convenience?
- Throw away pizza coupons when you get them in the mail.
- Avoid those trouble areas in the grocery store.
- Avoid t.v. programs with delicious looking commercials.
- Don’t buy unhealthy, expensive cleaning products. You will find a way to make do with what you have.
When it comes down to it, it’s still a test of strength, but by avoiding temptations we are more likely to succeed.
“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27
You are absolutely right!! I like the “easy way out” as much as the next person, but you’re absolutely right when you said convenience only teaches us to be lazy and often does us more harm than good (like those pies that have already been made).
http://www.domesticblissdiaries.com
I agree, Alana. Part of me says that the “easy way” is just so much nicer!
I know this isn’t what’s best, and I think it’s important to strive not to take that path, though. Thanks for commenting!
Great post! I acquired a free subscription to a modern woman’s magazine and I really don’t enjoy it, too many ads and junk. A few helpful things here and there. This current issue has ways to cut down on cleaning, because *gasp*, the average woman spends 19 hours a week just on housecleaning! Well…that’s our job, right? In the working world, that’s only part time! Doing the normal tasks really doesn’t take all that much time, if it is done regularly. Something I am trying to work on, I still fail so bad at this! It’s not going to take me 2 hours to do dishes if I can try to do them at every meal or at least breakfast and dinner. Keeping up with things eliminates the need for convenience and quick fixes. Same for cooking, if I put some time, planning and effort into a meal, it is going to taste wonderful and everyone will appreciate it. Don’t get me started on the convenience foods like Hamburger Helper–I tried that on a hectic day a few months ago and it tasted nasty and fake. Never again!
Thank you for all your posts, I appreciate them all.
Excellent point, Naomi! You are so right, if we can keep up on our household chores everything goes so much quicker. Sadly, this took me years to find out for myself. It also seems to me that if I don’t keep up on cleaning something, I inevitably put it off, and it just takes more effort and time than if I had just taken care of it when it needed to be.
As far as the cooking goes I completely agree. The planning seems to be crucial for avoiding the convenience junk. I’m hoping to be redoing my organizational binders soon, and one of the main things I need to work on is meal planning. I’m so tired of trying to cook dinner and realizing I forgot to take something out of the freezer! Thanks so much for your comment, and you’re right STEER CLEAR of Hamburger Helper!!
I was on leave from work for 3 weeks (annual leave). I cannot express how much I enjoyed spending my day in the kitchen cooking healthy (and not so healthy) foods. I wish I could cook them for 365 days and store them to use until my next leave period. Alas I cannot. The women out there who are able to stay at home to cook and clean – please take full advantage of your time and do a good job, your family will love you for it, if not now then later in life when they look back to how different their childhood was from others.
Thanks for the comment, and you’re right. Those of us who stay home should really take advantage of the fact that we can cook yummy foods for our families. Thanks for your encouragement for other mommies.
Seemingly small ways to avoid the temptation but I can see where they would be a good help. The busier we are the more appealing the convenience is. This is an excellent article.
I’m glad you enjoyed this. I agree, as life keeps rushing by the conveniences seem so much more appealing. The better planning we have and knowing what are weaknesses are can really help when things get very hectic. Thanks for the comment.
I’ve never been a homemaker and my mother wasn’t one either. We live in the Philippines and we have helpers. I am always sooo amazed at how you sisters are able to take care of your families AND have time to blog! Patsy from HeARTworks and papemelroti
It has been a struggle for me, also! I can really empathise with not thawing something. Dh hates hamburger helper (I have never made it, though), but last week I bought a frozen lasagne that was just gelatinous and unnatural, yuck! I have yet to pre-make some homemade convenience foods–I have been wanting to for so long. Best of luck and I just found your blog and enjoy it!
I completely understand not getting around to making pre-made convenience food. It’s definitely something I need to get better with. I think as I get better with planning our meals and snacks, I will be able to pre-make things.
There was a time I didn’t know that would ever happen! Thanks for commenting!
As far as frozen store bought food, I agree, I just can’t eat it anymore. I look at it and think it looks good, but the moment I taste it I am highly disappointed. I guess it’s a good thing because not only does it stop me from buying them, but it shows that I have gotten used to home-made cooking.
One thing that I discovered that is a “time-saver,” but still very healthy is to make meals ahead of time on a day when I have the block of time. Not only does it save time later, but it also saves money because then I can buy things in greater quantity, which often is a little cheaper. I can either put it in the fridge for later in the week, or put it in the freezer and have a “convenient” meal later. There are some short-cuts, but they still require time and energy and planning. I guess it is a matter of being wise with what short-cuts we choose.
I also agree with the cleaning…I prefer using vinegar and baking soda. I even make my own laundry detergent…it cleans as well as Tide but cost pennies and is good for the environment! Bonus!
I completely agree, making food ahead of time and freezing it seems to be the perfect solution for convenient foods. I’m glad that you have had a good experience with making your own cleaning products. I see no downside to it, and love saving money while being healthier. Thanks for the comment!
We are trying to move farther away from convenience foods at our house. I’ve always cooked most of our meals, but never thought twice about that can of soup that I added to the casserole. The bottom line for me is that many convenience foods and other items undermine our health. That is my motivation for change!
You’re so right! We eat so much healthier when we eat less “convenient foods”. I can relate to the cans of soup added to casseroles. I discovered how to make my own when we had run out of cream of ______ for tuna noodle casserole. Now I love to taste of it so much more, and all it took was butter, milk and flour! Those are the times I feel really excited and encouraged! Thanks for sharing.