Monthly Archives: July 2010

Because I launched experiment into this with characteristically impulsive Mirandomness, I did not allow myself nearly enough time to decide upon the self imposed ground rules of how to handle ideas like “limited market availability” or the fact that nearly every single vegetable known to man, is pretty much available to me year round.  Our seasons are decidedly wonky, compared to Britain.

I have made the decision to limit myself to seasonally available produce.  Here’s the question…should I limit myself to vegetables that CAN be grown in Britain, even if they are out of season there?  For example, we can grow our own citrus and bananas in Houston.  In fact oranges are in season, right now.  HOWEVER in WWII era Britain, oranges were nearly impossible to obtain and when they were available, children and invalids received priority.

Nearly everything, save the pepers, planted in the victory garden, has the ability to grow in Britain, even if their summer peas are a winter crop for me.  For my next plantings (September and October) I intend to use heriloom varieties available pre 1945.

Here is another issue.  The availabilty of rationed items also seemed to fluxuate.  The family at Rational Living decided to simulate this by introducing a random scenario generator, called the “Mr. Bowles’ Amazing Marketplace Scenario Randomizer!“  I think this is brilliant.  The question is am I “hardcore” enough to introduce the possiblity of even less food than I’m already rationing myself?

SO what do you think, readers?  How far should I strive for accuracy?

The first step in my Ration-book diet experiment was to assess what I have on hand and shop for the rest. Since I’m the only one trying to follow the ration program, and there are two of us in the house, I had to come up with a way to prevent cross contamination of Pete and Miranda food stuffs.

I filled one of my little glass refrigerator boxes with a half stick of butter (4oz), 50z of extra sharp cheddar (I get 3oz more because I don’t eat meat),  and 2 eggs (vegetarians get an extra egg per week).  I purchased 1 quart of milk (2 pints) and a pint of cottage cheese, to make up my milk ration.  I justify the cottage cheese as this could have been made at home (which I would have attempted, but I was lazy and decided to let the dairy do it for me) and because cottage cheese was a popular meat substitute.  I measured out 2oz of olive oil and one cup of sugar for my weekly allotment.

Also purchased was a 10oz jar of Dickinson’s Organic Blackberry Preserves.  Jam rations ran between 80z and 160z, per month, throughout the war, so I believe 10oz is a reasonable compromise.  Other creature comforts include my loose leaf Earl Grey (2oz per week), which I sweeten with a bit of honey as honey was not rationed during the war like sugar was.

Supplemental items purchased include several zero point foods, one pound of split peas, oatmeal, a bunch of carrots, a bunch of celery, 3 pounds of potatoes, and 2 onions. 

Point items purchased include, 2 pounds of Red Kidney Beans and a 24 oz box of Grape Nuts (if anyone knows the appropriate vintage sizes of grape nuts packaging, please let me know).  I am allotted 16 points for “imported food” purchases per month.  I have decided (although some of you may perceive this as cheating) that I will base my 16 points periods on the calendar month…that is, my points will reset on the first Sunday of the Month.   My points will reset sooner this month, the first Sunday, being two weeks away, this will make it easier, so it is justified .

My points totals so far this month:

• Red Kidney Beans***2 points per pound****2 pounds: 4 points
• 24 oz Grape Nuts ***7 points per box****** 1 box:  7 points

Total spent: 11 points*******Total remaining: 5 points