So, that does include, first and foremost, being ok with having a cluttered kitchen (even if it’s “good” or “clean” clutter). My guess is that many people who are changing to a nourishing diet are not necessarily Type A (I’m not), but are usually women (and men!) who are used to being organized and on top of things. It’s hard for us to let that go, even if just in appearance.

Also, as is the case with me, many of us are just starting out. This is a radical paradigm shift in kitchen life! It will take time for that to happen, and we are used to accomplishing things quickly. I must personally also consider the time it will take to convince my family that it’s worth adjusting to the new flavors and recipes (which means, eventually, not cooking some things we’ve enjoyed for years — the jury’s still out on that one).

All in all, it is encouraging to know others experience the same frustrations — and for our family, it probably means taking a step back and taking a break sometimes. It’ll get there eventually, whatever that might look like ; )
.-= Katy´s last blog post… Our new favorite pizza =-.

excellent point. the so called “nuclear” family is tough on many folks, with no support outside of their immediate family. for a few months after my hubby’s paternity leave was over (7 weeks post partum), we hired a friend who cleaned the house, top to bottom, and organized things once everyweek or so. it was a dream… now that our baby is older,can spend a few minutes (sometimes even half an hour! ) playing with her older brothers, weno loner hire help, but it sure was worth the price!
.-= emily´s last blog post… Coconut Cocoa Almond Macaroons =-.

I want to point out that also, prior to the 1960′s, many single family homes had maids. My parent’s home from 1890, for example, was a middle class home of the time period and features a maid’s bedroom and maid’s staircase which goes up from her room to the attic and down from her room to the kitchen and cellar. My parents don’t have a maid, but this is a typical feature of period homes.

A hundred years ago, women worked in community when cooking and often cleaning as well. This is also a model of indigenous tribes. I grew up near the Amana Colonies which while modernized today, is well restored to the original buildings. At the time of settlement, it was a typical German settlement in America. There is a huge house for eating and cooking and it was done with help from the whole community. Certain people would cook and others would watch the children, etc.

It’s important I think to keep this in mind, not that maids and communal efforts can always or should be duplicated, but just to keep expectations real when you’re using traditional cooking techniques, raising and schooling your children yourself, and doing other home projects from scratch. It’s a lot easier to cook for 60 with 10 people assisting and rotating childcare than it is for 1 person to cook for 4.

I came to this realization when my baby was born. I kept thinking people wear babies in slings, cook dinners from scratch, etc. all the time with far less resources around the world, why is it so difficult? A lightbulb came on one day when I realized that a lot of the cultures practicing this had multigenerational families under one roof or a strong community to assist. So I haven’t given up trying but I keep this information in mind for perspective.

Thanks for recapping since I didn’t have time to read through all the comments!

xo,
Annette
(who currently has buttermilk, kefir, sprouting broccoli and olives curing on the counter and two stock pots of beef bone broth on the stove, boxes of apples waiting for juice for apple jelly or to make cider this weekend and items for chicken food on the kitchen floor…)
.-= Sustainable Eats´s last blog post… Squash Muffins =-.