Wednesday, May 27, 2015

THEY CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME – BUT TAKE AWAY THIS!



Eleanor Powell
Rogers & Astaire from "Shall We Dance". She eventually accepted his invitation

“There are many, many crazy things”….the opening lyrics to a song, the title of which I borrowed for this post.  I’ll return it as soon as I’ve finished with it.  I very seldom borrow, but on the rare occasions I do, I always promptly return what I’ve borrowed.

 "They Can't Take That Away From Me"

There are many, many crazy things
That will keep me loving you,
And with your permission
May I list a few?

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that  
No, no - they can't take that away from me.
 
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off-key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no - they can't take that away from me

We may never, never meet again
On that bumpy road to love
Still I'll always
Always keep the memory of...

The way you hold your knife
The way we danced until three
The way you've changed my life
No, no - they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me

The song was co-written by the legendary lyricists and composers, George and Ira Gershwin; two brothers who left a legacy of memorable songs and musical shows. Songs that will remain long after I’ve ceased treading the boards!


This particular song – “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” - was originally performed by Fred Astaire when he sang it to Ginger Rogers in the 1937 film, “Shall We Dance”.  Rogers didn’t accept his invitation in that instance, but from then on she did.  I think she might have been a little jealous of Eleanor Powell, one of Astaire’s dance partners.  Powell was a brilliant dancer in her own right, known for her expertise as a tap dancer.  Eleanor Powell was one of my mother’s favourite dancers.  Powell and the actor Glenn Ford were married for 16 years.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94XNnIXe2zE

George Gershwin died from a brain tumour two months after the film “Shall We Dance” was released; he was only 38 years old.

However, after that one time of declining Astaire’s offer to dance while on a fog-engulfed deck of a ferry (the rocking of the boat probably put her off, more than Astaire’s offer) Rogers accepted Astaire’s future invitations; and what a grand pair they made. They co-starred, danced, loved and laughed together in 10 films.

Later, other greats such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Tony Bennett and Sarah Vaughan, to name only a few, put their stamp on the song; not by stamping on it by their feet, but by their voices. 

Frustratingly and unfortunately, there are many, many crazy things going on in our world today. With your permission may I mention not a few, but one?

An article and survey conducted a few weeks ago by the “Sunday Mail”, - a Queensland newspaper that, obviously, is issued on Sundays – was based on take-away foods. The article was about the cost of takeaway foods as against home-made versions of similar tucker. 

It doesn’t, or shouldn’t, take the mind of an Einstein to figure out home-cooked/prepared is cheaper; but it became apparent in many cases the mind of an Einstein is required for some; for too many, sadly.

The question asked was whether the surveyed participants believed buying takeaway food for the family is cheaper than doing the cooking one’s self.

The answers given by most floored me. They declared it probably depended on how many people were being catered for. Many of those surveyed believed if catering for a crowd it would be cheaper ordering in!  

My mouth fell open in disbelief!  How can people be so dumb?  I find it incredible there are people who think (and act) this way.
 
Perhaps I was brought up in a parallel universe; maybe I’m still living in one. I quite like it over here, by the way. I intend remaining where I am.

I’m no Einstein, but I can’t, in my wildest, craziest moments imagine catering for a crowd by ordering from a fast-food outlet instead of preparing the food myself. (Be assured - or be warned - I’ve had more than my fair share of crazy moments; and no doubt will have a few more - I hope I do).

I’d be still paying off the loans if that was the practice I’d adopted when I threw dinner parties and the like. 

As well as wandering aimlessly around this parallel universe with purpose in mind, I must be old-fashioned; making me an old-fashioned, old wanderer who prefers doing her own cooking when catering for a group of friends.  Once upon a time I entertained frequently at home.  I was always hosting dinner parties, luncheons etc., and more times than not for groups of six or more guests.

I no longer host dinner parties or parties of any description or size; I gave up doing so around five years ago; but I know, emphatically, I could cater for a group far more cheaply doing the job myself from fresh produce prepared in my little, not fancy kitchen, than grabbing a pile of take-aways from Maccas, KFC and the like. I won’t let them take away my dollars!

Without blowing my own trumpet (I don’t own one…so it’s makes trying to blow one very difficult), my homemade food would be a lot tastier and far healthier, too. 

Anyway, even if I had a trumpet to blow I’d be off key. I can’t whistle a tune – not Dixie, nor even a Gershwin melody! 

Back in the early Nineties when I was cooking at Lorikeets’ Restaurant in Glenden a young couple with a toddler purchased all their meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner – seven days and nights a week from the local takeaway shop!

Towards the end of the husband’s pay period he'd run up a credit with the shop owner. Each fortnight on pay day he’d settle what he owed, only to begin his take-away cycle all over again. Not a healthy habit to get into whichever way you look at it.  

I’ve often wondered what happened to the young family and their children…I imagine they added to their brood. Bringing up kiddies on take-away food…junk food...is not the way to go.   

I wished someone had taken the wife-mother aside to set her straight on a few important facts of life.  The sad thing is, the children most probably perpetuated the bad habits they learned throughout their childhood.

Once in a blue moon take-away is okay. Please don’t misunderstand me.  I love a good feed of fish and chips once in a while; not that I treated myself accordingly for a long time, now I come to think about it!   

I’ve only ever had one McDonalds; "burger", and probably only twice have I had their chips/French fries.  As for Kentucky Fried chicken – in my life I’ve only ever had it three times. The third time was in 1996 or 1997 and after taking one bite I tossed the rest away. It was inedible.  An oily mess of gross-tasting nothingness!

I admit I do enjoy a good hamburger, but only if made by a individually-owned local vendor/store owner. 

Even then, I can’t remember the last time I had one.  It would have to be seven or so years ago. Time to get my act together and treat myself to a feed of fish and chips, to be followed a week or three later by a well-made, healthy burger from the same shop.   

Husband and wife team, John and Margaret who own a local take-way store here on the mountain make wonderful fish and chips, and burgers.  It’s so long since I’ve entered their shop they probably think I’ve died!  Actually, I ran into John in the supermarket a couple of years ago and he said similar words to me!   I must…I must pay them a visit!!

I can’t imagine catering for a crowd, or raising children on take-away food. No wonder people complain all the time about being broke!  For God's sake, it's time they woke up to themselves!

Forget about being able to afford to feed the madding crowd - I couldn’t afford to feed myself if I only ate take-away (take-out for the folk in the Northern Hemisphere)!

Junk food should be taken away from kids before the kids are taken away!

Falafel Burgers:  Process 2c chopped parsley, 3 large garlic cloves, 2-1/2tbs lemon juice, 1-1/4tsp cumin, pinch or two of turmeric, a pinch of salt and pepper; add 420g can rinsed, drained chickpeas; pulse until still slightly chunky. Transfer to bowl; add ¼ to 1/2c ground walnuts/pecans/almonds or oat flour; mix to loose dough - firm enough to handle. Form into 4 or more patties, ½-inch thick. Place on lined baking tray; chill 15mins.  For extra crust, heat oil in pan; add falafel; flip once; return to tray; place in 190C oven; bake 30-40mins, turn once. Serve warm on pita or buns, topped with hummus, tomato, lettuce onion etc.  

Mustard-Crusted Beef with Horseradish Cream: Trim and tie a 2kg whole eye fillet. Season with salt and black pepper; then rub over prepared mustard, coarsely chopped garlic and chopped fresh rosemary. Cover and chill overnight. Bring to room temp. Wipe off garlic. Heat oil in pan; add beef; brown all over; place in centre of 230C oven; roast as desired.  In bowl whisk 2c crème fraîche, 1/2c horseradish and grated zest of half orange; season; serve beef as centerpiece when catering for a group.  Freshly-cracked black pepper, herbs and mustard make for a great crust, too.  Anything that your heart desires...within reason, naturally!!   

Cheesy-Chicken Pasta Bake:Preheat the oven 200C.  In salted water boil; add 1-1/2 to 2 cups pastine pasta, or Orzo or any other small pasta; cook until just tender; stir occasionally. Drain into large bowl. Meanwhile, put 3tbs olive oil in pan over med-heat; add 2-1/2c 1-inch cubed chicken breast or thigh meat; cook 3-4mins; add 1c diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves; cook until onions are soft and chicken cooked through. Add chicken mixture to pasta; add 2 cans of diced tomatoes, un-drained, 2c shredded mozzarella, 1/2c grated parmesan, 1/2c chopped flat-leaf parsley, Italian herbs to taste, sprinkle over some powdered chicken stock; add some cracked pepper; adjust seasonings to taste. Place mixture in buttered/oiled baking dish/es.  In bowl combine 1/2c dry breadcrumbs, ½ parmesan; sprinkle over top of chick/pasta mixture; dots top with small pieces of butter; bake until top is golden; about 30mins.  Adjust the quantities, up or down, naturally, according to numbers you’re cooking for.


Buttermilk Chicken: Preheat the oven 200C. Place wire rack in baking tray; spray or oil. Mix together 2c buttermilk, juice of half lemon, 1tbs hot sauce (Worcestershire or chilli), ½ onion sliced, 5 sprigs thyme, 3 smashed garlic cloves, salt, and pepper, to taste, in a large bowl. Add  8 chicken pieces; well. Cover chill 3hrs or overnight.  Mix 2c crushed corn flakes, 3/4c parmesan and 2tsp chopped thyme together; season. Remove chicken from marinade; let the excess drip off, dredge in corn flake-Parmesan mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on the wire rack in baking tray; bake 45mins until golden and crisp. Again, increase quantities for increased numbers.


Baked Oats Brekkie: Spray 9x13 baking dish. Combine 2c rolled oats, 1/3c light brown sugar, 1tsp baking powder, 1/2tbs grated orange zest, 1-1/2tsp cinnamon, 1/2tsp salt, 1/4 c chopped walnuts or pecans, 1/2c sliced strawberries and 1/6th cup choc chips. In a bowl whisk together 2c milk, 1 large egg, 3tbs melted butter and 2tsp vanilla. Pour dry ingredients into baking dish; spread evenly. Top with 1/2c sliced strawberries, 1/4c chopped walnuts/pecans, 1/6th cup choc-chips and 1 ripe, sliced banana. Pour milk mix over top; ensure all is covered; bake 35-40mins. If you like, sprinkle a little brown sugar over top during last 5mins.

I wrote this article a few weeks ago in readiness to submit in the near future as one of my weekly articles I write for the little local rag here where I live. After reading and being inspired by River's last post, I thought I'd post my article here, too.  I've added a little to my original script...here is the bloated version!

44 comments:

  1. Oh yes.
    I am always amazed at the numbers of people who seem to virtually live on fast food. Bleah. Expensive and often nasty.

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    1. Me, too, EC....there's too many who do, I believe. I don't know how they can...yuck!

      Thanks for popping in. :)

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  2. Having a quiet giggle here at being an inspiration to anybody!
    People often think home made is more expensive because they add up the cost of ingredients and of course a takeaway burger and fries is cheaper. but they forget that from those ingredients they can make three or four times as many meals as the one takeaway. And meals such as soups or casseroles can be stretched further by adding noodles to the soups and serving the casseroles with mashed potatoes and green veg.
    I've never catered for crowds or had dinner parties, I'm not good with fancy foods, but nutritious, filling meals for my family were well within my scope.

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    1. Don't undersell yourself, River. :)

      I was going to write another chapter to my lengthy saga, but thought, in the meantime, I'd post something I'd already written, and just add to it a little. So when I read your post this morning I decided I'd build on the theme!

      As you know I've catered for many over the years in the jobs I've held, but everything I prepared whether commercially or domestically has always been nutritious...and also good, hearty meals...none of the "nouvelle cuisine" with a couple of dots on a plate and a scant piece of protein that even our furry mates would turn their haughty noses up at while demanding more!

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  3. I craved McDonald's Big Macs when I was pregnant with my daughter and still have to have one once in a while. KFC has changed their secret recipe for fried chicken and made it even worse.

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  4. Hey there, Annie. I like a good burger, but not the ones made by McDonalds...and as for KFC...well, it leaves much to the imagination, that's for sure. I think we're all better off using our own secret recipes. :)

    I hope all is going well with you....take it steady. I hope you put that Nutri-Ninja to good use. Once you get into the habit, you'll wonder what you did without it. It's a jug full of health. I'm sure you'll enjoy using it. I love my Nutri-Bullet and I swear by it (not at it). It's wonderful; I use it every morning...filled with goodness.

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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  5. Yes, of course you are right about it being much more cost-effective to prepare your own food for a party, but very few possess the culinary skills you have. So, if the less-fortunate want to make a good impression upon their guests, catering might prove to have the most overall value.

    Oh, and there is also the amount of time required to prepare really good food for a party that should not be discounted. For not everyone has the time to stop and taste the sauce before serving it. (LOL?)

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    1. Jerry, I'll must agree to disagree with everything you've written, if if you've written it with your tongue up your cheek.

      If the guests you invite into your home are those who need to be impressed, then they should never be invited into your home.

      Simple is best...and there are many simple ideas and recipes. The best thing about a dinner party, whether it be two or eight...is the company. A simple meal of a fresh loaf of bread, butter, cheese shared with a good friend and a glass of red can be a meal prepared in heaven. :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  6. Very interesting post, my dear Lee...I've never had a Big Mac, or anything else from MaC D's....and I'm not a Fast Food person---As to KFC....I remember when the first one opened here in L.A., a friend had a dinner party and served this delicious Fried Chicken. We all thought she cooked it herself.....It was delicious!! That goodness disappeared fairly quickly as it grew into a BIG Chain.....But, I'm talking about the early 1960's, when it first opened!
    No question cooking at home or even having it catered 'at home' is the only way to go.....!

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    1. Hey there Naomi...the first KFC opened in Australia, in Guilford, Sydney in 1968; and the first one opened here in Queensland in 1969. and the first time I tried KFC was around 1971...and I didn't much like it the first time, either.

      Yep...home is best. :)

      I hope you are well...take good care of yourself...thanks for coming in. :)

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  7. I don't tend to eat "fast food', but I do love a good dine out. Although I did get Chinese take out Tuesday evening (it was raining and I was tired from work).

    I'm listening to a book on CD right now about life during WWII, when there was very little food for a family in France. She started imagining things to eat, etc. and as I was listening to that, while sitting in traffic, I was beside a McDonald's. The Big Mac flashed through my mind - I haven't had one in years - and made me think that if I found myself to be food deprived like that, if I would dream of Big Macs.

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  8. And I forgot to mention that Rhapsody in Blue was my father's favorite song, so I am a fan of Gershwin music, too.

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    1. Firstly, Lynn...I love Rhapsody in Blue, too....what a magnificent piece of music. I must dig it up...I've not heard it in years. Wonderful!

      I don't believe it would be Big Macs I'd be dreaming of - or KFC! lol

      I enjoy a good "dine out", too...but that's a completely different matter. Thanks for dropping by. :)

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  9. I love all that old information - makes me think of my mother. I didn't know Gershwin died at 37 or that so many different people sang that song. I love all those old movies - do you watch them?

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    1. Hi Sandie...that's only the tip of the iceberg on the number of people who sang the Gershwin song. It's a great old song.

      I used to watch the old movies and love them, Sandie...not so much now as very few of them are shown on TV. I wish one of the channels (one of the channels I'm linked to, anyway) had a festival of them. I'm sure a channel on Foxtel or the like - pay-TV has such a channel devoted to the old movies...but I don't have pay-TV.

      The old "song and dance" movies were fabulous. I was a huge fan of Gene Kelly, too. He was a fantastic dancer.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  10. HOW can a person, or three, afford to eat out three meals a day? I'd say the woman was too lazy to stir a pot, wash one, or know what to put in it.

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    1. I couldn't agree with you more, lj re that young woman. It was sheer laziness.

      I will never accept the pathetic excuse - "I don't know how to cook.".

      My answer to that is..."Well, learn how to cook - it's not difficult!" It's laziness on so many levels...and ignorance.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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    2. I agree; learn to cook.

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  11. Yes those songs will be sung long after the world stops turning. Take out is not CHEAP nor is it ever as good as home cooking. I always tell Mimi that I know how I prepare food but have to only guess what has been done to it when cooked by someone else. Peace

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  12. G'Day, Lady Di..the little local, privately-owned shops like the one I mentioned we have up here on the mountain where I live are usually okay. I know the one here is, anyway....they make their own meat patties for their burgers etc., and their fish & chips are great. Even then I very rarely buy take-away, as I said; but I've just about talked myself into visit John and Margaret's shop for a feed of fish & chips or have one of their hamburgers. The trouble is, like today for instance...I go out to do my shopping early, so I get it over and done with and am back at home again as soon as possible. And once that is done, there is no way anyone will get me to go out again...even for a good feed of fish and chips! There in lies my problem in not having any for a long time! lol

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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  13. Like you, Lee, I rarely eat takeaway foods but also like you, I love a good burger. When I was living and working in Brisbane, occasionally some of us would head off to the Bomb Shelter at the Story Bridge Hotel for lunch. They made spectacular burgers...the best I've ever tasted! Writing about has given me a yen for one...I'll have to find a good burger place here on the Coast.

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    1. Hahahahaha...I've just about talked myself into doing similar, Robyn! John will have a heart attack if I walk into his shop! ;)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  14. After reading your reply it made me think of an old saying in the South. Put your blinders on and head for the barn.

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    1. Which way is the barn, Miss Kitty? ;)

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  15. I met a lady last weekend who was doing a dinner party for 28 that night! We have a very good fish & chip shop on Sheridan street that have a cold cabinet filled with 5 different salads. It is my Friday night treat ~ fish, chips and a choice of three. No washing up, and dead to the world by 8pm last night. Thank you for reminding me that your post was here Lee ~ it has been a busy week at work. Rainy day here, so being very lazy.

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    1. I don't blame you at all, Carol, after a long hard week working treating yourself to a good feed of fish and chips. I'd do similar in your position; and did similar at times before I got too old and gave up working! ;)

      When I was cooking commercially, full-on split-shifts, long hours; when at times I only had Sunday's off I'd shoot out early Sunday morning to pick up the paper and I'd buy a freshly-made cheese burger with the works from a local little shop that made great burgers...all fresh ingredients...and race back home with both paper and burger in hand. That would be my breakfast while reading the paper...no cooking...no washing up, as you say. I'd had enough cooking during the rest of the week...and I'd have a rest from it on my Sundays off.

      It's not those kinds of treats I refer to...and as I said in one of my previous responses...these days now that I'm no longer in the workforce...when I do my supermarket shopping I do it very early. Our Supa-IGA up here on the hill opens its doors at 7 am and that suits me just fine. I like to go out and get it all done and be back home again. And, of course, by doing my shopping this way...once I've been out, I don't feel like going out again...hence the lack of enjoying a good feed of fish & chips, or the good burgers made by the little local shop just down the road a bit; but I'm rapidly talking myself into going out again later in the mornings one day to treat myself to either a burger or fish & chips! The day is drawing nigh! lol

      I'm referring to the big take-away conglomerates that, in my opinion, produce "plastic" food with little or no nutritional value.

      My comment in your blog wasn't meant to be a hint, Carol! lol

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  16. My wife and me went to a fancy dress as Fred and Ginger!

    Only ever encountered the Goggomobil in a TV advert. Nice to know that its really real.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. Oh, the Goggo was real, Stewart...so very real. It was a wonderful, fun little car . Great memories were made at that time! :)

      Let's see the photos, Fred...I mean, Stewart!! Thanks for coming by. :)

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  17. Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did...but backwards and in high heels!
    Apparently, Fred Astaire was a difficult sort of felllow, brilliant dancer of course, but not so nice from the accounts I have read. I mean no offense to him but I can imagine that as a woman at that time, men could be difficult to work with!
    Just saw a quote yesterday from Samuel Johnson on JEOPARDY...about oats, somethng about what the English feed to their horses but what the Scottish use everyday....OATS! (Sorry, I am no Samuel Johnson and I can't remember much.)

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    1. Hi Kay...I've never read that about Astaire, not about him as a person, but I've read often that he was a perfectionist...and that's understandable. He lived his personal life privately without much fanfare and ado, but when it came to his dancing...well, one can imagine he'd be a very dedicated performer.

      Quote: "His perfectionism was legendary; however, his relentless insistence on rehearsals and retakes was a burden to some. When time approached for the shooting of a number, Astaire would rehearse for another two weeks and record the singing and music. With all the preparation completed, the actual shooting would go quickly, conserving costs. Astaire agonized during the entire process, frequently asking colleagues for acceptance for his work. As Vincente Minnelli stated, "He lacks confidence to the most enormous degree of all the people in the world. He will not even go to see his rushes... He always thinks he is no good." As Astaire himself observed, "I've never yet got anything 100% right. Still it's never as bad as I think it is." "

      We Aussies eat oats; I like oats...and I guess our horses do, too! lol

      Thanks for coming by, Kay...I'm off to boil up some oats for my breakfast! :)

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  18. You have to wonder why they do all these surveys and studies when the answer is so obvious. Time, rather than money, is why people choose take-out. Busy families with working parents and then chauffeuring children from activity to activity leaves little time to cook a homemade meal. My hubby likes to eat out because of the sociability of seeing other people, and I like that also, however, I more enjoy having others over to my house (especially in the summer) and enjoying their good company while eating the food that I (and they) have prepared.

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    1. Hi Arleen....Yes...I think I might conduct a survey on why surveys are conducted!

      I reckon the health of one's children should take priority. And I can't see anything healthy in eating junk food all the time. Perhaps a survey should be taken on time management! :)

      I used to enjoy entertaining at home, too...as I wrote...I used to do so often...sitting around enjoying a meal you've prepared with a group of friends is a wonderful pastime...especially with a couple of wines thrown in to the fray!

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  19. Random replies from me: 1. McDonald's isn't food. It's sickening. 2. I didn't know Gershwin died so young! 3. As always, your post made me hungry.

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    1. I agree re McDonald's, RK...plastic, chemical-filled garbage.

      There's a couple of recipes that would suit your tasts, RK...and a couple that are easily adapted accordingly.

      Thanks for coming in. :)

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    1. Hey there Cosmo...you're always hungry! :)

      Nice to see you. :)

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  21. Another thought-provoking post followed by delightful recipes. In Sheffield, we like to buy a nice "Takdir" takeaway curry every couple of weeks and sometimes a nice Chinese from "The New Hing Lung" but 90% of our meals are homemade from scratch. Too many people are taken in by all the marketing like sheep.

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    1. So true, Yorky...people are easily led; and in far too many cases too lazy to get off their butts and prepare food for their families...and for themselves.

      Thanks for popping in. :)

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    2. That last remark. Isn't it what you said to Sepp Blatter?

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    3. Tsk! Tsk! Yorky! You are a one!!!! :)

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  22. When I was unemployed it was impossible to live on takeaways. They were too expensive. I rarely used them before and don't now. I miss a good curry and I will have one sometime but it would cost so much I just eat my own muck.

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    1. G'day Adullamite...take-aways are too expensive to live on whether one is working or not; and not a healthy lifestyle to let become a habit.

      I like a good curry, too...and I make my own often. Much cheaper all round.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  23. That's great that you do without fast food, but you have to admit by your recipes here that you're an extraordinary cook. We try to stay away from take-out (take-away) ourselves since it's definitely not the healthiest, and it's pricey if you're on a fixed income too. By the way, does the northern hemisphere include England? I know they go by "take-away" as well, having gotten into a bit of a disagreement with a fish-and-chips proprietor there when I said I wanted mine "take-out." "Take-away" sounds like pilfering to me. The English do not like to be corrected by Americans on their vernacular, trust me.

    Just wonder, does the Aussie version of fish and chips get wrapped in the same newspaper style wrap as it does in England?

    I like listening to forties music on our Sirius radio. It makes you feel like you're back in one of those old movie musicals.

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    1. G'day Dave...once upon a time I did a lot of cooking both professionally and at home, but those days are in the past. I prepare simple meals for myself...healthy, but simple...just good old home-style cooking...which is the best, I reckon! I like reading recipes still...I always have - and I enjoy good, healthy food - I eat a lot of fresh fruit, raw nuts and fresh vegetables. That's not to say I don't treat myself every so often with things some may call wicked. If I ever stop doing that I may as well grab a shovel and bury myself! lol

      Moderation and a balance is the key, in my opinion. I'm not one for fad diets...nor am I one for wasting money I don't have on unnecessary expensive take-aways/take-out. Of course, my comments in my post refer to the excessive ingestion of junk food, not the once-in-a-while purchases.

      The last I looked England was still in the Northern Hemisphere! lol I knew the States used the term "take-out"...I wasn't sure what terminology the English used. When I was a kid our fish and chips were wrapped in newspaper, but that practice ceased a few decades ago.

      When I was a kid all those millions of years ago butchers wrapped our meat purchases in newspaper, too...the outer wrapping.

      For pocket money my brother and I collected newspapers to take to the shops, along with empty soft drink (soda) bottles. All the kids of that era did similar.

      That's another thing you can add to your bucket list, Dave...learning to dance like Astaire!! Thanks for coming by. :)

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