RANT WARNING - This makes me SOOOO mad!!!

[hedgewizard]

I love it when MPs do this, they always make such an ass of themselves. Edwina Curry's try at it was pretty funny too. I mean, we'll have to have our smuggled-in salmon on white toast, darling - the budget just won't stretch to caperberry mini bagels...

[Diana]

It seemed the main causes for bad diet were (as wulf said) lack of cooking skills but also poor access to food.

Can I also through into that the "can't be bothered" factor? Can't be bothered to cook!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who eats well on a budget (was a bit worried when I started this thread)

[Millymollymandy]

Can I also through into that the "can't be bothered" factor? Can't be bothered to cook!

When I can't be bothered to cook - I make porridge!!

[2steps]

or use the slow cooker! or reheat something you froze previously for a day just like that

[2steps]

I got a reply from her with her site link. You guys should check out the diary. The menu plan is pretty pants, she must be able to do better than that? and the shopping list too £1.20 for 2 loafs of bread, 1 pot of yoghurt 52p and a tin of beans for 47p I don't buy them but surely 1 corgette can't cost 99p?

http://www.helengoodman.co.uk/

[Stonehead]

I got a reply from her with her site link. You guys should check out the diary. The menu plan is pretty pants, she must be able to do better than that? and the shopping list too £1.20 for 2 loafs of bread, 1 pot of yoghurt 52p and a tin of beans for 47p I don't buy them but surely 1 corgette can't cost 99p?

http://www.helengoodman.co.uk/

I don't know where she's shopping, but it's not cheap!

Compare what we pay and what she pays

Baked beans 17p 47p
Porridge 38p 50p
1lb mince £1.40p £2.09p
Tin tomatoes 15p 39p
4l milk £2.22 £2.60

She paid 62p for four bananas, we paid 79p for seven.

And on it goes. Our mince even comes from a local butcher who buys his beef from local farmers, but it's still cheaper.

Any guesses as to where she's shopping? Or is she buying all branded stuff?

Other things that amuse me...

Helen Goodman says she cooks, but then comes up with the most boring of menus. I suspect she's trying to make a point!

She says "Also, I have a garden in real life and grow vegetables but this isn’t an option for young single people in flats and urban areas." Erm, I've lived in flats and urban areas and always grew veg and herbs, even when I was younger. Has she not heard of pots and window boxes?

But I would agree with her comment that she feels hungry. That's because people are used to being "full" and so snack eat to stay full. Actually, you're supposed to feel hungry - it's what gives you the motivation to go and find food. Some yoga teachers point this out - that you shouldn't eat to be full, you should eat to satify your hunger and no more.

Anyway, it's been a long day so I'm off for some much needed beauty sleep! Although it's probably too late...

[PurpleDragon]

Actually, you're supposed to feel hungry - it's what gives you the motivation to go and find food. Some yoga teachers point this out - that you shouldn't eat to be full, you should eat to satify your hunger and no more.

My ex-DH used to do this. He would complain at the end of a meal that he was still hungry, and eat more. Eventually I said to him that he wasn't "still hungry" but not full to the gunnels. He would actually eat till his stomach was sore, and then he felt 'full'. Just to be a bitch - he was overweight, smoked too much and ended up having a heart attack.

[2steps]

my OH is a bit like that too - eats till he feels totally stuffed. I hate that feeling personally.

No idea where she's shopping either but it maybe that she's only buying brands. My prices from asda are simular to yours stoney

[Millymollymandy]

The only thing on her shopping list which is cheaper in France is fruit juice, although she doesn't say how many litres, just 'a box'.

If I could buy food items for the prices she's paying I'd be laughing all the way to the bank.

I reckon that lot would cost another £10 in France.

[2steps]

I think by box she must mean a cartoon which I think is 1 litre

[Merry]

I love the idea of juices coming in cartoons!

[2steps]

eek would that be a healthy tv show then?

[the.fee.fairy]

Aherm, although i agree that it is possible to eat healthily on a budget, and i also agree that she can grow tomatoes at least in a flat, i do think that if she findsa it that difficult, it can only be a good thing. THis means that she will push to help single mothers, either by providing more work opportunities, or by making the benefits system work more in their favour. Hopefully, this will branch out everywhere else too.

My dad was mae redundant after having a stroke, at the time, he was supposrting ,my mother and my sister, but he only got £90 a fornight. That was to pay the bills, the mortgage and buy food. Luckily, he had some savings.

So hopefully, if this MP suffers enough, then she might campaign for a better system for everyone.

Personally, i['d like to see her sorting out working opportunities for single parents (this only comes because i have a friend with two children who flat out refuses to work at all). But that's a personal opinion.