Britons ‘desire self-sufficiency’

Sunday, 22 July 2012

One in four people are growing their own food, baking bread or making jams, according to a new survey

• 
  enlarge

Eight out of 10 of Britons yearn to become more self-sufficient, according to a survey.

The poll by speciality cheese maker Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses reveals that a majority of people would prefer a simpler, self-reliant existence – free from the pressures of modern living and consumerism.

Eighty-two per cent of those questioned said they craved a homespun lifestyle, with a third wanting to emulate Tom and Barbara Good from the classic ’70s TV sitcom The Good Life.

One in four claimed to be either growing their own food, baking bread or making jam and chutney in an effort to become more self-sufficient.

The poll also suggested the notion of keeping up with the Joneses has been turned on its head, with 31% saying that their neighbours and friends now liked to boast about how self-reliant they were.

As a result, competitive parents have started exaggerating their own home-making abilities – almost a quarter (22%) saying they had lied about their skills. More than a third (34%) admitted to passing off shop food as their own, with 15% even passing off designer clothes as second-hand or charity-shop bargains.

However, the survey of 1,000 people revealed the economic downturn has led to families making changes to their lifestyle – 45% saying they wasted less food, 43% choosing to eat at home rather than dining out and 33% prepared to fix broken items rather than throwing them out.

Peter Elvin, of Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, said: “People aspire to make their own foods but not many actually manage it on a day-to-day basis and some foods are perceived as just too hard to make. While people were already making bread, jam and chutneys, only 3% have started experimenting with making cheese.

“We hope that even if most people aren’t yet making their own products that they remain interested in the massive range of foods from small producers that you can now buy on farmers’ markets and in local shops and perhaps this will inspire more people to have a go themselves.”

‘);

Share and Enjoy

Perfect Foods For The Perfect Film

Ever thought that you just weren’t keeping up with that in-depth twisty thriller, or just can’t get the giggles out of that comedy you know you should be? Well, forget getting that surround sound to boost the pleasure, online movie service blinkbox are claiming it’s all down to food.

Having consulted with neuroscientist Dr. Jack Lewis, The Gadget Show’s favourite film streaming service has created a mix of foods so bizarre that Heston Blumenthal would think twice about them.

“Everyone knows that certain drugs can change the way you feel, but the chemicals we take into our bodies through our diet can also have an effect on our mood,” says Dr. Jack

“Choosing to eat certain foods, whilst leaving others out, regulates the availability of ‘raw materials’ that the brain’s chemical messengers are created from. This means that you can tailor your meals to create the perfect mood for a movie night in, no matter what the genre.”

blinkbox CEO Michael Comish went on to say; “We’ve had a lot of fun working with Tesco and Dr. Jack Lewis to identify some of the more unusual food ingredients that can help you make the most out of whatever film genre you’re into.”

So, believe it or not, these are his picks for the perfect meal for each genre. Only those boldly pursuing results for science may want to try come of these combos though;

Romance

Curl up with a spicy curry to top up your libido-stoking testosterone levels.

Action

Sun-dried tomatoes coated in cocoa powder will raise noradrenaline which is instrumental to sensations of excitement.

Comedy

Fresh fish stuffed with beetroot and coleslaw to supplement the nitric oxide system and improve dopamine availability in the pleasure pathways of your brain.

Drama

Chopped lemon, lime and mint sandwich drizzled with chilli sauce on whole wheat bread to trigger the RAS (reticular activating system) to remain alert and focused.

Horror

Chicken marinated in freshly brewed coffee will take you out of your comfort zone and raise levels of anxiety.

All this is aid of blinkbox’s Movie A Meal deal with Tesco, where Tesco customers can now rent a blinkbox new release movie for just £2 with the purchase of a variety food and drink combinations.

Any of you brave enough to give one of these a spin? Let us know in the comments below.

 

Share and Enjoy