Books that inspire me to my vintage and more self-sufficient living (Part 1).

Honesty dictates that I certainly need reference material to living the single persons life in the fashion which I have taken up, whish to live, always liked etc.

So first book that I have here is Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.

This particular edition is the Benediction Classics edition copy right 2010. The edition is the hardback version which at the time was the only version I could find in print new. So this book really takes me away from the modern dependence of living and has such wonderful content to take you right out of the modern mass-produced supermarket offering for our daily diet which to quite honest is not good for me. Remember Supermarkets are in the business for profit not for our health. This brings me to the viewpoint that seeking out the more natural foods in its production whether a reared animal or grown plants will do wonders for you. In fact the whole gardening to grow your own fruit and vegetables will do wonders for you. And not forgetting some of the wild foods that abound but that is for another blog posting.

Well back to the book in question. Over 1100 pages originally published 1861. A most excellent publication for those that which wish to inquire to the information held with in. These often can be found second hand for a couple of pounds. Some editions being the updated version of the original. Its full of information such as the following picked at random.

Explanation of French terms used in modern household cookery.

The natural history of fish.

General remarks on sauces, pickles, gravies and forcemeats.

The chemistry and economy of soup making.

Game carving

and the list goes on.

One of the things that I wish to do as I use the recopies withing this book to work out the original cost in todays money and see what the actual cost of the purchase of the ingredients are. Then write a review of the Dishes that I've cooked, or preserved.

Over all this a very informative book and I'm going to say a must for the Gentlemen walking the walk of singleness whether being their who life as a bachelor or having single life thrust upon them unexpectedly. Its a must have in a Gentleman's library and having read the updated modern version I will say this back to the original version is a far superior publication in all ways.

Stay strong Gentleman and enjoy the good honest things that the Lord provides.