Some wise words about how we eat

By Siobhán Holliman THE appetite of our old peata the Celtic Tiger was often so monstrous that we forgot how much it took to keep him fed. Spending and eating habits have changed; where once many people couldn't tell you how much they paid for a litre of milk, now the savvy family shopper can estimate, within a few cent, the cost of most items on their grocery list. Recent reports seem to indicate that the less money a person has, the more processed foods they eat and, more worryingly, the more likely they and their children are to be overweight. Is good food really a luxury for families at the moment or is it a myth that if the food budget is tight, then our tastebuds have to suffer? Lovers of life and food Móna Wise and her hubbie Ron, affectionally referred to as the chef, experience a greater connection with their food then most. This has developed through their experience of running their own restaurant in America for five years and through their passion for eating fresh and local produce - wherever they may be. Although Ron is a professional chef, working in Morton's, the gourmet food, bakery and deli in Lower Salthill, Móna has picked up many of his skills through what she describes as 'kitchen osmosis'. 'Ron really does 70 per cent of the cooking at home but I still really enjoy cooking and baking,' she explains, adding that even their four children, aged from ten to six years, have mastered some basic recipes. A few weeks ago the couple set themselves the challenge of making dinner for their familiy of six in Claregalway (or sometimes seven when Móna's mum pops in) on a budget of just €10 a day. 'We wanted to see if we really could come up with nutritious meals that would feed us all for under a tenner. It definitely is possible but you have to be a good shopper and creative,' remarks Móna, who has her own food blog. No time is not an acceptable excuse in the Wise household when it comes to preparing dinner. Their house, with four children, a working dad and full-time student mammy, is just as hectic as others complain to be. 'When you start looking at the food budget, sometimes you have to wonder where all the money goes. 'In an effort to cut down on spending, many families cut out valuable nutrients as they choose cheaper and more convenient food over home-made dinners. By undertaking this challenge we want to show other families that it is possible to save money and still feed a family, nutritiously, for less than €70 per week,' continued Móna. Móna and the chef have a large part of the larder in their back garden. They produce a lot of their own meat and eggs and a small polytunnel and veg patch produces an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables from March until November. The view from the kitchen window certainly amazed me. I wasn't overcome by mesmerising scenery, I wasn't astonished by a Diarmuid Gavin inspired landscaping project, I was definitely, however, dumbstruck by the number and variety of two-legged feathered beings bopping about the backyard. Everywhere I looked there was a different type of duck or hen and they almost seemed to be chatting to each other as they scratched and bobbed around the garden. One duck definitely stood out and if Naomi Campbell was ever to go downy, the Indian Runner called Penelope would be the model duck. She had an elongated and elegant neck that was always held upright no matter how fast she waddled across the grass. Móna agreed that Penelope definitely topped the list when it came to the duck with gusto. But apart from this duck there are guinea fowls, Sussex hens, Bronze turkeys, Australorp hens and Muscovy ducks. The Muscovys, I'm told, are table birds. For a moment the vegetarian in me was perplexed - but reality soon hit home and I realised that these quack quacks were bred for being placed between the knife and fork. 'We started out with just two little red hens. We got our first egg on an Easter Sunday and when chef (who knew nothing about keeping animals other than a dog) ate that egg, he'd never tasted anything like it and was hooked,' smiles Móna, whose parents had always kept ducks and hens. Ron's enthusiasm for home produce lead him to study different breeds and this has resulted in the wide variety of feathered friends. Móna and Ron are long-term foster parents to two young children and Móna says the animals have been very helpful. 'I really believe in pet therapy. When the children get to hold a soft, fluffy chick in their hands it's an amazing experience for them. They also realise the responsibility that comes with having animals and they are all involved in caring for the birds from feeding them to mucking out. The kids are very proud of the animals,' she explains. But what about when it's quack quack's time to be yum yum, are there floods of tears? Apparently not. 'The kids will happily pluck the chickens. I think as long as they see that we're comfortable with it, then it's all fine,' reflects Móna. While most of us aren't so self-sufficient when it comes to stocking the fridge, Móna and Ron are adamant that tasty, nutritious meals are affordable, even when most items are shop bought. During their time in Ohio, they used as much locally sourced produce as possible when devising the restaurant menu. 'The menu was drawn up on the basis of what came through the door. Everything was in season and local. We were also very family orientated and affordable. Everything was under $20,' adds Móna. The living leaner challenge doesn't allow for too many fussy eaters at the table and Móna is the envy of many mothers as she reveals that the children will really eat anything and everything. 'Bring as much colour to the table as possible. They will try and eat different things in time, it's important not to force the issue. It's important to ensure the food tastes good too,' she says with a smile. Since the beginning of November, the couple have begun showcasing a number of recipes that are packed with flavour yet are gentle on the pocket. 'November is a difficult month on the pockets for most families. Saving for Christmas, extra fuel and electricity bills and winter clothing for children eats into the family budget,'' adds Móna. Each Friday afternoon, the couple spends an hour carefully planning the menu for the week ahead. Chef does the food shopping and Móna looks after the other household shopping needs. 'It makes shopping a lot easier and because we only carry a certain amount of cash with us, it's easier to stick to the budget,' she assures me. She believes people need to keep a better tab on what they are eating and where they are spending their money. 'Some extra cash in time for Christmas will be a real help for most families,' she concludes. The living leaner recipes that feature on Móna's website, www.wisewords.ie, include turkey lasagne, homegrown pizza with winter Rocket, apple and blueberry pie and vegetarian pasta bake.