The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-30
DIET FOR A FAMILY.
COST OF FEEDING FIVE PERSONS
IN GOOD HEALTH.
Thirty DollaRs = Month VIII su0ce
for m Average TaAle-WAy Il 10
Meal Not Prepared In the House.
Coed Wives Made by Training.
SECOND ARTICLE.

ono common cause of waste rests IN
buying too large quantities. This habit
Is due in part 10 the customs OF past gem
erations. when q house must be proyis-
Toned as q fortress for a siege, and one
years crops must last until the next were
harvested. 1t may he ascribed TO our bar
gain loving natures; we think we have a
good trade and buy so much that 1t spoiis
or we become tired OF one thing, even IL
served ia different forms. and eat IL under
protest. perhaps worse form OF waste
than any other. Again. a choice bit Is
seen and ordered without regard TO other
foods on hand. so that we have twice as
much as Is needed and thus are tempted
to overeat. One disadvantage in buying
In great quantities Is the tendency We
have Of using more than is necessary
merely because there is an abundance.
For this reason a barrel OF sugar may get
emptied sooner than II the same weight
were taken out In weekly portions.
1t is often better economy to buy Hour
by the bag than the barrel, and instead
of having one barrel for all purposes. We
may have one bag for pastry. another for
bread and other of entire wheat -four.
This is by far the best way where a part
Of the bread 10 bought instead o. being
made in the house. and the time IL COM
ing when bread will be made outside III a
better. cheaper manner than ii is now
made at home. Other cereals ought to
be purchased In small quantities. as they
are prone to grow oily and be attacked by
vermin.
for soups. salads and fricassees, and may
be roasted. II first steamed or parboiled.
Three pounds OF chicken at 20 cents per
pound would give W four pounds of fowl
at Is cents per pound.
Less meat. more vegetables and coarse
grains afford equal nourishment at much
less expense. Another reason for less meat
eating is the nervous temperament of the
American race. which Is unduIy stimulated
by an excessive meat diet. Many diseases
doubtless are caused by the overwork of
certain organs in the effort to dispose of
too much meat. One-half pound Is II fair
amount Of meat for each person per day.
even allowing for waste.
The cheapness OF vegetable food is the
reason for its use in densely populated
countries. yet the people are in good condi-
ton physically-as able TO work as those
whose food is largely meat. In many cases
II would be wiser for farmers to sell less
of their butter and eggs and substitute
them for pork and potatoes on their tables.
Peas. beans and icntils furnish nutriment
similar to that found In meats. but are so
concentrated that they need slow. careful
cooking to be dtgestible. These are also
rich in starch. but lacking in fat. which
ought to be supplied. as it usually 10. Fat
corned beef or pork may be used for baked
peas or beans. and when stewed a beef or
ham bone cooked with them. Other vege-
ia bles should be freely used and are always
attractive when well cooked.
Many civilized nations eat little or no
bread, but nearly all have some form of
mush or porridge. made from coarse
grains. The Scotch have oatmeal the
Italians polenta, etc. Pearled and crack
cd wheat. oatmeal. homfny and other
similar grains afford ample variety, and Il
fresh and cooked we'll are always good.
The fine grades OF whole wheat flour
make excellent bread and are also quite
as good az white flour for gingerbread.
cookies and many puddings.
But corn, above all other grains. Is
best suited to our needs, for the grain
which fiourishes best in country is
usually the one adapted to its people. No
article Of food could be less well spared
by those persons seeking to obtain much
for little money, yet 1t Is frequently de-
spised on account Of its cheapness. Few
people know how to cook 1t to develop
its flavor and nourishment. Fuel must
be reckoned In it's cost, since 1t needs
long cooking, but that should be slow
rather than rapid.
1t Is unnecessary for us to attempt to
decide the exact number of pounds OF
meat, -four. butter, etc. to be purcha sed
weekly or monthly by our typical family,
for every household prefers TO settle such
things for itself. and prices vary in diff
ferent sections OF the country. Where
the father dimes at a restaurant, or even
IL he carries his dinner. q variation must
be made.
Some one has estimated that In the
average household one-tenth Of the sum
spent for food goes for -four, a tenth for
butter. another for sugar. another for
milk. one-ffth for meat one-fifth for
fruit and vegetables. and the remaining
fifth for sundries.
With due attention to the points out
lined. one dollar per day or thirty dol
lars per month Is fair estimate for such
family. II would be quite possible Ia
live on less. and 1t 10 very easy to spend
more, with little apparent change In re-
suits.
The following figures have been taken
from the monthly accounts for a family
of Ave persons OF average health. means
and intelligence. The supplies for
month are reckoned in: Two bags of
-four. $780, cereals. etc. 50 cents: two
pounds of coffee. 10 cents: six to eight