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Digging for Victory: Land Girls Food Shortages in WWII
Rising food prices and a growing scarcity of grocery items can be tough on any family, but if you add in the hardships and stresses of wartime, the task of trying to get food and prepare meals can seem unachievable. However, we can look to history, especially to the Land Girls of the Women’s Land Army of the United Kingdom, to give us inspiration that we can take actions that improve the lives of our families and our nations.
These conversational vodcasts are available to the Kitchen Pioneers who have joined my YouTube membership community—The Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy.
*Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My content may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.
Discovering Land Girls at Our Community Library
Our local community library has a magazine exchange section where patrons can donate used magazines, as well as pick up periodicals that other folks have provided. Finding food publications are always a treat, and my sweet husband recently found a BBC History Magazine with a cover article about Digging for Victory. I knew this was going to be a fascinating article to read!
In my latest Kitchen Pioneers video, I talk about the “Dig for Victory: Britain’s WW2 war on hunger” article from the magazine that’s also available online. The British government encouraged everyone to grow their own food, not only to feed their families but to help keep their nation from starvation as well.
British Land Girls tended to farms and gardens across the United Kingdom as their husbands, brothers, and sons fought for freedom during WWII. American ladies also created Victory Gardens in the United States during the war.
Stretch Your Food and Don’t Waste
My mom talked about her experiences during the Great Depression in the United States and during wartime when America joined the Allies against the Axis powers. I often think about what she had to do without and how she worked to find and grow food. Her family used to have an apple tree, and the fruit it provided was one of many small streams of food that helped to stave off hunger.
Don’t waste. My mom always taught me not to waste food, especially since it was not always easy to come by. Find ways to stretch your food and use every last bit of it. These are lessons I share in two of my recent public videos.
Creating a Kitchen Victory Garden
You can be part of the Land Girls or guys at your own home by growing a kitchen garden (or a Victory Garden!) that will give you another stream of food for healthy meals made with real food. I show you how I created my kitchen garden, from planting to harvesting, in the following videos.
Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy
My comprehensive vodcasts are exclusively available to members of the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy, who we call Kitchen Pioneers. You can learn more about my optional YouTube membership community, including members-only videos and exclusive perks.
This membership community is optional. I’m still publishing my weekly detailed instructional cooking videos on my public YouTube channel that you can watch for free. (Thanks so much for being a Sweet Friend and subscriber!)
More Kitchen Pioneer Videos
As a Kitchen Pioneer member, your YouTube video comments include a special badge next to your YouTube username. You’re always welcome to post questions and comments on my videos, and I’m happy to reply.
Catch up on some of the videos in our membership community that you may not have seen:
- Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy video playlist (Optional Membership Community)
Here are a few of my recent member videos:
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- Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Traditional Foods Videos (Free) - When you subscribe, be sure to click on the notification bell that will let you know each time I upload a new video.
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Shop for items used in this blog post or video
Favorite Kitchen Supplies
- Favorite Aprons
- Chef’s Knife
- Bamboo Cutting Board
- Lodge Cast Iron Frying Pan
- Scanpan
- Spatula Spoon
- Whisk
- Large Stock Pot
- Stainless Steel Colander
- Large Measuring Cup
- Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Baking Sheet
- 2-Cup Glass Storage Jars with Lids
- 10-Piece Glass Bowl Set
- Flour Sack Towels
- Fat Separator
More Kitchen Supplies with Promo Codes
- Mockmill Grain Mill and Whole Grains (including Einkorn, Emmer, and Spelt)
Use my Mockmill affiliate link for a special one-time 5% discount on Mockmill Stone Grain Mill products, including the new Flake Lover's Flaker. (The Mockmill discount will appear when you checkout.)
Use promo code MARYSNST for a one-time 15% off Masontops and Breadsmart products on Amazon.com.
Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide
- Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
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Get up to 15% off for stocking your Traditional Foods Pantry and equipping your Modern Pioneer Kitchen, including discounts from US Wellness Meats, Mockmill Grain Mill, Masontops, Cultures for Health, Survival Garden Seeds, Redmond Real Salt, Plan to Eat, and More!
Recommended Reading
**Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.
