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Publication Review

Title: The American Frugal Housewife
Author: Lydia M. Child, 1832
File: Free Book, ZIP 148 KB, HTML

Review
"Dedicated to those who are not ashamed of economy".

The Frugal Architect Todd Remington thought he was "tight", until he reviewed this classic piece of American literature. Surprisingly, the Introductory Chapter written in the early 1800's outlines a frugal life philosophy that still rings true today. Following chapters discuss frugal strategies for nearly all household tasks. Recycling within the home, making soap, making dyes, preserving meats, frugal recipes for a variety of foods, coffee substitutes, home health remedies, choosing furniture, education of daughters and children, frugal traveling and recreation, further writings on frugal philosophy and tips for living modestly. Even items like how to carve a turkey and other meats are dealt with from a frugal perspective. A must read for anyone wishing to live modestly today.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER 3
ODD SCRAPS FOR THE ECONOMICAL. 8
SOAP. 22
SIMPLE REMEDIES. 24
GRUEL. 30
EGG GRUEL. 31
ARROW-ROOT JELLY. 31
CALF'S FOOT JELLY. 31
TAPIOCA JELLY. 31
SAGO JELLY. 32
BEEF TEA. 32
WINE WHEY. 32
APPLE WATER. 32
MILK PORRIDGE. 32
STEWED PRUNES. 33
VEGETABLES. 33
HERBS. 36
CHEAP DYE-STUFFS. 38
MEAT CORNED, OR SALTED, HAMS, &c. 40
CHOICE OF MEAT. 43
COMMON COOKING. 47
VEAL. 47
CALF'S HEAD. 47
BEEF. 48
ALAMODE BEEF. 49
MUTTON AND LAMB. 49
PORK. 49
ROAST PIG. 50
SAUSAGES. 50
MINCE MEAT. 50
BEANS AND PEAS. 51
SOUSE. 52
TRIPE. 52
GRAVY. 52
POULTRY. 53
FRICASSEED CHICKEN, BROWN. 54
FRICASSEED CHICKEN, WHITE. 54
TO CURRY FOWL. 54
CHICKEN BROTH. 55
FISH. 57
PUDDINGS. 61
BAKED INDIAN PUDDING. 61
BOILED INDIAN PUDDING. 61
FLOUR OR BATTER PUDDING. 61
BREAD PUDDING. 62
RENNET PUDDING. 62
CUSTARD PUDDINGS. 62
RICE PUDDINGS. 63
BIRD'S NEST PUDDING. 63
APPLE PUDDING. 63
CHERRY PUDDING. 63
CRANBERRY PUDDING. 64
WHORTLEBERRY PUDDING. 64
PLUM PUDDING. 64
HASTY PUDDING. 65
CHEAP CUSTARDS. 65
COMMON PIES. 66
MINCE PIES. 66
PUMPKIN AND SQUASH PIE. 66
CARROT PIE. 67
CHERRY PIE. 67 W
HORTLEBERRY PIE. 67
APPLE PIE. 67
CUSTARD PIE. 68
CRANBERRY PIE. 68
RHUBARB STALKS, OR PERSIAN APPLE. 69
PIE CRUST. 69
COMMON CAKES. 70
GINGERBREAD. 70
CUP CAKE. 71
TEA CAKE. 71
CIDER CAKE. 71
ELECTION CAKE. 71
SPONGE CAKE. 71
WEDDING CAKE. 72
LOAF CAKE. 72
CARAWAY CAKES. 73
DOUGH-NUTS. 73
PANCAKES. 74
FRITTERS. 74
SHORT CAKE. 75
INDIAN CAKE. 75
BREAD, YEAST, &c. 76
PRESERVES, &c. 81
CURRANT JELLY. 81
CURRANT WINE. 82
RASPBERRY SHRUB. 82
COFFEE. 82
CHOCOLATE. 83
TEA. 84
PICKLES. 84
BEER. 86
GENERAL MAXIMS FOR HEALTH. 87
HINTS TO PERSONS OF MODERATE FORTUNE. 89 FURNITURE. 89
EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS. 91
TRAVELLING AND PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. 99 PHILOSOPHY AND CONSISTENCY. 104
REASONS FOR HARD TIMES. 108
HOW TO ENDURE POVERTY. 111
APPENDIX. 114
EXTRACTS FROM THE ENGLISH FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE. 121
CARVING. 122
INDEX. 124
APPENDIX. 130