I did a Q&A with my Australian publisher Penguin, I’d forgot about it but someone sent me the link they found online. I read it again and it made me laugh! I must have been in a funny mood when I answered the questions. Enjoy
Penguin Q & A with Rohan Anderson, author of Whole Larder Love
Tell us a bit about your childhood growing up on a farm?
It was a great adventure really. Although there was work to be done there was also a lot of getting up to mischief. My brother and I did a great deal of exploring, up and down the river, in the bush and sneaking onto other farms. We fished with worms on hooks, netted yabbies, chased wombats and treasured our pocket-knives. We slept out under the stars, sat around roaring campfires and pitched old A-frame tents. It was every boy’s dream. But, like I said, there was work: mending fences, bailing hay, planting, harvesting, rounding up stock, splitting wood and the weekly lawn-mowing. It was a valuable lesson that life isn’t all play. That time on the farm gave me my true spirit.
What made you want to write Whole Larder Love?
The book is really an extension of my blog. And my blog was started as a way to communicate what my life was about, what I did, what I believe and what motivated me to do the things that I do.
Are there any parts of the book that have special personal significance to you?
Not any one part in particular, but what has significance to me is that I wanted a particular way of life and I went out and did it. This book captures many of the things that I’ve learnt from the old ways including how to cook food that you’ve played a large part in acquiring. The things I didn’t know I taught myself or I found a mentor for that task or skill. I think that’s something that I’m most proud of, is putting myself in uncomfortable situations. Killing my first duck – in my hands – was one of those moments. I figured that if I was happy to accept my omnivorous state that I ought to take part in how that food got in my belly.
What do you see as the major themes in your book?
There is a subversive undertone of obtaining some level of self-sufficiency. Even though it’s full of pictures of delish food, the theme is that you have the ability to do a great deal of the behind-the-scenes work to get food for your family. I’m not suggesting an ‘all or nothing’ approach, more so a ‘take a little bit of the control back’ one. I walk through the aisle of a supermarket looking at all the fake food and cringe at what we’ve become as a society. Fewer people know how to cook, let alone how to look after themselves properly. I’m not talking about going to the gym (I don’t believe in gyms), I’m talking about having a direction in life, having a relationship with the real world we are a part of – nature that is. That’s lost on many people, and this book provides an alternative to having no connection. You can grow some of your own food, you can take from the wild and you can cook it. It’s a process that results in pride and satisfaction of a job well done, well at least a job completed. I think that’s lacking in people’s lives. We work in jobs that, apart from the pay each week, don’t actually benefit us directly, especially not in a spiritual sense or a physical sense. It’s the paradox of modern living really – a disconnection with reality. People talk a lot about what TV they watched last night, and it seems that people live through the tellie or computers games and don’t actually live the real life. I mean why play ten pin bowling on a wii? Why not go ten pin bowling in the real world?
The idea of living simply has been around for a long time, how has this changed in recent times?
I think the simple life, as an alternative, is so appealing for many people in contrast to the craziness of 2012 living. We’re not only disconnected from nature we’re disconnected from each other. We’ve lost our sense of community especially when talking about food. Think about the process of obtaining your food. You walk down long aisles, the choice for the one product is over the top and then you buy it from a person who you’ve never met, and attempt small talk then go home to re-heat the food and watch television and tweet about it. It’s a lonely system. Living simply means doing tasks to achieve a result. Chopping and splitting firewood, for example, is very rewarding. It keeps you warm, it gives you exercise, the endorphins flow and then at night the wood on the fire keeps you warm. It’s a lifestyle of action and result. That’s rewarding and us humans thrive on it. It’s innate.
Do you see Whole Larder Love as a bit of a “man manual” for blokes who aspire to a hunter and gatherer lifestyle?
In a way most definitely. I think it’s more an introduction to it. Kind of like that nudge your Dad gives you at the end of the dive plank at the pool. If anything it’s cooking that’s accessible for blokes. I’m a very relaxed cook and the food I like to prepare is pretty cabinesque. You won’t find any foam on my plate. It’s peasant food that requires you to use man skills like hunting, fishing and reaping. For a lot of blokes these skills have been replaced with hair straightening, shopping and applying moisturiser.
What are some simple tips you can give people, and in particular, men who are “challenged” in the kitchen?
You’re not going to hurt anyone, so make it up as you go along. I said in my book that the recipes can be treated as a general guide. If you want more chilli, then don’t be a wuss…add more chilli. If you like more butter then add it. Try anything. You’ll only make a mistake in the kitchen once. And, try other things apart from the bloody barbie.
Page 83 references the term “redneck” can you elaborate some more on this and your passion for hunting food?
In different countries hunting is a rich man’s sport, in other countries it’s the pride of the bravest men of the tribe. In Australia it’s viewed by many to be a pastime of redneck blood-thirsty killers who shoot road signs. This is obviously not the case (although it sometimes is I’ll be honest…I’ve met some redneck hunters). But from my point of view, hunting is a means to and end. I hunt an animal then I cook it and share it. The land is my supermarket, it’s my butcher. But it does involve wearing hunting attire, 4wds, guns, ammo and killing things, so it attracts a redneck label.
I think if you eat meat then you should not only know about the process but hell you should take part in it from beginning to end. If you can’t go through process then you shouldn’t eat meat. Grow veggies, it’s a hell of a lot easier and more dependable anyway.
Do you like to fish for pleasure? Or do you like to catch fish to eat? Or, are they the same thing for you?
I only fish and hunt for food. I don’t believe in either of them being sports like. You’re killing an animal and taking a life to fuel your body. There is absolutely nothing sporting about that. And I abhor competitiveness so trying to catch the biggest fish to beat your mates is out of the question. In any case, I always catch the biggest fish so if it WERE a competition I’d totally win.
The only added pleasure in fishing, especially fly-fishing is that it gets you out in nature and off the couch.
Do you feel more of a sense of “community” amongst like-minded people as yourself since the advent of blogging?
Do I ever! I love that there are so many people that are thinking in a somewhat similar vein. My next-door neighbour doesn’t feel the same way about these issues that I do but Ben from Arizona does and we’ve discovered this through blogging. Even though I live a simple life I love the Internet. It’s a real community.
Does having a blog make it easier to feel more at home with your life choice?
No not really. I’ve always done what I wanted to do. Blog or no blog, I feel comfortable with my life choice. I could stop blogging tomorrow and still enjoy my lifestyle.
Should living off the land be a subject taught at schools or are the digital generation already too far removed from it?
I volunteered my time at my daughter’s primary school and taught kids how to grow veggies. Prep kids learnt and knew more about veggies than their parents. So I encourage and support any funding into teaching kids about food production. The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden school program is an amazing feat. I wish it could go to every school.
What would you like to think people can get from reading your book?
Hopefully some nice food to eat, but more importantly I’d like people to question their current choices in food acquisition, and to consider at least planting some veg and herbs and making the effort to support local growers and food providers.
What three things can a city-dweller do to feel like they are living a more simple life?
Buy less stuff. Live with less stuff. Grow vegetables.
If you’ve had other jobs outside of writing, what were they?
I’ve had some real doozies. I worked in the music industry, I worked in biodiversity and I even worked many years for my nemesis, Coles-Myer. I don’t regret any of those jobs, they’ve all been valuable lessons in life and have made me the man I am today. I think in a way there is value in working in a job to show me what I don’t want out of life. It’s been a good contrast.
What do you like to read? And what are you currently reading?
I’m not really into fiction. I love reading about amazing people, and ideas. I love philosophy. Books like ‘The Last American Man’ about Eustace Conway (that mad bastard) are my favourite type of read. I just admire the bloke, such a real man and super inspirational. I like reading about men who have challenged themselves like Guy Grieves and Henry David Thoreau. I also like reading about people’s ideas on life and their approach to life, like Angelo Pelligrini’s book ‘The Unprejudiced Palate’. I also love ‘Deep Country’ by Neil Ansell.
You mention Chet Baker in your book, are there any other musicians who inspire your way of life and in particular cooking?
Louis Armstrong once said there are two types of music: good music and bad music. I love good music: jazz, blues, folk, classical, rock and Latin. Cuban is my summer cooking music! But I’ll listen to anything that does that thing to you when you hear it. My taste is mega eclectic, I have albums upon albums. I don’t like trashy, disposable music. I have no idea what is popular, what’s on the radio. But I do know what Gram Parson is all about.
What do you think your life will be like 20 years from now?
Same as now, but I’ll have more wrinkles and I guess my bones will start to ache in the cold weather and I’ll say things like ‘kids these days…huh” “in my day…” and I’ll probably sigh a lot.
But I hope I’m still planting veg, cooking hearty meals, hunting, fishing and talking to people about food…oh and singing Muddy Waters albums in the car, by myself.
Describe yourself in three words?
Idealistic
Casual
Free
What star sign are you and are you typical of it?
Star sign? Is this a trick question? I’m not answering that. Stars are for navigation and burning gases, not describing one’s personality traits.
Abrasive…is that a trait of a Piscean?
What three things do you dislike?
The curse of materialism
People who say they can’t do things
When good cheese goes mouldy
What three things do you like?
Absolutely totally and unashamedly (don’t deny it, every adult thinks the same)…
Food
Wine
Sex
(in that order)
Have you a family, partner or are you single?
Yes I have a big family, two girls, a partner and an ex-wife. It’s a pretty good deal really. I love them all.
But I don’t need to put a stick figure sticker outlining this detail on the rear window of my car.
Michelle said:
LOVE! That last sentence was the biggest laugh I’ve had all day!!
wholelarderlove said:
Yeah….I totally don’t get those stickers.
Dec said:
I bet you still own your Sydney Olympics 2000 pin collection Ro.
wholelarderlove said:
Not one single pin brother!
Justin said:
You were in a funny mood Ro! Not surprised you liked Last American Man – its a cracker of a book, 100 times better than Elizabeth Gilbert’s other stuff. Will never forget the story about Eustace speaking a summer camp in North Carolina, when he has the kids eating from the palm of his hand and gets bombarded with questions after the talk. “They recognized right away that I was a real person. And they’ve probably never met one before.”
wholelarderlove said:
One of my fans for sure. What a guy. Makes me feel like a boy scout compared to what he’s achieved.
tricia said:
I hear you re those stupid stick figure stickers ;-)
alan dunagan said:
that’s a fantastic q&a. i’m really excited about getting your book when it comes out. you’ve been a big inspiration for me (hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio) and have helped me work towards a more self sustaining lifestyle. it’s been a slow process. i haven’t been able to bring myself to hunt yet, but i have been making plans with hunters i know. for now, it’s mostly farmer’s markets.
wholelarderlove said:
Wow Alan, that’s rad feedback to hear. For me it was all about slow small steps. It’s such an exciting journey and learning experience though. Good luck on your journey brother.
bridie keneally said:
hi,
I’ve been reading your blog for almost a year now and I’ve enjoyed most of it. Your additude to life really does resonate with me and I am getting some great tips on extra bits and pieces I could incorporate into my life to make things simpler and enjoy life more by doing the basics and getting my hands dirty, so to speak.
Im even thinking about getting into hunting, which is something I’ve not done since I was a kid up in the mallee.
The only thing that grates me with your blog etc is that you talk alot about “man skills” (and you dont use the comma’s) and refer to a lot of other “man” related language when you talk about hunting or fishing or even making things with wood etc. It seems so archaic to refer to all these types of activies as man skills and gives the impression that your whole way of life is incredibly particular to your gender, in addition to your vaues etc.
Whats more, when you stated that many blokes have swapped these so called “man skills” for hair straightening etc, this again reinforced that you whilst you appear to have a broad minded attitude to so many things in life, when it comes to gender roles, you appear to believe in very strict and rigid ones. Bit dissapointing really.
– Bridie
wholelarderlove said:
Thanks for your thoughts. I guess I’m generalizing here but I like being a man and many of the things I do are done mostly by men. I know very few hunting women for example, I know they exist but I’m yet to meet them. I do like the differences between the sexes, and biologically speaking (put aside societal expectations) we are quite different especially in muscle build and stamina.
I lament the modern approach of de-manning men by making grooming and finding a clothes bargain priorities. I lament that many men have no association with basic skills of old. I don’t care if a woman or a man does the same task or has the same skills, in fact that’s rad. I just like being a man and living a life that involves activities that traditionally a man would have done.
Let’s not forget that I’m a cook. A no go for most men. So really how bad am I?
In any case. I do as I please. I don’t live or write this blog to fit into anyone’s view of what I should do or think. I’m a free man. I have a penis. I am man.
Kristine Colliver said:
I love your responses – I love the way you live your life and honor your beliefs and morales – I really admire that – and I do not think that it is all smooth sailing to do that. I cant wait to buy your book – where can I get it from? I love your blog – it brings me down to earth and makes me realise and believe that anything is possible – keep it up. Your girls are very lucky. If you ever do a road trip to SA – I would love to have you over for a meal and red wine – we certainly have that in common.
Cheers
Kristine
Ben M said:
Hey mate, my stepson was one of the preps who enjoyed your vege patch program. I was one of those parents who learnt so much from him after his gardening sessions. Because I’ve never heard of carrots or potatoes or basil. Thanks for helping educate us ignorant parents who don’t know what vegetables are. In my next life I hope I can be as informed and superior as you.
wholelarderlove said:
Dude don’t get so cut about one line…..
I volunteered my time at my daughter’s primary school and taught kids how to grow veggies. Prep kids learnt and knew more about veggies than their parents.
It’s a generalisation of what most parents I’ve met know about growing their own veg. I’m interested to hear more about your vegetable growing! How have you gone over this harsh winter in the veg garden? Been a tricky season hasn’t it!
Andrew W. said:
Hi,
I’ve only discovered your blog recently, but I love it. Great insights, and kind of inspiring me to get out more. I saw the types of books you mentioned you enjoy, and I was wondering if you have heard of Shop Class as Soul Craft by Matthew Crawford. He is a philosopher turned motorcycle mechanic who wrote the book as an examination of the disconnect of people from the world when they work in faceless offices, and talks about the benefits and pride one gets from working with your hands. A great read.
Keep up this great work you’re doing, and I will definitely be picking up your book.
Cheers from Newfoundland, Canada.
wholelarderlove said:
Thanks Andrew, I’lll look that book up. There really is a disconnect in the ‘normal’ western lifestyle. Even though I have more things I need to do in my life, I’m far happier with this system. I’ll have to look up where Newfoundland is now!!! I’d love to see the beauty of wild Canada one day.
Andrew W said:
Newfoundland is beautiful. It has everything an outdoorsman could ask for. Some of the best hunting in the world. Moose, rabbit, partridge, freshwater and saltwater birds. World class salmon fishing. Rocky coastlines, fjords, hidden coves and sea caves. 575 million year old fossils. I could not have asked to be born in a better place. I am sure you would enjoy it immensely.