When they studied the workers in factories, they found they worked more efficiently at waist-level, and this was importing into kitchens as counter space.
On the other hand, by the age of eight, I was capable of cooking a meal for my family on the stove.
An important note is that you want a stool that children can step on easily, and is broad enough that they can shift about on it a bit while reaching the counter.
What's your thoughts on breastfeeding on the floor, especially for fast flows 😂 if I could work this out, we would definitely give this change a go. I've noticed my back is so sore from being on the couch a lot feeding. I'd like to make this change and I know my husband loves changing things up too
Such a great question! I'm going to refer you to two podcasts by the biomechanist Katy Bowman who talks about the ecology of breastfeeding movement. She'll do a much better explanation than I can write in this comment! :D
You just blew my mind with the induction burner on the floor / lower table idea! We have a single induction burner in addition to our stove, and a toddler tower so the kids can get to the counters. I also bought a cooking face shield to help with splatters. It never occurred to me to just … move the induction burner lower for them.
It didn't occur to me until I'd seen the open-fire cooking! And I had a follower recently who messaged me to say that she'd bought a floor hob for her six-year-old's birthday, and he loves it, and now his older brothers are desperate to get involved too! It's such an incredible way to democratise cooking!
I love this! I heard about a family that removed all the furniture from their house, extolling the resulting health and social benefits. I tried to convince my wife to do the same...haha, no joy.
Every class, all my students spend time in a deep squat. I explain that this is a natural resting position for primates. At the start of the year, many are unable to hold this position for even two minutes. In my opinion, it's one of the best postures for stretching out tight hips and lower back (amongst other virtues), which are pain-points for Homo sedens.
Katy bowman, the biomechanist, extols the virtues of this, and so about four years ago, I challenged my partner to give up chairs for lent. And oh the discomfort! I'd never realised that I wasn't fit enough to sit on the floor! We got rid of our dining table, saved a few folding chairs for guests, but otherwise use the floor. And as you say - squatting is a keystone movement that we can't afford to lose!
I love that you did this. I find it so refreshing when people actually apply practical/disruptive solutions in their lives. I see my life as a laboratory for such projects.
I don't understand why, in a world filled with so much practical wisdom, most choose comfort/pleasure over health.
Couldn't agree more. I love reading things in my own life and on my own body!
We also took out the lower part of our stairs so have to swing up and down on a rope. It was hard trying to think about where to build upper body strength in a way we couldn't escape. One of my children has a physical disability and it's much more obvious when she doesn't have the movements that she needs. It's some physio for her and also fantastic for us. Something truly life-affirming in swinging downstairs every morning on a rope!
Also, strangely enough, I once read a history account which explained that the reason chairs and off the floor type furniture became common in western countries, was because they switched from burning wood to burning coal! Check out The Domestic Revolution by Ruth Goodman. Absolutely fascinating!
I have also read that dangerous falls among the elderly are much more common in populations who don’t spend a lot of time squatting and getting on and off the floor.
That's interesting! Makes complete sense. Someone recently messaged me to say that their 85-year-old mother always used to sit at the floor, including at the dementia care home she lived in, and it used to cause a minor panic with visitors. We're not used to seeing older adults who can move comfortably....
Taylorization.
When they studied the workers in factories, they found they worked more efficiently at waist-level, and this was importing into kitchens as counter space.
On the other hand, by the age of eight, I was capable of cooking a meal for my family on the stove.
Yes absolutely - it was a key element of the industrialisation of the home. It's more efficient for adults to cook at waist level!
And I bet your family were delighted at your ability to contribute. :)
An important note is that you want a stool that children can step on easily, and is broad enough that they can shift about on it a bit while reaching the counter.
What's your thoughts on breastfeeding on the floor, especially for fast flows 😂 if I could work this out, we would definitely give this change a go. I've noticed my back is so sore from being on the couch a lot feeding. I'd like to make this change and I know my husband loves changing things up too
Such a great question! I'm going to refer you to two podcasts by the biomechanist Katy Bowman who talks about the ecology of breastfeeding movement. She'll do a much better explanation than I can write in this comment! :D
https://nutritiousmovement.com/articles/breastfeeding-ecology-part-1-podcast-episode-72
https://nutritiousmovement.com/articles/breastfeeding-ecology-part-2-podcast-episode-77
You just blew my mind with the induction burner on the floor / lower table idea! We have a single induction burner in addition to our stove, and a toddler tower so the kids can get to the counters. I also bought a cooking face shield to help with splatters. It never occurred to me to just … move the induction burner lower for them.
It didn't occur to me until I'd seen the open-fire cooking! And I had a follower recently who messaged me to say that she'd bought a floor hob for her six-year-old's birthday, and he loves it, and now his older brothers are desperate to get involved too! It's such an incredible way to democratise cooking!
I love this! I heard about a family that removed all the furniture from their house, extolling the resulting health and social benefits. I tried to convince my wife to do the same...haha, no joy.
Every class, all my students spend time in a deep squat. I explain that this is a natural resting position for primates. At the start of the year, many are unable to hold this position for even two minutes. In my opinion, it's one of the best postures for stretching out tight hips and lower back (amongst other virtues), which are pain-points for Homo sedens.
Katy bowman, the biomechanist, extols the virtues of this, and so about four years ago, I challenged my partner to give up chairs for lent. And oh the discomfort! I'd never realised that I wasn't fit enough to sit on the floor! We got rid of our dining table, saved a few folding chairs for guests, but otherwise use the floor. And as you say - squatting is a keystone movement that we can't afford to lose!
I love that you did this. I find it so refreshing when people actually apply practical/disruptive solutions in their lives. I see my life as a laboratory for such projects.
I don't understand why, in a world filled with so much practical wisdom, most choose comfort/pleasure over health.
Couldn't agree more. I love reading things in my own life and on my own body!
We also took out the lower part of our stairs so have to swing up and down on a rope. It was hard trying to think about where to build upper body strength in a way we couldn't escape. One of my children has a physical disability and it's much more obvious when she doesn't have the movements that she needs. It's some physio for her and also fantastic for us. Something truly life-affirming in swinging downstairs every morning on a rope!
So cool. Such a creative solution.
I hung gymnastics rings from the rafters above our bed. Loved them, but then my wife made me take them down.
I bet that made it SO EASY to get out of bed in the morning! 😂
Or do as I do, and put the kids on the counter,.so they're looking into the cooking pot. 😄
Also, strangely enough, I once read a history account which explained that the reason chairs and off the floor type furniture became common in western countries, was because they switched from burning wood to burning coal! Check out The Domestic Revolution by Ruth Goodman. Absolutely fascinating!
That's fascinating! I remember Ruth Goodman from the documentary series 'inside the factory'. I'll check it out - thank you!
I have also read that dangerous falls among the elderly are much more common in populations who don’t spend a lot of time squatting and getting on and off the floor.
That's interesting! Makes complete sense. Someone recently messaged me to say that their 85-year-old mother always used to sit at the floor, including at the dementia care home she lived in, and it used to cause a minor panic with visitors. We're not used to seeing older adults who can move comfortably....