apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I love my Corelle dishes, especially as a mother of a two-year-old who likes to help clear the dinner table by taking dinner plates and putting (chucking, dropping,pushing) them into the sink- you have to love their kid-friendliness!

Congratulations on completing your amazing 10-day retreat! That is such a big deal. Welcome back from a fellow practitioner, Susan

PS Best post-retreat advice I ever received: Don't hold on. Let it dissolve.

Ive been working for years to set aside the time to do this....did you go to the location in western MA?

In its early days Corelle had a tendency to spontaneously explode, sending ultra-sharp shards in all directions. As dishes are commonly stored at eye level, this could be extremely hazardous. Corning said it had solved the problem, but I have not trusted Corelle since.

I've been using Corelle dinnerware for as long as I can remember, and though I've tried to diversify a few times I always end up going back to it. It's so beautiful in its simplicity, goes with any style, is light weight and so durable--I can't tell you how many dishes I've dropped and haven't broken a single one (the same material is used on the nose-cones of rocket ships).

i grew up with corelle in india where my mom used to use it like china since it wasn't widely avaialble back then! I still use corelle and love it....great for everyday use

Congratulations for completing the ten day!! I am impressed that you did it in January.

My first few days I was planning how I would torture of the two people who suggested it to me. Yet when we could finally speak again I found myself not wanting to. I was really enjoying not speaking.

@greenbasil They are in Shelburne, MA. They helped arrange a ride from NYC and back for me.

Interesting what we notice without distraction. MGR, the dishware. Me, the the meals themselves. Delish!

Ah, yes, Vipassana. I just did a ten-day course over the Christmas holiday and I feel like a new person. Highly recommended mind-cleanse and a sweet, yet challenging, respite from the world as you know it day-to-day.

From the looks of these dishes you speak of, we were not at the same location.

Metta.

I have done the Vipassana course, too - over Christmas in Australia - I couldn't belive how many people were there - considering is was over the New Year as well - it was great to see.

I had to laugh when I saw the photo of the bottom of the mug - I went a little funny there for the first day or 2 and was reading the labels on my clothes for stimulation before I got over that - I never read the bottom of the crockery, though :D

I have used Corelle/Corning for years because my chemist-mate is phobic about lead in glazes (though you can test for this it is a nuisance). However when the Corelle shatters - and I have shattered many plates over the years - it splits into pointy shards and very small bits which are very very hard to get up. They have pierced my foot twice and necessitated trips to my physician for surgery. Forewarned etc.

When I went to college my mom gave me her large collection of Corelle dinnerware (small and large plates, bowls, teacups and saucers and large mixing bowls all with a green floral border) that I had grown up using. She was sick of it since it very rarely breaks and wanted to buy new stuff.

Now, eight years later, I still have them! And now I'm very sick of them. And in all those years, even with various roommates and housemates coming and going and about a dozen moves, only three of the plates ever broke, despite numerous drops. Corelle is incredibly well-made.

Thanks for recognizing Corelle. I switched to all Corelle about two years ago. It is lightweight and attractive and my kids haven't broken any (yet). I also like that it takes up less cabinet space when stacked. I'm a fan.

My sister said, "her description of a vipassana retreat was rather annoying and gives the wrong impression to people who don't know what a silent retreat is like! to say it's like "living like a monk" is really a disservice to real monks. what monks do is actually far more strict and intensive than what a layperson on retreat does. she could not handle (nor could I) what a real monk goes through!!"

Vipassana sounding kitchy. You're still "selling things" when there are other lessons to be learned. More 1x/week practice might be helpful.

Ease up! Nobody is selling anything.
There's nothing wrong with noticing and appreciating such unfussy, durable items that look so good.

Hi!

I' writting from Colombia, just read this post drinking my morning tea in one of the corningware white cups I still have from my collegue days remembering the vipassana retreat I did a couple of years ago in Shelbourne, MA. It was a very special and powerful experience and I'd love to do it again.

The problem with Corelle is that it rarely breaks but when it does it kind of shatters/explodes sometimes in your hand. It is a bear to clean up and you will find shards for a while afterwards. I have a few vintage pieces but I'm gun shy about buying a whole new set.

I have used the same Corelle set for 36 years. My favorite part is that I can grab four plates at once from the dishwasher and don't get sore arms from lifting a stack of 12.

I love this post! The most wonderful "quiet eating" experience I've had was during a month-long meditation retreat. The style of eating is called oryoki and it was created in the Zen tradition. Oryoki provides for many to be served quickly, efficiently and most importantly beautifully. There are many intricate details that elevate eating to an art, and not in a crazy-neurotic way. I've provided a link to information about oryoki, it also provides a picture of oryoki in action: http://www.shambhala.org/oryoki.php

I have a friend who does this every year...

I'm still not there yet, although it sounds intriguing...

I am intrigued with this Vipassana retreat,,,will research further.

I grew up with white Corelle, my mom was always so practical. I now have Corelle Thymeless Herbs which fit in so well with my herby kitchen, and my garden lifestyle. I do have a set of stoneware for holiday dinners, but I love the Corelle for every day. I have added to the set with eBay, now have teapot platters, everything offered. LOVE IT!