I used to do the baking soda and salt! as for the spam, that might have been all they could afford at that time unless they raised their chickens, pigs, cows ect. I know they had victory gardens, was always talked about when I was a child. I think my aunts had a bunch of canned veggies in the cellar! and I do remember some good eating.
here is one, a child hood memory, boiled chicken feet, with dumplings. I only mentioned this one, because I seen some in the grocery store the other day! can we say yuck?? well what about pigs feet, or beef tongue?? yuck and yuck, and I could name some other parts of the animals which I won't here. and people ate that stuff back then, besides spam!
So that hamburger, or pork chop does look good, huh?