Living self sufficient

We are not hard core-people; flexibility is valued more than sticking to our principles. We enjoy discovering the pleasures of a hand made life, that at the same time reduce our impact on the planet. It probably has more impact on the planet if we show others how to live (more) self-sufficient than to do it all ourselves. Our joy is easy to share with others and it might even inspire them to…

One rainy Sunday afternoon I was observing the mess that I called my wardrobe. Clothes that technically or ideologically wouldn’t fit anymore, and many items that didn’t go with anything else. Now please don’t get me wrong: I am not at all a fashionista! The function of clothes for me is to keep me comfortable at a good temperature, and protect me from too much sun and sharp objects. Designing…

Since we were out of homemade dandelion wine, I looked around on our terrain to see what options I had. And I saw beautiful red fat rose hips.Rose hip wine!? Yes, everything is possible! Wine is just fermented juice so anything you can make juice of, you can make wine with. I’m not a professional wine maker (yet) and to be honest I never even made wine from the most common thing to make wine…

A new blog post about living self sufficient, not depending on other systems than our own, and how that affects our health.

Build up your self reliance because it is fun, because it makes you independent of other people’s systems and because it is healthier in many ways. Self sufficiency was always a nice goal on idea level, but over the last period I had 3 new insights: The monetary system is an unstable one and without a strong household economy, you might not be able to keep up with the craziness. Knowing how to…

Grow your own tomatoes: surprisingly easy and delicious!

If it is up to the system, we would all be herded into apartments in cities, nicely sealed and labeled. Easy to control and manipulate, and your health is not your own business anymore.Sounds scary? Then do something! Set your deed of rebellion! Step 1: go to your local farmers market and buy the biggest and best looking tomato from the oldest lady. Step 2: Cut it open at home and take some…

Color your salads all year round!

Our salads are usually beautiful, and when we have guests at the table we like to make them fantastic. And all it takes, is a fun and inspiring walk through the garden (or over your balcony or along your windowsill). We like salads especially when they have a big variety in taste and texture. When every bite is a surprise. So I like to assemble a salad with a few types of lettuce, some fresh…

How to be sure of healthy, colorful meals from your garden all year round? Check out my smart strategies for self sufficiency!

We like our wide variety in freshly produced vitamins all year round. Yes you do get creative when you have heaps of zucchini (courgette) in June or daily kilo’s of tomatoes in August, but after a week it’s not fun anymore.And besides: more diversity is more nutritious. Eating a variety of foods can help prevent diseases and did you know that all different colors in food bring different…

Living self sufficient for our family

We are on our way to live self sufficient but it is a goal we might never reach. Why not? Because living self sufficient is more about making choices than about making jam. It is more about taming cravings and training willpower than growing enough potatoes. So what CAN you expect in this blog? Tips and tricks from practical realists, ideas and experiments worth mentioning, our stories that are…

Super sustainable, renewable resource: wool!

With living self reliant, things like sustainability and renewable sources become much more important. We don’t want to repair or replace stuff all the time; things should just work. For a long time. So the quality of our resources is important. And I have a favorite resource: sheep wool! I love it so much; I wear it, sleep on & under it, put it in my shoes and insulate the house with it. It grows…

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Ben Falk is a permaculture designer based in Moretown, Vermont. In this video, he speaks about different aspects of homesteading and cold weather, notably hi...

See on Scoop.it - Self sufficiency

I didn't know what to do with so many plums, so I froze the fruit while I considered what homesteading project could possibly use them all up. When my neighbor offered me red grapes from his vine and said he was using the ...

See on Scoop.it - Self sufficiency

http://www.FreeLiving101.com Everything you need is within one mile of where you live. Garro Tibbo is living proof. He lives in a normal suburban home in Tor...

See on Scoop.it - Self sufficiency

Durable for generations, living fence protect soil, contain livestock, provide wildlife habitat, and sometimes even provide wood.

See on Scoop.it - Self sufficiency

The Urban Homesteading movement is all about creating a healthy and sustainable living environment down town.

See on Scoop.it - Self sufficiency

Japan’s issues with sustainability, food self-sufficiency, and food security find their perfect metaphor with rice – a staple not only caught up in tradition and national mythology, but in the ever-changing world of global economics.