Using sound judgment to be more self-reliant.
Cast iron cooking was one of the first back to basics moves I made. I wish I could say it was intentional, but the truth is I fell into it out of circumstance. When my sons were younger, my husband and I led their Cub Scout pack. Over the years of endless camp outs, I learned how to cook in cast iron camping cookware because I wanted my boys to have healthier food than traditional pre-packaged “camp food”. [Read more…]
Maple syrup is a delicious, healthy alternative to refined sugar, and is enjoyed on the table as well as in many recipes. It's simple to make maple syrup in the backyard, though once bitten by the sugaring bug, many go on to expand their operations!
Note: If you're here from the “50 Things You Should Make Instead of Buy” article, we do have a quick and easy homemade maple syrup substitute at the bottom of the page. [Read more…]
Farmers around the world are in crisis, with alarmingly high suicide rates. MinnStar Bank notes, “In recent years, more than half of the U.S. farm households have lost money on their farming operations each year, with an estimated average loss of ($1,325) for 2017. The loss in available household income from the farm operation is compensated for by off-farm household income earned by farm families…” American farmers are killing themselves in record numbers, with suicide rates at twice that of veterans. The problem is global.
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What are the best laying hens? The answer will vary, depending on your needs. First, ask yourself some basic questions: What is your purpose for getting chickens? Do you primarily want a good source of eggs? If so, how many eggs do you want in a week? What egg color do you want? Will your chickens be more like pets than working livestock? Do you want a dual purpose breed so that you get a little meat? [Read more…]
Most homestead laws and homestead tax exemptions are specific to each state in the Union. Individual state governments may choose to honor current federal exemptions or establish laws that prohibit debtors from claiming any exemption provided under federal bankruptcy law. So it is very important to understand your states laws. [Read more…]
