Herbs are much more than a garnish. If you are only buying a bunch of cilantro for taco night and chives for your baked potato soup...you are missing out on all the other ways that herbs can enhance your life. Herbs are a powerhouse for healing and every homesteader and natural mother should have an arsenal of herbs in her home apothecary. Herbs also allow you to bring the food supply right to your doorstep. They are easy to grow making them an economical ingredient, no matter their intended … [Read more...]
DIY Herbal Mouse Deterrent
Mice are part of life in many parts of the Midwest. This fact was a big eye opener for me when I moved to the area from the Southwest. We have so many agricultural crops here that mice and other vermin make their homes among the crops and then come harvest time they decide to move into your home. I just can't share a home with them so if they do decide to make an appearance we break out the traps. Before it gets to that point though I always like to try and deter them first. The following is … [Read more...]
Making Herbal Infusions and Decoctions
There are a variety of ways that we can tap into the ancient practices of using natural remedies to heal and stay healthy. Some of the techniques involved in leveraging herbal remedies include compresses, decoction, ointments, infusions, poultices, syrups, tinctures, and tonics. This article will discuss two in particular and perhaps the easiest ways to use herbal remedies...infusions and decoctions. Quite simply and infusion is a hot or cold drink made from the leaves and flowers of herbs. A … [Read more...]
Small Scale Aquaponics – Growing Greens With a Fish Tank
One of the biggest hopes you can have as a mom and an environmentalist is that your kids will want to take up your causes as they grow and mature. I could not be prouder of my oldest child (nearly 14) as he grows into a stellar young man. He is kind, empathetic, smart, a great cook and fisherman, and very much interested in sustainability and homesteading practices. He helps me in the garden and listens relentlessly to my babbling about political issues, food integrity, and saving the … [Read more...]
What is a Victory Garden? Do We Need Them Now?
I am kind of fascinated with the idea of victory gardens. They are vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted during world wars l & ll to ensure adequate food supply to the troops and civilians. They were planted at private residences and also public places. Public authorities, businesses, schools and seed companies worked together to grow more vegetables in order to reduce the pressure on the food supply at a critical time in our history. People were asked to produce more of their own … [Read more...]
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