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Tag: homesteading

  • How to Read Antique Cookbooks

    How to Read Antique Cookbooks

    Antique cookbooks are a wonderful relic of the past, and yet, if you’ve ever tried to make any of the recipes contained within, you might find yourself scratching your head.

    Just as lifestyles have changed drastically in the last half, even quarter century, so have the way we cook, talk about, and interact with food, and the cookbooks of yesteryear might be a bit cryptic to today’s modern cook.

    However, if you are a homesteader, these antique cookbooks might be very appealing to you. They are written for people who had access to the kinds of things homesteads produce, and deal with ingredients like whole animals, natural leavening agents, and tools wood fire stoves or ovens.

    To help you decipher the archaic language of antique cookbooks, we’ve put together a little guide.

    Leavening 

    The way we leaven our baked goods these days is very different from the way people did a century ago. While there is a big movement to return to natural leavening agents, you either might not be familiar with this technique yet, or simply don’t understand what the cookbook is calling for.

    You might find yeast being called for by the cup or “teacup” in your antique cookbook, and this means an active starter like sourdough or a homemade yeast. You can also use dry yeast here (a relatively recent invention), but use 1 tbs for less than 6 cups flour, 2 tbs for 6-11 cups, or 3 tbs for 11-26 cups.

    There have also been many changes in agents like baking soda and baking powder. If baking soda is called for, you’ll want to reduce the amount you use, as the baking soda we have today is double-acting, meaning it rises twice as fast. If the recipe calls for soda, 1/2 a tsp per cup of milk, sour milk, buttermilk, etc., or every teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice.

    Temperature 

    Most old cookbooks assumed that the reader already knew how to operate their oven and range, so most of the time, ingredients, and steps for preparing the dish are given, but with only a few vague instructions for baking at best. Since gas ranges and ovens weren’t common until well into the 20th Century, anything written before that wouldn’t assume you were using one.

    In many cases, you’re simply going to have to use common sense. Odds are if you’re brave enough to dive into an antique cookbook, you are probably pretty comfortable in the kitchen, and know that, for the most part, certain baked goods tend to be baked around the same temperature. If you’re confident baking on a regular basis, you should be fine. If you’re confused, reference the temperature used in a contemporary version of a similar recipe, and just watch your dish carefully as it bakes.

    Measurements 

    Old-fashioned cookbooks have some odd standards of measurements. For instance, “teaspoons” are the same word, but the measurement has changed. It used to be 4 tsp per 1 tbs, while our present measurement is 3 tsp per 1 tbs. Also, when teaspoons or tablespoons are indicated in old cookbooks, they might have meant rounded, while today we typically refer to these measurements as the flattened-off version. These rounded, or “heaping” measurements, means that there could be nearly double the amount in one measurement!

    You also might find some unusual words you don’t recognize. A “dessertspoon” is half a tablespoon, meaning that, when a tsp equaled 1 tbs, a dessertspoon would be 2 tsp (today you might simply have a half-tablespoon measuring spoon on your personal set, I do).

    Other measurements that might be unfamiliar are a  “salt-spoon”, which is is 1/8 of a tsp, a “dash” (still used today in many cookbooks) is one shake of a shaker.

    A “cup” in an old-fashioned cookbook might mean about 1/5 less than our modern 8 oz cup. “Teacup”, a phrase you won’t see anymore, is simply half a cup. “Wineglass” is the equivalent of our current 1/4 a cup. Sometimes, you might see a recipe call for a “bowl”, use your best judgment using one of your own bowls, based on the other proportions in the recipe.

     

    While some old-fashioned recipes from antique cookbooks might be a bit daunting at first, never fear. While cooking language and techniques have changed, for the most part, it’s all still food. If you’re confident cooking on a daily basis, you can probably use your best judgment to make the recipe work for you. These old cookbooks can contain timeless wisdom when it comes to food, and since homesteading is all about getting back to our roots, its important to take advantage of these antique resources.

     

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  • Living Simply in a Tiny Off-Grid Cabin (Video)

    Living Simply in a Tiny Off-Grid Cabin (Video)

    Would you be happy living with less?

    This family certainly is. Living in a tiny cabin on a piece of land in New Zealand, instead of paying rent, they do work-trade for the opportunity to live off the land.

    You’d be amazed at the simplicity of their dwelling, and yet, they’re clearly very fulfilled. I found this to be such an inspiring look at just how fulfilling a more reduced life can be. I lived in a similar way for some time and relate so much to their experiences. It really is amazing just how much easier life can be when we learn to live with less, and find our fulfillment in the earth around us, rather than the shimmery perks of modern life that so often only serve to make things way too complicated.

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  • Why You Need to Rest if You’re a Homesteader

    Why You Need to Rest if You’re a Homesteader

    Homesteading is a lot of work. It’s definitely work that’s quite worth it, and if you are a homesteader, it’s probably what you signed up for. You are probably the kind of person who was willing to sacrifice the ease and convenience of modern life to roll up your sleeves, pull on your work boots, and get dirty doing what you love most.

    If you’re a type-A personality and absolutely live to work, that’s great. Or maybe you get stressed out easily, and overwhelmed by all the spinning plates of homestead life. The thing is, regardless of how naturally hard-working you are or no, you need to learn to rest. 

    Now, of course, if you are a homesteader, you probably feel like it’s impossible to get any rest. Homesteading is beyond a full-time job, especially if you’re raising livestock, let alone children on top of that. Caring for living creatures takes work, and dedication, and constant attention. There are no vacations, days off, and sometimes, not even evenings off!

    Homesteading certainly requires a good work ethic and a can-do attitude, but rest is also vital, and it is actually part of a smart approach to your workload.

    If you don’t take enough time to rest and recoup, you will burn out, and this might put you in the position to be forced to abandon your homestead efforts further down the road. You might get yourself injured, or sick, or simply burn yourself out one day and experience psychological backlash.

    Of course, since it does seem so difficult to rest if you’re a homesteader, you have to be smart about getting enough rest, and planning ahead. This might mean asking for some help from friends or family, finding a time of day each day, for 20 minutes or half an hour, to just relax and do something you enjoy or take a nap. It will certainly mean being well-organized and managing your time well for the things you need to do.

    Another key is to avoid procrastinating or getting distracted, by putting off chores or getting caught up with social media or watching television when you have work to do. It will be far more restful to relax when you’ve actually earned it. Although you might not be doing anything when you’re procrastinating, because you have the pressure of the task you’re putting off looming over your head, it can actually be far less restful.

    Your homestead is your life’s work, so make sure to take care of yourself as much as you take care of your land, your animals, and your family. You are the glue that holds everything together, so you need maintenance too! And rest is simply essential.

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  • Goat Crossfit (Video)

    Goat Crossfit (Video)

    Regular Crossfit is all the rage, but now…there’s goat Crossfit!

    When this urban homesteader’s friends all started going to Crossfit down the street from her house, she knew she didn’t need to go, because she already had goats. This very cute and funny video shows the brilliant invention of goat Crossfit! It has yet to take off, but it looks like such a fun, great workout, we’re confident it will very soon… 😉

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  • Survivalist or Homesteader? (Video)

    Survivalist or Homesteader? (Video)

    This is a great video from a popular homesteading and survivalism vlogger I really enjoy. He poses the questions: which will survive longer, a homesteader or a survivalist? Are they the same thing? Does one come before the other?

    I think this is a really great topic since, while homesteading and survivalism are not necessarily synonymous, there’s a lot of overlap. The ultimate goal of homesteading is self-reliance and independence, and survivalism is all about preparing for any number of scenarios in which you will not be able to rely on others to save or help you.

    If you’ve ever considered this question yourself, or are interested in both survivalism and homesteading, you’ll enjoy this video and the thought-provoking questions he poses. He also shares his own experience as a survivalist who became a homesteader. Enjoy!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1zdVK_3TbE

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  • When the Garden Doesn’t Grow: How to Increase Food Supply

    When the Garden Doesn’t Grow: How to Increase Food Supply

    As a homesteader, you will typically put a lot of faith in your garden when it comes to having enough food to last your family. You will learn how to plant and keep the plants healthy and strong, how and when to harvest, and canning techniques, most likely. When everything is going well with the garden, this can be a great method to take care of the bulk of the food you and your family need. However, it is not always enough. Sometimes, the garden can fail, too, and that means you need to have some other ways of procuring the food that you need.

    One of the most important skills you can have as a homesteader is the ability to forage. You can go out on the land and pick berries, as well as other fruit, which you can eat fresh and can. You should also learn how to look for nuts, as these can be a nice source of protein. Another option is to have an indoor garden, perhaps in a garage or basement, that you can have growing throughout the year, even in the winter.

    If you have livestock on the farm, you need to learn how to kill and process those animals if needed. Butchering an animal can provide your family with much-needed protein. Hunting is also a good option. In fact, most people who are homesteading should make it a point to learn how to hunt. Even just a single deer, elk, wild pig, and other game can help to provide for your family in lean times. Fishing is a great skill to have for this reason, as well.

    You can also get on a roadkill list to be notified when there is an animal killed by a vehicle that needs processing. Bartering items with neighbors can work, as well. Use these methods to help supplement your food stores, so even if your garden fails, you and the family will eat well.

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  • Make Money on Your Homestead

    Make Money on Your Homestead

    You love the idea of living simply and living on a homestead. However, you probably also love the idea of having some extra money coming into the household. Fortunately, you can combine these two loves and find some interesting ways to make money from your homestead, and it is easier than you might imagine. Here are just some of the different ways that you can start using your activities on the homestead to earn more to supplement your life.

    Grow and Sell Excess Food

    If you are already growing a nice garden, and perhaps some fruit trees to provide for you and your family, consider taking some of the excess items that you make and selling them at a farmer’s market. It is something you are already doing, and you do not want the food to go to waste, so why not make some money from it?

    Make and Sell Handmade Goods

    Consider some of the goods you are making for you and your family already. It could be something such as blankets and quilts, homemade soap, or even homemade artwork. No matter what you are making, there is a good chance that there will be a market for it online and offline.

    Sell Honey

    Another option is to start raising bees and collecting honey. People love to buy natural honey, and it is another good item if you have a farmer’s market in your area.

    Teach Homesteading

    Many people are interested in the homesteading lifestyle, and they want to try it out first. You can teach them the ins and outs of homesteading by having them come to your property to learn. In fact, you can essentially charge them to help with your chores and work on the homestead!

    Keep in mind that these are just a few of the different ways that you can start to earn from your homestead. Think about the things you do on your property that you can now start to monetize.

    How to Make Money From YourLivestock

    What type of livestock do you have on your homestead? You probably have some great animals that are working to provide well for you and your family. However, have you ever stopped to think that you might be able to get even more out of the animals? In some cases, your livestock will make money, providing you with some extra income. Let’s check out a few of the ways that your animals could make money for you.

    Selling Excess Eggs

    If you have some chickens, they are going to keep laying eggs each day in most cases. This means you will have more eggs than you know what to do with. Consider selling or bartering with the excess eggs. For example, if you have some neighbors who make soap or honey, trade the eggs for what you need.

    Selling Wool

    If you have sheep, you can only use so much wool, too. You can always sell some of the excess wool, or you can use it to make products that you can sell.

    A Petting Zoo

    Here’s an idea you might want to consider. If you have some animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, and the like, you may want to set up a petting zoo. For a few dollars, parents and their kids can come out to the farm and see the animals up close and learn more about life as a homesteader. The animals can be a real draw, especially when there are babies. Pony rides and horse rides are yet another option.

    These are just a few of the different ways that you can make money from your livestock. Consider the animals that you have and just how you might be able to profit from them, and then reinvest that money back into the homestead. There are tons of options.

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  • The Reality of Homesteading: What No One Tells You

    The Reality of Homesteading: What No One Tells You

    Homesteading is a noble pursuit, and we obviously strongly encourage everyone to try their hand at it! Growing your own food, raising livestock, and living off-grid are a wonderful way to enrich your life, get healthier, and truly embrace self-reliant living.

    But it’s not all puppies and sunshine! There are some harsh realities of homesteading that a lot of people won’t tell you. Here’s what you need to know if you want to face the music.

    You Will Make a Lot of Mistakes

    Homesteading is all about trial and error, and it is through these errors that you learn. It is just the reality of growing plants that are subject to the elements and raising living animals that you simply won’t always do things right. You will make poor (although most likely simply uninformed) decisions about what to plant, where to plant, how to secure your fence, how to repel pests, etc. And you won’t realize until the damage has already been done. Don’t worry though, this happens to everyone! We’re human and we make mistakes, and the good news is, you’ll learn so much the hard way, so you won’t repeat the same mistakes twice.

    You Won’t Always Save Money

    A lot of the appeal of homesteading is that you can save money by growing and processing your own produce, meat, and dairy. But in reality, this isn’t always the case. Depending on how your season goes, you might actually pour a lot more money into your homestead than you can reasonably expect to get out of it, especially in the first few years. Homes, land, farming, and animal husbandry all involve a lot of maintenance, and this means costs. That being said, you still can establish a homestead that will save you money in the long run, a lot of it. Just stick with it and be smart about your spending.

    The Commitment is Year-Round

    Your life now probably allows for travel and time off. But when you’re homesteading, no matter what your day job is, it is a 365-day-a-year job. There are many jobs on a homestead that simply don’t allow for sleeping in or taking a day off, and this includes during sickness. You will need to rely on a strong, involved community of family and friends if you want to travel or have support if you are sick or injured. Raising crops and animals is fully involved work, and just as you need to eat and be sheltered every day, so do they, so consider the extent of this commitment before you start homesteading. It’s a big one.

    You Might Get Grossed Out….Often

    There’s a lot of “yuck” factor involved in homesteading. Dealing with animal droppings, compost, sick and dead animals, butchering, etc., are not for the faint of heart. And a lot of the time, grossness is unanticipated. You’ll have to prepare yourself for strengthening your stomach. You definitely can get used to it though; just think how many jobs there are out there that involve a high level of nastiness. Those jobs simply require getting used to and then people can handle it. You can do the same, especially if you’re really committed to homesteading.

    Death is a Reality

    Speaking of grossness, another factor you must face about homesteading is that animals get sick and die, or are killed by predators. Also, if you are planning on raising them for meat, you’ll have to kill them and slaughter them yourself. It doesn’t just turn into meat when you want it to, you have to handle that yourself! Death is a very natural part of life, especially when you are a steward of living things, as a homesteader is. Again, you will get used to this, and come to accept the inevitability of death. Wow, we’re getting philosophical here…

    It Can Be Isolating

    Depending on where you live and what kind of community you’re a part of, this might not happen. But if you live out in the country, far away from others, and travel to town rarely, you definitely might feel lonely and isolated at times. It’s important to maintain a connection to other people, to friends and family, to other parents if you’re raising children, but it can be hard. You can grow accustomed to the solitary life, though (and maybe that’s what you’re after!) and you should prepare yourself to be content with this, because homesteading takes a lot of work and commitment and you simply might not have the capacity for regular socializing.

    You Will Fall In Love With It

    There’s a reason these are the things no one tells you. It’s because truly, homesteading is wonderful, and for many people, there’s no turning back. You will most likely learn to cope quickly with these challenges and setbacks and embrace the rewarding, wonderful process of growing your homestead and living the dream.

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