Self Sufficiency
12 Ways Self-Sufficiency Will Make You a Happier Person

Ready to live a happier life? Here are 12 Ways Self-Sufficiency can do just that.
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Self-sufficiency isn’t always a breeze, but there are plenty of studies that show working outside, caring for animals and making your own living all have physical, mental & financial benefits that are not afforded to those with your run-of-the-mill, nine to five job.
Imagine: You greet another day to the sounds of your livestock stirring, sun shining into your bedroom and a garden bursting with produce you’ve planted and tended from seedlings. After eating a breakfast of eggs you collected from your rambunctious hens, you pull on a pair of old, comfy jeans and slip into your well-worn work boots so you can start your daily routine with your garden, animals, and home projects in the beautiful day awaiting outside. Of course, not all days on the homestead are like this, but let’s take a look at the goods of self-sufficient living that far outweigh the bads.
Related: 6 Things Homesteaders Can Live Without… Can You?
1. Exercise You Can Enjoy
You’ll do more squats and lift more heavy weights while tending your garden or installing solar panels and do more cardio chasing your hens back into their pen than you ever would in the gym…and you’ll enjoy the end result of not only your improved physical fitness but you’ll also enjoy both the proverbial and literal fruits of your labor.
2. Stress and Anxiety Relief
Research has shown that working with your hands can provide stress and anxiety relief as it gives your mind something to focus on that gives a definite result rather than the abstract goals that we strive to attain at our day jobs.
3. Lower Cost of Living
It makes sense that if you’re growing your own food you’re paying for less at the grocery store, and paying less money to get there. If your home is solar or wind-powered, it makes sense that you’ll be paying less of an electricity bill. Like most things, if you’re putting in more work it will result in less cost.
Related: 43 Off The Grid Hacks
4. More Resourceful
When you’re cooking zucchini for a month straight because your garden is overflowing with them, you learn new recipes or make up your own to keep squash interesting. Or if your horse is giving birth a little early and your vet is nowhere to be found, you’ll learn about equestrian anatomy and birthing processes quickly. Self-sufficiency requires you to think on your feet and use what you have on hand.
5. Mental Well-Being
If you are outdoors soaking up vitamins known to boost your mental state of mind as you solve a problem you faced earlier in the day with a definitive result that you created yourself, you’re bound to feel pretty good about life by the end of the day.
6. Variety, Variety, Variety
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Even if you do the same chores every day, there is never routine on the homestead. There will always be a new challenge, opportunity or something that just makes you laugh at the spontaneous nature of your self-sufficient life.
7. You’ll Pay Your Debts off Quickly
While spending less money due to your self-sufficient lifestyle and getting breaks from taxes and loan repayments, you’ll be able to save up and pay off those debts in less time than if you stayed with your 9-5.
8. More Time Spent Doing what You Love
It’s no secret that doing what you love will make you happier, and if you live an off the grid life then your work is your joy!
Related: Homesteader’s Guide To Raising Backyard Goats
9. Rehabilitation for Injuries
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The repetitive motions of many chores done on the homestead (especially gardening) can help rehabilitate physical injuries as well as emotional and mental strains.
10. Perspective on What’s Important
Making your own clothing will change the amount of importance you place on labels and seeing your cows graze on organic grains in a pasture of green will give you a new perspective on organic vs. mass-produced meat and dairy.
11. Emergency Preparedness
Disasters both manmade and natural are inevitable, but with a self-sufficient lifestyle you’ll have a leg up on how to survive and even thrive in a survival or emergency situation.
Related: 10 Blizzard Survival Tips For a Safe Winter
12. Pride in What you Do
Doing what you love and being able to care for yourself and your family is hard work, but you will swell with pride at all you’ve accomplished and learned in your journey to becoming self-reliant. And you should be proud…that’s quite a feat! Becoming self-sufficient isn’t a walk in the park but the rewards are greater than the struggles. There are financial, emotional, mental and physical benefits that stem from all the varied facets of a self-reliant life that make the joys of a life off the grid that much sweeter.
Self-sufficiency doesn’t mean you have to go it alone! Subscribe to our newsletter and join our community of homesteaders to receive advice, tutorials, and support as you become more self-reliant so you can get more of the good stuff out of life with the help of other like-minded people.
Like this? You’ll Love: 133 Homesteading Skills for the Modern Day Homesteader
Originally posted on January 4, 2016 @ 1:00 AM
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Self Sufficiency
NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls

New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll Tuesday, bringing coronavirus-related deaths in the city to around 10,000 people.
The city decided to add 3,700 people to its death tolls, who they “presumed” to have died from the virus, according to a report from The New York Times. The additions increased the death toll in the U.S. by 17%, according to the Times report, and included people who were suffering from symptoms of the virus, such as intense coughing and a fever.
The report stated that Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided over the weekend to change the way the city is counting deaths.
“In the heat of battle, our primary focus has been on saving lives,” de Blasio press secretary Freddi Goldstein told the Times.“As soon as the issue was raised, the mayor immediately moved to release the data.”
The post New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll appeared first on Daily Caller
This Article Was Originally Posted On dailycaller.com Read the Original Article here
Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
RELATED: How To Make Buttermilk On Your Homestead
Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
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In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
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