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Hygge And Homesteading | 21 Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

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Ever heard of Hygge (pronounced “HUE-gah” or “heurgha”)? It’s high time you are introduced to Hygge, a traditional Scandinavian concept for cozy and warm living that’s taking quite a following!

Creating Hygge At Home For Cozy And Healthy Living

First, the Swedish gave us IKEA. Now, this traditional Danish Hygge concept got many of us fascinated. I’m quite taken that there’s a name for a state of being or a lifestyle, and the word Hygge is a charming word which simply means all things nice, warm, cozy, friendly or an overall sense of contentment. If you haven’t heard of this concept before, you’ll be as taken as I am with it when you find out more about hygge here. Help yourself to these tips, tricks, and ideas to create hygge in your home with friends and family.

1. Pure And Simple Home Interior

Pure And Simple Home Interior | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Pure And Simple Home Interior | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Simplistic and conventional are what defines a hygge home with natural color tones. Avoid loud and overly flamboyant tones or color scheme in your home design. The idea is to create a serene and peaceful effect in a monochromatic color scheme or a harmonious mix of earth-colored tones.

2. Create A ‘Hyggekrog’ Or Snug

Create A ‘Hyggekrog’ Or Snug | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Create A ‘Hyggekrog’ Or Snug | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
A window seat looking out to a lovely view of nature, a body of water, or your garden, should be a perfect spot for a cozy nook where you can enjoy some moments of peace and quiet with a good read. Add some pillows and a blanket to create a perfect snuggly retreat.

3. Display Treasured Memories

Display Treasured Memories | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Display Treasured Memories | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Scandinavians are family-oriented and strongly promote an environment of happiness and affection. You can promote the same environment in your home with your family photos in frames, travel memorabilia, and stuff with sentimental value put up as decor.

4. Bring Nature Close

Bring Nature Close | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Bring Nature Close | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Anything from the outdoors is encouraged in a hygge home whether in Christmas decor, year-round decor, or as an everyday household item. We’ve long been doing this anyway, which is often attributed to our primitive nature. Natural decor ranges from antlers, fur rugs, houseplants, or wreaths. Anything from branches, pine cones, and driftwood are equally perfect.

5. Treasure Old And Rustic

Treasure Old And Rustic | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Treasure Old And Rustic | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Waste is antithetical to the hygge way of life. If you’re a homesteader who loves to recycle, repair and repurpose old furniture, then you’re right at home. An old family member’s favorite chair, for instance, is better repaired or repurposed for its sentimental value rather than buying new ones. It’s a new trend anyway, with more and more people going back to the classic and rustic.

6. De-Clutter

De-Clutter | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

De-Clutter | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Your home need not be spic and span and shiny like a museum. It just has to be organized where things are put in their proper places. For your home to get that hygge vibe, try to invest in a storage space in your place for mess-free and clutter-free rooms.

7. Hygge Outdoors

Hygge Outdoors | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Hygge Outdoors | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Hygge isn’t just about being snug and comfy indoors. You can have it outdoors with your family and friends, perhaps around a fire pit or a campfire while having tea or coffee. In the summer, you can achieve a hygge vibe by camping even in your yard with some fun family activities.

8. Light Candles

Light Candles | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Light Candles | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Candles are an important aspect of the hygge concept of living. Make sure you only use the white unscented ones–you can even make your own homemade candles. Light a candle while reading, enjoying a meal, or relaxing in your snug. Candles create a feeling of warmth with its glow. If this is not possible for you with pets and kids around, you can use lighting with a warm glow or light tones.

9. Keep It Plush And Comfy

Keep It Plush And Comfy | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Keep It Plush And Comfy | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Warmth and coziness are vital to creating hygge at home. A fur rug would be ideal but a nice and comfy fiber or synthetic rug can suffice. Make sure to spread pillows around, in your bed, the living room and your cozy nook. You can also make your own pillows with this DIY sewing project.

10. Create A Spa-Like Sanctuary

Create A Spa-Like Sanctuary | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Create A Spa-Like Sanctuary | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Scandinavians are big on sauna and you can create this environment and experience in a spa-like bathroom. Transform your bathroom into more than just a place to take a quick shower. If possible, install good lighting and even a basic sound system for a relaxing and rejuvenating bath experience. Make your own DIY bath bombs and homemade soaps for an inexpensive homemade bathroom-cum-sauna.

11. Flowers And Foliage

Flowers And Foliage | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Flowers And Foliage | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
You can also create an environment of warmth with flowers in summer. A fresh bouquet of wildflowers or native annual flowering plants in a vase indoors is enough to create a joyous feeling. The smell of fresh herbs in the kitchen is equally delightful.

12. Pleasing Home Aroma

Pleasing Home Aroma | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Pleasing Home Aroma | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
A true blue homesteader need not worry about this aspect with all the cooking going on the kitchen and the fresh produce laid out on the table. A pleasing home aroma is not the artificial scent from fresheners but the natural homey scent, characteristic of a traditional home. A fresh bouquet of flowers, herbs, and spices in the table, the smell of morning coffee or even some freshly baked bread will surely put you in a good mood.

13. Get A Fire Going

Get A Fire Going | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Get A Fire Going | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
What better sound on a chilly winter evening, than a crackling fire with the warm glow in your face. A nice warm fire with soft pillows and blankets and your family and friends huddled around it is hygge in action. There are also ideal firewoods preferred by homesteaders for their steady fire, less smoke, and even pleasant scent.

14. Calming Music

Calming Music | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Calming Music | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Good music can definitely set a good mood. We’ve all got different tastes in music and personally, I like sentimental movie soundtracks, especially from Horner and Badalamenti, while some like upbeat music like jazz. Well, there are no rules and what relaxes you is what you should go for.

15. Light Snack

Light Snack | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Light Snack | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Having something to nibble or munch while enjoying a good read or a conversation is one way to create a hygge at home by yourself or with friends. Again, it’s up to you, but the idea is to snack light and not to fill up. You can check these homemade fruit snacks both you and your kids will love.

16. Keep It Laid Back And Intimate

Keep It Laid Back And Intimate | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Keep It Laid Back And Intimate | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Trade your stiff high back dining chairs and formal table setting for a relaxed dining set. The same goes for your living room and even your bedroom. Although contemporary room design and furnishing call for straight lines or the English formal settings, I like mine where people can just huddle and be comfortable.

17. Embrace Your Home’s Unique Features

Embrace Your Home's Unique Features | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Embrace Your Home's Unique Features | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Rustic wood boards for the floor, rough log for the wall, an out of place log beam overhead are what makes your home your own. Some design elements of a home that used to be considered out of place and unbecoming are now considered rustic and charming. Embracing the unique features of your home is a hygge tradition.

18. Love Gardening

Love Gardening | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Love Gardening | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
It’s no secret, gardening is good for you physically and mentally. While you cannot get down and dig the earth in winter, you can keep an indoor winter garden. In the summer, this is a great way to get hygge in your home. A well-kept garden or garden design definitely promotes a sense of peace and tranquility.

19. Hygge In Summer

Hygge In Summer | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Hygge In Summer | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Yes, you can have hygge at home in the Summer! Of course, lighting lots of candles and snuggling in pillows on a hot sweltering summer day isn’t exactly comfy, but there are always ways and means. Open up your doors to invite the cool summer breeze and lay down in a hammock instead. Some good music, light snack and a good read is definitely a hygge vibe in summer.

20. Hygge With Family And Friends

Hygge With Family And Friends | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Hygge With Family And Friends | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
If not the most important, spending quality time with friends and family is one the most important aspect of hygge. This is not the once in a year 4th of July BBQ, Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, but the simple get-together in a relaxed environment. This is when you sit down to a less formal dinner party with some hearty comfort food and a happy conversation.

21. Do As You Please

Do As You Please | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home

Do As You Please | Hygge And Homesteading | Tips And Tricks For A Happier Home
Finally, creating hygge is really up to you. Whether you prefer a fur rug or a quilt, the smell of coffee or tea, sleeping in winter or keeping your hands busy with simple crafts, what makes you comfortable and content is what hygge really is all about.

Find out more DIY living room decor ideas to help you create hygge at home in this video:

You don’t need to have all these elements to create Hygge in your home. A few of these, especially those that are already present at home and a positive outlook in life can create an environment of peace, quiet, contentment and happiness—your own Hygge at home!

Did you cozy up to these ideas for hygge at home? Share your thoughts about them in the comments section below!

Unpleasant household odors isn’t a character of hygge at all. Check out these amazing stinky home remedies to promote hygge in your homestead!

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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

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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?

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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

Homemade Sauerkraut Cumin Juniper | How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar

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!

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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!

RELATED: Microgreens Growing Guide

In this article:

  1. Tomato
  2. Eggplant
  3. Beet
  4. Spinach
  5. Pea
  6. Carrot
  7. Radish
  8. Cauliflower
  9. Asparagus

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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