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Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

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Repurposed materials are definitely changing the way we live in our homestead. Check out how you too can transform your homestead with repurposed materials or everyday household items given a fresh new makeover!

Brilliant Repurposed Materials Around The Homestead

Even before recycling, upcycling, and repurposing were even hot topics online, I have been big on repurposed materials already–or so I thought. While I use recyclable stuff regularly around my garden, it’s still surprising how more and more ideas are coming around, and how household items can have such different purposes around the home. It keeps getting more fun and interesting, and the money I save is just the icing on the cake. From an empty jar to a lamp, glass bottles to garden edging, and soda can tabs to curtains, the ideas are endless. Find out more ideas for repurposed materials here.

40 Creative Uses For Recyclables

Get some ingenious ideas first in this infographic for the amazing uses of everyday household items.

40 Creative Uses For Recyclables | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

40 Creative Uses For Recyclables | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
These ideas have been inspired by personal creations.

Household Items To Keep And Save

Household Items To Keep And Save | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Household Items To Keep And Save | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
Don’t go keeping just about evert ordinary household item, thinking they’re going to come in handy one of these days if you don’t want to make a dumpster of your house or storage. If you’re keeping and saving household items, make sure they’re organized, and if possible cataloged, so you know where to find them when inspiration strikes. Here are the 63 things to never throw away, plus 20 more household items to save and keep.

More Ideas For Repurposed Materials Around The Homestead

Sample these ideas for repurposed materials from everyday household items and other stuff around the homestead.

1. Mason Jar Lamps

Mason Jar Lamps | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Mason Jar Lamps | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
There are different uses for mason jar around the house with canning and food storage as the main. Outside the obvious food usage, Mason jars are also used for arts and craft and storing dry materials. But, did you imagine Mason jars as lamp or luminaries? Mason jars can gather dust in the house so you need these ideas to declutter.

2. Germinate Seeds Using Recyclable Materials

Germinate Seeds Using Recyclable Materials | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Germinate Seeds Using Recyclable Materials | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
Why buy plastic seed starting kits when you have simple household stuff you can use to start seeds in. Newspapers, milk cartons, empty toilet paper rolls, eggshells, are only some of the many recyclable items your can reuse to start seeds for your garden. They’re way better than plastic seed-starting or biodegradable ones since you won’t spend a dime on it.

3. Things To Do With Glass Jars

Things To Do With Glass Jars | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Things To Do With Glass Jars | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
Glass jars besides Mason jars can also collect inside the household with many food items sold in glass jars. These ideas on what to do with glass jars can help you deal with these recyclable household items.

4. DIY Teacup Planters

DIY Teacup Planters | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

DIY Teacup Planters | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
If you have more than teacup sets at home or got some with some chips, don’t throw the pair right out. Make this DIY teacup planter for your indoor garden.

5. Plastic Soda Bottles To DIY Bottle Planter

Plastic Soda Bottles To DIY Bottle Planter | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Plastic Soda Bottles To DIY Bottle Planter | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
I don’t even know where to start with how our plastic soda bottle problems are becoming worse and worse. If you can, limit purchase on these items and find ways to reuse those you have at home now. You can do these simple DIY soda bottle planters, which you can use to plant herbs and veggies in, especially if you’ve got limited gardening space.

6. Salvaged Wood To Decorations

Salvaged Woods To Decorations | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Salvaged Woods To Decorations | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
If you have broken chairs, tables, or any wood items, don’t waste them in the dump. You’ll be surprised with what these salvaged wood can turn into.

7. What To Do With Old Shutters

What To Do With Old Shutters | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

What To Do With Old Shutters | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
Have you got a few old window shutters bound to rot in the shed? If you’ve heard about rustic house decor or design, then you know better than to let those window shutters go to waste. You can transform old shutters into new household items with a rustic charm.

8. Ways To Repurpose Old Clothing

Ways To Repurpose Old Clothing | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Ways To Repurpose Old Clothing | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
I could use these ideas with old clothes piling up in our storage. These ways to reuse old clothing are exactly what I need and want.

9. Repurpose Soda Cans

Repurpose Soda Cans | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Repurpose Soda Cans | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
Besides plastic soda bottles, soda and beer cans can also pile up in our trash bin and these ideas to reuse these items are perfect. They also make fun projects for my kids to enjoy and spend their time productively.

10. From Pallets To Furniture

From Pallets To Furniture | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

From Pallets To Furniture | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
There are a lot of ideas you can do with pallets, including furniture–yes, functional furniture oozing with rustic charm. From a sofa set, chair, swing bench, couch, table, including a bed, these ideas are just amazing.!

11. Chicken Nesting Boxes From Cat Litter Bins

Chicken Nesting Boxes From Cat Litter Bins | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Chicken Nesting Boxes From Cat Litter Bins | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
Plastics are durable and last long, which is the downside when disposing of these materials. Luckily, they can be reused or repurposed, just like these chicken nesting boxes made from cat litter bins.

12. More Uses For Newspapers

More Uses For Newspapers | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

More Uses For Newspapers | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
If you look at newspapers and all you see is trash, these repurposed newspaper ideas will make you appreciate them. Next time, you’ll always keep a stash of these handy materials for different purposes around the home.

13. Teabags Craft

Teabags Craft | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Teabags Craft | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
Who would have thought even tea bags can have different uses and function around the home? Well these ideas for repurposed tea bags will really surprise you.

14. Wine Bottles To Decor

Wine Bottles To Decor | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Wine Bottles To Decor | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
Empty bottles with different colors and sizes are beautiful in themselves anyway, so it’s no surprise they make great decor around the house. How they are repurposed as decor is what makes the difference with different ingenious style, design, and function.

15. Uses For Tin Cans

Uses For Tin Cans | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items

Uses For Tin Cans | Repurposed Materials | Transform And Recycle Common Household Items
It would seem like tin cans always ends up in the garden as planters, but there are way more ideas for tin cans, including decor and crafts. Look at these nifty these ideas for repurposed tin cans!

Check out these 3 amazing ways to repurpose household items in this video:

Now you know better than to throw everything out in the trash with these repurposed materials. With these ideas, not only do you save money, you become even more creative and you declutter your storage and home pretty productively!

Got other ideas for repurposed materials around your homestead? Share your ideas in the comments!

Up Next: Weekly Cleaning Schedule | Homesteading Tips

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 2015 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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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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