Self Sufficiency

Throwback Thursday’s: Laundry Day

Once upon a time, so very many years ago, laundry day could almost literally be an all-day affair. Things were once very different when it came to washing and drying our clothes. There wasn’t a long list of scented detergents, nor were there settings on washing machines. Heck, at one time we were the washing machines, and the air and sun took care of the drying.

Laundry Day: It Just Keeps Getting Shorter

At one time, clothes were washed down in the river. It was relatively common to see washerwomen along the banks of the river with their homemade washboards, bats, and rocks. The laundry was sometimes soaked in lye back at their homes and then later brought to the river for a good washing. Laundry went on in this fashion until about the 19th century. In some countries like France, there were actual washrooms where you could find people gathered together airing their dirty laundry.

Laundry In The 19th Century

Laundry In The 19th Century | Throwback Thursday’s: Laundry Day
It wasn’t until the 19th century that people began laundering their wash in a different way. At this time, many people had a wash tub which consisted of a wooden or metal tub that was used just for washing clothes. Not all homes had a wash tub but many did. The tubs would be filled with water that was heated over an open fire or right on top of their wood stoves. The water was poured into the tub along with the laundry, and likely lye or some sort of bar soap was used for scrubbing.

More often than not, there was some sort of washboard used to help wash the clothes. However, washboards weren’t factory made until the late 19th century. Before that, the laundry would soak in the water and wooden paddles, also known as bats, were used to agitate the clothes. Once they were done, the clothes would be wrung out by hand and hung up to dry.

In different regions, though the wash tubs were different, the way people washed their clothes was pretty similar. For the most part, Dolly tubs, also known as Peggy or Maidens, were used. These tubs were a bit taller and instead of using paddles or bats, there was a wooden plunger called a Dolly Stick, with a long handle that was used to agitate, as well as wring out the clothes after the washing.

Late 19th Century & Early 20th Century

Late 19th Century & Early 20th Century | Throwback Thursday’s: Laundry Day
Then there came a day when someone finally invented a hand-powered wringer. This helped laundry day move a little faster. The wet clothes would be placed between the rollers of the wringer, and you would use the crank to roll them through. A couple of passes through, and the laundry was ready to be hung out on the line. Sometimes it took two people to operate the wringer, one to hold the clothing and the other to operate the machine. It wasn’t until the late 1850’s that steam-powered washing machines came to be. They used steam rather than electricity, because at this time not many people had access to electricity.

1930’s to Now

Finally, there came the day that you could purchase a washing machine and plug it in. It was called the wringer/mangler washing machine. When my mother was a child, she tried to be helpful and wash my grandfather’s clothing. The wringer/mangler sucked her arm right into the wringer and hurt her arm, hence the title the mangler. The wringer was operated by electricity, and it would pull the clothing through on its own while you held it. Laundry day just kept getting shorter and shorter from here on out.

mttje1999 shows a video of how doing laundry was done in the 1900’s:

By the 40’s and 50’s washing machines became more of what they are today — minus the digital buttons and water saving options. This trip back in time shows us the hard work and dedication it took to air the family’s dirty laundry. What was once back-breaking labor has become a 10-minute task with little to no effort needed.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of Throwback Thursday on the Homestead. Next time you think doing laundry is a chore remember those who laundered before! Happy wash day!

Have you ever tried washing the old way or have experienced someone doing so? Please share in the comments below!

Read on how to dry laundry using a drying rack or clothesline for homestead living!

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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?

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

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:

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!