Self Sufficiency
Top 5 Winter Activities To Boost Your Homesteading Skills
Looking for some winter activities to keep your homesteading productive? Winter is here and with it comes another familiar shift to our everyday activity. It’s a seasonal change and it doesn’t happen in just one night like changing the calendar page. Still, a few things do change.
Here in my homestead, winter means my season of rejuvenation, skill building, and rest. These days, weeks, and months of the winter season are perfect in concentrating on building blissful homesteading skills. Whether you are a neophyte or an experienced homesteader, you’ll be glad you found my post because it has some inspiration to boost your homesteading skills.
Winter Activities To Keep Your Homesteading In Track
I’ve had a lot of thoughts on what activities should I be doing in my homestead during the winter months. How I can refine my homesteading skills, not that I’m a beginner, of course. I want to stay on track and I hate the feeling of being unproductive. So today, I want to concentrate on some winter activities to either be started with or improve in the coming months.
1. Cooking From Scratch
I definitely prefer eating healthy food with natural ingredients. Cooking from scratch and extending cooking abilities help us understand how great to prepare homegrown and scrounged dishes in a way our family will savor and appreciate. It allows us to eat in a particular regimen if our health needs it, without the need of some costly commercial nourishment. Cooking from scratch allows us to save money too. It means it is not only inexpensive but it also provides a tasty and fulfilling food.
A healthy diet provides the energy and stamina needed to support the busy, demanding, and long days of homesteading. Preparing it from scratch ensures it is indeed frugal and healthy. Take note though that from scratch can be as simple or difficult as your desire and time allows.
Here’re a few cooking from scratch recipes:
- Homemade Rolls From Scratch
- Pancake From Scratch
- Apple Pie Recipe Ideas From Scratch
- Two Ingredient Cheese Recipe
Cooking Lessons and Homemade Recipes are also great cooking and recipe resources. That’s where I get some of my favorite recipes. They’re worth checking out.
2. Herbal Remedies
At this point, you folks probably realize that I am very enthusiastic about herbal remedies. What’s the best time to take a shot at those than in the fall and winter?! Set a time for the opportunity to find out about various herbs and their healing agents. Or, consider issues that emerge in your home and research them that way. Does your child get a cough each winter? Ginger and elderberry can help you with that. There are many approaches in using herbs as a normal cure. You can make them into balms or homegrown tea, and few people even utilize homegrown solutions for their pets rather than taking them to the vet!
I suggest if you haven’t started venturing to make essential oils, you can start it now by learning the basic here. It can be a bit time-consuming at first since you should learn about the oils and ensure you are using them appropriately—everyone is distinctive—however it can be incredibly fulfilling.
3. Pre-Gardening
Unfortunately, winter doesn’t support lots of gardening activities. However, this is the perfect time to plan and stay ahead! Most of you probably already have some kind of garden operation going, so I recommend trying to improve it. Reflect on the last year, and choose what worked well for your homestead and what didn’t. Were the pests awful? You can plan ahead on ways to get rid of them and make your homestead pests free.
Were there plants overcrowding the other? You can re-arrange them if necessary, or add some fence to section off some plants. I would definitely think ahead about when some of my favorites can live outdoors, and decide when to plant the seedlings indoors so my garden can get started as soon as possible! I also suggest reading up on some gardening expert tips to improve your garden for new ideas. GardenSeason.com has plenty to offer. I highly recommend you check them out.
4. Livestock And Beekeeping
If you have space and desire, raising animals can be a very worthwhile pursuit. I have few chickens and goats to keep my company. If you’re not raising livestock in your homestead, you can support local farmers and feel at ease and comfortable with such choice. However, there’s a lot of joy of having your own fresh eggs, milk, and meat raised by one’s own hands. If you decide to take in new animal, winter is the best time to read up about those animals and their needed care.
If beekeeping is part of your plan, then winter season is the time to build hives and learn on how to care for them once they arrive on the homestead. If possible look for a local beekeeping group and be part of them now and learn from experienced folks in your area. We did this and while I’ve read books about them, I still find my local group as the best source of information and education.
5. Prepping In Your Homestead
There are lots of veggies and fruits still in season amid fall, from cranberries to jalapenos so there still a lot of canning to do. You may even have some reserve in your freezer you use for canning and preserving.
Obviously, when you complete your top preservation technique for winter, you’re going to have a hush. This is the point at which I suggest using your DIY aptitudes for everything else!
If canning is one of your preservation methods, make sure you know how to properly use your canning supplies. Knowing how to use your canning supplies properly to ensure the quality of food and a long shelf life.
You can also make homemade baby products, candles, homemade laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and anything else you need to stock up for whatever remains of the year! But, try not to stress yourself. It’s still best to make a list and follow a plan to make sure you’ve got what you need and you miss nothing.
Want to see how modern homesteading prepare for winter? Check out this video from TheBossOfTheSwamp:
These are just a few suggestions on how you can spend your long winter months productively. I have a tendency of getting a little bit depressed during winter, as do a lot of people, and it really helps me when I have things on my list to accomplish! Hope you’ve find some inspiration in this short list. Happy Homesteading!
What winter activity boosts your homesteading skills? I’d love to hear how you keep busy in the winter and prepare your homestead for the year ahead! Let me know in the comments below.
If the cold weather is really bringing you down, try these 36 Cold Weather Hacks to Keep You Cozy This Winter!
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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?
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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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