Self Sufficiency
Your Poop Questions Are Now Answered | Homesteading

The poop might not be a topic anyone would like to talk about but did you know the stool can reveal so much about people’s overall health? You can actually identify the types of stool and what they mean by its shape and color. Being aware of these things can help you track what’s going on inside your body. You can also avoid getting ill and keep it from getting worse. Keep reading to know what does your poop tells about your health!
Poop Trivia: What Does My Poop Mean?
What Does Your Poop’s Texture Mean?
Did you know that the texture of your stool says so much about what you eat? If, for example, your stool is softer than usual, it means you have eaten food which is a bit greasy. Lack of fluids intake, on the one hand, can result in a hard stool. The following are the different textures of stool and what they exactly mean:
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Separate hard lumps, like nuts
You’re lacking fiber and fluids. Drink more water and chomp on some fruits and veggies. This will also prevent you from getting hemorrhoids which is the cause of hard stool.
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Sausage-shaped, lumpy
Not as serious as hard lumps which are separate but you need to load up on fluids and fiber. Infusing your diet with lots of vegetables and fruits on your meals can help you achieve a softer stool.
Sausage-shaped, with cracks visible on the outer apperance
This is quite normal but cracks mean you still need to boost your water intake. The best way to increase your water intake is to monitor how many glasses of water can you finish in a day. The required minimum is 12 glasses.
Sausage-shaped, soft, and smooth
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Optimal poop! You’re doing fine! This means you are eating and drinking well within the normal and accepted range when it comes to fiber and fluid intake.
Soft blobs with edges that are clear-cut
Not too bad. Pretty normal if you’re pooping multiple times a day. When your bowel movement happens on a regular basis, this means your body detoxifies regularly too, flushing out all the toxins.
Fluffy pieces, mushy stool with ragged edges
You’re on the brink of having a normal stool. This type of stool is on its way to becoming diarrhea. You might need to consider having a “BRAT” (banana, rice, apple, and tea) diet.
Watery and not enough solid pieces, all liquid
If you’re wondering what does diarrhea mean, then this is it. It’s caused by a certain kind of infection and diarrhea’s the way for your body to clean it out. Make sure to increase your intake of liquids to avoid dehydration.
Soft, sticks to the side of the bowl
Presence of excess oil can mean your body does not absorb fats the right way. A disease such as the chronic pancreatitis prevents your body from absorbing the fat properly.
What Does Poop Color Mean?


While poop’s color is an indicator of how your body reacted to what you’ve eaten, it could also depend on the color of the food you’ve taken. Be mindful of this if you’re noticing an unusual change.
Brown
You’re fine. Poop is commonly brown because of the bile being produced in your liver. This means you are also eating healthily and you have taken less food with synthetic coloring.
Green
Food is likely going through your large intestine too fast or you’ve eaten plenty of green and leafy veggies. This can also come from a food coloring that’s green.
Yellow
A greasy and yellow stool with a foul odor is a sign of excess fat probably due to a celiac disease which is a malabsorption disorder.
Black
Black poop color can mean that you’re bleeding internally because of cancer or ulcer. Some vitamins containing iron or bismuth subsalicylate could causefor your stool to become black, too. Pay attention if it’s sticky. If you have concerns and starting to get worried, consult a specialist.
Light-colored, clay-colored, or white
If it’s not what you’re normally seeing, it can possibly mean an obstruction of the bile duct. Some medications could cause this, too. If in case you’ll have a light-colored stool, ask your doctor.
Blood-stained or Red
A blood in your stool can show a symptom of cancer. See a doctor right away if you have a poop with blood. Though there is no need to panic, this requires immediate medical help.
Poop Questions Answered
How often should you poop?
On average, people go once or twice a day, but some may go more and some may go less. According to doctors, there’s no normal frequency, so as long as you’re comfy, you’re fine.
How to keep your poop healthy?
- Eat a diet high in fiber (20 – 25 g), lots of water, and regular exercise.
- If you’re having trouble pooping (constipation), dietary fiber can help make the passage smoother.
- Proper hydration will ensure your colon has enough moisture for the stool to go through.
When do you need to see a doctor?
The first time you notice unusual conditions in your stool, don’t panic yet. Pay attention to what your body is telling you and whenever you feel uneasy, it’s the best time to consult a doctor.
Quick Facts About Your Stool
- The food you eat usually takes 1-3 days from the time you eat it till it ends up in your poop.
- Poop is made up of undigested food, mucus, dead cells, and bacteria that’s why it smells.
- Healthy poop sinks slowly.


When you poop, the little brown pieces in your toilet bowl are what’s left of the food after your body absorbed all the nutrients from it. Pooping is vital to your health as it’s your body’s natural mechanism of disposing of the waste it doesn’t need. It is exactly the reason why how it looks and smells can be an indication of your overall health. Always consult with your doctor if there’s something unusual in your stool.
Did these facts help you understand more about your poop and your body in general? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Up Next: Watch Out For These Signs of a Heart Attack
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on February 27, 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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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?
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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.
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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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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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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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