As much as I was going to do a post about meat and where it comes from,I've been slightly distracted by a new topic.
Foraging....
Now,I've always harvested a few wild edibles here and there,as is common for my family.I've made grape jelly from wild Fox Grapes,harvested wild asparagus,wild strawberries,etc,etc....all things I am very familiar with.
I came across a book last week that got my attention so much that I had to order it.It's titled The Forager's Harvest by Samuel Thayer.If you're even slightly curious about what wild edibles might lurking around your home,I would highly suggest this book as a place to start.You can also find books with more information based on what part of the country you live in.
Flipping through it,I've already seen information for plants that I would normally pass right by.Plants such as Common Milkweed,Thistle,and Burdock...
With spring just around the corner,and up until late last night,it appeared almost spring like around here(we are in the midst of a winter storm as I write this),I get the urge to get outside more and explore.I've found some interesting things right here on our 1 1/2 acre plot of land,such as Elderberry,Gooseberry,Wild Grape and Wild Raspberry,and of course one must not forget the ever present Dandelion.
I've been wanting to learn more and more about the wild foods around me,how I can make better use of them,and possibly even save some money at the grocery store.
I've never been one to desire a spotless green lawn,or a totally weed free garden,I don't much care what the neighbors think if we don't use weed and feed to kill the dandelions....so wild foraging just goes along with that.It is possible that some of those naturally occurring weeds could be put to use as food rather than pulled up,chopped up,or worse,treated with chemicals....
Luckily for us,our immediate neighbors do not use chemicals on their lawns either,which is a rarity these days,but we've landed in a neighborhood where the neighbors aren't stuffy or snobby,which is a good thing.
So,tell me,do you forage for any wild edibles around where you live,and what are some of your favorites?
Friday, February 24, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
From Coupon Queen to Homesteader,a conversion
Last night I posted about another woman who was boasting about her cheap shopping trip to a local box store,having gotten over $75.00 worth of stuff for less than $3.00....
Not too long in the past I was what some would consider a coupon queen,meaning I lived for coupons and deals,stocking up on things whenever I could get them for cheap or free.
Then,I started reading labels....that can be a very dangerous thing for some one like me.Have you ever read the ingredient list on a loaf of store bought bread?
It can be scary....I started learning about what was going into all these things I was buying at bargain prices.After realizing that most of what's in them has nothing to do with food or nutrition,I quit buying them...bye bye Betty Crocker....so long Wonder Bread....
When we purchased our house,one of the first things we did was decide where the garden was going.We now have four raised garden beds,and last season grew well over 400 pounds of food,nutritious,all natural,chemical free food....
I learned to can and preserve foods while we were living in the mobile home,and learned to container garden.If you like tomatoes,there is no taste in the world better than that first vine ripened tomato from your own tomato plants....
I know that when i open a jar of strawberry jam,that the only ingredients in it are strawberries and sweetener if I added any.This week I made several batches of jelly from berries that I grew myself or picked locally,we now have blackberry,raspberry and blueberry jellies to put on our morning toast.
I know that when I make a loaf of home mead bread,be it plain or cinnamon swirl,I know that all that's in there,is what I put in it....there are no preservatives,no flavor enhancers,etc,etc,etc....no fake colors either....
I know when I get a package of frozen carrots out of the freezer,that all that's in there is carrots...no salt,no sugar,no anything...just carrots...
While I still use coupons for a few things,I find that less and less are there any for items that I will buy.Once I learn to make things like shampoo and toothpaste,those will be off the shopping list as well.
So,to all the coupon queens out there who spend countless hours and days clipping,sorting,making lists, and running from one store to another....GET REAL..come spend a day with me in the summer,watering,weeding,feeding,harvesting,preserving,and see what real food is,where it comes from and what it's supposed to taste like.
My next post will probably be about meat....where it comes from and what goes into that package of store bought hamburger....so be warned,it may be graphic.
Not too long in the past I was what some would consider a coupon queen,meaning I lived for coupons and deals,stocking up on things whenever I could get them for cheap or free.
Then,I started reading labels....that can be a very dangerous thing for some one like me.Have you ever read the ingredient list on a loaf of store bought bread?
It can be scary....I started learning about what was going into all these things I was buying at bargain prices.After realizing that most of what's in them has nothing to do with food or nutrition,I quit buying them...bye bye Betty Crocker....so long Wonder Bread....
When we purchased our house,one of the first things we did was decide where the garden was going.We now have four raised garden beds,and last season grew well over 400 pounds of food,nutritious,all natural,chemical free food....
I learned to can and preserve foods while we were living in the mobile home,and learned to container garden.If you like tomatoes,there is no taste in the world better than that first vine ripened tomato from your own tomato plants....
I know that when i open a jar of strawberry jam,that the only ingredients in it are strawberries and sweetener if I added any.This week I made several batches of jelly from berries that I grew myself or picked locally,we now have blackberry,raspberry and blueberry jellies to put on our morning toast.
I know that when I make a loaf of home mead bread,be it plain or cinnamon swirl,I know that all that's in there,is what I put in it....there are no preservatives,no flavor enhancers,etc,etc,etc....no fake colors either....
I know when I get a package of frozen carrots out of the freezer,that all that's in there is carrots...no salt,no sugar,no anything...just carrots...
While I still use coupons for a few things,I find that less and less are there any for items that I will buy.Once I learn to make things like shampoo and toothpaste,those will be off the shopping list as well.
So,to all the coupon queens out there who spend countless hours and days clipping,sorting,making lists, and running from one store to another....GET REAL..come spend a day with me in the summer,watering,weeding,feeding,harvesting,preserving,and see what real food is,where it comes from and what it's supposed to taste like.
My next post will probably be about meat....where it comes from and what goes into that package of store bought hamburger....so be warned,it may be graphic.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Are you into the Extreme Couponing craze?
Excuse this brake from my regular posts about homesteading,to take a minute to voice my opinion on a matter close to me.....COUPONS....
I frequent several money saving blogs,and today someone posted happily about how a coupon was taking $3.99 off a $1.99 item.....do you think it's ethical to knowingly use a coupon that will ring up incorrectly?
In my opinion(and it may only be mine) this would be considered coupon fraud.IF you KNOWINGLY used a coupon to get more money off of an item than what the item costs,you are COMMITTING fraud,plain and simple....
This woman boasted about how her daughter told how to do it,and how she got $75.00 worth of merchandise for less than $3.00 because of the $3.99 coupons...
I know there are a lot of people who watch TLC's Extreme Couponing,and wonder how they do that,or is it legal....well part yes and part no....In reality you can not(and should not) go into a store and get $3.99 taken off a $1.99 item..period....you also can not clear a shelf of all of the sale items,taking a shopping cart full of deodorant for example....stores will not let you....they even have written policies against such activity.
There are stores where you can save a bundle by combining a store coupon with a manufacture's coupon,and some stores still double manufacturer's coupons...and it helps save you money by using your coupons wisely...
BUT here is where I pose a question....is it worth giving up your morals,your personal ethics,and worth breaking the law to save a couple of bucks?
For me,that answer is always going to be NO.....how about you?
I frequent several money saving blogs,and today someone posted happily about how a coupon was taking $3.99 off a $1.99 item.....do you think it's ethical to knowingly use a coupon that will ring up incorrectly?
In my opinion(and it may only be mine) this would be considered coupon fraud.IF you KNOWINGLY used a coupon to get more money off of an item than what the item costs,you are COMMITTING fraud,plain and simple....
This woman boasted about how her daughter told how to do it,and how she got $75.00 worth of merchandise for less than $3.00 because of the $3.99 coupons...
I know there are a lot of people who watch TLC's Extreme Couponing,and wonder how they do that,or is it legal....well part yes and part no....In reality you can not(and should not) go into a store and get $3.99 taken off a $1.99 item..period....you also can not clear a shelf of all of the sale items,taking a shopping cart full of deodorant for example....stores will not let you....they even have written policies against such activity.
There are stores where you can save a bundle by combining a store coupon with a manufacture's coupon,and some stores still double manufacturer's coupons...and it helps save you money by using your coupons wisely...
BUT here is where I pose a question....is it worth giving up your morals,your personal ethics,and worth breaking the law to save a couple of bucks?
For me,that answer is always going to be NO.....how about you?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Getting ready to get busy......
It appears as if spring in trying to spring early around here....
This has been a very odd winter indeed.I've got Lilac bushes that never lost their leaves.Today when I stopped at my Mom's to drop something off,I noticed that one of her rose bushes has newly opened leaves on it...
OK,This is FEBRUARY....in MICHIGAN......this stuff should not be happening,but it is.
Normally this is the time of year when we have the most snow on the ground,people are happily ice fishing or skiing,and we are only dreaming of being able to be outside working in the yard and garden....
Here we are,plotting and planning,starting plants,etc,etc....as mild as this winter have been would could have gardened all winter with the aid of some hoop houses...
We just finished the first of three racks that will hold our rabbit cages,it looks huge right now,but we measured everything,and did a test fit,and each will be perfect to hold two cages,with a nest box for mother rabbits and babies...
I have everything drawn out,at least in my mind,where things will go,since we need to keep our little project from sticking out like a sore thumb...but we should be able to easily house 3-4 does and a buck or two,and still have plenty of space for a larger grow out type pen for the litters once they are weaned.
We are really liking the Silver Fox rabbits that we got,and I see in the not too distant future switching over to them entirely.Had I done more research before we got into this,I most likely would not have gotten the New Zealands at all.
While it's been a challenge day to day to keep my husband willing to help,he does help.The racks are large and heavy,and really require two people to build and will take two people to move in place once we get the area behind the garage enclosed.
He might whine and complain about it being too much work,but then again,he does that every day...I listened to it all the way through building the raised beds last year,through planting the fruit and nut trees,so I pretty much just blow it off and keep on working....
I have something I want to try,to both help save a few dollars in cage building,but also to make good use of the cages that we do have...but I need someone else's input,as my hubby today is of the mood that he's not seeing why we're doing all of this....ugh....
This has been a very odd winter indeed.I've got Lilac bushes that never lost their leaves.Today when I stopped at my Mom's to drop something off,I noticed that one of her rose bushes has newly opened leaves on it...
OK,This is FEBRUARY....in MICHIGAN......this stuff should not be happening,but it is.
Normally this is the time of year when we have the most snow on the ground,people are happily ice fishing or skiing,and we are only dreaming of being able to be outside working in the yard and garden....
Here we are,plotting and planning,starting plants,etc,etc....as mild as this winter have been would could have gardened all winter with the aid of some hoop houses...
We just finished the first of three racks that will hold our rabbit cages,it looks huge right now,but we measured everything,and did a test fit,and each will be perfect to hold two cages,with a nest box for mother rabbits and babies...
I have everything drawn out,at least in my mind,where things will go,since we need to keep our little project from sticking out like a sore thumb...but we should be able to easily house 3-4 does and a buck or two,and still have plenty of space for a larger grow out type pen for the litters once they are weaned.
We are really liking the Silver Fox rabbits that we got,and I see in the not too distant future switching over to them entirely.Had I done more research before we got into this,I most likely would not have gotten the New Zealands at all.
While it's been a challenge day to day to keep my husband willing to help,he does help.The racks are large and heavy,and really require two people to build and will take two people to move in place once we get the area behind the garage enclosed.
He might whine and complain about it being too much work,but then again,he does that every day...I listened to it all the way through building the raised beds last year,through planting the fruit and nut trees,so I pretty much just blow it off and keep on working....
I have something I want to try,to both help save a few dollars in cage building,but also to make good use of the cages that we do have...but I need someone else's input,as my hubby today is of the mood that he's not seeing why we're doing all of this....ugh....
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The big day is here
No,not a wedding,not that kind of big day...
The day finally arrived to take our ten little furry critters to the meat processor....while I am somewhat sad at this event,at the same time,this little project has given us a renewed sense of respect for where at least some of our food comes from.
I've bought beef and pork direct from farmers,and honestly,you can't get a better cut of meat than that from farm direct animals....well,except maybe venison....
I have not,until now,raised my own meat animals,so this is an entirely new adventure for us on our little somewhat urban homestead.
We got them 6 weeks ago,at 6 weeks of age,we didn't raise these litters,but that's our next step in the whole process,as soon as we get a tad bit more organized.
How am I going to feel when we sit down to a meal in which one of these is the main course?I'm not really sure yet.I mean,I've had rabbit meat before,and it's quite enjoyable.However,taking the live animals in to meet their doom is a first for me.
I'm going to quote what our vet said a while back... "You have to have a certain amount of respect for the fact that the animal is going to give it's life to feed you." I think he was spot on when he said that.It doesn't matter if it's a rabbit,or a beef cow...we owe it to them to treat them with respect.
I think that is where we are right now.We've taken good care of them,kept them fed,watered,given them treats,kept them clean....that's about the best you can do for an animal that is destined for your dinner plate.
As I am writing this,we're waiting for the phone call to come pick up the freezer ready rabbit meat.....
So what do you think about raising your own?Could you do it? Would you be able to do the deed yourself,or would you take them in and let someone else do it?(Did I mention my husband chickened out on that part,hence why we took them in to a pro?)
The day finally arrived to take our ten little furry critters to the meat processor....while I am somewhat sad at this event,at the same time,this little project has given us a renewed sense of respect for where at least some of our food comes from.
I've bought beef and pork direct from farmers,and honestly,you can't get a better cut of meat than that from farm direct animals....well,except maybe venison....
I have not,until now,raised my own meat animals,so this is an entirely new adventure for us on our little somewhat urban homestead.
We got them 6 weeks ago,at 6 weeks of age,we didn't raise these litters,but that's our next step in the whole process,as soon as we get a tad bit more organized.
How am I going to feel when we sit down to a meal in which one of these is the main course?I'm not really sure yet.I mean,I've had rabbit meat before,and it's quite enjoyable.However,taking the live animals in to meet their doom is a first for me.
I'm going to quote what our vet said a while back... "You have to have a certain amount of respect for the fact that the animal is going to give it's life to feed you." I think he was spot on when he said that.It doesn't matter if it's a rabbit,or a beef cow...we owe it to them to treat them with respect.
I think that is where we are right now.We've taken good care of them,kept them fed,watered,given them treats,kept them clean....that's about the best you can do for an animal that is destined for your dinner plate.
As I am writing this,we're waiting for the phone call to come pick up the freezer ready rabbit meat.....
So what do you think about raising your own?Could you do it? Would you be able to do the deed yourself,or would you take them in and let someone else do it?(Did I mention my husband chickened out on that part,hence why we took them in to a pro?)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Ready to quit modern technology
Ok,so last week,our microwave bit the dust...I'm not overly heartbroken by this loss,and it's not like we bought it new or anything.My husband on the other hand seems somewhat lost without it.Complaining about it whenever he wants to heat up a quick can of soup or a cup of coffee...
Currently we are trying,and I quote,trying,to build a rack system for the rabbit cages to sit on,and battery,after battery,after failed battery....we are no where near done....
My husband claims to love his cordless power tools,I on the other hand,cringe at the thought of spending a huge some of money,year after year on batteries for these tools....
While he claims they are better,more powerful,easier to use,etc,etc...if we had just a plain old power drill that plugged in,we'd still be working away,and most likely be done with what should have been a simple 1-2 hour project....
So here I am typing away on my computer,which I am mostly thankful for.I can't finish my project because apparently the now dead batteries are either not taking a charge,which means they need replaced,or still charging....
I've got to get three of these racks built in the coming weeks,I've got at least six cages to build,I'd also like to construct what's called a grow out pen,
basically it's just a much larger cage so that rabbits destined for the freezer
have room to romp and grow once they've been weaned away from the mother rabbit.
Inside the house,I've got the lumber to build a tv stand and a book case that can't seem to get completed due to the lack of battery power....so my husband claims..
So,in the next week or two,when our taxes show up,I may just go out and rather than buying batteries,just get myself a plain old plug in drill....
Yep,they have cords that you have to plug in,and work around,but when I've got a fairly involved project to do,with a lot of holes to drill,I could just keep working until it's done or I run out of energy....
The microwave,I'm not really in any hurry to replace,and I suspect once he gets used to not having one,he'll adjust perfectly fine to life without it....
Currently we are trying,and I quote,trying,to build a rack system for the rabbit cages to sit on,and battery,after battery,after failed battery....we are no where near done....
My husband claims to love his cordless power tools,I on the other hand,cringe at the thought of spending a huge some of money,year after year on batteries for these tools....
While he claims they are better,more powerful,easier to use,etc,etc...if we had just a plain old power drill that plugged in,we'd still be working away,and most likely be done with what should have been a simple 1-2 hour project....
So here I am typing away on my computer,which I am mostly thankful for.I can't finish my project because apparently the now dead batteries are either not taking a charge,which means they need replaced,or still charging....
I've got to get three of these racks built in the coming weeks,I've got at least six cages to build,I'd also like to construct what's called a grow out pen,
basically it's just a much larger cage so that rabbits destined for the freezer
have room to romp and grow once they've been weaned away from the mother rabbit.
Inside the house,I've got the lumber to build a tv stand and a book case that can't seem to get completed due to the lack of battery power....so my husband claims..
So,in the next week or two,when our taxes show up,I may just go out and rather than buying batteries,just get myself a plain old plug in drill....
Yep,they have cords that you have to plug in,and work around,but when I've got a fairly involved project to do,with a lot of holes to drill,I could just keep working until it's done or I run out of energy....
The microwave,I'm not really in any hurry to replace,and I suspect once he gets used to not having one,he'll adjust perfectly fine to life without it....
Friday, January 27, 2012
More rabbits on the way
Yes,you read that right....we're getting two more rabbits to add to our collection here.These being Silver Fox rabbits.
You can read more about the breed here:
http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/silverfox.html
I like everything I've read about them,and so far have talked to three rabbit breeders who prefer these little guys over any other meat breed of rabbit.
We've still got the New Zealands,which we are planning on a few litters from soon,but let's just say their personalities and temperaments leave a bit to be desired...and after having them for a while,I will feel no regrets when it comes time to send them of to be butchered.
Since getting them,I've got several new scars added to the collection on my hands,so much so that I bought myself a pair of heavy work gloves....I don't normally wear gloves,not even for playing in the gardens,but my hands look just horrible after yesterday's freaked out doe....and I do need to be able to take care of my customers at work without getting a strange look,and tons of questions about what happened to my hands.
Now,don't get me wrong,they are not scratching me out of meanness,but because,well they just get freaked out easy,especially when you have a need to move them from one cage to another.None of them have bitten me yet,so until that happens,which I'm sure it will at some point,I would not consider them mean.
So we are going to try crossing them with the Silver Fox to see if we can get a good meaty type rabbit with a personality that's easier to deal with.
However,we are getting a buck and a doe,both pedigreed and unrelated to each so that we can also breed some good quality purebreds to help bring this amazing breed back from the brinks.
I'll post some photos once we get them home,but until then,follow the link above and read up on them.
You can read more about the breed here:
http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/silverfox.html
I like everything I've read about them,and so far have talked to three rabbit breeders who prefer these little guys over any other meat breed of rabbit.
We've still got the New Zealands,which we are planning on a few litters from soon,but let's just say their personalities and temperaments leave a bit to be desired...and after having them for a while,I will feel no regrets when it comes time to send them of to be butchered.
Since getting them,I've got several new scars added to the collection on my hands,so much so that I bought myself a pair of heavy work gloves....I don't normally wear gloves,not even for playing in the gardens,but my hands look just horrible after yesterday's freaked out doe....and I do need to be able to take care of my customers at work without getting a strange look,and tons of questions about what happened to my hands.
Now,don't get me wrong,they are not scratching me out of meanness,but because,well they just get freaked out easy,especially when you have a need to move them from one cage to another.None of them have bitten me yet,so until that happens,which I'm sure it will at some point,I would not consider them mean.
So we are going to try crossing them with the Silver Fox to see if we can get a good meaty type rabbit with a personality that's easier to deal with.
However,we are getting a buck and a doe,both pedigreed and unrelated to each so that we can also breed some good quality purebreds to help bring this amazing breed back from the brinks.
I'll post some photos once we get them home,but until then,follow the link above and read up on them.
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