I just realized something. I was shelling peas during Bacon's morning nap, and my older son, Bean, interrupted me to make him a PBJ. As I sliced the fresh, homemade bread, and slathered on organic peanut butter and blueberry jam my mother-in-law made, it hit me--we've come a long way!
My husband has fought me tooth-and-nail for every 'green' or 'crunchy' thing I've tried to do over the years. And for good reason--I can take on A LOT. But little by little we've become a much more self-sustaining family. We've love to become even more self-sustaining. If we could ever get up the courage to put this house on the market, we'd be looking for about 40 acres in the country with woods and ponds and plenty of room for veggies and animals and everything you can think of! (Side note: anyone looking for a 5bd/2ba in Opp?)
But here's the crux. I don't know what most of you guys do that's "Back to Basics"... Why don't you let me know? I'm all for hearing about your 3R's (reduce, reuse, recycle), but what else are you into? The best answer wins... my awe and admiration! No, seriously, let me know if you have any original ideas, ok?
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ReplyDeleteWell it's not very original but I felt like the best mommy ever once I finished. I made homeade babyfood for my 5 month old, Carson. It was white squash & he loves it. I also homemade laundry detergant (spelling?) for a couple months. I've been tossing the idea of homeade baby wipes around as well. *S* Not that brave yet! Thanks & you should check out my blog!
ReplyDeleteGet up the courage! Country life is great! (Remember?) Why do you call your children after foods, btw? Suggestion--I use those dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. Another one that I've been thinking about, but haven't done--get off of mailing lists. Everytime I order something, I get bombarded with catalogs. I guess not original ideas but they are ideas :)
ReplyDeleteI can see our family headed that way... We are still new to GOING with all the fresh foods. As you know we attempted our first garden this year. Locaion and timing is everything i've learned. Other gardens local (next door) fresh green beans and peas and limas and blueberries and strawberries,LOTS more.. we get fresh veggies and fruits all the time from them. I love them for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to learn more basic stuff too... i'll have to check back at your comments!
homemade detergent? neat idea. we go through a lot of it, all right! i made a lot of baby food, too. i used to have a baby food recipe book for making 'tastier' baby food ;P when i only had one or two children, i did the homemade baby wipes, too! i suggest hemp fleece for the wipes and tea tree oil and lavender for the solution!
ReplyDeletehemp fleece??? Where do u get that from? I will post the homeade detergent recipe on here if you want it. It worked great & was cheap to make.
ReplyDeletePowdered Laundry Detergent (My favorite)
1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap(order online or @ Ace Hardware)
1/2 cup washing soda (order online)
1/2 cup 20 mule team borax (walmart)
Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For light or small loads, use 1 tablespoon. For normal loads, use 2 tablespoons. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons. Cost per load .15.
To make a large batch - grate 6 bars of Fels Naptha Soap and then add 3 cups of Washing Soda and 3 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax. Mix well and store in covered container.
TIP: The above recipes will NOT make suds in your washer so don't be alarmed. Fels Naptha Soap is a pure soap and typically makes little or no suds in the water. This makes it perfect for use in the new HE washers as well as tradional washers. You will also notice the need to either reduce your laundry softener or in most cases you can even eliminate the use of softener completely.
A good website to look @ is soapsgonebuy.com
ReplyDelete