Living a Sustainable Lifestyle
You hear the term thrown around a lot, but what does being sustainable actually mean? Well, it means that you are a system that supports yourself without any outside assistance. In today’s world, it is close to impossible to completely escape it, but it is definitely a goal to strive for.
Here at the farm, we try to do as much for ourselves as we possibly can. First, we grow our own food, which is a first big step. With all of the preserving that I do, our grocery bill is quite minimal. Also, we heat our house with a wood burning stove which means that we are constantly splitting firewood to keep up with our heating needs. But why would you want to live like this?
We take pride in living minimally and although sometimes it is definitely harder than just letting someone else do it, or just going to the grocery store, it is worth it knowing that you are responsible through hard work and perseverance. Don’t get me wrong, some of it is out of necessity as well. Being a farmer isn’t the most well paid job, but if the world was coming to an end, we would know how to support ourselves.
The animals that we raise are a part of the system of being sustainable as well. With the pigs that we had, the chickens, and the ducks, we also provide ourselves with another healthy alternative to buying mass produced meat from the grocery store. Really once you’ve had meat that is raised the proper way, conventional meat just won’t taste the same. And yes, sometimes it is difficult to slaughter the animals that you have worked so hard to raise, but at least you know they led a good life while they were around.
Our chickens figured out how to hop the fence last year and have been completely free-range ever since. This is good for us because we know we have some happy egg layers, and it cost less to feed them when they are out and about eating bugs. They also get fed our kitchen scraps, meaning that they get a well rounded diet.
The pigs are at another farmer’s place because he has more space for them to run around and be happy pigs. We enjoyed the meat so much last year that we are raising another round of pigs. The half a pig that we received in November is actually already been gone for a while because we couldn’t keep our hands off of it. And with raising pigs, preserving food, having fresh eggs, and heating the house with wood, our costs were significantly low this winter. These are the steps that we are taking to try to live a sustainable lifestyle with being off the grid as our eventual goal. What can you do that will help yourself and our environment?
What’s included this week?
1. Brats fresh from our pigs that were processed last week- grill these out with the corn…yum!
2. Bunching onions- aka scallions
3. Sweet corn- soak overnight and then just put on grill with husk on, gives you roasted, fair food-like flavor
4. Carrots
5. Mint- use fresh or hang to dry
You hear the term thrown around a lot, but what does being sustainable actually mean? Well, it means that you are a system that supports yourself without any outside assistance. In today’s world, it is close to impossible to completely escape it, but it is definitely a goal to strive for.
Here at the farm, we try to do as much for ourselves as we possibly can. First, we grow our own food, which is a first big step. With all of the preserving that I do, our grocery bill is quite minimal. Also, we heat our house with a wood burning stove which means that we are constantly splitting firewood to keep up with our heating needs. But why would you want to live like this?
We take pride in living minimally and although sometimes it is definitely harder than just letting someone else do it, or just going to the grocery store, it is worth it knowing that you are responsible through hard work and perseverance. Don’t get me wrong, some of it is out of necessity as well. Being a farmer isn’t the most well paid job, but if the world was coming to an end, we would know how to support ourselves.
The animals that we raise are a part of the system of being sustainable as well. With the pigs that we had, the chickens, and the ducks, we also provide ourselves with another healthy alternative to buying mass produced meat from the grocery store. Really once you’ve had meat that is raised the proper way, conventional meat just won’t taste the same. And yes, sometimes it is difficult to slaughter the animals that you have worked so hard to raise, but at least you know they led a good life while they were around.
Our chickens figured out how to hop the fence last year and have been completely free-range ever since. This is good for us because we know we have some happy egg layers, and it cost less to feed them when they are out and about eating bugs. They also get fed our kitchen scraps, meaning that they get a well rounded diet.
The pigs are at another farmer’s place because he has more space for them to run around and be happy pigs. We enjoyed the meat so much last year that we are raising another round of pigs. The half a pig that we received in November is actually already been gone for a while because we couldn’t keep our hands off of it. And with raising pigs, preserving food, having fresh eggs, and heating the house with wood, our costs were significantly low this winter. These are the steps that we are taking to try to live a sustainable lifestyle with being off the grid as our eventual goal. What can you do that will help yourself and our environment?
What’s included this week?
1. Brats fresh from our pigs that were processed last week- grill these out with the corn…yum!
2. Bunching onions- aka scallions
3. Sweet corn- soak overnight and then just put on grill with husk on, gives you roasted, fair food-like flavor
4. Carrots
5. Mint- use fresh or hang to dry
Recipe of the Week
Fresh Sun Tea
1 large sun tea container (usually about a gallon in size)
5 tea bags
2 fresh sprigs mint
Place the tea in the bright sun for a few hours. Bring it in and mix in any sweetener that you want while it is still warm, that way the sugar or honey will dissolve. Do not leave out in the sun all day, and don’t try on a cloudy day either. Other than that, it’s pretty plain and simple.
Thank you for your support,
Gretel and Steve
Fresh Sun Tea
1 large sun tea container (usually about a gallon in size)
5 tea bags
2 fresh sprigs mint
Place the tea in the bright sun for a few hours. Bring it in and mix in any sweetener that you want while it is still warm, that way the sugar or honey will dissolve. Do not leave out in the sun all day, and don’t try on a cloudy day either. Other than that, it’s pretty plain and simple.
Thank you for your support,
Gretel and Steve
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