Proper Food Storage for Root Vegetables

Proper Food Storage for Root Vegetables

In 2005, thirty-five Swedish households were asked to keep a diary about food purchasing and usage habits. 44.1% of all root vegetables were wasted after storage.*   This was second only to dairy products.  Based on the number of potato eyes staring at me from my food storage, I would guess that Americans are experiencing the same results.  Temperature is not the only factor, and not all root vegetables need the same thing.  Do you know how to properly store root vegetables?

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Grow and Harvest Yarrow for Insect Bites and Stings

I started beekeeping with two hives, and one was very calm and docile.  The other? Uh, no, turns out they were Africanized and put me into the hospital.  That’s another story you can read about here.  But until we actually figured it out, we were finding ourselves with stings from just “more aggressive than normal” bees.  Of everything we tried to soothe our skin, our family found Yarrow to be the most effective non-drowsy option.   

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Off-Grid Micro-Hydro Homestead

Off-Grid Micro-Hydro homestead

Microhydro Electricity Unplugged

 

 

Microhydro, its simplicity is so attractive.  So, you have always wanted to do it . . . go off grid and be self-sufficient.   What does it actually take?  From everyone I have spoken to who actually has done it, the answer seems to be, “Take your estimated cost for time, energy and money and triple it.” 

 Still reading this? 

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Homemade Chicken Feed Using The Chop Rite

Homemade Chicken Feed using the Chop Rite

My how the chickens love this.  It’s just what we do after fish night now. You can make homemade chicken feed from everyday scraps, but some scraps need to be broken down for them.

By grinding the parts that humans do not consume and feeding the chickens, we cut down on chicken feed and provide amazing nutrition to the girls.

We made this video five years ago when we first got our Chop Rite, and I don’t know why we never posted it.  With five years’ experience with owning a Chop Rite, I can speak with some authority when I say that it was an excellent investment for our homestead.

Oh, and it’s still Made in America.  The company used to be called “Enterprise” and once in awhile, you can still find an old Enterprise at an estate sale or in a dusty attic.  They haven’t changed the design since they came out well over 100 years ago, so if you need Enterprise replacement parts, we have those too.

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VIEW CHOP RITE

 

Growing an Herb Garden from Scratch

growing an herb garden

Growing an herb garden from scratch is an easy way to go about it.  Many herbs can be grown with little sunshine, and water drains off very well from their soil on the average. They also require some watering and fertilizer or compost on a regular basis and some regular garden care. Your biggest worry is if they become too prolific (as the case with mint, and a few others–just pot & gift to an unsuspecting friend).  Growing an herb garden is an awesome idea, when it comes to the true meaning of simple gardening.

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4 Must-Have (Hard-to-Kill) Succulent Plants

4 Must-Have Succulent Plants

Succulent plants are easy to grow because they have juicy leaves, stems or roots which store water. Even if you forget to water them from time to time, they will survive. You can seed succulent plants alone or together with others. There are a number of colors from which to choose, and something will be perfect to liven up your home.  Still not sure what we’re talking about? As an example, all of the cacti plant species are succulent. These plants are very easy to grow because they like warmth and dry humidity, which most homes can offer.

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