Sorry for not being back to a regular blogging schedule again yet…but I really do think it’s only a matter of a few weeks now before things will be back to normal…of course there’s always the question of what you actually consider to be normal. 🙂
Stefan will be starting work again on August 2nd (much to our chagrin) but we have to pay the bills somehow. We’ve used these last few months to re-prioritize our goals for the future and think we have a really good plan set in motion now that should bring about some incredible changes. But it’s all really way too soon to talk about…
Although it was a relief to know that I didn’t have to be coming up with something brilliant or witty every day, I’ve also missed being able to share all that I’m learning every day. Because writing this blog isn’t just about keeping track of what we do on our homestead — it’s also about getting YOU excited about starting a garden, or learning a new craft, or just taking the time to unplug from the world with your kids while doing something you all enjoy.
I keep up with many of my friends from high school on Facebook…and there are some friends on there who I really haven’t spoken to in the last 12 years…but it’s always interesting to see what people are doing with their lives. Some of my friends have started small gardens and I am SO proud of them for taking this leap. But as I read through recent status updates, I was a bit disappointed at one exchange that really left me shaking my head. It went something like this:
Friend 1: I don’t understand why people would mill their own wheat to make bread. I mean why do that when you can just go buy something at the store?
Friend 2: I know, right? I mean what’s the point?
Friend 1: I’m going to head over to McDonalds right now and buy a burger — just to celebrate the fact that I don’t have to bake my own bread!
Now I completely understand that milling your own wheat and baking bread (even with store-bought ground wheat) is not everyone’s dream way to spend the day. It’s time consuming, it can be complicated and you need a little practice to get a good loaf every time. But comparing a loaf of sandwich bread you buy in the store or a McDonalds hamburger bun with a real loaf of bread is just ludicrous. Anyone who thinks that those buns are anywhere as healthy or nutritious needs to take a moment and do some research on the internet. I would venture a guess that a piece of paper is often more nutritious than some of the breads on the market. And I guess the obvious difference in flavor doesn’t even need to be brought up but seriously, there is no comparison!
So for those that might wonder WHY in the world I would mill my own grain, bake my own bread, make home cooked meals for my family every night, grow my own food, use essential oils as alternative medicines and clean my home with products I make myself, let me just say that I do it because I’m trying to achieve a healthier way of living for my family that may not be the “norm” but it sure seems a whole lot better than loading my body up with chemicals and additives that I know I don’t need.
Leave a comment below and raise your hand if you’re proud of the actions you’re taking in your life to take back your life and do things yourself!
I really appreciate your conviction and your intelligence in the presentation on your blog.
You mention the tangible and health benefits of preparing your own wheat and food, but there is so much more to gain beyond that:
1. Satisfaction from preparing something delicious and nutritous for your family.
2. An appreciation for the process and the art of well prepared food.
3. Shared experiences and memories of preparing and eating these meals. (You don’t get near that satisfaction from eating at McDonald’s)
4. Skills and heritage you can pass on to McKenzie.
I think you have it exactly right. I hope your ignorant high school friends give it a try someday and see what they’re missing.
I recently found your blog and completely agree. I stopped buying bread at the store a few years ago and recently added English Muffins and tortillas to my list of only homemade products. As I am running out of household cleaners I’m not going to buy new ones and I’m switching over to baking soda, vinegar and whatever else is A) less expensive and B) better for my health.
By the way, I broke my arm last winter after being hit by a car as a pedestrian – as soon as I could put a tiny bit of weight on it again I was kneading bread! It took a little longer, but it made me happy. Hope you have a swift recovery!
How odd and wonderful that you posted this today. I have just recently gone off on a facebook rant of my own regarding this very same thing. I just don’t understand why people don’t want to at least KNOW how to take care of their families? I am not saying that you have to mill your own wheat or bake your own bread but why don’t you want to know how to do it in case you ever need to? I buy bread at the store, but i spent most of last winter learning how to bake it from scratch.
I buy my produce from my local farmers market, but I also have my own garden!
It infuriates me that people do not understand what is happening in the world and they are not in any way shape or form attempting to prepare themselves or take care of themselves in any way.
oh and sorry for ranting on your post 🙁
I say, why would you anyone buy bread when you can bake your own? An infinite variety is available once you learn the basics and stock up on a few common ingredients.
Anyone who thinks white bread is bread has never eaten bread! I bake my own bread, make my own yogurt, mix my own cleaners (which really just consists of a very few basic ingredients). We are also 130km from the nearest large grocery store so it’s not an option to run out to get anything we need whenever we want. As a result it’s easier to stock up on a few basic items and be able to make 100 things with it. There’s nothing like remoteness to remind you of the way things were for most of humankind and to force you to rediscover the many things we are quickly forgetting (and which we will all be forced to relearn all over again very soon).
Though it sounds quaint and country romantic, doing these things becomes second nature and it doesn’t consume all that much time really. I can whip up two loaves of bread in the time it takes sometime to go to McDonald’s and back.
@SteveR – When we moved to Germany, there were a lot of things we’d become accustomed to having as Americans…but over the last 10 years we’ve either learned to make it ourselves (like ranch dressing and biscuits — which are both SO much better homemade) or just do without it. And the other day we were thinking about things we eat now in Germany that we couldn’t live without if we moved away — and only came up with Milka chocolate, which really has no comparison on earth. 🙂
@Jeremy – I love the fact that I know how to do these things and think everyone should at least try it so they have that knowledge. My mom used to do some of the things I do now and I was never all that interested once I hit the teen years…but now I wish I had paid a lot more attention so I wouldn’t have so much to learn now!
@Liz – I have not yet made the jump to making my own tortillas but I have tried bagels a few times. Always taste great but lack the height of a true bagel…certainly fun to keep trying though. And oh how proud I’ll be when they come out better than the norm. 🙂 I’m absolutely thrilled about all the things I can clean with vinegar and baking soda–so eye opening. And at least I don’t have to worry about the chemicals in the toilet when the dog drinks from it now 🙂
@Lisa – We just have to keep talking to them, I guess. Every little step is progress! And you know where they’ll turn first when things go to hell in a handbasket lol
While I may not have the ability or the time to be able to take the steps you have to better your life for yourself and your family, I really admire you for it. I’m terribly envious of your talents, very glad that you have a platform on which to share your experiences and are willing to do so.
What I find most amazing, is that 15 years ago, I would never have imagined admiring you for these tasks you’ve undertaken, but for many other things. I love that you surprise me with new ideas and that you open my world to an amazing realm of possibilities that I can take little bits and pieces from (such has growing my own tomatoes, basil, and strawberries using newspaper pots). I may not be living on the land for everything I need, but I’m doing what I can – however simplistic, and I owe it to you for your inspiration. THANK YOU.
Keep up the AMAZING WORK – and screw the haters. They’re just jealous that they aren’t doing their part.
I see a lot of comments like that myself. But I do have readers of my blog, who WISH they could live this way, but say or think they cannot. Why not? Who knows! In my own family, they all think we are crazy for wanting to do these things ourselves instead of just buying it at the store. I just laugh at them…..mine is much better and is pure ingredients, that I put in it. They are the ones taking a table full of meds at younger ages than I am!