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!