During my homestead journey, I’m so lucky to have the Amish to learn from .. because really, who does it better? Things I’ve learned recently:
~ We eat what we have instead of what we just have a hankering for… I was talking to the Mom neighbor and she was telling me that she got some pork from a fellow friend up the street. She said it was an older pig (of course I’m asking how she knows?? RIGHT!!) Older pigs have tougher meat… she said it’s not her favorite, but they will eat it because that’s what they have and she’s thankful for it.
We bought a pig last year… it’s not my favorite so I have been purposely not eating it… BUT we need to clean out our freezer for some more meat that is coming, so we’ve been eating a lot of pork. As I’m crumbling the sausage, I tell myself, it’s not my favorite… it’s a little tough… but we will it eat because it’s what we have and I’m thankful. Changes the whole way you look at a meal. I AM thankful that we are able to buy meat off the farm. And farms that I KNOW and TRUST!
~ I use fresh produce that is in season and picked fresh. I use what my garden provides. Today I made (for the first time in forever) homemade mashed potatoes. The kids hyped them up so much you’d think I spent all day on them. We had some green beans and I have 3 tomatoes to eat as snacks! (I love to eat them like an apple with some salt! YUM!!)
~ I have learned that I can make any seasoning out there. I never buy a seasoning packet… ever. Taco seasoning, super easy… ranch seasoning, Italian seasoning… One of the best purchases I made was Pantry on the Homestead and used it to fill my pantry as I ran out of things. Get some mason jars and lids and get to makin’!
~ Being around the farm animals is calming to the soul. I don’t know what it is about them… but just sitting with them… being in their presence… does something. It is peaceful. Calming. Satisfying. If you’re having a bad day, go sit in the cow field or hold your favorite chicken. Don’t have those yet? Cuddle your dog.
~ You are ready to homestead before you feel ready. Thinking about homesteading? Think you need to do this or that before you jump in? Need the cows? The chicken coop? Need the farm truck first? NOPE! Get a mason jar and make a taco seasoning… and that night for dinner, make tacos with that seasoning. Make small conscious decisions each day that make your life better, healthier, more meaningful, quieter, more YOU. It’s really that easy. Just start.
