In our quest for a self sufficient, frugal and low impact lifestyle, we have had to take a good long look at our consumer shopping habits and the foods that we consume. Where we can, we want to grow and produce as much as we can. We have the fruit and veg sorted, growing well in the allotments. We have a breeding trio of rabbits to provide us with meat. We also make our own wine to give us a few gallons of pleasure. One of the things that we do buy and need to reduce is sugar. As a family, we do buy a lot of the white stuff. Not to eat nor to add to cuppa’s, but for the purpose of winemaking. What we really want and need to do, is start producing our own honey so that we can make mead instead of wine. This would greatly reduce our food miles of our homebrew and also reduce costs for us. At the moment, our wine is produced for about 10 pence a bottle - due to the quantity of sugar added. If we use our honey, we will get the cost right the way down to 0p, and for a far superior bottle of mead. The quest now is to build, beg, borrow and acquire a few beehives and learn all the skills needed to produce our own honey. I will update you all with this process and progress.
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On our search for green cleaning products which are also low cost, we have found two brilliant substances that match our criteria for being low cost and low impact on the environment. These are Vinegar and Bicarb. There are many uses for these two items, and a quick google search will provide you with all the info. We have found that this combo is brilliant for all personal and household cleaning, and over time I will compile my best tips and tricks for using them. As we are searching for a lifestyle that supports low impact living and low cost living, we are careful about the items that we buy. This is especially true when it comes to common chemicals that are found in consumer products such as household cleaners and cosmetics.
So far, in the short time that we have been actively living a greener and cheaper lifestyle, we have found that we have not bought any detergents, cleaners, sprays or “beauty” paraphernalia. Not only do these things come in a whole host of packaging that is not recyclable, but the products themselves contain a fusion of chemicals that are not too brilliant for humans or the earth. What we have done, is researched and delved into the world of chemical free cleaning. The wife and I were both shocked with just how easy it is, how we could clean our entire home, and ourselves with just two ecologically sound, cheap and easy to get hold of items. I guess you are wondering what these two items are? Well now, you will just have to wait and see until a later post! It has been 5 days since we turned our fridge off. We thought we would start living without a fridge, as we think that it is no longer economical or ecological to run. With the average fridge costing £2 a month to run, plus increasing our carbon footprint, we thought we could do without it.
So far, the fridge has been turned into a dark larder for veg storage - we would have never have thought of storing potatoes in the fridge when it was turned on. Previously, when our fridge was powered, we found that all we stored in there was a couple of tubs of brewers yeast and a couple tubs of bakers yeast - both of which I have been able to source locally and for free - thus eliminating the need for the fridge. I have recently asked people to list the things that they keep in their fridges, alot of the lists were prolific and I can imagine the fridges being filled to the brim - in comparison to my pots of yeast! However, upon looking at the lists I was surprised by many of the items stored in the cupboard. A couple of the things people stored in the fridge included. Tomatoe Sauce! Well, I have always stored this in the cupboard as the high level of acid from the vinegar acts as an antibacterial and preservative. After all, the reason tomatoe sauce was originally made was to preserve the tomatoes long before refrigeration was an option. Eggs! There have been many scientific studies into the best place to store your eggs - fridge V’s cupboard, and the verdicts always point to the store cupboard. Infact, the cool refrigerated air actually makes the shells more porous and thus allowing bacteria into the egg. When you buy your eggs from the supermarket, are they chilled? No - and that is for a damn good reason! A quick review of my 2013 Carrot wine and the verdict is - Blimmin' goergious. It's smooth and sophisticated, like drinking a bottle of Bill Withers, not only with the sunshine. This carrot wine is similar to a chardonney, full of butter flavours and lingers on the tounge. The exotic aroma and sure fire boldness of the carrot sure will love you long time. I will post up the recipe in the imminent future, but you will have to wait until the autumn for the "How to" video.
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About usWe are prepping our way to reduce the carbon footprints, food miles and cost of living in both an environmental and financial way. Archives
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