This article contains an excerpt from the “Ultimate Off Grid Gift Guide for Modern Homesteaders.” Click here to read the full article. There’s something refreshing about getting my hands dirty in the garden and knowing that food is growing to feed my family every month of the year. Even in the snowiest months of winter, I have roots buried below the frost line in my garden, waiting for the first warm days of spring to send up shoots and grow with renewed vigor. Sunchokes and garlic cloves stay fresh under the soil, ready for me to dig up a handful to prepare comfort food as needed. I leave the extras so they can sprout and divide (or multiply!) in the spring and summer months, but I can harvest a few here and there no matter the season. Winter holidays might not seem like the best time of year to give gardening gifts, but if your loved ones are like me, gardening supplies are always a welcome beacon of the spring that is yet to come! This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Yard and garden Gardening gloves: Gardening can be tough on hands and fingernails. Protect your loved one from splinters and callouses by gifting them a pair of rubber-coated gardening gloves or rose pruning gauntlets to protect tender forearms. Heirloom seeds: Is your favorite off-gridder worried about the apocalypse … or do they simply enjoy gardening? Either way, a seed vault with non-GMO, heirloom seed varieties is sure to be a serious gardener’s delight! Composting bin: Composting outdoors in the winter can come to a halt when temperatures drop below freezing. Give this cute indoor compost bin to keep kitchen scraps out of sight until the weather warms up. Compost barrel: Compost should never be stinky, but it can be dirty (and backbreaking) work to turn a large compost pile with a shovel. Save your loved one’s back and the mess by gifting them a tumbling compost barrel. Indoor gooseneck grow light: An indoor grow light is a necessity for seedlings and herbs that have been brought indoors for the winter. This gooseneck grow light provides full-spectrum lighting for those little plants you just can’t bear to leave outside. Trail camera: Solar trail cameras recharge with the sun, so you never have to worry about running out of battery in between camera checks. By adding wireless technology (and a monthly wireless plan), you can see images from your trail camera on your phone day or night. Choose a trail camera with high resolution and long-distance views plus infrared so you won’t scare the critters away at night. Chicken coop: Although I’ve always let my chickens have the run of the yard, a chicken coop is a great way to start baby chicks or keep banties safe from hawks. This nifty chicken coop with a wire run is great for beginning hobbyists. Cast iron dinner bell: My dad could never hear my mom yell for dinner when he was out in the workshop at the back of our acreage. She kept a cast iron dinner bell, like this one, hanging from the porch rafters and sent me out to ring it when supper was ready. Rain barrel: Rain catchment is an excellent way to save water and use it in the garden during a dry spell. How about gifting a rain barrel kit (made from recycled materials) to supplement your loved one’s water supply? Gorilla cart: This is one of those things that you don’t think you need until you actually need it! I love using a gorilla cart to lighten my load and haul groceries, bags of feed, and gardening soil. Get one with removable sides to make unloading even easier. Gathering basket: I can’t count how many times I’ve gone out to the garden thinking there would only be a few tomatoes to pick and ended up using my shirt to carry loads of tomatoes, squash, and peppers into the house. A gathering basket makes life much easier and keeps my shirt clean. And for gathering eggs, try this egg gathering apron with individual pockets to prevent the eggs from cracking against each other. Poultry balm/chicken first aid: While we’re talking about eggs, how about gifting your off grid hobbyist with a chicken first-aid kit or some poultry balm to help those little chickies stay healthy and protected from leg sores? Newspaper pot maker: Talk about sustainable living! Turn sheets of paper into biodegradable seedling pots with this handy wooden newspaper pot maker. Steel forged garden tools: Anyone who lives off the grid and raises their own food knows that having the right tools for the job makes all the difference! Gift your gardener some sturdy, steel forged garden tools. If you think they already have all the gardening gear they need, how about something a little different, like a hori hori knife for cutting through roots or stems and poking holes for planting seeds? Walking stick for your wildcrafting and gathering hikes: I enjoy wildcrafting, and sometimes looking for berries takes me a little further into the wilderness than I had originally planned. I love my Black Diamond walking poles—they’re collapsible, lightweight, and easy to carry in my pack. Tree diapers: A tree diaper refills during rain and slowly releases the water back into the soil to keep young trees protected from drought. If your off grid loved one is trying to establish an orchard or planting fruit trees for the yard, tree diapers will help establish a moist growing medium for their newly planted saplings. Rain gauge: Why depend on the local news to find out how many inches of rain fell on the garden last night? Give this glass rain gauge to your favorite gardener, and they’ll never have to wonder how much moisture fell. Arbor Day membership: I’m all for planting trees! Give two gifts in one with an Arbor Day Foundation membership. Your loved one will not only become a member, but they’ll also receive free trees as part of the deal. Boot scraper: All that mud needs to go somewhere, and tracking it in the house on the bottom of your boots isn’t an option. How about giving an industrial-strength boot scraper so the dirt can stay outside where it belongs? Need more gift ideas? Check out these 21 Gift Ideas for Outdoor Chefs!

My dogs love being outside. Whether we’re hiking, camping, or just enjoying a nap in a swaying hammock (talk about boosting mental health benefits!), they treat every day as if it were a brand-new adventure. Dogs are not just pets. They are wonderful off-grid companions—and they can also be helpful assistants around the homestead. From herding livestock and warning you about intruders to helping you de-stress after a long day, dogs will find a way to work themselves into your heart and your daily routine. Can you tell I'm a dog person? If you’re wondering what holiday gift to give your favorite homesteader’s dog or your favorite dog lover, here are 21 ideas to get you pointed in the right direction! This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Gifts for dog lovers Need gift ideas for the dog lovers on your list? Check out my gift guide below. If you’re looking for gifts for the dog, scroll down to the next section! Dash Dog Treat Maker: You live off the grid so you can raise healthy, organic food, right? Why not treat your dog to the same level of care by making your own healthy dog treats in this cute, bone-shaped treat maker? Dog lover’s welcome sign: Make sure your guests know your dogs come first by displaying this welcome sign near your entryway. A funny calendar: Need a gag gift for a dog lover or a white elephant gift exchange? How about this Pooping Pooches calendar? (It’ll be sure to get a laugh!) Outdoor dog run: There are times when a well-trained dog can run loose on the homestead and other times when it’s best to keep your pup safely contained. But what if you don’t have a backyard fence? Gift this large outdoor welded wire dog run to keep larger dogs (and small dogs) protected from predators and close to home. Insulated dog house: My dogs live in my house, but I’ve known a lot of farmers who let their dogs sleep in the barn or yard with the livestock. If you’re looking for a safe, warm place outdoors for your working dog to get out of the weather for a few minutes or overnight, try this extra-large insulated dog house. Two layers of wood with styrofoam insulation sandwiched between the layers make the thick walls perfect for keeping in the heat. Dog training books (herding dogs): Books are always a great gift! Herding Dogs: Progressive Training gives insight into the history and herding practices of different breeds with tips and instructions for handlers of all experience levels. Dog training books (hunting dogs): If you enjoy hunting, having a hunting dog as your companion can be helpful for retrieving fowl and finding game. Tom Dokken's Retriever Training: The Complete Guide to Developing Your Hunting Dog is a good book to start with if you’re training your first retriever, and How to Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves is highly rated by several top hunting dog magazine editors. Other dog training books: Do you love super-active, highly intelligent herding breeds like Aussies, corgis, and border collies? Or what about a dog breed that hunts small game, like a Parson Russell terrier? These breeds aren’t for beginning dog owners, who may have difficulty keeping up with their dog’s need for a job and mental and physical stimulation. Teach Your Herding Breed to Be a Great Companion Dog: From Obsessive to Outstanding can help would-be herding dog owners sculpt their favorite breed into a companion by explaining how to redirect herding instincts and boundless energy into productive, well-mannered behaviors. Training tools: If your favorite dog aficionado enjoys hunting, why not give them some tools for training their hunting companion? The SportDOG Canvas Dummy training bumper is weighted (choose from puppy or standard) and holds a scent to get dogs used to sniffing out waterfowl and game birds. Automatic ball launcher: This is a gift as much for the human as it is for the dog (our corgi LOVES hers!). This automatic ball launcher will help your dog run off some energy and give them mental stimulation (and give you a break) as they learn to reload the balls into the chute on their own for hours of fetching fun. Dog agility set: A big backyard is a perfect place to set up an agility course to help your canine companion work off some energy and learn a new skill. This agility set comes with weave poles, a tunnel, and jumps you can collapse and pack away during the off-season. A new coffee mug: If the dog parent on your list loves coffee almost as much as they love their dog, try gifting this I Work Hard So My Dog Can Have A Better Life coffee mug for their morning cuppa. Rescue dog sign: Why does everything about rescue dogs make me cry? Maybe because the best gift is the gift of hope and companionship! If your favorite dog lover adopted a rescue pup, gift them this sign to let the world know how important their furbaby is. Gifts for dogs Now that you’ve explored my suggestions for gifts for dog lovers, how about gifts for the dog? Dog gifts can include anything from toys to puzzles to a comfy new dog bed. (But if you ask my girls, they’ll always go straight for the toys!) Even a dog with acres to play on can get bored on rainy days when she’s stuck in the house. I’ve collected links to some of my favorite boredom-busting dog toys and accessories for the dog who loves adventure. Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel: My girls love sniffing out these squeaky little squirrels and pulling them from the log. Six plush squirrels fit inside the soft tree trunk—and if you really want to keep your furry friend busy, you can hide a few training treats in between the squirrels for extra hunting fun! Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound: Both of my dogs love this intermediate puzzle dog toy, but what else would you expect from a problem-solving terrier and a corgi? With three types of puzzles to solve—lifting the white bone-shaped lids, opening the red boxes, and sliding the red boxes to reveal a secret hiding spot—this toy will help keep your active pup’s mind stimulated and make mealtime more fun. TRIXIE: The TRIXIE Mini-Mover and Move-2Win dog puzzles are a level-3 challenge for dogs who love solving advanced hide-and-seek problems. I especially love that these puzzles are top-shelf dishwasher safe (see manufacturer’s directions). Snuffle Mat: Snuffle mats help dogs practice their foraging skills. They’re also great for slowing down dogs who like to gulp their meals! The TOMAHAUK snuffle mat can be tossed in the washing machine to freshen it up after your wild one finishes dinner. Reflective collar: The Joytale Reflective Collar is an affordable option if you’re looking for a way to make your dog easier to spot at night. The nylon collar is lined with padded neoprene for extra comfort. If you’re looking for a collar that lights up, try the Illumiseen LED rechargeable dog collar. I haven’t tried this one myself, but reviewers love it (one even used it for his alpaca). Just remember to keep it charged so you can find your buddy in the dark. Outward Hound Life Jacket: Lucy loves playing in the water, but she has been known to swim until she’s so exhausted that I have to go into the pond after her and bring her back to land. Outward Hound makes life jackets for dogs who enjoy swimming or boating, and the top grab-handle makes it easy for you to pull your pooch to safety. GPS dog tracker: Always know where your best friend is with this waterproof GPS dog tracker that attaches to their collar. Install the app on your phone and track your pup in real-time—no subscription fee required! It works with Google Maps and has a 9-mile tracking radius. SportDOG remote trainer: The SportDOG remote trainer is expandable and works with up to six dogs at once. I like the options for tone and vibration, although there is a static option for dogs who need a little extra reminder (please work with a professional dog trainer before using static collars on your dog). This trainer has a ¾ mile radius and an easy-to-read OLED screen. Bonus dog gift idea: I was first introduced to dog chews made from yak’s milk during a dog expo in Denver. These odorless, natural dog chews are long-lasting and easily digestible. Your doggie gift recipient will love them! There are seemingly endless ideas for gifts for dog lovers and their canine companions. I hope my list helps you get started to find the perfect gift! Need more gift ideas for the holidays? Click here for gift suggestions for writers, gardeners, and off-grid chefs!

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. In the heart of the darkest night of the year, we look forward to the longer days that will slowly approach and bring us new life and birth with the spring. Winter has begun, and as we huddle together around a crackling fire or cuddle deep into our favorite comforter, we are reminded that winter's sleep is but a moment in time. We turn inward to ourselves and our community and celebrate the light within as we practice ancient rituals made modern: feasting, gathering around a Yule log, lighting candles, and singing songs that bring merriness and joy to an otherwise cold and dark time of year. Winter solstice marks the time of year when the northern hemisphere is tilted at its furthest point away from the sun. It is recognized as a time of rebirth, renewal, and the returning of the light. Cultures and religions around the world celebrate winter solstice—although they may give it their own name and attach varying customs and rituals to satisfy their community’s requirements. Whether you celebrate the winter solstice in solitude or with the gathering of friends and family, remember to make time to care for yourself during this sacred time of the year. Self-love bath I’m all for a warm, leisurely bath any time of the year. But there’s no more relaxing way to wash away winter’s chill than soaking in a steamy tub filled with fragrant flowers. Add chamomile, lavender, and rose petals to a muslin tea bag, and toss the bag into your bath to let it steep. Light a white candle surrounded with clear and rose quartz, or place a white tealight candle into a rose quartz candleholder (like this one) to create a soft, peaceful glow while you relax. Imagine the worries of the year fading away as warmth and light fill the room. Mindful walking How about taking a mindful walk early in the morning or on the evening of the winter solstice? As you quietly walk, listen to the sound of your feet on the soil or the crunching of snow under your boots. Look at the trees—have they lost their leaves, letting the sunlight through, or are you surrounded by evergreens that gather clusters of snow and drop them to the earth when the wind blows? Can you see animal tracks in the mud or snow? Are birds chirping in the branches or flying overhead to a warmer clime? Journaling How about creating a solstice journal? Unlike a daily journal, a solstice journal is something you only add to during the turnings of the year: the summer and winter solstices, and the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. Looking back on your year a quarter at a time can give you a broader perspective on changes that have occurred or that need to be made as you move forward. You can use the same journal for decades, adding to it and watching the shaping of your beautiful life as you build upon it year after year. Pour a cup of dream tea Settle in for a dream-filled sleep on the longest night of the year by brewing a cup of dream tea with herbs reputed to encourage creative and lucid dreams. Dreaming allows the subconscious mind to work through challenges and overcome stress. Why not help the process along by adding a teaspoon of mugwort and ½ teaspoon of passionflower* to a cup of hot water and steeping for 5–10 minutes? Sip the infusion before bedtime, and remember to keep your dream journal close by so you can write down any dreams you remember as soon as you wake up! Set intentional moments Too much time is wasted worrying about the future or despairing over the past. Bring yourself into the now by sitting quietly in a safe, comfortable location and focusing on the present moment. Think of all the things you are grateful for—no matter how large or small—and allow yourself to truly feel the gratitude in your heart. Look back on the past year while only allowing yourself to visualize the people and things you are grateful for, and set an intention to regularly practice moments of gratitude in the coming year. Like water off a duck’s back If you’re ready to shake off the past year and start the new year on higher ground, try this visualization technique to give yourself a fresh start. When you wake up in the morning, rub your hands over each part of your body in short, downward strokes as if you were a duck oiling your feathers. Imagine all of the negativity that has clung to you in the past dripping off and fading away. Visualize yourself coating your shiny new feathers with a beautiful, sleek gloss that will repel any negativity that comes your way (just like water running off a duck’s back). You can repeat this visualization daily upon waking if you find it helpful. New beginnings However you choose to celebrate the winter solstice, remember to set intentional goals for self-care in the coming year, practice kindness, and feel gratitude for the gifts in your life. May you and yours be blessed always! *Consult a medical provider if you are taking any medications or sedatives that these herbs could interfere with.

Photo credit: Ray Shrewsberry on Unsplash This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. In an earlier article, we talked about nine essential off grid skills every homesteader should know. But what if you haven’t moved off the grid yet? How do you prepare for homesteading? Can you get started learning the necessary skills you’ll need once you move to your new homestead? The answer is yes! Homesteading is living a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. But you don’t need acres of land or an off-grid home to start becoming self-sufficient today. With all the news about supply chain shortages and food crises in multiple countries, self-sufficiency is regaining the importance it once held for people in earlier times—like our great-grandparents during the Great Depression. Adding simple homesteading skills to your weekly schedule is a way to grow your skillset and step out of your comfort zone. If you don’t want to learn alone, invite a friend or loved one to learn along with you. You’ll both benefit from the shared experience. In this post, we’ll talk about the important skills around feeding yourself and your family: growing and foraging food, and cooking and preserving it for food storage. To get started, choose a skill from my list below, or pick something you’ve always wanted to try. Start simple and work your way to more advanced levels. Before you know it, your confidence and homesteading knowledge will be growing by leaps and bounds! Keeping track of your progress I highly recommend finding a way to keep track of your progress so you can look back and see how far you’ve come while you practice homesteading skills. You can make a chart or keep a journal specifically for recording the skills you practice, your results, and what you’d like to try next. Or you can just jot down each skill on a calendar on the day you practice it. Tracking your progress can be as simple or as complex as you’d like it to be. However you decide to log your practice sessions, you’re sure to feel great about the results. Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction. ~ Al Bernstein Food skills you can practice right now Cooking with solar energy One of my favorite off grid skills is cooking outdoors. I learned to cook over a campfire when I was growing up, but I’ve always wanted to learn how to use a solar oven, too. I live in a sunny state, so why not take advantage of all that free energy, and use it for cooking a meal? Solar cooking is silent, smoke-free, and easier than you might think. There are a lot of solar ovens on the market and some creative DIYs if you’d like to try to make an oven yourself. But my favorite solar oven is the GoSun (I have the Sport, but all sizes work similarly). GoSun solar ovens preheat fast and cook efficiently. I baked cornbread muffins in my GoSun to practice using it and try my hand at learning a new skill. The muffins turned out perfectly moist, evenly cooked all the way through, and tasted delicious—much better than the egg I tried to fry on a tin can the summer I turned 12! Motivation: Learn to use a solar oven so you can show off your cooking skills at your next outdoor picnic! Simple foods, like the cornmeal muffins I mentioned above, cook in only 20 minutes in a GoSun. Your guests will be amazed when you serve them fresh, steaming hot bread straight from your solar oven. Baking in a Dutch oven Dutch ovens are a favorite among campers and are frequently associated with campfire cobblers and stews. If you’ve never baked dessert in a Dutch oven, I recommend starting by using the Dutch oven in a regular electric or gas oven—then progress to cooking in campfire coals once you get a feel for how a Dutch oven holds heat and bakes the food inside. When you decide to buy your first Dutch oven, make sure you get one that will stand the test of time and hold up against campfires and hot coals alike. I prefer Lodge Dutch ovens—I’m still using the Lodge Dutch oven my parents cooked with at our cabin many years ago. If you need recipes, Country Living magazine has some great ideas you can try. Motivation: Kick your next camping trip up a notch by serving piping hot apple cobbler from your Dutch oven. Move over s’mores—there’s another dessert in town! Growing food When you think of gardening, where does your mind go? Outside to beautiful garden beds bursting with fresh vegetables and leafy greens? Or to an indoor windowsill overflowing with microgreens and sprouting jars? Gardening is a skill you can practice on a micro or macro level. If you have the space, create a small garden bed in your yard and plant two or three of your favorite, easy-to-grow vegetables. Tomatoes and squash are easy starters with rewarding harvests. Grow them outside since they require a lot of space to spread out. In the winter, or if you don’t have yard space, you can grow sprouts and microgreens on a sunny windowsill. Purchase clean seeds specifically produced for sprouting; you don’t want any of the additives that are sometimes sprayed on garden seeds to promote growth or inhibit insect infestations. Growing sprouts and microgreens is a gratifying experience with a quick turnaround time. You can harvest and enjoy your harvest in a matter of days instead of weeks. Sprouting is proof that there's no need to hold back on improving your gardening skills due to lack of space. Sprout People is my favorite site for sprouting info and supplies if you’re just getting started. But you can also find seeds and sprouting equipment on Amazon, like this Mason jar sprouting kit that even comes with a ceramic drip tray (so you don’t have to try to balance your jars in a bowl). To grow sprouts, soak the required amount of seed in clean, filtered water (check the package for the number of hours to soak). Then, rinse and drain your sprouts two or three times a day, and watch them grow. No soil required! Motivation: Your next work potluck is the perfect place to showcase vegetables you grew at home. Slice tomatoes over a crisp green salad, or bake zucchini bread from your abundant summer squash harvest. Foraging for wild food Foraging and wildcrafting are skills typically associated with long hikes in nature spent gathering nature’s bounty. But urban foraging is becoming more common—just make sure whatever you pick hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides or other contaminants before you eat it! Consult a reputable field guide before you start harvesting plants from either rural or urban areas, and never take more than what you need. A good rule of thumb is to leave 10 for every one you pick. By leaving plenty behind, you can protect the species you’re harvesting from and help ensure that it will grow back again next year. Begin by foraging foods that are easy to identify and unlikely to have toxic look-alikes. Dandelions are a delicious addition to salads and teas and grow just about everywhere. City parks may have fruit trees, like hawthorn or crabapples, that you can turn into jars of jams and jellies or enjoy freshly picked. Bring the right tools with you when you head out to forage: large, reusable bags and containers or jars with lids will help you tote your harvest home and protect berries and small fruits from getting bruised. Motivation: Foraged foods are perfect for creating specialty items you can’t find at the supermarket. Try making hawthorn jelly or crabapple butter and gifting it in mini jars for the holidays. Food preservation Along with growing food and foraging is food preservation. After all, you’ll want to save some of your harvest for use at a later time. Food can be preserved through proper storage techniques in a root cellar, drying or dehydration, and canning or freezing. There is definitely a learning curve when becoming versed in how to can food, but this valuable skill will help you stock your shelves with nature’s bounty to see you through a long winter or leaner times. I suggest beginning by learning to preserve foods that only require a water bath canning method (used for acidic foods, jams, and jellies). Once you’ve mastered that, you can move on to pressure canning and more complex recipes (like low-acid vegetables and meats). My favorite canning guides are the Ball canning books—specifically the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving and the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving. Dehydrating food is another important homesteading skill that is much easier to learn. I love making dehydrated fruit snacks and fruit leather, and my dogs appreciate the crunchy, dehydrated sweet potatoes I make for them every fall. Shop your local farmer’s market for affordable produce, or look in the discounted section of the grocery store. You’d be amazed how much your food storage will grow when you bring home produce on its last leg and pop it into the dehydrator to preserve for future snacks. (And don’t forget to compost all those food scraps you trim off. Your garden will thank you!) Motivation: Amaze your hiking companions when you share homemade dehydrated fruit leather or trail mix with dried apple slices on your next adventure. Conclusion Growing, foraging, cooking, and preserving food are important skills every modern homesteader should learn. Whether baking sourdough bread, fermenting pickles, or learning to use a solar oven, everyone must start somewhere—and there’s no better time to start than now!

A nourishing Buddha bowl with fresh vegetables, grains, protein, calendula petals, dandelion greens, and seeds. This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Meals-in-a-bowl. They come by many names—Buddha bowl, nourish bowl, hippie bowl, poké bowl—and they all share the similarity of a one-bowl meal filled with nutritional goodness. We eat them at least twice a week at our house (sometimes several nights in a row). Honestly, we’re not boring; we just know how to combine leftovers into various dishes that delight the eyes and the tastebuds while making leftovers seem brand new. Seriously—meal prep has never been more fun than when I’m thinking up new combinations of ingredients, and it’s even better when I’m adding in flavors and colors fresh from nature’s bounty. I should tell you … there’s something that shows up in our meal bowls that you might not find elsewhere: wildcrafted herbs and flowers. It’s not unusual for flower petals and dandelion greens to find their way into our evening meals in the spring and summer months. Why not add that freely available nutrition (and color!) into every recipe that we possibly can? And here’s the thing—you can too! Just imagine walking out the door with a basket over your arm, heading off into the fields or forests to gather greens and berries. You hear someone ask, “Where are you going?” “Oh, I need to go meal prep!” you reply as you skip out the door feeling blessed that you can use dinner as an excuse to add a mindful walk to your day. Okay, so maybe I got a little carried away, but I truly enjoy foraging and ethically wildcrafting ingredients to feed my family. It’s fun, it’s healthy, and it gives me one more opportunity to get outside in the fresh air. Nourishing bowls are simply delicious when you follow the basic formula for success. (I’ll give you the five-part path to goodness in a minute.) In this article, I’ll share the five components you should include in every Buddha bowl, plus a few ways to incorporate your wildcrafted harvest and some of my favorite sauce recipes. Pro tip: The sauce you use can make or break your bowl recipe, so make sure your sauce is flavorful and pairs well with your ingredients. You know I’ve gotta say it—always be certain that the ingredients you wildcraft are an edible species, and check for food sensitivities before serving to your friends and family (and you!). If you have any doubt about what you’re harvesting, leave it be and come back with another field guide or an expert! What’s the difference between a Buddha bowl, hippie bowl, nourish bowl, and poké bowl? In simple terms, here’s the breakdown of each kind of bowl (although definitions abound and vary wildly). Buddha bowl: Buddha bowls typically include only vegetarian or vegan ingredients. Nourish bowl or harvest bowl: A nourish bowl includes non-vegan/non-vegetarian ingredients such as grilled chicken or grains cooked in a meat-based broth. Poké bowl: Poké means to cut or slice (in Hawaiian) and refers to raw fish, so a poké bowl includes raw, marinated fish as the protein. The traditional grain served in a poké bowl is rice. (Choose from sushi rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice, depending on your flavor and nutrition goals.) Hippie bowl: “Hippie bowl” is really just another name for a Buddha bowl. Think vegetarian superfoods when you’re building this kind of meal: goji berries, roasted sweet potatoes, avocados, sprouts, and quinoa might be on your ingredients list. Whatever name you’d like to use, make sure you select a generous bowl size to hold all of the deliciousness you plan to fill it with. You can even pack a Buddha bowl for a meal on the go by using a bento box to keep hot and cold ingredients separate. Combine them at the last minute when you’re ready to eat. 5 key components every bowl should include The basic formula for creating a nourishing Buddha bowl full of flavor and healthy goodness can be broken down into five simple categories (with examples in parentheses). Grains (brown rice, quinoa, millet, or wheat berries) Vegetables (sweet potato chunks, dandelion greens, roasted peppers, grilled mushrooms, avocado) Protein (grilled tofu, chickpeas, or lean poultry) Sauce (creamy sriracha, buffalo ranch, hippie sauce) Toppings (think “crunch”—pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, cashews) So how do you take those five components and add wildcrafted ingredients? Try this: Grains (These are a little more challenging to wildcraft, so think “wild” with your purchased ingredients: wild rice, black rice, or ancient grains like spelt, Kamut, or teff) Vegetables (dandelion greens, ramps, morel mushrooms, sunchokes, purslane, sliced nopales) Protein (wild-caught fish, nuts, homemade cheeses—okay, cheese isn’t wildcrafted, but if you make homemade cheeses, that’s wilder than most people ever get!) Sauce (dandelion and pine nut pesto, nettle pesto) Toppings (fried dandelion flowers, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, edible flower petals) Here’s where the magic comes in … A great sauce can take a bowl from blah to bang! Experiment with different sauces and toppings to make the blandest ingredients pop with flavor. Here are three of my favorite sauces for you to try and some toppings ideas you can wildcraft or harvest from your garden. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste! Creamy Sriracha This super simple sauce is a family favorite. Double the batch if you need more to go around. Topping ideas: spicy golden marigold petals or bright yellow sunflower petals. ½ cup mayonnaise (regular or vegan) 1–2 tablespoons sriracha Fresh lemon juice (just a squeeze) Paprika Combine mayo, sriracha, and lemon juice, and whisk together until well blended. Sprinkle with paprika and serve in a pretty bowl with a spoon for drizzling. White Tiger Sauce Unlike red tiger sauce, which gets its heat from peppers, this white tiger sauce variation takes its kick from a generous helping of horseradish. Add a pinch of garlic powder to take this sauce to the next level. Topping ideas: nasturtium blossoms or crispy fried dandelion blooms. ½ cup mayonnaise (regular or vegan) 3 tablespoons sour cream or cashew cream ¼ cup prepared horseradish 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard Pinch salt Black pepper, cracked Combine the first five ingredients and stir well to thoroughly blend the flavors. Top with cracked black pepper after drizzling over your favorite roasted veggie bowl combination. Hippie Sauce My slightly sweet version of hippie sauce uses tahini as a base instead of mayo or sour cream. This vegan sauce is full of nutrients from tahini’s sesame seeds and the added nutritional yeast. Topping ideas: peony petals or clover blossoms. ¼ cup tahini ⅛ cup water (or more if needed) 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon ground ginger 2–3 tablespoons nutritional yeast Pinch of finely ground sea salt Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl and whisk until blended. I especially enjoy this sauce with bowl ingredients such as bean sprouts, edamame, brown rice, butternut squash, and snow peas. Want to learn more about healthy ingredients you can grow at home? Check out my post on sprouts and microgreens!

I’ve talked before about how writing in a journal relieves stress—but for those of us who love to write, journaling is only the tip of the iceberg. Falling into a story and getting lost in adventures with the characters is a sweet escape from daily drudgery. Whether you’re guiding the characters on their journey (or they’re telling you what to write!), or you’re reading your favorite author’s latest tale, this gift list is sure to have something that appeals to bibliophiles of every genre. This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Literary T-shirt Do you have trouble saying no to requests for your time when you’d rather be catching up on the next chapter? This funny Hamlet T-shirt will help get your message across loud and clear. Literary tote bags Having too many book bags is like saying you can have too many books—impossible! This cotton canvas library card tote bag is perfect for carrying your latest reads plus a notebook and pen so you can jot down those spur-of-the-moment ideas for your next great novel. Temporary tattoos I’ve never committed to a tattoo … I know I’d change my mind as soon as it was finished! If you’re looking for your next arm inspo or, like me, want to try on a tattoo without committing to it 100%, you’ll love these temporary literary tattoos that you can apply with water and remove when you want to change things up. Vintage journal I love the look and feel of a vintage leather journal. I gave one to my daughter for graduation and immediately fell in love with the crinkly, antique-style pages. The hand-stitched binding is beautifully done, and each journal is packaged in a sturdy gift box that protects it during shipping. Solar desk lamp This solar desk lamp helps save the planet while your favorite protagonist saves the day. Let sunlight charge this lamp near a sunny window and use the stored energy to light up your bedtime story or charge your cell phone. Wizard bookends Bring a little magic to your bookshelf with these antique-style wizard bookends. The feather quill pen and ink on one side and melted candle on the other will add the perfect touch to your fantasy book set or your Edgar Allen Poe collection. Shakespeare magnetic doll I used to play with paper dolls, but I never owned one that looked like the bard himself! Dress up your fridge while you dress up Shakespear with this magnetic dress-up doll playset. Gift it to a young aspiring writer, or keep it for yourself to add a little quirkiness to your kitchen. Funko literary figures Invite Stephen King to sit by you while you dive into one of his classic tales of mystery and horror. Well, maybe not the real Stephen King, but this Funko Pop! Stephen King doll will gladly look over your shoulder while you re-read The Shining. Literary socks While we’re on the topic of The Shining, how about these kinda creepy socks with the Grady Twins (one for each ankle)? If you’re into something with a little more cuddle and a little less scare, try these Out of Print socks for literature lovers. Zipper pouch Get organized with this Out of Print zipper pouch that can hold cosmetics, pencils, a mini first-aid kit, or other tidbits and trinkets. Card catalog Store tea bags or organize small desk supplies with this retro card catalog. The nine wooden drawers each have a metal handle and a little slot for the label of your choice. Fingerless gloves You won’t say Nevermore to these Poe-inspired fingerless gloves. Keep your hands warm and leave your fingers free while snuggling up with your next page-turner. A new coffee mug I just can’t get enough of these mugs with quotes from famous literature. Choose from Jane Austen, Edgar Allen Poe, or a coffee mug with the titles of banned books (that we still read anyway). Novel tea Now that you’ve picked out a new mug, how about the perfect tea to go with it? Gain some early morning inspo with the literary quotes on each tea bag in this English breakfast Novel Teas set. 2TB flash drive Keep a backup copy of everything you write with this 2-terabyte flash drive. Store it in a fireproof safe for extra security, or carry it on your keychain, so your writing goes with you everywhere. Bamboo lap desk You don’t have to sit at a desk to write, but setting your laptop on your lap isn’t the most comfortable, either. A cushioned lap desk is the perfect solution to raise the height of your laptop or tablet while you recline on the sofa or lounge in bed and create to your heart’s content. Literary candles If you love the smell of old books, you’ll love this set of literary candles! The scent of old scrolls and old and new books alike will fill your home while you gaze off into the distance and procrastinate on starting your next writing project. Need more gift ideas? If you still need ideas, I’d love to help! Check out my other gift idea posts, like 19 Creative Gifts for Gardeners and Homesteaders or 21 Kitchen Gift Ideas for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Off Grid Chefs! If you're looking for a gift for your favorite dog (or dog lover), check out 21 Must-Have Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Dog Lovers!

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. We bought property during the pandemic, but it wasn’t an impulse buy. We weren’t suddenly trying to escape from the confines of society in a mad dash to find fresh breezes and room to stretch. We’d been on our search for several years. We had finally decided against building in the forested areas (too many wildfires) and agreed to buy property on the plains just over an hour’s drive from the closest big city and about the same hour or so from my job. If anything, we were even more driven than before due to my successful completion of chemotherapy and the realization that we needed to stop putting our dreams on hold and start enjoying our lives together. Like, really enjoying ourselves. And for us, that means stretches of blue sky, pastel sunsets, the sound of birds instead of sirens, and fresh soil bursting with the food we grow for our family. So when we stumbled upon 70 acres of rolling farmland with mountain views on a well-maintained county road, we were hooked. We found the property during the summer, and by autumn, it was ours. We spent the winter dreaming about what we would build: a home, a barn, a Walipini-style greenhouse, and acres and acres of native grasses that would attract wildlife, control erosion, and restore the area’s natural beauty. But then we met our first neighbor, and our excitement started to dwindle. They let us know that their well water was undrinkable. We would need to filter our household water and acidify the water for the garden. Not exactly what we had hoped for, but it was manageable, so we put in for our water well permit (and rain catchment permit) and started collecting bids from well-drilling companies. Next was our perc test. The test came back showing that our soil had high levels of clay and absorbed water instead of letting it drain through. That meant we would need to install an engineered septic system (to the tune of more money) instead of having a simple, gravity-fed system. And finally, the soil test for our house came back as our biggest disappointment. Our foundation would need to be supported by caissons—not because we were on a hillside or had a high water table, but because the soil expands and contracts too much, so it can’t support a house without the extra stabilization. *sigh* Each of these—the lousy well water, perc test, and soil test—were a surprise to us. But you don’t need to end up with the same surprises after you purchase your dream property. Read on to discover five things to look out for before signing a purchase agreement. (You might be able to add water and soil tests in your contract as contingencies, but expect to foot the bill for testing since the seller isn’t obligated to pay.) Well water If the property you are interested in already has a well, ask to have the water tested. You may be able to take a sample to a local well company or county extension office for lost-cost testing to make sure the water is safe to drink and use for household purposes. If the property doesn’t have a well yet, try talking to your neighbors. Ask them if they’ve had any issues with the water, if they need a whole-house filtration system, and what aquifer they’re on. You can also check your state’s water quality division to see how deep the water wells are in your area, so you’ll know how deep yours will need to go, too. (The deeper the well, the higher the drilling costs.) Septic perc test This one’s a little trickier unless the property you want to buy already has a septic system. Again, talking to your neighbors is a good way to gather opinions, but checking with the county to see if the septic systems in your area require engineering is a safer bet. If you don’t want the extra expense of an engineered system, it’s better to find out before you’ve signed on the dotted line. Soil test (core drill) Some counties require a core sample before they will grant a building permit. Check with your county, then find out if you’re going to need engineered plans for your home. You can ask your neighbors, but we learned that not all soil is created equal, and just because properties are nearby does not mean they share the same type of soil. Our soil contains more clay and is more expansive than our neighbors’. We’re also just slightly uphill from them, so our increase in elevation might be part of the reason for the difference. They were able to plunk their house down on a standard foundation, while we were required to have an engineered foundation with caissons to keep our home steady on the expansive soil. Zoning requirements Although this might sound obvious, check your zoning requirements before purchasing your land. Some of the counties we looked at would only allow site-built homes (no modular or manufactured) and had stricter regulations than an HOA—even though there were no HOAs in the area. Other counties have more of a you-do-you attitude and allow homeowners to build anything from an Earthship to a ranch with multiple dwellings. Make sure the property you’re interested in meets your needs. If you want a property with agricultural zoning to raise livestock and grow food for the table, make sure you understand what is required to keep the property in agricultural status (which usually means lower taxes, too). Just owning a horse or a few chickens won’t do the trick. You will generally be required to raise food or fiber for profit—or own a large enough acreage to keep the status simply due to size. Another option is to register as a farm with the FSA (the USDA Farm Service Agency) and get involved with the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS can help you conserve your soil, apply for federal grants, and possibly receive funding by signing up for a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Property taxes We found some beautiful, rolling farmland closer to town than the property we eventually settled on. What made the difference? Several thousand dollars a year in taxes! Check your county and find out what the taxes are for agricultural land, residential property, and vacant land (which sometimes has a considerably higher tax rate than either of the previously mentioned types). Resources For more information on how to buy land without buying a lemon, check out these helpful reference books. Land Buying Tips From the Pros: How to Buy Rural Real Estate by Pat Porter Land Investing Mistakes: 11 True Stories You Need To Know Before Buying Land by Erika Benson 10 Things You Need To Know About Land: A How-To Guide About Lots and Vacant Land for Agents, Investors, and You! by Cheryl L. Sain There are even more books on Kindle. If you haven’t joined yet, click here to sign up and enjoy free books and discounted prices.

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. As the saying goes, Il faut souffrir pour être belle (beauty is pain). But is that really the case? I think beauty routines should be gentle, loving, and make you feel great about taking care of yourself. And when you know your beauty brands are cruelty-free, you can feel good about supporting products that nourish your skin without harming animals (or the planet). Not everyone can afford top-dollar beauty products, but adding one or two to your routine will give you that extra pampering you so deserve. A skin-firming moisturizer or organic facial oil might be just the thing to provide you with a fresh, dewy look and rehydrate dry winter skin. Here are my top 10 cruelty-free luxury beauty product recommendations to get you started. Marula Beauty Organic Facial Oil Marula oil comes from the marula tree, which grows in sub-Saharan tropical Africa. The oil is cold-pressed to maintain high levels of antioxidants, amino acids, and fatty acids. Clinical studies of marula oil show improved skin elasticity with continued use. Add some to your vegan beauty routine today! REN Clean Skincare: Instant Firming Beauty Shot Ren Clean Skincare was inspired by Jane Buck, the wife of Antony Buck. While pregnant, Jane found that her skin had become more sensitive, and she was having bad reactions to her usual skincare products. Synthetic ingredients irritated her skin, and the limited natural products she could find didn’t have lasting benefits for her skin. Unable to find “clean” products on the market, Antony Buck and co-founder Rob Calcraft created the REN skincare line. REN’s Instant Firming Beauty Shot absorbs quickly and helps skin feel firmer and more resilient. Neocutis Neo Firm You know those age spots that develop from too much sun exposure on your tender neck and upper chest? The spots and thinning skin that glare out when you wear an elegant blouse with a low-cut neckline? After all, our young years were all about laying out in the sun to get a tan and naturally highlighted hair without thoughts of how we’d look in another 20 years—right? Neo Firm Neck and Décolleté Firming Cream is specifically created to help firm skin and lighten age spots on the neck and décolleté. And even better, it’s free from animal testing. Artisanal Spa Collection Paraben-free, sulfate-free, and cruelty-free beauty products make up this collection of luxury bath products. We all know that applying moisturizer to damp skin helps products work even better. So instead of taking a hot, drying shower before applying moisturizing creams, why not create a spa experience at home and give yourself the extra pampering you deserve? Specially crafted soaps, bath bombs, and bath salts comprise this beautiful kit and include fragrances such as Pomegranate Passion Fruit, Palo Santo, and Scarlet Rose. The kit is perfect for gifting to your favorite vegan, too! RevitaLash Cosmetics Volume Enhancing Foam RevitaLash Cosmetics Volume Enhancing Foam is the perfect unisex hair care solution for thinning hair. Apply this physician-created, cruelty-free product to clean hair (don’t rinse it out!) daily to give thinning locks an extra boost. And if your eyebrows are starting to get a little on the thin side, too, RevitaLash also makes RevitaBrow—an advanced serum eyebrow conditioner! Clean Skin Club Clean Towels Looking for a way to create less waste while removing vegan makeup and cleansing your skin? Instead of making more laundry or tossing another disposable wipe into the landfill, try Clean Skin Club’s biodegradable face towels for truly clean beauty. Free from chemicals, artificial fragrances, and without animal testing, these natural towels will help your face feel cleaner and cut down on landfill waste. Unicorn Fruit Whipped Body Butter by Truly The name lured me in on this one, but nourishing ingredients like shea butter, kokum butter, and jojoba seed oil locked in the deal. This thick, creamy, luxurious body butter is perfect for smoothing onto damp skin after a relaxing soak in the bath. Another benefit? The sweet, fruity fragrance is phthalate-free, and the body butter is infused with matcha, acai, chia, and rose. (You may have seen another Truly product, Buns of Glowry smoothing butt butter, on TikTok!) Pili Ani Ageless Concentrate Owned and created by mother-daughter duo Rosalina Tan and Mary Jane Ong, Pili Ani products contain two ingredients from the Chosen Tree: pili nut oil and elemi oil. These oils are like a superfood for your skin. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and E, pili and elemi oil nourish and enhance your skin’s barrier protecting it from harsh elements and creating a youthful glow. Pili Ani Ageless Concentrate is a moisturizer that works with all skin types and reduces fine lines, leaving skin plump and smooth. Each & Every Natural Deodorant Nobody talks about the tender skin in their armpits. Why not? Although more people are switching to aluminum-free deodorants, I don’t think people realize just how delicate and sensitive this underarm area can be. As a breast cancer survivor whose skin changed during chemo, I can attest to just how tender and delicate underarm skin is and how gentle, natural ingredient products can help you feel fresh without causing redness or irritation. If you have sensitive skin or just want to try using a product that’s aluminum-free and vegan, try Each & Every. Their deodorants come in sustainable, plant-based packaging (made from sugarcane) and are free from synthetic fragrances, alcohol, parabens, baking soda, and phthalates. Native Deodorant While we’re on the subject of deodorants, Native makes a variety of cruelty-free, vegan deodorants to suit every style. Tested on both men and women, Native products provide effective odor control without the harmful addition of aluminum or artificial ingredients. Bonus product: Dr. Squatch Men’s Soap Everyone needs a little self-care. For those who love a masculine scent and want natural, organic ingredients, try Dr. Squatch products in fragrances like Greek Yogurt, Alpine Sage, and Bay Rum. Conclusion With so many beauty and self-care products on the market, it’s hard to choose just one. Instead, try a variety of products, one at a time, and find the brand that works best for you. What’s your favorite cruelty-free brand?

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you). However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. I’ve been gardening in one form or another my whole life. My parents would send me out to water the garden after school when I was little, and as I grew, so did my gardening responsibilities. I find working around plants and fresh soil to be deeply relaxing—originally a reprieve from homework, and now a kind of escape from the busyness of daily life. I guess that’s why this plant addiction followed me into adulthood: container gardens in apartments and sprouting greens on my kitchen counter, then raised beds in my backyard, and now farming our homestead—really too big to be called a garden at all. You hear many people talk about gardening, but you rarely hear about one of the side effects of gardening addiction: saving and storing seeds. I seldom use all the seeds from a packet, and all of those leftovers can pile up. Add in the seeds I’ve saved from produce I’ve grown (or even store-bought organic produce), and my seed stash rapidly gets out of hand. In this post, I’ll share a few of my favorite seed-storing tips and ideas, plus some products that will make your seed fetish more manageable. What’s the best way to store seeds? Proper seed storage is essential to ensure the best chance of germination in the following year. Most seeds should be stored in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight. I’ve stored garden seeds in the back of the pantry, a box in the linen closet, and now in a designated seed-saving area of my basement. Seeds should not be stored where temperatures fluctuate rapidly or where they can get overly hot or freeze. Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule (like if you’re intentionally freezing seeds that need to be stratified), but this is the general guideline for the majority of common vegetables and herbs. If you are saving fresh seed—harvested from your garden or other produce—let the seeds dry thoroughly to prevent mold before packing them away. I once saved a large amount of yellow dock seeds from my medicinal herb garden bed only to discover months later that a drop of moisture somehow entered the packaging, and I was left with a plastic bag of fuzzy black mold. What is the best container for storing seeds? Whether saving a tiny tomato seed or hard-shelled pumpkin seeds, you’ll get the best results using an airtight container. Your goal is to protect the seed coat (the hard outer shell nature provides around the endosperm) from pests, light, and moisture. While store-bought seeds are usually packaged in paper envelopes, long-term seed storage requires more protection to preserve germination rates and avoid disappointment during planting season. The simplest airtight long-term storage container is the ever-reliable glass Mason jar. With sizes ranging from 2-ounce spice jars to much larger gallons, Mason jars are easy to find and affordable. Try thrifting them from your local secondhand store or looking on sites such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. To keep your seed collection organized more compactly, try storing seed packets in photo storage cases. These stackable cases look tidy and provide a way to group similar varieties together. A similar idea to the photo storage case but with the added benefit of preventing light contamination, a light-blocking seed organizer with little round storage containers and seed-saving envelopes is best for small seeds. Think flower seeds, tomatoes, and herbs. I like to keep seed packets that I plan to use within a few months organized in a three-ring binder with clear plastic seed storage sheets. The sheets have divisions the perfect size for standard seed envelopes, and the binder tucks away nicely on my bookshelf right beside my gardening books. Because these seeds will be planted quickly, and my bookcase is in a dry area, I don’t need to worry as much about moisture. If you want to store a small quantity of seeds within easy reach, a vintage-inspired metal seed storage box might be just what you’re looking for. It reminds me of an old-fashioned recipe box my grandmother used to keep on the kitchen counter—I think it’s perfect for storing sprouting seeds since I rotate through those all year long. How can I organize my seed storage containers? Now that you have an idea of the type of containers you’d like to use to store seeds, you need to decide what to do with your neatly labeled boxes and jars. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Try converting an old dresser or nightstand into a seed storage chest. Designate a corner of a pantry for seed storage jars. Hang a cute shelving unit on a wall in a spare room or your office—and fill the shelves with jars boasting color-coordinated labels. Repurpose old-fashioned bread boxes and fill with frequently used sprouting seeds. Fill vintage suitcases with seed storage containers and stack them in a corner for visual appeal. Conclusion Whether you store a few flower seeds gathered on long walks or bulk-buy garden seeds for a large vegetable bed, keeping seeds viable and organized is key to simplifying your gardening hobby. Find a storage method that fits your personality and homestead, and have fun filling your world with colorful flowers and home-grown food! BONUS: Did you know gardening reduces stress? Check out this post to find out How Gardening Relieves Stress and Helps You Unwind! You can also check out more gardening posts from our friends at Homesteading Tips 101!

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Spring is my favorite time of the year. I love listening to the sounds of singing birds and seeing new leaf buds opening on the trees. My garden comes to life in the spring, and the whole world seems fresh and new. I enjoy digging in the warm soil and planting the seeds that will feed my family in the months ahead. Gardening is a natural part of homesteading and living off the grid. But you don’t need acres of land to grow sprouts and microgreens for fresh produce all year long. A sunny windowsill and a few handy kitchen gadgets (some you can make at home!) will get you started no matter what the weather is like outside or where you live. I’m in the process of planning my Walipini-style greenhouse (a sunken greenhouse, a.k.a underground greenhouse, designed to maintain a more even temperature since it is earth-sheltered). Until then, I garden in raised beds during the spring, summer, and fall—and my winters are filled with tiny gardens in jars and containers indoors. I use a grow light in the corner of my basement to start seedlings a few weeks before the last frost. And the windowsill in my kitchen is the perfect spot for growing a variety of sprouts and microgreens. I’ve tried a few different methods for sprouting seeds: Mason jars with screen lids, space-saving plastic sprouting trays that stack on top of each other, and hemp bags that allow the air to circulate around the tiny seedlings from every angle. What I’ve learned is that different types of sprouts grow better in different systems. And sometimes, a combination of systems works even better. Let’s take a look at a variety of sprouting gadgets, tools, and supplies and which types of sprouting seeds work best with each type of container. What is the difference between sprouts and microgreens? Sprouts include the whole baby plant from root to leaf. Sprouts grow without the need for soil or a growing medium. Microgreens typically grow on a growing medium such as soil, coconut coir, or a growing mat. They can also be grown hydroponically as long as the roots have something to anchor themselves to (like in this self-watering microgreen kit). To harvest microgreens, use scissors to cut the plant's stem, and leave the roots in the growing medium. What can I use as a sprouting container? I’ve used Mason jars with screen lids, upcycled leftover jars from store-bought ingredients with muslin tied over the top, and I’ve even started sprouts on plastic mesh suspended in a baking sheet. Basically, you can use anything that will allow you to rinse the sprouts two or three times a day and provide sufficient airflow between rinses. When you choose your container, keep in mind the size of your seeds before they begin to sprout, the size of the holes you’ll be letting the water drain through, and the size of the finished sprouts. Is sprouting at home safe? Like any raw food, sprouts can carry bacteria. Always begin with clean, organic seeds that have not been sprayed with fungicide, and rinse them thoroughly before soaking. Refrigerate the sprouts once they’ve grown to the desired stage, and eat them within a couple of days. If your sprouts smell bad at any point during the process, toss them out and start over. They may have stayed too wet and started to rot or been contaminated with mold or fungus. Are sprouts good for you? Sprouted seeds are miniature superfoods that contain the growing energy of the whole plant condensed into a tiny micro ingredient filled with goodness. The vitamin content varies depending on the type of sprout, but the ratio of nutrients is considerably higher in sprouts than in the fully grown plant. You can check out some of the amazing nutritional benefits of broccoli sprouts on NutritionFacts.org. What temperature do sprouts grow in? Sprouts will grow at room temperature, and seeds generally need a little more warmth during germination than they will after you see the root start to grow. Try to give your tiny sproutlings a cozy 70°–75°F for a day or two after soaking, and use cool water (not cold) for every rinse. Then, you can keep the temperature in the low 70°s or drop it into the upper 60°s and still produce a bountiful harvest. Which method is best for different seeds? Think in terms of size when you look at sprouting equipment. Large holes will let small seeds fall through and can cause delicate sprouts to break. Use large-holed mesh lids and fabric bags for large seeds. Use fine mesh for small seeds. Sprouting trays can be used for any seed size as long as the seeds don’t fall through the holes. Sprouting gadgets you can make at home Jars with screens Empty glass jars, either new or used, make perfect sprouting containers. It’s easy to check on the sprouts from all angles, the glass maintains a little bit of humidity and prevents the sprouts from drying out, and you can choose the lid design that fits your budget and style. Make sure your jars are completely clean and free from food residue and soap before starting. You can soak your sprouts in the same jar you plan to sprout them in—an added bonus and less cleanup, too! My mom used to use old canning jars and worn-out pantyhose. She’d simply cut a few squares from the clean pantyhose, drape two or three over the top of a Mason jar (using several layers gives it more strength), and secure them with a wide rubber band (like the kind stores use on celery). Even the tiniest of seeds were kept safely inside the jar during rinses. If you don’t have old pantyhose lying around, you can substitute muslin, cotton cloth, linen, or even a stained (but clean) handkerchief. I’ve used plastic craft mesh as the screen for larger seeds, like peas and mung beans. Just cut the mesh the same size as the mouth of the jar and screw a jar band over it to hold it tight. Fabric sprouting bag Most natural fabrics with a loose weave will work for your DIY sprouting bag. Hemp is preferred for store-bought bags, but I’ve been successful with unbleached muslin and linen, too. Cut two rectangles of fabric about 6 ½” x 8” and sew them together along three sides. You can fold over the top edge and hem it, leaving about ½ to thread a drawstring through—or you can leave it with a raw edge and just tie a string around the outside to keep it closed. To soak seeds inside a sprouting bag, just dunk the whole bag in a bowl of clean water and let it soak for the recommended length of time. Once the soaking is finished, you can rinse the sprouts by gently swishing the bag in a bowl of water two or three times per day. Hang the bag up and allow it to dry between rinses. Sprouting equipment you can buy Sprouting kit Sprouting kits are an excellent way for beginning micro gardeners to learn about different seeds and sprouting tools. Sprouting kits typically come with small amounts of a variety of single-harvest seed packs in addition to some basic sprouting tools. Sprout seeds Part of the fun of growing sprouts and microgreens is trying out various new flavors. Radish sprouts add a touch of spice to fresh salads, and mung bean sprouts are perfect for tossing into your favorite stir-fry recipe. Try this sample pack of organic sprouting seeds from The Sprout House if you’d like to experiment with new flavors before committing to purchasing a large quantity of something you may or may not like. Sprouting jar with a stand If you’d like to try the glass jar method of sprouting, you’ll love this kit that includes two Mason jars, screen lids, and a jar stand with a drip tray to catch any excess water draining from your upside-down jars. Jars with mesh lids work well for small, delicate sprouts (like alfalfa sprouts or clover sprouts), and you can also use them for larger varieties, like sunflower or bean sprouts. Mesh sprouting lid for glass jars Plenty of jars but no lids? These screen mesh lids for wide-mouth jars are the perfect addition to your kitchen gadget drawer. I prefer fine screen to plastic mesh and have found that screen lets the water run through better than some of the plastic lids on the market. You can use a regular-mouth jar for growing sprouts, too but a wide-mouth Mason jar makes it easier to remove the sprouts once they’re grown. Hemp bag Hemp bags are great for large seeds and sturdy sprouts—think mung beans, peas, lentils, and sunflower sprouts. The Sproutman Hemp Sprout Bag can be dipped in water to rinse your seedlings and hung up to dry for 360-degree air circulation. Stacking trays Grow more than one type of sprout at a time with these clear plastic stacking trays that let you watch your sprouts grow. Or, if you prefer the look of stainless steel, try these 3-tier stackable stainless steel sprouting and germination trays. Terra-cotta sprouter For a sprouting gadget that adds beauty to your home, I love this Terradisiena Terracotta Sprouter. The stacking terra-cotta trays enhance the down-to-earth feel of a farmhouse kitchen, and reviewers report that since the trays breathe better than plastic, germinating seeds have better airflow as they grow. You’ll need to set each tray out separately when your sprouts are ready to green up since the terra-cotta prevents light from getting through when the trays are stacked. Chia pet If you’d like to get your children interested in growing sprouts, how about getting a chia pet? For a modern twist on the 1980s chia pet trend, check out this puppy chia pet … or add to your Star Wars collection with The Child (baby Yoda). Although chia pets are a fun introduction to micro gardening, they are not necessarily safe for growing food. If you plan to eat your chia sprouts, I recommend using a sprouter that is certified to be food-safe. Conclusion Sprouting is a wonderful way to produce fresh food for your family all year. With the right container and a little water and sunlight, you can grow nutrient-rich leafy greens to add to smoothies, sandwiches, and dinner recipes. Bring a little springtime into your home and start growing sprouts today!

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. What do you think of when you hear someone say they’re going off the grid? What about if someone says they are living off grid? Depending on the context and who’s saying it, there are a few different meanings behind the phrase. Off grid (or off-grid) is defined by Merriam-Webster as “not connected to or served by publicly or privately managed utilities (such as electricity, gas, or water).” But you’re also likely to hear people referring to getting off the grid whenever they are out of reach of cell phone service or when doing a digital detox. For our purposes, we’re using the dictionary definition of living an off grid lifestyle: having your own sources of electricity, gas, and water without being connected to a public utility. Living off grid doesn’t mean going without modern conveniences or communication methods. For many who have taken up the off grid lifestyle, having a high-speed internet connection and reliable cell phone service are necessities for their remote occupations. You might be living a hybrid lifestyle—maybe you have a well and a solar system, but you’re connected to a landline telephone—or you may have taken the plunge to go completely without public utilities for your off grid home. Either way, let’s look at some alternatives to public (or private) utility systems. Water Water is necessary for life. You’ll need an off grid water source to provide for the needs of your family, your animals, and your garden. Here are a few alternatives to public water utilities. Haul water to your home and store it in a cistern. Dig a well and install a solar pump. Set up a rainwater catchment system to supplement your water supply from a well or from hauling water. Hydropanels: another supplementary water source that can provide clean drinking water from the atmosphere. Electricity Although it is possible to live without electricity, it isn’t necessary to forgo all modern conveniences when living off the grid. With your own renewable energy sources, you can still enjoy having frozen foods (in an off grid freezer), electric lights, and have power to pump water into your home from your well or cistern. Here are the most common alternatives to public electric systems. Solar panels with battery storage. Wind power including turbines or a windmill. Hydropower systems rely on a natural source of moving water to turn a wheel and generate electricity. A generator (gas or diesel) can be used intermittently to provide electricity only when needed or can be used as a backup power source when your battery bank runs low. (We like our Champion generator.) Waste disposal When connected to a city sewer system, you don’t have to worry about where things go when you flush the toilet or use the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink. However, when you’re off grid, you need to carefully manage your waste systems to avoid creating an environmental hazard or just ending up with a bunch of garbage that you can’t get rid of. Here are some options: Septic tank systems can either rely on electricity (from your chosen power source) or be gravity-fed. Composting is a great way to turn biodegradable household waste and kitchen scraps into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer for the garden. A composting barrel makes stirring your compost pile easy! Hauling trash to a recycling center or landfill may be necessary if you have nonbiodegradable waste, like plastics, that you need to dispose of. Communication methods and internet Who says sustainable living means you can't have a phone? Living off grid doesn’t mean being disconnected from society. Whether you’re trying to keep in touch with family or work from home, you’ll want a way to communicate with others and access the internet. Some of the following suggestions are obvious, and others might require a bit of a learning curve. Choose the ones that work best for you! Cell phones can be used for multiple communication methods: talking, texting, and email are the most common. Not all cell phone providers reach remote areas. Check a cell phone tower map, like CellMapper, to find out which providers serve your area. Wireless hotspots can provide a portable Wi-Fi data connection for you to access the internet as well as Wi-Fi calling with some phones. We have a Verizon Jetpack MiFi mobile hotspot to use as a backup internet connection at home and when we travel. Satellite internet is available in many remote areas. Yes, you’ll still be connected to a public or private company that provides the service, but as far as I know, there isn’t a way to harvest free internet from the atmosphere. Find providers like HughesNet and other satellite internet providers by searching sites like HighSpeedInternet.com. StarLink has a satellite constellation specifically designed to provide internet service to remote locations. You can check their availability map to see if StarLink is available near you. As a backup or for emergency use, you can try one of the following systems. Ham radio requires taking a test and acquiring a license, but the license is low cost, and the technician’s (beginner level) test has been passed by adults and children alike. Depending on your license, you can talk to people a few miles away or on the International Space Station. General Mobile Radio Service, or GMRS, is a licensed two-way radio communication service for short-distance communications (several miles or more). There is no testing required to get licensed. Family Radio Service (FRS) is a two-way communication system that works over short distances and uses ultra-high frequency radio waves. FRS radios are limited to a range of around a mile or so. FRS is licensed by rule, meaning that you do not need to take a test or purchase a license—but you do need to obey the FCC rules. Send text over GPS with some newer GPS models (like the Garmin inReach GPS with satellite text messaging). CB (Citizen Band) radios can communicate when you are out of range of cell phone service and even when conditions are poor. CBs are useful during emergencies, although they are not as popular as they were in the past. What does living off the grid mean to you? If you're disconnected from the electrical grid and using a renewable energy source such as solar panels or wind energy, heating your home with wood or propane instead of natural gas, and providing for your family’s water needs with a well or private water source, then you are living off the grid. Since off-grid systems can take time to set up, you might first need to start with less expensive options or live a hybrid lifestyle. But with time, patience, resources, and the willingness to learn new skills, self-sufficient living is within reach! Want more off-grid lifestyle information? Check out all our posts in Unplug!

This site is supported by our audience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you). However, I only recommend products I love and/or use. Expecting a new bundle of joy is a wonderful time filled with anticipation, excitement … and oftentimes, stress and anxiety. During pregnancy, a woman’s hormones are changing and fluctuating with the growth of her unborn child. Together, mother and child grow both physically and emotionally. Although some stress is a natural part of pregnancy, too much stress can cause physical issues for both mother and babe. From worrying about the baby’s health to stressing over upcoming financial challenges, pregnancy can cause a woman to spend too much time worrying when she could be basking in the beautiful changes happening in her life. If stress and anxiety are interfering with your joys of motherhood, these four herbs might be just the thing you’re looking for. Oh, one more thing—since the first trimester is a delicate time for your new baby, wait until after the first trimester to try the herbs listed below. (Always consult a qualified medical professional before adding herbs or other supplements to your routine.) 1. Lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis ): Lemon balm is a soothing and nurturing herb that relaxes both body and mind. Lemon balm can calm your nerves, boost your mood, and help with insomnia that naturally comes with the nighttime discomfort of a changing body shape. 2. Rosehips ( Rosa canina and Rosa rubiginosa ): Rosehips are the fruit of the rose plant. Usually a rich red or dark orange color when ripe, rosehips add beauty to a rose bush after the petals have faded in the fall. Rosehips are a rich source of vitamin C, and their mild flavor blends well with other earthy herbs. Rosehips assist with the absorption of iron and calcium—both necessary for the nourishment of mother and baby. 3. Oat straw ( Avena sativa ): Oat straw or milky oats come from the tops of unripe oat plants (the same plant that gives you your morning bowl of oatmeal). Oat straw is a nervine herb that tones and calms the nervous system. Its mild, nutty flavor is easier to drink during bouts of morning sickness than some more strongly flavored herbs, and it combines well with fruit juices such as apple and peach. Try making oat straw tea and apple juice popsicles, or use oat straw tea instead of water when you make flavored gelatin desserts. What can I do to relieve stress during the first trimester? If stress and anxiety are confronting you during the first trimester of pregnancy, or you would like options other than using herbs internally, try some of the following suggestions. 1. Yoga: Gentle prenatal yoga and restorative yoga poses and stretches can be beneficial stress relievers during pregnancy. Yoga encourages us to still the mind and relax the body while focusing on the breath. Avoid hot yoga and other strenuous practices, and make sure you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. ( Mayo Clinic, February 2021 ) 2. Walking meditation : Walking meditation is a form of active meditation. Walking is a wonderful exercise on its own, and when combined with mindfulness to create a walking meditation, this activity can decrease stress levels and bolster a sense of well-being. You don’t need any special equipment to do a walking meditation, and you can practice both indoors and out. 3. Eat right: Healthy eating is always important, but it can be difficult to eat normally if you have waves of nausea at odd times of the day. Try to maintain a healthy diet by eating nutrient-dense foods in frequent, small portions. Oatmeal is a stomach soother that can be lightly sweetened to make it more palatable or adorned with fresh fruit to boost its nutrient value. 4. Curl up with a good book (like The Natural Pregnancy Book ): If you’re one of those people (like me!) who can get lost in a good book, use this opportunity to read that book you’ve been longing for. Let yourself get carried away in a fantasy world, and put your worries on the back burner. You’ll have fewer chances to read grown-up books after baby arrives, so treat yourself to a little extra you time right now. Other things to remember … There is no need to feel guilty for feeling stressed or for taking extra time to pamper yourself. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious during your pregnancy, know that some stress is normal now, just as it is during other times in life. But also know that through loving self-care, you can reduce your anxiety and enjoy your pregnancy and the new life you are creating. (Please consult a medical professional or mental health practitioner if you have any physical or mental health concerns, so they can provide you with extra support and guidance during this time.)