Everyday I think about exactly how self sustainable we are. As I prepare breakfast and plan the days meals I try to figure out how we can better live off the land and our local surroundings versus running to the big stores. So I have decided to figure alternatives to certain products as well as what we need to add to our farm.
This is a list of items we used in one day:
Coffee - Ok......don't touch my coffee! A staple that I will always have to buy as long as it is available. I did go without for a period and know I can if I have to......but I don't want to. :)
Creamer - I don't have access to milk nearby and we don't use a lot of it so I tend to buy powdered creamer. So I was thinking of trying goat milk but haven't gotten around to it yet. Goats can be very versatile for small farms and may be something to think of adding to our menagerie.
Honey - Provided by our farm. See "Beekeeping"
Side Pork - This came from a locally raised pig that a friend butchered and I processed the meat off. At this time my hubby says "no pigs" on our farm.
Flour - A staple no doubt. The Sonoran Desert provides many plants that can be turned into flour however the taste is not what we are used to. If the need arises I know I can provide some sort of flour.
Eggs - Provided by our farm. See "Chickens"
Pure Maple Syrup - We are spoiled. This is the only syrup we use on our french toast, waffles, and pancakes. I can make prickly pear cactus and saguaro syrup as an alternative if needed but nothing beats pure maple syrup.
Bread - Purchased loaf - Need to bake.
Peach Ice Tea - Purchased a box of flavored ice tea bags from a friend at the Arivaca Farmers Market. It was $1.00. I couldn't say no to that. If needed our tea will be made from the different herbs already grown in our garden but I need to buy Mint again as it was attacked and destroyed by our kittens last year then froze and never came back. Mint is one of our favorite ice teas.
Elk Steaks - A friend gave us some elk meat and we had grilled it the previous night and used the leftovers today in a salad.
Cheese - Again no milking cow, no goat, so no cheese. Wanting to purchase goat milk and experiment with cheese making prior to adding goats to farm.
Lettuce - Need to add to garden
Carrots - Need to add to garden
Purple Cabbage - Need to add to garden
Tomatoes - In garden but need to increase amount of plants because the ones we have are not keeping up with our consumption.
Ranch Dressing - Need to make from scratch. Need to research making alternatives.
Pork Chops - Again, from a pig a friend had.
Soda - Can't stop Dan from his soda and I can't say anything unless I stop drinking coffee. ;)
Being self sustainable doesn't stop here though. How did the food get prepared? Did we use propane? What fodder was used for the chickens to provide the eggs? Feeding bees supplements and syrups to keep them healthy costs money....... When it comes down to it, can we ever be self sufficient?
This is a list of items we used in one day:
Coffee - Ok......don't touch my coffee! A staple that I will always have to buy as long as it is available. I did go without for a period and know I can if I have to......but I don't want to. :)
Creamer - I don't have access to milk nearby and we don't use a lot of it so I tend to buy powdered creamer. So I was thinking of trying goat milk but haven't gotten around to it yet. Goats can be very versatile for small farms and may be something to think of adding to our menagerie.
Honey - Provided by our farm. See "Beekeeping"
Side Pork - This came from a locally raised pig that a friend butchered and I processed the meat off. At this time my hubby says "no pigs" on our farm.
Flour - A staple no doubt. The Sonoran Desert provides many plants that can be turned into flour however the taste is not what we are used to. If the need arises I know I can provide some sort of flour.
Eggs - Provided by our farm. See "Chickens"
Pure Maple Syrup - We are spoiled. This is the only syrup we use on our french toast, waffles, and pancakes. I can make prickly pear cactus and saguaro syrup as an alternative if needed but nothing beats pure maple syrup.
Bread - Purchased loaf - Need to bake.
Peach Ice Tea - Purchased a box of flavored ice tea bags from a friend at the Arivaca Farmers Market. It was $1.00. I couldn't say no to that. If needed our tea will be made from the different herbs already grown in our garden but I need to buy Mint again as it was attacked and destroyed by our kittens last year then froze and never came back. Mint is one of our favorite ice teas.
Elk Steaks - A friend gave us some elk meat and we had grilled it the previous night and used the leftovers today in a salad.
Cheese - Again no milking cow, no goat, so no cheese. Wanting to purchase goat milk and experiment with cheese making prior to adding goats to farm.
Lettuce - Need to add to garden
Carrots - Need to add to garden
Purple Cabbage - Need to add to garden
Tomatoes - In garden but need to increase amount of plants because the ones we have are not keeping up with our consumption.
Ranch Dressing - Need to make from scratch. Need to research making alternatives.
Pork Chops - Again, from a pig a friend had.
Soda - Can't stop Dan from his soda and I can't say anything unless I stop drinking coffee. ;)
Being self sustainable doesn't stop here though. How did the food get prepared? Did we use propane? What fodder was used for the chickens to provide the eggs? Feeding bees supplements and syrups to keep them healthy costs money....... When it comes down to it, can we ever be self sufficient?
Side Pork
A friend gave us some hens that lay gigantic brown eggs!
San Marzano Heirloom Tomatoes in the garden
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