Independence Days Post

[helwen]

Sharon Astyk was inspired by someone (sorry, mind blank) to do a weekly listing of things she's trying to do each week toward providing for her self, family, community in regards to food. While we all know we can't be 100% self-sufficient (independence is an illusion, really), the more confident one can be about being able to provide for the basics, the more secure one can be. The challenge is to try to do something to do with at least some of the below listed things each week, and I think it's mostly food-oriented. I prefer to add in non-food things too though (for one thing I'm personally more likely to learn new things that aren't food-related), so my posts will likely include stuff like learning to crochet, or whatever -- which could be food-related if I were making shopping bags or bags for holding onions or something, I suppose... A number of folks have taken up the challenge, and report their week, usually over at Sharon's blog (http://www.sharonastyk.com)

I do like reading about what some other folks are doing, even if I haven't done that much myself -- gives me ideas. Like in the first week, when Sharon posted about preserving rhubarb -- useful for making pies in winter-time! Myself, I'm having more than enough to do with cultivating and planting right now... but maybe later, or next year...

Here's the categories:

Planted: obvious

Harvested: ditto

Preserved: canned, frozen, dried, pickled, smoked, etc.

Stored: could be bought stuff as well as homegrown

Prepped: Preparing the ground, hardening plants, soaking seeds, cleaning the kitchen and the canning equipment, etc.

Managed: This is stuff like checking your inventory, seeing what foodstuffs need to be used up soon. Useful to do, to prevent food waste and also so you know what you need before you go shopping (like, actually having a shopping list to take with you -- mine are usually written on the backs of envelopes...). Managing also seems to be things like maintenance, dealing with stuff like moving compost, etc.

Cooked something new: Obvious, but the reason for it is to try to expand the types of foods one is willing to eat, increase appreciation for food, discover new recipes one likes as this brings more interest to the table (filling not just the stomach's needs but the spirit's as well)

Worked on local food systems: contribute or participate in local systems. Could be buying local -- not just CSAs and farmers markets, but some supermarkets carry local produce as well, or you might get into trading fruits and veggies with friends, or help out at the food pantry, or... ?

Reduced waste: packaging, food waste, or maybe this can include things like making fewer trips to shop, or walking/biking to get some things

Learned a new skill: something food-related usually. But even aside from my inclination to include anything new I learn that's a useful skill, I could see including stuff like carpentry or metalworking skills when building a dehydrator or root cellar, or bike repair if that means you can ride to the market instead of driving, etc.

***
So, my past week:

Planted: All the baby onions, plus moved some of the green onions from what's going to be the herb garden. Also shelling peas seeds.

Harvested: one last bunch of dandelion greens. Today, started picking dandelion blossoms for making wine.

Preserved: nada

Stored: nada

Prepped: More garden prep, clearing clods of grass, etc. Soaked the peas last night, which got planted today.

Managed: Most of the canning supplies are now in the back attic.

Cooked something new: Tried making "mac and cheese" last night with rice instead of pasta. A little mushy for some folks I expect, but actually pretty tasty.

Worked on local food systems: Got our usual milk and yogurt over at Sidehill Farm. And of course had lunch a few times this week over at Country Pie Restaurant, and once at Elmer's (Mother's Day breakfast, just L and me). Not sure if those count exactly, but we like to support our local businesses, and these folks run family/locally-owned businesses, not chains or franchises. And the pizza dough is from scratch (yes, it makes a difference).

Reduced waste: Walked to Sidehill Farm. Saving some boxes for folks moving and for the grass-fed beef pick up day next fall.

Learned a new skill: Sort of learned to use a hoe. Yeah, I've gardened for years, but I don't tend to use a lot of different tools. It was okay. I might try using it again.

Comments

[harpnfiddle.livejournal.com]

I like this. I think I'll keep track of my progress too. Have you ever used a stirrup hoe? I love mine. Gives shoulders a workout. I mowed some areas of raspberries and mugwort, but there are areas of a few weeds sprouting from seed (rather than roots)that I plan to mulch with leaves only rather than the newspaper to smother and then the leaves. They are the perfect areas for hoeing.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

It isn't a bad idea, to sort of keep track of things. Maybe I should add in a tag for "Independence Days" so I can look at several weeks at a time if I want...

On the stirrup hoe, nope... I had to look it up online to see what one looked like. Interesting-looking device. Maybe I'll have to try one sometime. Mostly I use different sorts of rakes, spades and shovels (pref. the pointed kind not the square-nosed), and of course hands. Sometimes I remember to wear gloves, but when it comes to knowing exactly what's in the soil, those inevitably come off.