Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to create a self-reliant homestead. Now we produce our own food and our own power, and can tackle whatever craziness this wild world throws at us. If you’re ready take back control from Big Pharma and Big Food and feel confident facing Everyday Emergencies, join us.
Common Sense Home Good News Letter 3/23/25
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"The gentle rays of the morning sun bathed her face as she stepped out to tackle morning chores, causing her to pause for a moment, breath deeply, and soak it all in." We've been riding the temperature roller coaster again this week, bouncing between a snippet of sun and a torrent of rain and wind (and sometimes snow). Today is another wild one, with a mix of snow and sleet. We still got in our morning walk, but it was not a day to linger and enjoy, that's for sure. Each morning I try to get in some time sun bathing my eyelids as part of my eye health routine, but it's doesn't always work well with so many grey days. I started this habit several years ago, but it's been reinforced recently as I started reading, "The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy". The author opens with a discussion of how sunlight was used for treatment - even on problems like knife wounds that refused to heal - with good results. The current narrative of the sun being bad for you has never sat right with me, since the sun provides energy for all life on earth. That said, we run into problems with sunlight exposure when our diet is too high in Omega 6 fatty acids (seed oils) - which is common in the Standard American Diet. (This is explained in the book, "Your Guide to Cellular Health". If we have too many seed oils in our diets, we burn and don't deal with the sun well. If we get back to a better balance, the sun heals like it was meant to do. It's all a dance of life and energy. I'm working my way through the book, and looking forward to adding more tools to my natural health toolbox. Helping you create resilience and abundance, Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan) This week's featured articles...The wind is howling outside my windows and we've switched from sleet to snow as I've been writing - perfect weather for a cup of herbal tea. In my latest round of exploring our native remedies, I'm making up pine needle tea. This is a good one for you if you are dealing with respiratory "yuck". (Tomato tea is another good remedy for stubborn congestion.) This article on potato towers is one of our most popular spring articles. It includes basic design, best varieties for towers, and troubleshooting tips. If you're prepping for spring and summer storm season, having some freeze dried meals on hand is helpful for power outages and other issues. These are our favorite freeze dried food providers, and why we like them. I'm also going to randomly add a link to my favorite homemade chocolate pudding recipe, because it would be nice to have some. I may make it, or maybe my son will get the hint when he reads the newsletter. |
Laurie Neverman @ Common Sense Home
Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to create a self-reliant homestead. Now we produce our own food and our own power, and can tackle whatever craziness this wild world throws at us. If you’re ready take back control from Big Pharma and Big Food and feel confident facing Everyday Emergencies, join us.
"A whippoorwill trilled in the twilight. We stopped evening chores to listen. This was the first time we'd heard the call in 20 years. Though they used to be common in the area, the mega farms that now dominated the landscape had left them without a sanctuary - until they found our home." It gives me such joy to hear "new to us" bird calls in the yard. From the early morning light to sometimes well after dark, our feathered guests serenade us with a multitude of songs. So much habitat has...
"The day started out cool and grey - again - with a steady light rain that topped off the ponds and would soak you through if you lingered too long on outside tasks. It would be easy to be glum - if it weren't for a certain troop of extremely happy duckies who came barreling out of the coop at lightning speed, careening around the yard to see who could grab the most worms before they darted back into their underground tunnels. Whenever rainy days dampen my spirits, the duck patrol perks them...
"The chill of winter lingered like that one friend who insists on striking up a conversation on their way out the door when you're more than ready to wrap up the party. The honeybees had made it through winter, but you could feel their hunger and eagerness to forage as they gathered around the sugar water set out to hold them over until blossom season began. Spring bulbs still hesitated, showing greens, but reluctant to lift their flowers to the wan sun. Still, signs of spring peeked out and...