Yes. And this goes for refined foods, in general. Our bodies don't know what to do with the non-food. General rule is stay to the outside aisles of the grocery store while avoiding the central aisles where the non-food is displayed…..I do venture into the coffee and spice sections…..
same here. And we have a back up generator for the freezer (we can and freeze our garden produce) and water pump. Have a wood boiler for domestic hot water if/when the grid goes down. Hot water is a creature comfort, but also necessary for hygiene to stay healthy.
PS. I have yet to buy a hand pump for the well, but we need that because eventually in worst case scenarios, the propane runs out for the back up generator.
Thought I'd share my quick story. Red pilled 1999. "Honey. We have to get ourselves on a little farm, 'cause it's all going to hell." Spouse not impressed, but I persisted. Started out with books. LOTS of books. Got that little farm with pre-existing structures and started making improvements, starting with a decent chicken house/yard and a fenced/tilled garden with worked/added good soil. Started mulch pile right away. Worms are miracle workers. Then brought in a few small breed cattle for beef and milk. And they're good for soil improvement. (Joel Salatin—one of my gurus.) Found a local who does processing. Beef share to make a little $s and feed another couple of families. Milked one of my girls (raised her up from a heifer so we trust each other) last summer. That was the ultimate. Now have some fruit trees in and a couple of bee colonies. Pretty cold here so won't get honey until second year, if then. They need about 90 lbs of their own to get through winter. Rusty with Honey Bee Suite. Best guru. One thing to consider. Don't try to do everything. Do a few things. Get good at it, and be prepared to trade. That means, know your community. Know your neighbors. Bottom line. Read, read, read, study, read some more before you invest in anything besides books.
That's my experience too. I'm amazed they haven't disappeared, but they are hanging in, so far. Way in the open if a hawk/eagle does get interested. Won't get to cover in time…….So far, the predators are most interested in the little varmits and I cheer the birds on because those little buggers did and eat the tender roots of my fruit trees, not to mention taking a large helping of the potatoes and peas. And that's where the new little kitties come in……….
PS BBE (best book ever) John Seymour, The Self-Sufficient Life and How to live it.
Yep. So good for you. Try to find raw milk, but can be done with pasturized.
Foxes used to be our problem. Re-located and now its coyotes (not nearly as wilely as foxes) and predator birds…..maybe some big cats. Saw some prints.