Moral Conundrum -- The "Bartering Eggs For Coffee" WILL HAPPEN!

[dangerouschicken]

HERO?

Thanks!

I'll tell you who my heroes are... those old timey Oregon Trail people who originally settled the area I live in (in the 1860's). Whenever I wonder what I should do, I look to them as an example, then see if I can modernize it or apply it to today's standards. I mean, we are not about to give up our wireless or satelite DVR or organic bananas just yet. BUT we do try to solar dry our clothes, eat our homegrown food, sew some of what we wear, and forage and trade for whatever we can. We often give our excess away to friends and neighbors, people that share their excess with us, as well. America can be a place where these things happen again, one family at a time.

C'mon everybody, let's just get some more momentum to the revolution!

 

[Alaska animal lover]

Okay, so hero was a bit much. I do think it's great, and I am on the same path.

 

[Alaska animal lover]

Here is a list of books I am interested in reading. Just thought I would share with all you do it yourselfers.

An Island to Oneself: Six Years on a Desert Island :: Tom Neale

Arctic Homestead: The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds :: Norma Cobb, Charles W. Sasser, Charles Sasser

The Birdhouse Chronicles: Making a New Life in the Country :: Cathleen Miller

Fifty Acres and a Poodle : A Story of Love, Livestock, and Finding Myself on a Farm :: Jeanne Marie Laskas

In Defense of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating :: Michael Pollan

Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression :: Mildred Armstrong Kalish

The Omnivore's Dilemma : A Natural History of Four Meals :: Michael Pollan

Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally :: Alisa Smith, J.B. Mackinnon

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl :: Timothy Egan

I know there are alot of them, and I haven't read any of them yet, but they all sound interesting.

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
Wow, I almost understood all of that.

Dangerous,

You better finish the book. It's been mentioned at least three times in this thread.

Coffee isn't your moral issue, bananas are. Read the book.

 

[FloridaChickenChick]

Alaska, I see you have a couple Pollan titles on your list. May I add another? The Botany of Desire...an amazing read!

 

[carugoman]

Dacjohns,
I had attempted to explain how I made my storage pit in simple to understand terms, in case, someone wished to build a similar facility, but alas, I'll have to dummy it down even more, for those that do not have the mental capacity to grasp simple tasks. Lookie here man, y'all gotta dig a hole inna ground...build some forms, slap some ready mix, that some enjuneere figgerd out, down dat hole. After fartin' round a bit wit sum udder stuff dat injuneere figgerd out, chuck all dat grain down dat whole dat the semm- Eye brung in! Gott datt?

 

[dacjohns]

Got it.

dacs corollary to Carugoman's Corollary to Murphy's Law: If it doesn't fit get a bigger hammer.

 

[carugoman]

carugoman's modification to dac's addendum to carugoman's corollary to Murphy's Law: "It's not the size of the hammer, but the oft experienced and properly placed tap that does the job correctly." This is more commonly referred to as a "Brogaine Adjustment."

 

[dixygirl]

Congratulations to you and yours. Who cares about the salt or baking soda, you grew your own organic chicken and vegetables!!!


In fact I say go out and buy a bottle of foreign champagne to accompany it all and celebrate!

 

[ole-crone]

I didn't read the entire thread so this might have already been said, if so - sorry.

Since it appears that you are sincerely trying to only use locally for three months - do just that! None of the items you mentioned are needed to sustain life.

Gain the experience of eating a whole new way, develop new tastes.

Three months without coffee might help break that expensive habit. Not only that, but if local is important to you, why support a food item that HAS to be shipped here. It's not a necessity as much as it is an addiction. As someone else stated, there are teas you can grow - and coffee substitutes that can be found.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do it and enjoy the experience. Just think of the new recipes you'll develop as you think outside your comfy envelope.