Self-sufficient households; help!

[The Chicken Lady]

There is a really cool Reader's Digest book called Back to Basics that you should try to find. It has tons of ideas and instructions for doing things to be more self-sufficient (related to homesteading: making cheese, raising farm animals, gardening, etc.). It's an older book, so you'd have to look for it at the library or on amazon.com.

 

[ninjapoodles]

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There are several copies available at alibris.com, from $8 all the way up to $119.

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?q...itle=back+to+basics&cm_sp=works*listing*title

 

[BearSwampChick]

I bought the ingredients for the laundry soap today! Found all of them at Kroger, although I had to really hunt for the Fels Naptha. It was over by the Meyer Wash products instead of by the borax and washing soda. They only had 3 bars left so I bought them all. I can remember my mom using the bars to scrub dirty shirt collars. Walmart didn't have the bars at all. I can't wait to try it!

 

[Beekissed]

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My aunt just bought me this book...found it at a yard sale. I must tell you that it is the single most informative literature I have ever read, or even heard about, regarding self-sustaining lifestyles. It has complete diagrams, pictures and instructions about ANYTHING you want to know....and I mean ANYTHING! I was simply amazed and will treasure, and refer to, this book as long as I live. I'm not easily impressed, but this book is very impressive!!!!! You won't regret this investment. I recommend everyone try to get their hands on it, especially in these times.

 

[coffeemama]

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Interesting question-I know some goats have higher milkfat, and I think there is something about close proximity of the billy to the does that makes milk more "goaty"? I would like to know the answer to your q as well!

 

[dacjohns]

I've skipping around so this might have been mentioned already. The Foxfire Books. Great old time making do from Northeast Georgia. It started as a school project in the 1970s I think.

 

[2manyhats]

Quote:
Interesting question-I know some goats have higher milkfat, and I think there is something about close proximity of the billy to the does that makes milk more "goaty"? I would like to know the answer to your q as well!

The woman I know with the goats doesn't have a billy. So, that's not it. I thought originally that it was what the goat is fed, but these goats all eat the same.

 

[coffeemama]

hmmmmmm...any goat people to answer??

 

[freeda]

I don't know if anyone's mentioned it, but Mother Earth News has their old issues on CD. Their newer publications are a little more commercial, imo ("buy this $700 composter" vice "how to build a $50 composter").
http://www.motherearthnews.com/

 

[Beekissed]

One only needs the Back to Basic book and Countryside Magazine to keep on track with the how-tos and the wherefors. I wait by the mailbox for my Countryside! That is where I got my detergent recipe, my idea for a PVC chicken feeder, my info on breeds of livestock to raise, etc. Best investments ever!