Long Term Food Storage - Getting Started

Long term food storage implies much more than enough for just several weeks. We think it’s recommended to imagine more along the lines of a 1 year foods store. Whilst this might appear like an enormous amount, this used to be a regular lifestyle not so many years ago. A person in no way could be sure what the harvest may bring, and thus it was typical for individuals to stock up having a one year’s pantry. Numerous individuals do not recognize the very first and most fundamental level of foods storage - garden seed.

When we’re referring to a year’s supply, that brings to mind the idea of growing some foods throughout the spring and summer months. Just now is really a great time to evaluate your garden seed supply and to start with, we have to consider what type of seed to buy. Right here are a number of essential points to have in your thoughts.

First, the problem of GMO vs. Non GMO. Despite the fact that some are touting the rewards of GMO, there are numerous concerns, which include the trouble that GMO would typically not generate viable seed. In other words, you’d probably need to invest in a lot more seed for your following growing season. However, in case you invest in non GMO and non hybridized seed, you will be ready to save your own seed for future planting - a significantly far better alternative with regards to long term food storage. An additional concern relates to health hazards of GMO seeds, but we will not get into that topic right now.

So exactly where would we turn to discover non-hybrid and non-GMO seeds? Possibly the very best source book may be the Garden Seed Inventory. Together with assisting the gardener discover the best types suited for any particular growing area, the Garden Seed Inventory also points out types that are both non-GMO and non-hybridized, in addition to sources for buying the seeds. This excellent resource is published through the Seed Savers Exchange, a not for profit organization started in 1975 by Kent and Diane Whealy. Seed Savers now has almost eight thousand subscribers across the globe, devoted to saving top quality seed.

Seeds are small, and comparatively low-cost in terms of the meals they are going to generate. For these good reasons, a sufficient supply of seeds will be the initial place to commence in developing a long term food supply.

In light of the economy and increasing disaster threats, long term food storage is the responsible way to live. Find all the information and resources you need at http://longtermfoodstorage.org/.

I Want Self Sufficient Living!

Self sufficient living is experiencing a resurgence of interest as many see pollution rising and natural resources being depleted. Many are also turning to this way of life as they consider the economic benefits of learning to live a more sustainable lifestyle. So what is self sufficient living anyway?

Self sufficient living means depending on sustainable resources to supply daily needs. This is in contrast to dependence upon utility and water companies. It also means we’ll learn to raise our own provisions and master the art of long term food storage. Many people even learn to make much of what they need for everyday life like soap, clothes, etc..

Why?… Some are adopting a more self sufficient way of life out of a reaction to the fast paced, high stress lifestyle typical in a metropolitan setting. They see this as a way to simplify their life and adopt a lifestyle that is healthier, both physically and emotionally. Others are doing it as part of a preparedness plan in light of increasing economic and political uncertainties as well as looming threats like natural disaster and even terrorism.

So what should we be thinking about when considering transitioning to a more sustainable way of life?

Alternative Energy - There are numerous solutions to getting off the grid. Some are happy with a simple, generator and battery setup. However, this still requires gasoline, diesel or propane to sustain the system. A far better method would be something like solar power, which is low maintenance and powered by nature. While it can cost around $10,000 for a small system, that investment will be payed back over time. Other choices include wind and hydro power.

Another basic necessity of life is water. Again, most people rely on a community water source. Being self sufficient means you’ll establish a water source you can more predictably rely upon, like a well or spring. When doing this, keep in mind what your needs might be, including not only domestic home use, but also agricultural irrigation. For many people, such considerations necessitate having your own land where you can make such developments. We’ll get to that in a moment.

Finally, everybody needs energy to live and for most of us that come in the form of electricity. There are various ways of generating your own power these days such as wind or solar. While many think that a simple gas generator is sufficient for a back up, keep in mind that such a system still requires fuel which might be hard to come by one of these days. Thus something more sustainable is preferable. A small solar power system can cost as much as $10,000 but it’s an investment that will pay for itself over time.

For the ultimate in self sufficient living, why not consider relocating to a more rural setting. City life is the least conducive to becoming more self reliant. We’ll look more closely at this point in a future article. Many people are making their country living dream a reality with careful planning and persistence.

Conclusion - Self sufficient living is within the reach of most individuals and families if they’re willing to invest the time and energy into making it happen. Furthermore, such a way of life positions people to be better equipped to not only take care of themselves in times of need, but also to be of help to others. In this sense, it is truly a responsible way to live, and thus a noble pursuit.

self sufficient living can be your way of life. Learn more at http://www.selfsufficientlivingblog.com.