Guest Post: 5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle, Part Two

[image: Kendra's home-baked bread]

~ Precious mamas, my family is off on an adventure this week, and the very talented Kendra from New Life On a Homestead has graciously agreed to share her thoughts with you here today.  This is Part Two of "5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle."  I'll be back with you all next week to share some exciting news! ~

***If you missed Part One, you can find it here.

4.  COOKING FROM SCRATCH

Nowadays, it seems almost counter-cultural to cook food from scratch at home. I’m talking, from scratch people… and no, hamburger helper doesn’t count! Think of all of the money you’ll save, all of the health benefits you will reap, and the comfort you’ll have knowing that you can prepare a nutritious meal for your family.

Stop depending on fast food chains and the deli to feed your family. Cook it yourself! Learn to make pizzas from scratch (dough and sauce included), home-baked bread, and even condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, BBQ sauce, salad dressings, vanilla extract, spice blends… anything you’d normally buy already made for you. You can learn to do these things yourself! And I think you’ll be amazed at how easy it is once you’ve given it a shot.

5.  NATURAL HEALTH CARE

Another thing we are entirely too dependent upon is the pharmaceutical industry. If our kids have a cold, we are quick to pump them full of the first syrup we can reach off the shelf.  If we have a headache, we just cover our pain with a few pills. And if we aren’t feeling well, most of us won’t think twice about swallowing a week’s worth of antibiotics. Do you realize that there are natural, healthier alternatives for our most basic health care needs?

I’d strongly encourage you to learn basic natural remedies to treat your family with. Ear infections can be quickly remedied with an easy garlic and olive oil treatment. Urinary tract infections can be relieved with lots of water, vitamin C, and garlic tablets. Pink eye can be cured with breastmilk, or eyebright and chamomile tea bags.

The next time you find yourself reaching into the medicine cabinet, stop for a moment and turn your focus toward finding a natural treatment to try first. Taking your health care into your own hands will save you time, money, and most importantly, the well-being of you and your loved ones.

Of course, these are just a handful of ideas to start with when beginning your own journey to self-sufficient living.  There are so many things you can do to break free from dependence on others, but these are important starting points, and anybody anywhere can do them!  Be encouraged, pick one or two of these skills, and get them under your belt. Then work your way to a more self-sufficient lifestyle!

Kendra is a full time, homeschooling stay-at-home mom to three little ones, with a fourth on the way! Her and her husband moved to the country two years ago, and have been working hard at learning how to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle.  You can follow the ups and downs of their journey at New Life On A Homestead. 
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