The first time I saw Nicole Richie holding a chicken and declaring she was “above” store-bought eggs, I thought yes I need a chicken.
As a recovered girl who doesn’t like to get her hands and nails dirty and tries to be only girly, I’ve learned that getting dirty isn’t bad. I’ve also learned that when you live around cows, isn’t always smelly.
However, just because I like chickens and cows doesn’t necessarily mean that homesteading is the life for me. Or does it?
The truth is, there is so much more to chickens than just flinging feed and building cute AF coups. And there are real dangers about having chickens-for them and you.
And everything else involved with homesteading, a small farm that produces all your veggies and fruit, as glamorous as some celebs make it out to be, all that work you have to put in work into your garden/famr you have to do.
So, before you take the leap into homesteading let’s find out if it might be the life for you.
What is homesteading?
Homesteading is a committed way of life where you are self-sufficent. Basically you are growing and raising your own food. This all requires some knowledge of food perservations, for the colder months when you can’t grow as much.
Hardcore homesteading includes creating your own textiles, clothing and other household goods either for yourself or to sell.
Or at least that is what it was orginally. Homesteading is much more assessible to anyone than every before. You don’t have to move to the middle of Alsaka or somewhere remote.
Modern Day Homesteading
Today homesteaders have a unique spirit, they strive for simple way of life, fredom and to be able to do something that is meaningful
Most people who decide to homestead want to move away from modern living, not to live life completly off the grid but to live life on their terms.
These days there are two different kinds of homesteaders, urban homesteading or suburban homesteading.
See you don’t have to move!
Why are people starting to homestead?
With the inflation prices affecting groceries, more people are turning to alternative ways to feed their families. At first it isn’t easy, if the seeds or the crops you buy fail then you feel as though you’ve waisted your time.
But in the end it is a way for you to save a few dollars, if you’re willing to put in the grunt work.
What do you need to know to be a homesteader?
Even if you can’t get your hands on a chicken or your own cow for milk, you can still start homesteading. Even in an apartment. You can start your research and develop the skills you need to get you well on your way to homesteading.
Simple skills to help you be a homesteader or a half-homesteader (like me)
Learn to make Bread
Making bread is an art, it is also one of the big recipes that homesteaders and those halfway inbetween the homesteader and consumer like me. I grow a little bit of food on my own, and make my own bread. However, I also work full time so I have to take it slowly and keep myself organized.
Learn to cook from scratch.
Some of the best things I’ve ever made are from scratch. Check out my beef stew here! Theses days we have moved away from cooking in our own homes. Most have a kitchen for visual purposes only, but since the world has lost its mind more and more are looking to create meals they would get at restaurants for comforting meals they find cozy, like a hug.
Learn to preserve/can foods
Even the smallest of gardens can produce an abuncence of food, making it difficult for you and your family to eat it all before it goes bad.
The solution to that is preservation and canning. (You’ll want to do some research on this as well, if you don’t can correctly you could end up with some bacteria you’re not going to like.)
Excessive tomatoes, you can can as spaghetti sauce or make a chill. All things simple and rustic helping you through the cold months.
Pretty much during the spring and summer this is what you’re doing, harvesting, canning and cooking.
During the fall, you’re also harvesting, but different items. The yields you get from your garden are seasonal, so if you’re looking to shrink the grocery bills you have to use what you have, when you have it.
Even if you are still living in the city or suburbs, or in the country like me, you can start homesteading anywhere. Small scale gardens can produce enough food for a family of four or even six.
You don’t need to have a chicken or cow in order to be a homestead, though it does help if you’re really trying to kick the grocery store to the curb. (think about city laws before you purchase the chicken or cow)
And do your research. As I said before chickens require work, and if you don’t take care of them properly you and your family could end up sick.
So, do you think homesteading is for you? If you do, my advice is to start small. Learn the basics first, and build from there. While you don’t have to give up completely on society, there are ways to make your household economy stretch a bit further.
Thank you for stopping by and letting me share with you my thoughts on homesteading. I do hope this inspires you to look more into homesteading or perhaps gardening. Sound off in the comments below if you’ve ever thought about homesteading, or having a chicken. I’m all ears
