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Our food system is dominated by industrial agriculture and has become economically and environmentally unsustainable. The incidence of diet-related diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart disease, has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Whether you have forty acres and a mule or a condo with a balcony, you can do more than you think to safeguard your health, your money, and the planet.
Homegrown and Handmade shows how making things from scratch and growing at least some of your own food can help you eliminate artificial ingredients from your diet, reduce your carbon footprint, and create a more authentic life. Whether your goal is increasing your self-reliance or becoming a full-fledged homesteader, it's packed with answers and solutions to help you:
This comprehensive guide to food and fiber from scratch proves that attitude and knowledge is more important than acreage. Written from the perspective of a successful self-taught modern homesteader, this well illustrated, practical, and accessible manual will appeal to anyone who dreams of a simpler life.
Deborah Niemann is a homesteader, writer, and self-sufficiency expert who presents extensively on topics including soapmaking, bread baking, cheesemaking, composting, and homeschooling. She and her family raise sheep, pigs, cattle, goats, chickens, and turkeys for meat, eggs, and dairy products, while an organic garden and orchard provides fruit and vegetables.
Melanie-Ski
Posted October 24, 2011
Homegrown & Handmade A practical Guide to More Self-Reliant living Deborah Niemann Published by New Society Publishers This book starts with a 25 page introduction, valuable information on the whys of eating homegrown. From the Health stance, nutrition differences, the quality of the food, and its sustainability. In addition, she touches on the frugalness of eating home grown and finding pride in ones work. Very good information on chemicals and how much of the food we eat today is extremely unhealthy for us. The book is divided into 5 parts, each with a Planning, Growing, and Cooking sections. Backyard gardening is first with helpful hints on planning a garden that fits nicely into the space you have, and not becoming overwhelmed. To plan according to your future needs and utilizing the fruits of your labor. The orchard is next with the ins and outs of planting, and when and how of harvesting then making delicious jams and other recipes with your fruit. Caring for poultry for both eggs and meat production. Includes housing recommendations and types of poultry. Of course my favorite, your home dairy! From planning on which livestock, caring for them, to processing your milk into cheese and soap. She even includes a section on raising fiber animals! Covers all the basics and is a great resource for helping someone get started with farming, even in their small backyard. The only thing I had wished was that the pictures would be in color, but I know that isn't always practical either. Great book, a great starter, but includes enough depth for even seasoned farmers to utilize the information. Thanks to the Author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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Overview
Our food system is dominated by industrial agriculture and has become economically and environmentally unsustainable. The incidence of diet-related diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart disease, has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Whether you have forty acres and a mule or a condo with a balcony, you can do more than you think to safeguard your health, your money, and the planet.
Homegrown and Handmade shows how making things from scratch ...