Beginner Homesteader

[Amazon] 12-Pack GreatBuddy 10-Gallon Fabric Grow Bags - $12.49 (was $25.99) https://www.preppingdeals.net/deals/amazon-12-pack-greatbuddy-10-gallon-fabric-grow-bags

These bags are good options for container gardening

Much of homesteading is an outdoor affair. For our fair skinned family, that means sun protection. Some sun, necessary. Do not discount your need for sunshine in producing the mood uplifting and mood stabilizing serotonin. Too much sun, harmful. But we avoid all sunscreen which has oxybenzone in it — among other nasty consequences of using oxybenzone is endocrine disruption for men, women, and children. Our preferred method of sun protection is simply shielding ourselves from direct sun. We wear BIG hats. We also wear UPF clothing — clothing treated with sun protection. A company which provides both extra large hats and sunscreen infused clothing is Coolibar. There are others https://www.coolibar.com/women-s-shapeable-poolside-hat-upf-50.html In the past, we used a natural sunscreen made from fractionated (liquid) coconut oil + carrot seed oil + lavender (to mask the earthy smell of the carrot seed , which my children disliked). I read that carrot seed oil has "no proven spf". I'll say that my family of red heads used it in Floridian 365 days of sunshine and didn't get sunburned. A Note on Vitamin D: —Vitamin D deficiency is a thing and it's serious. I had a fairskinned relative who lived in a dreary place and was found to be VitD Deficient, despite playing outside everyday and being on a soccer team. It was chocked up to the cloudy nature of her environment. Keep this in mind. Also keep in mind that Europeans don't need much direct sunshine to produce the VitD our bodies need. Here's the link to a brief article that gives some guidelines on how much is enough — https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2022/01/28/how-much-sunlight-do-i-need-to-get-vitamin-d/ copy paste about oxybenzone: "Oxybenzone has been found in the world’s waters, and may contributeTrusted Source to coral reef bleaching and coral death. It’s also absorbed through the skin, and has been found in amniotic fluid, blood plasma, urine, and human breast milk. Oxybenzone is also an endocrine disruptor, which may adversely affect the hormonal systems of men, women, and children. In addition, it’s been linked to low birth weight, allergies, and cell damage." Happy Homesteading!

Blackerry Jam - 1 lb. of blackberries - 1/4 bottle lemon juice (about 1/8 of a cup) - 1.5 cups of sugar - 1 tsp. pectin (optional if using) pair with 1 tbsp. of sugar In a saucepan, combine the berries with the sugar. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for approximately 15 minutes. Once the berries have cooked down, use a potato masher to gently smash them. Bring the mixture to a full boil, then add lemon juice. Allow the mixture to simmer for another 15-20 minutes, ensuring it thickens properly. If desired, add pectin for the last minute of cooking to help the jam set. Be careful not to overcook the pectin. Ladle the hot jam into clean, sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top. Secure the lids tightly on the jars and place them in a water bath. Process in water bath for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the jars from the water bath and place them on a towel-lined countertop. Let them cool undisturbed for at least 12 hours. @BearToothBayou

This video is especially helpful if you would like a review of Azure Standard or seeing just how easy it is to can your own beans. https://youtu.be/dXf6CDHR4J4?si=cIjDz8HngbFmWD2N

For anyone with an MSG allergy, these are ingredients which also contain processed glutamine acid.

For the canners in here, I tried canning black beans three different ways this week. First, I tried sprouting them before canning. I read this method has the highest nutritional value. But every time I tried to sprout them they got moldy. This one was a flop for me. I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any. Second, I did the traditional method. Soak overnight, simmer for 30 min, hot pack, and pressure can. These beans started getting mushy and disintegrated a bit, but still good. Third, I canned dry beans. Rinsed them, measured them into jars, covered with water, and pressure canned. These beans were cooked well enough during processing and maintained some of their shape and texture a bit better. Thought I'd share in case anyone else is interested!