Harvesting energy on the farm too.

Here is an article about what some are doing to produce energy for self-sustaining farms.

Truvia and the big business of highly processed foods

Wow, whenever I get on one of these tangents of researching health, food, or such subjects, I can spend hours finding and reading lots of scary info.
Truvia is a processed derivative of the natural sweetener Stevia. Why process a natural sweetener like Stevia? To obtain a patent and make money. Red flag enough to be concerned but I find references to Cargill, the maker of Truvia, using GMO-modified corn for one of the ingredients in Truvia. Here is an eye-opening article about Cargill.
Here are some articles looking at the problems with high fructose corn syrup.
Here is an article explaining more about GMO (genetically modified organisms) food.
I'm not saying that I base my life on what I read on the Internet but when that information points to a simpler life, more in harmony with God's creation then I will tend to agree.
May I suggest, read, educate yourself, look for locally grown, minimally processed foods.

The hype on vaccines

Here is another article on how vaccines are hyped up on their safety and effectiveness but really dangerous and ineffective.

Do you know the source of your meat?

Is your meat really what it claims to be and is it safe?
NY Times article

Here are my links for grass-fed meats from local producers. I encourage you to search for producers that are close to you or some from my list will ship to you.

Simplify

"We must achieve the character and acquire the skills to live much poorer than we do. We must waste less. We must do more for ourselves and each other. It is either that or continue merely to think and talk about changes that we are inviting catastrophe to make."

Wendell Berry, from the essay "Word and Flesh," in the book What Are People For? North Point Press, 1990.
Found here.

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View the trailer.

excited about the prospect of having a dog again (and more animals)

As I am getting setup to live on my property, it is exciting to see the potential for applying what I am learning about a healthy lifestyle to the life of my animals as well. The classes and seminars I have been taking at Homestead have provided a lot of basics for understanding health from the ground up, literally, to plant, animal, and human. I just discovered on Dr Mercola's site, which I reference for human health, has also started an animal health site as well, mainly for dogs and cats. A lot of the same issues in the human health care system also applies in animal health and the veterinarian health care system. It is nice to see some of those trained in the system, able to see the weaknesses and speak out against the problems, and provide help for us as to how to best navigate through the system for true health.