Natural living families, sign in!!

[Hansenhootenanny]

I am new to the boards but found this forum and glad I did!!

~I have been a vegetarian for nearly 15 years, almost vegan but we have beehives so that would kick me out of the club LOL

Trying to do a lot of things naturally, but not at high costs. I have gotten caught up in spending waaay to much money on natural products instead of using common sense and simplicity (like baking soda and vinegar rinse instead of an expensive organic shampoo).

Food is one of our biggest expenses and hardest to cut back on. We do have a small garden but our place is mostly oak trees and we love them so there is not a lot of open sunny space. This year we are trying greens in the garden. Didn't quite get them in in time and the wild bunnies ate the lettuce and spinach so not much of a harvest this go round. The kale and carrots are still making it.

So tell me about your natural living journey!!

[Maisiedotes]

Hi Tracey!
I have been veg for 9 years and went vegan last november (but have had a few "slip-ups" here and there. I am into homesteading and natural living. I am so glad to have found this forum too!

I am currently making my own cleaners and laundry detergent and stuff, and just recently I have stopped buying convenience foods like veggie burgers. I also just discovered beef-style TVP in the bulk section of the health food store and it is WAAAYYYY cheaper than veggie crumbles. Our local farm stand is wicked cheap- the other day I got a 10 lb bag of potatoes, 10 lbs butternut squash, a sweet dumpling squash, 2 onions, and a bag of apples for $12. I could not believe how cheap it was. And those are things I will use for so many meals.

OK, I am getting long-winded and I have to go to work now, but I will check in later.

Kerri

[Maisiedotes]

Oh- and your garden stuff could have been written by me! We have a giant maple in our front yard that shades alot of the garden but I refuse to cut it back, so we pretty much rely on stuff we can grow in what little sunny space we have. We do have some brussels sprouts that are about ready to be picked... woohoo!

[Hansenhootenanny]

Hey Kerri, I didn't sub to my own post so I didn't see your reply!! so glad to meet you. I have slip-ups to. We go from dairy to non-dairy a lot. I just don't like the subs but I don't like dairy much either but sometimes it just adds a bit of flair to the meal.

Yes, the gardening in the shade has been a hassle but we are looking to buy some acreage with no existing home to put our beehives and gardens on . All that after the debt is gone, of course!!