homemade chicken broth

ingredients for a store bought chicken broth.  complete with msg, caramel color, sugar, and god knows what else.  i did not purchase this by the way.

 

i've seen a few articles that claim you can feed your family organic for the same price you can feed your family trash.  as a mom who feeds my family exclusively organic, i can tell you: this is a lie.  in order for us to maintain our standard of organic fare without giving up electricity or the internet, i have learned to buy in bulk when on sale and to waste nothing.

 

 

an easy example is the chicken.  i purchased several free range/no hormones/no steroids/lived a good life on a farm chickens for a reasonable price.  some will be cut, repackaged, and frozen for grill use and some will be kept whole.  i start with the first meal which will be a whole roast chicken/mashed potatoes/homemade gravy/veggie type meal.  i really should have taken a before shot of my roast chicken because it was quite beautiful.  now, i will make broth and then a quick soup to either eaten right away or frozen for later for the second meal. 

 

pull chicken off the carcass.  set meat aside for subsequent meals/soups because you want the carcass for the broth. 

 

 

 

 

 

throw the carcass in a pot of water.  you want to cover the carcass in water by several inches.  then i add whatever vegetables or herbs i have hanging out in the fridge.  some examples: garlic, parsley, sage, thyme, celery, carrots, onions.   this is a great use for the tops of celery that you never know what to do with.  next we bring this to a boil, then reduce to a very slight simmer.  simmer, uncover for about 4 hours.

strain and pour the broth in a bowl and refrigerate overnight.  in the morning a jello-like goo will be on top.  this is the fat and can be removed with a spoon and discarded.  unless you can think of something thrifty to do with chicken fat.

 

 

 

 

you will have a healthy, homemade, golden broth.  you can freeze, if not planning on using right away.  in my case, i have plans for a mexican flavored chicken soup.

chicken tortilla soup

much like the broth, this soup will contain whatever i have in my cupboards or refrigerator.  tomatoes, chili beans, black beans, corn, red and green pepper, onions, jalapenos, etc. 

 

 

 

chop and saute your veggies in whatever you like to saute in.  in this case, i used a little butter.  real butter, of course, margarine has always scared me a little.  once your onions are looking clear let's add the canned vegetables.  drain and rinse the corn and black beans.  i throw in the tomato juice. 

 

 

add your homemade broth and left over chicken and seasonings.  i love cumin, chili powder, salt, and a pinch of cayenne.  season to your liking and simmer just a bit.  add a little cheese, chopped cilantro, dollop of sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips and you have a meal.

 



semi-homemade shower gel

today, i am making shower gel from bars of soap.  i love shower gel but hate spending $5+ for a bottle.  you will need: bar soap, water, a glass bowl or cup, containers for your gel.

first, grate your soap. any bar will do.  or use several if you like to make in bulk.  this process does not have to be as messy as the picture looks.  my 5 year old has been helping me grate all morning.

next, add about 2 - 2 1/2 cups water per bar of soap.  melt in a pot over medium heat.  make sure all of the soap is melted.

once melted, pour into glass containers or bowls to cool.  i usually let the kids add a few drops of natural food coloring or essential oils.  let these jars cool/firm overnight and then pour into whatever containers you would like to use in the shower.  if the consistency is too thick, add a little water and shake.

regrowing store bought vegetables

3 days

regrowing store bought vegetables is an easy way to stretch your dollar.  this won't place a huge dent in your organic grocery budget, but it takes no effort and every little bit counts.... 


green onions

leave a little bit of stem on the bulb and add a few inches of water in a cup.  place in a sunny window and i changed the water about every other day.  i noticed a lot of growth in just 3 days.  at about a week, i was able to cut the new stems and use again. 

1 week

 

1 week and 1 day for the center base

romaine lettuce

cut the base off your lettuce.  place in a bowl or cup with just about a 1/2 inch of water.  place in a sunny window and change the water every day.  the growth is slightly slower than the onions.  easy-peasy.

3 days later

chickens for beginners

this is how we ride our power wheels in the country: in the dirt, with a chicken, and in our halloween pajama pants.

looking for a little taste of self sustainability? then chickens are a great starting place.  chickens are incredibly low maintenance and can provide insect control, fertilizer, and (of course) eggs.  not to mention, they can become great pets.  i am no chicken expert, but i have successfully raised chicks and chickens without killing one. 

first, you are going to want to check with your local ordinances and verify you can legally raise chickens in your location.  then you will want to make sure you can breath without filling out a form or violating a law.

chicks
i suggest you purchase your chicks already sexed.  you can determine the sex of your chicks, yourself.  but, personally, i have not lived on a farm long enough to try it.  you have a 1 in 4 chance of getting a hen when purchasing a pullet or unsexed chicks.  the first time we purchased our unsexed chicks from the local feed store, we ended up with all roosters and one hen.  this turned into a problem since the roosters were constantly fighting each other then trying to attack us.  the ways the roosters violated my hen are unspeakable.  a rooster is not necessary for your flock unless you would like fertilized eggs or protection for your hens. 


before you bring your chicks home you may want to have a few things ready.  or if you are like us, you bring them home in a box and run to tractor supply a few hours later.  if you are the prepared type: you will need some sort of box or crate, wood chips, heat lamp, and some chick feed.  the heat lamp should be shining on one side of the container.  thus, if the chicks get too hot they can move.  we kept our chicks in the house (not free roaming-in the crate).  this prompted all sorts of comments from our friends and relatives.  once the chicks developed feathers, my husband fashioned a chicken tractor and they were moved outdoors.  permanently.

we settled on a chicken tractor.  this is a portable coop with an open bottom.  once the ground is picked over, you can move it to another location with minimal cleaning.  chickens do not care to sleep on the ground.  we installed a bar for roosting.  you will also want to install one or two brooding boxes for the hens to lay eggs.  my husband was crafty enough to install a hinged roof over the brooding boxes for easy egg retrieval. 



our austrolorp began laying at about 4 months.  she has been pretty regular since, even laying in the winter. 

i will be adding more information and running a grammer/spell check when i get another uninterrupted 15 minutes to myself.

making laundry soap

most people i know have already tried making their own laundry soap.  but, since i happen to be out today, this will be my first tutorial.

making your own laundry soap is quick and saves a lot of money.  i am constantly evaluating the benefit/money savings vs. time/effort on projects.  this one is definitely worth it.  this recipe is a nonsudsing formula which means i can use it in my high efficiency washing machine.  so, let's get to it.  this entire process will take you all of 5 minutes.

you will need: Borax, Washing Soda, Ivory or Fels Naptha Soap.  you are looking for a soap without any added oils or moisturizers as these may stain your clothes.  these products are usually in the laundry aisle of the grocery store.  your initial cost will be about $10.  however, these initial materials provide me with enough soap to last 6 months.   you will also need a big pot, cheese grater, and a 3+ gallon container for mixing.

grate your soap.  if you are using ivory, use the entire bar or 1/3 of fels naptha.  add shredded soap and 6 cups of water to the pot.  melt the soap over medium heat. 

once melted, add 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup washing soda.  stir until disolved.

place 4 cups of hot water into the bucket.  add the soapy mixture and stir.  now add 1 gallon and 6 cups of hot water and stir.  let sit overnight and then it will be ready to use.  the end product is a squishy gel.  use 1/2 cup per load. 

this will yield 2 gallons of laundry soap.  you will have enough borax, washing soda, and soap to left over to make gallons and gallons more.   

here's a few more make at home cleaners.  these are chemical free and costs a fraction of store bought.

window/counter cleaner: 1/2 peroxide and 1/2 water mixed in an opaque spray bottle.  a clear bottle will cause sunlight to break down the peroxide.

furniture polish: 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 tbls lemon juice.  you can play around with the ratios to fit your needs..  this will leave wood super shiny and a bit oily for a few hours.  dip a cloth into the mixture and wipe.

taking a leap

remembering my life 3 years ago entails traveling to the back corner of my mind typically reserved for situations of uncomfortable awkwardness.  my life 3 years ago smells like dry cleaning and feels like a scratchy banana republic suit with an overstuffed leather kenneth cole straining my right shoulder.  it sounds like the clicking of pointy toe heels nimbly running down the hall of a hospital alongside a fast paced physician; my mont blanc pen feverishly scratching down notes.  my old life tastes a lot like sugar free red bull and starbucks.   

it's a life in a gated community, typical of big city suburbs.  lawns resemble a lush, green carpet neatly divided into rectangles by wood fences and neighbors take their kids trick or treating in golf carts.  garage doors must be closed at all times and the color of your mulch must be preapproved.

life is restricting and every moment is already spent.  there is no time to realize the infinite confinement.  

our new gated community

we escaped and found a little piece of freedom.