For those who embark on a homesteading journey, having control over one’s needs is often a deeply rewarding experience. As someone who values autonomy, I confess that my main concern is the quality of life I can provide for myself and my loved ones – be it the food we eat, the homes we live in or the furniture our children play on. This desire for self-sufficiency has led me to adopt a DIY lifestyle, where I take pride in crafting solutions that meet our needs without breaking the bank.
However, even the most self-sufficient of homesteaders can benefit from exploring ways to repurpose what they already have at their disposal. By doing so, we can not only reduce waste but also create innovative solutions that make the most of our resources. In this regard, I’ve discovered several clever tricks for utilizing what we already have on hand to supplement our purchases.
Using the scraps from meals
When it comes to reusing household scraps, even the smallest items like coffee grounds and celery ends can make a big difference. Coffee residue, in particular, is an excellent addition to the gardens of nitrogen-loving plants such as tomatoes and blueberries. To keep it fresh, I store my coffee grounds in a designated cup near my kitchen sink and give them a stir after use to prevent mold from forming.
But vegetable scraps from dinner can also find new life in a compost bucket, where they can be mixed with dried grass clippings or raked leaves. Alternatively, if you have pigs or chickens on hand, some scraps can be diverted to them as well – they’ll thrive on the leftovers and reward us with eggs and meat. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement that reduces waste while fostering a more sustainable lifestyle.
Egg Shells
While often overlooked, eggshells have numerous uses beyond simply disposing of them. One creative approach is to incorporate them into your compost pile. This not only reduces waste but also adds valuable nutrients to the soil. If you’re looking for alternative methods, consider using crushed eggshells in your garden to deter pests like snails. The sharp edges and rough texture provide an unpleasant surface for these unwanted visitors to traverse, effectively keeping them at bay.
Eggshells can also serve as mini-greenhouses for starting seedlings. Simply add a small amount of soil and the seedling, then plant the entire contents in the ground once it’s mature enough. The shell will act as a natural reservoir for nutrients.
For a more artistic approach, consider using eggshells to create unique pieces of art with your students or friends. Crack open the top of an egg, wash and dry it thoroughly, then fill the inside with paint.
Once the shells are prepared, have everyone take turns throwing them against a canvas, creating a beautiful and unpredictable splatter painting.
Extra Goats Milk
Goat’s milk is an incredibly versatile ingredient, offering a range of benefits beyond its culinary applications. Not only can it be consumed as a refreshing beverage, but it also serves as the foundation for an array of products, from food and cosmetics to personal care items. In fact, goat’s milk can be transformed into soap, lip moisturizer, and even more.
The sensory experience of using goat’s milk soap infused with lavender is particularly noteworthy, providing a soothing and moisturizing sensation that leaves skin feeling soft and supple. For a comprehensive exploration of the many uses of goat’s milk, I invite you to visit our article [here].
Make, Freeze, and Save
When it comes to food, time really is money. To make the most of what you already have at home, start by conducting a quick inventory of your pantry staples and kitchen essentials. You’ll be surprised at how many versatile ingredients can be repurposed or reimagined into new meals. For instance, baked goods like cookies and bread can be easily frozen, thawed, and reheated when needed. Similarly, spaghetti is another great candidate for freezing and reheating.
What I’ve found to work best is setting aside a weekend morning each month to do a bulk bake, followed by a strategic freeze-and-thaw plan. This way, if we’re facing an unexpected busy evening, I can simply thaw out a recipe in advance and cook it up when we return home. By using what’s already at our disposal, we minimize food waste and make mealtime a breeze.
Learn to Can
Learning how to preserve food through canning not only helps gardeners extend the shelf life of their harvest, but it’s also a valuable skill for anyone who wants to reduce food waste. My own experience with canning began when I was faced with a half-bag of cranberries that were destined for the trash if I didn’t find a use for them. With some guidance from my father and a trusty canning book, I quickly learned how to make cranberry sauce and preserved it for future enjoyment.
The end result was a delicious and uniquely flavored condiment that far exceeded anything commercially available. What’s more, I got to enjoy the fruits of my labor – literally! – over the course of several months. And when Thanksgiving rolled around, I cracked open the jar and served it alongside our holiday feast. It was a true culinary triumph.
In retrospect, I realize that canning isn’t just for gardeners; anyone who wants to minimize food waste and maximize their culinary creativity would benefit from learning this valuable skill.
Cook from Scratch
The concept of planning ahead and utilizing available resources is particularly relevant when it comes to meal preparation. In recent years, Americans have made a significant shift towards dining out, with spending on restaurant meals surpassing that of groceries for the first time. This trend may seem harmless, but the reality is that frequent eating out can quickly add up.
For instance, my family of four typically spends around $60 per week on groceries and an additional $30 or more on a single meal out. Considering our goal to reduce expenses, we’ve set a target of dining out only twice a month, usually opting for a Saturday lunch and dinner combination. By leveraging what we have at home, we believe it’s possible to achieve greater budgetary efficiency while minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Renewal of Clothing: Turn into Something Else or Mend
As kids grow and develop their own personal style, they often form strong emotional attachments to certain clothing items. If your child has a T-shirt they’re particularly fond of, consider letting them hold onto it for sentimental value. In my case, I saved shirts from middle school all the way through college, not knowing what to do with them at the time but unwilling to part with them. Years later, my mother-in-law turned those childhood keepsakes into a quilt.
Now, my girls are following in my footsteps by saving their own favorite tees for the day they can repurpose them into a similar meaningful project.
Beyond quilting, there are many creative ways to reuse fabric from old T-shirts and jeans. You could transform the material into stuffed animals like Memory Bears or reusable grocery bags. Meanwhile, old jeans can be upcycled into functional items like purses, as I discovered during my high school DIY days.
With a few strategically placed buttons, even a humble handbag can get a stylish boost – and it’s all thanks to a little bit of creativity and resourcefulness!
Make Your Own Cleaning Products
When it comes to cleaning, there’s no need to rely on harsh chemicals that can harm your health or the environment. Instead, get creative and use everyday household items that are not only effective but also eco-friendly. Take baking soda, for instance – it’s a natural wonder that can be used to clean, deodorize, and even disinfect surfaces.
And then there’s peroxide, which can help whiten and remove tough stains, while apple cider vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner that can dissolve dirt and grime with ease. Even seemingly ordinary items like borax have hidden talents – I use mine for laundry, pest control, and cleaning tasks.
If you’re looking for inspiration to get started on your own natural cleaning journey, Morning Chores has got you covered with our collection of simple yet effective cleaning recipes that you can make yourself.
Find Alternative Ways to Relieve Pain
As a parent, I’ve undergone a drastic change from my childhood experiences at the doctor’s office. While my mother would take me to the doctor for even the slightest sniffle, I’ve become more skeptical of medical interventions. In fact, it took my daughter going an extended period without a check-up for us to realize we needed to catch up on shots – she ended up getting three in each leg! It’s not that I’m opposed to doctors entirely; rather, I prefer to only seek their expertise when necessary.
I don’t want unnecessary medication prescribed unless absolutely necessary, and my daughters share the same sentiment. Sometimes, I offer them pain relief medicine, but they opt out! In contrast, I’ve found alternative solutions for our health needs. For instance, essential oils have become a staple in our household. We use a breathing blend to help my daughter breathe better, and it’s also helped her sleep more soundly.
Currently, I’m using lemon and oregano essential oils to tackle a wart – after just two weeks, it’s already shrunk by half!
Add Flowers to Your Garden
I’ve always wanted a constant reminder of nature’s beauty on my table, so two years ago I made it a priority. My husband brought home a bouquet that transported me back to my childhood memories. Growing up, I was an unconventional kid – at 13, I devoured the entire ‘1001 ways to be romantic’ book, envisioning the adventures my husband and I would have together.
One suggestion in the book that resonated with me was changing out one flower at a time as they wilted.
It struck me as a lovely touch for our home. Today, I’ve expanded my gardening endeavors to include not only a food garden but also a floral haven. Sometimes, the two gardens blend together seamlessly, thanks to companion planting principles and the added bonus of attracting pollinators.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, having flowers in bloom means I’m only paying for seeds once, and my girls can bring me joy by providing fresh bouquets.
Focus on the Water
Water, often an overlooked resource, holds immense value in times of crisis. Even preppers, known for their stockpiling habits, frequently neglect to include it in their emergency preparedness plans. The preservation of water on one’s property is a contentious issue, with some states prohibiting it due to concerns over reduced municipal water usage. In Texas, for instance, permits are required to store water in barrels, despite the relatively low cost and potential benefits.
For us, having a water reserve has been particularly useful during summer months when city water restrictions are enforced, allowing only limited watering on specific days. While our grass may not be immaculate, we prioritize ensuring our plants receive the necessary hydration to prevent devastating consequences, such as killing off an entire garden within a week of drought.
In Conclusion
Beyond reducing food waste, there are numerous opportunities to repurpose and reuse items within our homes before seeking alternatives from outside sources. In addition to clothing, water, and cleaning supplies, other often-overlooked areas include personal care products, paper goods, and even furniture. Have I left anything out? What are some of your favorite ways to creatively utilize household resources, thereby streamlining your daily routine and making your homestead more efficient?
