Dealing with Clothes Off Grid

We have been practicing not using any power inside the house for over a month with much success! We may haven't been writing much on the blog, but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy pursuing the self sufficient life.

Going without electricity ("unlimited modern electricity" present many challenges that you would guess, but others that you may never have thought of.

I thought this would be a good opportunity to share the biggest hurdles, the suprising victories, and the solutions to some of the issues you encounter when "unplugging" from the grid.

By far the biggest obstacle we had to climb in regards to power was the issue of washing and drying clothes.

Obstacle - washing and drying clothes

Solution - hand washing machine and clothes line

We found the washing machine used for $35.00 and the clothes line from Lowes for $14.00.

It takes patience and more time than ever before to wash the clothes, but it really gives us a sense of accomplishment that we never had before when it came to such a mundane chore.

We also are about to make our own washing detergent powder. We will post that recipe once it is complete. It is near $.02 a load vs. the cheapest store bought at $.15 to $.30 a load.

The Bantam Voice
"Freed People, Free People"

Worth Doing Poorly?

Our society and culture has raised us with the words of grandma

"If it is worth doing it's worth doing right."

Many of us would agree with that and nod our head. I would argue for Joel Salatins point in his book, Folks, This Ain't Normal, that one of the things that is wrong with America and our families today is that we are scared to try anything. We won't do something "right" or perfect the first time, but we need to try and then craft the skill.

So don't be afraid to try something new today because

"If it is worth doing it is worth doing poorly."

The Bantam Voice

"Freed People Free People"

(This was also cross-posted onto BantamVoice.blogspot.com)

The Bantam Voice

Here is my new blog I've started.

Bantam Voice.
One small voice on political and life issues

The blog is

bantamvoice.blogspot.com

The Crisis Club Interview

I recently was interviewed by Robert Joseph of "The Crisis Club" on his podcast.
I highly encourage you to listen to the whole podcast of which I was a part. This podcast isn't for everyone, but I feel it has a important role to play in our society. Their slogan (as seen above) is "Waking Mothereffers up Everywhere." That is what they hope to accomplish waking people up to not only the political craziness that is going on, but also to take responsibility for our nation by taking responsibility for our lives and to make changes accordingly.

They sometimes are a little harsh and crude. You can download the mp3 and skip to minute 35 which is where the interview starts, but once again I highly encourage you to listen to it all and give it a chance, If at the end of it you don't want to continue to listen, no problem it isn't for everyone, but if you like it please listen to their podcast and get involved. Either way you are already living their message by being aware and taking charge of your life.

My wife and I are good friends with Rob and he actually spent the 4th with us helping slaughter the chickens. We are trying to help the "crisis club" in any way we can and are "members" of the "cape fear crisis club." Please click the link and listen to the podcast and be encouraged to make an impact around you.

Click the crisis club banner on the side of the page or copy and paste the link below to go to the interview.
http://thecrisisclub.com/new-dialogue-crisis-club-dialogue-part-4-independence-day-spectacular/

The chicken was awesome

I have had a few people ask how the chicken tasted and it was amazing. I grilled it with our favorite sauce and the breasts were perfect and the legs a little dry, bit that was my fault. I needed to cook the legs in a moist environment and I did not.

Ill raise my own thanks

Makes me appreciate my home grown chickens and their hygiene compared to store bought.

Chicken roast 4th of july

My family and I along with a family friend slaughtered three chickens and are about to enjoy it. This was much easier than the last time and.re chickens are bigger and I believe will be tastier.