Front Yard Edible Landscaping

What does your front yard do for you?  Below is an amazing example on how useful and beautiful that yard could really be.  

This is what we are working on for the CityFarm.  Although it will take years to look anything like the video we will keep you updated on the progress.  Our new additions for this year:

• Horseradish
• Jerusalem Artichoke
• Apple Mint
• Stevia Sugar Bush
• St. Johnswort
• Pineapple Sage
• French Sorrell
• Basil
• Green Sage

Plus I am sure more to come!!!

Most of these are perennials which I believe is the key to real self reliance.  What would you do if the nursery and the seeds were all gone one day?

Another reason to grow a garden this year!

Have you been debating about growing a garden this year?  Take a look at the following video and it might help to make up your mind.

Alternative Fuel

Part of being prepared is alternative fuel.  How are you going to cook, heat your home or do anything else you need to do if the power is out or not an option.  This will be a several part blog series featuring options for alternative power sources.  First on the list is solar.  We will be reviewing solar cookers, solar panels (for the home and portable) and other things that will be a blessing on any sunny day.  Stay tuned for pictures and videos coming soon.......Plus product reviews!  Let me know of any other items you would like us to review in this alternative power series.

Getting Less and Paying More

Do you feel like every time you go to the grocery store you are paying more for less?  Well it is not just you who feels that way.  Take a look at the following CBS video below.  Take the time to read the fine print and clip the coupons the next time you go to the grocery store.....it can really make a difference!

Food Storage Recipe #3

Poppyseed Chicken

2-3 cans chicken breast or Thrive Freeze Dried Chicken, rehydrated

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 cups Thrive Sour Cream, made from powder and chilled

1/2 cup Thrive Butter, made from powder and chilled

2 Tablespoons poppy seeds

2 sleeves Ritz crackers

Grease casserole dish. Add chicken. Mix soup, sour cream, and poppy seeds together and pour over chicken. Slice butter into pats and lay on top. Crush crackers and sprinkle over butter and soup.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Natural Tilling and Bug Control --Plus Chicken Laws

Do you use a machine to till your garden?   

Or pesticides to kill unwanted pets?   

These are just a few advantages to having chickens.  They naturally till our garden and will eat any unwanted pests....ours especially love ants.....but some local governments want to control who can have these resourceful creatures.

Here are the laws for some areas in UT:


Brigham City, UT.  Definition of domesticated animal includes 'fowls'   Section 4:01.16  defines that the pets can be kept in humane enclosure not larger than 50 cubic feet.  It also states that 'household pets' will be no more than 6 birds. 
Ogden, UT.  It is unlawful for any person to keep any chickens, ducks, pigeons or other fowl in the City limits unless the same are at all times kept confined in proper pens or enclosures. All such pens or enclosures shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and shall not be placed or maintained within 75 feet of any dwelling. 
Orem City, UT.  Limit of poultry/fowl: 20 on a lot under one acre, and must be kept 40 ft. from dwelling on same lot or 85 ft. from neighboring dwelling.  Currently you must have at least one acre of property to have any chickens at all, legally. 
Salt Lake City, UT.  You can keep up to 25 chickens (no reference to roosters) with a permit, and the coop must be placed 50 feet from nearby houses.


You can find out more about different cities/states at the following website:


http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/chickenlaws.html

As a City Council Member I know the importance of the opinion of the residents I serve.  If you don't like your city's current regulations contact your City and ask to speak at the next City Council Meeting.  Then go and start collecting support from others in your city that want the same right to become self sufficient.  Have them come to the meeting as well or collect signatures.  The more support you have the better the chance to get it changed.  Also contact the media.  City Chickens have been hot topics in our local news......put some pressure on your council by having the media present.  Plus you must remember to be persistent.  With most government issues it will most likely not change quickly but don't give up!!  Let me know how it is going in your area!


Below is a video of what you can run into when trying to find out about or change city regulations   :)

More new additions

Here is a picture of one of our 9 new additions to the CityFarm......Baby Bunnies!!!

We will keep you updated on the growth and changes of our 9 new friends :)

One of the inspirations for our CityFarm

This video documents the life and changes for one California family.  Hopefully we will soon be able to produce for our family the way this one does........

How are you changing your life to live more off the land?

April Egg Count

April Egg Count

159

How are your chickens doing???

Food Storage Recipe #2

Some food storage items really get a bad rap.  You can just say their name and people will shiver.  Spam is one of those items.  It seems to have a love or hate relationship with most people.  Even if you think you might not like Spam I encourage you to give it another try.  It is a great food storage item that will give you the added calories you will need in the event of an emergency.  Here is how our family enjoys them the most!

Scrambled Eggs Galore

1 doz eggs scrambled

1 can Spam - Diced

1/2 cup Thrive Freeze Dried Onions

1/4 cup Thrive Bell Peppers

Garlic Salt - to taste

Mrs. Dash - to taste

Pepper - to taste

1 cup Thrive Freeze Dried Cheddar Cheese - Rehydrated

Combine the Spam, Onions, and Peppers in a pan with oil.  Heat throughly.  Then add the eggs and seasonings to taste.  Scramble all together and add the cheese right before serving.  Serve and enjoy.

I would love to know of any other recipes you enjoy that use food storage.  When a disaster hits is not the time you want to figure out how to cook with your food storage!

Sour Cream Powder

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