Lifestyle

Becoming Self-Sufficient

Watched a YouTube video by Russell Brand today regarding corporations buying homes in the U.S. real estate market, making ownership for the average family increasingly difficult and forcing them to rent. It reminds me of the song “Sixteen Tons” written by Merle Travis and sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

In essence, the song speaks about being in-debt to the coal mining company the coal miners worked for, especially before labor reforms were adopted. Coal miners often became indebted to the “company store,” also known as the general store in some locations. With no competition, the company could keep prices high for everyday items, and employees — especially those with families — often needed to pay in credit with tokens or scrip. A never-ending cycle of debt often resulted, meaning essentially that the workers were perpetually bound to the company. The line from song “Sixteen tons”: “I can’t afford to die, I owe my soul to the company store” may become more of a reality for people today, then we would ever want.

So, what can we do about it? We can learn to become more self-sufficient and create small communities in which we can rely on. Below are 10 starter ideas to become more self-sufficient.

10 Starter Ideas to become more Self-Sufficient

Start a kitchen herb garden or grow a planter garden.
Start a community garden.
Ditch the grass and go for an edible lawn.
Build a compost pile or purchase a device that can compost.
Get some backyard chickens.
Stop using your clothes dryer since it is an energy sucker.
Learn to sew, knit and crochet.
Install rain barrels.
Learn to can your food.
Become a bee farmer.

Also, if you have some capital, you might be interested in shipping container-based farms or innovative indoor vertical hydroponic technology.

If possible, work towards paying off your home and/or buying a piece of land.

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Top 10 YouTube Channels I Watch

I thought it would be fun to share my go to YouTube channels. However, I still watch tarot and oracle readings on YouTube. I have a list on where to obtain a Tarot Reading on the Internet, click here for the link. Please see the top 10 YouTube Channels I watch listed below (click on any of the blue text and it will take you to the YouTube channel).

Are you feeling stressed? Just want a YouTube channel to take you somewhere peaceful? Then I have the channel for you, RainRider Ambience. This channel is great if you are looking for some background noise while you work. There are peaceful 3D environments with soothing soundscapes to induce sleep, relaxation or focus.
For some time now I was looking for a news source that could combined comedy and get to the heart of the matter on YouTube. I found Russell Brand’s channel that does just that. If you would like a different take on the news presented to you, then check out his channel.
Maybe you are looking for a spiritual channel with Astrology, channeling, art, music, inspiring interviews. Then do I have the person for you! Bracha Goldsmith is an Astrologer and she also channels the Pleiadians. If you need inspiration, I recommend you check her out!
If you like channeling from benevolent beings, then you will definitely like SAM THE ILLUSIONIST.
The 5th kind explores subjects such as World Mysteries, Ancient Aliens, UFOs, Spirituality, Metaphysical, and Paranormal Subjects. It is in Association with Paul Wallis & Gaia TV. Paul Wallis also explores the above subjects as well in his YouTube channel.
Do you like tales about Fairies? Then do I have the channel for you! The Scary Fairy Godmother reads dark fairy tale origin stories, frightening retellings of classic fairy tales, profiles of fiendish fairy creatures that may lurk in your own backyard, and true stories of fairy encounters.
Have you ever dreamed of living on a farm and being completely self-sufficient? Then you must watch Mossy Bottom. It is about Cottage restoration, self-sufficiency and sustainable living on a smallholding in the wild west of Ireland!
Often, I wonder about the Universe and the mysteries of life and just wish someone could explain it to me. Along comes Hans Wilhelm and his life explained videos. He really does a good job of explaining everything.
I love History! One of my favorite channels on YouTube is Modern History TV. Jason Kingsley OBE, the Modern Knight, investigates the medieval world. He tests out what it was actually like to live in the medieval world. I have two other fun history channels you should try which is Horrible Histories and Jack Rackam.
Last but not least! If you love cats and bicycle riding, then you should watch 1bike1world.

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Environmental Inventions

As the population increase and the pressure on our Earth’s environment accelerates, new inventions are needed in order to save the earth and us. Below are 5 new inventions that will help with that process.

5 Environmental Inventions for 2022

Advanced Photovoltaics (PV): To improve PV performance, emerging companies are devising technologies to concentrate solar power using mirrors and lenses. Innovations in PV materials, such as the use of perovskite, are increasing energy conversion multifold. These innovations are further coupled with photovoltaic designs that enable maximum efficiency and high productivity. Dutch startup Lusoco develops a luminescent solar concentrator technology. Norwegian Crystals is a Norwegian startup that manufactures low carbon monocrystalline silicon ingots for high-performance photovoltaic devices.
Hydro Power: Startups are converting the salinity gradient formed due to the osmotic pressure difference between seawater and river into usable energy. Seabased is an Irish startup that develops modular wave energy converters. Iranian startup GED Company offers microturbines for distributed generation of hydroelectricity from water streams like canals and rivers.
Wind Energy: Startups are devising offshore and airborne wind turbines to reduce the demand for land-based wind energy. Innovations in this field often integrate with other energy sources such as floating wind turbines, solar, or tidal energy. To further improve efficiency, there are constant advances in the aerodynamic designs of the blades. Startups also develop efficient generators and turbines for high energy conversion. Hydro Wind Energy provides a hybrid energy system. Helicoid provides enhanced blade quality during wind blade manufacturing.
Bioenergy: Bioenergy constitutes a type of renewable energy derived from biomass sources. Startups and big companies consider algal and microalgal feedstocks for use in the aforementioned conversion processes. Phycobloom is a British startup that uses synthetic biology to produce bio-oil from algae.
Hydrogen: Hydrogen is derived from non-renewable sources in the form of grey and brown hydrogen. In the past, developments in renewable energy and fuel cells have pushed the shift to green hydrogen. While cleaner, it also struggles with the problems of low energy conversion efficiency of fuel cells and challenges in transportation. For these reasons, the developments in green hydrogen focus on improving hydrogen storage, transport, and distribution. ElektrikGreen is a US-based startup that uses green hydrogen to charge fuel cell vehicles.

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Crazy Thanksgiving

Thought I would share some of the crazy Thanksgiving facts I found on the internet. I realize this is an American/Canadian holiday, but the facts may still put a smile on your face. Below are the 10 crazy-fun facts about Thanksgiving.

Every Thanksgiving, the current U.S. president pardons a turkey. During the ceremony, the current President of the United States is presented with a live turkey. The President does not eat the turkey; instead, he “pardons” the bird and spares it from being slaughtered. After being pardoned, the turkey gets to live out its days on a farm.
10 Hrs. 2 Mins.: Length of time the average American male would need to spend on the treadmill to burn the 4,500 calories consumed at the average Thanksgiving meal.
The First Thanksgiving was only eaten with Spoons and Knives. The reason for the fork being absent was because it was not brought by the pilgrims in 1620.
Cranberries were served at the first Thanksgiving. However, turkey was not! The best way to check if a Cranberry is ripe is to bounce it. As long as it bounces higher than four inches it is ready to be picked.
Americans eat the weight of Singapore in Turkey every Thanksgiving.
Benjamin Franklin wanted the Turkey to be the national bird of the United States.
In 2019, 55.3 million people in the US traveled on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving in the US is also known as American Thanksgiving to differentiate it from the Canadian Thanksgiving, which became a national holiday in 1879.
On average, Americans purchase about 250 million pounds of potatoes as well as 77 million pounds of ham during Thanksgiving week.
Turkey-eating competitions go on in certain areas of the US. It involves trying to eat a 20-pound turkey in a limited amount of time. Joey Chestnut currently holds the title, managing to gobble down 9lbs (4kg) in just 10 minutes!

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2022

As 2022 approaches, I begin wondering what then new year will bring. I feel that many things will change next year. In numerology, 2022 breaks down to the number 6. Number 6 meaning in numerology is order. It is also the number of the codification and therefore of the law, as well as justice. The number 6 also extends to all beings the freedom of speech and allows the community to speak up for those that don’t have a voice.

In Chinese astrology, 2022 is the year of the Tiger. In fact, it is the year of the Water Tiger and it begins February 1st, 2022 and will end on January 31, 2023. The zodiac sign Tiger is a symbol of strength, exorcising evils, and braveness. The year of the Tiger will be very different from 2021, the year of the Ox. This is the year of movement and will with unforeseen changes and surprising developments.

In western astrology, 2022 we will experience more growth collectively, as well as at a personal level. The universe asks us to continue to do the deep work and take everything we’ve learned over the last couple of years and starting to build a better future. Pluto will transit we begin around February 20th. A Pluto transit such as this often brings upheaval. This Pluto homecoming is a huge moment for the entire planet, as major powers around the globe will grapple with the rapid shifting of the economy and unleashing of revolutionary forces.

The Economist have also predicted events for the future as well. The article from The Economist, The World Ahead 2022, looks at the important themes, trends and events that will shape 2022. Some of the major themes include the following: Democracy v autocracy, Pandemic to endemic, Inflation worries, The future of work, Climate crunch and Travel trouble.

It will be interesting to see what 2022 will bring and the changes that it will provide. Craig Hamilton-Parker is a British psychic, who achieved notoriety for supposedly predicting Brexit and the election of Donald Trump, has predications of his own for 2022. You can check out his video in the link.

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How to add Solar Power into your Life

There are multiple ways to add solar power into your life other than putting Solar Panels on your roof. I would love to run my home on solar panels, but while I save up for this, I decided to look at other ideas that would allow me to have solar more in my life now. Below are 5 great ways to add solar power into your life now.

Solar power supply and charger, which can act as LED light too. This is a great device to have on hand to charge your phone if you are in an area without power. If the lights go out in your home it can also serve as a flashlight. I bought one of these for that just in case moment.

Solar Charger 20000mAh Portable Solar Power Bank for Cell Phone Waterproof External Solar Backup Battery Power Pack Charge...

2. Solar String Lights for your patio. I love lights on the patio, but why not make them solar power instead? Many of the solar string lights can last up to 8 hours off of the solar charge. It is all about adding a little magic to the backyard with the power of sunlight.

3. Solar water heaters for your home. This can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. One type of solar water heating systems is considered active, which have direct and indirect circulating pumps and control.

4. Solar power light bulbs and indoor lights for your home. You can now have solar power light bulbs and lights for your indoor space. Many of the indoor lights come with remote control so you can turn the brightness of the light up or down. The solar power light bulbs are usually for camping but I think if people became creative there would be a lot of different uses for them.

5. Solar power backpack for your everyday adventure. The Solar power backpacks range from 3.5 watts to 7.5 watt output. Many do not come with a charging battery. However, SolarGoPack Solar Powered Backpack does come with a charging battery. Several of the backpacks also double as a hydration backpack as well. This is a great way to take solar with you on day hikes to make sure your electronic devices stay charged.

Solar products keep becoming more and more innovative. They have everything from Solar power jackets to hats and more and more products come out each year. Before buying a battery-operated product, it would be good to see if you can by the solar form of it instead.

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Tired of Money

I have stumbled across Russell Brand’s YouTube video the other day Billionaire Bunkers: How Super Rich Are Prepping For OFF-GRID Living. The video is fascinating as it touches on off-grid living and that even the billionaires are now participating. However, while the most people have been experimenting off-grid living due to losing their jobs with COVID, billionaires have been building bunkers with arsenals for an apocalypse. The builder claims they have been busy with billionaire bunker orders.

I found the video interesting in the respect that all this money is being spent on a possible event but not on helping our current society. I would like to think that everyone will start making little changes which in turn help avoid an apocalypse that would require bunkers. I also think eventually all these little changes will make money obsolete. I realize this sounds very idealistic. Below are some of my ideas which may help the whole if we all started trying them.

Bartering more with neighbors or online: To get started, you can download apps like Vinted Trashnothing, Listia, Peerby, The Gone App and many others. For trading games, try GameTZ. For books, try PaperBackSwap. For CDs, try SwapaCD. For DVDs, try SwapADVD. There are also bartering communities where you can trade services.
Community Living: I have watched many community-living housing projects in Denmark. A typical community includes a number of individual housing units for individuals and families, plus some shared areas. Co-housing does lower living costs and you are able to share other expenses as well.
Backyard Gardens: An 800–1,500 Square Feet Garden can feed four to eight people through the growing season and produce enough storage vegetables to supplement your diet through much of the winter.
Embrace principles of a gift economy: An Irish community is focusing on the gift economy. The community has began shifting to gift culture in which people contribute what they can, or indeed nothing, and receive what they need in the form of skills, knowledge, food grown on site.

I realize we will need more then the ideas above to change our society, but it is a small start. I came across this fun website Moneyless.org. It dives into a wide range of subjects from possible different ways to construct society differently to reducing the influence that money has on your life.

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Farmer’s Market

I was most fortunate to be able to visit Castle Rock, CO and attend their Farmer’s Market at Festival Park this past August. They had a variety of goods and people getting together and enjoying the outdoors like the couple in the picture above. Farmer’s Markets have a range of the health benefits. Below are some fun facts about Farmer’s Markets.

Farmers markets provide one of the only low-barrier entry points for beginning farmers, allowing them to start small, test the market, and grow their businesses.
Growers selling locally create 13 full time farm operator jobs per $1 million in revenue earned. Those that do not sell locally create 3.
Several studies have found lower prices for conventional and organic produce at farmers markets than at supermarkets. Due to this and other factors, 52% more SNAP households’ shop at farmers markets and from direct marketing farmers today than in 2011.
Farmers market vendors educate their shoppers. Four out of five farmers selling at markets discuss farming practices with their customers, and three in five discuss nutrition and how to prepare food.
Many supermarkets receive their produce from hundreds or thousands of miles away. This involves the significant use of fossil fuels for shipping on refrigerated trucks and rail cars. Famer’s market produce doesn’t have far to get from the farm to your table, significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels. Farmer’s markets also often operate in the open air and thus do not require electricity or heating.
Food that is grown locally is actually higher in necessary nutrients and antioxidants. In fact, locally grown honey can even help mitigate symptoms associated with seasonal allergies. Local bees make pollen from the very flowers and trees in your area that cause seasonal allergies. By consuming honey made by local bees, you’re actually outfitting your body for allergy prevention. Eating local honey can cause immunity to local allergens that have plagued you in the past.
Nearly 33% of the world’s fertile land has been lost, as unsustainable farming practices outpace the natural processes which are vital to replacing eroded soil. Much of that loss comes from pollution and soil erosion due to large, industrial farms. Smaller scale farms are more likely to practice composting and other sustainable methods that reduce soil erosion.

In conclusion, if you have a free weekend why not hit up your local farmer’s market. Remember to bring cash and your own bags with you.

Freaky Fourth Facts

Maybe the title is slightly dramatic. The facts for this fourth of July can be categorized as fun. So once again Independence Day is here in America and below are some interesting facts that will add just that much more sparkle to your day.

Fun Facts (Not Freaky)

The United States did not declare Independence on the 4th of July. It is widely believed that America declared their independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. However, the official vote actually took place two days before and the “Declaration” was published in papers on July 4.
According to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council (NHDSC), Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs this July 4th holiday.
Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a writing desk that could fit over one’s lap. This device was referred to at the time as a “laptop.”
According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans spend more than $1 billion on fireworks each year.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were only about 2.5 million people living in America in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. As of 2017, it has grown to become home to 325.7 million people.
July 4th was not deemed a federal holiday until 1870, nearly 100 years after the nation was founded.
The U.S. flag has had 27 different official versions.
The oldest 4th of July parade occurs in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Denmark hosts the largest 4th of July celebrations outside the U.S.
In 2018, Americans reportedly spent $6.9 billion on 4th of July food.

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Father’s Day and Summer Solstice

Father’s Day and Summer Solstice is on the same day this 2021! Father’s Day is on the longest day of the year. To celebrate this Father’s Day and Summer Solstice, I have five fun facts for both of them.

Father’s Day

Father’s Day was founded on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington by Sonora Smart Dodd. Sonora did this to honor her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, for all his efforts as a single parent raising his six children.
According to Hallmark, Father’s Day is the fourth-largest card-sending occasion with 72 million cards given every year.
Today’s fathers spend double the amount of time they spent with their kids in 1989, and almost triple the amount of time with their kids as fathers did back in 1965.
A.A. Milne created Winnie the Pooh for his son, Christopher Robin. Pooh was based on the teddy bear Christopher received for his first birthday as well as a bear named Winnie at the London Zoo they would frequent on their father/son visits. Pooh comes from the name of Christopher’s pet swan.
Did you know that there is an official flower for Father’s Day? The official flower is a rose.

Summer Solstice

The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). At the solstice, the angle between the Sun’s rays and the plane of the Earth’s equator (called declination) appears to stand still.
The longest day in history was measured in 1912. The day lasted 24 hours and about four milliseconds.
At noon in areas along the Northern Tropics, shadows cannot be seen.
In ancient Europe, the solstice is celebrated with a festival known as Litha. The festival involved rolling giant wheels lit on fire into bodies of water to symbolize the balance between fire and water.
Thousands of people each year gather at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise on the solstice.

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