Self Care Archives - Gently Sustainable

30JanJanuary 30, 2020

How to Make Flu-Fighting Elderberry Syrup

You've heard about the health benefits of elder and elderberries, but what's all the hype about? Does elderberry really have any affect on the body's ability to fight the flu? I've got some answers for you, as well as the recipe for how to make elderberry syrup! What is Elderberry? Black Elder, also known by the botanical name Sambucus, is a 10-30 foot tree that likes moist areas from brooks, creeks, suburban areas and farmland. Elderberry is rich in vitamin A, B and C, as well as antioxidant flavonoids and iron. The bark, leaves, flowers and berries can be used medicinally. There are...

By kmorrisAccomplished, Foraging, Self Care0 Comments

19JanJanuary 19, 2020

9 Ways to Avoid Homestead Burnout

How can you be burned out from a lifestyle you love? It happens to every homesteader at some point, but here's "9 Ways to Avert Homestead Burnout"! Homesteading is one of the most wonderful and exciting things I've found to do on this earth! However, homesteading is also a very demanding endeavor: physically and emotionally! Our bodies and minds are stretched to the max most days, and without careful consideration, we can find ourselves worn out and demotivated. You Matter I know what you're thinking. Life is busy. We're busting our tails trying to make this homesteading thing work! There's no time for "me". As...

By kmorrisHomesteading, Mental Health, Self Care, Veteran0 Comments

04AprApril 4, 2019

How to Make DIY Natural Deodorant that Works

Deodorant. It's one of those topics that you don't want to spend a lot of time on, right? Well then, let's get to it! I've got 5 amazing deodorant recipes to show you "How to Make DIY Natural Deodorant that Works"! I remember growing up and getting to that awkward stage of life when it was time to begin wearing antiperspirant. The goal was to not sweat or smell, no matter what! It wasn't until my twenties (back in the 80's), when I was involved in competitive athletics, that someone explained to me how it was important to perspire. This was just...

By KellyAccomplished, DIY Personal Products, Newbie, Self CareDIY Deodorant2 Comments

16JanJanuary 16, 2019

How to Make Aloe Vera Gel

As I was strolling into my neighborhood health food store this week, with my list of two or three things, I stumbled across an offering of large aloe vera leaves in the refrigerator section! These dudes were crazy big! And for $1.99 each, I just had to have one! Let me show you how easy it is to learn how to make aloe vera gel! Now, being no stranger to aloe vera, remember I grew up down south, I was thrilled. Aloe vera gel has so many uses, it's ridiculous, but let's start with how to peel this bad boy and extract...

By KellyDIY Personal Products, Self Care, Skill Building, Sustainable HomeHome Health Care8 Comments

05DecDecember 5, 2018

The Benefits of Crafting for your Homestead & Mental Health

There's nothing that I look forward to more than picking up my knitting needles at the end of a long day's work on the farm. Knitting, or any form of crafting, can be so relaxing for our minds and bodies, as well as a great way to unwind. But the benefits of crafting for your homestead & mental health go far beyond that! Everything including cooking, food preservation, fabric arts, gardening and baking are all creative activities, and I'm just scratching the surface! "Back in the day", our grandmothers and great-grandmothers even made the family's clothing and quilts as a matter...

By KellyFabric Arts, Homemaking, Knitting, Mental Health, Sewing, Skill Buildingcrafting, knitting, mental health6 Comments

04DecDecember 4, 2018

How to Make DIY Vitamin C Capsules

Over the holidays is a fabulous time to get your hands on some gorgeous citrus! Citrus comes into season in the warmer parts of the country during the holidays, so it's in great supply! What a wonderful source of Vitamin C! Here's "How to Make DIY Vitamin C Capsules"! Vitamin C is so important to our health, especially in light of the fact that our bodies can't make it! But why buy store bought supplements that are full of GMO's and chemicals? Food is and will always be the best way to ingest vitamins and minerals! What's the point of supplements...

By KellyDIY Personal Products, Self CareNatural Self Care, Vitamin C Capules0 Comments

03NovNovember 3, 2018

3 BIG Things to Be Grateful For

It's Autumn and the farm is beginning to slow down. The holidays are around the corner and soon, last year will be just a memory. Around this time, I begin to reflect back over the year. I go through a bit of an "assessment" of myself and the farm. It's also a time for gratitude and "3 Big Things to Be Thankful For". Practicing gratitude has been scientifically shown to improve our mental health as well as our physical health! To be honest, there are hundreds of reasons to be thankful, but most of them fall into one of three categories. ...

By KellyMental Health, Sustainable Home0 Comments

17AugAugust 17, 2018

6 Benefits of the Homesteading Lifestyle

After 10 years of homesteading, pretty much from scratch, I've learned a lot. I mean, A LOT. My strength, both mentally and physically, has grown exponentially! Allow me to unpack some of my thoughts with "6 Benefits of a Homesteading Lifestyle"! 1. Mentally Stronger I've always considered myself to be a strong person. I don't cry often and I'm able to get through just about any crisis without falling apart. But being on this farm requires more than just being a strong person. Homesteading requires mental strength along with fortitude. Homesteading isn't a 9-5 thing, nor is it a "clean" thing and by...

By KellyHomesteading, Mental Health, Sustainable HomeHomesteading12 Comments

29MayMay 29, 2018

54 Ways to Be More Sustainable

In "54 Ways to Be More Sustainable", you'll discover big and small ways and ideas to promote sustainability in your home...no matter where you live! Creating more sustainability and self-reliance in your life brings more freedom from unfulfilling jobs, stress and debt. By becoming more sustainable, we gain confidence and freedom that we can indeed provide quite a bit for ourselves! Where to begin to become more sustainable in our lives? 54 Sustainable Living Tips and Ideas 1. Take Inventory What do I mean by "take inventory"? What I mean is to take a look around at what you have access to where you live. It doesn't...

By KellyCanning, Dehydrating Tools, DIY Personal Products, Essentials for Chickens and Eggs, Financial Resilience, Foraging, Freezing, Growing Food, Herbs, Homemaking, Livestock, Mental Health, Minimalism, Newbie, Non-electric living, Preserving Food, Self Care, Sewing, Skill Building, Sustainable Home, The GardenSelf-sufficiency, sustainability, sustainableliving27 Comments