Living Free Guide – serie

Vertical vegetable gardening isn't intuitive. Although some vegetables, such as tomatoes and pole beans, have been grown vertically for a very long time, it is only recently that gardeners who are short on space have looked to vertical methods and structures for growing vegetables that traditionally have been thought to require a lot of horizontal space. Vertical Vegetable Gardening provides information on growing all types of leafy, root, and other vegetables vertically, saving space, protecting from insects, and making harvesting easier. Now people living in urban areas can grow produce that used to require sizable plots of land. Also included are ideas and plans for vertical structures.

Gone are the days when butchering was only trusted to someone at the local supermarket. Today, butchering has come full circle and is once again appreciated for the great craft that it is. Small butcher shops are popping up everywhere, and people have realized that by handling butchering at home, they can not only save money, but have greater control over the quality of the meat they consume, how they cut, utilize, and preserve it, and from where it is sourced. The Home Butchering Handbook is a hands-on, how-to guide for anyone who understands the benefits of and appreciates this craft, and wishes to fine-tune their knife skills and develop the knowledge necessary to handle all of the most common cuts. Readers will learn from a professional craft butcher how to prepare their kitchen for butchering, what tools they need, how to prepare and store all of the most common cuts, and most importantly what not to do when attempting to butcher at home.

As food prices continue to rise, more and more people have discovered that they can create their own food supply, right on their own property, and at a fraction of the price of conventional farm food that's been shipped to their local grocery from locations unknown. By raising and harvesting their own fruits, vegetables, chickens, bees, milk-bearing animals, and more, people are growing locally, sustainably, and at a fraction of the cost. However, poor planning for needs, proper use of available space, and a lack of preparedness for preserving or selling the harvest can quickly lead to wasted time and sweat.Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less) is written by people who have planned and run a successful small-scale backyard farm. The authors guide readers through the essentials of planning a small-scale farm from a 1/4 acre all the way up to an acre and beyond. Readers will learn how to decide how large (or small) their farm should be, what they should plant or raise based on their invidual wants and needs (and available space), and how they can prevent their efforts from being wasted. Proven, sustainabile techniques will be presented to readers so they can yield the maximum benefit of their harvest through proven best practices. Readers will also learn how to raise small animals such as chickens and goats for milk, eggs, and meat, and will learn the crticial practices for successfully parenting bees, growing fruit tress, and much more.

The industrialization of much of the world's food chain has taken people so far from their agrarian roots that the diet they now consume would have been unrecognizable as food just a few generations ago. Bright, artificial colors and ridiculous amounts of sugar and fat, coupled with the preservatives needed to enable shipping and long shelf lives, have infiltrated the foods that people eat. In the growing backlash, concerned cooks are looking for ways to wean themselves and their children from these diet disasters without making anyone feel deprived. Homemade Snacks and Staples gives more than 200 recipes that enable readers to skip the processed foods. That same creative spirit that inspires them to make homemade baked goods and snacks spills over into other areas of their pantry and fridge, including yogurt and butter, fruit popsicles, spice mixes, condiments, peanut butter, breads and tortillas, and sauces and dressings. As a bonus, these recipes are mindful of vegan values and provide optional vegan variations. In addition to avoiding harmful additives, buyers will be motivated by the lower costs of making their own staples and lessening their impact on the environment.