Browsing category: Simple Living

Can Credit Cards Be Used Responsibly?

Reader question… “Would you share your thoughts about the cash envelope system versus the use of credit cards? I read today that any use of a credit card is irresponsible and that anyone using a credit card will end up spending more money than if they used only cash.”

How Many Servings of Fruit and Vegetables Should Your Family Eat?

I was opening a bag of frozen organic broccoli last night when I noticed that the serving size listed on the bag was four florets… and that the two-pound bag supposedly contained twelve servings.

Peter Lawrence — The Happy Minimalist

Peter Lawrence’s lifestyle is very different from that of the average American. He doesn’t own a bed… instead he sleeps on the floor in a sleeping bag.

Organic Seeds, Heirlooms, Hybrids, Open Pollination, and GMO-Free

A good basic definition of organic seeds seems to be that the seeds have been produced without the use of… or exposure to… insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, artificial or chemical fertilizers, or sewage sludge.

One In, One Out vs. Purging for a Reason

Reader question… “A friend told me that I should always purge an item if I buy something similar, even if the item to be purged is still in good condition or if I am still using or wearing it…”

How Much Does It Cost to Feed YOUR Family?

How much does it cost to feed YOUR family compared to these 2017 government guidelines? The guidelines are given for four levels of spending… thrifty, low-cost, moderate, and liberal.

Accomplishing What Needs To Be Done… Efficiently, Quickly, and With As Little Stress As Possible

Eventually just about everybody comes to the realization that housework is never ending and involves drudgery, tedium, and getting your hands dirty.

A Prickly Situation

After years and years of no porcupines, this fall we kept seeing two… a smaller female and a very large male. Usually they would be waddling around in the meadow.

Things I Have Learned About Cooking & Baking with a Wood Stove

I have found that it’s really a continual learning process, because cooking or baking with wood requires a different rhythm and a different timing than cooking with gas or electricity.

The Wood-Burning Cook Stove In My Kitchen

The centerpiece of my kitchen is our wood-burning cook stove. It’s a big stove, standing over five feet high and almost three and a half feet wide. It has an oven, a warming oven, a solid copper water reservoir with a tap, and a large cook top surface with six lids.