About one month ago, I endeavored to make granola on my own. My family loves granola so much that sometimes I wonder how many boxes we go through in a week... The two basic ingredients of this cereal -- oats and honey -- have medicinal properties. Because oats are high in fiber, you do not need a large serving to feel satisfied and stay full. Also, the fiber keeps the walls of your intestine squeaky clean, allowing your body to absorb the antioxidants (oat-unique avenanthramides ) contained in this awesome grain. In order to receive these benefits in their fullness, the grain should be cooked thoroughly for prime digestion. Accompanying this immune-booster is honey. A natural sweetener, honey is also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and moisturizing. It generally has a glycemic index of fifty-five (55), and is even better when raw and largely unprocessed.  My son, eat honey because it is good, An...

I have been impressed to do a series of posts on the basic necessities of twenty-first century life. Why?  Because independent living means that doing all of that stuff on our own, we need to know exactly what to consider. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Heat. All I have to say is wood cook  stove . Why? So long as my land is properly forested, I can supply my own fuel. I can prepare food (hence the name). I can warm my house. All of it. I can heat my water. I can bake. I can dehydrate my foods. Et Cetera... You don't have to believe me: but I have evidence ( Exhibit A ; Exhibit B ; Exhibit C ).  That being said, I encourage you to purchase the following instructional DVD: Getting Started with Wood Cook Stoves: A Hands-On Introduction  by Mountain Media Ministries. It is a quality investment. However, there are precautions that have to be taken when using wood and open fires. Liste...

I have been impressed to do a series of posts on the basic necessities of twenty-first century life. Why?  Because independent living means that doing all of that stuff on our own, we need to know exactly what to consider. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Food. Obviously in order to survive, we need food. How do we move to independent resources of nutrition?  One plant at a time... Planting . There are two main categories of planted foods: garden  foods and orchard  foods. We eat from each section, so we may as well know what they contain. The garden is where I would find my roots and veggies (sorry, the joke was just waiting to be used). Leafy greens, legumes, and ground provision can be planted in gardens. Strawberries would also thrive here, as will other botanical "fruits" that grow only upwards. Note that flowering plants (like quinoa and buckwheat, which are pseudo-cereals) would be ideal in a garden set...

I have been impressed to do a series of posts on the basic necessities of twenty-first century life. Why?  Because independent living means that doing all of that stuff on our own, we need to know exactly what to consider. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Water. Our bodies are made up of approximately 60-75% water. Each of our individual cells are largely water; our skin needs water; the digestive process requires water. We need water to remove wastes from our body. Water keeps our blood pressure stay at a normal rate.  Water is a necessary part of our lives. We need it for consumption, hygiene, preparation of food, and hydrotherapy treatments . So, recognizing this fact, what do we do when we choose to no longer depend on municipal water? Let us look at our options and what they entail... Well . This is the most readily understood independent water system. Perhaps your current property does utilize well-water. What is differen...

I have been impressed to do a series of posts on the basic necessities of twenty-first century life. Why?  Because independent living means that doing all of that stuff on our own, we need to know exactly what to consider. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shelter. It is readily understood that we need to have some place to live. The question is, What are the options? Your final, long-term abode (most likely, a house) will take some time to construct. You would have to decide how you are going to handle your temporary housing. Here are some options: Stay where I am. This options says that I will (a) remain in my current residence; (b) pay two housing bills; (c) have someone else build my house; (d) possibly visit sometime in between. Rent closer to the building site. Basically, I am choosing to move twice. I (a) may or may not build my own house; (b) will be able to visit the site more regularly; (c) may be able ...

Why independent living? What is the significance? Where is the importance? Why do we need it NOW? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ These are some of the same questions that I asked myself when my family first brought this up about a year ago. I was okay with the general concept of moving; but not with the idea of moving to some faraway place, with no people, and definitely no people that I knew. I will be honest: I was resentful. It was not "country living" that had me agitated -- it was "sudden change". While I generally tend to adapt to my environment, I do still hate sudden changes of plan. It was not in my plan to live so far away that I could not see my friends. It was not my plan to give up college options because they were too urbanized. This "out of the cities" business was most definitely ruining my plans! Yet, eventually, step by step, I accepted it. At first, it was with reluctance. After a while, though, I saw it as a good idea. And I con...

"As the time of their probation was closing, the antediluvians gave themselves up to exciting amusements and festivities. Those who possessed influence and power were bent on keeping the minds of the people engrossed with mirth and pleasure, lest any should be impressed by the last solemn warning. Do we not see the same repeated in our day? While God’s servants are giving the message that the end of all things is at hand, the world is absorbed in amusements and pleasure seeking. There is a constant round of excitement that causes indifference to God and prevents the people from being impressed by the truths which alone can save them from the coming destruction. "Young Sabbathkeepers who have yielded to the influence of the world will have to be tested and proved. The perils of the last days are upon us, and a trial is before the young which many have not anticipated. They will be brought into distressing perplexity, and the genuineness of their faith will be proved. They prof...