Sustained

Part of living a sustainable life— a big part, actually —is your garden. Almost everyone can grow something . Maybe not everything you want (plants are picky about zones, weather, and timing), but something. You can cheat the seasons with a greenhouse, but let’s be real: they’re not always practical. What is practical, though, is building great dirt. And I mean really good soil —the kind with the right pH to grow food that feeds you back. Let’s Talk About pH (Without Making Your Eyes Glaze Over) Everyone knows about compost and fertilizer, but pH is often overlooked. Think of it as the fine-tuning knob of soil health. If your plants aren’t thriving, pH might be the sneaky culprit. Now, I’m chaos personified—so don’t worry if this all sounds too “science-y.” It took me way too many seasons to figure this out. But once I did, my garden took off. Let me save you the trouble. DIY Garden Soil Recipe (aka The Poop Method) 2024 "Tomato Tree" Here’s what you need to make ric...

It seems we need a follow-up—or three—on the bear attack … now attacks … on the homestead. We thought the horrendous discovery Friday morning was the worst it could get: everything in shambles, five of our 17 birds missing. We were very wrong. Saturday gave us a brief pause. A breath. But then Sunday morning, my husband—who never wakes me—did just that. Before I opened my eyes I said, “More dead?” He replied, “I'm afraid so.” The bear had returned. It killed seven more birds, including our awesome Australorp roo. RIP Larry. It undid all the hard work we had done the day before like it was nothing. We rounded up the five remaining hens—a three-year-old Australorp, a seven-year-old Barred Rock, and three seven-year-old Sapphire Gems. A little worse for wear, but alive. We tucked them into an unused rabbit tractor and moved them daily across the grass, locking them up at night in the carport with the young chicks inside the “Cape Cod House” (a cute little movable coop I found on Amaz...

Rabbit is actually easier to break down than chicken once you know where to cut. That’s because the shoulder isn’t attached by bone, but by tendons and ligaments—just like a deer. (This is what gives these animals their impressive reach and leaping ability!) The only real joints you need to break are the thigh/pelvis, and those snap and roll out pretty easily once you free the muscle around them. You will need: A good sharp filet knife. I like these from Rada because they hold their edge for a decent while, but they're not unaffordable so once I can no longer get a decent edge on it I can just replace them. I am thinking of giving KastKing a try to see how they go. If ya'll try them or have used them, drop me a comment and let me know what you think.  A pair of Poultry Shears. These have served us well for 2 years now. And these scissors also come in handy but I use them more for cleaning than piecing out. A good sterile cutting board is always a plus, I'm still using a w...

Here at our place, we love rabbit. When it comes to lean, healthy, and high-quality protein, rabbit truly fits the bill. Despite their unfair reputation as rodents, rabbits are actually lagomorphs—not rodents at all. Living in Appalachia, there are a few things I simply won’t eat: rodents, roadkill, and turnips.  Crispy Air-Fried Bacon-Wrapped Rabbit Recipe Last night, I was craving some bone-in, chicken-style meat to really sink my teeth into. I briefly considered breading and frying rabbit, which is delicious—but frying is messy, and I only do it maybe twice a year. So instead, I created this simple air fryer recipe that I hope y’all will enjoy as much as we did. Ingredients: 1 whole fryer rabbit (or cut pieces) Salt and pepper, to taste Garlic powder, a sprinkle Your favorite BBQ sauce (enough to brush on) 1 (12 oz) pack of bacon Instructions: Prep the Rabbit: If you’re using a whole rabbit like I did, I share how to easily break it down here . Trim...

The Stigma Around Quitting We’ve all heard the adages: “Nobody likes a quitter.” “When the going gets tough…” But sometimes, quitting is the tough and wise choice. As a society, we've come to view quitting as a personal failure—a weakness to overcome rather than a calculated decision. The truth is, not every endeavor is meant to succeed. And sometimes the most responsible thing you can do—for yourself, your animals, or your family—is to let go and walk away. Unpopular Opinion: Mercy Over Ego in Animal Rescue Here’s where some folks might click away—and that’s okay. Animal rescues serve a purpose, but at times, their efforts cross a line from compassionate to cruel. In our attempt to “save” animals at all costs, we often end up prolonging suffering rather than easing it. Take rabbits, for example. Prey animals to their core, they are wired for flight—not for prolonged recovery or adaptation. When we try to rehabilitate severely injured rabbits by outfitting them wit...

  As a rabbit keeper, one of the most delicate times is kindling — when does give birth and care for their kits. Supporting their health naturally can make a huge difference in stress levels, milk production, and overall success. One of my favorite easy remedies is raspberry leaf tea mixed with molasses , frozen into convenient ice cubes. These herbal ice cubes are: Easy to store and use on demand Great for offering pre- and post-kindling support Loved by does for their sweet taste and cooling effect in summer Rich in nutrients that promote uterine health and calmness Why Raspberry Leaf + Molasses? Raspberry Leaf : Packed with vitamins, minerals, and tannins that help tone the uterus, reduce stress, and support healthy digestion. Molasses : A natural source of iron and energy, it adds sweetness that encourages drinking, plus extra nutrients. How to Make Herbal Ice Cubes Ingredients: Fresh or dried raspberry leaves Molasses (blackstrap preferred) ...

One of the many things rabbit breeders love about rabbits is the supposed ease with which they breed — you know, like rabbits . But this reputation can be misleading. The truth is, rabbits can run into the same kindling complications as any other animal. Good Breeding Starts with Good Breeders Prevention is your best friend here. Start by breeding only does with solid breeding conformation — namely, those who aren’t “pinched in the hind.” You can assess this by flipping your doe on her back and checking her foot base. Ideally, her heels should fall wide apart, and her feet should sit perpendicular to each other. We’re breeding to improve our lines, so both bucks and does should show these traits. Age and Condition Matter Your doe shouldn’t just be old enough — she needs to be ready . Age: Large breeds like New Zealands or Californians can technically breed at 4 months, but they’re not truly sexually mature until 6–8 months. I’ve had much better long-term success starting does...