Hunting and gathering....

You know, when you really think about it, a lot of us seem to have lost touch with where our food really comes from and the idea of not stepping into a grocery store to provide food for our families almost seems absurd. But it is possible! Here is a challenge for you :)

Make yourself a nice cup of tea or a tall glass of lemonade and grab a pen and paper.
Then start to think about all the food sources available to you just outside your door. You will likely be amazed how many of them are free or dirt cheap. Of course some of them will require a little hard work on your part but isn't that the way things are supposed to be? Skip the gym membership and grow a garden...all that weeding and planting can be a great work out!

Here is our list :) I am sure it is nowhere near complete and there are likely tons more options that we haven't even learned about yet.

Quahog fishing (Free)
Mackerel fishing (Free)
Ice fishing for smelts (Free)
Trout fishing (Cost of a fishing license)
Clam fishing (Free)
Salt (Sea salt from evaporating sea water)
Sugar (If you are lucky enough to have maple trees on your land, this can be a fun project!)
Eggs (Our chickens have paid for themselves many times over!)
Berry picking -Blueberries, Strawberries and Rasberries (free if you can find them, if not - hit the local u-pick and get real, local berries for a super deal!)
Apples, cherries, pears (from our fruit trees in the yard)
Gooseberries (from the bush we planted 2 years ago...it only cost about 8$)
Rhubarb (Probably the easiest plant to care for and cooked rhubarb is delicious!)
Chives (They grow back every year all by themselves and are virtually maintenance free. Cut them all summer long when you have a free minute and dry or freeze them)
Gardening (Use your imagination and plant whatever will grow in your region)
Hunting big game and small game is also an option for those who are interested in that. Hubby is an avid hunter and the kids will choose wild game meat over store bought meat any day of the week!

You can also hit the local farmer's market or farm stand for your dairy, flour, sugar and meats. However, if you are feeling really adventurous you can also make all these things from scratch on your homestead ;)

Get a great book on preserving and have fun providing local, real food to your family all year long!

                                       The mackerel is in! Here is a photo of last night's catch!

                                                         I just love a man who can fish ;)