An explanation...

The thought of off-grid living has appealed to me for a while now. Being totally independent, healthy, Eco-friendly, and saving money made the idea really stick with me. Ultimately my plan is to build a cob house (more on those later), have a small farm and garden, create my own electricity, and make my own products such as soap and candles. Clearly an undertaking of this extreme level is not something one simply jumps into; hence my current projects and this blog. 

At 25 years old I figured I should start learning the skills needed to make this dream possible. Slowly I am teaching myself all the basics needed to live off the grid and on my own. I have heard it said that the best way to master something is to teach it to others. I do not claim to be an expert on anything involving homesteading and Eco-friendly living, but through this blog I hope to take people on my journey with me.  I will document the things I try, the things that fail or succeed, and any tips or tricks I pick up along the way.  I hope to share with readers the information I find in an effort to make homesteading and off-grid living more achievable for everyone. 

Before we go any further there is one lesson that we must all understand before committing to this type of lifestyle: large sacrifices must be made. If you really want to make this work and do it right you have to give up some things. You have to be prepared to either go without or find a way to make things on your own. You can't live off the grid if you still have to go to a large chain store once a week.  That is why this trial run is of such importance. Getting some basic knowledge of making things yourself now will help with the "withdrawals" when it is time to go off the grid and live closer with nature. 

Ultimately my goal is to do everything myself. This includes growing my own food, building my own house, raising and slaughtering livestock, creating my own electricity, recycling grey water, and making my own candles, soap, clothing, and canned food.  I hope that I am able to impart some wisdom from my successes and failures. Like I said, I am no expert. I plan on using this blog to simply explain what I have attempted and why, and whether it worked or not. Enjoy reading!