Today’s featured plant is Quackgrass, Elymus repens.

Quackgrass is also known as couchgrass, dog grass, quickgrass, quitch, quitch grass, scutch, twitch, wheat grass, cough grass, quake grass, chandler’s grass, durfa grass, durfee grass, Dutch grass, Fin’s grass, devil’s grass and witchgrass.  Also referred to as Agropyron repens and Elytrigia repens.

Range and Identification of Quackgrass

Quackgrass is wide spread around the globe, and is native to Europe, Asia and northwest Africa.  It can be found through most of North America, except for a few states in far southeast (see map).  It is found almost everywhere – lawns, gardens, roadsides, fields.  It tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline soils; sandy, loamy and clay soils; it can grow in full shade to full sun, and everything in between. It is so prolific that it is classified as a noxious weed throughout much of the U.S..

The plant is a perennial grass (monocot), blooming in the spring/summer (June through August in the northern hemisphere) and dying back in fall/winter.  It produces a vigorous root system via rhizomes, with a single plant spreading out many feet, producing new growth along the length of the rhizome.  Here is an example of a single quackgrass plant, with a rhizomes extending roughly 4 feet in length.

Each segment of the root can produce a new plant if left in the soil, making the plant a gardener’s bane, but also making it an extremely durable forage crop.  The rhizomes also anchor the soil well to help prevent erosion.  It’s a great range plant, but aggressive competition for cultivated crops in the garden and farm field.

From Wikipedia:

The stems (‘culms’) grow to 40–150 cm tall; the leaves are linear, 15–40 cm long and 3–10 mm broad at the base of the plant, with leaves higher on the stems 2–8.5 mm broad. The flower spike is 10–30 cm long, with spikelets 1–2 cm long, 5–7 mm broad and 3 mm thick with three to eight florets. The glumes are 7–12 mm long, usually without an awn or with only a short one.

Basically, it looks like grass, and it makes a seed head that resembles the seed head on oats or wheat, but much finer.  It produces 15-400 seeds per plant stem (commonly 25-40), which can persist in the soil up to 4 years.. The rhizome root structure is the easiest way to identify this plant.

Quackgrass for Wildlife and Animal Fodder

The US Forest Service website states:

Quackgrass provides cover for numerous small rodents, birds, and waterfowl [30,45].

PALATABILITY :
Many palatable hybrid crosses of quackgrass and other species have been developed and planted for livestock [2]. Feeding trials in Minnesota showed that a quackgrass biotype was as palatable as alfalfa (Medicago spp.) [37]. In cattle grazing trials in Montana, preference was shown for some clonal lines of a quackgrass-bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) cross [46].

The degree of use shown by livestock for quackgrass in five western states has been rated (from good to fair) as follows [14]: (see website)

NUTRITIONAL VALUE :
Quackgrass has been rated fair in energy value and poor in protein value [14]. However, food value studies in Minnesota showed that quackgrass had as much crude protein as alfalfa during May [37]. These authors list concentrations of 10 minerals found in quackgrass in Minnesota.  Results of Alaskan studies showed that quackgrass did not contain enough magnesium required for ruminant digestion nor did it have a high mineral content. However, digestibility was 64 percent and greater in three harvest trials [38].

Use of Quackgrass for Food and Medicine

Plants for a Future explains that the the leaves, roots and seeds of quackgrass are edible, but not the tastiest wild harvested crop.  Catch the leaves when they are very young for use as a salad green or for juicing.  Once the plant gets a little larger (like the one at the top of the post), they leaves will be very tough and fibrous.  You can get a more palatable nibble by pulling out an individual stem and eating only the base.  (I have done this with many wild grasses.)  The seeds are technically edible, but there really isn’t much there to eat.

The roots (rhizomes) are the stars of the plant, both for eating and for medicinal use.  They are sweet to the taste (once you get all the dirt off).  They contain starch and enzymes, and can be cooked, dried and ground into a flour to use in baking.  They can also be dried, roasted and used as a coffee substitute, like dandelion and chicory.  They can be boiled into a sweet syrup which can be used to make beer.  (I saw this mentioned on a couple of sites, but no recipes.)

Backyard Medicine suggests harvesting the roots in spring or fall to use for medicinal tea.  Clean the roots well, cut into short lengths, and dry.  to make tea, steep two heaping teaspoons of dried root in a mug of boiling water for ten minutes.  Take three times per day.  (The Holistic Herbal also recommends the use of couchgrass tinctures.)

In Backyard Medicine, the action of the herb is described as anti-microbial and diuretic.  It is recommended as a urinary tract tonic, to treat conditions such as:

• cystitis
• urethritis
• enlarged prostate
• prostatitis
• kidney stones
• irritable bladder
• interstitial cystitis

In Germany, it has been approved for the treatment of bronchitis, laryngitis, infections and kidney stones.  It is also used in combination with other herbs for gout and rheumatism.

As always, any medical information is for informational purposes only. Always exercise caution when using any wild plants and make sure you have positively identified the plant.

Please Like, Pin or otherwise share this post if you would like the Weekly Weeder series to continue. 

Mountain Rose Herbs stocks many of the herbs and plants featured on Wildcrafting Wednesday. They also carry an assortment of bottles, droppers and other supplies, plus some really soft organic cotton t-shirts.

The post Quackgrass – Weekly Weeder #41 appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

Life goes on, and preparing should, too.  We had a serious shake up last week when my husband was involved in a car crash during rush hour traffic.  Thankfully he was only banged up, but my heart just about leaped out of my chest when he called and I couldn’t tell if he was okay or not.  Our auto insurance will make a dent in replacement costs for the car, and we had been saving up because we knew his vehicle would need replacing.  We just didn’t figure it would be quite so soon.  Just so thankful that he is okay.

Meanwhile, on the home front, the boys and I have started putting the cold tolerant crops in the garden.  (We had temps in the upper 20s last night.  Brrrr….)  The bulk natural food club order is coming in this week from UNFI, and I tidied up the canning pantry to see how many canned goods are left from last season.  It looks like we should have made more salsa, because we are running low.

Grandma and Grandpa Were Preppers

My mom’s parents would be referred to as preppers if they were living in today’s world, but back in the day, they lived like many country people did.  Grandma raised large flocks of laying hens, which she replaced annually as production dropped off.  Some birds were canned, some were sold to neighbors as stewing birds.  She had a big kerosene incubator, and used that in combination with broody hens to hatch the different types of poultry.  Grandpa raised geese, cows and pigs, and had horses for farm work and other heavy jobs.  He used a large scoop pulled by horses to excavate the foundation for the home he built for them by hand. He built their barn, too.

(Mom told me a funny story about the barn.  When they moved to the site, there was an old barn in rough shape that needed to be replaced.  Grandpa took out a lot of the fasteners, hoping that a good wind storm would finish the job, but the barn kept standing.  Finally, he gave in and tore the barn down by hand and built a new one.  Not long after the new barn was up, a tornado came through – and landed right on the barn.  Grandpa had to rebuild again.  Not “funny” funny, but what are the odds?)

They had a large garden, with a sizable area just for breadseed poppies.  Grandma was Czech, and you had to have poppyseed for kolache and other baked goods.  Although grandma and grandpa passed when I was just a toddler, I still remember grandma’s yellow raspberries, and grandpa with the geese.  The rest I learned about from my momma.  Grandma had bees, which they used for beeswax and honey, which was a real blessing during WWII when sugar was rationed.  Momma once showed me the ration coupons she’d saved from when she was a little girl.

The neighbors still got together to work on projects, like stripping feathers for fluffy down feather ticks (mom used to call them “peshinas” – not sure how to spell that properly) and for quilting bees.  They had an ice house for keeping things cool, and didn’t have any electricity in the house until grandpa rigged up a windmill with a battery bank.  Mom said she and her brothers would get in trouble for flipping the light switch off and on just to marvel at how it worked.

Things have changed  lot since those days, but I think grandma and grandpa would appreciate our garden, root cellar and canning pantry.  She’d probably be wondering where my animals are, but I didn’t marry a farmer so for now I’m thankful I have close friends and neighbors who love critters.  It’s important to preserve the old skills while making room for the new.  Figure out what works for you – where you are, with what you have.

Common Sense Preparedness Link Up #2

I chose the symbol of an ant for the link up because of the old fable of “The Ant and the Grasshopper“.

1. This is a preparedness link up for those who want to be more self-sufficient. We welcome posts on growing/raising/hunting food and food storage, self-reliance skills, home remedies, herbalism, wildcrafting, building and repairing, emergency medicine and all things prepping. Just use the link up tool below to enter your post. Please link directly to the relevant post, not your blog’s main page.

2. Please link back to this post from your featured content. You may use the image below as part of your link if you would like to do so.

3. Keep it clean, skip the ads. This is a PG-13 site, and I want to feature prepping posts, not ads and giveaways. Each week I’ll be adding my favorite posts to the Common Sense Preparedness board on Pinterest.

4. Leave a comment if you’d like to share a little more information about your post and/or any preparing you’re currently working on.

If you are reading this post via email, click through to join in or visit this week’s links. Don’t forget to check out the Preparedness page for a list of articles already on the website.

The post Common Sense Preparedness Link Up #2 appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

As part of our ongoing preparedness discussion, this week we’ve got a review and giveaway featuring the PurifiCup® water filter.

What is the PurifiCup® Water Filter?

The PurifiCup water filter is a compact, easy to use water filter for personal use.

Each orange tap water filter provides up to 24 gallons (330 cups, approximately 91 liters) of pure water. The green and purple filters, designed for natural water sources, filter approximately 12 gallons.  The PurifiCup’s absolute 1 micron filter  (recommended by the CDC) will more consistently remove bacteria such as cryptosporidium (Crypto) than a nominal filter.

PurifiCup’s patented design uses a three stage filter technology:

1. Ion exchange resin: Removes heavy metals (lead, copper, cadmium, mercury, etc) and calcareous ions (magnesium, calcium).
2. Activated carbon filter: Removes chlorine and organic compounds such as THM (Trihalomethanes, many of which are carcinogenic), organic solvents and pesticides.  Reduces fluoride.
3. Silver membrane and Absolute 1 micron filter:  Silver is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.  This membrane eliminates 99.9% of the pathogens in tap water, including E.coli, giardia, cryptosporidium. The silver membrane is located on the inlet and exit of the filter circulation channel to prevent contamination from entering the filter cartridge. The absolute 1 micron filter provides an additional layer of protection against bacteria.

What’s really handy and unique to me about the PurifiCup Filter is how it can quickly and easily be used to fill just about any standard container, such as a canteen or water bottle.  Heck, you could even fill an ice cube tray with no fuss.  Simply assemble and prime the unit (the filter needs to be soaked to get out the air bubbles).  Then attach the filter to the small cup or container of your choice.  Fill the large cup and lock it onto the filter, and watch the water filter through, fresh and clean, in just over a minute.  When you’re finished, the parts assemble like a set of Russian nesting dolls to neatly store until needed again.  You can see how easy it is to use in the video below.

Where can I buy a PurifiCup?

The filters are available online and at Bed Bath and Beyond, Sears, Camping World, The Sportsman’s Guide, Survival Store and Basic Living.

Is the PurifiCup BPA free?

PurifiCup water filters are free of BPA (Bisphenol A) and Phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates).  BPA may be linked to increased risk of heart disease, intestinal damage and reproductive issues.  Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, and have been linked to symptoms such as low sperm counts, disruption of genital formation and premature breast development in young girls.

What does the filtered water taste like?

Pretty good.  The folks at PurifiCup aim for a slightly alkaline end product (pH 7.2), which is supposed to be more palatable for most people.  Testing it on our unfiltered well water (the orange filter I tested is designed for tap water), it took out the sulfur stink very well.

Win a PurifiCup Water Filter

PurifiCup will give one Common Sense Homesteading reader their very own PurifiCup portable water filter.  Simple use the rafflecopter widget below to enter (those who are reading via email, please click through to visit the site).

The post PurifiCup Water Filter Review and Giveaway appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

Jana Strahan of The Essential Homestead sent me a lovely handmade essential oil pendant from her Etsy shop, Strahan Pottery, for a review and giveaway.  I’m not a big jewelry person, but I’ve recently started experimenting with essential oils, and these pendants are very handy for aromatherapy.

What is an Essential Oil Pendant?

An essential oil pendant is basically a wearable essential oil diffuser.  You simply place a drop or two of your favorite essential oil on the pendant, slip it on and enjoy.  When you’re not wearing it, you can store it in a clothing drawer to add a pleasant scent to your garments.  Wearing a pendant is a lot handier than tucking a handkerchief in a breast pocket, or attempting to linger near a diffuser all day.

Which Essential Oils Should I Use on a Pendant?

It depends what health effect you are aiming to achieve.  Some commonly diffused oils are:

• Eucalyptus – to treat congestion, flu, hay fever, asthma and other breathing issues
• Peppermint – to promote alertness and relieve headaches
• Lavender – to relieve tension and reduce stress

There are also a number of dōTERRA oil blends for specific conditions such as Breath®, Balance® and Elevation®.  I put a couple of drops of Elevation® on mine.    Check out “The Benefits of Aromatherapy” to read how essential oils are being used aromatically for cancer treatment, muscle relaxation and more.

How are the Essential Oil Pendants made?

Jana’s husband makes the pendants.  First, he mixes the clay.  Then each pendant is formed by hand, stamped and decorated, before being bisque fired to 1600 deg. F.  They have several different designs, including a leaf, a tree, a cross, a seedling and the sun swirl pictured above.

Win Your Own Essential Oil Pendant

Jana is giving one Common Sense Homesteading winner the chance to win their own essential oil pendant.

Simply visit Jana’s etsy site, http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrahanPottery.  Decide which pendant you’d like, and then come back and leave a comment letting us know which is your favorite.

After you’ve left your comment, use the rafflecopter widget below to enter your information (for those reading via subscription, click through to the site).  Common Sense Homesteading Facebook fans and The Essential Homestead facebook fans get two extra entries, and everyone can get an additional entry just by sharing this post. 

It’s as simple as that!

Laurie’s Note: I am a dōTERRA Independent Product Consultant. I chose dōTERRA because every single batch of their oils is tested for quality (and if you’ve been around for a bit, you know testing isn’t cheap).  This guarantees a consistent product – every bottle, every time.  You can join as a consultant or a preferred member to received wholesale pricing.

DōTERRA also offers ongoing live essential oil use classes – free of charge – to their consultants and anyone else who would like to attend, as well as free online videos.  They don’t just sell oils, they give you the tools you need to use them correctly.  You can visit my online store at http://www.mydoterra.com/commonsensehome/.

The post Essential Oil Pendant Review and Giveaway appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

I’m working my way through the Tropical Traditions product line.  Next up for review is their Household Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent, ultra-concentrated, chlorine free dishwasher detergent with enzymes. We have hard water and I skip the heated dry to save energy, so spots in the dishwasher are a chronic problem.  I was curious to see how the TT powdered detergent compared to other brands I’ve tried.

What are the ingredients in Household Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent?

Household Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent contains:  Sodium citrate, sodium carbonate, sodium percarbonate, surfactants, rinse agents, silicate. It is free of:

• Chlorine
• Phosphates
• Fillers
• Fragrances

How well does Household Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent work?

Overall, the detergent worked fairly well.  It cleaned the dishes (but I do treat stuck on foods before loading the dishwasher – always have), and I needed about half a scoop per load, so the five pound container barely has a dent in it after a month of use.

My eldest really liked the fact that it was unscented, as the last powdered dish detergent I used had a lemongrass scent that I liked but he did not.

The down side – mixed results on the spots.  Sometimes dishes came out pretty clear, like the jar below, sometimes I had more spots.  A small cup of vinegar placed in the top rack of the washer definitely helps.  What I didn’t find was clumps of undissolved detergent (that happened when I tried making my own), so that was good to see.

What’s is a standard dish detergent, and why choose a natural option?

When you use a dish detergent, it’s almost guaranteed that there will be some small amount of residue left on the dish.  It may be very  minimal, but over time, little things add up.  The article, “Dishwasher Detergents – Are They Harmful?” explains:

To analyze the effects of detergents, we need to know more about the common ingredients of commercial dishwasher detergents in the market. Among them the prominent are Phosphates, Chlorine and petroleum-based ingredients.

Phosphates are common additives in detergents to soften the hard water. It enhances the cleaning power of the detergents, which is very helpful in spiking its popularity and while marketing. However, it causes health problems and major environmental hazards. Phosphate residues on dish surface may cause nausea, diarrhea and skin irritations. Phosphates are still active after waste water treatment. When they enter waterways, they act as fertilizers and encourage overgrowth of algae, which leads to drastic reduction of oxygen in water. This results in the depletion of other living organisms like fishes in water bodies.

Chlorine bleach is added to detergents for its disinfecting properties. As it is highly corrosive, it causes many health troubles like respiratory and skin irritations and stomach disorders. When combined with other cleaners, it produces toxic fumes, which are proved carcinogens and pollutes the environment.

Petroleum based ingredients poses problems in two ways – for health and environment. They contain toxins that create unnecessary health problems. Also, while production of these petroleum products, environment gets polluted.

Win Your Own Household Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent

You can win your own 5 pound container of Household Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent, retail value $32.00.

To enter, just subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. Additional entries can be earned by following Tropical Traditions and Common Sense Homesteading via other social media (see rafflecopter widget for details – if you are reading via subscription, please visit the site to enter). The giveaway ends at 12:01 am central time on May 10, 2013. Must be over 18 years of age to enter. Open to residents of the US and Canada.

More on Tropical Traditions…

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

The post Household Traditions Powered Dish Detergent Review and Giveaway appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

My husband and I are working on a book titled Common Sense Preparedness.  There’s been quite a bit of attention given to extreme prepping (like the folks in the Doomsday Preppers show), but much less publicity given to everyday emergencies that are much more likely (see Odds of Everyday Emergencies) such as illness, injury and exposure to toxic substances.  This book is intended as a preparation guide for people busy living their lives.  I’ll be sharing excerpts from the book as we work on it, and to encourage you to start thinking about preparedness, I’m also going to be hosting a weekly preparedness link up.

Being Prepared is Insurance

Insurance protects you from unexpected events. A small stock of food and supplies pays you when you need it unexpectedly. Having a generator when there isn’t one for 300 miles is priceless. A good water filter when you are up to your knees in contaminated flood water will keep you drinking safe filtered water. Buying things in bulk and when they are on sale and stockpiling at least a small amount will end up saving you money and giving you a safety cushion.

Do some minor stockpiling of dry goods and canned food. That small stock will help you through a storm or unemployment, protecting you and your loved ones. The stock of food provides a level of “insurance” for other surprises such as you or your loved ones losing their job, or even a simple snowstorm when your refrigerator is nearly empty. If you have a stockpile it’s a lot easier to live through those smaller events and even bigger events like unemployment.

Shop for items that are made to last.  Balance investment in items with investment in yourself. Learning skills is as valuable as having stuff. Once you learn something it is yours forever.

Common Sense Preparedness Link Up

I chose the symbol of an ant for the link up because of the old fable of “The Ant and the Grasshopper“:

In a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

“Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?”

“I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.”

“Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

When the winter came the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing, every day, corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer.

Then the Grasshopper knew…

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

1.  This is a preparedness link up for those who want to be more self-sufficient. We welcome posts on growing/raising/hunting food and food storage, self-reliance skills, home remedies, wildcrafting, building and repairing, emergency medicine and all things prepping.  Just use the link up tool below to enter your post.  Please link directly to the relevant post, not your blog’s main page.

2.  Please link back to this post from your featured content.  You may use the image at the top of the post as part of your link if you would like to do so.

3.  Keep it clean, skip the ads.  This is a PG-13 site, and I want to feature prepping posts, not ads and giveaways.  Each week I’ll be adding my favorite posts to the Common Sense Preparedness board on Pinterest.

4.  Leave a comment if you’d like to share a little more information about your post and/or any preparing you’re currently working on.

If you are reading this post via email, click through to join in or visit this week’s links.  Don’t forget to check out the Preparedness page for a list of articles already on the website.

The post Common Sense Preparedness appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

Many people know the advantages of storing staple foods like rice, wheat, and beans or of growing these foods for yourself on your homestead.  After all, in an age of industrially-produced factory foods, getting back to the basics and eating food that you prepared yourself with clean ingredients is becoming all the more necessary.  Furthermore, as the world becomes less and less stable the idea that you might need to keep some long-term foodstuffs tucked away seems more and more reasonable every day.  But, though many will grow, store, and stock these excellent raw ingredients few seem to know of the advantages of combining these foods with the power of a grain mill.

What is a Grain Mill?

Essentially, the concept remains unchanged from what Ancient Egyptians or even the American colonials used in their day: two rough surfaces (usually stones) grinding against one another to pulverize the wheat or other material into a powder that could be used for baking a truly massive variety of dishes.  However, previous generations had to deal with weaknesses that we would find unacceptable, such as millstone grit in their breads that wore down their teeth.  Modern grain mills take the essential concept of grinding surfaces and use modern materials and technology to eliminate the weaknesses our forebears dealt with.

Modern grain mills:

• Can be powered either by hand or by electricity
• Use a variety of materials ranging from composite stones to surgical and stainless steel burrs
• Grind a wide variety of materials into highly nutritious ingredients and foods
• Are typically quite durable and portable

Why Do I Need a Grain Mill?

There are a variety of reasons, depending on your focus and needs, to keep a grain mill handy in your kitchen.

Freshly Ground Flour Provides Better Nutrition

Modern flour is a horrid mockery of the flour eaten by even the poorest beggars in olden times.  Most of the inner portions of the wheat berry (the parts necessary for the initial burst of nutrition the berry would need if it were being used as seed) are removed in order to keep the flour fresh for weeks on a store shelf, then “enriched” with artificial vitamins to make up the difference.  Compare this nutritionally-deficient industrial stuff to good home-ground flour.  Since you don’t need to keep flour on a shelf in a bag for weeks, you can grind a cup here or there for each loaf or cake as you need it, letting you keep those nutritious portions of the wheat berry in with your flour.  You use that nutrient-packed flour to make bread, cakes, and cookies while the rest of your wheat goes back into your pantry, basement or root cellar and keeps for a few more decades.

You Can Be More Self-Sufficient (Now and During Emergencies)

There may come a point when those industrial mills no longer spin, no longer grind, no longer produce.  There may come a time when our economic or political situation turns dark and it becomes a major undertaking to go to a store and buy food (presuming food is available, of course).  In that case, having a grain mill that you can use yourself to grind flour and keep you and your family fed.  Furthermore, there is a component that only comes into play after the first few weeks/months of the emergency: taste.  It’s not just that fresh-baked bread tastes good, it’s that it’s not “rice and beans and beans and rice and…” over and over again.  Grind up some beans and add them to your rice or wheat bread for a rich flavor.  Take some of those preserved fruits and veggies and add them to your breads for a nice change from the usual stuff.  Morale is important too, and just being able to look forward to a “taste of home” in a warm loaf of nutritious and tasty bread will do wonders.

Have More Uses for the Materials You Grow Yourself

Of course rice and wheat and beans can be grown, but the focus here is on foods that you wouldn’t immediately think of.  Amaranth, quinoa, almonds, even peanuts can all be ground up in order to create different foods.  These foods in particular are why I strongly recommend that you do not just keep the mill stuck in a corner waiting for doomsday.  There are so many different thing you can bake, cook, and eat straight from the grinding if you take the time to learn and research them that will improve your meals now and keep your skills sharp for that potential emergency.

Which Home Grain Mill is the Best for Me?

That question only you can answer, since only you know the needs unique to your situation. However, here are the manual grain mills that I’ve tested personally and my recommendations.

Victorio grain mill

The Victorio Brand (AKA Back To Basics)

The Victorio brand comes in two flavors, the Basic and the Deluxe.  The Basic I would say is best suited to be a backup mill, though in a pinch it could be the main mill for a single person. It’s bigger brother the Deluxe can be a main mill for a couple, though again I’d rather use it as a backup.

• They grind easily, and the grind gives you good quality bread flour and can also be backed off to grind up grittier stuff if you like cereals and such.
• They both clamp to a sturdy surface using a table clamp on the bottom of the mill for stability.
• They cannot grind whole corn kernels (you’d need to chop them up somehow) and cannot handle hard popcorn at all. I’d primarily use this for wheat or rice, since it cannot handle anything with oil or moisture content.
• If you plan on grinding sprouted wheat be sure to dry it out thoroughly first, or the residue will eventually clog the Victorio mills.
• They come with 2 year manufacturer’s warranties, and are excellent buys for the money. However, a family will need a more durable mill since these mills only recommended for occasional small-quantity grinding.

WonderMill Junior Deluxe

The WonderMill Junior Deluxe

Everyone has favorites in lists like these, and this one is mine: the WonderMill Junior Deluxe is an excellent mix of durability, versatility, and portability.

• The double-clamp it uses for stability is very gentle on my table provided I don’t over-crank it
• Fully assembled it weighs about 10 pounds owing to its lightweight aircraft-aluminum body.
• The food-grade coating keeps the aluminum from contacting the food, and since there’s nothing that can rust in the grinding mechanism it’s easy to clean off flour dust and the like just by running the whole mill under a faucet.
• The best part of the WonderMill Junior Deluxe is the grinding burrs.

The Deluxe comes standard with two sets of burrs: one stone for dry grains like wheat and rice, and the other a stainless steel set meant for oily grains, coffee beans and best of all my beloved fresh peanut butter. It’s the only mill that can boast excellent grinding of such a wide range of ingredients, from hard popcorn to oily and gooey peanut butter, just by switching the burrs around for the proper grind.  It grinds finely, giving you high-quality bread flour or very smooth peanut butter, and can be backed off to grind coarse if you want cornmeal and other grittier foods.  It boasts a limited lifetime warranty which covers everything but the wearable stone burrs and the brass bushings.  I’d recommend this mill for anyone, as it covers most needs and will last a long time.

Country Living Grain Mill

The Country Living Grain Mill

The Country Living Grain Mill is a famous mill, and for good reason: it’s one of the largest and most durable mills I’ve ever used. Weighing in at 20 pounds and covered by a limited lifetime warranty, it is best described as solid. It has been made in the U.S.A. for decades, and for grinding dry grains there is no better mill. It’s burrs are the largest I’ve seen, made of stainless steel and specially designed to get you one of the finest grinds possible on a grain mill. It doesn’t include a clamp (though one is optionally available) because most people prefer to bolt it directly to their grinding surface to take advantage of its finely machined grinding mechanism for motorizing with the included pulley. I’ve seen Country Livings attached to motors or to exercise bikes: the smooth action of the mill makes it excellent for motorizing however you think best. It’s only weakness is the oily seeds, as it is rather hit-or-miss with them. Some of the less oily seeds it seems to handle alright, but something like coffee or peanut butter will gum it right up. Overall I’d recommend it strongly for motorization and/or for anyone who wants to grind dry grains.

This guest post provided by OnlyGrainMills.com, a site dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date information on the best grain mills with a free Buyer’s Guide, online articles, and live support.

Editor’s Note:  Don’t forget to check out our post “12 Homemade Bread Recipes – Never Buy Bread Again” to get some ideas for what to make with your freshly ground flour.

The post Getting Started With a Home Grain Mill appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

Here’s a little something to brighten your day – you can win a Lilla Rose flexi-clip (or two)!  Some of you may remember last year’s review of the Lilla Rose flexi-clip.  Jill Wright from Paths of Wrighteousness has once again offered to give away to one lucky Common Sense Homesteading reader a voucher for a free Lilla Rose item of their choice (up to $16) – AND -  a surprise homesteader-friendly design flexi in the size of their choice.  (For residents of U.S., Mexico and Canada.)  Without further ado, I’d like to share a little more info about the clips and how to enter the giveaway.

What are Lilla Rose Flexi-clips?

The clip itself is a flexible figure 8 shape with a sliding pin attached on one side that hooks into the other side to secure the clip.  (These are patented, so you won’t find them just anywhere.)  You can see how to use a clip in the video below.

The clips are an easy way to dress up a simple hair do without a lot of fuss. I know most of us are so busy that spending tons of time on our hair is one of the last things on our lists.

Buy-3-Get-1-Free Special!

If you have been thinking about trying a flexi-clip for yourself, your daughters, or your mother, now is your chance!  Now through Friday, Jill is offering a buy-3-get-1-free special!  Please email her for details at feminineglory@gmail.com

A quick note from Jill : If you have been or are currently a customer with Lilla Rose through another consultant, please be loyal and continue to order with her. This offer is for brand new Lilla Rose customers or my current customers only.  I appreciate your understanding in this matter, and I’m sure your sweet consultant does too! (You can always contact her, explain my offer and ask if she would honor it, but please keep in mind it would be at her discretion.) If you have any questions at all, please email me at feminineglory@gmail.com.

10% Off April 26 Only

The popular Rosey Heart is making a comeback, and the May flexi-of-the-month will also be released early to allow delivery well in advance of Mother’s Day. Both of these styles will be priced 10% off this Friday, April 26 only, 12 a.m. – midnight PST!

Win Your Own Flexi-clip

To enter: 

One Common Sense Homesteading reader will win a voucher for a free Lilla Rose item of their choice (up to $16) – AND -  a surprise homesteader-friendly design flexi in the size of their choice.  (For residents of U.S., Mexico and Canada.)

Simply visit Jill’s flexi-clip site (http://www.lillarose.biz/FeminineGlory/) and click on the “Shop now” tab at the upper right, which will take you to the products page.  Decide which product you’d like, and then come back and leave a comment letting us know which is your favorite.  Or you can just tell us where you think you’d like to wear your flexi-clip.

After you’ve left your comment, use the rafflecopter widget below to enter your information (for those reading via subscription, click through to visit the website).  Common Sense Homesteading and Jill Wright Lilla Rose Facebook fans get two extra entries, and everyone can get an additional entry just by sharing this post. 

It’s as simple as that!

Jill also shares tips and specials on her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/LillaRose.JillWright).

The post Win a Lilla Rose Flexi-clip appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

Left: robin stalking window. Right: Flying in for the hit.

This spring (maybe because of the crazy weather),  I’ve had two robins take to flying into the windows (mainly the kitchen windows).  Thankfully they haven’t hurt themselves, but they are quite noisy and I didn’t want them to keep at it until they did injure themselves.  I’ve put together a list of quick fixes to stop birds hitting windows.  The problem is usually the worse in spring and fall during migration, but when I was a little girl I had a robin who kept it up all summer long.  Every morning, bright and early, he’d thump my bedroom window – no need for an alarm clock.

Stop Birds Hitting Windows Option #1 – Bird Tape

I was surprised to find out that they have tape specifically designed to keep birds from smacking into windows called Bird Tape.  It’s translucent so it lets light through, but not transparent so it provides enough of a visual barrier to stop the birds.  You could also use masking tape or painters tape.  Place the tape 4 inches apart vertically or two inches apart horizontally.

Stop Birds Hitting Windows Option #2 – Window Clings or Suncatchers

I love the look of suncatchers, and they provide an obstruction to view so that the birds are less tempted to fly on in.  Window clings are less expensive and easier to put up.  If you’ve got a known problem area, aim for at least a 4 inch grid.  A suncatcher with crystals will spread its reflections over a wider area (and they look lovely).

Stop Birds Hitting Windows Option #3 – Tempera Paint/Window Paint/Soap

Any sort of applied coating that will block the light will block the birds.  You could make it a seasonal project for the kids to decorate the windows that you know are prone to bird impacts.  There are all sorts of window paints available, from large multi-color packs like the one picture above, to easy to use window markers to window art craft kits.

Stop Birds Hitting Windows Option #4 – Physical Barriers

Lattice, mesh, screens – anything that will block your view will block the birds, too.  This isn’t my favorite option because I like my view, but it may be a good fit for your situation.

Wrapper taped in window.

Stop Birds Hitting Windows Option #5 – Improvise!

Be creative!  Use whatever you have at hand.  I grabbed a wrapper out of the pantry and tacked it up with a piece of scotch tape, and the robins haven’t bashed into the kitchen windows ever since.  Tuck a towel in the top of the window and let it hang down.  Use some streamers.  Put a hanging plant in the window.  It doesn’t have to be fancy or permanent – just use what you have on hand or what you find to be attractive in your window.

The post Stop Birds Hitting Windows appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

How to identify liver problems and improve liver health.  Learn how healing a toxic liver could free you from excess weight, depression, skin problems and so much more.

Your liver Does More Than You Imagined

The liver is responsible for over 200 functions in the body and is the largest internal organ, weighing in at about 55oz (or 1.5 kg). Most people are unaware of how vital it is to good health. Some of the major functions of the liver are:

• Purifying blood (50 oz or 1.4 litres a minute)
• Regulating the metabolism (through bile production)
• Storing minerals and fat soluble vitamins, protein synthesis, glycogen storage and conversion (energy production)
• Cholesterol production (which is a good thing! Cholesterol, contrary to Western medicine’s believes, cholesterol necessary as it is the precursor for our steroid hormones, it manages our brain function, nerve function and hormone transportation)
• Parasite protection (by filtering protazoa) and…
• Detoxification

Where Do Toxins Come From?

According to the EWG (Environmental Working Group), studies show that an average American is daily exposed to 200 chemical toxins and carries as many as 91 of them.

Here are some items that may contribute to our toxic load:

• non-organic food (think: mercury, lead, PCBs and over 130 pesticides)
• air pollution (a long list)
• tap water (think: fluoride, chlorine, PCBs, mercury, lead, parasites)
• skin care products (think: phthalates, BPA, triclosan, parabens)
• house hold cleaning products (think: triclosan, phthalates, parabens)
• medications; both recreational and prescription, including commonly-used ones like corticosteroids, tetracycline and aspirin
• plastics (think: BPA, PFOA)
• cookware like non-stick pans (think: PFOA)
• stress
• alcohol
• coffee

We have several detoxification organs: skin, lungs, kidneys, digestive tract and, of course, the liver. They are all capable of freeing us from these toxins.  The challenge is when the load is higher than what they can handle.  This is when toxicity takes a toll on us.

What Are the Early Signs of Liver Problems?

Here are some common symptoms which may be related to sluggish liver detoxification and function:

Hormonal imbalance

• Intolerance to HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
• Severe menopausal symptoms
• PMS
• Estrogen Dominance
• Mood Swings

 Blood Sugar Problems

• Sugar Cravings
• Hypoglycaemia
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Energy slumps
• Waking in the night

 Immune dysfunction

• Allergies/ Skin rashes
• Chemical sensitivities (think: someone who can’t stand fumes or perfumes)
• Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia
• Frequent illness

Nervous System

• Depression
• Anger and irritability
• Foggy brain
• Overheating
• Frequent headaches

Digestive Problems

• Gall stones
• Intolerance to fat
• Sensitivity to alcohol and/or caffeine
• Acid reflux
• Bloating or constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome

External signs

• Furry tongue
• Bad breath
• Acne and rosacea
• Yellow, red or itchy eyes
• Rashes
• Easy bruising
• Brown spots on hands, back and face

Abnormal metabolism of fats (lipids)

• Abnormal level of fats in the blood, e.g. high LDL (“bad cholesterol”) and reduced HDL (“good cholesterol”)
• Elevated triglycerides
• Blocked arteries leading to hypertension, heart attacks and strokes
• Fatty liver
• Obesity

We commonly hear about cirrhosis (permanent scarring) of the liver and the increase in liver disease in the Western world.  We can identify liver damage with the right blood work and by testing for markers like aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT). The challenge is that by the time the time these tests are recommended, much of the liver damage has already been done.

It’s key to be educated to prevent damage before it happens. How often do you hear about the common symptoms which are associated with liver fatigue as a result of a toxic or stressful lifestyle? You certainly won’t be hearing about them from your doctor.

How Liver Detoxification Works – Phase One and Phase Two

Most of us know that our liver is responsible for processing alcohol, but the liver is also in charge of detoxifying all waste materials in the body.  The liver detoxes waste from our environment (exogenous) and those that are made through everyday bodily processes (endogenous). If the liver is too overburdened to process all the waste, our blood remains high in toxic waste materials and our body is effectively fueled by waste.  No wonder we start to feel unwell!

In Phase One of detoxification, called Oxidation, the liver uses oxygen and enzymes to burn toxins. This process makes the toxins more soluble in water so they can be more easily excreted from the body by the kidneys and the liver.  Most environmental toxins are fat-soluble to start with, and therefore difficult or impossible to eliminate without the liver’s help. The chemicals produced in Phase One can be more toxic than those which originally entered the body.

Phase One of liver detoxification is inhibited by nutritional deficiency, toxic exposure and medications such as acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol), alcohol consumption, and low protein intake that deplete glutathione, which is needed for acetaminophen detoxification.

To free itself of toxins produced by Phase One detoxification, the liver performs a Phase Two called Conjugation. In Phase Two, oxidized chemicals are combined with sulfur, specific amino acids or organic acids, and then excreted in bile and urine.

Both phases are dependent on vital substances which are required to activate the catalyst for toxin conversion and they must work in balance so that no harmful toxins are left to circulate.

There are six pathways in Phase Two (Conjugation) Detoxification. Each pathway is responsible for converting a different set of substances (e.g. estrogen, thyroid hormones, heavy metals, histamine, phenol, salicylates, biliruben, nicotine, bacterial toxins, caffeine).

The six conjugation pathways are called:

1. Amino Acid Conjugation pathway
2. The Glutathione pathway
3. The Sulphation (sulfation) pathway
4. The Methylation pathway
5. The Glucoronidation pathway
6. The Acetylation pathway

Examples of Liver Detox Pathways

The methylation pathway detoxifies estrogen, dopamine, histamine and heavy metals (methyl groups) and allows them to pass through the liver and out of the body safely. To support this pathway we can increase our intake of choline (avocados/eggs/non-GM soy lecithin) and B vitamins.

The sulphation pathway detoxifies excess neurotransmitters, steroids, thyroid hormones, phenol and excess bile acids. This pathway is often burdened by frequent use of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). We can support this pathway through an increase in high sulphur foods (e.g. egg yolk, broccoli, onion or MSM).

If Phase Two is not working effectively then the highly toxic chemicals formed in Phase One cannot be converted and excreted.  This can cause a lot of toxicity issues in the body such as tissue damage or disease. It may also cause excess hormones to circulate through the bloodstream instead of being excreted.  This can lead to hormonal imbalances which may affect the thyroid gland or our estrogen levels.

Healing Powers of the Liver and Diet

By detoxifying the body, giving it the right nutritional tools and avoiding nasty environmental toxins (which confuse and hinder the liver), we can literally regenerate this wonderful organ.  Your liver’s functions may be restored to full health.  Foods and herbs which support liver healing and detoxification can be used to make dramatic changes to symptoms associated with a sluggish liver and give long lasting healing effects.

In the upcoming Thyroid Detox (May 11-22, 2013), we will utilize and help you implement the full Liver Protocol that consists of:

• Foods that support the Phase One and Phase Two detoxification
• Natural sources of amino acids that support Phase Two Detoxification
• Herbs that revive the liver
• Lifestyle changes, like the right sauna, oil packs and lymphatic massage that help open up the pathways.

Once you feel the benefits of a functional and happy liver, you will never want to go back to your old ways. Learn to take advantage of the beauty and power of food and herbs to heal yourself.  They are far more potent and safe than countless supplements and magic powders sold in the market.

About the Authors and Thyroid Detox Program

The authors of this article, Magdalena Wszelaki (thyroid nutrition coach) and Josie Lincoln (detox expert), are launching an information-packed video series and a guided Thyroid Detox program for people with thyroid conditions, autoimmune conditions and hormonal imbalance where they continue exploring detox strategies and practical solutions beyond the ones included here.

To listen for FREE to the Thyroid Detox Video Series, go to Thyroid Diet Coach and discover how revitalizing your gut and liver the right way can improve your hormonal balance and make you feel energized, clear-minded, optimistic, inspired to heal further and lose some of that impossible weight.

Editor’s note:  I am an affiliate of the Thyroid Detox Program, so should you choose to purchase the program through my website, I do receive an affiliate payment.  I think these ladies are doing good work helping people to help themselves.  They have many completely free resources on their website in addition to the courses available for purchase.

The post How to Identify Liver Problems and Improve Liver Health appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.