“I love not Man the less, but Nature more, From these our interviews, in which I steal From all I may be, or have been before, To mingle with the Universe, and feel”
Quote From Lord Byron: Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
When I first journeyed off the grid I had to learn about keeping food the so-called “old-fashioned way.” Shopping is a little different when you trade in your refrigerator for a root cellar. However, root cellars are actually quite efficient. It's not that you have to change the way you eat, you simply have to change the way you shop. Root cellars are underground storage areas that stay at cool temperatures, even in the summer.
Environmental sustainability—and how to apply it—have become rising issues in many local communities and youth programs. The rise in environmental literacy programs coincides with the increasing need for innovative solutions and affordable models through which to apply them. Accordingly, programs have increasingly begun to offer paid and unpaid internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities that expose today’s youth to the environmental stressors our world is facing, while at the same time teaching them the tools needed to develop these innovative solutions.
Going off-grid is a big lifestyle change. So much is different in various ways; there's a lot of research and preparation to be done, but it's worth it! I knew going off-grid was going to bring me back to the basics and that was just what I wanted. I had a feeling that after things got rolling on the farm that I would start to see a decrease in spending -- I just didn't realize how much I would be saving!
Tiny houses are becoming a big deal. They offer the freedom from a mortgage (at least a big one) and are exponentially more sustainable than a traditional housing structure.
So, what is a tiny house? Technically, a tiny house is under 400 square feet. These can remain on wheels or be built on a foundation. The houses that remain on wheels are generally even smaller, constituting a micro house (stay tuned for an article on these little dwellings next week).
It was in the summer of 2012 that my little family and I decided to unplug from the world as we knew it and return to the wild. We did extensive research over the years before taking the plunge. I gave up my job, house, many belongings and my purpose as I knew it. We found a place in Arkansas where there was an old round house in the middle of the woods. It was an adventure and a learning experience that brought me back to nature; an experience that put me more in touch with the natural world around me.
Welcome to the sustainable housing series with Basmati.com! Each week, I’ll write an article that talks about structures that promote sustainable living. I’ll cover everything from construction to average price. This week, I'll be exploring Yurts.
Week 2: Yurts