Issue #017, June 12, 2009. In This Issue...

--Frustrated with Modern Medicine?

--Lessons We Can Learn From the Shakers

--Homestead Cottage Gardening

--Homestead Healing Herbs

--The Methane Digester and How it Works

--Homesteading and Homeschooling

So take a break from working in your garden and read on!

Yes! You Can Build a Chicken Tractor

Or save money and the environment by purchasing the e-book at the ridiculously low price of $7.95! Click here to learn more.

Frustrated With Modern Medicine?

There is another way!

There are many herbs out there you can grow yourself that will help ease many symptoms including:

• Coughs
• Flu Symptoms
• Fever
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Sore Throat
• Varicose veins
• Warts
• And many more!

Growing and Using Medicinal Herbs will show you many herbs you can grow in your garden that will help ease the discomfort of these symptoms and many more!

Watch for it later this summer!

Homesteading Lessons
We Can Learn From the Shakers

Unfortunately, she also taught that the bible didn’t have to be strictly adhered to, which caused her to be labeled a heretic. She fled her native country of England and came to America with relatives and a handful of followers. She eventually founded a group that grew to almost 17,000 members. They called themselves Believers, but were called Shakers by outsiders because they would shake violently during worship.

The Shaker faith was a tough one to follow and not one I personally recommend. For one thing, they demanded celibacy from all members. No way I could do that one; I like being married. :-)

But they did become successful in their businesses and in their gardening and managed to transform the wilderness land they lived in into a near paradise on earth.

Their secret? Among other things, Shakers believed you should be faithful and diligent in your work. In other words, don’t rush, nurture the soil and take care of your tools.

Here are some of the virtues the Shakers embraced:

• Be honest in all you do
• Be kind to both friends and enemies
• Work diligently, but don’t become a workaholic
• Be frugal, but don’t be stingy
• Be completely debt free
• Make sure your children are well educated

Great tips to follow, although I’ll leave the shaking to someone else. :-)

What's New at Organic Gardening
and Homesteading!

Sure, we need to grow things to eat, but beauty in our gardens can be equally important. Homestead Cottage Gardening is a way of combining practical, self-reliant gardening with beauty.

Can't wait for the book? Here are some homestead healing herbs you need in your self reliant garden now.

A methane digester isn't for everyone, but rather a way for hardy homesteaders to make their own fuel.

I've come out with a new section on Organic Gardening and Homesteading that will give you the chance to shine as well as earn a chance to win a free e-book!

Are you keeping chickens successfully? Growing a fantastic organic garden? Have an awesome casserole recipe you'd love to share? Don't be shy about telling others; other aspiring self reliant souls will be inspired by your success. Tell us about it on My Homesteading Story and help others as they work toward self sufficiency!

Plus, if I feel your story is beneficial to others, I'll put your name in a hat (my gardener's straw hat, natch) for a chance to win You Can Build a Chicken Tractor. Just imagine! The satisfaction of knowing you helped others and a great book for free! Click here to learn more.

And as always, happy homesteading!