Selfsufficientish.com

I'm finally beginning to run out of my last bulk buy of method products, and I'm determined to give cleaning with more natural (and, crucially, cheap) stuff, so I thought I'd try some of the vinegar/bicarb etc combos that are recommended all the time. So, can anyone (a) point me in the direction of ...

Ha, frying pans are going to be my next big research adventure! I'm contemplating abandoning the expensive non stick (I bought a Le Crueset non stick, and it's still lost the will to live after five years, despite care that verges on the obsessive), and buying a couple of hideously expensive cast ir...

I hope that I can continue to find the enthusiasm as we do more and more by remembering how desperately I want to de at the point of being more self sufficient. But that's easy to say as I look out at my tiny courtyard garden and contemplate the two year allotment waiting list! My to do list today i...

After much research I was all set on the Mermaid stuff, and now you've thrown cast iron and the Pampered Chef thingie into the mix! Ah well, I have my new pasta attachment arriving tomorrow for the Kenwood, so I have enough toys to keep me occupied during the day while I spend the evenings googling ...

Ooh, wind up radio and no TV etc would be good - it will make an excellent challenge (I set myself weekly eco/self sufficient blog challenges), and hopefully a long term change. I would love a washing machine that actually had an economy setting - the one we have is with the property, and is so old ...

I made oven dried tomatoes, if that counts! Put the oven on about 60 degrees, left halved tomatoes on the baking tray overnight, and in the morning, voila! Dry tomatoes! I think they go sweeter in the sun, but due to the lack of reliable summer weather, I figured I was safer with the oven. I stuck t...

How long have you both had the silicone for? I'm so worried about using something so 'new' in terms of not being a long established baking product - what if it randomly dies in five years time in a little silicone puddle in the middle of my oven?!

I'm about to replace our tragic and worn out Sainsbury's value loaf tins and baking trays, and I want to get some decent bakeware that will last a lifetime (or as close to it as possible). I bake a lot, all our own bread, bread products, cakes, etc etc etc, so I'd rather spend a bit of extra money f...

Thanks for your ideas! Sorry to post and run, have been busy entertaining the baby all day (I suspect teeth may be coming, which means Mummy has to do silly dances/singing/clapping non-stop to avoid hysteria). In answer to your suggestions: - Home brewing: I am scared diddly scared of home brewing, ...

We're trying to improve our Ishness every day, but I'm running out of ideas as long as we're stuck in our teeny rented Victorian terrace with its equally teeny courtyard garden. I want to be as green, self sufficient and frugal as possible (with the eventual aim of buying our own place with a little...

Thanks for the picture instructions! I will attempt it again next time, hopefully with a bit more success.

Hmm... Might leave the pheasant berries be. There's only a small bush, so it's not like I'll be missing out on a massive bounty.

Have searched for the image and I think you're completely right. Although searching under its other name (himalayan honeysuckle) seems to suggest it might be a nice berry. Opinion seems to be that it's not poisonous, so maybe I'll try one next time I'm passing. Anyone tried one?

Hooray! I am avidly watching my (only) ripening tomato. The rest, for some reason, are remaining determinedly green.

Sorry, still can't make a photo load on here for some reason, but I've stuck it temporarily as the most recent post on my blog (address in signature). Any ideas welcome! I've been paranoid about the baby getting hold of it until I found time to photograph it in case it's completely lethal...

Another vote for Pitrok - I don't particularly sweat less, but I'm a lot less sticky (no nasty gloopy deoderant getting wet with sweat) and no more smelly, unless I'm really working hard, in which case I'd shower afterwards anyway.