Creating Satisfaction: Part 3

This final Blog in my "Creating Satisfaction" Series covers a mishmash of different things we can do to live more sustainably and interact with one another in positive ways. I will also cover some of my personal thoughts on a couple of topics that are important to me. I hope some of these and previous items have been helpful in demonstrating the point I am trying to get across. It has been a pleasure compiling these together into a reference source for use and enjoyment...

Wild and Perennial Edibles

To begin, it may be surprising to know that there are many edible plants that grow all around you that most of us look at as weeds. However there are many natural edibles all around you if you can identify and take the time to look around. I have friends in Stelle who have picked dandelions and, as a matter of fact I will be helping bottle wine made from these dandelions today! Making dandelion wine is easy and a good way of  putting to use what we think of as something that is invasive to our properties. If you don't have a bucket and airlock, you can use a gallon jug and balloon.

When I was a kid we would eat what we called "sour grass". It is very small with shamrock shaped leave and little yellow flowers. Actually "sour grass" is wood sorrel and has medicinal benefits.

Wood Sorrel

The following according to Botanical.com: "Wood Sorrel is more effectual than the true Sorrels as a blood cleanser, and will strengthen a weak stomach, produce and appetite, check vomiting, and remove obstructions of the viscera."

This is just one example of the benefits of one wild edible plant. I have inserted a link below that will give you a list of wild edibles and you can cross reference it with Botanical.com to find out what each edible has to offer.

Link: A list of wild edibles of the Midwest

Wild Asparagus Spear

Next I offer you perennial edibles. These can grow wild or be planted and enjoyed year after year. In Northern California wild blackberries grow in all the ditches, against fences and anywhere they will be allowed to grow. A good Midwestern example of a wild perennial edible is Asparagus. It grows just about anywhere there is a good source of water in a place that is generally undisturbed, like in rural ditches (just make sore to wash them very well because pesticide blow-over and run-off can add a little extra, unwanted flavor and a nice shock to the liver). From fruit and nut trees, to berries and grapes, there are many productive plants you can insert on your property that will provide an abundance with little work. And the satisfaction you get once these plants begin producing fruit is tremendous.

Wild Asparagus Fern

You can even transplant many of these wild perennials in you yard if you happen to stumble across them while enjoying a walk down a country road. There are so many good things to eat like mulberries, wild strawberries (if you can find them) and walnuts. And for the real "walnuts" out there, many different edible mushrooms exist, though I suggest doing your homework before you give it a try, because mushrooms can be tricky and have the potential to make people very sick.

Link: Perennial Edible Plants

On to other things. I think there are some fairly important ideas to address and grasp to continue on the road to Satisfaction...

Community
There is always a fish fry going on. There is always a fundraiser happening. There is always a local sporting event to go to. There are Euchre tournaments, softball leagues and community garage sales. Get out and about in your local surroundings and enjoy yourself in an atmosphere that isn't your local gin mill. Going to the pub is fun, but are you building relationships with a clear head? You work hard and deserve some good, clean leisure to unwind from all that work you do.

Charity
We don't give because it makes us feel good. We give because it is necessary to do. Don't be reactive in your giving; be preemptive. Even going to the local Red Cross and getting your CPR and First Aid Certification prepares you to give in a way that when help is needed, you are ready for it. Volunteering and community service should not be mandatory, but we have all had times that were rough enough that others have given to us, so we should understand the importance. We must not look at it as paying back, but a necessary function within his social system.

Homemade Gifts, Crafts and Services

My Pine Cone Sherlock Holmes

My Pine Cone Soldier Complete
With Acorn Gas Mask

The gift that is made with the hands, with creativity and care is the best gift to receive. The handmade, homemade gift is the best gift to give, because you made it with love. A friend I know collects pine cones, acorns and walnut shells and every Christmas season sits the kids down with fabric, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, glitter, glue, beads and all sorts of craft items to make "fairies" as tree ornaments and house decorations. It is one of the household highlights of the year. And every year the family of fairies grows and grows. It is really fun and the kids just love using their imaginations to visualize what they will be creating and make it. When money is tight around the holidays (and when isn't it?) offer your proficient skills to others in a hand-drawn or photo shopped gift certificate that is redeemable. Make the service custom tailored to each individual and it will make the gift of service that much more fulfilling.


Transportation

Nearly 50% of our energy consumption
comes from homes and transportation.

Sao Paulo, Brazil has a traffic disaster with some 6 million cars driving through their streets and have begun correcting it by implementing the above procedures and have drastically reduced fuel consumption while making mass transit the way to travel, because their policies have made bus commuting time comparable, if not faster than that of conventional transportation, including taxi cabs.  When we travel alone in our cars, it shows our thirst for fuel and hyperindividualism. Riding transit and carpooling is the first thing we can do to drastically reduce our usage of fuel, in turn saving us vast amounts of money collectively and if we can find other, responsible solutions for our fuel use, we can begin working our way toward making a statement that we will not stand for uncontrolled consumption that will be a major factor in economic downfall.

About 85% of our energy usage comes
from fossil fuels. Let's make that 1%
pie slice grow exponentially.

I thank you for reading and considering these ideas. They are not at all original. I just feel they need to be shared with those who have not yet been exposed to them. Good luck in your travels and the journey toward your own independence and remember that we don't need to compromise comforts to live responsibly.

JC

Coming Up...Truths and Fiction About Solar and Wind Energy...Plus, the Choice Between High Speed Rails and Alternative Energies.