A new take on self-sufficiency

On this day I want to talk about self-sufficiency - something which has such a strong mainstream meaning (I think) and conjures images of kitchen benches laden with homegrown produce and busy farmlets or backyards full of animals, fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

This has been my basic concept of self-sufficiency for many years, and one that I still aspire to, however a couple of days ago I was flipping through a magazine at my part-time job and read a sentence which was along the lines of 'what is sufficient for me?' and really did one of those double-takes you see in cheesy movies. It completely opened up a whole new meaning for me - does it do that for you too?

Here's my take on sufficiency, based on some serious heartstorming and discussion with my bakery co-workers after reading said quote:

Are we truly self-sufficient, no matter what we've put in place in our lives, if we're wanting more than we authentically need?

You see, the way I understand this, sufficiency is not about thinking small, playing conservative or keeping yourself in the same place in order to 'save yourself for something better'. These actions serve only your ego, and as such do not provide enough for your whole being - they are not sufficient.

When you aim as high as you can imagine there's no room for ego - its only you - your heart and soul. When you play small, its your ego that speaks up, telling you you're not enough.

Sufficiency is about clarifying and honing down on those things that are most important - your soul's callings, your purpose in this life, your highest passions.

These are the structures within which all other decisions can be made. Taking action upon these needs leads to a life of self-sufficiency - nothing more, nothing less. And in this way sufficiency can feel both big and small. But its authentically yours - your voice, your angle, your experiences, your dreams, your successes.

And that's all we can be right? Authentically ourselves creating our own self-sufficiency.

Wishing you a beautiful day filled with opportunities to feel that this life is sufficient for you.

Homegrown Rhubarb Crumble

A Winter delight that brings warmth and colour to my home and nurtures my family.

Thanks to my popular IG photo of rhubarb in the garden, here's a recipe with old-fashioned flair and lots of love:

You'll need about 1kg of rhubarb from your garden. Trim the leaves and keep the rich red stems.

Base:

1 kg rhubarb stems cut straight from the garden

2 apples, peeled and sliced with love

1/4 cup of water

A good handful of soft brown sugar

Wash and slice rhubarb, marvel at this luscious growth that's taken place just outside your door. Place in a saucepan with the water and apple slices, then let the soft, browny sugar crystals gently slip from your hands on to the top.

Place the lid on and gently simmer until soft, pungent and a soft pinky-red colour (like a beautiful sunset).

Crumble:

1 cup self-raising flour

150g cold butter (the real, full-fat stuff)

1/2 cup more soft brown sugar (oh, you luscious delight!)

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Place all ingredients into your favourite special bowl and massage that butter baby! Right into the silky dryness of that flour until it's just right and crumbly.

Now don't skimp here! The beauty of slowly bringing this dish into being is such a blessing.

Be mindful. Cook with intention and love. Nurture the sh*t out of it so it brings light and joy to your home tonight.

Sprinkle generously over your rhubarb base and bake for about 25 mins in an oven set to 180*C

Viola! An amazing, old-fashioned, seasonal delight created with love and intention. 

It's something that keeps life simpler, more on purpose and in our house this evening it's hitting the mark perfectly. Xx

Tucking my vegetables into their Winter bed

My garden hasn't had much attention of late, with our recent trip around Australia.

And at this time of year, with frost fairies hard at work and short amounts of sunshine, the best thing I can do for my garden is give it a bit of a weed and a lovely warm covering of mulch.

I picked many handfuls of rocket and made the most delicious pesto.

I loaded up our car with big bales of pea straw.

And I tucked the existing carrots, kale, parsley and the rest of the rocket into their beds for the rest of this cold time of year - ready for Spring planting when the time comes.

I love that my little garden babies have their roots kept warm and snug, but this Winter garden task has a greater purpose also.

I'm a big fan of permaculture as both an ideal and a common sense practice. Permaculture teaches us that everything is connected and to work smarter and with heart, rather than harder. A good philosophy for life is it not?

By mulching my beds at this time of year I'm providing a layer which will prevent the majority of Spring weeds coming through - a time saving measure. And I'm giving my soil protection from our frosts, and since I used pea straw - more nitrogen when it breaks down.

In short, I'm building productive energy in my soil (and in my soul too), ready to be released once the turning point comes and growth takes off.

One of my favourite books, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustainability is sitting on my kitchen table at the moment. A quick look reminds me that this mulching I'm doing is part of principle number two - 'catch and store energy' - a wise move to be making in this Winter lull.

Have you mulched your Winter beds? Are they ready for that turning point in Spring? How does your garden (and heart) grow at this time of year?