Homesteading in its most traditional sense can be extremely time and resource intensive but here are several easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your life. You are on your way to becoming a homesteader!
Grow Sprouts - This is quite easy, provides super nutritious food, and only requires water and seeds. SproutPeople is a great resource for sprouting information and supplies
Grow Mushrooms - Mushrooms require some work in their early stages, but are quite low maintenance. They can be grown indoors or outdoors. Paul Stamets is the authority on mushrooms and his site has growing kits and information on mushrooms.
Container gardening - Is relatively low maintenance and can be done on a windowsill or right outside on a small patch of grass.
Volunteer at a homestead - This is probably the best way to learn about homesteading and farming. By volunteering you can make friends, learn about homesteading, and enjoy yummy and nutritious food!
Shop local and at farmers markets - If you can't homestead, you can at least support your homesteading neighbors. By being conscious of what you spend money on, you can vote with your dollars and keep your money circulating within the local community.
Canning and Preservation - This process relies heavily on sterile conditions, it enables one to buy in bulk or stock up on vegetables when they are in season and keep them throughout the winter. Canning has been a very helpful tool for homesteaders during the winter.
Don't drive as much - This does not directly relate to homesteading but by choosing to walk or ride a bike, you can greatly lower your carbon footprint and keep more money in the local community. There are also health and safety benefits to riding or walking over driving.
Be resourceful and creative - Being resourceful is the foundation of homesteading. Whether it's repairing your home, sewing clothes, or re-using materials, it all helps in facilitating the homesteading mindset.
Spend less money- Try to barter with friends and community members! Engage in skills-sharing endeavors and encourage others to follow suit.
Foraging - Foraging offers a way to get food for free, all you need is a knowledge of wild edibles and a good place to find them. Foraging for mushrooms, berries, and other wild edibles can be fun and rewarding. Even if you don't find anything, you will still get a nice walk in the woods. You can also always do the urban version of foraging and go dumpster diving but please be careful and smart about choosing food that isn't obviously spoiled.
Urban Homesteading is a great source for getting into homesteading and offers information on all aspects of homesteading.
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