Self-Reliant Living

Ideas for decorating your home grown gourds, to use as gifts or around your home. A little paint or glue and your imagination is all it takes - and it's been virtually free!

Nov 25, 2002 - Sonia Fluke

Gourds are a fascinating and versatile item to decorate with or give as gifts and suprisingly easy to grow on any amount of land. Give a gourd vine a try and you'll have next Years' Christmas gifts ready from your own garden.

Oct 25, 2002 - Sonia Fluke

I would normally say that machines are making us lazy and we'd be better off without them. On further pondering, though I have decided that some have their place in the self reliant lifestyle.

Sep 15, 2002 - Sonia Fluke

It is no longer winter but it isn't quite spring yet. This is the limbo period for gardeners and one that is often met with frustration. This is a run down of what is happening in my garden, and the plans I have for these fingers that ache to plant seeds in the dirt.

Aug 25, 2002 - Sonia Fluke

A few ideas and recipes for freezing bulk foods.

Jul 16, 2002 - Sonia Fluke

The freezer can be used to work to it's capacity and help your family save time and money. The OAMC method is not a new one, but a tried and true way to help along your path to self reliance and frugality.

Jun 9, 2002 - Sonia Fluke

With a matter of days to go until Christmas, there may be some panic at the thought of going back to the shops again to search for a gift. Here are some simple and inexpensive ideas to help combat the rush at this tie of the year. Home made Christmas gifts are surrounded by truly beautiful spirit, and these use everyday items that are readily available or easy to come by.

Dec 15, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

It does seem that Christmas has come around ever so quickly yet again - but is that a bad thing? Focusing on what this season is really supposed to be about can help us to discard the parts we don't like.

Nov 10, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

After hearing my lifestyle be described as 'idyllic', I decided to let you in on a few of the more suprising elements of farm life.

Oct 20, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

Spring is here in Australia and everywhere we turn is the evidence of Mother Nature's bounty and beauty. An overview of our family's latest events and a celebration of earth in her glory.

Oct 5, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

In the wake of the tragic events of Black Tuesday, I am left wondering what lessons could be learned from such a devastating event. Only love and peace can heal our world, and we need to focus together.

Sep 12, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

A few examples of traditional herbs used for healing common ailments. All of these can be easily grown in a small herb garden with no special requirements, and a medicinal plot will be alwasy at your disposal.

Aug 28, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

In an age of a drug reliant society, I'd like to explore some of the tried and true natural therapies and treatments that have proved safe and effective for many years.

Aug 10, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

In this age of consumerism and mass production, the local markets are still a popular venue - but they need our support to survive.

Jul 11, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

As awareness of food sustainability grows with urban populations, rooftop gardens are becoming a real, attractive and productive alternative. With advantages such as community inspiration, environmental issues, pollution reduction and produce sustainability, that little spot on the roof holds much potential.

Jun 14, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

The BIRTHLOVE site honors birth, women and babies and has been an inspiration in the natural cildbirth community. This site is under threat, and to lose it would be a great disservice to women.

Jun 3, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

A practical look at living on less money on a day to day basis. Ways you can improve your quality of life by being more financially self reliant.

May 20, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

Things can get a little too serious sometimes and if we're not careful, the negativity can be overwhelming. We need to lighten up.

May 1, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

An overview of some of the issues the general public do not know enough about. Being aware about the affect of our every decision helps us toward a more compassionate and caring society. In this, part two, The truth about takeaway food, consumerism and childhood vaccines.

Apr 15, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

We are in the age of information and still our society insists on blindly going through life unaware of the impact our everyday living has. Inform yourself, empower yourself and make our population a little more aware and caring.

Apr 7, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

Part two - what are your options for a life on the road? Be it a tent or motorhome, there are advantages and disadvantages for both.

Mar 31, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

Unschooling is not a method of educating - it is a way of life. This is a look at the philosophy and an example of how all parents are unschoolers to some degree.

Mar 20, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

What is an Intentional Community and what could it mean for us? Maybe the tribal villiage isn't gone after all....

Mar 5, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

Have you ever thought about life on the road? The romantic notion of being a full time gypsy is one I have entertained many times, and it is suprising just how self reliant it is, in it's own way. Part one of a two-part exploration.

Feb 26, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

Work and Leisure are seen as different concepts in todays world, but is it because we work only for money? Let's re-think the work ethic.

Feb 19, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

"I don't know whether the world can be saved by a book, but if it could be, this just might be the book" John Holt This parenting and lifestyle concept challenges all of our preconceptions of how we should live, and offers practical suggestions to regain our lost natural well being.

Jan 30, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

Hormone filled, chemically enhanced, pale, tasteless eggs seem to be the norm in superarket shopping. It isn't hard to keep a couple of hens and enjoy the healthy taste of free range eggs, regardless of where you live.

Jan 18, 2001 - Sonia Fluke

With todays busy world, work demands are getting out of control. Bring the office home and look at running a home business. Less income may mean more freedom and satisfaction, and best of all, more time with your family.

Dec 31, 2000 - Sonia Fluke

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas all over the globe. Here are a few little pieces of the self reliant philosophy to help Christmas return to it's original spirit.

Dec 14, 2000 - Sonia Fluke

Give the shopping centres a miss this Christmas with a different approach to gifts, giving and the holiday season.

Nov 28, 2000 - Sonia Fluke

If modern life has you feeling out of control, this may be your first step to claiming back your power.

Oct 25, 2000 - Sonia Fluke