Living in an uncertain economy

Hearing stories worldwide about the economy puts a little fear into peoples hearts. We hear of whole countries that are basically bankrupt. There is comparison to the great depression. Could we end up like that again?

The thought of that is pretty scary when one considers how dependent we are on the government now. How unprepared we are living in compact housing and cities with very little green space. At least in days gone by most people had a yard where they could grow some food. How would we cope?

There are lots of great gardening ideas on the web for planting a container garden on your balcony.. or maximizing your growing potential of your tiny yard.. but could that ever be enough?

There are some basic things that we should all know how to do.. even if we never have the need too. One of those things is to growing basic vegetables.. lettuce, potatoes, corn, carrots... of course depending on where you live the list would look different. But knowing how to grow some things that could at the least, supplement your diet could mean a huge difference to your health.

Cooking is another thing. It looks a lot different today than it did in the leaner years. Learning some basic recipes that are easy to make with limited, and obtainable ingredients.. what ever is cheap.. is essential to survival.

Repairing your stuff... when money isn't plentiful you have to make due. In our throw away society we aren't used to that and we also don't have things that are made to last. Could you sew your clothes if you needed too? How about repair your shoes?

Canada was hit really hard by the depression. By all accounts we were hit harder than most other countries. Spending was down by 42% and 30% of the population was unemployed.

Preparing ourselves for what ever adversities could come our way is a smart thing to do. You may never have to worry about money but the lessons one can learn can mean you also don't have to spend it unnecessarily.

I found a really interesting youtube channel called  Great Depression Cooking. Clara, who has now passed away teaches you how to make some very simple meals with what was available then.

I learned many things from my Grandma and I am so grateful that I listened to her... wish I could ask her many more things now though.

Do you have any skills that an elderly family member or friend taught you?

Yummy Sweetness... Figs are so good.

Figs have been around for a long long time...We have all heard about Adam and Eve using fig leaves to cover themselves once they became aware of their nakedness. Edible figs were one of the first plants cultivated by man. There are fossils of figs that have been found dating back to 9400–9200 BC in the Jordan valley, north of Jericho.
Figs are chock full of goodness, thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium and a great source of fibre.
Figs are very easy to grow and require very little care. Give them a sunny location and they pretty much take care of themselves. I am often appalled by the price of figs in the grocery store.. knowing that I get more than I can eat off my tree.

A lot of people have never eaten a fig.. they look.. well different and a lot of people think "fig newton" when they hear the word. I can tell you figs taste nothing like fig newtons! They are delectable. The tree I have is one from my Father in law.. he had a few different kinds.. and I do wish had some of the other varieties now. The one I have is kind of a middle ground. I am not really sure what the variety is.. they are sweet but not as sickly sweet as some I have tasted. I have also had ones that were similar that were quite.. well, bland. Not very sweet at all. This one is a nice mix and he referred to it as an Italian fig. Now if it is that kind, or if it was because his Italian neighbor gave him a cutting, I have no idea!
If you do a search on google for recipes with figs, you will find some delicious temptations. I prefer them fresh, but, with some pungent cheese would be pretty yummy as well.