We welcome you to our back to basics home for Simple Living. We are a friendly community focused on sustainability, permaculture, organic gardening, backyard livestock, simple living and stepping lightly on the planet. If you’re interested in a simple sustainable lifestyle then you’re in the right place; there are fellow travellers here. We invite you to become a member, it’s free and you’ll be part of one of the most interesting and friendly groups on the net. There is a lively forum with many valuable and thought-provoking posts about backyard livestock, permaculture, food production and simple living. There is a seed and plant exchange, members’ discounts for seeds, bare-rooted plants, organic produce, native trees and plants. You’ll also find a treasure chest of homemade recipes, information on how to make natural cleansers, soap, laundry detergent and rinse aids.http://aussieslivingsimply.com.auFri, 24 May 2013 00:35:15 +0000Kunena Forum (Joomla)/components/com_kunena/template/blue_eagle/images/icons/rss.pngen-gbhttp://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/sustainable-energy-a-energy-conservation/347140-portable-solar-power#356116http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/sustainable-energy-a-energy-conservation/347140-portable-solar-power#356116You can just stick this portable outlet to your window to start using solar power!



http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2013/05/stick-this-portable-outlet-to-your-window-to-start-using-solar-power.html#sthash.LerMxdnk.dpbs
]]>Sustainable Energy & Energy ConservationThu, 23 May 2013 22:55:07 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/to-give-away/347139-water-kefir-grains-adelaide#356082http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/to-give-away/347139-water-kefir-grains-adelaide#356082
Don't know what it is? Great probiotic drink, made with water so suitable for those who don't drink milk.

More info:

www.culturesforhealth.com/water-kefir-fr...-asked-questions-faq

hippymomsguide.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/what-is-water-kefir.html]]>To Give AwayThu, 23 May 2013 00:45:34 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/global-warming-and-climate-change/347138-manufacturing-continues-to-decline-uncompetative-co2-issue#356067http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/global-warming-and-climate-change/347138-manufacturing-continues-to-decline-uncompetative-co2-issue#356067
so out and out those groups that support CO2 and what it doesn't do are going to get their desire no jobs on shore all off shore all things imported including food, then we will be held to ransome, whilst the countries we get food from use our land for free, and bring in their own slaves.

our seclar(nothing to do with religion as such) australia is heading toward doom, while oterhs have no emathy for the poor ranks they are going to join. all we'll ahve for aussie economy is some mining.

all this right when teh gov' is making it impossible for the jobless families

take care, let's unite

len]]>Global warming and climate changeWed, 22 May 2013 23:17:10 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/community-activism-and-self-nurturing-communities/347137-march-against-monsanto-may-25#356034http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/community-activism-and-self-nurturing-communities/347137-march-against-monsanto-may-25#356034www.march-against-monsanto.com/]]>Community Activism and Self Nurturing CommunitiesWed, 22 May 2013 06:21:00 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/ornamental-gardens/347134-coneflowers#355988http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/ornamental-gardens/347134-coneflowers#355988Ornamental GardensMon, 20 May 2013 06:11:55 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/home-preserving-food-storage-and-stockpiling/347133-strange-fowlers-vacola-stove-top#355964http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/home-preserving-food-storage-and-stockpiling/347133-strange-fowlers-vacola-stove-top#355964 Firstly my apologies for my first post being a question, I've been scouring the Internet, can't find an answer & you guys look like the business.
I've got 10 kilos of tomatoes roasting away and an old (mrs. B. thrifty!) fowlers vacola stovetop version. It's the old green one & in great nick, but the inside has obviously been used. The paint is pretty much perfect, but there's a ring of scratches on the inside I think made by jars.
The bottom, however is very strange. It looks a lot like gal, and like it's never been used except for a couple of strange marks on the bottom.
There's also paint that matches the rest of the unit on it ( the green one).
SO thinks I'm mad & it isn't meant to be put over heat because it's gal, but it's definitely a stovetop version, with the place for a thermometer.
Has anyone got any idea what could be happening? Does anyone have one of these old units and could let me know what the bottom looks like? Anything at all? I don't want to throw out all those tomatoes!!!
Thanks for anything you can let me know!]]>Home Preserving, Food Storage and StockpilingSat, 18 May 2013 07:59:58 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/global-warming-and-climate-change/347132-the-increasing-hardship-of-the-less-fortunate-co2-forces-expensive-power-cost#355931http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/global-warming-and-climate-change/347132-the-increasing-hardship-of-the-less-fortunate-co2-forces-expensive-power-cost#355931
start quote:

"Just received my electricity bill. Shock, horror once again. $699.00. My bill was never more than $200 but the last 3 bills have been exhorbitant and out of control!. I live alone in a tiny unit, use the stove once or twice a week, don't use the oven at all. Every switch is turned off except the computer and fridge. When I do switch the TV on, it's only on for 10 minutes. How the hell can I be using so much electricity and I have always been a 'switch off' person. I will now be using the heater because it's getting colder and we are approaching Winter. I guess I can expect my bill to double after this one. This is sheer, utter madness!!!

The 'smart meter' was installed outside the unit some months ago and we had no say in the matter at the time. We were told it HAD to be installed. Ever since they were installed, my bills have gone through the roof. I don't understand it at all, Marianne. I will have to get on the phone again tomorrow and see what can be done about it but won't hold my breath. This is ludicrous."

end quote.

harder times on the way we trim all usage as well and our bill continues to rise, no money for any sort of renewables, so what are the unfortunate supposed to do whilst they get driven down by the tertiary yuppie wealth type do gooder feel gooders?

we are caring for a teenage grandson we use 2 small fridges no money to buy bigger maybe more efficent fridge.

len]]>Global warming and climate changeFri, 17 May 2013 23:27:54 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/all-things-chicken/347131-buying-chickens#355900http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/all-things-chicken/347131-buying-chickens#355900 Can we do this in Australia. I would like to buy some Silkies, I have an incubator but I don't want to incubate them and I'd like them sexed. Is this possible in Australia?

Thanks]]>All things ChickenThu, 16 May 2013 13:24:35 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/dairy-products/347130-bureaucracy-gone-mad-again#355899http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/dairy-products/347130-bureaucracy-gone-mad-again#355899 - i found his details on here a year or so ago so know others appreciate his yummy fresh creamy milk too. Surely there are more important things for the supposed 'those who know best' to worry about than a few people who have made a conscious decision to drink raw milk. perhaps all the hidden chemicals in almost everything you buy at the supermarket that you have no idea where it really comes from.

www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-16/farmer-ra...ing-raw-milk/4694306]]>Dairy productsThu, 16 May 2013 12:14:13 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/families-and-the-home/347129-internet-in-rural-area#355840http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/families-and-the-home/347129-internet-in-rural-area#355840

Hoping I can get some advice about extending my wifi internet reach on a rural property.

My internet works well in my house but I have built a studio on my rural property about 100m away from the house and I need to get some type of wifi booster/extender so that I can use my laptop up there. Have any of you had any success with this? What extender unit did you use?

While there is a fairly good line of sight between the two buildings, there are quite a few large trees, so I would not say it is a clear view. I can't run my business in my studio without the internet so I really need something good. I had planned to just run an ethernet cable along the power line, but apparently the power cables mess with the ethernet line so that can't be done. There is no chance of putting cables underground as my property is basically all sandstone so it seems one of these booster thingies is my best shot.

Any advice?

Cheers]]>Families and the HomeMon, 13 May 2013 22:19:11 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/all-things-chicken/347116-anyone-sell-and-post-eggs-i-am-buying-an-incubator#355699http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/all-things-chicken/347116-anyone-sell-and-post-eggs-i-am-buying-an-incubator#355699All things ChickenSat, 04 May 2013 08:39:50 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/living-within-your-means/347048-could-you-raise-a-family-on-500-a-week#354924http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/living-within-your-means/347048-could-you-raise-a-family-on-500-a-week#354924
I currently work in the city with my wife and we've long been thinking about moving to a rural area to start a family and live more simply.

We're both fairly frugal people, don't spend a lot on gadgets, clothes or going out. We enjoy the simple things in life. We intend to send our kids to a public school or maybe even home school them. We've saved some money and plan to buy some land and build an inexpensive home debt-free.

I've been trying to calculate what sort of income we would need to survive and I honestly think we could do it on $500/week. Yet if I mention this to anyone else they just laugh and tell me I'm crazy.

Sure, that's only $25,000 a year (or the equivilant of about a $35,0000/year salary after tax)...but I expect that money would go a lot further living in the country assuming you're not paying a mortgage or any rent.

Suppose you grew a lot of your own food and mostly made your own fun, could you raise a family for $500 a week? Or am I being unrealistic?]]>Living within your meansSat, 23 Mar 2013 23:23:33 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/global-warming-and-climate-change/347006-who-to-believe-global-warming#354324http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/global-warming-and-climate-change/347006-who-to-believe-global-warming#354324
who is the common man to believe as he suffers increases in the cost of all necessary commodities?

yes i was shown a graph that is supposed to indicate that since the carbon tax industry began our levels of CO2 have decreased(not visible to the human eye) but still teh climate as such rumbles on to where?

anyhow those who love the climate change thing will no doubt have the dirt on the founders of these links:

www.globalwarminghysteria.com/ten-myths-of-global-warming/

www.ourcivilisation.com/aginatur/moregw.htm

abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3061015&page=1

www.isil.org/resources/fnn/2007june/global-warming-hoax.html

i could paste on infinitum just like the others, and yes my grammar and spelling may faulter, but those of us still deserve a say as we are led to the block.

we believe other writtings read a good read this morning written around 2k years ago(how did they have such wisdom)

anyhow when they can actually show the climate cahnge for teh better then the CO2 graph may hold some truth?

have a nice day all

good rain we've had(all weather events compared to a mere 200 years of history)

len]]>Global warming and climate changeFri, 08 Mar 2013 23:19:20 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/reduce-reuse-repair-recycle/346975-out-throw-away-society#353931http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/reduce-reuse-repair-recycle/346975-out-throw-away-society#353931Reduce, Reuse, Repair, RecycleSun, 24 Feb 2013 11:27:17 +0000http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/the-garden-log/346958-asparagus-update-a#353788http://aussieslivingsimply.com.au/forum/the-garden-log/346958-asparagus-update-a#353788
first time grower they seem to be doing well, and yes they did get a lot of urine and dishwater through the dry period, sometime shower water, other times fresh water, gave them around 1/8th a bcuket every second to third day.

where we bought the seedlings bloke says to cut them off at ground level in winter? i assume then they dies off?

anyhow never knew they flowered.

len
[File Attachment: 100_1116asparagusflower.jpg]

[File Attachment: 100_1118asparagusbed.jpg]]]>The Garden LogTue, 19 Feb 2013 20:40:41 +0000