We are no longer self-reliant!

It is no secret that as of right now, the world is in bleak condition. We have a global pandemic going on. Wars are running rampant in several countries. Pollution is out of control causing several different health issues among the communities. The list goes on and on. One of the major bones I must pick with society at this moment is the almost entirely unnecessary dependency on grocery stores and fast food restaurants. There is a website I will link here (https://www.partnersforyourhealth.com/fast-food-statistics) that shows the health statistics when it comes to fast food eating and the economic standings of the fast food industries. The information is very interesting and surprising, and it also includes a guide for healthy eating on a busy schedule. It may put some things into perspective.

Now with this I am not saying all grocery stores are bad and I am not saying that restaurants are evil and should be closed. Grocers, markets, cafés and other such establishments have existed for hundreds of years. What I am referring to is the total dependency on such things. As it stands right now most people now-a-days have lost certain skills that were once considered essential to our very survival. Most people cannot fathom cooking home cooked meals and I am not referring to the abysmal standard of home cooking that is Hamburger Helpers and TV dinners that society as put into place.

It seems as if the very concept of cooking from scratch is lost on most people. Most people are unaware of how to even bake bread, make rolls or even make homemade brownies without using the store-bought mix stuff. Now ideally everyone would have gardens and some semblance of self-sufficiency, but I understand the very modern term of “ain’t nobody got time for that.” However, having that be your daily norm is not even necessarily what I’m referring to either. If you want to go to the store and buy a loaf of bread that is perfectly fine. Though, what happens when you go to the store and the shelves have been wiped bare of everything except for tortilla shells and bagels, what will you do now? Having the skill of making your own bread would be very handy at this point. Not only could you provide for your family but maybe that elderly person who can’t even leave their house to get the essentials.

Having the skills for self-sufficiency, knowing how to take a few ingredients and make a hearty meal, is a good skill to have during these trying times. Another wonderful skill to have is gardening and growing basic foods. Contrary to popular belief you do not need 10 acres of land, a few chickens and cows to be able to grow some of your own food. You can grow some of your own food right on your apartment patio. Crops like tomatoes, peppers, greens, and even several herbs can be grown with ease in your own home. There are several YouTube, online resources, as well as Facebook groups that can get you started on the right path. Here is another site (https://www.welcometothetable.coop/fresh-from-the-source/growing-your-own-food/get-healthy-and-save-money-by-food-gardening) you can check out that can show you the financial benefits of growing your own food at home. Here is another article (https://www.thespruce.com/apartment-gardening-for-beginners-4178600) that can help the apartment residents get a head start.

Overall, we need to learn to be able to take care of ourselves. When you go to the grocery store in the past few months and see the barren empty shelves, when your significant other has been laid of from a job and you are facing financial hard times, these skills can not only be a huge help but in the end may be a complete lifesaver. I suggest everyone go out and give gardening and home cooking a try. It may just be the best thing you ever did with your life.