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Frugal Living

How to Save Energy the Vintage Way – 9 Old-Fashioned Tips

January 15, 2023 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Here are 9 old-fashioned ways to help you reduce your energy consumption and give your wallet a break.

snuffing out a candle

Let’s rewind to a time when folks didn’t rely on electricity to get by to the degree that most of us are accustomed to. At the peak of summer’s sweltering heat, air conditioners didn’t run the way they do today. Depending on the time period, people would go somewhere communal that was air-conditioned, like the movie theatre. In the winter, people bundled up for extra warmth.

It’s not that way anymore, at least, not in North America.

As a Canadian, I would have to say that most people have gotten lazy when it comes to energy consumption. The ways of our forefathers (and mothers) have been forgotten. Convenience is king, but it comes at a cost.

The costs that may come to mind are environmental and financial. Energy based on fossil fuels isn’t as affordable as it once was. In fact, it’s become downright expensive.

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Filed Under: Frugal Living, Old-Fashioned Skills

20 Rationing Tips from WWII (in case you need them)

January 17, 2022 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Rationing tips were plentiful during WWII. Here are twenty vintage pointers that might help you, too, if you ever find yourself in a pinch.

World War 2 Ration Books And Stamps D. D. Teoli Jr. A. C.
Source: World War 2 Ration Books And Stamps D. D. Teoli Jr. A. C.

In 1940, Britain began rationing; in 1942, Canada and the US followed suit. Goods that had previously been taken for granted either became scarce or cost dearly.

Ration stamps were distributed to every household, granting families a purchasing allowance for meat, butter, sugar, coffee, tea, dairy and preserves. Needless to say, this changed the way folks ate.

Since resources were being focussed on the war effort, there was a massive shift from importation to local production and consumption. To do their part on the homefront, women had to be creative in the kitchen, making do with what they could buy for their families. There’s a lot we can learn from them.

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Filed Under: Frugal Living, Old-Fashioned Skills

30 Foods Our Great-Grandmothers NEVER Bought

September 6, 2021 by Sylvia Rose 6 Comments

Making these foods from scratch is not only healthier, but it’ll save money, too! How many of these staples are you making at home?

homemade jelly

I’ll admit it. Making food from scratch isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially when you’re balancing multiple plates. Work. Kids. Cleaning. Meals.

In the case of my own great-grandmother, she stayed at home to take care of her family.

It was pre and post-war Germany, so food was scarce and while some of the things on this list weren’t within her scope, everything she placed on the table was homemade.

I personally stay at home, so I have the time to make food from scratch, but if that’s not you, don’t worry.

I’ll explain how you can start making some of your own pantry staples without getting overwhelmed.

Because at the end of the day, food prepared at home not only tastes better, but it’s healthier and cheaper, too.

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Filed Under: Frugal Living, Old-Fashioned Skills

Hate Grocery Shopping? Stock up the Pantry this Fall!

September 3, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 3 Comments

Do you hate grocery shopping as much as I do these days? Here’s how to preserve the summer harvest this fall. Let’s fill up that larder!

stocking up the pantry with homemade salsa

STOCKING UP THE PANTRY THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY

Once upon a time, grocery stores weren’t the primary destination to put a meal on the table.

Soup didn’t come out of a can, a helper didn’t come out of a box, and fast food had to be caught.

Families worked long and hard together to store up enough food to last them through the winter, and the majority of that supply was produced on their own land.

Before the dawn of modern refrigeration, almost every home had a root cellar or some sort of cold room to store their goods.

Potatoes, carrots, cabbages, and other hardy vegetables were carefully packed away.

There were bushels of apples, large crocks of homemade sauerkraut, and cured meats.

In the attic, there might be braids of onions and garlic and herbs hanging to dry for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

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Filed Under: Frugal Living, Old-Fashioned Skills

Making Homemade Vanilla Extract (Edible Gifts)

July 3, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Making vanilla extract from scratch is a reward all on its own. Whether it’s to save a bit of money, to enhance your baking experience, or to make a thoughtful handmade gift, there’s something special about extracting your own vanilla flavour.

homemade vanilla extract

MAKING VANILLA EXTRACT FROM SCRATCH

To some, making vanilla extract from scratch seems out of the realm of possibility.

The truth is, it couldn’t be easier to make!

No matter how many different ways you roll the dice, vanilla is expensive.

Taking the DIY approach, however, will save you a few bucks and give you a cool kitchen project.

All you need is a handful of vanilla beans, a half-pint mason jar, 80-proof alcohol, and six month’s worth of patience.

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Filed Under: Baking, Culinary Know-How, Frugal Living, Holidays, Old-Fashioned Skills, RECIPES

Why Everyone Should Forage (and 7 beginner tips)

June 5, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 8 Comments

Learning how to forage is like learning how to raid Nature’s pantry. Here are four simple reasons for why everyone should forage and some best practices to keep in mind.

THE FORAGER’S PATH

My foraging journey began two or three years ago when I lived by a forest trail.

It was a beautiful respite from busy living and I walked there frequently, delighting in the rich canopy of green.

Sometime after the Pokemon GO! game came out, I was walking through the woods trying to catch Pokemon (I am SO ashamed to admit this) when I stopped dead in my tracks and came to my senses.

Why was I putting so much time and energy into imaginary critters when I didn’t even know what was growing around me?

I loved the woods, but I was a stranger.

Why was it that I could identify Pokemon and corporate logos, but not something real and tangible?

Something needed to change!

RELATED: Identifying and eating garlic mustard

RELATED: Things you can do with violets

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Filed Under: Foraging, Frugal Living, Old-Fashioned Skills

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Welcome to the Kitchen!

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I’m delighted to have you here!

Hi! I’m Sylvia, a vintage-loving gal. Join me weekly as I share old-fashioned tips and recipes to help you become more intentional and self-sufficient. Want to get to know me better? Please join me over here.

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