10 years ago i moved from new jersey to maryland. i grew up in the city. now i live out in the country with simple mountain folk. when i first moved here i was a city boy. now i am a mountain man. it took a few years to adjust. when i first moved here, i never ate anything except supermarket food. i was a hunter, but hunting land was scarce in nj. if i got lucky enough to harvest a deer, it would go directly from the field to the butcher shop. i had no idea what happened from the time i dropped it off to the time i picked up the processed meat.
down here they have a butcher shop in one of the buildings where i work. my first experience watching a co worker skin a deer (wow) i felt sick to my stomach.
now after 10 years, i raise and butcher my own beef and hog every year. my first hog butchering, they were cooking the head meat, and the organs. again i felt sick. but after my nausia went away and they introduced me to the amazing taiste of the organs (mind you it took a lot from me to try) i found my true home.
now after 10 years living here, i do all my own butchering, and grow all my own veggies. you would not believe the satisfaction.
i am soooo into living off the land, i make my own saurcraut, wine(anthony would love by the way), vinegar, and bread. my neighbor has chickens, which i trade him what ever he needs for eggs and chicken meat.
when i visit the local supermarket, most of the time all i need is milk and butter.
i cure my own hams (city cure and country), my own jerkey(beef and venison), grow and fix my own potato chips. everything i deep fry is in lard, not processed oils.
i am so into living off the land i only heat with wood. ok. i am not soooo into the land that i don't enjoy the luxuries such as electricity and cable tv, telephone and a vehicle. but it is soo much easier paying those bills knowing thats all i have to spend out of my paycheck.
once in a while i visit local eateries. except for the seafood resturants, i would rather have my home cooking.
i thank the people i became friends with for this change in my life. i hope more people will find out about the old ways of living. i love it. i hope i never have to go back to the fast life!!!!!!!