Remembering my Grandmother’s small farm in Pennsylvania, complete with chicken coop, made me think farming was in my blood. Granted, I had never lived there or done farm work but the love of the lifestyle was etched deeper in my soul every time we visited.

It felt natural to buy a few chickens as our first farm animals. They’re easy, right? I found an ad placed by a local person who had 2 Silkie hens listed for sale. Clark and I drove over on afternoon and the guy made us an offer we couldn’t refuse. Since these were his last 2 hens he would throw in the garbage can full of chicken feed, a waterer, and a feeder. I think we paid him $30. A small price for all the eggs we would get one day.

On the way home one of those hens crowed.

If you weren’t aware, only roosters crow.

Not to be deterred I told Clark it was fine. Having a rooster meant we would soon have baby chickens and basically get a whole flock of chickens for the price of two!

A few days later, the other hen started crowing.

We’ve learned a lot since then. Although I will say farm animals and farm life teach you something new almost daily. Over the years we certainly learned some lessons that have shaped how we care for our backyard chickens today. We’ve implemented a few things to make it easier on us and better for them.

Oh, and I now have 15 (genuine) hens and 2 roosters. We average about 8 eggs per day from about February through October.

Let’s get into those time-saving items we use to make caring for chickens easier.

No Waste Chicken Feeder

After years of trying to make that good ol’ galvanized feeder work for us, I was frustrated by the amount of wasted food. Chickens are messy. They tend to send their food flying to the four corners of the earth. They also poop everywhere, including in their food and water. Most of the classic chicken feeders are open to the elements. That means rainwater and critters can easily get inside.

I’ve seen a lot of fancy, schmancy feeders at the local Ag store. Some had levers that opened the feeder when a chicken stood on it just right but were so flimsy the brand-new display model didn’t operate correctly. Some looked like rocket ships but were made of cheap plastic which tends to disintegrate in our intense sun. Most were shockingly expensive and held just a few pounds of feed (meaning I would still have to have a separate mouse-proof, waterproof storage container).

Then I found this DIY No Waste Chicken Feeder Kit.

For less than $20 you get everything you need (less the container itself) to easily turn a bucket, box, bin, or garbage can into an automatic chicken feeder. We used the food storage container used for storing the chicken feed to make our feeder. The beauty of it is the container holds an entire 50-pound bag of chicken food. That means I fill it up once every month or two. No extra bin is needed to store the leftover opened bag. And if you have a lot of hens you can use a larger container that can hold multiple bags of feed saving you time.

Lil Cluckers Automatic Chicken Waterer

Along those same lines, I found these little cups that turn a bucket, tote bin, or plastic garbage can into an automatic chicken waterer. Now, I hope you understand that you should always be certain your chosen containers are food-safe. After all, we don’t want sick chickens and we don’t want to eat eggs that might be contaminated with bad stuff. We used a 5-gallon food-grade bucket and installed a Gamma Lid so we could unscrew the lid for fast fill-ups and easy clean-outs.

The little drinking cups work like little floats and self-fill. This means there’s only a small amount of water in each cup that can get dirty or pooped on. I have my bucket sitting on a cinder block so it’s easy for the chickens to reach and keeps them from kicking sand and shavings in it.

I usually only have to fill the bucket once a week but I check it every day, of course. Big time saver for sure. The only downside is that we can’t use it in the Colorado winter.

Automatic Chicken Doors

We invested in automatic chicken doors several years ago after my ankle surgeon told us they changed his life. I balked at first thinking they were far too expensive and frivolous. Of course, my surgeon had one…he’s a surgeon. He probably has a yacht and Range Rover, too. They must have gone on sale because I finally broke down and got one and guess what??? He was right. They are life-changing.

I’ve since gotten a second one for our turkeys. This year I bought a third one from a different manufacturer called Run-Chicken to try out (it was a much better price point).

I love them all.

They all rely on solar for recharging the battery. They can all be set up to open and close when the light is right (open at dawn and close at dusk) or can be programmed to open and close at a specific time. They can also be manually opened and closed.

All of my poultry learned how the door works within days. Albert, our Tom turkey, is the only one who ever misses the door closing. Once in a blue moon, I find him locked out. I just open the door and let him in then close it back up. Honestly, I think his partner, Mileva, sometimes gets irritated with him and doesn’t let him come to bed by blocking the doorway. Poor guy.

The doors are predator-proof and have been very reliable for us.

Conclusion

So, those are 3 of my top suggestions to make caring for chickens a little easier. I’m finding I would like to spend more time interacting with my chicken and turkey friends and less time hauling water and cleaning poop out of feed trays. I’m certain we waste less feed and have gained some peace of mind knowing that if I happen to be away from home at dusk they will be safe inside the coop behind a predator-proof door.

No matter what conveniences we find and use I can’t overstate this part. Don’t rely 100% on any of these kinds of devices. It’s one thing to be out late with friends and relying on an automatic door to close on time but if you don’t bother checking you won’t know if there’s been a malfunction (like a dead battery). Same with automatic food and water devices. They will run out. Even automatic waterers hooked up to water lines and hoses can fail. It doesn’t take long for chickens to die of dehydration or heat stroke. Let these tools help you, not replace you.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I might earn a commission on qualified purchases at no additional cost to you.

Disclosure: You should be aware that pretty much all of my posts contain affiliate links and if they don’t I made a mistake and will fix it ASAP. That doesn’t mean I’m a sellout because I would only recommend and share items I really, really like and use in my own life regularly. If you click on my affiliate link(s) I’m bound to make some serious change. I’m talkin’ CHA-CHING. You know, the kind of dough that makes you want to roll around on it nekid. You might even see me sporting some major bling from the windfall! Or at least buying a shiny new bale of hay. Don’t be mad or jealous. It won’t cost you anything to use my links and you might even save a few pennies. I promise it won’t cause you any pain but it will make my day.

Farm & Garden

1- Fence Post Puller
Why? Why did we wait 7 years to buy one of these? My back aches just thinking about all of the t-posts we removed by hand. Our ground is hard, mostly clay, so removing t-posts is laborious. It generally involves soaking the ground and then rocking the t-post back and forth with great effort to enlarge the hole enough to eventually pull the end out. It always involves pain in my lower back…and bent, useless t-posts…a huge waste. This puller is amazing. I’m not lying. We just set 6 t-posts yesterday and then realized we needed to move them all just a foot or so. No big deal. Easy peasy. This is a purchase you will not regret. As a matter of fact, you may go around looking for random t-posts to pull because it’s so fun and easy!

2- Grooming Bag
Sometimes it takes me a while to see things differently and think outside of the box. We needed to create more floor space in our little barn for Casper, our latest rescue horse. That meant removing a shelf and stand that we used to hold things like brushes, hoof picks, fly spray, and other grooming items. I still wanted those things to be handy and came across this hanging grooming caddy. It’s meant for horse trailers but works great on our wall. This is a 2 pack which provides plenty of room for all the stuff.

3- Automatic Waterer
Who knew adding an automatic waterer could be so easy and inexpensive?? Okay, maybe everyone else but me. Honestly, I had no idea it was as easy as attaching your hose to this little gadget that costs less than $15. No plumbing experience needed! With a mixed herd, our water trough has to be low enough to allow tiny Dot access. But Casper, our 16-hand paint horse, drinks gallons and gallons a day, especially in the summer. The Little Giant Trough-O-Matic does a perfect job keeping the trough full and it’s smarter than us because it never forgets to shut off. No more flooded trough area!

4- Grandpa’s Weeder
I generally don’t mind “weeds” growing. A lot of them are beneficial to insects and pose no threat to our animals. But we do get a few that are either toxic and/or form burrs that cause issues. Those are easy to identify but often have terrible thorns. I got Grandpa’s Weeder last summer and it was a great help in removing those pesky plants. No bending over, no getting stabbed by thorns, and it got most of the roots. It’s also nicely made!

Animal Care

1- Tiger’s Tongue Groomer
By far my favorite grooming tool and the animals love it too! Use it like a brush, wet or dry, to groom and massage your horses, goats, donkeys, and more. It’s soft and squishy but slightly abrasive too (like a cat’s tongue) so you can safely brush legs and bony parts without worry. I really, really love this tool.

2- Slow Feeder Hay Bags

Another game changer has been using slow feeders for our horses, donkeys, goats, and pigs. Not only do they make their meals last longer and can help prevent choke but they also save money by reducing the amount of wasted hay. My animals don’t seem to understand that if they pee and poop in their hay that it won’t taste good anymore. I don’t know about you, but I find high-quality hay to be quite expensive. Shoot, even crappy hay is expensive, especially to be used as a toilet!  Hay bags help a lot!

Safety note: hay bags are not safe to use with shod or horned animals!!! Great care should be taken with blankets and halters because the buckles can get stuck. And be aware of hoof size and hole size (mesh size of the hay bags). Hooves should not be able to fit in the holes, ever. 

I love both Hay Chix and Gutzbusta Hay Bags. They have hay net/slow feeders small enough for 1 flake of hay and large enough for a huge round bale.

Get 20% off your Hay Chix order here> https://682haychix.refr.cc/mutinyranch

Get 20% off until Nov 28th at Gutzbusta and an additional 10% off with my link> gutzbusta.com/TALESFROMTHEMUTINY

Kitchen & Home

1- Azure Standard
This is another thing I put off utilizing for far too long that cost me time and money. I don’t want that to happen to you! How do I explain this one? It’s not exactly a “gift” that can be given but more of a concept. However, items you can purchase through Azure can certainly be used to make gifts whether they are homemade baked goods or gift baskets you design for someone special.

Azure Standard is kind of like a health food distributor that delivers healthy ingredients across the US. You guys know I’m thrifty so trust me when I say many of their products are below the price I can get at my local grocery stores or on Amazon. This is especially true when you compare the quality you get from Azure. And if you’re trying to make the change to organic you’ll be hard-pressed to find better pricing.

There is a little bit of a learning curve when ordering from Azure. First, you need to check to see if there is a nearby drop-off that you are willing to drive to. Azure will also give you the contact information for your local coordinator who might offer to pick up your items. See, with Azure Standard, there are certain dates orders are processed and then delivered. For me, that means I can order once a month and pick up my items about 5-7 days later. Everyone who orders actually drives to a predetermined location and meets the truck! I find it’s pretty fun and I’m meeting new people too.

Here are some of my favorite items:
* Any and all flour for baking (Einkorn, Spelt, Bulgar, Wheat, Kamut, etc.)
* Old-Fashioned Oats (we buy in the 50-pound bags)
* Whole Flaxseed (best price ever)
* Cod Liver Oil (cinnamon flavor)
* Water Kefir Grains
* Organic Sugar
* Red Lentils
* Organic Rice
* Mason Jars and Lids
* Avocado Oil
* Redmond Real Salt
* Canned Coconut Milk
* Herbs and Spices
* pretty much EVERYTHING

2- Flair Manual Espresso Maker
In 1989 I was a barista at a tiny local coffee shop in Fairbanks, Alaska. This was long before Starbucks and Peets took over every street corner. I opened the shop, made cappuccinos, and lattes, and pulled shots before heading off to the University of Alaska for classes. Let’s say I become addicted to fancy coffee drinks quickly. It’s no wonder I now roast my own coffee and make lattes 3 times a day at home!

But, I’m still thrifty and don’t have the means (or desire) to spend $1000+ on an espresso machine. That doesn’t mean I don’t get an amazing espresso though. I use the Flair Neo Flex to pull some really nice shots. Two things I love about it?

*it’s under $100
*it doesn’t require electricity or a plumbed water line

That’s right, it’s a manual tool that allows me to make my precious lattes even if the power goes out! I use a small French Press to froth my milk…again, no electricity needed. And with Starbucks grande-sized lattes costing over $7 each now I’m definitely saving a lot of money. CURRENTLY 20% OFF FOR BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY. NO CODE NEEDED. 

3- Fermentation Glass Weights
I love to ferment all the things…Kimchi, apples, chutney, sauerkraut, dilly carrots, pickles. It’s easy, fun, and rewarding. It’s a fantastic way to preserve food and it’s super good for your gut health. I generally like to keep things simple so I use glass weights and mason jars. Easy, peasy.

4- Three-pack of Scissors
What can I say, I’m at the age where practical gifts make my day. I also understand that having multiple of certain items goes against everything “minimalist”, but…we use scissors everywhere. And I just bought another pack because I need them and they are like $7 for Black Friday. I use a pair in the kitchen to cut herbs and green onions for recipes and salads, another pair is in the feed room to open feed bags and trim microgreens for the pigs, another is in my office/craft room (of course), another is going in the barn for cutting open hay bales and for emergencies, a pair will go to the chicken coop for the same reasons, and that will eave me one backup pair which might find it’s way into Clark’s man cave/craft shed.

5- Bissell Power Fresh Steam Mop
One way we reduce the chemicals in our home is by using a steam mop. Steam mops sanitize and clean with just pure water. Nothing else. The sanitation part is important to us because we have a lot of animals and things can get tracked into the house that can gross a person out.

My mom bought us a steam mop while she visited for the summer. She has one at her house in Alabama and loved it so much that she wanted us to have one too. I really love it. It’s easy to use and the pads are washable.

Treat Yourself (and Others)

1- Oofos Recovery Shoes
I had my first bout of plantar fasciitis last year and it was not fun (1 star, do not recommend). I tried a lot of different things to alleviate the pain…yoga, foam rolling, massage, strength training, heat, ice, red light therapy…and finally bought a pair of Oofos (after seeing an ad). Within a few days, I noticed some relief and after about 2 weeks the pain was gone. I’m now a believer.

A few things you should know if you’re considering them. They aren’t super attractive. They aren’t super durable. They have squishy, foam soles and aren’t made to walk around where you might pick up stickers or have to walk on broken glass. These things will easily penetrate into the sole. But, they do what they are supposed to do. I wear mine like houseshoes. I also tend to buy the ones on clearance because I’m cheap and I don’t ever wear them out and about (so who cares what they look like). I’ve only bought and tried the flip-flops, mules, and slides. I prefer the slides (the mules make my feet very hot). I recommend comparing the store website and Amazon for the best prices.

2- Mineralogie
I had gotten away from wearing makeup simply because I don’t really go anywhere and it seemed frivolous to use it when I’m just out shoveling poo. But, after following the founder, Mary, in her Mary’s Van adventures on Instagram I realized that a high-quality, mineral-based foundation could protect my skin…and make it look nice too.

If you don’t know, Mary is Jason Wynn’s mom (of Jason and Nikki, aka Gone With the Wynns). We’ve hung out with Mary a few times in Alaska and hosted her here at our home (so she could visit her grandcat, Singa). Let me tell you, her skin is amazing. She helped me do a color match and I was gifted a Loose Mineral Foundation to try. I love it! I’ve since acquired a few other items and can say definitively that they are all wonderfully high-quality, long-lasting, and worth every penny.

There’s a lot to choose from but I personally love the Loose Mineral Foundation, Hint of Tint, Eyeliner, and Mascara. I think these can make anyone look put together in a flash.

CURRENTLY 30% OFF REGULARLY PRICED ITEMS WITH CODE SHOP30.

3- Purely Active CBD
Mineralogie’s sister company is Purely Active CBD. It offers a variety of skincare products worth checking out. CURRENTLY 40% OFF WITH CODE CHEER40.

4- Bird Feeders
I don’t know what happened but somewhere after age 40, I started watching birds. Like, really watching them. I got bird ID books, binoculars, and feeders and got obsessed. And, while my IDing skills are still crap I soooo enjoy watching the little buggers. I love hanging feeders (well out of the reach of any cats) and see who will visit.

5- What the Robin Knows
Speaking of birds…you have to get this book. It will help you foster an important relationship with the birds who live in your area. It’s truly a great read!

Necessities

1- NICO Safe Battery Jump Starter
I know I’m not the only one who is feeling the sting of higher prices combined with a little PTSD of lockdowns, isolation, and empty shelves. The past 3 years have solidified the need to be prepared for things both expected and unexpected. That’s one reason I actually enjoy getting necessities for Christmas and this is one of those things. Keeping a battery jump starter in your vehicle means you never have to go find a stranger to get a jump (not that meeting new people is bad but they aren’t always around). I’ve also found that people these days (I sound old) don’t seem to carry jumper cables or know how to use them And, it never fails that when someone needs a jump there are cars parked all around and finding a place to pull another vehicle up close enough to offer a jump is impossible.

The NICO Battery Jump Start solves all of that. It’s a great safety device to take camping or to the trailhead parking lot where there might not be anyone else nearby. We love ours because we’ve had the truck battery die on us when we were parked out in the pasture. It would have been a huge pain in the keester to get another vehicle out there (lots of gates and herding of animals) to jump it.

Currently 36% off for Cyber Monday!

By now you’ve probably seen the social media posts announcing the addition of Casper, a spry 24-year-old, one-eyed horse, to the herd. We are still under a foster agreement with Denkai Animal Sanctuary but with the option to adopt at any time. His transport from his home of more than a decade to Mutiny Ranch was a bit traumatic and his first 3 days at the Ranch left everyone exhausted, including him.

His person, whom he lived with since birth, passed away rather suddenly leaving him all alone. A kind neighbor stepped up to feed and care for Casper while the out-of-state family scrambled to figure out what to do with him while grieving for their loss. They reached out to Denkai to see if they could take him in. That’s when we stepped up to offer him an emergency home until things could be sorted.

Because of his heightened state of stress, we decided to purchase some pipe rail fencing to ensure his safety and security. Thankfully, Denkai had received a combined $1700 in donations for Casper to cover the expense (literally $1736.00). Obviously, the donations through Denkai for his care are now depleted. We, as Mutiny Ranch, received an additional $800 so we are okay until the vet and farrier come out for his exams.

Casper came with a halter and well-used fly mask that needs replacement ASAP. He has one good eye but, being the stunningly handsome boy he is, that eye is blue making it very sensitive to sunlight. His other eye socket is pink flesh. He’s nearly white…basically see-thru…hence the name Casper (the friendly ghost). He is in desperate need of a high-quality UV fly mask to protect him from the intense sun at our altitude (and from flies too).

I thought I would put together a Wish List for Casper. Just a few things we know he needs immediately. As time goes on we will be able to better understand his needs and can add things if necessary. I also completely understand that some people prefer to donate material things rather than money so they can be sure their funds really went to the horse. =)

Here’s what he needs right now (including some treats because he deserves them)…

Fly Masks:
Solar Visor Size FULL (breed Paint, height 16 Hands)
Equivisor Fly Mask w/Nose  Size FULL (breed Paint, height 16 hands)

Hay Nets:
Gutbusta Knotless Medium w/Clip (two with 1-3/4″ holes)
Hay Pillow Standard with 1 3/4″ size mesh (2)

Sunscreen:

Treats:
Stabul Nuggets (any flavor, especially banana, peppermint, and fenugreek) Ordering is available from NuZu or Chewy
https://shop.nuzufeed.com/
https://www.chewy.com/stabul-nuggets-molasses-free-banana/dp/227255

Feed:
Triple Crown Senior (available at our local Big R for ~$30 per bag) Big R offers gift cards through their website or bags can be purchased and I can pick them up.

As he settles into the routine here and we get to know him better we’ll see if there are any other needs. If he stays permanently, and we 100% want him to, we will have to find a loafing shed suitable for his size. He’s too tall for our little barn and he will need shelter. We hope to find an inexpensive used one but will build it if necessary…costs will be shared as we attempt to fundraise for that in the future.

Please know how much your support matters to the animals here at Mutiny Ranch.

Being out in the country in a rural community we don’t have malls or big box stores where we can shop in person. That also means we have a limited selection of items we need. Unless you like western wear (from the feed store), Walmart fashion, or specific boutique styles in limited sizes there are no clothing stores within an hour and a half drive. Household goods like bedding, lamps, towels, pots and pans, and everything else you could possibly need to run a house is even more limited (Walmart). I’m not knocking those stores…just pointing out that we don’t have multiple sources with which to compare prices or quality. Right or wrong, we end up shopping online for many things and support our local shops when what they offer fits our needs. And the thrift stores get a lot of my business too.

Here are some of my favorite gift ideas. Some may be familiar if you’ve followed me on the various social platforms (or even from past lists) but that’s because I really do use and enjoy them!

1- YogaDownload Subscription

I include this subscription every year because it’s so valuable. An annual Yoga Download membership (12 months) is regularly $120. This link is a Groupon Deal that provides the same 12-month membership for $33. And, as of right now, you can save an additional 20% using the Coupon Code: FBNACT. That makes this deal particularly sweet…a full year of streaming (and downloadable!) classes for $26.40.

Here are some of the types of classes offered on the site: Align and Flow, Anusara, Ashtanga, Baptiste Power, Beginner, Barre, Bhakti, Forrest, Fusion, Hatha, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Kid’s, Kundalini, Mediation, Pilates, Power, Prana Flow Vinyasa, Pranayama, Pre and Post Natal, Restorative, Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga with Weights, Yoga en Espanol.

As you might imagine, it’s impossible to bring all the critters with me for a trip to the feed store, take them into the fitting room, and try on the different masks. Besides, our two local feed stores only carry limited sizes…generally cob, horse, and warmblood. All of which are far too large for our equines. On the rare occasion they have a pony or weanling mask hanging around I’ll buy it and take it home only to be disappointed in the fit. This buying, taking home, and trying on was made worse when, for about a year, these same feed stores stopped accepting returns on equine items (like brushes, halters, and fly masks). I’ve had to sell some of these flops on Facebook Marketplace to try to recoup my money.

Maggie’s Kensington Mask (Mini A) is the smallest they have but still a tad too big.

I’ve also made many attempts through online stores, both directly from the fly mask manufacturer and Amazon, with mixed success. For years I’ve settled on fly masks from Kensington for Maggie, our miniature horse. It fits fairly well but even though I get the smallest size I still have issues with the velcro strap being too loose on her. I make it work by folding the strap and trying to secure it as best I can but she can often manage to get it off. They come in cute colors (if you can find them in stock) but I found I’m not that crazy about that because I feel it hinders her vision more than a solid grey or black mask. It worked but I was still on the hunt for something better.

I’ve never found a mask to fit Hank, who I call a burro or mini-donkey. But he’s not like many of the burros and mini-donks I see at the annual Burrofest in nearby Mancos. Those burros have petite heads, almost horse-like, but with long ears. Hank’s head is…er, clunky. He’s your typical grey desert donkey with the dorsal stripe and large, wide head. Most masks pinch his ears or touch his eyeballs or are plain huge on him. Likewise, Margarita, a standard size donkey, has been difficult to fit.

If the mask don’t fit you must aquit…Big gaps and tight across her eyes. Not good. 

Hank’s custom mask also had huge gaps and pinched his ears, which are apparently wide set.

Last year I ordered custom made fly masks for both Hank and Margarita. I sent in their measurements to be sure they would fit. I waited for them to be handmade and then shipped. They were so cute! Margarita’s had bees on the fleece trim and Hanks was red, white, and blue.

They didn’t fit. At all.

In the meantime the flies were eating their eyeballs. Okay, not literally but they were annoying them so much that Hank had scratched the delicate skin around his eyes and drew blood…which attracted even more flies. They both had non-stop tears running down their muzzles. Fly sprays and ointments only go so far.

I ordered several more fly masks to try and found one that fit Margarita well enough to keep. It’s made by Shires and has a fine black mesh so she can see better (important for a donkey who thinks she’s the pasture guardian). My only issue is that the velcro closure is too large. I’ve solved this by crossing them to eliminate the gap that would otherwise be there (letting flies in). I like that the mesh over her face is stiff and wide so there’s absolutely no contact with her eyeballs. So far, it’s a win despite the too long of straps.

Margarita wearing her Shires fly mask and Hank in his new Cashel.

But the most exciting find by far has been a fly mask that fits Hank perfectly. (I bet you didn’t know fly masks could be considered exciting, did you)? Out of pure luck I found a Cashel weanling/small pony sized fly mask at Big R one day when I was picking up feed. I’ve had luck with other Cashel products and liked how this mask was made so I took a chance and bought it. After chasing Hank around the pasture for a while (getting kicked at to boot) I finally got the mask on and cried tears of joy. Not only did it fit but it fit perfectly! No more flys eating Hank’s eyeballs.

Maggie’s new Cashel fly mask fits like a glove.

As a matter of fact, it fit so well that I got online and searched Cashel for a mini version for Maggie. And I found one on Amazon! I immediately ordered it and then checked the mailbox every day until it arrived. The day it came I proceeded to chase Maggie around the pasture so I could try it on her. Guess what?!?! It also fit perfectly!! More tears of joy! I know you think I’m crazy to be so ecstatic over fly masks but this is a big deal!!

At this point I will likely order a new one for Margarita. I can always keep the Shires mask for a backup but if my luck holds out the Cashel will provide a better fit without having to fuss with the velcro closures. I’ll try the yearling/large pony size and see how it fits…fingers crossed.

Although I have no affiliation with Cashel (hey, maybe they can sponsor me??) I would encourage you to try out their products, especially if you’ve had problems finding fly masks that fit just right.

Ways You Can Help That Cost You Nothing

As silly and shallow as it sounds, simply liking our social media pages help those strange and mysterious algorithms so we get seen more. Some sites, like YouTube, require a minimum number of subscribers and hours watched for a page to “rank” and to allow it to “monetize”. None of this costs you anything (other than some time to click, watch, share, and/or comment) so it’s a no-cost way of helping us out.

Here are our links for your convenience (liking, sharing, commenting, subscribing help more than you may know):
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

Shopping Through Our Affiliate Links

This also costs you nothing extra and, in some cases, might get you a discount. For instance, if you’re already going to shop at Amazon you can do so by first clicking our affiliate link. You don’t even need to buy anything we recommend! But, by using our affiliate link to start your shopping experience we might earn a few pennies on each item you purchase…at zero additional cost to you! One way to make this super easy is to click on our affiliate link and then bookmark it. Every time you need to make a purchase simply use the bookmark (otherwise there are links all over our website you can click).

Amazon
Xero Shoes (my favorite zero drop shoes)
Chelsea Green Publishing (natural living/gardening books)
Who Gives a Crap (never run out of toilet paper, save $10 on your first order)
eMeals (my favorite meal planning app…get $10 back!)
True Leaf Market Seed Co. (the best seeds for microgreens and sprouts…and more)
First Saturday Lime (insect repellent, stall refresher, deodorizer, magic potion…get 20% off)
Presearch (decentralized search engine…your privacy matters)

Ways to Help That Also Benefit You

Here are a few ways you can help that also provide a benefit to you…it’s a win/win!

Join our Patreon…for as little as $3 per month you will basically become a Mutiny Ranch VIP. This gives you first priority to new videos, snout art, news, and updates. There are additional levels that also earn Mutiny Ranch swag.

Donate and receive some Mutiny Ranch freshly roasted coffee. I love roasting coffee and I love drinking coffee! I source high-quality green coffee that comes from small farms that use sustainable methods of growing. I’m pretty picky so I only offer a few varieties but they are so very worthy. Coffee makes great gifts too!

Commission some art! Fletcher and Miti have proven themselves to be accomplished snout artists. Their art is featured at Zu Gallery in Cortez, Colorado but you can also commission a piece through this link. Choose your colors to match your mood or decor! Each piece comes with a photo of the pig painting your actual painting (kind of like a letter of authenticity).

Gifts For the Animals

If you’re really in a giving mood we have created Wish Lists for the animals as well as an ongoing Wish List for Mutiny Ranch in general. We understand that some people prefer not to shop at Amazon but they do make creating Wish Lists very easy. If you’d like to gift something on the list but prefer to shop elsewhere please do so…just use the list as a guide. We are always in need of food and cat litter and those can come from any source (we just ask that you stick to the food brand we use already so no one gets an upset tummy).

Mutiny Ranch Wish List
Cat Wish List
Dog Wish List
Pig Wish List
Donkey Horse Goat Llama Wish List

Mutiny Ranch Wish List (Walmart)

Gifts can be shipped to:
Mutiny Ranch
17403 Road G
Cortez, CO 81321
talesfromthemutiny@gmail.com

Payments Directly to Our Vet

Our vet, Dr. Michelle, is accepting payments directly to our account. If you prefer to know that your donation is going directly to help pay for medical care this is the route to take. Simply call and ask to make a payment on our account or mail a check to:

Montezuma Veterinary Clinic
10411 Hwy 491
Cortez, CO 81321
970-565-7567
The account is under Mutiny Ranch (or Lynn  & Clark Bonelli)

Donations through PayPal 
Donations through Venmo (@Lynn-Bonelli)

Big R Feed Store Gift Cards

Note: We normally purchase our large animal feed from IFA in Cortez. Unfortunately, they do not have a way to purchase gift cards through their website…yet. I’m working with the managers to see if we can set up an account that people can donate to so stay tuned. In the meantime, our other local feed store, Big R, does have gift cards available but they don’t carry some of the feed we need (like pot-belly pig and llama food). However, they do have other items such as fencing, bedding, and other supplies.

As always, we sincerely appreciate the support we receive through your kind donations and gifts. It truly makes all of this possible.

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Mutiny Ranch Item of the Day (3/22/2021) is emeals! Okay, so emeals is really a service and not an item but it’s so useful that I think it deserves to be shared.

Pretty much everyone will agree that meal planning can save people a substantial amount of money and reduce food waste. Those are two things I find important. But I’ve come to the realization that I’m not very good at meal planning on my own. Part of the issue is that Clark and I eat vastly different foods. He also doesn’t really care for leftovers. I, on the other hand, can make a big pot of hearty bean soup and eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all week. With a busy lifestyle full of caring for animals and digging around the garden the last thing I want to do is try to figure out what to make for dinner.

In the past, we tried several different meal services like Hello Fresh and Green Chef. Neither of us was thrilled with the amount of packaging that came with those. We try to reuse or recycle what we can but getting a box a week adds up fast.  There were also times when the produce just didn’t seem all that fresh and the cuts of meat (according to Clark) weren’t that great. A lot of the meals started to seem redundant with a big emphasis on balsamic-type glazes. Needless to say, they got old fast.

Then last year I came across something more useful…emeals.

Emeals is a meal planning app that makes the whole process kinda fun. You don’t have to choose just one of their meal plans, your membership gives you access to all sixteen!

30 Minute                            Low Calorie
Budget-Friendly                 Low Carb
Clean Eating                        Mediterranian
Diabetic                                Paleo
Gluten-Free                         Quick & Healthy
Heart-Healthy                     Slow Cooker
Keto                                       Vegan
Kid-Approved                      Vegetarian

That’s right, you can change your meal category anytime you want…so if one family member is doing Keto and the other is doing the Mediterranean Diet you’re both covered.

Once you select your diet category it will show you several meal options. When you see one you like you can click on it to check out the ingredients and method of cooking. Then simply click to add it to your list and all of the ingredients needed will automatically populate a new grocery list. Keep adding meals for the week (you can even look through previous weeks or different meal plans for more recipes). After your grocery list is created you can scan through it and remove anything you already have on hand.

The grocery list is fantastic. It separates items by type (frozen, produce, meat & seafood) to make it a breeze to grab what you need as you go through the grocery store. It also shows you what recipe the item goes to so you can click on it while shopping…handy if the store is out of something and you need to substitute or have forgotten why you need to get a particular item. Here’s a screenshot of one of my lists…as you can see, it also lets you know if an ingredient is needed for more than one meal.

The app is synced with several grocery store chains (Walmart, Kroger, Amazon, Safeway, HEB, etc) so, if available you can have your groceries shipped to you or made ready for pickup. Otherwise, just head to any grocery store with your list and pick out your necessary ingredients. Then, all you have to do is open your app and pull up one of the meals you selected for the week and get to cooking.

Another nice feature of emeals is that you can save your favorite meals so they’re easy to put on repeat. There are also recipe sections for things like Taco Tuesday, Easy Instant Pot Meals, Game Day Favorites, and Rotisserie Chicken which gives you specific recipe ideas for those occasions. That feature has really come in handy after I grabbed a rotisserie chicken for an easy dinner one night and then didn’t know what to make with all the leftovers.

Emeals has been a lifesaver for me. There’s a huge potential to save money on your regular grocery bill and to reduce your food waste. And, if you’re like me, you’ll save time and frustration (which is even more valuable to me).

You can try it out for free for 14 days. If you decide to join and use my referral link to sign up then you’ll get a $10 credit! The best pricing is the 12-month membership…it’s $59.99 which breaks down to just $5 per month. Emeals saves me way more than that in groceries. Take the stress out of dinner and sign up with me!

As always, we sincerely appreciate it when you use our links to make purchases. This emeals referral link will give us a $10 credit on our account at no cost to you. This savings allows us to spend more on our rescue animals’ upkeep as well as to help assist the rescues of other animals. 

For many of us, the holidays will look different this year. The predicted second wave of Covid-19 has begun and we’re seeing many of the places that recently opened announce closures once again. The places we normally would shop for gifts might only be offering delivery or pick up (or they might be closed altogether).

Christmas lists this year might contain more needs instead of wants. However, there’s nothing wrong with lists that include seemingly frivolous things that might bring a little joy and fun back to someone’s life…especially in these trying times. More people will be spending the holidays alone. Families and friendships have been torn apart by Covid restrictions, political differences, illnesses, lack of income, and opinions about masks. Perhaps it’s time to revisit the spirit of the season.

For me, it’s the perfect time to focus on my family and friends to make sure I send a card at the very least. No man is an island.

Now let’s have some fun!

1-Mutiny Ranch Coffee
Hand-selected and roasted order you’re coffee-loving friends and family members will love you even more when they take a sip of Mutiny Ranch coffee. We offer 3 different beans, Ethiopian, Mexican, and Guatemalan. They are roasted once you place an order to ensure peak freshness.

Make a donation of $18 and I’ll send a 12-ounce package to anyone in the US. 

2-Mutiny Ranch Mugs
Complete your gift with a mug that sports our new logo! Choose your favorite color but order soon to ensure timely delivery as these are shipped directly from the printer. Select your color here!

3-Cold Brew Coffee Maker
For the cold brew coffee lovers on your list might I suggest this brewer from Cafe Du Chateau. It’s beautiful and easy to use. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee! You can get 20% off here and free shipping with the coupon code talesfromthemutiny.

4-French Press
Here’s where elegance meets utility. The Cafe Du Chateau offers an exceptional French Press that’s easy to use and offers a consistent cup of coffee without any hassle. You’ll never run out of coffee filters (because it doesn’t use any) and, as long as you can heat up water, you don’t need electricity either. This French Press also takes up less counter space and has a lifetime warranty! You can get 20% off here and free shipping with coupon code talesfromthemutiny.

5-Fun Reading For Coffee Lovers
What goes better with coffee than a cozy murder mystery? I can’t remember how I came across Cleo Coyle’s collection of Coffeehouse Mysteries but they helped get me through the first couple of months of the pandemic. These are fun, easy reads sprinkled with quirky characters, coffee trivia, and delectable recipes you’ll want to try for yourself. There are currently 19 books in the series! Be sure to include a link to the author’s website when you gift these books to your friends and family.

1-Yoga on Demand
Give the gift of yoga to everyone! I’ve been a member of YogaDownload for about 6 years and I still love it. This is not just an online streaming service…you can actually download classes and keep them forever. This feature was the main reason I joined. Back then we were full-time RVers and didn’t always have wifi to allow for streaming so I would go to a library or coffee shop and download a bunch of classes to have when we found ourselves without internet.

You can search for classes by yoga style (like Hatha, Iyengar, Vinyasa) or by level (like beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate). You can also search by length, teacher, body part, or intention. They have kids yoga, meditation, pranayama, barre, pilates, pre- and post-natal yoga…there’s really something for everyone! A 12-month membership runs $120 on the website (still EXTREMELY reasonable) but Groupon often has deals available. As of this writing, you can get a 12-month membership for just $29.99!! Click the link below!

https://www.groupon.com/deals/n-yogadownload-com-three-or-twelve-month-membership

2-Stretch Out Strap
Not everyone can touch their toes…even after years of practice. The good news is yoga doesn’t require you to do that! The other good news is there are props available to help even the stiffest bodies gain a little flexibility without causing injury. The Stretch Out Strap is an excellent tool for physical therapy, beginner yogis, and even advanced yogis to help them explore advanced poses.

3-Yoga Toes
Foot health is vital! These toe spreaders (aka yoga toes) come in a beautiful bamboo box perfect for gifting and as a stocking stuffer.  There’s two pair in the box…one small and one larger…which works perfectly for my husband and me to have our own pair.

4-Foam Roller
The foam roller is the perfect gift for anyone who suffers from occasional to chronic aches and pains. Every few years I put a foam roller on my own Christmas list because I use them so much I sometimes wear them out! There are hundreds of videos on YouTube to teach you how to use these. I recommend a 36″ foam roller as well as a smaller one (like 18″).

5-A Book for Yogis
So many of us are feeling overwhelmed right now. So, my book recommendation is a daily reader called Meditations from the Mat by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. Readings for each day are less than 2 pages but provide so much insight.

1-Steamer/Water Bath Canner
You can definitely find cheaper canners out there but they aren’t necessarily built to last. The one below is the Queen of canners because it’s made of stainless steel. This baby won’t rust and it looks fantastic. Plus, it has a 5-year warranty.

2-Mandoline Slicer
I never thought I needed one of these until I got one. If you have a cook or food preserver on your holiday gift list consider buying them a mandoline. The amount of time saved and the benefits of equally thick (or thin slices) for home canning, fermenting, making fancy-looking (but easy) salads, or even just cooking make this a worthy investment (and a welcome gift).

3-Mortar & Pestle
Spice things up in the kitchen by gifting this mortar and pestle set. Whole spices will keep longer and taste even better when they are ground just before use. Plus, this granite set looks like a decoration in its own right.

4-Danish Dough Whisk
Here’s a gift that will bring a smile to the bread baker in your life. The mixing of dough can take a toll on the wrist but this tool can help!

5-Must Have Book for Bread Bakers
Here’s a beautiful book filled with 63 recipes for yeasted and naturally leavened bread. A step-by-step guide by the late Kathleen Weber this book offers the same recipes as those served at The French Laundry.

1-Altra Lone Peak Trail Shoes
The ultimate leave no trace hiking shoe is the Altra Lone Peak series (men’s and women’s). A nice wide toe box and zero-drop footbed will bring joy to your feet.

2-Xero Shoe Day Lite Hiker/Terraflex/Z-Trail
For more choices in hiking footwear be sure to check out Xero Shoes. Perfect for the minimalist and zero-drop shoe person in your life. Now that I received my Xero Shoe Day Hiker I can’t tell you which I prefer…the Altras or the Xero Drops. Maybe I should hit the trails today and do more testing!

3-Kavu Bag
Technically, these cross body bags aren’t hiking backpacks but they sure are great. I use one as my everyday “purse” because it is super comfortable and it sits out of the way (it sits on your back!) while grocery shopping (ladies, stop leaving your purse in the grocery basket!). But it’s also a perfect bag for short hikes when you don’t need a full-on daypack or backpack. They offer an array of colors, patterns, and fabric selections.

4-A Great Read for Hikers
There are so many great books on hiking including guides or memoirs. It’s very hard to pick just one since some are region-specific or gender-specific. Some offer a more minimalist or hardcore approach and others are for the person who might just want a casual stroll in nature. But this one has always been a favorite.

1-Good Footwear
As much as I prefer zero-drop shoes and wear them for everything (including most of my farm and garden activities) I have also learned to appreciate a nice pair of waterproof shoes. Right now I’m loving my Bogs Clogs since they are easy to slip on and off. Available for men and women.

2-Waterproof Winter Work Gloves
Like most of you, I still haven’t found the perfect pair of winter gloves and I don’t know if they exist. We all need gloves that first and foremost keep our hands and fingers warm. But as soon as we add in other needs…like being waterproof, offering dexterity, fitting the female hand, not too bulky, windproof, etc. then things fall apart. I like these in the winter because I often have to deal with water or snow (wet feed, removing ice from buckets, clearing snow). but I also need the gripping ability when raking the coop or using the pitchfork to clean the stall. 

3-Three Season Gloves
These are my favorite (but not for winter) gloves so far. Believe it or not, finding women’s gloves that aren’t bulky is still a difficult prospect. These fit the bill for me and are suitable for anything I need to do from unloading hay to driving t-posts to gardening. A bonus is they can be used with touch screens for those of us who like to take photos or listen to podcasts while out doing work.

4-SEEDS!
Pretty soon all of your gardening friends are going to be posting photos of their seed catalogs as they start arriving. We will spend all of January making lists of all the things we want to plant. A welcome gift for your gardening friends and family would be Gift Certificates to one of these places…
https://www.siskiyouseeds.com/
https://www.rareseeds.com/
https://territorialseed.com/
https://www.row7seeds.com/
https://migardener.com/

5-Microgreen Growing and/or Sprouting Kit
Hands down the best microgreen supplies and seeds so far is True Leaf Market. Be sure to check out my YouTube videos to see how easy it is to grow your own greens in a small space! For A Limited Time Only Save 15% Off All Gift Guide Products Using Code “BFCM2020”. *Gift Cards Are Exempt From Discount* (Nov 26-Dec 2, 2020). Click the image below!!

6-A Great Read
This is an important book about the future of small, family farmers. I am forever endeared to the Podoll family and now use many of their seeds in my own garden. This book is so well written and is a must-read for anyone with a desire to know more about where their food comes from and the families impacted by agribusiness.

1-For the Dog, Cat, Reptile and Large Animal Parents
Hopefully, everyone has some health care items for their furbabies, just in case. We are in love with the products from Vetericyn. From now until November 30, 2020 you can get 20% off online orders or a $5 coupon to use at your local retailer. https://vetericyn.com/

If you’re looking for a basic pre-made first aid kit for either your small pets or equine friends check out Curicyn. We have both of these kits which happened to be a door buster special last year at our local IFA feed store. https://curicyn.com/product-category/first-aid/

2-Self-Care Products
If you didn’t know, I’m a certified yoga teacher and study Ayurveda (the sister science to yoga that goes deep into health, food, body care). The Ayurveda Experience makes divine products for the body…all bodies. Their attention to detail is to be commended and every product, no matter when you purchase it, comes packaged so nicely that they make great gifts year-round. So many people put themselves last when it comes to self-care. That’s why these products make the perfect gift for anyone (yourself included)! Click the image or this link and you’ll likely find some great deals going on!

Balaayah Black-Gram Body Booster

3-The Gift of Taste
Maybe your friends aren’t ready to grind their own spices (see above Mortar & Pestle suggestion). Gift them some Flavor God spices!! They’re non-GMO and preservative-free. You can click on each spice to learn if they are Kosher, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Keto, Vegan, low sodium, etc. And they taste amazing!! My favorite is the Gingerbread Cookie sprinkled on top of my Mutiny Ranch latte.

Use this link to get 5% and to help support Mutiny Ranch. If you’re not sure what to get, have no fear, they offer loads of pre-bundled spice combinations for every occasion and every taste.

4-Journals & Planners
As I’ve made a conscious effort to slow down and live in the now I am finding, once again, how much journaling can help. I owe a lot to Dragontree Apothocary. Every year I ask for their Rituals for Living Dreambook & Planner. I also recommend the Rituals for Transformation 108 Day Journey to Your Sacred Life for anyone looking for a tool to help them commit (or recommit) to a morning meditation practice.

If you’re not ready to dive into a deep spiritual experience and just need a functional planner then I recommend anything by Amy Knapp. Like this one below…

I realize I could go on…especially since I haven’t made a section for the book lover. That might have to be its own post, to be honest. Instead, I’ll just share a few links where I like to shop for books online…but I do love to support my local independent bookstore mostly.

My most used online bookseller is Thriftbooks. They have a huge selection of used books at great prices and low (or free) shipping. You can get 15% off your order by using my referral link here! They also sell gift cards if you’re unsure what to pick out for a gift.

And if you’re looking for homesteading, gardening, fermentation, farming, or anything “sustainable living” then Chelsea Green Publishing is for you. Right now they are offering 35% through Dec. 31, 2020. Click the image below!

I grew up a military brat. We lived in places like the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast where hurricanes were an annual tradition. We also lived in Upstate New York where snow would accumulate to the bottom of my second-story bedroom window. At one point we lived on the San Andreas fault in California. And, we lived in Fairbanks, Alaska which had darkness, snow, and cold that could kill a person quickly. I was 16 when we moved to Alaska and we actually had to take classes on prepping…mostly to be prepared if our vehicle broke down on the remote roads we traveled in 40 below weather (yes, -40 degrees F)…blankets, batteries, water, flashlights, steel wool (they taught us how to make a fire with a C battery and steel wool), socks, gloves, boots, a shovel, cat litter, flares. All of this was way before cell phones existed which, in retrospect, has helped us in our preparedness now.

We still have quite a few friends and followers who travel full or part-time in RVs (or on sailboats). The ones who I really admire are “prepared” in a multitude of ways. (The ones who aren’t prepared at least have cell phones to call on the prepared ones for help).  They have spare parts and vehicle supplies (like oil, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid), spare blankets, and maybe ceramic heaters for an unexpected cold snap, spare fuses, spare light bulbs, spare batteries, a backup charger for phones or laptops. They might have spare mechanical parts like a bilge pump or starter. Some carry spare internet access like a t-mobile phone and an AT&T phone and a Google Fi phone, and more. I think, I hope, they all carry more than one pair of underpants. When we fulltimed we also carried a bug-out-bag (also called a G.O.O.D. bag for Get Out Of Dodge) which had copies of our most important documents as well as a first-aid kit, freshwater tabs, rain jackets, etc.

Now we find ourselves living on our small rescue farm about 15 miles from the nearest, rural town. That might not seem far but on a wintery, ice-covered road it can feel like a 100-mile white knuckle drive. We’ve been snowed in. We’ve had ice storms and monsoons that made “running to town” out of the question. And, because we have extremely limited shopping, we saw the grocery shelves go bare in the early months of the Covid-19 Pandemic. I’ll tell you what, I was pretty freakin’ happy to have been accidentally prepared for this crisis and we are working hard to become even more prepared for any future crises. Not because we are paranoid or freakishly pessimistic but because it makes sense (what?!?). At the time of this writing, several European countries (France, Germany, Poland and Spain) are imposing Covid lockdown restrictions once again. The last time this happened pretty much every country in the world followed suit. So yeah, being prepared might be a brilliant idea.

What Did We Have On Hand at the onset of Covid-19?

1- Toilet Paper

Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels

I wrote about it before and even offered a discount link on our website but I still saw friends freaking out when they couldn’t find toilet paper. They were angry…very angry…that other people also didn’t have toilet paper and bought the store out. One friend ended up getting price-gouged by an online reseller (I think she paid $40+ for 12 rolls of toilet paper). In my quest to reduce plastics I made the switch to Who Gives a Crap a few years ago. The best bang for my buck is the 48 roll box that gets auto-delivered every 6 months. You can choose how frequently you get deliveries and even postpone it if you are over-flowing with TP.

When the Great TP Shortage of 2020 hit we had 38 rolls of toilet paper on our shelf. A month into the pandemic the company was sold out. A few months later, when they had more stock, they messaged us (since we were regular subscription holders) and were offered first dibs on replenishment. But we still had plenty of TP and were able to decline delivery so it could go to someone more in need. (Note: A few years ago we installed $30 bidets to both of our toilets to reduce TP usage. It’s obviously been a big help). 

2- Dish Soap (Cleaning Supplies)

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

I’m cheap thrifty and have limited access to recycling (and most recycling was non-existent in the early months of the pandemic). In February, after trying a dish soap bar (expensive and “filmy”) and wasting a bunch of money on “eco-friendly” brands in small plastic bottles, I opted to purchase a 5-gallon bucket of commercial dishwashing soap for a really good price. It was delivered to my door and should last me years. I just refill one of my old dish detergent bottles whenever needed. Once the bucket is empty I’ll have 1000 uses for it so it won’t end up in the landfill.

I also did a little video in March explaining that it is possible to clean your house with dish soap (and blow your nose on fabric scraps). You don’t need 8 different cleaners and 5 different scrubs to make your house presentable or to kill all the germs. We’ve really been duped. Of course, I’m not saying that dish soap is optimal for some surfaces so don’t hold me accountable if your floor looks dull or some special finish you have on your furniture starts to fade. But come on…you don’t need to freak out because someone bought all of the Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena All Purpose Cleaner and now you’re doomed to live in a pig stye.

3- Laundry Detergent/Dish Washer Pods

I have on hand, about 4 years worth of Dropps Laundry Detergent and Dish Washer Pods that were delivered to my doorstep last winter. In a previous blog post, I wrote about how I paid $67.50 for 804 laundry pods and 804 dishwasher pods. That’s $67 total! I don’t know if that deal is still available but I do know that Dropps continues to offer great cleaning products that are available as a subscription and in bulk quantities. Use this link to order!!

4- Dry Food Goods

We live in an area famous for dried beans (pinto, black, bolita, anasazi, Colorado) as well as popcorn and cornmeal. I’m a vegetarian. Clark loves rice and prefers it over pasta or potatoes. So, for us, it’s a good idea and pretty damn economical to have beans and rice on hand…in bulk. I’ve found my Instant Pot makes perfect cooked beans without the need to soak overnight. At any given time we probably have 40 pounds of beans and 30 pounds of rice on hand.

We also live near the Cortez flour mill whose Blue Bird brand is known throughout the country. Because I bake I usually have a 50-pound bag of it on hand as well as 10 pounds of their whole wheat flour. They also sell a killer breakfast cereal called Germade that is so cheap I grab 5 pounds whenever it starts to run low. It’s kinda like Cream of Wheat and keeps better than boxed cereal.

As many of you know, I used to bake 20+ loaves of sourdough every week for the Farmer’s Market. So, I developed my baking skills over the years and, as long as I have flour and water, I can bake a loaf of bread anywhere. Some of you might remember that I did a series on IGTV showing how to go from nothing to a loaf of sourdough bread in about 7 days…and create a starter you can use forever. Find my YouTube sourdough tutorial here or read the blog post here.

During the first couple of months of the pandemic, there was a shortage of yeast. Sourdough eliminates the need for commercial, store-bought yeast…even if it does mean people will look at you with disdain for your crazy “prepper” ways! Of course, the other half of the people will be contrary and refuse to learn how to make sourdough because everyone (insert eye-roll) was on the Covid Baking Bandwagon.

Note: I did, however, have a one-pound bag of Active Dry Yeast in my freezer because, well, it was cheaper more cost-effective to buy it in bulk and I occasionally bake yeasted bread.

I’m a big fan of Tiffany and her blog Don’t Waste the Crumbs. She holds a Grocery Budget Bootcamp twice a year but offers a ton of grocery saving advice for free on her blog and Facebook page (click here to learn 38 Ways to Save Money on Food Year Round). Through her, I’ve learned some great tips on saving money while stocking up on the things we buy regularly. This can mean figuring out the pattern of when a particular item goes on sale to building an Amazon Panty or Subscribe and Save monthly auto-delivery. You can also check out the podcast, Living Free in Tennessee with Nicole Sauce who has done a series of talks on Pantry Management precisely for being prepared.

5- Meat (if you eat it)

We purposefully and mindfully chose to live where we live. You might remember us from our full-time RV travels (from 2012-2016). Besides seeing all.the.things. we were on a quest to find a new place to call home. High on our list of priorities was to live in a farming community with the ability to either grow our own food or to find it within a very short distance…preferably from friends and neighbors. During those early months of the pandemic, when stories of food shortages and photos of empty grocery store displays started circulating we still had a rather large network of local farmers with plenty of farm-raised vegetables, meat, eggs, fresh milk, butter, yogurt, and cream available. Best of all, we were able to help support those families by purchasing from them just when many were losing their main source of income with the shutdown.

Of course, I realize not everyone wants to live remotely or in such rural areas. Through a podcast, I learned something great about a company called Butcher Box. I know you’ve probably heard of them but here’s something I think makes them pretty impressive. Once the realization sunk in that the lockdown was going to be extended for who knows how long…and rumors started up about a meat shortage (which was really more of a meat processing plant issue and USDA red tape) Butcher Box stopped accepting new memberships to ensure they could continue to provide for their existing members. To my understanding, not one subscriber had any disruption in their delivery. Butcher Box has since started accepting new members again. You can use this link to get $15 off your first box if you’d like to try them out.

5- Pet/Animal Feed

Baby Fletcher

Thanks to our very generous friends and followers, we ended up with a lot of donations this past spring (pre-Covid) that allowed us to stock up on animal feed. Our philosophy has been that if we’re going to town to buy feed we might as well stock up. The peace of mind that comes with a well-stocked feed room is worth the upfront expense. Plus, by buying in bulk we were able to save money on gas and on the actual cost of the hay and feed since the pandemic did cause prices to go up as supply went down. We also have our dog and cat food on auto-ship through Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program. Not a Prime Member yet? Click here for a 30- day free trial! We maximize our savings (15% off) each month and have everything shipped to our doorstep. It was easy enough to add an extra bag or two when we saw shortages occurring to create a buffer.

6- Fresh Grown Greens, Sprouts, and Microgreens

Thanks to Covid, I started to really work on my indoor gardening skills. I’ve been able to continuously grow lettuces, chard, herbs, and other greens in a very simple hydroponics system called the Kratky Method. It’s ridiculously easy and has been very rewarding. You can check out my YouTube Kratky tutorials here. 

I’ve also gotten good at growing sprouts as well as microgreens. These are so freakin’ simple that I don’t know why everyone isn’t doing it! Sprouts and microgreens are packed with nutrients and are considered living foods. Any excess I might have are happily gobbled up by the chickens, turkeys, and even the goats…giving them an extra boost of vitamins as well. Plus, it makes them feel special to get yummy treats. Check out my Sprouting Video here and my Microgreen Video here. As most of you probably know, the desire for fresh veggies often creates the need for extra trips to the grocery store each month so by growing our own we didn’t have to risk exposing ourselves to others or deplete the already stressed produce sections of our local markets.

7- Preserved Foods (that we’ll actually eat)

I’ve learned to can through YouTube videos and books but I also dehydrate some stuff too. Having a variety of preserved foods, that you actually like to eat, is pretty handy. Even in “normal” times, there are days no one feels like cooking so a bowl of soup and a slice of bread makes the perfect meal. Over these past 4 years of trying to make everything I can from scratch, I’ve come to the realization that I can’t, and don’t want to, do it all. We’re fortunate that there are a lot of choices when it comes to commercially prepared canned, dehydrated, and freeze-dried food to supplement our pantry foods. Having options like these will help cover nutritional needs and ward off “palate fatigue”. Keeping a nice supply of spices, hot sauces, and condiments. will also help. After all, there’s no reason anyone has to make plain, unpalatable food simply because they’re eating “prepper food”. Flavor God has some fantastic spice combinations from savory to sweet. You can get 5% off here and try them out…imagine being snowed in yet enjoying a homemade latte topped with Gingerbread Cookie, Chocolate Donut, or Pumpkin Pie seasoning sprinkled on top. Yum!!

Speaking fo lattes (and coffee)…I’m sure you all know by now that I roast my own coffee. I probably have 200 pounds of green (unroasted) coffee beans on hand (from around the world). Also, all sorts of milks milk (from cows to plant-based) is available in shelf-stable aseptic packages as well as in dried powder form and can be used in a pinch. I also keep plenty of raw almonds on hand (I buy them in 5-pound bags) and can make a batch of almond milk on demand. I did a YouTube video showing how to easily make Oat Milk as well as how to make tofu from dried soybeans (the first stage is to make soy milk so you can stop there if needed).

Future Preparations for Mutiny Ranch

1- A New Pantry & Chest Freezer

Fermenting and canning are great ways to preserve food but so is freezing.

 This winter we plan on converting the extra space in our laundry room into pantry storage. Our current pantry is tiny and awkward….making it difficult to clean and organize. And, although we do have two refrigerators, we have to carry so much fresh and frozen produce for the pigs that we’d still like to add a chest freezer. Both of these improvements will allow us to store more items we need to feel better prepared (more and diverse food, batteries, candles, animal food, etc). 

2- A Generator

We’ve had a generator on our radar ever since we moved in. Our electrical box is already set up for one and it would be a smart move considering our location and the possibility of snowstorms causing an outage.

3- A Truck and Horse/Livestock Trailer

The fires in Durango two years ago (and those that swept the country this year) has made it abundantly clear that we need to be prepared for evacuation. This is high on our priority list.

4- Barn and Feed Room Rebuild/Expansion

Loading the trailer with hay this past spring.

Ideally, we should have 3-4 usable stalls and a secure feed room capable of holding 6 months of feed at any given time. Currently, we have one fully enclosed stall that all 3 little ones sleep in at night (Maggie, Dot, and Dolly). The other enclosed stall is our feed room. We need more room to store more feed.

Lessons on Not Really Being All That Prepared

Our current setup is far from fail-proof. We clearly have a dependency on electricity, city water, wifi, Amazon, and the local grocery store.  And we are working on some solutions (we have a sun oven and plans for a solar dehydrator as well as an outdoor cob oven). However, the benefits of being even somewhat prepared make our desire to improve this area of our lives even greater. Not only did we lessen our personal burden on an already stressed situation but we were able to help our neighbors if needed.

This pandemic has certainly shined a light on our strengths (few) and weaknesses (many) when it comes to being prepared and self-reliant. We have a lot of gaps to fill, especially when it comes to our rescue animals.

Has 2020 changed your perspective on preparedness? What changes have you made or want to make in the future?