Are you leading a self-sufficient lifestyle?

I wanted to talk about a topic that has been bothering me lately. The more I think about it, the more it’s been nagging me. I just haven’t been sure how to start. With the discussion of this topic, with a series I wanted to bring to this website, with anything related to this site, really.

But, I can’t keep stalling and watching the days pass me by. I have to keep moving forward, so despite wondering if it will be received well, here it is:

So of course, by now you have all heard about the Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China.

I’ve heard various opinions (both professional and otherwise) surrounding this brewing pandemic. The media wants people to remain calm, but also wants them to panic during basic snow storms. I’ve seen videos and have been keeping tabs on East Asian media outlets and news sources regarding the matter.

People don’t want to panic, but it’s starting to look quite grim.

I don’t know if citizens here in the U.S., or even abroad, realize just how much we all depend on China for basic life necessities. So much of our workforce has been outsourced to their country. America hardly makes anything these days, and when it does it is usually of poor quality.

That is a personal opinion, but truly sit back and think about how much your own respective country produces organically.

Grab the nearest item toward you. Flip it over, look at its sides – what does it say?

For me personally, I have a ceramic owl near me with a hollow inside. Candy usually filling it; this time of year the bird being home to an abundant assortment of mints. On the bottom it says “made in china”. The laptop I’m currently writing on was made with parts from a Chinese factory. The pens on my desk and in all honesty even the desk was made in China.

I don’t think people are grasping the severe economic and quality of life implications a drop in trade imports from mainland china could have on the global economy and its community.

Let’s look at Chinatown here in New York as an example.

There’s been initiatives frequently cycled during the news day to promote business back to these areas. Flushing, Lower Manhattan, and Sunset Park have become virtual ghost towns. Some restaurants are even down by more than 50% in attendance. Grocery store sales have skyrocketed.

The “Show Some Love in Chinatown” campaign was recently run in an effort to promote tourism back to local and small establishments. I haven’t heard anything further on the news, so its success is still uncertain.

Now, the CDC director has been quoted saying that the coronavirus “…is probably with us beyond this season, beyond this year…”

If this continues, what will you personally do for goods and services no longer readily available?

Do you know how to make the items you might need? Create goods you buy out of convenience?

What about yourself or loved ones who are on medications with ingredients imported from mainland China? What will become of them? Of you?

Of course, I do not mean to fear-monger or scare people. That is not my intention.

But, I don’t think the ‘what if’ scenarios are being given enough thought. As they pose very real consequences for a global community that is far too dependent on foreign nations and trade.

I wanted to recommend a few books I’ve been reading lately. I enjoy cooking at home, and learning to prepare different recipes myself. In these books there are also instructions on how to make scented candles, dry flowers and different foods, and even how to grow food if you find yourself in a pinch.

Everyone is free to live however they want, but have you really thought about what you can do for yourself if this all goes away?

Do you know how to build a fire? Could you catch a fish? Do you know what plants are in your backyard or found in your local area?

Do you know how much a little weed like dandelion can do if made into a tea?

So I’m going to list the books and some links if you were interested in checking them out. And of course, I have to put this disclaimer, so:

Research is always ongoing. The sharing of this information is not an endorsement of these products, and is not from a certified medical doctor.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These books are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.

Complete Book of Herbs & Spices: An illustrated guide to growing and using aromatic, cosmetic, culinary, and medicinal plants by Sarah Garland.

Reader’s Digest New Illustrated Guide to Gardening by Reader’s Digest Editors

Food Drying At Home the Natural Way by Bee Beyer

Remember to stay safe out there everyone and take the necessary precautions recommended by your local government authorities!

Stories From the New World

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