This week’s instalment is a condensed video of a few late spring days.
Since we moved to Portugal in 2018 we knew we would like to be as self sufficient as possible. We started completely off grid and later, due to circumstances, had to get connected to mains electricity. Is it really possible to be self sufficient? That’s a question with many answers. For us, getting connected was the only option then. However, I can say we are very self sufficient when it comes to food. I believe that you can achieve 100% food self sufficiency but of course with certain sacrifices.
Instead of sacrificing, we are growing as much food for us as we can at the moment. Of course we have bigger plans for future but it all costs energy, money and time. But we are getting there. We don’t buy any vegetables and hardly any fruit. We have our own eggs, meat, cheese and milk. We also harvest olives every year for olive oil which is then used not only for cooking but also for making other stuff such as soap and creams/salves.
We have plans. And we will succeed. We always do. We just need to be as flexible as the situation requires. You cannot fail if you tried.

Recipe for elderflower cordial

On sunny and dry morning pick around 25 large heads of elderflower. Make sure you do it before midday.
Leave the heads on a piece of cloth for any bugs to escape. Don’t wash the heads as you would wash away all the pollen.
In the meantime you bring to boil 1.5 litres of water
Dissolve 1kg of sugar and let is cool down
When luke warm add 55g of citric acid (this will help the cordial stay fresh for longer)
Stir well
Slice 4 organic lemons (no wax)

Put sliced lemons and elderflower heads into the water, submerge and cover with clean cloth

Let it steep for 48 hours

After 48 hours squeeze the lemons and elderflower and strain the liquid twice through cheese cloth

Pour the golden liquid into sterilized bottles, close and store in a dark place.

Enjoy!

There will be abundance of elderberries later in a year. Watch out for elderberry syrup recipe and maybe even some jam.

Don’t forget to subscribe, like and share.

Stay tuned for next video.

Thank you for your support

Much love

Sonia & Zuzana

source