Sara Greenlee

Has anyone heard of New Wash from Hairstory? I tried going poo-less while RVing full time for a year and it just didn’t work. The baking soda and ACV bit is intriguing and sounds effective enough to try some day... but before I’d heard of that, my hairstylist recommended a new product called New Wash. My husband and I use both wash our hair once every two weeks or so and use their balm and dry shampoo powder in between. It’s expensive I think (I think I spend about $300 on hair products per year - all through hairstory), but it’s hands down the safest, salon-quality wash that I have ever experienced.

Now, my husband and I will eventually shower And drain into in a grey water catchment system AND while we are actively working on building passive income now, we know that we will very soon move from the city and into rural life and our income will likely change considerably. So, this begs the question: is New Wash safe for grey water irrigation (ingredients list attached)? And/Or can we save money and still have great hair by transitioning away from New Wash? Would love your thoughts, interweb!

Thanks! Kind of confirmation of my original concerns. Viewing the area in winter sounds like a good idea.

Wow! Thank you for such a direct and thorough response. I’m encouraged and will continue to research. Welcoming other responses, as well...

Looking for regionally specific tips and insights before we commit to ownership.

My small family (wife, husband, toddler) has been living the dream in Wichita, KS (where I grew up) for 5 years, transitioning a business into passive income so we can move into homestead life. So far, with just small urban food growing projects under our belt, we are eager and finally ready to consider buying land. Incidentally, while beginning the search in Kansas, we were made aware of a small vacant lot (about 3-5 acres) in Rutledge, TN. To my knowledge, there is a small house on the lot, but everything else is a bit wild. We think it might be the next best fit for us to make the home live-able and move into homesteading on a small scale. I am confident that we could learn a lot and manage well in that space while we increase our experience.

My husband hasn't lived in east TN since high school, however, we co-own an auto repair shop in Morristown and have made several long term visits to the area in the last few years. So, we have a general sense of what to expect, but I am wondering about the things an out-of-towner couldn't know.

Firstly, for those who have experience homesteading in the region, does this seem like a viable next step? Or, does it seem smarter to just go big and invest in something larger and more raw? I know the price per acre would be less with a larger purchase. And, ultimately, off-grid is something I'd like to accomplish eventually. But with littles and given our limited experience, this seems safer.

Secondly, for anyone LIVING IN or FAMILIAR WITH the area east of Knoxville, TN... What kind of reputation does Rutledge have - for being climate/eco-conscious? socially tolerant? What are the issues relating to crime and drugs like (I've heard Oxy and Meth have an influence in rural east TN ??)? Is there an active Permaculture community in the area? Any other reflections on the area or suggestions for local resources? No wrong answers - I'm really just trying to get an impression from permies who are familiar with the area. Thanks in advance!

- Sara

Like a lot of folks here, we found a breakfast that we eat every morning: sweet potato hashbrowns, made with onions, kale or other greens, ground beef or pork (for a plant-based protein sometimes). Roasted together with some butter, salt/pepper/garlic, often tossed with some parsley. I like to make a few days’ worth ahead of time, warm up in a skillet, throw an egg on top and have toast with it. I love that it is wholesome, warm and savory for the morning. There isn’t anything inherently sugary in it and we can modify it easily to suit our ever-changing dietary needs or the seasons. Add flax or hemp seed, swap beef out for some cannellini beans, kale for spinach, swap sweets for potatoes/beets/carrots, etc.

Thank you. I was seeking validation and I think your post was exactly what I needed. I hadn’t thought about something for the cob to adhere to and bricks might be a good add for this current winter. Both of those are useful for getting to the next step of the planning stage! I appreciate it!

My buddy and I are very new to cob, but are eager to try a small project in our 16 ft yurt. The stove currently sits on and in front of cement board, which I would like to cover in a few inches of cob and clay plaster. Both for aesthetic purposes AND thermal mass. Assuming we have plenty of insulation around the yurt itself, can anyone think of any reason this would not be as effective in maintaining warmth as I think? Also, any reason that I happen to be overlooking why I shouldn’t attach cob to the cement board? The yurt is able to be relocated, but will remain permanent for at least the next 5 years.