🤫 What They Don’t Tell You About "Living Off-Grid" + Wild Food 🍄

Grow + forage your way to self-reliance (real strategies inside)

Author

Cedie Omaña
July 26, 2025

For many people, the idea of growing your own food, working with the land, and becoming less dependent on the system isn’t just a dream. It’s starting to feel like a necessity.

If you’re preparing for an off-grid life, starting a backyard garden, or just wanting to live more simply, a little guidance goes a long way.

Here are two highly practical resources that have helped thousands of people move forward with confidence.

1. The Self-Sufficient Backyard

A detailed guide for living off the land even on a small piece of it.

This book breaks down how to:

  • Start a productive year-round garden

  • Collect and store rainwater

  • Generate basic power sustainably

  • Raise animals and preserve food

  • Reduce your reliance on stores and systems

  • Even create small streams of income from your land

It’s written for people who want to be hands-on and prepared, regardless of whether they have acres of land or just a small plot. Everything is explained in a straightforward way, without the fluff.

Plus, it comes with lots of freebies:

2. The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

A clear, well-organized reference for identifying and using edible and medicinal plants.

If you’re curious about foraging, or already noticing plants on your walks and wondering what they’re good for, this guide is a helpful place to start. It teaches:

  • How to safely identify wild plants

  • What’s edible vs. what to avoid

  • Basic medicinal uses of common plants

  • Tips for harvesting respectfully and sustainably

  • Ways to turn what you find into practical food, teas, or remedies

It’s especially useful for anyone who wants to understand what’s growing in their local area and how to use it in a safe and responsible way.

Why these two resources work well together:

While one focuses on building self-reliance at home (gardening, harvesting, preserving, and reducing dependence), the other expands that same mindset into the natural spaces around you.

Both emphasize practical skills, simple steps, and respect for the land. Together, they form a solid foundation for anyone starting (or deepening) their journey into sustainable living.

If this is something you’re exploring… either now or in the near future, it’s worth checking them out and having them on hand.