Wanna live off the land?

You know, if I wanted to, I could take a copy of Mother Earth News into the wilderness and survive just fine. This magazine is for those that are survivalists or, at least, would like to think that they could be.

Mother Earth News covers everything you can think of regarding saving the earth's resources and relying as little on public services as possible. I have seen articles in the magazine on straw bale houses, canning foods, building a one-man hot tub, and gardening techniques. It reminds me of magazine that might have been passed around at a California commune in the 70s.

Funny thing is, I find this magazine highly entertaining and very informative--even for a woman living in the middle of East Coast suburbia. I really WANT to be able to live in a geodesic dome and use solar panels for all of my heating and electric needs. It makes you realize how wasteful we all really are, and how easy it would be to change that lifestyle into one that is more earth-friendly.

Mother Earth News also has fascinating articles written by those that live off the land. For example, there was an article a few years back about a family that lives in a remote part of Alaska, depending almost entirely on their own devices for survival. Very fascinating reading.

The other thing I find cool about this publication are the ads. You can find everything in the back of Mother Earth News: house plans, hydroponic supplies, solar panels...anything you might need if you were snowed in and house-bound for a month.

The downside: This magazine is difficult to find at your average drug store. You usually must go to one of those large bookstores that promises they have every magazine in existence. You might want to seriously consider getting a subscription, if you find the content to your liking. I also wish that there were 12 issues instead of 6 per year.