Urban Homesteading in Florida

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Another important facet of our "plain and simple" lifestyle is a basic, wholesome diet. For us, that means a well-balanced vegetarian regimen — which, in this benevolent climate, is easy to put together. During all but the hottest months, our gardens provide us with a continuous supply of fresh fruit and vegetables: all the regular favorites, as well as such exotic tropical treats as yard-long bean, tampala, cucuzzi squash, jicama, and winged bean. And we supplement that produce with combinations of dried beans, whole grains, and a few dairy products. Jim has taught me how to make soymilk and tofu from raw soybeans, and we often experiment with vegetarian ethnic cuisines, embarking on culinary adventures that give us inexpensive opportunities to sample the flavors of such places as India, Mexico, and the Far East.

But of course, living lightly — in the fullest sense — involves more than just the way a person eats or decorates a home. It also involves our relationships with our environment, with our friends and family, and with ourselves . . . calling for-in all those instances — a peaceful, loving state of mind that is clear and focused during each moment. To try to develop that sensitive awareness, Jim and I meditate together every morning; we've even set aside one small room of our house specifically for that endeavor.

MAKING PLANS

So what are two confirmed back-to-the-landers doing in the middle of a city? Sure, we'd rather be doing all this — and more — on a peaceful country acre or three . . . but for now, our sources of income are here, so we're doing the best we can to live lightly as urbanites. And as you might guess, we're also saving our dollars for that eventual move out of the city, while honing some homesteading skills that'll help us make our transition more easily. For the moment, though, we feel quite content in our little metropolitan oasis . . . especially at day's end, when the sun dips into the gulf in a shower of red, and the resident flock of wild parrots comes noisily in to roost in the top of a royal palm. The good life, we've found, can be wherever you decide to make it.

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