In August, a Pender Island couple will be marking one year since they started producing all of their own food.
From growing their own food, foraging for plants, and butchering their livestock, Chris Hall and Stef Lowey have done what most people dream of — self-sustain their way of life.
Hall and Lowey have given up the simple luxuries, pleasures, and conveniences that grocery stores, fast food places, and fine-dining restaurants can offer.
Anything that can be bought in the grocery store, enjoyed at a restaurant, or purchased at a drive-thru, the Pender Island couple has either grown themselves or substituted.
From salt and stevia, vegetables and fruit, to making their own Nutella, the couple are a success story of how to sustain one’s self.
While the two might appear to be experts, it didn’t always start that way.
“You know, it’s always been an interest of mine to do this,” said Hall.
“And the COVID-19 pandemic really put things into perspective for us. We were both city folk growing up, and this experience was so eye opening, we appreciate every part of the food cycle so much more now.”
Hall and Lowey are part of a growing trend on Vancouver Island recognizing the impact of one’s agricultural choices.
“If we take and butcher a chicken we make sure we use everything! We take the bones and make a bone broth or we take chicken liver and use that,” said Hall.
“We’ve gotten a good look into how we actually contribute to the food cycle, really being a part of that process is important — I’d say that is my biggest takeaway.”
For anyone looking to adopt this approach, Victoria Buzz asked the couple what advice they’d give.
“Don’t do what we did,” they joked.
“We didn’t plan enough, but luckily, we had a lot of people around us who knew what they were doing, especially with foraging, and YouTube has been a huge part of how we’ve navigated our new way of life.”
Despite their modesty, Hall and Lowey do have some simple, solid advice too.
“Start practicing small, even if it’s your apartment on your balcony, research what you can and forage around you,” said Hall.
“Pick one place you’d like to start, whether it be a chicken for fresh eggs, or a vegetable you like, that’s the key step. Pick something that you enjoy and start making it from the ground up for yourself,” said Lowey.
Now that they’re nearing the 365 day marker, the couple intends to take a well-deserved cheat week consisting of champagne.
While they intend to maintain a similar lifestyle going forward, the couple said they’ll do it at about 5% less than what they did this past year.
But they still prefer their homemade Nutella.
To keep up with their journey, Hall and Lowey have created a YouTube channel you can check out here.
Here are some of their favourite videos with some great tips on how to replace some of those items you feel you can’t live without and some wisdom about the agriculture that’s simply in front of you.
Check it out:
1. How to Make Dandelion Root Coffee
2. How to Make Walnut and Stinging Nettle Pesto
3. Easiest Way to Make Apple Cider Vinegar
4. How to prepare Horsetail (A common weed found in gardens)
5. Did you know Hostas are edible? (An edible shade plant used as a garden decoration)
