11 Years Living Off-Grid in an Earthship Style House

Рет қаралды 3,612,571

7 жыл бұрын

Hélène Dubé and her partner Alain Neveu from Es-Cargo (www.es-cargo.qc.ca/) have lived off-grid in Quebec, Canada for 11 years in a self-built earthship style home made of recycled tires filled with earth and large south-facing windows.
Their water is gravity fed from a spring-filled cistern placed up the hill from their home, their power comes from solar energy, and they use a composting outhouse toilet.
For refrigeration, they make their own ice during the winter by freezing water in recycled windshield washer jugs outside, and then they store them in a root cellar inside unplugged chest freezers insulated with sawdust. They manage to keep their food cold with these homemade ice blocks from January to July, and then they get ice blocks from a neighbour.
For hot water they use approximately 200 lbs of propane each year.
For heat they have a homemade rocket stove that is an efficient way to burn wood, and they also use it as a cooktop in the winter.
They would eventually like to be self sufficient in their food production and have gardens, hens, and they've begun to build an aquaponic system as well. But they do find that growing all of their own food, running workshops, and staying on top of all their other projects to be an incredible amount of work for just two people.
They're hoping to attract more people to the property to form a small community of inspired and like-minded permaculture enthusiasts.
To learn more about Hélène and Alain's off-grid lifestyle and about any upcoming projects and workshops, you can check out their website and follow them on Facebook:
Es-Cargo: www.es-cargo.qc.ca/
Facebook: / escargoqc
Their posts are in French but they both speak French and English.
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
Facebook: /exploringalternativesblog
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COMMENTS
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We want our channel and our comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and to contribute. For this reason, comments that are inappropriate or hateful will be reported and/or deleted.
Please discuss and debate with respect, and report inappropriate or hateful comments directly to KZfaq.
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VIDEO CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives

Пікірлер: 2 200

@b_3791 4 жыл бұрын

“i didn’t want to depend on anything i could not supply.” i feel that so hard.

@mercurialpierrot7073 4 жыл бұрын

@Who let the virus out? Woof woof woofhan ???

@soph5669 4 жыл бұрын

Hard enough to live off your own supplies? Lol

@KrisVictoria 4 жыл бұрын

@Who let the virus out? Woof woof woofhan to be expected after hundreds of years of women being sold like property.

@samdom9122 4 жыл бұрын

I read this exactly when she was saying it. Serendipity

@Green4CloveR 4 жыл бұрын

People think this is extreme but humanity has been living like this for thousands of years.

@LW-tb3cz 4 жыл бұрын

Had been living like that, most people now do not have the skills needed to live off grid.

@rockthecasbah6450 3 жыл бұрын

We still do. Most people in Asia live like this, we always have a small plot of land in the backyard to rear chicken or goat and plant fruit trees and vegetables, whatever we can't finish we give to our neighbors or we sell them. We also harvest rain water to water our plants and livestock.

@thatsright2145 2 жыл бұрын

@@rockthecasbah6450 Its the same in the Caribbean I guess it okay for us third worlders

@15IgorS Жыл бұрын

I would still buy a compressor fridge. Mine in my campervan runs on solar and takes 40watts, less than my laptop. And doesnt run all the time. But thats for me, everybody have to live how they want

@jameswright3972 Жыл бұрын

All you need architecture and landscape designing to make a place nice

@mluttrell8329 5 жыл бұрын

I love how she said “sharing to create abundance” what a beautiful concept.

@evelina2363 5 жыл бұрын

It’s actually the principle society has been built on right from the beginning...

@estebanb7166 5 жыл бұрын

That's a stretch. Maybe on paper, most definately not in practice.

@paulbroadwater2957 6 жыл бұрын

I appriciate the honesty at the end about the amount of work involved living this way. Also, they admit they are not completely self-sufficient which a lot of stories like this advertise. Community and the ability to trade commodities is necessary, just like it has been for 1000's of years.

@knpstrr 5 жыл бұрын

100% self-sufficiency is virtually impossible. That being said, the journey to becoming more independent, even if you can never be completely independent, may be worthwhile for many.

@mizpappas 5 жыл бұрын

Yep. I was waiting for her to admit she needed a community. Humans really do need eachother 😃

@pentabuzz149 5 жыл бұрын

Just image a whole community living like this and trading vegetables and good. Would be fantastic. Helping each other out and living life as it should be

@Neenerella333 4 жыл бұрын

@@pentabuzz149 It sounds lovely to me as well, but works best on a small scale of 150 or less individuals, not the populations we have now. And the work needs to done constantly, there is no time for travel or rest or education. Plus, 8 billion people are hard to convince to live all the same way.

@YeshuaKingMessiah 4 жыл бұрын

Dineen Serpa in a community you can trade time too, so you take care of my place for a week or so, I’ll take care of yours when you want to go away for a bit. Education is easily done online except for rare occupations needing hands on training. And you will be leaving daily for those so u have to figure out a way to do so anyway. If youre working crazy hard, with no rest, you need to figure out a way to rest also. Ppl have always had rest periods, either daily as a siesta in some cultures or weekly as a Sabbath, etc. Meditation and prayer are also great ways to relax and very doable. Hopefully you build a hot tub on your little plot of land!

@TomNook77 7 жыл бұрын

This lady is an inspiration. There are still beautiful people on the earth.

@roshninisha2149 5 жыл бұрын

TomNook77 those people are so rare but :(

@autumnbr0718 4 жыл бұрын

If we all switched to a lifestyle like this.. pollution would drastically decrease.. overconsumption would drastically decrease..a lot of health related issues would decrease.. this is really the way God intended for us to live

@sarahdavies2923 4 жыл бұрын

i was with u all the way up until the god bit

@caitlyn5045 4 жыл бұрын

Sarah Davies same. God has nothing to do with anything lol.

@autumnbr0718 4 жыл бұрын

IDC what y'all say keep that same energy when dark times come

@caitlyn5045 4 жыл бұрын

Autumn B Not everyone has to rely on faith to get them out of hard times. That’s an ignorant comment to make.

@meowingvideos3 4 жыл бұрын

@@sarahdavies2923 let the woman have her opinion without being shamed for it

@heidi4517 5 жыл бұрын

I love it. That thing that makes me happiest in life is growing my garden, homemade meals, listening to the birds sing, and beautiful scenery!

@internetsummoner 4 жыл бұрын

Heidi very vivid imagery !

@jessicat.4429 4 жыл бұрын

She is winning right now with this pandemic.

@khushwindersinghuniversali8317 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, we dont need money,money has no value. We need resources,we need technical problem solver specalized in agriculture,energy,transportation. No politics,no money,no businessman,no banks. Jacque fresco puts ot together.

@fem5927 4 жыл бұрын

The money probably bought her the land to built on..

@rosegoldbb 4 жыл бұрын

Super winning Hit it down pack

@wakawaka2611 4 жыл бұрын

@@fem5927 bought who's land? 😂

@SoulKisses76 4 жыл бұрын

Omg, it took me a minute to realize you meant 'winning'. Ha! I kept trying to figure out why she's whining. 😂 Sorry, long day. She is absolutely winning. I was surprised to know that they have internet. Pretty cool.

@CreationsByWally 7 жыл бұрын

I've been dreaming of living off grid for years. So good to see others dream come true. Gives me even more hope.

@dublingrsshppr 4 жыл бұрын

Same here

@stevewalsh5668 2 жыл бұрын

Make your dreams come true.

@rachelhudson4662 7 жыл бұрын

We all need to revaluate what we really need to live a comfortable life,

@zaboomafoo_0 5 жыл бұрын

not many have the time/resource to do so. we should educate on how to reevaluate instead, with proper planning with what a person has within their means- because these earth ships are quite the pretty penny to invest in. we should look into urban self-sufficiency and reducing the impact of the ever growing metropolis and fleeting suburbs. eventually i suspect we will be forced into living a more self-sustained lifestyle as fossil fuels and non-renewables become more scarce and expensive

@joshuamckay3309 5 жыл бұрын

I think it's unfair to evaluate what people need to live based on your definition of need. In this video alone I saw her making ice. She doesn't need ice to live comfortably. I saw solar panels on her roof, a stereo in her kitchen, you don't NEED those things to live comfortably. It's okay to have things, even nice things. I think our goal should be trying to lessen our impact on our environment in the best ways we can. If self sustainment and off grid living is your jam then go for it. But we shouldn't judge others for what we consider to be necessity.

@caelum4762 5 жыл бұрын

@The Metalhead why taking it so personal?

@amdg2023 5 жыл бұрын

That's your problem, your not supposed to live a comfortable life, the glory is in the struggle.

@faithesther325 4 жыл бұрын

Caelum μ right tho

@redn40 4 жыл бұрын

People on here romanticizing off grid living never grew up on a farm...Its nonstop hard work..

@AlmaVasquezjr 4 жыл бұрын

farming to provide for others is different than just providing for yourself.

@jaxxiet5851 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah this is a hard no for me for many reasons...

@daythinker1704 4 жыл бұрын

It can be but tech is getting so fantastic!

@daythinker1704 4 жыл бұрын

@@amberelise9831 write, create, read, husbandry, farm, paint, draw, research. Bunches of stuff.

@lisasmith9311 4 жыл бұрын

redn40 I'm off grid it's not really hard the hardest thing I guess would be running the well it's simple but has to be done often

@Not_all_as_it_seems 6 жыл бұрын

Very important point raised at end of vid. How homesteading is a community thing with food production. That is one area where no man can be an island.

@knpstrr 5 жыл бұрын

typically with clothes as well. Most people don't make their own clothes from scratch.

@cherriemckinstry131 5 жыл бұрын

@@knpstrr it's possible to get by as I've made clothes on a machine or buy second hand or modify clothes. Quilts out of old clothes are amazing and fun. Plus you can grow a lot of food with not much land. It just takes planning.

@knpstrr 5 жыл бұрын

@@SimonWoodburyForget I never said it was impossible.

@knpstrr 5 жыл бұрын

@@SimonWoodburyForget You want me to tell you why you replied to me?! I don't know why you cared about what I said and so much so decided to reply to me.

@morganhenry5845 5 жыл бұрын

And y’all wouldn’t work in a community of ppl off grid still fighting w a keyboard

@yerasmus4025 4 жыл бұрын

I love how positive her outlook on life is. Shows how you can create in your mind and have such creations manifest. Workshops "It' s part of sharing and creating abundance". She gets it! Off the grid living is not for lone rangers. She understands many spiritual principles it seems.

@alwaysuknown7770 5 жыл бұрын

“ it’s part of sharing and creating abundance” You lady, are in the exact alignment in which I’m working toward. Amazing job for you’re community and opportunities for others! 💕

@MariaMaria-uf4lq 5 жыл бұрын

I used to love Swiss family Robinson's. I had forgotten about them. What you are doing is beautiful and thank you for sharing!!

@sauravbasu8805 4 жыл бұрын

Maria Maria And 'Robinson Crusoe' Read them in childhood , translated in Bengali, my mother tongue. Surely among my favourite books read. From the college library, read 'The Ra Expedition' and 'The Kon-Tiki Expedition' by Thor Hayerdahl. Fantastic read ! 'The Silent World' by Jaques Yves Costeau was another marvel. They were all non-fictions but transported my mind to a world far away... Add to those the second hand dust- covered old National Geographic magazines which I bought cheap by my pocket-money( obtained from tuitioning school-kids ) from the vendors from Kolkata ( previously Calcutta ) pavements. They were marvellous !

@system2thinker659 6 жыл бұрын

My great grandparents used a spring box as their refrigerator. Basically, they built a wooden box between the spring and their home (a modified cooler would probably work). The water would flow through this box on the way to the house and keep everything inside at a constant temperature (40-50 degrees). It was like a cooler with melted ice that kept everything inside cold and dry as long as they used mason jars and other airtight containers.

@Witchy-Wonderland 5 жыл бұрын

That’s so cool! Thank you for sharing!! Where did they live?

@dustinhargrove2129 4 жыл бұрын

Those are awesome! Be careful with bacteria when you do it though!

@Neenerella333 4 жыл бұрын

Sounds like the old Phoenix Swamp Coolers, except they added moisture to the air. That was fine for our dry climate, until the dew point reached 50F during the summer monsoons and they struggled to cool the air. Made our skin and clothes so soft.

@caseylovesguitar 4 жыл бұрын

My grandma used to have to put things down the well, so a similar system. Butter and milk and whatnot was stored in a bucket down the well and brought up when needed.

@jimanderson7648 4 жыл бұрын

@@caseylovesguitar years back there was also ice boxes or in the country there was ice houses

@spinderella3602 5 жыл бұрын

I'm living off grid on 40 acres. For two years I've been in a 32 ft. Travel trailer but now I'm digging to build underground. The bulk of my building material will be rammed earth because I have an over abundance of sand and clay. It's also fun to see someone else who doesn't have a refrigerator. We are managing well without it. This is my 1st year gardening and we will soon have 1k d's ft. Indoor garden. I think I'm striving for a lifestyle similar to yours. I 💘 it. Thank you!

@melody01238 4 жыл бұрын

How are you paying for your internet? Phone? Totally off the grid means no dependence on government regulated commerce.

@shaquoyag1484 4 жыл бұрын

That’s is AWESOME ! Would love for you to share your journey with us here on KZfaq

@Realatmx 4 жыл бұрын

Use of refrigerator in Asia or in dessert I can see some logic but people lives in cooler climate thinks it is necessary to survive.. So pity

@robincash4569 4 жыл бұрын

Need help?

@lammilami 4 жыл бұрын

If you’re on the Internet aren’t you exactly on the grid?

@ExploringAlternatives 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching this video! We've had a lot of comments about cement and swastikas in this video and just want to share our responses here: 1) In response to her statement that cement is not durable: Durable is the French word for sustainable. She meant to say that cement is not a sustainable building material. She did not mean that it doesn't last a long time. 2) The trivet on the stove is not a swastika. We've had several comments from people saying they think there is a swastika symbol on her cooktop. It is not a swastika. The item on her stove is a trivet to protect counters and other surfaces from hot pots and pans. At first glance, the item does bear some resemblance to a swastika, but if you look closer, it has several differences, including the fact that each arm has an extra bend in it, making it more of a swirl than two intersecting S's. The pattern is also pointing in a counter clockwise fashion, so even if it was a swastika (which it is not) it would be the Buddhist symbol and not the Nazi symbol. We think it's incredibly important to be vigilant against any kind of discrimination and we appreciate you reaching out to let us know about anything that you find offensive in our videos so that we are aware of it. Thanks so much for watching our videos :)

@jimmybiggs9230 6 жыл бұрын

Folks are tired of being forced to pay greedy power and water companies!!

@grzegorz16100 6 жыл бұрын

Than get your water from the river and bring it on your back 4miles home. LOL

@deicide6403 6 жыл бұрын

Gregory May or rain water collection system.

@CurbHopper111 5 жыл бұрын

@Christina Reynolds Without the greedy electric company we wouldn't have older folks dying every year here in Phoenix from the heat because they can't afford the $300+ electric bill to keep their small homes cool, since the price of electric is jacked up by more then 100% every summer because they know people are going to NEED to use more of it, since our lives depend on it. The existence of electric, having it in our homes, and being GREEDY when it comes to extorting us are completely different subjects. Jimmy was complaining about the greed and how much they charge, therefor turning more people towards going off grid. Not complaining about the existence of electric and water in hospitals and factories. I doubt most of those businesses struggle to pay the bills. Electric companies can still exist without killing lower income senior citizens every year.

@chriswindham3278 5 жыл бұрын

Christina Reynolds I been using solar power for 10 year I'm doing fine.I don't have pay anything .

@Cody_Ramer 5 жыл бұрын

Holly Ball if you have a 300$ electric bill for ac than you need to seriously check the insulation as you have none.

@NeighborhoodOfBlue 3 ай бұрын

I struggle to understand how tires filled with sand are more durable than concrete. I love this woman's passion, enthusiasm and honesty, despite confusing ideas like that one.

@goddessjnu6055 7 жыл бұрын

why do people always have to put others down I think this is the most beautiful place ever it's creative the world needs more of this shut up if you don't have anything good to say

@tigerlilly3727 7 жыл бұрын

Goddess Jnu we will voice our criticism whether you approve of it or not.

@metalheadmalta 5 жыл бұрын

This is discussion, not dissing... The concept is good. But it's just not good enough. PErhaps with our criticism they can improve on something they missed.

@patsyvennachio7985 5 жыл бұрын

So no one should make an honest comment. Thanks, everyone should ask you before commenting,

@phulsadoom 5 жыл бұрын

Attempts at shaming sincere and valid critism only hurts those you are seeking approval from.

@willg4802 5 жыл бұрын

Why do some people think that valid questions and criticism are "putting people down"? Do you believe EVERYTHING everyone tells you, or just the things that harmonize with your biases, biases such as ...modern appliances and conveniences baaaaaaad...no electricity goooood.

@mvandell 7 жыл бұрын

I've been living off grid for the past 16 years, and highly recommend it! Fascination and awe of 'Nature' grows everyday. Peace folks!

@ziontrumpet3343 5 жыл бұрын

...yet here you are online.

@_TheDudeAbides_ 5 жыл бұрын

@@ziontrumpet3343 When they say off grid, they mean off the power and water grid. Not the internet.

@markgillies1834 5 жыл бұрын

I'm jealous!Also,do you subscribe to the permaculture way of thinking of do you just let nature do it's thing?Peace,love and hapiness.

@melody01238 4 жыл бұрын

How do you have internet and a phone? Off the grid implies no dependence on government regulated commerce.

@richardthenryvideos 4 жыл бұрын

@@_TheDudeAbides_ true. Still seems weird and a bit hypocritical

@syau1636 4 жыл бұрын

It looks so familiar in 1970 in Hong Kong. I feel so warm when seeing this and recall my memory of that time.

@RvWendy 5 жыл бұрын

Such a special lady, I admire her and would like to live like that one day 😍

@kariwick-InnerPeaceCoaching 7 жыл бұрын

Knew I would LOVE this video when she first talked about the Disney movie "Swiss Family Robinson" . . . a lot of my desire to live simply and off-grid probably first started here as well!

@doveoo5 7 жыл бұрын

Have you ever read "My Side of the Mountain?"

@bradshaw106 7 жыл бұрын

My side of the mountain was my favorite book as a child. I still own copies of both my side and far side

@RedSpiralHandTV 7 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite books as a child....also "Island of the Blue Dolphins" which was similar but the main character was an indigenous girl.

@kariwick-InnerPeaceCoaching 7 жыл бұрын

No, but thank you for the suggestion. I am going to check it out!

@chuckcassel5417 7 жыл бұрын

RedSpiralHand hey,I read that book many years ago,girls weren't supposed to use weapons ,right?

@Rocky-or4rz 5 жыл бұрын

Too bad most places in this country have made it illegal to live off grid. Thanks lobbyists and greedy politicians.

@SherioCheers 5 жыл бұрын

We just don't want to pay for your Lysteria after drinking rainwater, when you can't cover the cost...

@WHSCheerleader1970 5 жыл бұрын

@@SherioCheers Actually, municipal water is required to have fluoride. Fluoride is poison. Research it.

@gunny8unny93 5 жыл бұрын

@@WHSCheerleader1970 Fluoride is naturally in water.. it's naturally in MANY different things we consume.. we bump up fluoride content to prevent our teeth from rotting out of our face early in life.. It helps people avoid expensive dentist visits and infections.

@MaximC 5 жыл бұрын

By lobbying you mean legalized corruption, right?

@cosworth166 5 жыл бұрын

@@gunny8unny93 drinking fluoride does nothing for your teeth the same drinking shampoo dosent make your hair shine, and they cannot absorb fluoride either, dont believe everything your told as a child, use your common sense.

@arielm106 4 жыл бұрын

One day i'll have an earthship of my own. Thank you for sharing their story!

@durkhaneyali3929 4 жыл бұрын

In northern Pakistan there are huge wooden boxes (the size of a chest freezer) built to collect the ice cold spring water temporarily. Water leaves the other end so the natural route of the spring is not disturbed and the boxes are filled with beverages to be sold on the road side. They look very cool and cost nothing to cool drinks all day.

@VanessaAdam 7 жыл бұрын

Awesome. I love earthship homes, they offer so much more than any other sustainable building can.

@ExploringAlternatives 7 жыл бұрын

They are pretty fantastic, we would love to build a mini one for ourselves one day. Thanks for watching :)

@marcbeebuzz1711 7 жыл бұрын

how do you get wifi, cabled-in or straight off satellite?

@Kube_Dog 6 жыл бұрын

Hahahaha! That won't get a reply! It's doesn't fit the nature narrative. Excellent question, but you're not supposed to ask. It breaks the mood and the fantasy.

@chriswindham3278 5 жыл бұрын

Marc Beebuzz solar energy

@chriswindham3278 5 жыл бұрын

Kube Dog I answer you welfare hick. I use solar energy for internet if you go college study you understand this .A simple 12 volt solar power let me run laptop tv DVD player and radio.

@maaskeimorgen 7 жыл бұрын

I study engineering and these last few months I've learnt about exactly how to make the entire "grid" - supplying drinking water, taking care of waste water, handling trash, supplying heat and electricity, all of that. I've learnt how to do it for even small establishments, like 20-50 people. I think about that very much the same way as I think about being off grid. Off grid, on grid, it's all about the things we need apart from a dry, warm place to sleep and be. There's only two differences between a grid and being off grid, when I think about it as an engineering student: 1) How much time and money there's available to ensure the supply/establish the grid: the more people, the bigger the parts can be: the drinking water tank, the thermal mass, the solar panels, the septic plantation, all of it. 2) How experimental the solutions can be. If you're making a grid for many people, it has to be very secure. It absolutely has to work properly. This means the solutions have to be thoroughly tested, and sadly, this often means old and polluting too. If it's just a few people who are going off grid, it's ok if it doesn't function optimally the first few years, because it's meant to be experimental. Right? Now, I'm into engineering because tech amazes me, so I'm not into the whole off grid thing, because it mean two things: 1) that people avoid the tech, more or less, 2) that I don't get a chance to take care of it, lol. But all the attempts to be sustainable interest me a lot because if they work, I'd love to try to apply them to the big grid. It must feel weird for someone who wants to go off grid to hear that people who want to make the big grid also have interest in the off grid dream, haha.

@7489k 7 жыл бұрын

maaskeimorgen Great point! It's so nice to hear a tech lover who doesn't shut this idea right down 😊👍

@pentabuzz149 5 жыл бұрын

I mean what if you made a grid system in an area like in this video and had a community that lived sustainably?

@markgillies1834 5 жыл бұрын

@@pentabuzz149 👍

@ninjanerdstudent6937 4 жыл бұрын

Legend has it that this lady is so off-grid that she doesn’t even know of the existence of Corona virus.

@Juuls92 4 жыл бұрын

Then she is truly more wealthy than all of us.

@priscillajimenez27 4 жыл бұрын

She prob uses her internet to stay informed of what's going on.

@r.a.6459 4 жыл бұрын

While her southern neighbours have the coronavirus raging so badly that their power went out, their internet went out.

@juliad.6372 4 жыл бұрын

Well good for her..

@cheberur 3 жыл бұрын

Loool

@tamaraalifia 5 жыл бұрын

This old world really needs more people like you , madam.. God Bless You, Earth Bless you

@cicicovington1414 4 жыл бұрын

Im a city girl however, as I get older, this is the lifestyle this vegan girl desires, preferably in a tropical climate, (I need mango & avocado trees Lol). There is a certain freedom that comes w being self-sustaining & living abundantly w/in a natural setting. Its just so challenging finding alpha men who find peace & happiness w/o modern conveniences. Did this family ever create the community they mentioned?

@Jenny-nz4mi 4 жыл бұрын

There's offgrid communities on FB. Even some offgrid dating groups. There are plenty of men there that are crying out for likeminded woman (including vegan men). Also, you can have some modcons. We have a 40kva solar system, harvest rain water etc. So you can have a fridge, tv, internet. Not being vegan, I'm not entirely sure of the limits that you would include animals (excluding pets) in your lifestyle. But if you rescue some battery hens they will live quite happily in your garden and reduce pests, and fertilize the soil, as will ducks. They will be past laying age and you'll be able to give them a happy life. So there's ways to work it. I ditched corporate life, sold my city house, and bought 100ac. We rely on wood for cooking and heating. It's doable. I have my fingers crossed that you can achieve it.

@cicicovington1414 4 жыл бұрын

@@Jenny-nz4mi Wow! That was a wealth of information & thnx 4 sharing a bit about u, it was inspiring🙏 I'll check out these groups uve mentioned, thnx for gifting me a starting point😊

@stevewalsh5668 2 жыл бұрын

Go for it!

@binthrdonthat 6 жыл бұрын

OMG, I felt the same about the movie Swiss Family Robinson. Beautiful lifestyle

@beatletat 3 жыл бұрын

It was your soul pulling you into nature...whats going to happen in the next few years on this earth will be beyond belief ❤🙏

@ironmountain7907 5 жыл бұрын

So inspiring, it is amazing how thoughtful she was throughout the whole process. Everything had a purpose, and she even holds workshops to spread her knowledge, amazing!

@vikkishaaa6310 4 жыл бұрын

I'm so impressed by your lives. I've only imagined living like this in my head. Away from the riffraf of society.

@dawnfranklin7280 7 жыл бұрын

Taking a class with this wonderful women has been added to my bucket list today!!

@Kube_Dog 6 жыл бұрын

So, it's on your bucket list to make a long bucket list of thing's you'll never do? Mission accomplished.

@WrestlerMonkey123 6 жыл бұрын

Once she said, "concrete isn't durable" her credibility was pretty much nothing

@marthabishop4635 6 жыл бұрын

dawn franklin I

@burgesskj 6 жыл бұрын

Matthew Wakamatsu, Certainly the vast number of surviving roman ruins would agree with your conclusion. However, I suspect she was translating in her head from the French, and intended to mean that it was not a _sustainable_ practice, referring to the heavy pollution related to concrete construction processes.

@AmedeeBoulette 6 жыл бұрын

Matthew Wakamatsu that’s because you don’t live in Québec; our crazy Siberian weather eats concrete for breakfast... so, there’s that...

@naskar8699 4 жыл бұрын

I like her smile. She is very happy in her life. Stay blessed.

@stef1lee 5 жыл бұрын

I have been pushing my husband hard the last 4 years to learn to live as our grandparents and our early ancestors did. I've been learning as I go, recalling lessons from childhood working with my grandfather on his farm, failing but not giving up, revising my garden so I can maximize growth and harvest, learning to clear land and split wood and in November...headed to Oklahoma for a class to learn how to live in the outdoors and a little archery lessons as well. I have the inside lessons down...now I need those outside lessons...aside from my practice of Herbology. I'm further inspired by the fact you are trying and you are our modern day Swiss Family Robinson folk of this age. Much love from Texas and I pray you have many many bountiful years ahead!

@shaquoyag1484 4 жыл бұрын

Man I really want to do this. !!! So I can get away from this Crazy stimulation I’m in. Very inspiring

@rizzatouristy2574 5 жыл бұрын

I would like to live off grid .. inspiring . Thank you

@jaypage8998 4 жыл бұрын

Rizza Touristy right

@lovepeacejoy8869 5 жыл бұрын

My husband and I built our own earthship and moved in in 2008. It is currently snowing outside and it was 65 degrees inside when we woke up. I have never lived in such an earth friendly and warm house. We heat with wood but really do not have to. Off the grid also. I would never live in another house. It is like Spring inside right now in January and I have tomatoes, greens, beets and kale growing. The peppers overwinter just fine. They are definitely worth building.

@ravent3016 4 жыл бұрын

She's right--two people are not enough to be self-sufficient. But what a lovely home and homestead she's created.

@Awebreeze-zm3st 5 жыл бұрын

Nice large kitchen. Love it!

@vashnanerada8757 4 жыл бұрын

Love it, I'm so jealous. I could easily live like you. You have done an amazing job. Very nice

@sidilicious11 3 жыл бұрын

The Earthship principles make so much sense. Every house can be more self sufficient. I hope this is the trend for the future.

@rmcd823 4 жыл бұрын

Me too. 21 years. Lovely. I think your kitchen is very charming.

@chriskozak4966 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing concept, incredible way to live. Thanks for sharing.👍🏽🙏🏽

@erikahernandez1052 7 жыл бұрын

some really nice people to help build this house

@marymurphy3669 4 жыл бұрын

At 2.20 The two of them have a beautiful connection. Lovely to see.

@craftyam 4 жыл бұрын

We love ours here in Arizona. We have lived in it for 21 years. Love yours. Wish we have as much greenery as you do!

@Infinitybein 6 жыл бұрын

the ice lasting to mid-july...awesome!

@ginnylorenz5265 7 жыл бұрын

Fascinating, wonderful, beautiful. Thank you for sharing!!! Love from San Diego, CA.

@GlobalEarthRepair 5 жыл бұрын

Living like this comfortably is much harder than it looks if things aren't designed correctly to begin with; it's much harder to change or upgrade systems to make things easier when you're already in the midst of it. Some seem to glamorize this and a lot of the images we put online are the pretty ones, but in reality there's a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into this! I love this video because it gives a look at how real this experience is once you're there. Living off-grid is an amazing and there are few human experiences so visceral; I recommend to everyone at some point in their life and it's one of those things that has to be lived, you can hear or read or watch it to get inspired but will not fully understand until you do it. It's beautiful and simple and everything they say - but make no mistake, it's hard work.

@scotsam7590 6 жыл бұрын

Scot's wife here. 1. Fantastic that people like this are showing this is somewhat possible. 2. Why must so many houses like this off grid look like unfinished storage rooms? 3. Without the neighbour, the ice and other amenities are not possible. The ice is obviously needed in the warmer climate when they don't have it. Off grid has a long way to go before it's truly efficient and even attractive to many and as Helen said, 'it's a lot of work for two people.' People who lived off the land up until the end of the 19th century, spent almost every waking hour doing just that. They didn't go to weekly films, take a weekend trip, or go shopping for an afternoon. It was their survival and whole life. Living in a cold winter climate while doing this must not be fun.

@elyanavarro 5 жыл бұрын

😍 god this is such goals, especially teaching workshops that help other become self sustaining! Such a beautiful and peaceful lifestyle

@stevewalsh5668 2 жыл бұрын

Go for it. Me and my wife did in northern Georgia Appalachian foothills. It is very much worth it.

@earthelenagarrett6003 4 жыл бұрын

I bet it’s peaceful, no drama

@dumpatrumprapist9302 5 жыл бұрын

Shipping containers plus your idea of home improvement is a great way to live.. in peace and quite and animals around and tress flowers the whole 9yards. That will life up a home sweet home like no other..thank very much lady..

@svetlanasemina2329 4 жыл бұрын

A lot to learn from this experience! It is always a lot of work but it worth it!! 👍🌱 Много можно изучить из опыта таких построек. Такие проекты всегда требуют много физических затрат, но оно того стоит!

@hintarasholtorzic9033 6 жыл бұрын

Interesting. I want to spend some of my life with people like this in places of similar nature.

@janicefreedom8665 6 жыл бұрын

did you get anywhere with this? Did you start a FB page? I also want to do a community in BC, Canada. North Vancouver Island specifically. Anyone discovering this can contact me if interested. Soon I will make a FB page... just getting a few more ducks in a row first.

@afriendtoo6971 7 жыл бұрын

The naysayers are the ones getting up at 5am, rushing around to get ready for work, sitting in traffic for hours breathing exhaust fumes, tolerating a miserable boss for 8 hrs , rushing home to get caught up on chores or family....... then doing it all again the next day.

@Laffy1345 5 жыл бұрын

You

@antiv 5 жыл бұрын

Christina Reynolds What an extremely simplistic and faulty analysis. Congratulations.

@ziontrumpet3343 5 жыл бұрын

If you are connected to the internet, such as this lady, you are not truly "off-grid".

@PS-os6sr 5 жыл бұрын

Christina Reynolds, What an ignorant comment...

@PS-os6sr 5 жыл бұрын

Zion Trumpet, Yes, and also you are not off grid unless you are dead...

@MaggieTheCat01 4 жыл бұрын

Oh my, this fills my heart with yearning. 😍

@youfirst. 6 жыл бұрын

planting beds filled with soil and compost are good idea for such place . great video.

@planettime9205 4 жыл бұрын

wow wow wow, this is by far one of the most amazing videos I've seen on sustainability! I would absolutely love to visit one of their workshops one day when I visit Canada! I am sharing this everywhere, it is so cool!

@rachelkelley7125 7 жыл бұрын

This is completely awesome!! I would love to be able to live like this!! We already live in our mobile home which sometimes is quite similar. We rely on very little outside influences and prefer it that way! We love our simple kind of lifestyle :)

@cherylpemberton1676 6 жыл бұрын

Rachel Kelley, Do you mean mobile home like a TRAILER, or MOTOR HOME?!!?

@realistnemophilist5969 6 жыл бұрын

This woman is like my spirit animal. We are currently living in a tent in Northwest Maine it's cold, small, and hard to manage most days, but one day to have a fraction of what she has will be worth it!

@TiffMcFierce1 4 жыл бұрын

Living like this brings so much inner peace.

@Windkisssed 7 жыл бұрын

At one point i had considered this route..... but then I realized there's way too much work for one person!!!! Great video!! Thanks

@GwenMotoGirl 7 жыл бұрын

Windkisssed me, too. Even too much for 2. I dream of earthbags. Also much labor.

@The1234567890brand 7 жыл бұрын

Did you catch her story? She found communities online and people came out to help. The communities are definitely out there with plenty of people able and willing to help, you just have to find them. Just a thought

@filipdivic1302 7 жыл бұрын

actually another permaculture principle is to create systems tht require very little work. look at some 'happen films' on youtube and check out Sepp Holzer. A mountain / sloped site is actually ideal for Permaculture! Its all about the knowledge, this decreases work time.

@schoolshow94 7 жыл бұрын

Gwen I thought the same thing too

@peterlogan7734 7 жыл бұрын

Filip Divic f

@estella2lenne 7 жыл бұрын

This is so so so lovely!! 💖💖💖

@dreasmom2789 6 жыл бұрын

This is so great for the earth. But I bet most viewers don't have a clue of the dedication needed to live this way.

@user-ue2rg9sn8c 5 жыл бұрын

Wow! Very impressive and wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful spot! 🌻

@chrisniner8772 7 жыл бұрын

I am in my 20th year offgrid, I wish I had known what an earthship was when I built! I am running a fridge and separate freezer along with everything else.

@taraclarissa 4 жыл бұрын

How are you on the internet?

@stevewalsh5668 2 жыл бұрын

@@taraclarissa solar power and satellite obviously.

@sandymatza 5 жыл бұрын

I would love a home like that. Nomore putting up with neighbors.

@elizabethcastro4541 5 жыл бұрын

She stated multiple times that they need their neighbors

@Magpiebard 4 жыл бұрын

I'm glad she was honest and said they aren't able to do everything to be off grid. So often you see people waxing lyrically of the magic life they live offgrid, never mentioning the endless work involved - both physical AND mental as you are often trying to just figure out how to achieve projects without specialized tool or minimal manpower. It's something to admire, but it isn't for everyone. The fact the limits are shown and the need for outside help explained (for example, no refrigeration in the for the summer months unless someone ON the grid supplies it to them, meaning calling the refrigeration off grid is stretching it at best) is amazing. Just start tiny steps and change can happen.

@labreeskarogers1102 4 жыл бұрын

Homestead or off grid is constantly work work. But it is satisfying to know you did it and you relied on no one.

@TombstoneHeart 5 жыл бұрын

The ice storage idea isn't such a dubious idea as it may appear at first glance to some people. Not many modern people are aware of the fact that in the 1800's and into the early 1900's, there was a thriving ice export market in North America and later, in Norway. North American ice was even exported down here to the Great Southern Land. I read of this years ago and, according to the person who wrote the piece I read, that even with a losses of up to 50% from ice melt during the voyages south, it was still a viable market. I think the most common form of insulation for the cargo holds was cork, but other material may have been used. Given that most of the ice exported was probably shipped by relatively slow sailing vessels, perhaps Helene and Alain and other interested people might consider a special made structure for ice storage that may make having an electric powered refrigerator obsolete for their needs. Here's a link to the history of ice exports: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_trade

@4rcgv 5 жыл бұрын

Wonderful lady, and a great house. Very impressive, and beautiful living. Much blessings .

@clementine4133 4 жыл бұрын

Beautifull earthship with heating and cooking system combined that was a permaculture plus. Recycling, building lovingly with and at the center. Thank you for the inspiration and for spreading the knowledge and skills. 🌺👍🙏🏽

@gachaleah5200 4 жыл бұрын

When she said she was inspired by The Swiss Family Robinson I was like YES!!!!!! This is my dream.

@ElizabethOnTheInternet 7 жыл бұрын

That so cool with the frozen water jugs! And what a beautiful house, thanks for sharing!!

@ExploringAlternatives 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out the video =)

@cherylcooper1885 7 жыл бұрын

Is your solar system hooked up to run a frig? Make your own ice..

@charlieanaya5058 7 жыл бұрын

They don't have a fridge, that's what the ice was about in the cellar. If I could, I would bring them $1000 worth of equipment or more and make my way up there and install it for them but I'm poor too...

@charlieanaya5058 7 жыл бұрын

The house is built out of used tires, they don't have many panels and have to haul ice from the neighbor half the year. If they had the money they would upgrade to be comfortable and have cold food. With your logic, Why would they burn wood and propane then?

@arpadzigisfari5819 7 жыл бұрын

My mother was born in 1921. Her family had an ice box when she was growing up rather than a refrigerator. A man used to come around the neighborhood selling ice for the ice boxes because that's what people had. As the woman said in the video, refrigerators have not been around that long, historically speaking. If you go into historic houses, they have a room in the basement for keeping food cool.

@appraisingjaime8662 7 жыл бұрын

Love your guys channel. I'm doing Etsy full time so I can be a nomad

@sebastianadame6880 4 жыл бұрын

You were completely. Honest. That you asked for help Thanks .. I appreciate. That. Most of all that I've come in contact take for granted . keep striving for a better earth

@Ra-thesunking 4 жыл бұрын

Love her!!! Yesss! Thank you all for making this video

@sandrapicazo1058 6 жыл бұрын

Why don’t you use wood burning boiler for hot water you just put in couple of sticks and you have hot water all day we gutted out an old boiler for my mother in law and it works beautifully its 7 yrs old now and still works fine better then buying propane

@cherylpemberton1676 6 жыл бұрын

Sandra Picazo, GOOD FOR YOU, taking care of the elder; great idea too, more should follow your advice!!!!!!!!

@djnunya5153 5 жыл бұрын

Use a coiled black hose on the roof. Solar powered hot water which is incredibly HOT.

@DroryNadav 7 жыл бұрын

Amazing Thx For Sharing

@Christina-jy2np 4 жыл бұрын

Loved that show as a kid! This is gorgeous and inspirational.

@christdriven8790 4 жыл бұрын

Really awesome,thx.

@dnnsmtchll 6 жыл бұрын

125 years ago every body was ---off grid

@melodybarlow7815 6 жыл бұрын

But almost nobody had many windows back then, much less huge windows like shown in this video.

@Mig-nr8hc 5 жыл бұрын

Dennis Mitchell I wish it was still like that. That’s when ppl helped ppl the best years of my life 😊

@cherriemckinstry131 5 жыл бұрын

@@Mig-nr8hc Garden of Hope project

@MelliaBoomBot 5 жыл бұрын

Im with you there, even in the 1970;s in Wales, UK..I had great grand-parents who more or less were self-sufficient without realising it. They had a stove in the kitchen that heated the house and that they cooked on/in. They kept one or two or three animals..pigs, geese...had an orchard for fruit..had a south facing garden and made MADE food, fruit bread, apple pies, scones, treacle toffee..so didn;t even use plastic and so were "environmental" with foodstuffs. If we went on a picnic (picnic? remember them!) we had egg sandwiches/cheese sandwiches/fruit and orange squash. In a word it's all bollox these days.

@willg4802 5 жыл бұрын

You're 125 years old?!?!?!

@rachelhudson4662 7 жыл бұрын

I see so many people dry clothes in the drier. If only more people would peg the laundry on the washing line, would make a huge difference to the health of the environment.

@GrzegorzDurda 7 жыл бұрын

and the clothes would last way longer.

@Nofretari 7 жыл бұрын

I try to dry most of my clothes on a clothes line.

@Clari26 6 жыл бұрын

Because many people did that way for 1000s of years, and dreamed of something easier... Its not how big or small something is, since its relative... You can have a large home that consumes less energy then a small home, and vice versa...

@feltingme 6 жыл бұрын

I tried that, but clothes are full of fine lint, and unfortunately that would not be acceptable in my son's school. Of course there are lint brushes, but then it would take so much time, that would be not practical.

@dreasmom2789 6 жыл бұрын

feltingme You shake the cloths before hanging. And what kind of school worries about lint?

@kmadarchives1549 4 жыл бұрын

Love the "green house" concept. Hope to get there myself one day.

@NWOTheories 4 жыл бұрын

OMG! Robinson Crusoe, Friday & The Robinson family has always been my inspiration for independence and survival from a very young age.....

@McDuffin 7 жыл бұрын

Awesome job. They really should get those exposed tires covered up though.

@ladypilliwick8179 7 жыл бұрын

glass bottles work fine too

@GothicaBeauty 7 жыл бұрын

Fuff Mcduffin why should she get the tyres covered up if she doesn't want to?

@TTGTanner 7 жыл бұрын

i've heard exposed tires give off harmful chemicals

@GothicaBeauty 7 жыл бұрын

Tanner G only when they're set on fire they do.

@ptanyuh 7 жыл бұрын

Nope---the exposed tires absorb heat better.

@ElvancaTarifler 7 жыл бұрын

One of the most helpful and interesting video I've ever watched. Thanks for the tips and sharing!

@Kube_Dog 6 жыл бұрын

So, you've watched this video, one Alex Jones video and one video of dog shaming? Dumbass.

@anitahamlin2411 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing you do this in Canada! Very inspiring!

@alipie1726 4 жыл бұрын

A dream! All I want is to live off grid and self sufficiently and I believe that one day I will get there!

@MrWayneploof 5 жыл бұрын

this has always been a dream of mine to live off grid. this is so beautiful

@darangemaster1 7 жыл бұрын

that is an amazing house i would love to do that but little by little here in the USA many counties are banning this type of living and requiring you to be attached to the grid.

@gwynethgrove772 7 жыл бұрын

darangemaster1 I

@lisaleeleelulu 4 жыл бұрын

We have quite a few earthship homes here in New Mexico. They are beautiful! This type of living is not easy, but very rewarding.

@rblibit 5 жыл бұрын

My congratulations on your awesome "heart" designed home. It is very impressive - VERY! I am absorbing all I can from everyone I find like you. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!!