This is an over simplification and I apologize for that...it's the way I think being a simple fellow.
Strictly FWIW, the following websites are IMHO great references for living closer to the land. Good as/better then Mother Earth, Five Acres in Independence, Foxfire.
Countryside Magazine is not always easy to find in bookstores or mag racks. Lehmans has a "Non-Electric Catalog" that has a good selection of things. Lehmans geared more toward supporting Amish lifestyles. Countryside more toward supporting homesteading and/or living off the grid.
http://www.countrysidemag.com/
http://www.lehmans.com/