Before you throw yourself wholeheartedly into the homesteading way of life, take a step back and really assess the situation. What are your long-term goals? Do you simply hope to live more sustainably by growing your own food and finding your place in your community? Or do you hope to become completely self-sufficient, growing your own food and living entirely 'off the grid'? Whether you want to buy a 26-acre plot of land, or simply make your suburban home more sustainable, you will have to set goals and take time to make a plan. following steps will help you to learn the basics of homesteading, but you will also have to personalize your homestead and make it fit your goals. It is really helpful to talk to someone (or several people) that have already begun their homesteads. They will be able to offer you advice. Part of homesteading is the concept of 'living off the grid.' In particular, renewable energy methods are important when planning out your homestead. Consider building your own solar panels, investing in wind turbines, or various hydropower systems. Consider harvesting wood from your property to burn for heat in the winter. You could also consider using alternative fuel sources such as biomass, Ethanol, or biodiesel. If you are planning on living self-sufficiently, you will need to winterize your home so that your homestead is comfortable in the winter. This is particularly important for those homesteaders living in colder climates. If you do not winterize your home but plan on heating your home, you will waste a good deal of energy trying to keep your house warm. A large part of homesteading is growing a garden that you can reap the benefits of (and feed your family with.) If you raise farm animals, particularly cows (which are covered in Part Two of this article) then you will have plenty of rich fertilizer to go around. However, there are other ways to make fertilizer, such as by creating a compost pile, and mulching leaves and grasses. Every good homestead should have a dog, particularly if your homestead is located far and away in the country. Dogs act as guards, both for your family and for your livestock. They are also wonderful company to have when you go about your daily farm chores.
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One-sentence summary -- Make a plan. Consider alternative energy sources. Winterize your homestead. Create your own organic fertilizer. Get a dog.

You want to get the same experience as any other patron, as many restaurants will give you special treatment that may change your review if they know you're a critic. Instead of telling them you are there to review their food, simply head inside and take a table, acting like any other customer. The Association of Food Journalists even suggest that you avoid large culinary events (grand openings, staff parties, etc.) so you don't risk being approached by chefs looking for a good review. If you are an established reviewer you should make reservations under a different name. You should still bring a notebook or small recorder with you to take notes, though you can also take them on your phone. To write a great review, you should be taking notes. Did you need a reservation, and how far in advance was it set up? Where is the restaurant, and what is the neighborhood like? How was the parking? These facts will make up a very small part of your review, but this information is essential to help potential customers find the perfect restaurant for their night. Give your reader a feel for your experience. Does the wait staff treat you like family or an old friend, or is the place elegant and classy? What is the dress code like? What kind of atmosphere is in the restaurant? Be creative in the description -- a good food review is not just about the menu, it is about the entire experience. Do the decorations create an appealing ambiance? How are people enjoying their meals? At large, talkative tables or many small, intimate dates? Avoid thing like, "the service was good/bad." You want specifics. The best way to get them is by asking questions. While you don't want to pester people, a good waitstaff will know what foods go well together, if there are any allergens in the dish, and the basic presentation of the dish. Most importantly, a good waitstaff is there when you need it -- when water glasses get low, when a fork is dropped, and when you're ready to order your next course. You will not be able to eat everything on the menu. You should, however, touch as many sections of it as you can. Be sure to get a drink, an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert to get a sense of the kitchen's full capabilities. If you can, come with a group of people and have everyone order something different (beef/fish, the soup/salad, sauteed/simmered) to get a good idea how the kitchen handles the entire restaurant. As a food reviewer, you need to try everything you can to get a good idea of the restaurant. What you order is, of course, a matter of personal preference. However, asking the servers for recommendations is a great way to see what the kitchen and staff are proudest off. Most servers have tasted everything on the menu with the chef's guidance, so they should be able to help you order and determine what you're eating.
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One-sentence summary --
Avoid telling staff members that you are a food critic or reviewer. Make some notes of the restaurant's logistics. Describe the atmosphere and ambiance when you walked in. Make some notes on the service. Order from a wide swath of the menu.