Simple Pig Weighing Hack

Simple Pig Weighing Hack

Did you know that it’s entirely possible to figure out how much your pig weighs without putting it on a scale? Instead, you can use a number of things that you probably have lying around your house to figure out your pigs weight. A few quick measurements and calculations are all that it takes. This is much easier than trying to hoist your pig onto a scale. We’ll cover this useful pig weighing hack and some additional information here. Why Do You Need To Know How Much Your Pig Weighs? If you’ve been trying to determine when your pig is […]

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Is Grass Fed Beef Really Better Than the Alternative?

Is Grass Fed Beef Really Better Than the Alternative?

As people work to become more health conscious, we are taking a closer look at the foods we eat regularly.  And, while some have chosen to avoid animal products altogether, others have instead made an effort to find healthier versions of the product they already know and love. Take beef, for example.  Most of us know from grocery shopping that it’s now possible to buy items like ground beef with different levels of fat in them.  And, you would think that when spending the extra money per pound on 93% lean beef that, that is hormone/additive free you’d be getting […]

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Building Your Very Own Smokehouse

Building Your Very Own Smokehouse

  There are a number of DIY smoker methods, ranging all sizes and prices.  If you only need to smoke small items or one medium item at a time, like a Christmas turkey, all you need is a large terracotta pot or unused metal trash can. But, if you need a good-sized smokehouse to help you prepare for winter on a homestead or other rural area, this design based on pallet wood should provide what you need without breaking the bank.  Its also designed so that you only need the most basic of woodworking skills to complete it. An important […]

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Game Meat: From Field to Freezer

Game Meat: From Field to Freezer

You’ve chosen your weapon, you’ve stalked your prey, you’ve made your shot, you’ve downed your first kill…Now What?   First – Get Those Guts Out The faster you can remove the entrails, the better off you’ll be.  But what is fast?  Most experts will tell you if you can get it accomplished in less than 4 hours after the kill, you’ll probably be OK.   Next – Skin the Hide You’ll need to remove the skin shortly after the guts so the meat can begin to cool. As you go, avoid puncturing the meat or cutting through the hide to […]

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[DIY] Simple Venison Jerky Recipe

[DIY] Simple Venison Jerky Recipe

When you’re stockpiling for an emergency, some foods are easier to preserve than others. Vegetables and fruits can be canned or dried. But what do you do to preserve meat? Freezing is effective for regular use, but it won’t help you if there’s no power. One of the best and most effective ways to preserve meat is by making jerky. Jerky is easy to make, healthy to eat and has a long shelf life. Making it can extend the life of venison and provide you with a healthy, protein-packed snack to get you through hard times.   Preparing to Make […]

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5 Ways Pigs Are Valuable Beyond Just Meat

5 Ways Pigs Are Valuable Beyond Just Meat

  When you are living off the land, owning animals that can provide you with food can be extremely beneficial. You may grow plenty of crops and fill your pantry with canned vegetables, but if you aren’t getting enough protein, you won’t have the energy to tend to your farm and home. While there are some homesteaders who don’t want to commit to raising a large farm or a herd of cattle, there are plenty of other animals such as chickens or turkeys that can ensure you have meat and eggs throughout the year. They are also low-maintenance so that […]

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What Is The Roadkill List?

What Is The Roadkill List?

Have you ever thought about eating roadkill? Now, before you start to think the idea is crazy, we aren’t talking about stalking the roadways and searching for animals that have been hit. Instead, you can get on a road kill list. This type of list is often available through park departments and highway departments, and it works very simply. Animals in rural areas, along the highways, and even in the suburbs tend to cross roads during their travels. This applies to all animals, but the ones that can be most problematic tend to be deer, and in some areas in […]

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Beef Cuts and How to Cook Them (Infographic)

Beef Cuts and How to Cook Them (Infographic)

I’ve often recommended on this blog finding local, farm-raised meat and dairy for the most sustainable, healthy lifestyle. The thing about finding local meat, however, is that you might find yourself with some cuts of meat that you’re not familiar with and not used to cooking. I don’t know about you, but when I started learning to cook, I  mostly knew how to saute ground beef and braise chicken breasts. Getting familiar with the different cuts of beef and how to prepare them can vastly broaden your culinary knowledge and abilities, as well as introduce you to some great new […]

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How to Can Hamburger

How to Can Hamburger

I’ve been sharing a bit about canning meat lately, and I thought I’d share an actual recipe for how to do it. Now, remember that you do need an actual pressure canner to can meat, but given the amount of foods you can preserve with a pressure canner, it’s definitely worth the investment. Any way in which you can preserve meat is great to be able to do, since it’s nutritious and caloric. When it comes to canning hamburger in general, this is a great option for meat canning as you can take advantage of sales (ground beef goes on […]

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Hunt for Your Meat

Hunt for Your Meat

If you are a homesteader, you have probably spent quite a bit of time trying to determine just how much food you can grow on your property. While growing your veggies and fruit, and canning them, is great, most people will also want to have meat on the table. You may have some livestock that you can use, such as chickens. However, the best way to get more meat is to start hunting. Take the time to see what animals are in your area and the times of the hunting seasons. Common animals to hunt include deer, boar, ducks, quail, […]

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