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9 Practical Emergency Foods And How to Store Them

Long term food storage is a good idea in many, many circumstances. There are several basic food types that you should consider stocking up on that will last for years if needed. Beans Dried beans of every variety are super cheap and even easier to store. Store them in a dark, dry and cool place for best results. Coffee and Tea Most of us consider ourselves in an emergency situation if we run out of coffee. So, try to imagine going through an actual emergency without it…OH…THE HORROR!!! Just make sure you keep it in the right […]

3 All Natural Homemade Flea Repellents

Fleas are miserable little creatures that can cause all kinds of discomfort and health problems for the beloved 4-legged creatures we call family. Not only do they cause uncontrolled itching and scratching they can also lead to other issues that could cost lots of money to remediate. Why Fleas Are More than Just a Nuisance Besides the obvious discomfort made by itchy flea bites, there are several other ailments that can result from them. They include: Flea allergies that can result in skin rashes and other issues. Fleas feed on your fluffy friends’ blood. Excessive numbers can lead […]

4 Critical Methods to Improve Your Garden Soil

You have the perfect spot picked out for your new garden. It gets just the right amount of sun, its easy to access and there is plenty of room to plant whatever your heart desires. Just one problem. The ground in your perfect spot is less than optimal for growing anything more than plastic plants. What do you do when your potential garden’s soil is more akin to just plain dirt that the rich compost you dream of getting your hands into? Pick another site? Probably now very practical. Fortunately, there are several natural ways you can inject your ground […]

5 Fantastic Benefits of Living in a Yurt

Yurts are the ultimate example of efficiency in residential construction. Their structural design, insulation and covering keep them cool in summer, warm in winter, and extremely wind resistant. A yurt’s round walls allow for much less surface area for interior heat to escape while letting the wind move more organically around it instead of pushing against it. The framing of the support system is completely self-sufficient and a wonder of engineering. The roof is supported by the use of a tension band and compression ring leaving the interior completely open and available to any interior design you could need. […]

8 Extremely Natural Ways to Treat a Rash

Rashes can be at the least, inconvenient, and at the worst incredibly painful. There is any number of reasons a rash may appear. Allergies, toxic plants, and illnesses are the main categories, but within those, especially allergies, it can sometimes be impossible to figure out why the rash is happening. Please note, if a rash progresses rapidly, appear for no external reason, or it accompanied by other symptoms like sinus or chest congestion or trouble breathing this may be a sign of a severe allergy. In these cases, you should seek medical treatment and work with your doctor to […]

Can You Grow Miniature Fruit Trees and Non-Native Plants?

Can You Grow Miniature Fruit Trees and Non-Native Plants? Well, the short answer? Yes. It is possible to grow just about anything on a homestead or even in an urban environment, with the right care and maintenance. And, if you are successful, you can provide yourself with your own rice, coffee, citrus fruit and more. The main trick? Growing everything in planters and pots, essentially creating a mobile farm. During the summer they can be kept outside. When it turns cold you have a few options: Cover the plants with clear plastic to create mini-greenhouses Move them inside your home […]

5 Wonderfully Natural Remedies to Fight Dry Skin

Dry skin can be extremely uncomfortable to those who suffer from it chronically. From cold weather to medications that bring about this most inconvenient side effect, it can sometimes feel daunting while trying to find a solution and get relief. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies that may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Avocados This wonderful fruit (yep, it’s in the pear family) is packed with Vitamin E plus Omega-3 fatty acids. It’s a very popular ingredient for people who suffer from chronic dry skin. How to Use Avocados Cut the avocado in half and scoop […]

Identifying and Understanding Poison Ivy

The bane of every campers’ weekend getaway, poison ivy, interestingly enough is not actually in the ivy family. It’s a relative of the almond family. Who knew? Most of the time, you only have to worry about avoiding it when you are in the great outdoors and away from urban areas. However, occasionally it will pop up in your yard. If this happens, you’ll want to make sure you wear protective clothing and accessories like gloves and even a mask to avoid the worst itching you can ever imagine. Also, you’ll want to be very cautious about how you dispose […]

8 Amazing Uses for Tea Tree Oil

Contrary to its name, tea tree oil is not remotely related to the tea plant. It is actually native to and only grown in Australia. Which is probably why its benefits have gone largely unspoken of until recently. It is important to note that tea tree oil is very toxic if swallowed. However, it can be used topically, and its ability to disinfect naturally makes it a viable alternative to harsher synthetic products. Antiseptic and Antifungal One of the most popular uses of tea tree oil is as an antiseptic and antifungal treatment. Its antibacterial properties make it […]

Never Waste Water Again

Picture this, for every inch of rain that falls on a 500 square feet area of your roof; you can collect up to 300 gallons of it to use around your property. If you live in an area that doesn’t restrict the use of rain barrels, you could be saving money every month on water. Rainwater can be used for a variety of tasks including: Rinsing off your garage floor Watering your indoor plants Watering your outdoor plants Flushing your toilet Creating an outdoor shower And more I know a potter who has a studio in her garage. If […]

10 Amazing Uses for Lemons

Lemons, good for making lemonade, adding to your tea with honey, squeezing over fish, the list could go on and on. It even goes on to some amazing home remedies! Who knew? Someone apparently because we’ve been able to put together a list of 12 you can try in the comfort of your own home. Break up Congestion in Your Sinuses and Chest Getting that familiar sore throat or wheezing sound? No problem. Heat 4-6 oz of water and mix in 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 2 Tsp of honey. The honey will soothe your […]

11 More Natural Mosquito Repellents

From the early 90’s encephalitis scares to today’s news of Zika and West Nile virus, people are looking for as many options for mosquito repellent as possible. And, thanks to the chemical scares that occurred long before, effective organic options are highly desired. Fortunately, there are a number of options to make spring and summer night much more comfortable and much less life-threatening. From Lemongrass to Citronella Oil One of the most well-known mosquito repellent plants is lemongrass. Lemongrass is the plant citronella oil is extracted from. Use as a natural spray, burn in candles or put in oil […]

Home Remedies Only Mother Nature Could Come Up With

Even with modern science, many home remedies are even more effective than their commercial alternatives. If you prefer to save the commercial remedies for more severe symptoms, learning some simple home remedies will make you feel better while they make your family feel better. Whether you choose to cultivate them in your garden or forage for them, medicinal plants and oils have been successfully used for millennia. In fact, some of them have been used as far back as ancient Egyptian times. Marsh Mallow Treats inflammations and irritations of the respiratory mucous membranes and urinary membranes. On the outside, you […]

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 […]

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 […]

Simple 15 Step Chicken Hoop House

If you are gearing up to add chickens to your homestead, or your current chicken coop isn’t cutting it, here’s a design that works well and doesn’t take a lot to put together. The goal of this design is to have a good amount of space for the chickens to graze, in an area that was safe from predators and that can be moved around as needed. For this project you will need: 2x4s Cattle Panels (enough to cover the roof) Hardware Cloth (enough to cover the cattle panels and the side walls Expanded Metal (enough to cover the […]

Powerful Spices You Need In Your Pantry

Whether you choose to stock up on canned goods or live off the land with your own garden of fruits and veggies and a storeroom full of meat and fish you’ve hunted yourself, you can give your taste buds more variety with the addition of different seasonings. So, take some advice and make sure you maintain a supply of spices, herbs, and other seasonings to your pantry. These may be especially useful if you happen to run into a “lean winter” scenario and need to break into your stock of canned meats and veggies or other prepackaged emergency supplies […]

7 Little-Known Miracles of Beeswax

Bees are amazing creatures. Well organized and extremely productive, they are able not only to make their own food (honey) but also the custom facilities they live in and store the food (honeycomb). In addition to pollinating naturally occurring and farmed produce, they do more for us than we can imagine. Beeswax is literally bee’s wax. It is the waxy secretion their bodies produce to make their honeycombs. And, it has as many health benefits and other uses as the honey that makes them so popular with us. Beeswax has been used for millennia. It has appeared in Egyptian tombs […]

What Does “Free Range” Really Mean?

With an increase in animal rights and animal cruelty awareness, the words “free range” has become a more common sight on packaging at the grocery store. It labels animal products from animals that are farmed in a way that gives them access to outdoor spaces and free access to grazing for food. However, since there are no government regulations for the term “free range, ” the images you may have in your mind of wide open chicken yards and pastures dotted with happy cows communing with nature may not be exactly what is happening. So, what does the term […]

Benefits of Protein in Your Pantry

Protein powder is usually known as the substance that bodybuilders use to bulk up. It’s more than that, however! There are protein powders out there that go into shakes, can be mixed with water and drank on their own, and that serve as meal supplements. Having supplemental protein powder can prove very necessary for those bad years when livestock doesn’t produce or you’ve come up empty-handed while hunting. Your body needs a source of protein and when you can’t get it from meat, a supplemental powder is a great option. It’s definitely something to consider in your emergency pantry. […]