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Health – Page 8 – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Category: Health

  • Powerful Spices You Need In Your Pantry

    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 you may have stocked up on.

     

    Common Seasonings to Keep around

     

    We’ll start with the more common varieties.  The items on this list will add a lot of extra interest and flavor to the deer meat you may have been eating every night for the last week, or month.

    • Basil
    • Bay Leaves
    • Black Pepper
    • Chili Powder
    • Chives
    • Cilantro
    • Cinnamon
    • Crushed Red pepper
    • Garlic – Minced
    • Garlic – Powdered
    • Garlic Salt
    • Mint
    • Mustard – Powdered
    • Mustard – Seeds
    • Onion Powder
    • Oregano
    • Parsley
    • Rosemary
    • Salt

    First, I realize Garlic is listed three different ways.  However, you will find that there are different uses for each type so having all of them will make your recipes more diverse.

    Any of these can be sprinkled on or added to a water or oil base to be used as a marinade or coating.  Bay leaves are a great addition to a good soup or stew you can create from tidbits and leftovers.  Simmer for most of the day, serve with freshly baked bread and you’ll have a feast that rivals any 5-course meal.

    If you’d like to get adventurous, several of these herbs, like basil, chives, cilantro, mint, and rosemary can be grown in a pot inside your home and harvested.  If you get a surplus from pruning the plants back, let the cuttings dry and ground them up to make your own herb supply.

     

    Less Common but Still Handy Options

     

    The next list contains additional options that will lend a hand to the seasonings on our first list.  When used together, you can turn the plainest dish into a spectrum of flavor.

    • Cajun Seasoning
    • Horseradish Sauce
    • Oils – Olive, Sesame, Canola, Coconut
    • Pickled Peppers – Banana, Green Chili, Jalapeno, Pepperoncini, etc.
    • Sriracha Sauce
    • Tabasco Sauce
    • Vinegar – Balsamic, Red Wine, Rice
    • Wasabi
    • Wasabi Powder
    • Worchester Sauce

    These options can be used alone or with just about anything on the first list to add much more variety to your daily meals.

    Finally, let’s talk briefly about Honey.  While not technically an Herb or Spice, it can be an extremely convenient addition to your pantry.  Like herbs and spices, it doesn’t spoil and can be used as a sweetener for just about anything.

    Suggested Article:  What Does “Free Range” Really Mean

    When mixed with different spices, you can achieve a wonderful spicy sweetness that will dress up fish or meat nicely.  It’s also good for use in tea, lemonade, and baked goods.

     

    Buy in Bulk and Save

     

    One of the nice things about herbs and spices is that they have a wonderfully long shelf life.  In fact, technically they never spoil.  They can go a little stale after a while and lose some of their potency and flavor, but that’s all.

    If you know you will be using them a lot, consider buying in bulk to save money in the long run and avoid running out when you want them.

    Check for the expiration dates to be sure, but typically the shelf life of most of our listed items are 2-3 years or more, so there’s a very good chance you’ll use them up before they lose their flavor.

     

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  • 7 Little-Known Miracles of Beeswax

    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 and ancient Viking ships alike. From medicines to cosmetic creams and solid perfume, there are tons of ways to use it.

    In this article, we’ll talk about some of the health benefits that this miracle of nature can provide.

    The Ultimate Skin Care Product

    In general, beeswax has rejuvenation properties for our skin.  It contains large amounts of vitamin A, improves blood circulation in skins cellular structure, reduces skin inflammation and detoxes the skin. Some conditions it can be used to treat include:

    Acne

    Beeswax is rife with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents. Combined with the healing properties of the vitamin A mentioned above, it is a power packed natural way to fight unwanted blemishes.

    Fungi and Bacterial Skin Issues

    Beeswax can help prevent fungi and bacterial growth on the skin.  This prevention makes beeswax excellent for reducing breakouts of eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash and jock itch.  For a quick and easy natural ointment, mix equal parts honey, beeswax and olive oil to affected areas three times a day for up to a month.

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    Chapped Lips and Skin Relief

    There is a reason most quality lip balms contain beeswax. Not only do they help heal skin, they also provide a moisture barrier to keep the surface of lips and skin from drying out even more.

    Stretch Marks

    The dread of every first-time mom and an unfortunate side effect of weight loss. Stretch marks are easy to get and difficult to make disappear.  If you want to be ready for bikini season, mix shea butter, royal jelly, coconut oil, and grapeseed oil with beeswax to help treat and prevent stretch marks.  Use twice a day for best results.

    Related Article: 22 Ways to Use Beeswax

    Dietary Supplements

    Beeswax is not just beneficial to your outsides.  It can also help keep you healthy on the inside.

    Lowers High Cholesterol

    Beeswax contains extremely long chain fats and alcohols in their chemical makeup. These ”long-chain” fatty alcohols have been shown to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.

    Liver Health

    The high level of antioxidants in beeswax also help protect you from liver damage.  It can also assist in returning the liver to normal functions and improve fatty liver symptoms that have already been diagnosed.

    Aids in Glucose Processing and Insulin Resistance

    Glucose is the essential energy source for all of our bodies systems, especially your brain. The waxy alcohols in honeycomb have been shown to significantly reduced the markers for insulin resistance.  Insulin resistance leads to type-2 diabetes and other health issues.

    Beeswax – A Naturally Occurring Miracle

    We mentioned just a few of the primary ways beeswax can help you feel better, inside and out.  Purchasing Organic Beeswax is much simpler than it used to be, which is convenient unless you decide to become a bee-keeper or know a friend who is one.

    A word of caution.  If you decide to take Beeswax as a supplement to help with your internal health, make sure you follow the recommended doses.  Overconsumption will lead to gastrointestinal issues but won’t increase the benefits you receive.

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  • What Does “Free Range” Really Mean?

    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 “free range” actually mean for most animals?

    Free Range as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has only been applied to meat chickens.  It does not actually include egg sources or other livestock like cows, turkeys or pigs.

    For chickens, “free range” is defined as having access to the outdoors each day.  It does not stipulate a specific amount of time, however.  This lack of a more designated regulation means that chickens who spend all their lives in cramped pens with only a small hatch to the outdoors open for a few minutes daily are in the same category as chickens who roam free, only going inside at night to roost.

    Essentially, the current USDA regulations mean that the chicken only needs to have a glimpse of the outdoors every day to qualify as free range. And, since the USDA regulations don’t apply to other animals or egg sources, any company can add “free range” to their packaging without risk of breaking regulations.

     

    Look for the HFAC Certification

    Fortunately, there is a way to ensure you are buying a truly “free range” product without having to visit each provider yourself.  The Humane Farm Animal Care organization (HFAC) certifies farm with their own set of regulations to qualify as free range.

    If a farm has received the HFAC cert, it signifies that chickens have at least two square feet per bird inside their pens and must be allowed to spend a minimum of six hours a day outdoors as weather permits.

    The HFAC has even taken these principles a step further by including a “Pasture-raised” certification.  To qualify for pasture-raised status, the farms are required to provide over 100 square feet PER bird.  Additionally, the birds are allowed to live outdoors year-round in rotating field areas.  A shelter is provided specifically to protect them from bad weather and predators, not as a way to “store” them.

     

    Certified Organic Qualifications

    Another way to ensure you are buying actual free-range products is to stick to “certified organic” products.  These products are regulated by a much stricter set of regulations that includes a reasonable definition of free-range treatment.

    Look at it this way.  A farm claiming to have free-range eggs won’t suffer any penalties or fines if it isn’t true.  However, if a farm claims to have Certified Organic eggs and are caught not adhering to those standards, they will be hit with severe penalties and fines.

     

    Always Check the Packaging

    So, now you know that even if a product is labeled “free-range” it doesn’t always mean what it should.  Instead, check for the HFAC cert info or for the Certified Organic info if you want to make sure that what you are buying actually fits into the category of free range as it should.

    Taking a little time to double check will help ensure you are getting the healthiest possible product for you and your family.

     

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  • Benefits of Protein in Your Pantry

    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.

    In fact, there are so many different types of protein powder that you might find yourself overwhelmed with options. We’ll help with that here.

    What Exactly Is Protein Powder?

    Protein powder is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a supplemental powder that contains protein and a number of other vitamins and minerals. There are versions with more protein than others (these are what bodybuilders use to bulk up) and some that are very well-rounded. If you’re looking for a good type to keep in your preparedness pantry, choose the well-rounded versions. They’ll serve your needs better and act as a meal replacement.

    Types of Protein Powder

    We’ve already covered one type of protein powder – the one used by bodybuilders. However, the types that serve as meal replacements come in a variety of types and flavors. Some use coconut to provide the protein, while others have some animal by-products in them. Make sure to read the labels carefully if you’re a vegetarian or vegan to avoid ending up with the wrong kind. On top of this, there are a number of different flavors, from strawberry to chocolate. In fact, some types are available in more than one flavor, making the decision even tougher. What it comes down to is finding the meal replacement kind in a flavor that you enjoy.

    How Long Will It Last?

    Protein powder is just that, a powder so that it will have quite a long shelf life. The standard types expire within four to five years, and, like with most canned and jarred items, if they are stored properly, they’ll last even longer than that. As long as the container isn’t opened, you can probably get a few extra years of storage time. However, if it’s opened, make sure to use it up as soon as possible. You don’t want to risk contaminating anything!

    Is Protein Powder Good For Kids?

    The answer here is yes. Protein powder is indeed good for children. There are even kid’s versions available on the market. Compare it to baby formula, only formulated differently and tastier. It contains the same number of nutritious elements as the adult versions; only it is made for children’s needs. In short, if you have kids in your house, you should have some protein powder for them store with your other emergency goods.

    Can I Do Anything Else With Protein Powder?

    While the most popular method of using protein powder is by mixing it with water and drinking it, you can always use it in a smoothie. In fact, if you mix some of your canned fruit in with the protein powder and maybe some powdered milk and water, you have the makings of a quite tasty drink. You’ll need some variety in your diet – you can’t keep eating and drinking the same things all of the time – and this is a great way to expanding things.

    Protein powder is a useful vitamin and mineral supplement that can provide some of the things that your average diet is lacking. Make sure to keep some containers of it in your emergency pantry alongside your other goods. You might want to pull it out when you tire of eating the same old things all of the time. The benefits are worth it, especially if you chose a tasty flavor.

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  • 5 Things to Consider When Building an Aquaponic System

    5 Things to Consider When Building an Aquaponic System


    Setting up an aquaponic system, although quite an easy task, requires some basic knowledge of aquaponics. If you have decided to install such a system in your house, then you probably know what this is and how it could help you. However, there may still be things which can interest or help you. Below you will find 5 essential things which you should know in order to obtain spectacular results.

    1. Location
    The place where you put your aquaponic system is highly important for the way in which the plants and the fish will develop. In order to obtain great results, you should make sure that the temperature from the room is not too high, nor too low, that there is enough light for the plants to prepare their food and that no wind or extreme weather conditions will reach them. Also, make sure that no harming chemical substances can get inside the water as this means death for both your fish and your plants.

    2. Oxygenizing the water
    The happier your fish are, the better your system will work! This is why you need to oxygenize the water on a daily basis and make sure your fish have all the “comfort” they need.

    Related Article: “Advantages of Aquaponic Farming”

    3. Choosing your fish accordingly
    The aquaponic system works well with almost all types of fish. Yet, there are states in which you are not allowed to grow whatever type of fish you want, so you will want to see what types of fish you are allowed to have before starting your aquaponic system as you do not want any problems with the law.

    4. Placing the pots
    In order to make the harvest much easier, you should place the pots or the entire system at your waist level. This way you will not have to bend over, making the daily care routine a much easier activity.

    5. Adding additives
    There are cases in which your fish may not provide all the nutrients needed for your plants. If the quantity is lower than what the plants need, then you will have to supply them with the respective substances. In most cases, you will need to add iron, calcium carbonate or potassium carbonate.

    Aquaponics is an easy activity which will provide you with the necessary vegetables and fish in a short amount of time. Just follow the tips mentioned above and you will have great success in your attempt to grow organic food in your home. 

  • Advantages of Aquaponic Farming

    Advantages of Aquaponic Farming

    Aquaponics is a new way of approaching farming. Unlike traditional agriculture where you needed plants to grow vegetables, with aquaponics you need water and fish in order to have healthy food on your table each and every day. Basically, aquaponics relies on the interdependence between fish and plants: the fish produces bio-nutrients for the plants, while the plants clean the water, creating a perfect environment for the fish to grow and develop. It is a blend of aquaculture and hydroponics that has plenty of advantages. If you need some reasons to get your own aquaponic system started, then here are some of the advantages you will get once you assemble it.

    First of all, you will have fresh organic food on your table each and every day, regardless of the hour when you decide to cook your meals. You simply take your tomato, cucumber of your basil from the aquaponic “field” and use it for your meals. It is as easy as it sounds.

    The second best thing about it is that you not only grow vegetables, but you also have plenty of fish. Whether you want them for cooking tasty meals or simply for your décor, they are a great addition to your home! They also have a practical purpose, as you will never have to use chemical fertilizers on your plants, thus obtaining real organic food.

    If you ask how difficult is this system to put in practice, the answer is extremely simple. Not only will you be able to assemble it all by yourself, without the help of your family or neighbors, but you can also put it wherever you want. If you move from one house to another, then you simply disassemble the system and take it with you! What can be easier than that?

    Another great advantage of the hydroponic farming is that it offers you financial independence and control over your money. You know exactly how much you need to spend on your food and you will no longer depend on the market for your veggies’ supplies.

    Related Article: “5 Things to Consider When Building an Aquaponic System”

    Last, but not least, it involves no dirty hands and clothes, no bending and digging, no land and little maintenance time, so it will be like your veggies and fish grow all by themselves! Quite an easy to put in practice system, suitable for all types of people, even for busy and impatient ones!

    There are plenty advantages that the aquaponic system can offer you! Your health and your comfort will be improved, while your savings will considerably grow with the constant use of the aquaponic type of farming! If this is what you want, then why not give it a try? 

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  • 7 Interesting Ways to Use Excess Cucumbers

    7 Interesting Ways to Use Excess Cucumbers

    Congratulations on producing a successful homesteading garden this year! Now all you need to do is find ways to use your excess cucumbers. You’ve come to the right place. There is nothing as refreshing and crispy as a cucumber straight out of the garden. Even better are cucumbers in a salad or other yummy cold recipe made just for hot summer days and nights. We can suggest seven ways to use those lovely crunchy cucumbers. There are three recipes and four are for non-food uses that will surprise you.

     

    Food Uses

     

    1. Cucumber Tomato Salad

    This salad could be the centerpiece of an enormous veggie tray all from your garden. It is a straightforward recipe that can be made to serve with a meal or as a snack.

    Ingredients are three cucumbers, three diced tomatoes or a cup of cherry tomatoes, half (or more) of a sweet onion cut in small slices, a teaspoon of dill, and your favorite dressing. I like to use the cucumber dressing below. Just mix them all up and chill for an hour and serve.

     

    2. Cucumber Yogurt Dressing

    This dressing is so creamy and smooth that it melts in your mouth. It’s very healthy, especially if you make your own yogurt. It only has about two grams of fat per tablespoon. It is simple to make by just adding the ingredients into a blender and run it until smooth.

     

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    Ingredients are 1 cup of cucumbers, seeded, peeled and chopped; 3 tablespoons of plain or vanilla low-fat yogurt; 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon of dill, along with salt and pepper to taste. Let all blend for a few minutes and then test it for taste. Chill and enjoy!

     

    3. Strawberry & Cucumber Smoothie

    Just the sound of this drink sends a cool smoothness through me that makes me feel like I’m doing something special for my body because there’s lots of potassium and Vitamin B in this smoothie that will give you a spurt of energy. What makes it so good is the sweet strawberry taste.

    Ingredients are 1-1/2 cups of frozen or fresh strawberries, 1 large cucumber, with seeds removed and chopped, 1 cup of almond milk (cold), 1-1/2 tablespoons of honey, and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Blend on high, add more milk if desired,

     

    Non-food Uses

     

    4. Control Garden Pests

    Cucumbers are one of the most fascinating vegetables. Did you know they can get rid of garden pests? All you need to do is put 4-5 slices in a few small open containers and place them around your garden. They will repel all sorts of insects. You just need to replace them when they dry out.

     

    5. Breath Freshener

    Forget using mints to freshen your breath. Place a slice of cucumber on the roof of your mouth and hold for about 30 seconds. The chemicals in the cucumber will kill bacteria and bad breath.

     

    Suggested Article: “How to Use Extra Cucumbers”

     

    6. Hangover Relief

    This non-food use is one you will probably wish you knew about on New Year’s Eve. If you eat half a cucumber before going to bed after drinking, it will help relieve a hangover because they are high in nutrients and electrolytes.

     

    7. Mirror Defogger

    If you want to defog your mirror, rub a cucumber slice over the mirror before getting in the shower, and when you get out, the mirror will be clear of fog and your bathroom will have a fresh smell.

     

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  • Canned Corn: What’s the Trick?

    Canned Corn: What’s the Trick?

    A fond childhood memory is sitting on the back porch with my brother as we pulled husks off the bushels of corn on the cob. Somehow, we would always end up falling to the floor in a pile of husks with corn silk stuck in our hair laughing our heads off. You’d think our mom would have been upset, but all she could do is laugh with us.

    Since then I have assumed my mother’s role, canned many a cob of corn, and want to share with you how to process ‘doing it yourself’ canning corn. If you have never canned corn before, it may seem like a lot of work, but it’s the raw pack method, which is easier than other ways. If you follow these easy steps, you will accomplish some of the most significant things about homesteading—being self-reliant, saving money, and feeding your family the best kind of food.

    Gather Equipment and Ingredients

    1. Pressure Cooker – necessary to kill bacteria like botulism that can kill you if not cooked at 240 degrees in a pressure cooker since using stovetop doesn’t get hot enough.
    2. Mason canning jars with lids and rings to match
    3. Kernel stripper or sharp knife
    4. Jar lifter, tongs, and canning funnel
    5. Large pot of water at boiling temperature
    6. Shallow pan or cookie sheet
    7. Towels and hot pads
    8. Labels for jars and a thin tip marker
    9. Canning salt for flavor – the amount is optional
    10. A bushel of freshly picked corn on the cob – follow directions on the pressure cooker for exact amounts for the quantity desired.

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    Preparation

    • To begin you can either shuck the husks or just bend back each husk and use it to hold the cob as I slice off the kernels.
    • Remove the silk with a kitchen brush and rinse corn cobs in cold water.
    • Cut the kernels off each cob with a cookie sheet placed underneath to catch the kernels.
    • Slide the kernels from the cookie sheet into a large bowl.
    • Sterilize the jars, lids, and rings in the pot of hot water, remove right before filling.
    • Using the funnel, fill each jar with corn up to an inch from the top.
    • Add salt if desired – but no more than ½ tsp. for each pint or 1 tsp. for each quart.
    • Fill each jar with hot water up to an inch from the top.
    • Giggle the jars to remove any bubbles.
    • Wipe the edge of each jar making sure they are not cracked, place lids on, and tighten rings securely.

    Cooking

    • Using jar lifter, place jars in a pressure canner/cooker according to the user manual (if at high elevation, check instructions for the proper setting).
    • Close lid and cook pints for 55 minutes or quarts for 1 hour and 25 minutes.
    • Once done, turn off the cooker and wait for the pressure gauge to return to zero before opening.
    • Remove jars with the lifter placing on a towel to drain out of the way.
    • Let jars cool and check lids to make sure they are sealed. If the covers pop when touched, they are sealed.
    • Write the contents and date on labels with a marker and apply to jars.
    • Place jars in a cool, dry place until you are ready to

    Conclusion

    You can use the corn for all kinds of recipes from salads to enchiladas, and you will love how much better it tastes than the store-bought can or frozen versions. By the way, do not throw away the corn husks or cobs—use for composting. If you have children that can help with shucking the husks, let them have fun with it and send us some pictures.

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