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3 Tips for Prepping When You’re Broke

Whether you’re prepping in case of a disaster, you’re preparing to be an off-grid homesteader, or anything in between, you know that prepping and learning survival skills can take up a lot of time and money. That really doesn’t have to be the case, though. In fact, there are a number of ways that you can be prepared, even when you can barely pay your bills.

Focus on Learning New Survival Skills

First of all, being prepared isn’t just about buying cool equipment that will help you put up a tent anywhere or stay warm outside on the harshest winter night. It’s also about being mentally and physically prepared. It doesn’t cost anything to work on your situational awareness skills, to practice tying better knots, or to start composting in your yard.

Shop Second-Hand for Gear

You might be surprised at the quality of the gear you can find on eBay or Craigslist. More often than not, people buy camping and survival gear and they never use it or only use it once. Then they sell it at a steep discount, where broke preppers like you can get a great deal.

Start Couponing at the Grocery Store

Want to stockpile food without spending your whole grocery budget and then some? Start collecting coupons. You can usually save a lot of money and buy enough canned and dry goods to eat now and stockpile more for later. You can also use coupons to save on a lot of other items you can find at the store. Sometimes those buy-one-get-one deals can really come in handy.

These are just three of the best ways to continue prepping, even when you don’t have any extra money. Can you think of other ways to get creative, be frugal, and continue to prepare your home for disaster or off-grid living?

Sources:

http://hubpages.com/politics/Doomstay-Prepping-When-Youre-Poor

http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/what-to-eat-when-youre-broke-08112013

http://modernsurvivalblog.com/preps/how-to-be-prepared-when-youre-dead-broke/

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August 19, 2016
Tips for Saving Seeds

Seed storage seems like it should be simple, but it’s actually more involved than you might think. After all, you don’t want your seeds to germinate while they’re in storage. With proper storage, though, a good collection of heirloom seeds could help you grow a full garden, complete with all of the fruits and vegetables for your cooking needs.

Put Them in the Fridge and Leave Them There

First of all, seeds do best when they’re stored in cooler temperatures. 40 degrees – the temperature of most refrigerators – is perfect for keeping seeds fresh and avoiding early germination, mold, and other problems. After you put your seeds in the fridge, though, don’t take them out and move them around a lot. Fluctuating temperatures are bad for seeds, as are freezing temperatures, so keep them away from the freezer.

Keep Them in the Dark

Whether or not you choose to keep your seeds in the refrigerator, you should never store them in a fully lit room. Seeds respond to light, so keep them in opaque bags or containers, and store them in a cool, dark place.

Keep Them Dry

Moisture can lead to mold and/or germination, so you want to make sure that they stay dry. Keeping them in a mason jar is a good idea, and Mylar bags work really well for this, as well. You can then place these in a paper bag or other opaque container to keep light out. You may even want to store them with some kind of desiccant or oxygen absorber to further dry them out.

And, if you’re using your seeds in your garden each year, go ahead and rotate them, using the oldest ones first. This is a good way to ensure that you get better crops and that none of your seeds spoil while you’re storing them.

Sources:

http://www.backdoorsurvival.com/8-tips-for-storing-seeds-for-the-long-term/

http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/10-tips-storing-your-saved-seeds

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August 19, 2016
Top 3 Reasons You Should Be Growing Your Own Food

Whether or not you’re a homesteader, there’s no arguing that vegetables fresh from the garden just taste better than the ones you buy at the store. Even organic store-bought veggies just don’t have that same delicious taste that you get from vegetables that you grew yourself. If that isn’t enough to convince you to grow your own food, let’s take a look at just a few of the top reasons you might want to start a garden today:

No Fear of Food Recalls

Every year, we hear about different food recalls in different areas. People get sick from eating tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, and all kinds of other vegetables. That’s something you won’t have to worry about with food from your own garden. While others are looking forlornly at the produce section of the store, wondering what’s safe, you can pick anything you want and eat it without a care in the world.

Less Wasted Cash and Food

On average, American households throw away about $600 per year in over-ripe, damaged, or rotten produce. When you put in the time and effort to grow it, though, you’re a lot more likely to plan when to eat it instead of just letting it go bad in the fridge. And, when you do have over-ripe vegetables, they can go straight to compost instead of going in the garbage.

It’s Better for the Environment

Think of all of the fuel and labor it takes to get vegetables from factory farms to the store, and then there’s the fuel you spend driving to and from the store, as well. Add to that any packaging that’s used in the process, and you have a pretty big impact on the environment. With your own garden, you can just walk out the back door and pick your veggies, leaving a much smaller carbon footprint behind.

Sources:

http://www.gardenweasel.com/top-10-reasons-to-grow-your-own-garden/

http://www.cookinglight.com/food/in-season/reasons-to-garden

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August 18, 2016
How to Make a DIY Gnat Trap
Gnats and fruit flies can be a real pain, especially when you keep fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden around the house. If you have a gnat infestation, and you’re looking for a way to get rid of them but you don’t want to spray chemicals everywhere, try one of these DIY gnat traps.

The Vinegar Trap

To make your trap, you’ll just need a few household items, including:
- A mason jar
- A lid
- Apple cider vinegar
First, take your lid and poke several holes in it. You may want to use a punch or a sharp knife. Whatever you use, be safe. A cut finger is worse than even the biggest gnat or fruit fly invasion.

Next, fill the jar at least two-thirds with your apple cider vinegar, put the lid on the jar, and place it in an area where you often see gnats. Go about your day and then come back to see how many flies you’ve caught in your trap.

The Fruit and Soap Trap

This trap involves a couple more items, and you don’t want to leave it out too long, or it’ll start to smell. Take a large bowl and add about an inch of water to the bottom. Then add a few drops of dish soap to the water (this will help the gnats sink instead of floating on the surface). Place some fruit in a smaller bowl and put it inside the larger bowl. Cover the trap with plastic wrap and poke several holes in it. Place the trap in a gnat-infested area and wait for the gnats to collect.

Either of these traps can greatly reduce the number of gnats in your home. To get rid of them completely, be sure to compost old fruit and vegetables and keep your kitchen clean and free of any rotting food materials.

Sources:

http://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/get-rid-of-gnats-quickly-gnat-trap/

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Create-a-Fool-Proof-Gnat-Trap/?ALLSTEPS

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August 18, 2016
Caring for Your Chickens in Hot Weather

Did you know that chickens have a higher body temperature than humans? As a result, they will almost always feel increases in heat faster than we do, which means that they can really suffer on hot summer days. So how can you ensure that your chickens stay healthy and cool all summer long? Follow a few simple tips.

Provide Cool Water and Shade

Chickens will naturally gravitate toward shady areas to stay cool on hot days. Provide yours with plenty of shade, and put their water in the shade, as well. Basically, if the water is out in the sun or far away from where they’re hanging out to beat the heat, they’re not going to go get it, and they’re going to get dehydrated. So maximize shade and make sure there’s water there, too.

Scatter Frozen Veggies and Juicy Fruit in the Chicken Yard

Fresh fruits and vegetables are attractive to chickens, but frozen veggies, like peas and baby carrots, are also good pecking food, as well. If you have any old frozen vegetables in your freezer that are freezer burned and unappetizing to you, just open them up and throw them to your chickens. They’ll love them!

Do You Have a Dust Bath?

Chickens also cook off by taking dust baths. So, if you don’t have one already, provide an area without any water or grass, where your chickens can roll around in the dirt. Don’t be surprised if a shallow pit starts to form – that’s just from your chickens wallowing around and rubbing in the dirt until they get down to the cooler soil under the top layer.

These three simple tips can go a long way toward keeping your chickens healthy, hydrated, cool, and well fed this summer. Try out one or all of them today and see how well they work.

Sources:

http://hencam.com/faq/hot-weather-care/

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/beat-heat-helping-chickens-survive-high.html

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-care-for-chickens-in-the-hot-summer-months

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August 17, 2016
5 Natural Home Remedies for Treating a Toothache

Those that have been fortunate enough to never need braces or dental work can hardly understand the intensity of oral pain. The rest of us know all too well how debilitating the pain can be, and despite political promises, how expensive it can be to take care of. While of course, you should always go to the dentist when you have serious toothache pain because it could be a sign of a potentially life-threatening infection, or could lead to one, the cost of dental work might have you postponing the trip until your budget can cover it a little better. If this is the position you are in, here are a few things you can do in the meantime to help you deal with the pain and get done what you have to.

Saltwater Rinse

A common cause of pain is an abscess or an infection near the gum line. Temporary relief can come from cleaning out any food debris in the area and drawing out the fluid in the infection by swishing your mouth with warm salt water after meals, before bed, or as often as the pain returns.

Clove Oil

Clove oil contains a natural anesthetic called eugenol. When using clove oil be careful not to get it on unaffected areas like your tongue. Dip a Q-tip in clove oil and hold it against the tooth causing the pain until the pain subsides.

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Beeswax

If your pain is caused by a cavity, loose filling, or a crack in your tooth rinsing and treating with clove might not be enough to stop the pain. Every time food or even liquid comes in contact with the opening the pain can be excruciating and the risk of infection increases. After cleaning the area, take a bit of warm bee’s wax and press it over the cavity of crack to form a temporary seal.

These remedies are only going to treat the symptom and not the cause. They are meant to get you through the pain until you can get the professional medical treatment that you need, not to replace it.

As you’ve built your homestead, you’ve no doubt tried to think of everything you’ll possibly need for healthy, comfortable living. As a result, you no doubt have an herb garden where you grow delicious herbs that have numerous healing properties. Your garden could also be the key to relief.

Ginger and Cayenne Paste

Grab some ginger root and cayenne pepper from your garden. Chop and mash-up equal parts of each, and mix them with enough water that the mixture becomes a paste. Apply the paste to a piece of cotton and hold it against the tooth. Be sure to avoid touching your tongue or gums with the paste, as you’ll be crying for cold water if you do. Leave the paste-laden cotton in place until the pain starts to fade away.

Apply a Tea Bag

Black tea is full of tannins, which have astringent qualities and can reduce swelling and inflammation. Soak a tea bag in warm water, and then hold it in your mouth over the affected tooth and gums.

Most toothaches come from infection in the gums and/or teeth, or from cavities. If you can, it’s best to see a dentist for permanent relief and to ensure that the infection doesn’t spread. If you can’t see a dentist, though, these natural remedies should give you relief at least temporarily until you can seek out medical help. In addition to these, be sure to keep your diet clean and brush and floss regularly, and you’ll avoid most dental and oral health and hygiene problems.

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August 16, 2016
4 Delicious Ideas for Using Blueberries

We’re in the thick of blueberry season here in North America, and there’s so many things you can do with these delicious little berries.

Blueberries are considered one of the most nutritious foods on earth; a bonafide superfood. They are high in antioxidants-higher than any other fruit or vegetable, in fact. Some studies have shown they actually improve memory, and its theorized they can actually slow down the decline of other cognitive functions. They also have a low glycemic index, which makes them a great choice for naturally sweetening smoothies (see below) or making for a healthy sweet tooth fix for diabetics.

After October, most blueberries you find in the store will be from South America, so stock up now! These options are all either ways to preserve blueberries or things you can make that can be frozen and kept throughout the winter.

Preserves

Blueberry preserves are delicious. They’re less sweet than more popular strawberry or raspberry preserves, but a lot of people will like this. They go wonderfully on muffins or scones, as well as toast or hors’ devours.

Pie

Who doesn’t love pie? And blueberry pies or tarts are absolutely delicious. There are a lot of ways to get creative and make them unique too, by adding goat cheese or herbs, or just keeping it simple and classic with a nice pile of whip cream on top. Yum!

Muffins

Blueberry muffins are classic, and for good reason, they’re absolutely delicious. They are typically very sweet with lots of sugar, but you can make them healthier too by using whole wheat and a more natural sweetener like honey or coconut sugar. Either way blueberries go wonderfully in baked goods of all kinds.

Smoothies

It’s not very fancy, but having a nice stock of frozen blueberries in your freezer for healthy smoothies year-round is a great idea. Just a small handful of blueberries will add lots of flavor and sweetness to any smoothie. And freezing them doesn’t deplete their nutritional content, actually, so you can preserve those antioxidants year-round!

If you poke around Pinterest you’ll find these are just a few options-there’s a lot you can do with this versatile, healthy and delicious little berry.

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August 16, 2016
Soap Making Basics
Making soap is a wonderful skill to gain, and given the amount of harsh toxins and chemicals in commercially-available soap, it’s also a great way to guarantee you’re getting wholesome, natural ingredients.

Speaking of chemicals, one reason a lot of people are intimidated by soap-making is the use of the ingredient lye (remember that scene in Fight Club, right?). It can be very dangerous when not handled properly, and burn the skin. However, you simply can’t make soap without it. All soap contains it, the thing is, once the reaction that creates the soap has taken place, the lye has changed forms and is no longer harmful-it’s actually not even lye anymore.

The key to safe soap-making is following some basic precautions. Use gloves, eye protection, a dust mask and fully covering clothes, and also work in an extremely well-ventilated area, if not outside. Make sure you are using food-grade lye, and in between soap-making sessions, keep your lye and other supplies well out of reach of children and pets.

The three bases for soap are lye, a fat or oil, and water. Animal fat can be used-so soap-making is a great option for hunters and homesteaders. Oil soap is also great for homesteaders, and gardeners, as you can make all sorts of scents by infusing your oil with herbs or flowers.

To start soap-making, you’ll want to get a few supplies. This is what’s suggested by UrbanSurvivalSite.com‘s soap-making recipe:
- A soap mold
- Parchment paper
- A gram or kitchen scale
- Non-reactive container (like Pyrex)
- Utensils-metal is not recommended for lye so wooden chopsticks are one option
- An immersion blender-try to find one made just for soap-making so it won’t splash
- A spatula
- Help-when working with lye it can be very helpful to have an extra set of (gloved) hands to ensure it all goes smoothly
Next, just find a recipe and have fun! Your necessary ingredients will vary from recipe to recipe, but as mentioned above they will usually contain some combination of animal fat or oils and fragrance, with a water or tea base and lye. Here are 71 soap recipes to get you started.

Once you know what you’re doing, you can have more fun experimenting and using the supplies you have available such as animal fat or fresh herbs. Soap making is just another step on the road to self-reliance and a simpler and more wholesome life!

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August 15, 2016