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food – Page 2 – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Tag: food

  • No Waste Chicken Feeder

    No Waste Chicken Feeder

    Chickens can be messy and needy. They throw their food all over the place and then squawk at you until you give them more. This is no reason not to place a chicken coop in your backyard though. They do give you plenty of eggs and some meat. And chickens can make interesting companions, even though they aren’t quite as cuddly as cats and dogs – as long as you keep them happy, that is. The best way to do this is with a no-waste chicken feeder.

    Why Do You Need A No Waste Chicken Feeder?

    We’ve already mentioned the fact that chickens are messy. No matter how hard you try to keep their food contained, they toss it all over the yard. Even if you place a metal pan under their trough, they’ll still find a way to make a mess. It’s just how they are – until you give them a no waste feeder. This feeder is designed to keep the chicken feed in one place, right where it belongs. You won’t be woken up by hungry chickens in the morning, as they’ll always have enough to eat right under their beaks.

    The Supplies That You Need

    Gathering your supplies is the first step to making one of these feeders. You’ll need some PVC piping, both straight sections (which should be the same length) and an elbow piece, as well as two caps. You’ll also need a Mason jar lid and seal. Since the pipes will fit together, you don’t really need to adhere to them, but you could if you wanted to. It’s all up to you. It should hold together just fine by itself. You’ll also need a small saw in order to cut a hole in the bottom pipe so that the chickens can get to their feed. Otherwise, you’ll just have some random pipes stuck together with chicken feed in them.

    Putting the Feeder Together

    Building the feeder is easy. Start by slicing into the piece of pipe that’s going to be on the bottom. This is the trough. You’ll need to make it big enough for the chickens to get into, but not so big that they can make a huge mess all over again. A horizontal piece that’s roughly two inches wide by around 10 inches long will work nicely. However, this is up to you.

    Once you have the feeding hole cut into the pipe, place one of the caps at the end. This will be the piece of the feeder that sits parallel to the ground. Connect the elbow piece of pipe to the other end. Put the Mason jar lid and seal inside of the pipe at the place where the elbow meets the bottom pipe. The lid and seal will keep the feed from flowing down uncontrollably, making a mess.

    Next, attach the other long, straight piece of pipe to the other end of the elbow joint. It will stick straight up vertically. This is the end that you’ll be pouring the feed into. Place the other cap on the end of this piece of pipe in order to prevent water and other things from getting into the feed. You can remove it when you need to add more.

    Feeding the Chickens

    Prop the no waste chicken feeder up against the side of the chicken coop or the fenced-in area. If you want to tie it in place, feel free to do so. Pour some feed into the top pipe and then remove the Mason jar lid so that it flows into the other part of the feeder. Your chickens will always have plenty of food this way.

    See an example from our buddy at Green Power Farm.

    https://youtu.be/IapmzdzGFaw

  • Plastic Sheeting Gardening Hack

    Plastic Sheeting Gardening Hack

     

    Many gardeners count down the days until the winter ends because they’re just dying (not literally, of course) to get their crops in the ground. Rather than wait until the earth warms up and the last frost is far from over, start your season early by using plastic sheeting in to create a greenhouse-like effect. Plus, if you leave the sheeting up once the weather than changed for the better, you’ll have fewer weeds to deal with. Your garden will be magnificent thanks to this quick and easy garden hack.

     

    It All Starts in the Autumn

    Once you harvest your crops in the fall, you can start getting things in place for your plastic sheet garden. Clear out your garden, removing the remnants of your crops. Only the soil should be left. Turn it over very well in order to remove any lingering roots or bits of plants. Get out your tiller if you need to. Then, set up your soil for next spring. This involves making seedbeds, also known as soil ridges. These ridges should be one foot wide by around six inches high. They need to run to the east and west in your yard, parallel to each other. You can arrange them so that they’re as close together or as far apart as necessary. This is up to you.

     

    After The Last Frost (Ideally)

    Depending on where you live in the country, these next steps should be completed after the last frost or after what you perceive to be the last frost. (Sometimes the weather can be weird.) Purchase a roll of transparent plastic sheeting. Find one that’s 4-mil, and large enough to cover your desired area. You need it to be able to cover your entire planting area. Lay it directly on top of those soil ridges that you made in the fall. Don’t forget to anchor it down on the edges with wooden boards, stakes, or bricks. You don’t want it to fly away in a windstorm.

     

    Wait Until the Soil Is Warm

    Rather than waiting for the soil to warm up naturally (that is, without plastic sheeting) to plant your crops, you just have to wait until the plastic has done its job. It shouldn’t take more than a few days for the earth to warm up under the plastic. Once it has, you can start planting your crops in between the ridges. Peel back the sheet and place your seeds in the ground, following the usual planting instructions as far as how deep and how far apart to plant them. Then, place the plastic back on top of them. At this point, you may want to use wooden stakes instead of boards and bricks, as they’ll allow the plastic to move slightly as the plants grow.

     

    Why the Ridges Are Important

    The soil ridges are designed to hold up the plastic, giving the plants some space to grow. They also control the moisture content of the soil and trap sunlight, making the area under the plastic quite warm. It creates a greenhouse effect. This is why you can start planting much earlier than usual.

     

    The Rest of the Process

    As your plants begin to grow, you’ll need to check on the moisture content of the soil. If it seems like things are too damp under there, peel back the plastic for a while and let everything dry out a little. Replace the plastic once the moisture levels have gone down. Once the traditional spring-like weather has officially returned to your area, or the plants have grown too big to remain contained under the plastic, roll up the sheet and let mother nature do the rest.

    How and Why would you bury a shipping container in your backyard?  Find out the secret here>>>

  • How To Build An Earth Oven

    How To Build An Earth Oven

     

    An earthen oven is exactly what it sounds like – an oven made of a combination of dried earth and clay. These ovens tend to cook things better than standard outdoor brick ovens, and are fairly easy to build, as long as you know how.

     

    History of Earth Ovens

    A type earth oven, known as a pit hearth, has been used for centuries. Examples of them have been found in Europe that date back to the Bronze Age. In the United States, they were commonly used by Native American tribes to cook large meals. Use of these ovens hasn’t died out. Many cultures, such as the Maori and the people of Papua New Guinea use them today. Since they aren’t difficult to build, you can even make one in your own backyard.

     

    The First Steps

    Before you start building your earth oven, you first need to gather your materials and make a space for it. A cleared section in a backyard that has some natural cover makes a great place for such an oven. Even out the land where you intend to build this small structure.

    You’ll need a number of things to build your earth oven. These include:

    1. firebricks (the first layer on the ground)
    2. building sand
    3. water
    4. newspaper
    5. clay
    6. either straw, hay, or dried grasses.

    Each of these components is essential to the process.

    The Building Process

    Next, you’ll need to begin construction. Since you already have a cleared space for the oven, you can start by laying down the fire bricks. They’ll become the base for the oven. How many bricks you use depends on how large you want your oven to be. An 18-inch inside is a good basic measurement for this oven, so set yours up accordingly. Once the bricks are laid down, you’ll need to trace out the shape of your oven.

    Now it’s time to mix your clay together and start the rest of the building process. Lay a tarp down on the ground and place your clay and sand on it. Mix them together, then add water. This is going to become the inner layer of the oven. Once they’re ready, lay the mixture down on the bricks in the shape of your oven. Remember to build up the middle and leave one of the ends low. The best ratio is about 60% tunnel to the middle dome. After you have the desired shape that you want, place some newspaper on top of it.

    After this, begin mixing together the final layers of clay. The first of these top layers need to be about three inches thick when laid on top of the inner oven. This clay mixture shouldn’t contain any of the grass, straw, or hay. The next layer also needs to be three inches thick and needs to have these dry materials mixed into it. This is the absolute final layer of your earth oven.

     

    Let It Dry

    Some patience is required before you can use your oven. The entire structure needs to dry out. This can take anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on your local weather and overall environment. You can’t cover your oven with anything while it dries, as that can harm its final composition and even slow the process.

    Finally, once your oven is completely dry, the next steps involve digging out that inner layer of sand and clay. The newspapers that you used to cover this layer will burn up when you use your oven, so there’s no need to worry about them.

    So, as you can see, an earth oven is a very simple structure that can be used as an alternative to your home oven and other cooking methods you may be using.  This is a neat, primitive way to cook and enjoy some food.

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    Below, David shows us a much more advanced earth oven and goes into detail about the composition of his particular, AMAZING earthing oven.

     

  • 10 Simple Money Saving Tips Everyone Should Follow

    10 Simple Money Saving Tips Everyone Should Follow

    I remember seeing a news report on T.V. several years ago featuring people who are addicted to “coupons” shopping.  I was fascinated by some of the techniques these people had developed to get products for practically nothing.

    As I was watching though, and later when I was looking at the coupon mailers we regularly get, I was struck by the fact that so many things that companies and merchants often offer coupons for, my family don’t use.  Or at least, don’t use a large amount of regularly.

    As I was watching, I realized I didn’t see the point of buying five tubes of toothpaste for less than the cost of one 4-5 times a year.  I don’t know about you, but we don’t use nearly that much toothpaste in a 12 month period.  So, instead of saving money, I would have spent money I didn’t need to instead, and I’d have to find a place to store 20-25 tubes of toothpaste.

    So, the question you should ask yourself is this, “would I normally buy this product if I didn’t have a coupon?”

    If the answer is a quick and definitive “No” then consider this, does your coupon shopping habits actually save you money, or only entice you to buy things you don’t need?

    Other Ways to Save Money

    If your primary purpose for coupon shopping is to save money, consider some of these other ways to accomplish this without risking papercuts.

    Go Generic

    Check to see if there are decent generic brands of the products you normally buy.  Many stores now carry their own in-house brands of things like canned soups, bread, and even organic veggies.  Check the day to day prices of these items to see how they compare to name brands.  If you take them home and your family likes them, Great!  You’ll automatically save money for that item each time you buy it.

    Shop the Sales

    Healthier items are more likely to go on sale than have a coupon.  Just be sure that you are only buying items you use.  You don’t want to get caught up in the same habits in sales that you do in coupons.

    Only Shop When You Have a List – Then Stick to It

    It’s very easy to get side-tracked by sale signs and in-store coupons as you peruse the aisles.  With a list, you know exactly what you will need.  Stick to it, and you have less of a chance to buy a bunch of items you don’t need.

    Eat Healthier

    Choosing water, homemade iced tea, and homebrewed coffee instead of sodas, packaged juices and carry out coffee drinks will not only help you feel better but be better for your wallet.

    Cook Foods and Snacks from Scratch

    The cost of ingredients is often much lower in total than buying prepackaged, processed versions.   This includes items like most meals, bread, snacks, pizza and more.

    Avoid Dining Out

    Eating out can be very expensive, even at most fast food places.  If you are really in the mood for a cheeseburger and fries, make your own with ground beef and potatoes.  Even if you buy the buns, you’ll still be able to feed your whole family for much less than a trip through the drive-thru would be.

    Pack Your Work Lunch

    The average dining out lunch is $10.  The same amount could give you lunch supplies for a week.

    Related Article: “Frugal Foods for the Homesteader on a Budget”

    Imbibe Less

    Alcohol is pricey, and even discount wines and beer can add up.

    Quit Smoking

    Not just for your health, also for your wallet. Calculate how much you spend a month on cigarettes.  You will probably be surprised.  Then, figure out how else you could use that money.

    You Don’t Have to Give Up Coupons Altogether

    Thanks to the digital age, the resources for both paper coupons and digital coupons have grown, and it’s easy to get caught up in coupon and Groupon fever.

    As you sift and sort through all the great bargains out there, just remember, you’re only saving money if you are purchasing something you’d normally buy without a coupon.

     

  • 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 as healthy an option as possible.

    You may find it surprising then that you can do better.

    How?  By sourcing your beef from grass-fed cows instead of grain fed cows.

    But wait, isn’t grain a healthy food too? Well, yes, it is.  However, in a cow’s diet, it has more in common with a bag of potato chips than a leafy green salad.  The purpose of adding grain to a cows feed to fatten them up.  Not bulk them up with lean muscle but add fat so they weigh more and can be sold for more money.

    Grass-fed cows are much leaner, not because they are undernourished, but because they don’t build up excess fat. Beef from grass-fed cows is shown to be lower in saturated fat, calories, and total fat while being higher in vitamins and healthy fats.

    Additionally, since the cattle are allowed to graze in open fields more than those who get crowded into feedlots, there is little to no need to give them antibiotics.

    Finally, another side effect of some cheaper grain feeds it its ability to allow E. coli bacteria to breed much easier in the cows’ stomachs.

    Still not convinced?  Take a look at some more advantages grass-fed beef, and farming has:

    • Lower Omega 6-fats (These are linked to heart disease)
    • Higher Omega 3 fats (good for your brain)
    • Higher CLA levels which help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer
    • Higher vitamin C and E levels
    • Better quality of life for cattle (Less stress)
    • Higher quality of Dairy products
    • Pastures provide reduced flooding and soil erosion versus grain fields
    • Self-fertilizing of pastures provides a more nutritious and more sustainable food source without costing extra money.
    • Reduces the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce unsustainable corn and soy feed.

    Disadvantages of Grass Fed Beef

    Like organic produce, especially when the movement was just getting off the ground, it may be difficult initially to find a local supplier.  The lack of farms producing grass-fed beef also tends to make it more expensive for now.  But, if you are in a position to take advantage of this healthy and more sustainable beef source, the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.

    It Just Tastes Better!

    One last advantage to mention that anyone who’s made the switch will tell you, grass-fed beef has a much better taste to it.  Of course, the best way to find out is to try it and see.

    Where to Buy Grass Fed Beef

    If you have a locally owned butcher shop or similar, you may be able to find it there.  Whole Foods stores also carry it, but it tends to be more expensive.  Buying from Whole Foods initially would give you an opportunity to assess the differences yourself before looking too hard in your area for a supplier.

    Two resources online that provide information about where to buy grass fed beef are:

    • Eat Wild at www.eatwild.com
    • US Wellness Meats: 100% Grass-Fed Beef https://grasslandbeef.com/

    Once you’ve made the switch, its time to fire up the grill and cook up the best burger or steak you’ve ever had.

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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 let fur onto the meat as both ways can let harmful bacteria in.

    When you do get fur on the meat, you can pick it off with your fingers or burn it off with a torch to kill any bacterial contamination.

    Once the animal has been relieved of its skin, cover it with a cloth game back or clean fabric.  This cover will absorb any oozing blood and guard it against contamination.

     

    Cool It

    While gutting and skinning gets the cooling process started, you’ll need to continue and speed up this process to ensure the meat doesn’t spoil.

    If you are dressing your kill before you leave the area, keep a portable cooler in your vehicle so you can expedite the cooling process. If you only have ice available, try to keep it in sealed containers.  Exposure to water (ice) can compromise the texture of your meat and affect its flavor.  If you have the means, consider a clean ice alternative like ice packs or frozen water bottles.

    Have your cooler cooled and ready to go so there will be no delay in getting your meat down to optimal temps.

    Get Slicing

    Using a sharp set of tools, butcher your meat for optimal storage and to make easy use of it later.

    This process also is the time to rid the meat of unwanted items like silverskin, tendons, or large vessels that sometimes appear in the muscle tissue.  Basically, if you know you don’t want to eat it, cut it out now.

     

    Keep it Stored – Correctly

    If you are dealing with a big game kill, like a deer, you probably aren’t going to be able to consume all your fresh meat before it spoils.  Freezing the surplus will give you access to protein months later, but you need to make sure you are using the proper storage supplies.  Containers and storage bags specifically designed for “Freezer” use are what you want.  Anything else isn’t going to be made of a thick enough barrier to prevent freezer burn.  Ziplock and Glad both make excellent products for long-term deep freeze storage, or you can go old school with freezer paper and masking tape.  This option also makes labeling what’s inside, a breeze.

    Suggested Article:  “Your Guide For Need to Know Bullet Information”

    Ideally, you’ll want to portion your meat according to how much you and your family will eat in one sitting.  This eliminates thawing out more than you need since it’s dangerous to re-freeze meat after it’s been thawed unless you cook it first.

     

    Keeping it Cheap

    If you have the ability to hunt for food, you could save hundreds on grocery bills.  Whether you live in a rural area or take the time to spend a long weekend stocking up before going back to the urban jungle, being able to dress it, butcher it and store it in a timely manner will is a wonderful skill. These skills will also allow you to provide for yourself in an emergency survival situation.

     

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  • 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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  • 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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