You’ve got two options to prep yourself for off the grid living: you can either spend three weeks in the wilderness butt ass naked where you bond with a pack of wolves who teach you how to survive, OR you can binge watch Netflix for an entire weekend. Okay, those aren’t your only options, but they’re both pretty good. Let’s assume you choose … [Read more...]
7 Natural Mosquito Repellents and Traps That Really Work
Zika Virus. Dengue Fever. Malaria. West Nile Virus. No, thanks. I’ll pass. While I’m certainly not going to sign myself up to catch one of these mosquito diseases… I also don’t want to drown my body in harmful mosquito repellent chemicals like Deet and other lab-created concoctions. So! I set out on a deep dive of the internet to collect all … [Read more...]
Diatomaceous Earth: The Miracle Mineral With Dozens of Uses
So what exactly is diatomaceous earth (DE)? Well, it's the fossilized remains of small aquatic organisms that are usually found in the bottom of rivers, oceans, and lakes. These little organisms are called Diatoms. To create DE, these Diatoms are ground up to create a smooth food grade powder that is easy to use in a multitude of ways, from skin … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Bake Without an Oven
Play with your food! It’s time to start experimenting with different baking methods that don’t require a traditional oven! That means getting your hands messy, buying some new toys, and deep diving into some YouTube videos... for science. Remember, bread making and primitive baking go back centuries before electricity was even invented. We don’t … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Make Your Homestead More Productive This Year
You’ve moved off the grid--away from the traffic, pollution, and politics. Now you can sit back and enjoy the rest of your years in nature, right? Wrong, my friend. Homesteading is a lifestyle that takes a lot of work (and also reaps massive rewards). As with any productive project on the homestead, first you must be clear about your goals and … [Read more...]
6 Things Homesteaders Should Never Throw Away (And Why)
Did you know that in 2014, the EPA estimated that the average American produced 0.371 pounds of food waste per day? That adds up to about 135lbs per person/per year. Multiply that by how many adults or young adults live in your home and wowza--that’s a lot of food that could have been used towards something useful and beneficial around the … [Read more...]
4 Things You Can Burn for Heat When You Run Out of Firewood
If you haven’t started already, you should be in the habit of stocking up on firewood year-round. Chop your trees into manageable pieces and create a pile either in a woodshed or covered with a tarp in a dry area. This pile will serve as your main heat source if and when there is a power outage that leaves you in the cold. That’s Plan A. Now … [Read more...]
15 Great Gifts for Homesteaders
The gift-giving season is just around the corner! When it comes to giving gifts to homesteaders, there is one important factor that you must consider... Homesteaders are known for making great use of their space! They don’t deal with clutter and they don’t collect useless knickknacks. Everything thing has its place and purpose. That means … [Read more...]
8 Best Dog Breeds for Homesteaders
You’ve outfitted your homestead with a garden, stockpiles of food, fortified windows, and the ultimate backyard BBQ area. Your kingdom is almost complete! There is only one thing missing: your four-legged friend! A house isn’t a home without companionship, especially when you have kids around. When it comes to selecting a pup that is going to be … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Protect Your Homestead
According to FBI statistics, “A burglary occurs nearly every 15 seconds in the United States”. Even more alarming, “A majority of home intruders gain access forcibly through a 'locked' door.” Now imagine an intruder gained forcible entry to your house on the homestead, a location far away from authorities. This is a nightmare scenario that could be … [Read more...]
50 Ways to Upcycle Old Socks and T-Shirts
If you are a friend to the universe, what I’m about to tell you might shake you... Did you know that more than 15 million tons of clothing waste is produced every year in the US? And did you know that it takes about 40 years for clothing to decompose? We have been so busy fighting the ‘war on plastic’ that we rarely think about what happens to … [Read more...]
11 Surprising Uses for Soap
Who doesn’t love discovering multipurpose household items? If you love saving money, getting innovative around the house, and being an overall hero, then you’re going to love these tips and tricks on how to use bar soap and dish soap in out-of-the-ordinary ways. With great power comes great responsibility. Prepare to be known as the go-to … [Read more...]
10 Most Important Homesteading Skills
While being a proficient carpenter, owning a fleet of tractors, and mastering the art of welding are all fantastic skills on the homestead, none of them will make you a successful homesteader all by themselves. You’ve got to have an arsenal of information covering topics all across the board in order to maintain a sustainable life off the … [Read more...]
10 Cleaning Products You Can Make Yourself
You go to the store, pick up a bottle of Febreeze, and take it home to spray all around your house. With one deep inhale, you take in those lovely fresh scents...but did you know that you're also taking in harmful lung and skin irritants? It's true. Many "fresh smelling" air fresheners, window cleaners, and stain removers consist of harmful … [Read more...]
12 Life-Saving First Aid Skills That Everyone Should Learn
When someone gets injured, every single second is crucial. The longer it takes for them to receive first aid, the more likely they are to die or have long-term problems caused by the injury. This is one of the downsides of living off the grid. In some places, it could take hours for responders to reach your location. Fortunately, there are many … [Read more...]
40 Best Plants for an Edible Landscape
Imagine a dire survival situation where everything you stockpiled has disappeared into the sky and it’s just you and your partner, Adam and Eve style. It’s time to live off the land. Lucky for you two, your home has a landscape full of flowers, plants, seeds, and produce that practically sustains itself. You’ve got crops with vitamins, … [Read more...]
