Although conserving energy is important to any homeowner, energy conservation takes on a whole new meaning when you live off the grid. Going off-grid means you need to generate and maintain your own energy sources. The benefits include saving money on utility bills, becoming more environmentally conscious, and enjoying the independence the … [Read more...]
Top 10 Herbs That Every Homesteader Should Grow
You probably already know that, in addition to adding flavor to food, many herbs have abundant medicinal properties. However, as we have come to rely more and more on the medical community to treat common physical ailments, many of us have forgotten how to use these plants to promote healing in our bodies. Since most herbs are easy and … [Read more...]
How To Read The Language Of Nature
Tristan Gooley writes in his book, The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs, that it is “not the map that should make sense of the land, but the land that will make a map for us.” Although we have access to more information than ever before in history, many of us have lost the ability to learn from an ancient and wise teacher: Mother Nature. It is … [Read more...]
15 Clever Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter
In case you haven't noticed, the days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting colder. And it's going to get worse before it gets better. It’s time to prepare your home for the harsh winter weather ahead. There are three reasons to winterize your home: 1) It will keep your family nice and cozy no matter how cold it is outside. 2) If … [Read more...]
7 First Aid Skills You Should Learn Before Going Off Grid
For many Americans, their first response to an emergency is to call 911. However, when you live off the grid, your remote location may make it difficult--or even impossible--for an ambulance to reach you. Therefore, your knowledge of first aid skills can mean the difference between life and death. Not only will you be able to help friends and … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Preserve Fresh Herbs So They Won’t Go To Waste
Waste not, want not. According to the Dictionary of American Proverbs, this well-known saying can be traced back to 1772. It is a mantra for many homesteaders. Herbs are delicious straight from the garden, but their freshness can fade quickly. You should discard herbs when their leaves turn dark or brittle, or if their stems show any traces of … [Read more...]
20 Crucial Homestead Items to Stockpile for Winter
I’ve been observing the squirrels in my yard and neighborhood this past week as the temperatures have become more fall-like. They are busy! Fascinated, I did a little research on the common gray squirrel. Squirrels don’t hibernate in the winter, but they do spend far less time foraging outside their dens in the colder months. Several squirrels … [Read more...]
50 Staple Foods That Should Be In Every Cook’s Kitchen
A well-stocked pantry offers peace of mind. When you have all the basic cooking supplies on hand, you can be ready to prepare a meal on short notice and without the time and expense of running to the store for ingredients. Every family is a little bit different in terms of their tastes and customers. Some families may not be able to live without … [Read more...]
6 Ways People Stored Food Before Refrigerators
Long before the modern conveniences of refrigeration, people were storing their food using time-tested methods. Many modern homesteaders are learning and honing these skills as a way to preserve their harvest and continue to serve their families home-grown, home-raised food throughout the year. Here are six ways people stored food before … [Read more...]
23 Homestead Items to Look For at Yard Sales
Yard sales and garage sales can be treasure troves for the homesteader. With a little time and effort, you can save a substantial amount of money on quality items and supplies for your homestead. Some homeowners either don’t see the value of what they own or don't know how to make use of what they have. Therefore, they are willing to sell their … [Read more...]
10 Tasty Recipes That Use Acorns
Did you know that you might have a bountiful and nutritious food source right at your feet this fall? Acorns are much more than something to rake up with your leaves and deposit into your compost pile. With a little preparation and know-how, you can eat them as you would other nuts, you can use them to make oil, and you can grind them into flour … [Read more...]
15 Pioneer Skills That Will Make You Completely Self-Sufficient
If the off-grid way of life is calling to you, you already have an adventurous spirit. However, to succeed as a self-sufficient homesteader, you also need to learn these basic pioneer skills. Our forefathers and foremothers did not consider this list to be anything other than ordinary, but knowing them will set you apart from the average … [Read more...]
Off Grid Living: Washing Clothes by Hand
If you’re tired of seeing your money and your water supply go down the drain – literally - every time you do laundry, it is time to think about alternative methods for washing and drying your family’s clothes. In addition to saving energy and water costs, you will discover that washing your clothes by hand will result in cleaner and … [Read more...]
Canning vs Dehydrating: Which Method is Better?
As a homesteader, you enjoy growing your own fruits and vegetables, and fresh is always the best choice for taste and nutrition. But what can you do to preserve some of your harvest for the rest of the year? Two tried and true options are canning and dehydrating. Both methods have distinct advantages and disadvantages. To help you decide which … [Read more...]
12 Ways to Attract Bees to Your Garden
The bee population in the U.S. is in peril. According to the Pollinator Partnership, the U.S. has lost more than half of its managed honeybee colonies over the past decade. Although the reasons for this sharp decline are not fully understood, scientists believe contributing factors include increased exposure to pesticides, parasites, diseases, … [Read more...]
12 Simple Ways to Lengthen Your Garden’s Growing Season
Many gardeners wait diligently for late spring so that they can begin their gardens, and then they reluctantly call it quits in the fall. Depending on where you live, that can be a short-lived growing season of only four months or so. However, there are some simple ways to extend your garden’s growing season. With a longer growing season, you … [Read more...]
8 Things To Do With All Those Dandelions
I fondly remember the toddler days when my children would pick small bouquets of dandelions and lovingly present them to me. I would thank them and then place the “pretty flowers” in a small vase on the kitchen windowsill. Other than those delightful moments, however, I harbored dark thoughts about those bright yellow blooms. How dare they crop up … [Read more...]
