At one time, activated charcoal was considered a universal antidote for a wide range of conditions. With the advent of modern medicine, the popularity of activated charcoal declined. However, in recent years it has seen a bit of a resurgence, especially among the alternative medicine community. In this article, we’ll take a look at what … [Read more...]
14 Towns Where You Can Find Free Land
There was a time when getting free land in the United States was relatively easy. Thanks to the Homestead Act of 1862, anyone who was willing to stay put and farm for five years could claim a 160-acre plot of land. Of course, that was over 150 years ago, and the days of free land are far behind us. Or are they? If you're willing to move, there … [Read more...]
7 Perennial Herbs to Plant for Culinary and Medicinal Use
Credible clinical studies verify that many herbs have significant medicinal benefits… and oh yeah, they taste good, too. Planting and growing herbs is surprisingly simple, and you don’t need an herb garden to do it. Many people make herbs a part of their regular garden, planting in between the flowers and the groundcover. Herbs also grow well in … [Read more...]
How To Buy Your Dream Homestead: 55 Financial Tips
Do you yearn for your very own homestead but just can’t figure out how to afford it? You are not alone. Fortunately for you and tens of thousands of potential homesteaders and prepper retreat dreamers, the government might actually be here to help for once. While “free land” for homesteading and farming doesn't really exist anymore, in spite of … [Read more...]
Aloe Vera: How to Grow It and How to Use It
You’ve probably heard about the healing powers of the aloe vera plant for sunburn, but did you know it can also be used as a hair conditioner, as a liquid tonic, and to treat other skin conditions? What’s even better is that aloe vera is easy to grow and would be a great addition to your homestead’s indoor and, possibly, your outdoor garden. A … [Read more...]
15 Gifts Any Homesteading Mother Would Love
With the many ads and commercials for Mother’s Day gifts, brunches and flower deliveries in full swing, you may be wondering what to get the frugal homesteading mama in your life. She works so tirelessly to make life easier for you and your family that you want to get her something special this year. However, you know she appreciates practical, … [Read more...]
15 Best Off Grid and Homesteading Shows on Netflix
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...]
5 Ways Our Life is Better Living Off The Grid
Here's an inspiring video for your weekend. Anyone who's ever attempted to live off the grid as much as possible has had those moments where they thought, "Why am I doing this?" Living a self-sufficient lifestyle is not easy, but it can still be very rewarding, as Jamie from Guildbrook Farm reminds us in this video. She made a list of 5 ways … [Read more...]
7 Surprising Uses For Diatomaceous Earth
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...]
11 Most Useful Medicinal Herbs You Can Grow
Learning to use herbal remedies can be a great way to increase your self-reliance. While there’s no way to totally eliminate the need for modern medicine, herbal remedies can help you avoid some trips to the doctor. Unfortunately, good quality organic medicinal herbs can be expensive. Luckily, there are many healing herbs that are easy to grow … [Read more...]
How to Survive This Year’s Deadly Flu Season
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before using any of the herbs and/or remedies mentioned in this article. All around the nation, hospitals are feeling the strain of this year’s deadly flu virus. The scenarios being laid out are, frankly, hard to … [Read more...]
18 Tips For Buying An Affordable Property For Getting Out Of Dodge
Do you ever dream of running to the hills and leaving the city behind forever? I don't blame you. It seems like society is getting more dysfunctional every year. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as packing for vacation and shopping for a hotel online. Moving off the grid is a huge undertaking that is very expensive if you don't know what you're … [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...]
30 Things You Can Do On Your Winter Homestead
I live in the South, so I'm able to garden and work outdoors year round, but for many homesteaders, winter is a time to stay inside and bundle up. It's just too cold out there. But if you're like me, you'll go stir-crazy, pacing back and forth from one window to another. If you spend most of your year doing things outside, what are you supposed … [Read more...]
Creating a Homestead Business: Legalities and Liabilities
One of the best things about owning a homestead is having extra food that you can sell. It's just one of many ways you can make money homesteading. However, it's not as simple as throwing some food in a bag and trading it for cash. If you're not careful, you could get sued or even imprisoned. I have mixed feelings about all the rules and … [Read more...]
