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Showing posts from April, 2026

Take a Wilderness Survival Course To Learn More

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Reading a survival guide and actually surviving in the wild are miles apart. Nothing hits as hard as reality. That’s why, taking a class or two for wilderness survival can elevate your prepping game and possibly elevate you to L eader of the Pack .  A hands-on course will put you in real world scenarios and possibilities. You will learn to make shelters from whatever is lying around, how to correctly purify water, how to navigate the tough terrain and how and why to stay calm under pressure. Classes are taught by experienced instructors who have lived through conditions and scenarios that depended on nothing but their skills.  Courses range from weekend basics to multi-week outings.  Choose a program that teaches;  practical bushcraft emergency medical skills survival psychology scape/evasion techniques.  The experience of sleeping in a handmade shelter, making fire with friction, or sourcing water from nature rewires how you approach prepping. It also builds co...

Start a Small Container Garden + Grow Your Own Vegetables

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Being ready for a crisis or disaster by stockpiling food is smart - but, stashed food does run out.  For long-term survival, knowing how to grow your own vegetables and herbs is prepping in a way that will give you food, for a long as you need it. Gardening takes you from being a consumer to someone who produces what they need. You don't have to have a multi-acre farm - you can easily grow food in raised beds, on your balcony or porch, in containers and even on your windowsills.  If you are new to gardening, start with easy to grow, high-yield plants like; lettuce tomatoes radishes beans potatoes Learn what grows best in your climate and soil type. Study how to compost your food scraps, which plants to grow near each other and natural pest control. Growing your own food helps you learn about the rhythms of nature. It teaches you what it takes to sow, hoe to know when food is ripe, harvest time and and how to preserve the excess bounty.  Gardening builds patience and self...

Learn How To Identify Edible + Poisonous Plants

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If you want to save money or if you want to eat more wholesome foods, there are thousands of wild edible plants that can feed you.  But, if you choose the wrong plants, eating them can also make you very ill - or even kill you.  That’s why it's so important - before you need to look for food - for preppers to learn how to identify both edible and  nonedible, poisonous plants, in their region.  Wild edibles are a free and ongoing food source, that includes; berries roots nuts leaves and flowers  But many of these edible finds have unforgiving, toxic lookalikes that can cause you a lot of regret, if you eat the wrong one.  One bite of the wrong plant can lead to nausea, allergic reaction, paralysis, hospitalization or worse. How to Identify Five Wild Edible Plants Start by studying reliable field guides specific to your location and ecosystem.  Learn five to ten safe, easy-to-identify wild edibles like;  Dandelion - Leaves, flowers and roots are all...

Learn Basic Mechanics + Repairs For Appliances + Vehicles

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What if you are in a terrible situation and you need to get away, but your vehicle won't start? What if there are no mechanics, no handymen and no stores nearby? What are you going to do?  Your survival depends on your ability to fix your car, yourself.  Every prepper and  every person should have at least a basic knowledge of; vehicle mechanical systems how to repair a generator how to fix a leaky pipe how to patch a tire how to clean a spark plug.  Learn to troubleshoot small engines, learn how to change oil, tighten belts and unclog fuel lines. You can practice on old lawnmowers, bikes and other small powered appliances.  Study and read about your own vehicle and get a clear understanding of the mechanics. Learn; what the battery does how to install the brakes how to change the air filter how to use a tire jack the fluid systems how to sharpen blades replace fuses repair leaky seals  Know which tools you need for different fixes. A great idea is to ...

Study the Local Terrain and Seasonal Weather Patterns

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Get to know your local environment, because it will be your life line, your resource base and your safe place. The more you know about your neighborhood and surrounding area, the easier it will be for you when that time comes, because you are already informed.  Every prepper should know their local terrain, average seasonal temperatures and weather patterns, for the year and take detailed notes.  Learn where the rivers and natural water sources flow, know which roads flood, what areas freeze first, where the nut trees are and where you can find natural shelter. Take walks and hikes to get to know your region and take notes on; elevation changes wind funnels wildlife corridors potential choke points where the sun rises and sets how shadows move where to find south-facing slopes, for warmth.  Understand seasonal shifts; when storms are most likely to hit how long snow fall lasts when the leave start to change how long it takes for all leaves to fall Track wind patterns...

Live Within/Below Your Means + Avoid Accumulating Debt

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Things are going from bad to worse than bad and now is the time to get ready for the next shock. Wars are raging and we never know when it will hit closer to home. Prepping is more than just preparing for when a disaster strikes, it's also about being prepared if you lose your job, if your bank account is frozen after being hacked, or if you have to close your business. It's about building sustainability that you can depend on, when your life depends on it.  Prices at the pump and at the grocery stores are rising a lot faster than our income. So, you should take a critical look at your spending habits. You need to let go of unnecessary expenses and cut back, now. Avoid impulse purchases, buying with a credit card, added debt and you need to live within or below your means - if you want your future to be financially stable.  Debt is a debilitating weight that keeps itself wrapped around your peace of mind as drags your spirit  down..  Debt limits your choices, it redu...

Start Now Building Strong Family + Community Support

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No matter how much you prep, you will still need your family and some community support. Family and community are more that just a support system,  they will multiply the skills needed to survive.  A lone prepper can make it but it is a lot easier if there are a group of people available to help. Surviving with a group means more people to share labor, be on the lookout and diverse skills and more emotional strength. In your household, start by building trust and allegiance within. Talk openly about the importance to be prepared. Practice building fires and escape drills, together. Discuss sharing tasks and trade knowledge that will be needed.  Then find like-minded neighbors or prepper groups. Offer value, gardening, first aid, carpentry, communication.  Relationships built before a crisis become your lifeline during one. A strong group can divide roles—security, cooking, repairs, intel—while watching each other’s backs. And beyond tasks, people provide hope, humor,...

Be Prepared For a Disaster, Not Paralyzed With Fear

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It is almost certain that all of us will, one day, be faced with a life-changing disaster or situation. If you have real concerns, you have taken the first step - not toward panic, but toward being prepared for what is to come.  Prepping isn’t about living in fear of what if,  it’s about being confident that you know you can handle whatever the situation turns out to be. You have to be ready and these tips about; food water shelter security medical care communication tools mindset and more will help you prepare But remember, prepping isn't a race - but, it does have a starting line. Don’t try to gather everything you need, all at once - this will lead to food spoilage and confusion.  When you start as a prepper, focus on the essential supplies that are for basic survival. Here are the important items to start with:  Food - Water Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days Non-perishable food items like canned goods, rice, and be...

You Need to Know How To Build a Fire In All Weather Conditions

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Knowing how to build a fire is a comfort you need when you are camping or just out in the open, overnight. Being able to build a fire in rain, snow and howling wind, raises your primitive survival rating (PSR😊) close to 10.  If you are spending a nice night in the woods or a night filled with bitter, cold, harsh weather conditions - fire will be your source of heat, water purification, light at night, your cooked food and an overall cozy, safer feeling.  Fire can also signal rescuers and ward off dangerous predators. Start by collecting and storing ; weatherproof tinder dryer lint in a plastic bag cotton balls rubbed with petroleum jelly char cloth, or fatwood You need to carry multiple ignition methods lighters waterproof matches ferro rods and you need to know how to use each one confidently In a wet environment, look for dry wood under trees or break open larger logs to reach the dry core. Elevate your fire off of the damp ground, using bark or stones. Build a small b...

Store a Supply of Tarps + Plastic Sheets For Shelter

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When you need a place to sleep and your home or hotels are not available you need to find a way to cover your head.  Of the most versatile and reliable items you can put in your preppers supplies is large sheets of plastic or a tarp.  If you don't have a tent, these items can mean the difference between sleeping comfortably or sleeping out in the open air.  Tarps are lightweight, waterproof and they can be used in many different ways when you are faced with a critical survival scenario. In cold weather, plastic sheeting can help you retain body heat by blocking wind and trapping warm air.  In hot weather, tarp can create shade.  You can use tarp to;  create a temporary helter insulate a makeshift shelter create a privacy screen for sanitation wrap someone who is injured  protect your gear from rain line the inside of your bug-out bag  collect rainwater.  8 Easy Tarp Shelters/Tents For Survival Anyone Can Build Keep several sizes and types of ...

Learn How To Build An Emergency Shelter For Survival

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When a disaster comes down on you, there is still a need to have a roof over your head. That may become a big problem if especially if you’re on the move or your home is no longer an option.  That’s why knowing how to build emergency shelters is a necessary prepping skill.  There are survival shows and to teach you the basics of building an emergency shelter. You can start with a simple setup using tarps, cords and natural materials like branches or leaves.  Learn how to build lean-tos, A-frame shelters and debris huts in your backyard or during hikes in the woods.  When you build your shelter, make sure it has steady legs insulation wind protection waterproofing. Build your shelter away from; flood-prone areas dead branches overhead wide-open places  Build it close to natural windbreaks.  Proper shelter protects you from the cold, rain, wind and predators. Prolonged exposure to freezing weather can kill you faster than thirst or hunger.  In your bug-o...

Use Water Purification Tablets Before You Drink That Water

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When you are in a bad situation and you stored water runs out or becomes contaminated, water purification tablets can quickly and easily make water safe to drink.  These lifesavers are small, inexpensive tablets, that are lightweight, portable and incredibly effective against bacteria, viruses and protozoa like Giardia.  Most contain iodine or chlorine dioxide and a single tablet can purify up to a liter of water. They’re ideal to pack in your bug-out bags, emergency kits, and they can be used in situation where boiling contaminated water isn’t an option.  Using water purification tablets is simple:  Drop the tablet into the water Wait 30 minutes to 4 hours - according to instructions and your water is safe to drink. Keep several packs and always be sure of expiration dates.  Be aware : These tablets may slightly alter the taste of water. That’s a small price to pay for safety. If you’re prepping for long-term survival, don't make this artificial method of purif...

How Much Water Should I Store When a Disaster Strikes?

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Water is the most important resource you need, in life and in any survival situation. The human body can survive several weeks without food, but only a few days without water.  That is why a non-negotiable prepping rule is to store at least one gallon of water, per person, per day.  Half of that is for drinking, the other is for cooking and personal hygiene.  If you’re prepping for a family of four for two weeks, you will need 56 gallons - minimum.  Sounds like a lot? It is a lot because, it's best to have to much, than not enough.  Water is heavy, bulky, but it is necessary, if you want to make it through. Use clean, food grade containers, stored in a cool, dark place. Avoid direct sunlight and heat, which can degrade plastic and cause contamination.  Use 5-gallon jugs, stackable water bricks or even repurposed soda bottles.  The Right Way to Store Water For Emergencies Label each container with the date and rotate the containers every six months, if ...

Master Your Outdoor Cooking Techniques and Prepare Great Meals

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Being able to cook a full, delicious meal outdoors, in any weather, without electricity, is an impressive survival preppers skill.  If this is your goal, start by mastering basic fire building -- either with matches, a fire starter ferro rod, friction, flintstones, or a magnifying glass. You need to learn how to regulate the temperature of the fire, to make sure your food is cooked, without it burning on the outside and leaving it raw on the inside. You need to know how to cook on a campfire; Cooking over an open flame is different than cooking on a stovetop. To do it right, it takes patience, control and some experience. To raise your campfire cooking skills, practice using a grill, Dutch oven, campfire tripod. aluminum foil oven, and foil wrapped meals.  Learn how to create a heat pit or use hot stones. If you can, build a rocket stove or rocket mass heater for more efficient fuel use.  How to Build Eight Different Rocket Stoves for Survival + Cooking When you are cook...

Store Vitamins and Minerals in Case The Supply Runs Low

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In times of crisis, access to fresh fruits, bread, vegetables and meat may be limited or non-existent. This lack of food will give you severe nutritional deficiencies.  To keep yourself healthier, you should store vitamins and supplements.  Multivitamins Vitamin C Vitamin D Iron Zinc  and magnesium can help fill the nutritional gaps in a survival diet of mainly rice, beans and canned goods.  Even if you have a sufficient stockpile of food, over time, eating a high percentage of only shelf-stable foods, that are filled with non-nutritious chemicals, can leave your body vulnerable to illnesses and diseases.  Supplements help maintain your immune system, energy levels, and overall resilience. The best vitamins to stockpile when you are preparing for a long-term disaster Store the vitamins in a cool, dry, dark place to preserve their potency Rotate them just like your food.  Don’t overlook probiotics, especially if your diet lacks fresh food and fiber.  If...

Learn to Fish and Hunt For Your Food

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 Knowing how to hunt and fish turns the forest and woods, into a reliable, organic food source.  When you hunt, it should not be about just going around killing animals for trophies and bragging rights -- it’s about your survival.  In a scenario where there is no electricity and no way to buy food, meat and vegetables , from nature could become your only source of food.  Learn the habits of local wildlife Practice tracking, baiting and ethical hunting. Understand what’s in season and what is legal now - because the time to build skills, is before things fall apart.  Learn how to; Clean and dress animals  Preserve meat without refrigeration Use every part possible to avoid waste  How to fish - for beginners Fishing is another essential skill Fishing is a simple, quiet, and efficient way to get food. You need to get rods, reels, line, hooks and  you need to practice setting traps - like trotlines or fish baskets.  Portable fishing kits should b...

Start Raising Your Own Livestock for Meat, Milk and Eggs

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If you live in the country, in a rural area, if you own your land and if resources allow, raising livestock can be one of the most important steps you can take toward food independence. It's best to start small, with a few, small animals, so that you can improve your knowledge as time passes.  Chickens are the easiest livestock you can raise. They’re easy to care for, require little space and give you fresh eggs almost daily. They can also give you meat, to eat  Goats provide milk, meat and even companionship Rabbits are quiet, breed quickly and yield lean meat The best small animals to start raising on your homestead Large Animals to Raise on Your Homestead Larger animals like;  Sheep Pigs Cows offer more meat and utility but also require more land, feed, and care.  You need to know about; proper feeding Shelter Possible diseases and how to prevent them How to properly butcher the livestock or find someone in your area who can teach you.  Livestock also give yo...

Learn To Forage Local Edibles in the Woods and On Your Property

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Learn To Forage Local Edibles Nature is full of good food, free of chemicals—if you know where to look.  Learning to forage can turn a walk in the woods into a free grocery trip. Identify local edible plants, berries, nuts, and mushrooms (carefully).  Use a field guide or take a class from an expert to make sure you don't accidentally pick poisonous plants.  Never eat anything unless you’re 100% certain it’s safe. Some edible plants have poisonous lookalikes Learn what grows seasonally, in your region Foraging is a free way to supplement your food supply, especially when canned goods run low It also builds your connection with the land—an underrated survival asset Foraging Basics for Beginners Edible Weeds in Your Yard

How to Make Delicious Biscuit Twisters Over a Campfire

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Biscuit Twisters         Biscuit mix Milk or water Honey Follow the direction on the biscuit box using a little less liquid than called for Twist the dough around the end of of a green stick or metal skewer* Hold the skewer while rotating slowly over hot coals of fire until cooked  Dip into honey and enjoy Can also use butter and jam, or gravy Campfire S'mores Video  * If you use metal, you need to protect your hands from the hot metal

Make Rice Krispie Treats Over the Campfire or At Home

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Rice Krispie Squares 4 T  Butter 4 c  Marshmallows or 10 oz 5 c  Rice Krispie cereal Melt butter in saucepan over campfire/low heat Add marshmallows and stir till melted  Cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly   Remove from heat, add Rice Krispies and stir until all are coated  Using buttered spatula, press evenly into buttered 13x9x2" pan Cool Cut into 2" squares Make it Chocolatey Add chocolate to the mix

Campfire Recipe - Hobo Popcorn

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Hobo Popcorn Recipe Heavy Duty aluminum foil Butter 4 Teaspoons of Cooking oil Salt 4 Tablespoons of un-popped Popcorn Cut the aluminum foil into four large squares. In the center of each square, place one teaspoon oil and one tablespoon popcorn Bring the four corners of foil to the center, making pouch like hobo knapsack Seal edges well With string, tie corners of each pouch to long handled barbeque tool or a green stick Place pouch directly on hot coals and shake often until corn is popped Carefully open pouch and season popcorn with melted butter and salt. Make it Into a Sweet and Savory Dessert When you open the foil, add shaved chocolate and allow it to melt onto the hot popcorn. Make it Hot Sprinkle it with cyenne pepper

Campfire Seasoning Mix You Can Make at Home

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Camping Seasoning Mix 1/3 c  Salt 1 T  Paprika 1 T  Garlic Powder 2 t  Onion Powder 1/2 t  Cayenne or substitute Curry 1/2 t  Pepper Mix well and store in a double zip-lock bag or a good glass, screw-top container.

Almost Gourmet Easy Campfire Recipes For Lunch or Dinner

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  When you go on a camping trip, a backpacking journey or if you are put in circumstances that were beyond your control, that doesn't mean you have to eat beans out of the can, every night. You can easily prepare delicious, homestyle meals, even when you are not inside, sitting down at the table. Here are a few really good camping meal, for you to try.  Potato Dinner Take a raw potato. Hollow out the center of a raw potato leaving about 1/2 inch all the way around with skin attached  Fill the center with spiced hamburger with a bit of tomato sauce or use sausage pieces  Wrap tightly in foil and place on coals Serve with cheese or garlic bread and a salad or some steamed or canned veggies  Steamed Veggies  Slice thinly and make a foil pack and add a little water; seal and place on or over hot coals  Check after a 1/2 hour Potato will take about an hour. Onion Skin Hamburger  Cut a large onion in half cross-wise and remove most of the cent...

Eat Good When You Camp Out or Go On a Backpacking Adventure

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Campfire Recipes in Aluminum Foil and Over Campfire Grilled Cheese Sandwiches can be made without a pan--use a buddy burner if you have one or wrap the sandwich in foil and place just above the coals for a couple of minutes, on each side. To make it more filling, add tomatoes, onions and sliced ham, or turkey. You can add these or or any combination of your choice before cooking or after cooking. Kebobs  taste so good, they are easy to make - and you don't need a pan.  If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water to slow down the burn rate and make sure you can cook without you needing to hold them by hand, over the fire. If you use metal skewers, make sure there is a cool handle on it, you have to wear gloves.  Kebobs are made with wieners, smokies, sausage or meatballs.  Pre cook chicken, turkey, ham or any other meat cubes.  You can include a variety of veggies such as peppers, canned taters, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.  While the kebobs are cooking...

How to Make An Oven Using a Cardboard Box

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  Corrugated Cardboard Box Campfire Oven 1 Brick or flat rock 1 pk heavy duty Aluminum foil 1 Corrugated cardboard box 1 Metal pie pan, old 3 Wire coat hangers 4+ Charcoal briquets Light the charcoal in the aluminum pan Completely cover the inside and outside of the box and flaps with 3 or 4 layers of aluminum foil. Lay the aluminum foil covered box on level ground so that it opens oven-style or front door style. Straighten the coat hangers, then run them from one side of the box, to the other - about 2/3 of the way up from the bottom - to form a rack. Set the brick in bottom.    Use an oven mitt or hot pad to put the pan of hot charcoal on the brick.  Place food to be cooked into a pan and put the pan onto coat-hanger rack, and close oven door. Watch your food carefully by checking it often.   ➡️➡️  Each hot coal makes about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. How to Make An Oven Using a Pizza Box Video

Three Tips To Help You Prepare Less Expensive Backpacking Meals

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Here are three tips to help you make your backpacking trip less stressful when it is time to eat. Save the powered, packaged mixes from mac and cheese, ramen noodles and salad kits and pack them in food baggies. These flavor packets can be used later to add pizzaz to different dishes.  When you buy the boxed food with the separate flavor packets, do not use the entire packet at one time. A little bit  of that seasoning goes a long way.  You can save and store some of the unopened packets and use an opened packet two or three times.   Take powdered milk in baggies. Use it in your coffee, cereal, instant potatoes and in your cooked dishes. Margarine, even though it is not good for you, will travel well. Just make sure it is tightly paced in a leak-proof container. As an alternative, you can make your own butter, on the trip.  How to Make Butter Using Powdered Milk Freeze-Dried Backpacking Meals

Backpacking Tips For Simple Food and Meal Ideas

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Basic Survival Skills Here are some very simple ideas for dehydrated and light-weight foods you can take with you on your trek. Dehydrated vegetables and full meals are available at camping stores. Try Ramen noodle soups or any of those soup in a cups, packaged in baggies, so they take up a lot less room. Dehydrated bean flakes, cooks in 10-15 minutes, and are available in many varieties can be mixed with some spice and cooked rice. Put it beans and rice in a tortilla and you will see, it is delicious and filling. Yum! Flavor them with onion powder, garlic powder and/or cumin powder. Cheese holds up very well in backpacks. When it is properly wrapped, you don't have to deal with cheese oil dripping on your other items. The fat will do you good if you are hiking for hours. If it's cold, the fat can help you stay warm.  You need a lot more calories when it's cold. Add a cheese to your soup, pasta, rice, or dehydrated veggies you're cooking. Pasta, the King of the backpack...

How To Make Quick and Easy Campfire Biscuits

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  Campfire Biscuits These are easy to make biscuits and they can be cooked in a Dutch oven or in aluminum foil. 2 c  Jiffy Baking mix 2/3 c  Water Directions:  Mix well and knead. If too soft, add a little more mix for a dry handling dough. Put flour on aluminum foil and pat dough to about 1/2 inch thickness.  Divide dough into biscuits.  Bake at moderate heat for 15-20 minutes, or until biscuits are done.  Remove from heat and serve hot.

Food Hacks To Save Money For Campers and Backpackers

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Disaster Readiness When you are on your backpacking trip, one of your most important concerns should be - how to save money, whenever you can. You never know when a cash only emergency will come and stick its hand, deep into your wallet. Here are four ways you can save money on your meals. Instant mashed potatoes can be mixed with powdered milk or water only. Make up an instant gravy to go on top.  For dessert, dried fruit can be cooked in hot water and put on top of a piece of angel food cake. Add some cinnamon and Tang and you have an elegant dessert. Dry veggie burger mix will make a great meal. Most of them are mixed with water only and a lot of them are quite tasty. Bulgar and couscous cook up in only a few minutes with boiling water. Happy eating! and saving! Food Hacks Every Camper Should Know

Start a Survival Garden With Your Own Seeds

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You are considering starting a garden. Before you get started making a garden, you should gather your seeds and as you gather them, it's best to make sure each variety is dated, labeled and stored properly. To save money, get your seeds from the non-GMO, truly organic, fruit and vegetables, you purchase at the grocery store. Start gathering a variety of heirloom, non-GMO seeds so you can regrow a good food supply, year after year. Or, if you want, purchase quality seeds. The seeds you gather will reproduce true to type, unlike the adulterated seeds from cheap hybrids. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place and check germination rates  before you plant your actual garden and every year.

How to Get Started Growing Your Own Preppers Garden

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Wouldn't it be great to walk into your backyard, or onto your balcony and harvest part of your meal, without going to the grocery store and coming out, at least, $50 poorer.  Start a Survival Garden on Your Balcony or in Your Backyard A survival garden can be more than just a hobby, it can also be a guaranteed, inexpensive food supply.  If you want to begin growing your own food, start with high yield, easy-to-grow crops like: potatoes beans carrots  and leafy greens.  You can also grow herbs - on your window sill - for both flavor and for use as a natural remedy and as natural medicine*.  If you have the space: learn how to compost your food scraps  collect rainwater, to keep your garden watered when the weather is hot and dry.  Grow a Garden Even It You Live in An Apartment It is entirely possible to grow a small garden, even if you live in an apartment. Plants can be grown in containers and to get a larger variety, yo can use the vertical system. Do...

How to Dehydrate Meat Without a Food Dehydrator

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Dehydrating food is one of the oldest preservation methods ever used and, for centuries, it was done without a food dehydrator and this is one of the most effective ways for preppers to make sure their food is safe to eat.  When you dehydrate food, the moisture is removed, which drastically reduces the chances of spoilage, while keeping those essential nutrients intact.  What Foods Can Be Dehydrated? The best foods to dehydrate without a dehydrator include: Fruits : Apples, bananas, grapes, orange slices and mangoes are excellent choices due to their high water content and natural sugars, which help preserve flavor and nutrients Vegetables : Carrots, zucchini and bell peppers work well as they have lower acidity and can be easily dried using alternative methods. Herbs : Fresh herbs like basil and parsley can be air-dried or oven-dried effectively Lean meats : Options like chicken or turkey can be dehydrated, but it's crucial to ensure they are low in fat. Foods to avoid includ...

How Are You Going to Open Food Packages in the Wilderness

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Where's the Food OK, you've been working hard all day, getting things done and now it is past time to eat. You have decided on a can of canned beans, salmon and some potatoes. Then your realized you will need some way to open the cans and the packages of air-tight crackers. Don't Forget the Can Opener  For most people, this is the smallest tool that usually gets left behind—and it is one of the most essential. A manual can-opener. As an added bonus, a couple of strong knives.  You have stockpiled hundreds of cans of a variety of food, but if you don’t have a way to open them, without power, they’re will just sit there mocking you.  You should keep at least two manual can openers: one in your storage area and one in your to go bag. It is possible to open cans with a knife but, it's best not to take the chance of breaking your knife, you will definitely need a knife before your situation ends. Test them regularly. Don't depend on the cheap dollar store can openers and...

Keep Your Stored Food Safe From Pests

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Survive a Disaster When you store your food, it can become a waste of money if you allow it to be invaded by food destroyers. A mouse, ants, bugs, roaches, a little moisture, or a pantry moth can wipe out hundreds of dollars and months of food before you know it.  There is an Easy Way to Protect Your Investment Instead of just storing your goods and hoping for the best, you can make sure everything is as good as new when you get ready to cook it and eat it.   The best way to keep your goods safe from the invasive destroyers is by vacuum sealing all of your dry goods - like rice, beans, pasta, sugar, cereal, corn meal and flour. Removing all of the air means that you are also extending shelf life - by years. When you add oxygen absorbers with vacuum-sealing, that makes it even better.  Even better, store the sealed items in buckets or bins, with tight lids to guard against the other pests that like to contaminate food that is left out in the open.  Vacuum-sealed ...

Don't Expect to Have Gourmet Meals During a Disaster

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When you are trying to survive, your should not expect to eat gourmet meals. Your main concern, when you prepare a meal, should be about boosting your energy and maintaining enough strength to help you make it through the tough times.  When you have to go into crisis mode—chopping wood, hauling water, walking long distances, preparing your meals—you burn a lot more calories, than you do when you go about your normal life. That is why your food storage should include a lot of high calorie, protein-rich items like peanut butter, canned meats, sardines, lentils, beans and nuts.  These foods will keep your stomach full longer and help you maintain muscle mass.  Focus on shelf-stable items with minimal prep required. Remember, every bite should work for you, not just fill your stomach.  Energy-rich food gives you a mental and physical edge Don’t purchase a lot of junk foods that contain a lot of useless carbs. Protein is what you will need the most because it is essential...

Learn How to Cook Without Electricity

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It's time to eat. But what can you do when the lights go out and your electric stove becomes not more than a big appliance in the kitchen?   Knowing how to cook without electricity can keep you alive and even boost your morale. To know exactly what to do when a crisis occurs, start by using portable stoves, rocket stoves, solar ovens, or open fire pits, right now.  What is the Best Type of Cookware to Use Outdoors? Cast iron cookware is the best. It is durable, reliable and it will not be damaged when used for flame-based cooking. Start by mastering some basic meals, that require minimal ingredients and fuel.  How to Cook With Cast Iron Over an Open Flame It doesn't matter what the meal is going to be - a few pieces of bread is a necessity. Without a loaf of bread from the store and no electricity to bake a fresh loaf, what can you do?  Bake a loaf of fresh bread over the campfire, in a Dutch oven. Learn how to bake bread in a Dutch oven in the video below. You ...