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...

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,...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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 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

  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...

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...

  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

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

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...

  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.

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...

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 ...

Do you know what to do if you are suddenly in the middle of a disaster? It could be from unemployment, illness, Nature or something else. But, no matter what, it's best to know what to do - if the time comes. Now is the time to learn how to be prepared for an emergency and how to survive a disaster. We never know when, or for what reason we may find ourselves without the basic necessities of life. 

Learn Basic Outdoor Survival Skills With the rising popularity of camping , hiking and treks into the wilderness , there is a need for people to known the basic survival skills , before heading out to go on that outdoor trip.   Although most tourist destinations that include campsites and hiking trails are clearly marked to make sure everyone stays on the right trail. Thousands of people visit these places each year and there have been instances where hikers have strayed from the marked trail and become lost (or worse) in the wilderness .   If you know basic wilderness survival skills and tips, they can play a big role in whether or not you survive in the outdoors until you are found or if you are able to find your way back. The first thing you want to do before even leaving for your adventure is : Let your friends and family know where you are going and when they should expect you back.  This can helps your family know if you are stranded out in the middle ...