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...

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...

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,...

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

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...

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 ...

Make Sure You Will Have Enough Food If there is ever a power outage, all over the Country, that lasts for many days or weeks, or if there is a supply-chain breaks down, both of these situations can empty store shelves in a matter of hours. That’s why you should make sure you have a good supply of food stored away, because your food supply becomes your lifeline. What Type of Food You Should Store for a Disaster   Focus on non-perishable staples like (brown) rice, beans, canned meats, pasta, oats and powdered milk. These items can last for years, when they are stored properly.  Make sure your food choices consist of items you and your family will actually eat—there’s no point storing 50 pounds of lentils if no one likes them. Aim for a minimum of three months’ worth of food per person and if the situation seems like it will last longer, expand from there.  Aim to store a variety of items in your pantry to avoid food fatigue. Label everything with the purchase and expiration...

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 ...