I realized that I make most the decisions in my life, only with the acceptance of others, which has put me at odds often times with myself.

I turned immediately to the only source I knew of and remembered from highschool, Emerson's essay on self reliance, but upon reading the first page he declared concepts that I take issue with, drawing inspiration back to the soul, and stating that what's true for you must also be true for everyone, he goes on to evoke God and divine inspiration.

And as far as his language goes, I want works about real situations, real things a person can do to better believe in themselves, not to be waxed poetic.

I mean if it takes the same amount of time to plant every single crop.. Corn/ grain/ potatoes/ bread grain you have to mill so you would have to build a mill beside the farm, potatoes you just boiling in, corn you only get one corn a stalk, I mean are potatoes to go to food for mass producing on a self sufficient farm compared to the other crops?

Waltham Butternut is our standby winter squash, keeps well in our root cellar till spring. (Deer ravage squash if left unprotected) We Season melons in the barn for a month before we store them in our root cellar@ 50 degrees F .

We're Canadian. I learned to shoot a few years back while I was up north visiting a family member. Didn't end up applying for my license because I didn't live somewhere where I could easily go hunting and didn't have any ranges close by, so I chalked it up to a good skill to know and moved on, but that's now changed. Fast forward a few years and I met my wife, bought a house and are starting to build our lives together. She's very onside with us becoming more self-sufficient and has taken an active role in gardening, emergency preparedness and future planning with me.

I grew up with a few avid hunters in my family so I've always seen firearms as a tool and something that's only as dangerous as their owners. My wife however, didn't. She isn't anti-gun and actually expressed some interest in going to a range one day as it's something she's wanted to try, but she's uncomfortable with the idea of having guns in the house. Since she didn't grow up around guns I think she sees them as sort of a 'big scary unknown'. I think her concerns centre mainly around safe storage: wanting to make sure she wouldn't have access to them if her mental health took an unexpected turn for the worse (she struggled with her mental health when she was younger but is doing much better now after some therapy) and making sure if we have kids that our or our friends' young children couldn't access them and hurt themselves accidentally.

I plan to introduce her to firearms in a similar way to how I learned. I found a range with good instruction and rental packages for new shooters and plan to start her off with a .22 rifle and then she can try a shotgun, handgun or centre-fire rifle if she wants once she's got the basics down and feels comfortable. I figure her comfort level with the idea of us owning firearms will go up exponentially with a bit of firsthand experience, as did mine. The hunting can come later once she's comfortable.

Does anyone have any additional tips on how to introduce her to firearms in a way that makes her feel comfortable? And any suggestions on how to show her that firearms can be stored safely and how to ease her fears about who could access them?

Hey All - I'm in the planning phase of building our next house, and due to the distances involved I'm already set on a sizable solar power system, including batteries and a backup generator.

This property also happens to be pretty close to the coast of a sizable lake, which (in my inexperienced mind) makes wind power a conceivably worthwhile addition.

Some of the information I've seen has said if you don't have a minimum of 4.5 m/s average wind speed, wind power is essentially pointless. It also looks like most residential systems are/can be roof mounted. Our solar system will be ground mounted because space isn't an issue, and one sizeable building will have a roof peak at around 10m.

BUT all of the average wind speed maps I can find are for much higher up - usually 50m and 100m. The one I found that might be at the right height has a terrible resolution, so it's hard to tell anything from it, other than the average wind speed in the area is right around 4-5 m/s, so it's not a total write-off. There are also wind power installations relatively local to the area, put in by private companies to power their operations, so I'm at least suspecting it's not a terrible location. I just don't know if it makes sense for a residential application or not.

Is this information actually available, or should I just wait until I can put a wind gauge up?

Thanks all!

Reddit

Hello everyone, I am a young father (26) of 3 kids under 3 with a wife my age as well. We currently live in Las Vegas, NV. The past couple years we have been convinced that we are not so sure this is where we want to be or raise a family. The only problem is, both of our families are here.

It is a desert wasteland where, everything is extremely fast paced, and there is little space to be had (hard to find some land) and even if it could be found it is again, a wasteland. We want to be surrounded by lakes, rivers, trees, etc and this is just not even close to that. There is some good hiking here and lake mead, thats about it. We want to own a couple acres of land, perhaps some animals, and slow things down a bit. I am aware that these other climates come with a whole host of other problems (bugs, critters, humidity, etc) but these things do not bug me as much as the thought of staying here. We do not go into the strip, gamble, or anything like that. Literally the only reason we are here is because family. We like to fish, and we live in the desert. We would be looking to move to the Carolina’s, or Virginia. Somewhere that region.

We are tired of waking up everyday, hating the desert, track homes, ultra fast pace, no privacy, houses jam packed together. I am just not certain this is how we want to be living. We would not be moving to run away from problems or anything of the sort.

Again, both our families are here and that is the most difficult thing. I am looking for advice, opinions, etc on this subject.

We do have family in Virginia (sister in law), who we would stay with while we settle down there. We would rent out our home here first and rent there for a year to make sure we like it and then proceed from there. If we like it, we stay, if not, we come back. I feel like this is an itch I have to scratch. I do not want to be wondering whether I am missing out on a different way of life.

In a survival situation you will have to use what is available. In using plants and other natural remedies, positive identification of the plants involved is as critical as in using them for food. Proper use of these plants is equally important.

​

Terms and Definitions

The following terms, and their definitions, are associated with medicinal plant use:

• Poultice. The name given to crushed leaves or other plant parts, possibly heated, that you apply to a wound or sore either directly or wrapped in cloth or paper.
• Infusion or tisane or tea. The preparation of medicinal herbs for internal or external application. You place a small quantity of a herb in a container, pour hot water over it, and let it steep (covered or uncovered) before use.
• Decoction. The extract of a boiled down or simmered herb leaf or root. You add herb leaf or root to water. You bring them to a sustained boil or simmer to draw their chemicals into the water. The average ratio is about 28 to 56 grams (1 to 2 ounces) of herb to 0.5 liter of water.
• Expressed juice. Liquids or saps squeezed from plant material and either applied to the wound or made into another medicine.

Many natural remedies work slower than the medicines you know. Therefore, start with smaller doses and allow more time for them to take effect. Naturally, some will act more rapidly than others.

​

Specific Remedies

The following remedies are for use only in a survival situation, not for routine use:

• Diarrhea. Drink tea made from the roots of blackberries and their relatives to stop diarrhea. White oak bark and other barks containing tannin are also effective. However, use them with caution when nothing else is available because of possible negative effects on the kidneys. You can also stop diarrhea by eating white clay or campfire ashes. Tea made from cowberry or cranberry or hazel leaves works too.
• Antihemorrhagics. Make medications to stop bleeding from a poultice of the puffball mushroom, from plantain leaves, or most effectively from the leaves of the common yarrow or woundwort (Achilles millefolium).
• Antiseptics. Use to cleanse wounds, sores, or rashes. You can make them from the expressed juice from wild onion or garlic, or expressed juice from chickweed leaves or the crushed leaves of dock. You can also make antiseptics from a decoction of burdock root, mallow leaves or roots, or white oak bark. All these medications are for external use only.
• Fevers. Treat a fever with a tea made from willow bark, an infusion of elder flowers or fruit, linden flower tea, or elm bark decoction.
• Colds and sore throats. Treat these illnesses with a decoction made from either plantain leaves or willow bark. You can also use a tea made from burdock roots, mallow or mullein flowers or roots, or mint leaves.
• Aches, pains, and sprains. Treat with externally applied poultices of dock, plantain, chickweed, willow bark, garlic, or sorrel. You can also use salves made by mixing the expressed juices of these plants in animal fat or vegetable oils.
• Itching. Relieve the itch from insect bites, sunburn, or plant poisoning rashes by applying a poultice of jewelweed (Impatiens biflora) or witch hazel leaves (Hamamelis virginiana). The jewelweed juice will help when applied to poison ivy rashes or insect stings. It works on sunburn as well as aloe vera.
• Sedatives. Get help in falling asleep by brewing a tea made from mint leaves or passionflower leaves.
• Hemorrhoids. Treat them with external washes from elm bark or oak bark tea, from the expressed juice of plantain leaves, or from a Solomon's seal root decoction.
• Constipation. Relieve constipation by drinking decoctions from dandelion leaves, rose hips, or walnut bark. Eating raw daylily flowers will also help.
• Worms or intestinal parasites. Using moderation, treat with tea made from tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) or from wild carrot leaves.
• Gas and cramps. Use a tea made from carrot seeds as an antiflatulent; use tea made from mint leaves to settle the stomach.
• Antifungal washes. Make a decoction of walnut leaves or oak bark or acorns to treat ringworm and athlete's foot. Apply frequently to the site, alternating with exposure to direct sunlight.

​

Miscellaneous Use of Plants

Make dyes from various plants to color clothing or to camouflage your skin. Usually, you will have to boil the plants to get the best results. Onion skins produce yellow, walnut hulls produce brown, and pokeberries provide a purple dye.

Make fibers and cordage from plant fibers. Most commonly used are the stems from nettles and milkweeds, yucca plants, and the inner bark of trees like the linden.

Make fish poison by immersing walnut hulls in a small area of quiet water. This poison makes it impossible for the fish to breathe but doesn't adversely affect their edibility.

Make tinder for starting fires from cattail fluff, cedar bark, lighter knot wood from pine trees, or hardened sap from resinous wood trees.

Make insulation by fluffing up female cattail heads or milkweed down.

Make insect repellents by applying the expressed juice of wild garlic or onion to the skin, by placing sassafras leaves in your shelter, or by burning or smudging cattail seed hair fibers.

Plants can be your ally as long as you use them cautiously. The key to the safe use of plants is positive identification whether you use them as food or medicine or in constructing shelters or equipment.

​

​

Article Source

We cure the onions and garlic on wire for several weeks before placing them in our root cellar for the winter, they will Last us till April . Vermont zone 5B

By Tess Pennington and Www.Readynutrition.Com |Published on 29, 2018

​

With all the time and money you’ve put into having a food pantry, you’ll want to make every effort to protect it. Nothing is more disappointing than seeing your food investment ruined by natural elements or bugs. Knowing what your food’s worst enemies are, understanding how they can infiltrate and ruin your food, and then taking steps to prevent their havoc will help you preserve your food investment for the long term.

Everything from sunlight and moisture to bugs and bacteria can damage your food. If you’re planning to store long-term foodstuffs, such as rice, beans, dry milk, or sugar, you’ll want to consider repackaging those items. Companies package most of the dry goods we purchase for short-term use, meaning those goods likely won’t hold up during long-term storage. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also allows certain defects in our food sources, with mold, insects, and insect eggs on the list of approved defects. Any of the following food-storage products will help your stores last longer than if you hadn’t repackaged them.

​

Food-grade 5-gallon buckets are popular among those who store bulk quantities of food, probably because they’re an excellent choice for food storage. Typically, a food-grade container has the number “2” stamped inside the recycling symbol or with the acronym “HDPE” stamped below it. Before you place any food inside the bucket, clean it with soapy water, and then rinse and dry it thoroughly.

Additionally, make sure the lid you purchase for your container is airtight and spill-proof. Lids with gaskets and gamma lids are both good choices because they don’t require a lid opener. They’re typically a little more expensive compared with traditional bucket lids, but they’re easier to open and close, and are worth every penny.

​

Food liners made from polyester film, such as Mylar bags, are another option for storing your dry goods for the long haul. Natural elements and even insects can find a way inside the container. Adding a polyester film liner will ensure there are multiple barriers to protect the food. The thickest grade (5 millimeters or more) is a worthwhile investment for your food-storage endeavors. The added benefit of using polyester bags is that they can last up to 20 years, and, because they’re so durable, you can reuse them.

​

Oxygen absorbers, which inhibit the growth of aerobic pathogens and molds, greatly prolong the shelf life of stored food. Oxygen absorbers begin working the moment they’re exposed to oxygen, so work as efficiently as possible after you open the package. One way to do this is to prepare all of your containers, noting how many oxygen absorbers you’ll need. Then, you can take out the oxygen absorbers from their sealed package and quickly seal the remaining oxygen absorbers using a food sealer. Oxygen absorbers come in assorted sizes, so you’ll want to pay attention to the proper size for each container (refer to the table “Oxygen Absorber Size Requirements”). Typically, you should expect to add 2,000 cubic centimeters (cc) of oxygen absorbers to one 5-gallon bucket. Oxygen absorbers aren’t edible, but they’re nontoxic and won’t affect the smell or taste of your stored food.

​

Desiccant packets moderate the moisture level within a container. However, they don’t absorb the moisture. Please note that desiccant is inedible, and if a packet somehow breaks open and spills onto your stored food, you’ll need to throw away the entire contents of the container. Desiccant shouldn’t be used with certain food items, such as flour, sugar, and salt. These items need a certain amount of moisture to stay edible; otherwise, they’ll turn into a hard brick.

​

Food-grade diatomaceous earth provides a more natural approach to food storage. Diatomaceous earth is comprised of the fossilized remains of diatoms. It’s organic and safe to use on food, and acts as insect repellent and desiccating agent combined. You can add 1 cup of diatomaceous earth to each 25 pounds of food.

​

Seal Your Food Using a Multi-Barrier Process

While there are multiple ways to ensure food sources are properly stored, in my home, we use a multi-barrier approach. Keep in mind that this storage method is for dry foods you plan to store for a year or longer. Sealing food using a multi-barrier process isn’t difficult, but it does take some time. When my family is ready to seal food, we set aside a few hours to do a bulk store. Our food stays as fresh as the day we sealed it, and in 10 years of storing food, I’ve never had an issue with food spoiling or being ruined by bugs using this method. You’ll need the following items:

• Food-grade 5-gallon bucket with lid
• Polyester food storage bag (5 millimeters in thickness)
• Oxygen absorbers and desiccant packets
• Diatomaceous earth (optional)
• Heat clamp, flat iron, or some other method for sealing the polyester bag

The Sealing Process

1. Place a properly sized polyester food liner in a clean, dry plastic container. For example, if you’re using a 5-gallon bucket, you’ll want to use an 18-by-28-inch or a 20-by-30-inch bag.
2. Put an oxygen absorber in the bottom of the bag. (You’ll be adding an oxygen absorber to the top as well.) Add a desiccant packet to the bottom of the bag only if the food item calls for it.
3. Begin pouring food into the polyester bag. When the bag is about half full, shake it to make sure the food gets into all the crevices of the bag.
4. Continue adding food to the polyester bag until the bag is 3/4 full. Put another oxygen absorber on top of the contents.
5. Begin folding the polyester bag down to release any trapped air.
6. Using a heat clamp or a flat iron on its highest setting, create a seal across the bag in a straight line, leaving the last 2 or 3 inches unsealed.
7. Push out the remaining trapped air, and then finish sealing the bag.
8. If you wish, put another oxygen absorber on top of the sealed bag in the storage container, and secure the lid.
9. Place your container of food in a dark storage area where temperature, moisture levels, and sunlight don’t fluctuate.

​

There you have it! This is one of the best ways to prolong the longevity of your food to ensure you have plenty for years to come. When I first began my food pantry, I never imagined that the food I stored in 2007 would still be feeding my family today!

Food is an investment into your future and your family’s livelihood. Therefore, you must do all you can to protect that investment. Using a multi-barrier system will ensure that the food is stored in optimal conditions and that the contents inside are protected for years to come.

​

Source

I saw this really handy tip on youtube to cook without a stove/fire/electricity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBs2QwySfRI&list=LL&index=63

need:

4 tealight candles ...............................50 tealights at walmart is less than $3 and last between 4-8 hours . Blow out candles for next use.

one 6-cup muffin tin

frying pan or soup pot

I thought this would be great for many situations, homeless, off grid, camping in areas where fire pit is restricted or when your electricity is out.

make sure wherever you place this to cook is a safe surface.

I have some forested land and I want to use the standing timber to build my forever home. I have no idea what I’m doing once a tree is felled, and I have no money and limited tools (chainsaw, winch, pulleys). I’ve got no one I can count on to help but myself, and for sure no heavy equipment. I have all the time in the world to get it done, but I need to learn how it can be done and start doing it 🤷‍♂️

I’m starting this weekend regardless with the spot I want the house and a chainsaw. I figure I’ll clear the spot and maybe practice shaping the timber on smaller trees 🤷‍♂️

We planted garlic cloves last fall and just harvested them . Tops will be removed and bulbs set on drying racks in the barn. In 2 months they’ll go into our root cellar for winter storage . A small part in growing our own food.

I watched a really interesting food self sufficiency video last night. The man being interviewed grows 100% of his food on 750 sq meeters or 8250 SQ ft. H

Sharing both because the interview is fascinating and also to support a very small YouTube channel ( less than 500 sunbcribers) .

He eats a vegan diet. The video focus mostly on wheat and legume production but also talks about oil and vegetables too. As someone simply trying to grow most of my fruit and vegetables it's interesting to see that expanded to being fully food reliant.

https://youtu.be/TNR8JfHah00?si=jrQSTceSlK9G7Z7Q

I keep seeing studies and reports that suggest the food we grow today is much more sugary and less nutrient dense than older varieties. Is there a website I can visit that sells seeds from the year 2000 or earlier? As long as I can get a few of them to germinate, I shouldn’t have any issues growing more.