https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJwGsxZnGCs
Cutting the corn off the cob for canning and dehydrating.
Printable View
Portable Evaporative Cooler (swamp Cooler)
By tooyellowdogs in OutsideCamping
279,247
318
55Featured
https://www.instructables.com/assets...c-sa_small.png
Save PDF
Introduction: Portable Evaporative Cooler (swamp Cooler)
https://content.instructables.com/F8...AwNzo1MTo0Ny4w
https://content.instructables.com/F2...AxNjowNTo0Ni4w
In areas with low humidity, regular air conditioners don't work very well. A simpler solution uses water evaporation to cool and humidify air. These are called evaporative coolers or swamp coolers and are used in homes all over the Southwest U.S. Air is pulled by a fan across a wet pad, which lowers the air temperature by 20-30 degrees, and provides much needed humidity as well.
We attend a week-long festival in the remote Nevada desert, where daytime temperatures climb well over 100 degrees F.In this situation, it is necessary to be completely 'off the grid', self contained, and self reliant. In order to remain comfortable, we made portable swamp coolers out of common materials, powered by solar panels, to cool our enclosed living spaces. They have also been used at home in more permanent installations to cool greenhouses. Additionally, they could provide temperature regulation to desert homes where electrical power is not available.
Step 1: Materials
36-44 gallon heavy duty trash can with lid
Evaporative cooler pad x 12 feet x 29 inches
Hardware cloth or chicken wire x 6 feet x 24 inches
Submersible 12 volt bilge pump x 1
1/2 inch irrigation tubing x 10 feet
1/2 inch T-connector for irrigation x 1
Automobile radiator fan or solar fan x 1
16 inch diameter HVAC tubing
Large drain pan
U-bolts x 3
Solar panel and deep cycle battery
Step 2: Examples of Materials
https://content.instructables.com/FA...AxNTowMzozOC4w
https://content.instructables.com/F7...AxNTowMzozNy4w
https://content.instructables.com/F6...AxNTowMzozNy4w5 More Imag
With the exception of the fan (and solar panel if you use one), most everything can be found at a Big Box Hardware-type store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc). Much of it can be scrounged for free, as well, if you are patient and resourceful.
Step 3: Assembly
https://content.instructables.com/FQ...AwNzoyMzoxMy4w
https://content.instructables.com/FR...AwNzoyMzoxNi4w
https://content.instructables.com/FF...AwNzoxNjozNS4w
First you need to make a way for the air to pass thru wet padding:
Cut 2.5 inch diameter holes in sides of garbage can. A drill bit made for cutting doorknob holes works perfectly. Leave the lower 10 inches of the garbage can intact, without holes. Line the inside of garbage can with blue evaporative cooler padding x two layers. Keep it in place with hardware cloth or chicken wire on the inside. Keep that in place with the U-bolts drilled thru the garbage can sides. Now you have a garbage can with ventilation holes, lined with evaporative cooler pads which are kept in place with hardware cloth wire.
Now you make a dripper to keep the padding moist:
Make a circle with the 1/2 inch diameter irrigation pipe; join with a 1/2 inch T-piece. Drill very small holes about every 2 inches in bottom side of circle for water to drip from. (If you want to get really fancy, you can insert drip irrigation emitters in the holes, which will give you a known gal/hour drip rate. )
Now we need to get the water up to the top of the pads:
Place 12 volt submersible pump in bottom of garbage can. Connect the pump to the drip ring with 1/2 inch tubing. Feed wiring thru one of the holes so you can connect to battery power later
Next, we need a fan at the top, which will suck air in, thru the holes in the sides of the garbage can, thru the evaporative cooler padding, and out the top into the HVAC tubing which will deliver cool, humidified air to the location of your choice:
Cut out a circle in top of garbage can lid and mount fan.Make sure it blows upwards! Used auto radiator fans are cheap, blow lots of air, but use a LOT of amps. So we eventually bought a solar-type fan for about $200 that runs forever on a 45 watt solar panel hooked to a deep cycle 12 volt battery. An auto radiator fan will use more juice than this system puts out, and only runs about 20 hours before draining the battery faster than the solar panel can charge it. However, if you have enough solar panels, the auto fans REALLY put out lots of cool air, compared to just a breeze from the solar-type fan.
Wire it up! Soldering connections is a good idea, but you may want to make the wires to the top lid/fan/HVAC tubing component unpluggable so they can be removed for easier packing for transport. I also installed a switch to cut off the pump in the cool morning hours and just have a fan. It gets too cold, otherwise!
The entire unit will need to sit in a catchment basin, to collect water that drips out from the sides (this dripping is inevitable). Big black tubs from a garden center work well. you may need to drill holes in the bottom of the garbage can to allow this water to percolate back inside to the pump.
Step 4: Where Stuff Goes
https://content.instructables.com/FR...AxNDo1Nzo0NC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FU...AxNTowNDoyNi4w
https://content.instructables.com/FD...AxNjowNTo0Mi4w
https://content.instructables.com/FN...AxNTowNDoyNi4w3 More Images
First photo shows completed body without top.
The next three views are looking down into the cooler, showing the pump and drip tubing. Next is a view of the top with fan installed. Then, a view of the whole thing put together, and one of it in use. Solar panel is not in view.
Step 5: Running It
https://content.instructables.com/FE...AxNTowMzo1NC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FX...AxNTowMzo1NC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FU...AxNTowMzo1NS4w
You'll need about 6 gallons to fill it and wet the pads. Afterwards, uses about 2 gallons/hour, depending on the humidity and temperature. More holes in the drip ring may lead to more water usage. And that's why the emitters might help decrease water use. For home/permanent use, install a toilet float valve hooked up to a permanent pressurized water source.
Step 6: Swamp Cooler in Action in the Nevada Desert
https://content.instructables.com/FU...AxNTowMzozMi4w
https://content.instructables.com/F4...AxNDo1Njo1MC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FM...AxNTowMzozMS4w
The camper is called a Flip-pac, the sleeping area is over the cab of the truck. The swamp cooler HVAC tubing is directed to our sleeping area. The solar panel (it is pretty dusty, here) keeps the deep cycle 12 volt battery charged. The battery provides a consistent flow of electricity to the swamp cooler pump and fan. By the way, the green structure behind the truck is our fancy shower.
https://www.instructables.com/assets/svg/close-ad.svghttps://images.ctfassets.net/jl5ii4o...?w=600&fm=webp
Be the First to Share
Did you make this project? Share it with us!
Portable Evaporative Cooler (swamp Cooler) : 6 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables
41 Camping Hacks That Are Borderline Genius
These tips and tricks will guarantee you'll be a totally happy camper this summer.
41 Camping Hacks That Are Borderline Genius
Emergency medicine: How to make your own first-aid antiseptic at home using natural ingredients
06/02/2025 // Evangelyn Rodriguez // 600 Views
Tags: alternative medicine, antiseptic, emergency medicine, essential oils, goodhealth, goodmedicine, green living, homesteading, natural antibiotics, natural cures, natural health, natural ingredients, natural medicine, Naturopathy, off grid, preparedness, prepper, prepping, remedies, survival, survival medicine, tips
https://www.naturalnews.com/wp-conte...n-Tincture.jpg
- Amid rising antibiotic resistance and distrust of synthetic medications, people (especially preppers) are turning to natural wound-care solutions using accessible herbs and ingredients.
- Ancient traditions (e.g., honey in Egyptian medicine, yarrow in Native American practices) are supported by modern research, such as studies on honey’s antibacterial properties and coconut oil’s lauric acid, which can fight pathogens.
- A WWII-era recipe from The Home Doctor combines beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E and essential oils (tea tree, lavender, lemon) for a chemical-free ointment with antibacterial, antifungal and skin-healing benefits.
- Made with all-natural ingredients, this antiseptic ointment can be used to treat cuts/scrapes and will last up to four years if stored in a cool, dark place.
- The resurgence of natural medicine aligns with prepper movements, distrust of monopolies and concerns over antibiotic-resistant superbugs, offering a sustainable alternative in crisis scenarios.
In an era where synthetic medications dominate pharmacy shelves, a growing number of people are turning to time-tested natural remedies for wound care. Preppers, in particular, know to trust in the power of medicinal herbs and their valuable components – all readily available resources that can be harnessed for free by people who know where to look and what to look for.
This article serves as a guide for preppers, especially beginners, who wish to learn how to make effective first-aid solutions that are free of harmful chemicals. With antibiotic resistance on the rise and economic instability driving interest in homesteading skills, this guide provides timely knowledge for anyone looking to bolster their medical self-sufficiency.
The science behind natural antiseptics
Natural antiseptics have been used for millennia, with ancient Egyptians applying honey to wounds and Native Americans harnessing the natural antimicrobial properties of plants like yarrow and calendula. (Related: Revolutionizing health: The enduring impact of Murray and Pizzorno's "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.")
Modern research supports these traditions. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that honey’s high sugar content and enzymatic hydrogen peroxide production can inhibit bacterial growth.
Similarly, coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has proven effective against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. Preppers can combine these time-tested ingredients with essential oils such as tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), which is known for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, to make effective natural alternatives to modern medicine.
Recipe for a homemade antiseptic ointment
This comprehensive recipe shared by PrepperFortress.com was taken from a book called "The Home Doctor," a compilation of medicinal and herbal recipes developed to help people overcome chronic diseases and maladies in a safe and purely natural way.
The Home Doctor is a direct copy of the little notebook carried around by the author’s grandfather, who was taught herbalism and healing while in active service during World War II. The author claims that his grandfather treated many soldiers using homemade cures like tinctures and tonics that are described in this little notebook.
The recipe below makes use of powerful natural ingredients such as beeswax, coconut oil, tea tree oil and lemon and lavender essential oils that are known to have antibacterial properties. Here is the complete recipe for making your very own all-natural antiseptic ointment:
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 ounces beeswax, grated
- 1 Cup Coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil for skin healing
- 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions
- Grate 1-1/2 ounces of beeswax using a cheese grater or simply slice thinly with a knife.
- Add 1 cup coconut oil and the grated beeswax to a pot.
- Heat the coconut oil and beeswax over low heat or using a double boiler until they turn into liquid. Remove from heat and add the tea tree oil, vitamin E oil and essential oils and stir briefly.
- Pour the mixture into sterilized jars (you can boil them for 10 minutes or run them through your dishwasher). You can use baby food jars or mason jars. Let the mixture cool on the counter.
- Store in a cool, dark place. Use as needed on cuts, scrapes and abrasions. This antiseptic ointment can last four years if stored properly.
The resurgence of natural medicine reflects broader cultural shifts, such as the growing public distrust in monopolies, the rise of the “prepper” movement, and concerns over antibiotic-resistant superbugs. A 2016 analysis published by the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – established by U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron in 2014 – has warned that by 2050, drug-resistant infections could cause 10 million annual deaths globally. Homemade alternatives like this antiseptic ointment offer a proactive solution, particularly for remote or crisis scenarios where medical supplies are scarce.
Interested in learning how to make other natural remedies for your medicine cabinet? Visit EmergencyMedicine.news for more recipes.
Watch the following video to learn how to make a homemade natural antibiotic ointment that can also relieve pain.
This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Survival tips and tricks: 5 NATURAL antibiotics in your kitchen.
The power of Aloe vera: An age-old natural medicine and superfood.
Angelica: The divine herb bridging traditional medicine and modern wellness.
Why essential oils are necessary additions to your emergency stockpile.
Preparing for the unexpected: Tips for building an apartment emergency kit.
Sources include:
Brighteon.ai
PrepperFortress.com
WIPO.int [PDF]
Brighteon.com
Emergency medicine: How to make your own first-aid antiseptic at home using natural ingredients – NaturalNews.com
How To Survive A Pandemic | Survival Kit Supplies
Home / PANDEMIC / How To Survive A Pandemic | Survival Kit Supplies
ByKen J.Last Update02/23/20250 Comments
https://modernsurvivalblog.com/wp-co...c-survival.jpg
https://modernsurvivalblog.com/wp-co...c-survival.jpgPandemic Survival Kit | How To Survive
A severe pandemic may incapacitate a significant portion of the population. When a percentage of people are dying, it will get real. Real scary. Can you survive a pandemic? Yes you can. Here’s how to survive a pandemic…
Take a deep breath, read through this entire article with its recommendations. Make your own decisions and choices. Be prepared.
(jump to list)
Stay away from people
This may sound easy. But it’s not. Not at all. Why? Because there’s so many of us, and close proximity is inevitable. At first, people will believe that it won’t affect them. It will be business as usual. Going to work. Daycare. School. Errands. The grocery store. You name it…
The simple truth is to avoid proximity to other people, until it’s over. Easier said than done.
A severe pandemic may cripple infrastructure supply-chains, like groceries and things you need at home for a pandemic. Panic buying, people who are sick not going to work, or even self isolation or quarantine.
Are you ready and able to self quarantine for 7, 14, or more days? Worst case, could you remain isolated for weeks or even a month or more?
This article is re-published and updated for your information, given the recent publicity of the “coronavirus” outbreak which is evidently spreading in parts of Asia at this time. Though the article applies generically to any severe pandemic outbreak.
Surviving a pandemic is a matter of ISOLATING YOURSELF from OTHER INFECTED PEOPLE until it has run its course. At worse, this could be many weeks, month(s) or even longer (though absolute worst case).
Since you may not know which people may be infected (showing no symptoms yet), you will need to stay away from everyone outside of your home sphere for maximum mitigation. Therefore in order to be fully prepared, you must have the ability to self quarantine. To not go out where other potentially infected people are. This includes going to ‘work’, grocery shopping, etc..
You must have everything that you need already at home.
People going about their business…
During the onset of a severe and deadly pandemic, most people will not fully realize the ramifications. They will continue to go about their daily habitual routines of going to work, the grocery store, etc. They may be exposing themselves to the potential mortal consequences of a deadly pandemic.
Almost every transmissible disease has an incubation period during which time the person is infected but not yet showing signs of disease. Quite often, a person can be contagious for one to several or more days before exhibiting symptoms. That’s a problem!
Incubation Period
The incubation period of an infectious disease is the time between infection and symptom onset. Many viral infections will manifest themselves within a period of 3 – 5 days, and most within 10 – 14.
Ebola virus incubation potentially up to 21 days. Incubation period for Pneumonic plague is 1 – 3 days. Bubonic plague is 2 – 6 days. Up to 4 days for severe Coronavirus. (for example)
UPDATE: COVID-19 Coronavirus is said to be asymptomatic (no symptoms) for up to 14 days while shedding virus. 24 days has also been reported. It is apparently highly contagious during all that time!
Bugging in | Staying Home
If it ever gets real bad, the tough part will be deciding at what point to “bug in”, or stay home. Why? Because your employer will probably want you at work. If you choose to stay home, you might be risking your job (at least at first). There’s no clear answer. It will be an individual choice based on what’s going on out there.
list
The following is a starter-list of preparedness items, focused to do with pandemic survival. In reality there is much more to consider than this list. But hopefully it will set you in a direction to begin considering your options, should you ever need them…
Again, the key is to have enough supplies to hunker down without having to be around other people. Though some supplies are specific to the potential health realities of sick people.
PANDEMIC SURVIVAL KIT LIST
This is to get you thinking about a pandemic shopping list. Things you need at home. Food for a pandemic.
Food, Water, Consumables
Firstly, be sure to have enough of the basics to remain at home for weeks, maybe longer, without having to go out and resupply. It’s a simple concept. But in reality most people don’t keep enough food and supplies to make it beyond a week.
FOOD SUPPLY. It’s not terribly difficult to build up a supply that will last 1 month — a good initial preparedness target – for each and all members of the household. Then 3 months.
There are reputable emergency food companies that sell kits of varying quantities (days). I like the ready made “food buckets” because they are quick and easy. But that’s just a starting point.
Augason Farms 30-Day Emergency Food Storage
Wise Company Emergency Food Supply
Augason Farms Lunch & Dinner Food Bucket
An excellent family operated and well established business in emergency preparedness who distributes several quality brands of emergency food is Ready Made Resources. I recommend that you check them out too. Tell ’em you came from Modern Survival Blog ;)
(UPDATE) New Article: Food To Survive Pandemic For 90 Days
(UPDATE) Coronavirus concerns: Listen, if you’re an amazon prime member, you can mitigate the risk of going to the grocery store among other potentially infected people. You can get just about any grocery delivered to your door. This might make sense for some of you, at least temporarily until threat of pandemic has subsided.
GROCERIES at amzn
Water & Food (Prepping & Preparedness)
WATER FILTER. Clean, pure drinking water without bacteria or virus. An essential preparedness item is a quality gravity water filter, such as one of the Berkey models from USABerkeyFilters. I use their filters exclusively. The Best.
WATER STORAGE. Though we’re not expecting shutdown of water infrastructure, it’s always a good idea to have some water storage at home. Cases of ‘bottled water’. And/or water-specific storage containers. For example, these Samson Stackers.
TOILET PAPER. Can you ever have enough backup TP? Plus, when sick, you’re going to go through lots more than normal. On average, most use ~2 rolls/week/person. How about 5 per week? That’s ~60 rolls for 3 months per person.
KLEENEX / TISSUES & PAPER TOWELS. Get enough for 90 days so you don’t have to go out to the store and risk contagion from the pandemic. Paper towels ideal for sanitary / surfaces cleanup and disinfection with antiseptics.
Pandemic-specific Survival Kit Supplies
Protection for at home, or away from home. Surfaces may become contaminated with virus. Virus may become airborne via droplet or even aerosol transmission (worst case). These are the things that you need to think about, and to protect yourself from. — The things you can do to mitigate the issues associated with virus and contamination.
Firstly, good hygiene habits. Wash your hands. Especially after being out in public places. It may seem silly to describe “how to”, but read this to do it right.
Don’t touch eyes, nose, or mouth without having washed your hands first! Especially after having been in public places (e.g. grocery store?). It’s hard not to touch your face!
LIQUID BLEACH. “Regular” liquid bleach for sanitation and disinfection (have enough of it).
Read: Disinfectant Bleach-Water Ratio.
NITRILE EXAM GLOVES. Several boxes of disposable gloves. Example: Nitrile Exam Gloves
CHEMICAL RESISTANT GLOVES. These are thicker. Use them to protect hands while mixing / applying a batch of disinfecting bleach/water. Also for dealing with dangerous wastes (Wells Lamont).
FACE MASKS. Provides some protection from particulates entering your respiratory system. Rated at least for N95, like these from amzn. Note as of this update (FEB-2020), most are sold out due to coronavirus. But check back later…
RESPIRATOR MASK. The next step up. Quality respirator mask such as this one: 3M P100 having replaceable filter cartridges.
FACE SHIELD. It will help protect the eyes, nose, and mouth while in close proximity to an infected person (e.g. while treating). Example: Safety Works Adjustable Headgear
DISPOSABLE COVERALL SUIT. Such as the DuPont Tyvek Suit (several).
HAND SANITIZER. Use it for quick hand sanitizing after any public or patient exposure . It must have at least 60% alcohol active ingredient antiseptic (70% even better). Though you should wash hands often with soap and water. Search hand sanitizer on amzn.
HEPA AIR FILTER. HEPA filters for in-house air filtration. Virus will latch on to sneeze/cough globules. Aerosol transmission would be even worse (this coronavirus has been said to exhibit this). A HEPA air filter at home will help to catch this.
VOMIT BAGS. Sorry, gross I know. But if someone at home gets sick, these sure make it a bit easier to deal with. (We’ve been using this type of bag). It has a convenient closure method to minimize exposure – twist and secure bag into the notched ring. We first saw them at our local hospital.
DISINFECTING WIPES. Keep surfaces disinfected at home. Also, (tip!) grocery stores have this near their carriages / baskets. Use them! Wipe down the handles. Search Disinfecting Wipes on amzn.
LIQUID SOAP | HAND SOAP. An aggressive formula soap such as Dawn Ultra. Have enough hand soap (i.e. pump bottles).
MEDICATIONS. Enough of whatever you may be taking. Also consider those which may help alleviate symptoms if someone were to get sick at home.
FLU SYMPTOM MEDICINES. Make sure that you already have enough in your house. Fever reducers (Ibuprofen, Tylenol). NyQuil, DayQuil. Whichever of this type of relief has worked for you in the past. Just make sure you have a supply.
ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT. If someone becomes sick, they may dehydrate (not good!). So keep some electrolyte replacement, such as this one from Vitalyte.
IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTERS. Get enough sleep. Keep your body strong. Eat right. With that said, there are boosters and supplements. Such as the following (view on amzn),
Elderberry Gummies with Vitamin C & Zinc (Kids)
Elederberry Gummies with Vitamin C & Zinc (Adults)
Vitamin C Powder
ISOLATION ROOM. You might consider the materials necessary to set up a temporary isolation room — in case someone at home gets sick with this virus. This may include a separate HEPA filter for the room. An adequate supply of nitrile gloves and masks for in-and-out. Maybe even a portable toilet for the room.
If you are very serious about an isolation room, you might have a look at CBRN protection by way of a professional isolation tent for quarantine or protection mode. CoronavirusTent.com
PORTABLE TOILET. For provisional isolation room, if you need to set one up. (Self-Contained Toilet).
The Takeaway | How to Survive a Pandemic
The world is ill-prepared for the fight against severe pandemic outbreaks. The Plague, Ebola, MERS, SARS, avian flu and other illnesses could re-emerge at any time. We live in a world of high speed transportation (worldwide). There are more people than ever, and things could spread fast.
While the list above is not complete for an overall pandemic preparedness plan, it should get you to thinking about your own preparedness. Search Modern Survival Blog for further ideas and opinions regarding prepping & preparedness.
Feel free to add your additional suggestions below…
The first chunk of comments below are relevant to earlier posting regarding Ebola.
Jump to comments surrounding the Coronavirus which begin about (here) down the page.
Continue reading: Mind-blowing Exponential Growth – Parallels with a Pandemic
Visit the Ready Hour Store
Proudly Made in the USA
How To Survive A Pandemic | Survival Kit Supplies
What to Stockpile for Pandemic Survival: 23 Essentials
We find ourselves in the midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Prepping can be an overwhelming approach to life when one disaster after another lobbies for your attention.
Attempting to have the perfect approach to all possible events is impossible. From food and water to batteries and vitamins, the list of things to stockpile for a pandemic can be overwhelming.
The threat of a pandemic has been raised to a critical level on every prepper’s threat matrix. In the following sections, I will help you look at your current level of preparation.
By the end of our time together, you should have identified any gaps and made a plan to fill them. If you are new to these types of emergencies, stop and take a breath.
First, you aren’t alone. Secondly, there are many of us out here that can help you get a good perspective on current events. We can help you to best prepare yourself.
Read on, and I will get you well on your way to handling this coronavirus outbreak (and many others too).
Essential Foods to Stockpile for a Pandemic
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/wp-...-stockpile.jpg
Hunger makes any situation miserable. The right foods must be cheap and easy to stockpile. There are three keys to a happy pantry:
- The food must be non-perishable (canned and/or dried).
- The majority of it must be similar to your daily diet.
- Finally, add a little variety to avoid food fatigue.
Rice
Rice is the number one meal stretcher. Chili and rice, rice and beans, porcupines (rice in meatballs). It goes with nearly everything and turns a meager portion into a belly filler.
Rice is the perfect food to stockpile for a pandemic. It’s cheap and can be purchased in bulk (50 lb bags are widely available). Additionally, it stores forever!
My favorite treatment is Congee. Porridge is made by boiling rice for many hours.
It is a true chameleon. Add a soft-boiled egg, and it’s breakfast. With a little ground chicken or pork, it is dinner. Finally, add coconut milk and sugar, and you have dessert!
Stack rice high and deep. You can put the bags in 5-gallon buckets and mylar bags to keep the critters away.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....9L._SL200_.jpg
Uncle Ben’s Converted Rice, 50 Pound
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/wp-...on-buckets.jpg
5 Gallon White Bucket & Lid – Durable 90 Mil All Purpose Pail – Food Grade – BPA Free Plastic (5 Gal. w/Lids – 6pk)
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1wnQjn-RPL.jpg
10 Dry-Packs 5 Gallon Mylar Bags and 10-2000cc Oxy-Sorb Oxygen Absorbers for Dried Dehydrated and Long Term Food Storage
Beef, Chicken, Pork, and Fish
Protein is one of the hardest things to store. Meat is expensive, has a relatively short shelf life (compared to rice and beans), and is expensive (see what I did there?).
I prefer to make my own. One pound per pint or two pounds per quart. We do beef, chicken, and pork.
If you are unable to do that, then the best approach is to buy a little each week. Tuna and chicken are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.
If you have a dehydrator, another great option is to store beef jerky. You can store it in mylar bags for several months, or even longer in the freezer. Once it’s opened, be sure to eat it within a week or so.
Otherwise, get meat-heavy canned meals. This includes chili, spam, corned beef, etc. Add a few cans as often as your pocketbook will allow.
Beans
Beans are another great food to stockpile for a pandemic. Most of the world lives on rice and beans. Cheap and able to be stored for many years. Get as many as possible.
Don’t forget to get multiple types. You can make brownies out of pinto beans. Black beans and olive oil make a great dip. Lentils cook in a quarter of the time as any other beans and add substance to thin soups.
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/wp-...into-beans.jpg
Organic Pinto Beans, 25 Pound Box
Canned Veggies and Fruits
Store what you eat, and eat what you store! Canned fruits and vegetables are very affordable, especially if purchased at the end of the summer when they are making room for the new stock.
Ensure that your stockpile has a lot of what you normally eat as well as a lot of variety. If you have to eat out of your pantry for a long time, you will appreciate the familiar as well as the new.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1lYDbmAe9L.jpg
Del Monte Mandarin Orange Fruit Snack Cups in 100% Juice, 12-4oz Cups – PACK OF 2
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1mF4SroTtL.jpg
Green Valley Organics Peas | Certified Organic | Non-GMO Project Verified | Deliciously Succulent | 15 ounce can (Pack of 12)
Oils
Cooking oils contribute much-needed calories to our diet. Likewise, they add a richness and mouthfeel that are hard to leave behind. Ever cook a chicken breast with nothing but the juice it came in? Not too great.
Oils have a limited shelf life; therefore, it’s best to have a consistent rotation in your pantry. Store what you need for a year, then add some every time you use it.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1QxvKjBSDL.jpg
Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 101.4 Fl Oz
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1sMwo6YLFL.jpg
Filippo Berio Extra Light Olive Oil, 101.4 Fluid Ounce
Pasta
What is life without pasta? Again, a prime stockpile of food. Cheap, stores a long time, and it’s filled with calories.
Figure out what you eat per meal and do the math. Stack up the pounds in your pantry, then get a little more.
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/wp-...bulk-pasta.jpg
Natural Heaven Pasta Substitute | Angel Hair Hearts of Palm Noodles | 6 Count 9 oz | Kosher
Soups and Sauces
Once you have your base calories accounted for, start adding variety with canned and jarred soups and sauces.
Soups can be a filling meal with some fresh bread. Cream soups are especially flexible when used in casseroles.
Spaghetti sauce can be used with your pasta, rice, chicken, etc. I’ve even seen it watered down as soup.
Variety and volume are the keys. Tomato sauce, Alfredo sauce, and meat sauce. Add jar after jar of everything you like. Even add a few jars of things you think you would like.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1uFoJtDRlL.jpg
Campbell’s Soup on the Go, Chicken & Mini Round Noodles, 10.75 Ounce (Pack of 8 )
Treats (Spices & Candy)
Plain rice is boring. Now toss it with a little olive oil and spices, and you can finish a bowl without thinking about it. The same goes for pasta.
One of the priority boxes in my bug out pantry is the spice box! I can live on rice and beans for a while, but I’m much happier if I can spice it up on day one and make it Italian the next.
Ok, now for the serious pandemic stockpile item. Bulk candy. Life without pasta sucks. A life without chocolate is not worth living.
Hit the after-holiday sales and get a few pounds. The mood elevation a Twix bar can bring to a child is amazing. Don’t neglect this simple prep.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1jh2uDJBqL.jpg
HERSHEY’S Silver Kisses Milk Chocolate Candy 5lb Bag
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....CrkFYy%2BL.jpg
SNICKERS, M&M’S Milk Chocolate, M&M’S Peanut, TWIX & MILKY WAY Candy Variety Mix, 45.45 Ounces, 90 Pieces
Medical, Hygiene and First Aid Supplies to Fight Coronavirus
Being prepared is much more than food and water. There isn’t much that we need to say about stockpiling medical supplies for a pandemic. It comes with the territory.
The less you go out into crowds, the less you are exposed to infection situations. This includes making a run for medical or hygiene supplies. Even the Department of Homeland Security is recommending avoiding all unnecessary travel.
Respirator, Gloves, Face Masks, and PPE
Your first line of defense is your personal protective equipment (PPE). You avoid getting sick by not coming into physical contact with pathogens.
Gloves, goggles, and face masks (N95 or better) are all your first line of defense.
Bacteria and viruses infect you via your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. By covering these, you are partially protected. Gloves keep the infectious materials off your hands.
It is essential that you also remember not to touch your face. A full-face shield will help with this. Each time you touch your face, you risk bringing virus particles close to or into your eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1Y-pJ-IKVL.jpg
AMMEX Medical Black Nitrile Gloves, Box of 100, 4 mil Size Large, Latex Free, Powder Free, Textured, Disposable, Non-Sterile
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1tE4LSgU4L.jpg
3M 8210V Particulate Respirator with Cool Flow Valve, Grinding, Sanding, Sawing, Sweeping, Woodworking, Dust, 10/Box
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1Iu3VcibtL.jpg
UVEX by Honeywell Bionic Face Shield with Clear Polycarbonate Visor (S8500)
Electrolytes
When your body is under assault, it is imperative that you provide it with ammunition to fight back. Nutrition is one of the biggest bullets you can use.
Electrolyte powders and drink mixes replace the basic nutrients and salts your body uses.
Get dried mixes, as they are cheaper and last longer than pre-mixed drinks.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1yM7qvwV5L.jpg
Gatorade Powder Variety Pack (Lemon-Lime, Orange, Fruit Punch, Riptide Rush), 21-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 32)
Medications
You got sick. You took the medicines Mommy gave you. It’s no different when you are older. Take your medicine. A pandemic is no time to tough it out with a serious bug.
Depending on the disease, you will need to be specific about the medications that you take. For example, antibiotics don’t work on viral infections.
Purchase a selection of medications that cover the gamut of symptoms you are trying to overcome. Sudafed for sinus pressure, Mucinex for chest congestion, Delsym for cough, etc.
Don’t neglect the basics, either. Tylenol, Ibuprophen, and Benadryl are components of many over-the-counter drugs. Become familiar with the dos and don’ts of each drug and use it according to the directions.
Don’t neglect prescription medications!
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....ui%2BklyHL.jpg
Basic Care Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg, Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer (NSAID), 1000 Count
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1KpuuKbc6L.jpg
Basic Care Extra Strength Pain Relief, Acetaminophen Caplets, 500 mg, 500 Count
Hazmat Suits
Extending on the PPE topic is the hazmat suit. I’m not talking about the big Biolab bubble suits, just a good outer layer. Tyvek painter suits are cheap, sturdy, and sufficient to cover you during a risky activity.
Remember that these will be single-use! Buy them one size too large so they aren’t too tight and split.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....18LvZOz0UL.jpg
DuPont TY122S-XL-EACH Disposable Elastic Wrist, Bootie and Hood Tyvek Coverall Suit 1414, X-Large, White
Sanitizer / Bleach
Your next layer of protection is cleaning your living space. All contact surfaces must be cleaned often, especially if you are caring for sick loved ones.
Bleach and other sanitizers are essential for keeping your living areas free of pathogens. While there are several off-the-shelf options, you can make your own DIY hand sanitizer.
Become familiar with the process before a crisis.
Toilet Paper / Personal Hygiene
Gotta keep clean! Nobody likes a case of swamp butt or other stinky, sticky areas.
Toilet paper, sanitary napkins, soap, shampoo, and deodorant all have natural or homemade options.
That being said, I always have a few rolls stashed just in case. You know, so I don’t have to cut up, use, and then wash my old t-shirts.
We take modern sanitation for granted. Personal hygiene done wrong can easily lead to infection or worse. Stack them high and deep while you can!
As a self-sufficient prepper, I highly recommend you learn how to make your own toilet paper when SHTF (no pun intended!) for an extended period of time and supplies are nonexistent.
Portable Potty
Sometimes the plumbing fails, and we need to have a backup plan. There are many options for personal waste management. Be sure to add at least one to your stockpile (as well as all the associated supplies).
Having to go to the great outdoors is fine on occasion. But having to rely on it can be maddening or even dangerous.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1NAfADFPuL.jpg
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable 5 Gallon Toilet
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1ngX-kb9YL.jpg
Reliance Products 2683-03 Double Doodie Toilet Waste Bags (6-Pack)
Vitamins
During any stressful situation or when your diet changes, you will lose micronutrients. Vitamins go a long way to supplementing your nutrition when this happens.
It’s cheap, and it’s easy to get a few bottles now. Go with chewable vitamins, as gummies have a limited shelf life.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....LU8cN-%2BL.jpg
Centrum Adult (100 Count) Multivitamin / Multimineral Supplement Chewable Tablet, Vitamin D3
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....14Ix-aY34L.jpg
Nature’s Wonder Child Chewable Complete Multivitamin, 300 Count, Compare vs. Flintstones® Complete Chewable Tablets
Non-Food Emergency Supplies
Surviving this coronavirus outbreak isn’t just about eating and taking medications. There are many things around your house that are consumables.
Stock these items, as they are the first to be used up and the most likely to be taken for granted.
Batteries
Our lives are electronic. Make sure to have enough batteries for your flashlights, smoke detectors, etc. There is nothing worse than needing a flashlight when it has dead batteries.
Don’t overlook external cell phone batteries. The world is slowly standardizing on these handy items.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1udbMlm0NL.jpg
Fireproof Battery Organizer Storage Box Waterproof Explosionproof, Hard Safe Box Fits 200 Batteries Case – with Tester BT-168, Carrying Container Bag Energy Batteries AA AAA C D 9V Iithium 3V Holder
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1D6QyVGZCL.jpg
Amazon Basics AA 1.5 Volt Performance Alkaline Batteries – Pack of 100 (Appearance may vary)
Flashlights
Speaking of flashlights, get several.
Advances in LEDs have made flashlights cheaper, brighter, and longer-lasting. You used to look in dark corners and down into basements; you have no idea the uses until you carry one at all times.
In addition to your handheld flashlights, I recommend you get a few headlamps as well. You can’t beat the convenience of not having to hold your light when working in the dark.
Keep one on your person. One in every room. One on your nightstand and one in your medical kit. Then get a backup for each of those.
Garbage Bags and Drum Liners
We make trash. There is a lot of it. The downtime of a pandemic will be no different. Additionally, you will want to have extra garbage bags for any used medical, hygiene, or waste items. Double-bag all of these.
Garbage bags are handy, but also get a few jumbo-sized drum liners to take care of big messes. They are also made of thicker plastic, which allows for more secure disposal.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....%2B92I4HNL.jpg
Hefty Strong Multipurpose Large Black Trash Bags, 30 Gallon, 56 Count
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1ayBuPuSoL.jpg
Aluf Plastics Heavy Duty 55 Gallon Trash Bags – (Large 50 Pack /w Ties) – 2 MIL Industrial Strength Plastic Drum Liners 38′ x 58′
Entertainment
Don’t forget that you will get bored. If you don’t, all kids will. They won’t be shy about it, either.
A few books and DVDs will go a long way. If you have any warnings, download a few from your streaming services in case the internet gets slow.
Downtime is a great relationship-building time. Family game night is a great bonding experience. How many households are letting the bonding happen with electric devices? Take the opportunity to break that paradigm.
Plastic Sheeting
It may be necessary to set up a quarantine space. As a result, you will need plastic sheeting. Drape it across a room as a divider. Or more effectively, across a door.
Anything that you can do to create a soft barrier between the sick and the healthy, the better.
Plastic sheeting can also be used to cover walls and floors in order to make them easier to clean and disinfect. It is very important when you know sick people will be coming through.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1gJrW5rViL.jpg
Frost King P1025/6W Polyethylene Sheeting, 10′ x 25′ x 6 mil., Clear
Alcohol
No, not to drink.
Alcohol has a myriad of other uses. Purchase 120 proof or greater as a disinfectant. Use it to make medicinal tinctures. Or even use it as an oral numbing agent.
Actually, you might be stuck for a while, so you may want to have the fun alcohol around, too. A small glass can ease stress and boost your mood. Just keep it in moderation, at least until the coronavirus burns out.
Laundry Detergent and Sanitizer
Keep yourself and your clothes clean. Keep your environment clean.
During an infectious disease pandemic, you will most likely have to do things you are not used to. Your ability to replace overly dirty clothes will be limited.
Stock up on an extra container or three of your standard laundry detergents. Add to that a few bottles of laundry sanitizer. When you are exposed to unsanitary conditions, it’s best to disinfect as well as clean your clothes.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....%2BSNqjc3L.jpg
Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Crisp Linen, 90oz, bacteria-causing laundry odor eliminator, 0% bleach laundry sanitizer, Multicolor
Stay Informed: Know When To Bug Out
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/wp-...es-map-nyt.png
NYT COVID-19 US Case Tracker
Pandemic preparedness will only go so far when things get really bad. In most cases, you will be able to bug in, however, you must be prepared to bug out.
The hardest issue will be deciding when to bug out during the event of a pandemic. Your best bet is to review the possible triggers BEFORE they happen and make plans for each. When a bug out trigger is tripped, go.
Each situation is different, and each will require a unique perspective and approach. Most importantly, communicate with your loved ones.
For the current pandemic (this article was written during the 2020 coronavirus outbreak), I have the following triggers:
- If a child in my school district, or in any of the districts that we play in sports, has the disease, we bug them.
- If a co-worker’s family member tests positive, we bug in.
- In the event of a death in our county, we bug in.
- If there are multiple deaths in our town, we bug out.
Each of these triggers is very personal and situation-dependent. Study your current situation and establish your triggers.
When in doubt, listen to your local health officials, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), or the World Health Organization (WHO). They have been planning for this for years.
Keep your head, organize your plans, and we will all see each other on the other side of this coronavirus outbreak.
What to Stockpile for Pandemic Survival: 23 Essentials
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/wp-...rvival-pin.jpg
Wayne Clatterbuck provides tips on assessing and caring for residential trees damaged by storms
06/03/2025 // Ramon Tomey // 240 Views
Tags: disaster, Ecology, environ, extreme weather, preparedness, prepper, prepping, storm damage, storms, survival, tree damage, trees, University of Tennessee, Wayne Clatterbuck
https://www.naturalnews.com/wp-conte...-Beautiful.jpg
- Wayne Clatterbuck advises evaluating tree damage after a storm. Superficial harm may heal, but severe issues (e.g., major branch loss, trunk splits or uprooting) often require professional intervention or removal.
- For moderate damage, prune smaller branches back to larger ones with angled cuts near buds. Avoid stubs or flush cuts, and remove large branches carefully outside the branch collar. Safety is critical due to hazards like tension in limbs or downed power lines.
- Extensive damage, especially in large trees, warrants hiring a certified arborist (vetted for credentials and insurance). Avoid harmful practices like topping, which weakens trees.
- Trim torn bark into smooth, elongated shapes to aid recovery. Avoid wound dressings, as they trap moisture and hinder healing. Preserve foliage to support photosynthesis and energy recovery.
- Choose storm-resistant tree species (avoid brittle varieties), maintain tree health through proper care (watering, pruning, soil management) and remove hazardous trees proactively. Regular pruning (every 3–5 years) strengthens structure and reduces storm vulnerability.
Storm damage to residential trees can be devastating, leaving homeowners to deal with uprooted trunks, broken branches and stripped bark. Wayne K. Clatterbuck, from the University of Tennessee's Institute of Agriculture, provides essential guidance on the matter in "Storm-Damaged Residential Trees: Assessment, Care and Prevention."
Snow, ice, wind, hail and heavy rain are common culprits, causing dramatic destruction that ranges from split trunks to complete uprooting. The aftermath isn't just unsightly; it can stress trees, hinder growth and invite pests and diseases.
The first step after a storm is assessing the damage. Superficial harm may heal on its own, but severe damage – such as losing 30 to 50 percent of major branches or trunk splits – can be irreparable.
Different trees suffer differently. Mature trees often experience splits in the trunk, while younger trees may bend under ice or snow. Their recovery depends on the degree and duration of bending.
Blow-overs – caused by root failure from disease, shallow soil or saturation – are harder to remedy. Branches that break high up have a better chance of recovery than those that split near the trunk.
Once damage is assessed, proper care is crucial. For moderate pruning, smaller branches should be cut back to larger ones, making slanted cuts near buds to encourage new growth. Avoid leaving stubs as they hinder healing.
Large broken branches require careful removal outside the branch collar, never flush with the trunk, to prevent further injury. Safety is paramount when pruning; tension in broken limbs can cause dangerous kickback. Downed power lines and hanging branches pose additional hazards, so extreme caution is necessary.
For extensive damage, especially in large trees, hiring a certified arborist is recommended. Professionals from the International Society of Arboriculture should be vetted for insurance and references. Cutting large branches indiscriminately should be avoided, as it weakens trees and promotes unstable regrowth.
If bark is stripped, ragged edges should be trimmed into an elongated football shape to aid healing. Contrary to old practices, wound dressings are discouraged as they can trap moisture, attract pathogens and interfere with natural recovery. Trees need their remaining foliage for photosynthesis, so excessive pruning should be avoided to preserve their energy reserves.
Preventing storm damage is just as important as repairing it. Choosing the right tree species is key: Avoid brittle varieties like Siberian elm, willows and silver maple. Instead, opt for trees with strong, upright crowns and coarse branching patterns that resist wind and ice.
Maintaining tree health through proper watering, fertilization and avoiding soil compaction helps them withstand storms. Construction near trees should minimize root disturbance, and hazardous trees should be removed before they become a problem. Regular pruning every three to five years strengthens branch structure, reduces wind resistance and eliminates weak limbs.
While no tree is completely storm-proof, proactive care and prompt post-storm action can significantly reduce damage and improve recovery. By selecting resilient species, maintaining tree health and addressing damage quickly, homeowners can protect their trees and landscapes from nature's worst. Clatterbuck's advice underscores that prevention and timely intervention are the best defenses against storm-related tree damage.
Watch this video about Wayne K. Clatterbuck's "Storm-Damaged Residential Trees: Assessment, Care and Prevention."
This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
Brighteon.ai
Brighteon.com
Wayne Clatterbuck provides tips on assessing and caring for residential trees damaged by storms – NaturalNews.com
Easier Flashlight Mod Increases Run Time 3.6X
By luxstar in CircuitsLEDs
43,850
18
Introduction: Easier Flashlight Mod Increases Run Time 3.6X
https://content.instructables.com/F3...AwODo1MzozNS4w
About: Hello More About luxstar »
We are going to take a long run time flashlight (65 hours) and turn it into a longer run time flashlight (Update: The title of this Instructable says 3.6x run time but actual run time ended up being over 360 hours with a zinc carbon battery. That would be over 600 hours with an alkaline battery).
Yes it is another long run time flashlight hack. This one is easier than my other one. All you need a resistor, a soldering iron and this flashlight.
This Eveready flashlight model number 5109LSH15 (old model number 5109LSH7 or 5109LS) costs under $5 if you shop around. This is a great long run time flashlight to have even if you don’t do the modification.
Where to buy:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Eveready-...SH15/202802196
I like this flashlight because as is it has a long run time before the battery needs to be replaced. It is bright. It is cheap and it is easy to hack. You can do this hack in 10 or 15 minutes and most of that time will be waiting for your soldering iron to heat up.
The only thing about this flashlight that is less than optimum is that the 3 LEDS (original design. the new design has one high power LED) have a little too much current going through them. The LEDS appear to be “straw hat” type (20 milliamp) LEDS. Each LED has about 60 milliamps running through it.
Note: See the last step for the modification for the current version of this flashlight.
Here is a data sheet for a straw hat LED:
http://lighthouseleds.com/downloads/..._datasheet.pdf
The LEDS in this flashlight may be specially made to handle more current but in case they are not, this modification will bring the current down to a level that will insure tens of thousands of hours of LED life.
I chose to add a 56 ohm resistor to the circuit so each LED runs at about 16.5 milliamps. This will increase the run time by 3.6 times.
The other step by step instructable to make a long run time flashlight is here:
https://www.instructables.com/id/20-...Run-/?ALLSTEPS
Either one will be good to have in an extended power outage.
Step 1: Un-solder
https://content.instructables.com/FP...AxMDoyMDo0My4w
You will need to unscrew the black ring that hold the clear plastic cover on the front of the flashlight. Then remove the assembly shown in the picture above. Install the battery and re-assemble the flashlight. Test the flashlight to make sure it works. Remove the rind and assembly shown in the picture above. Un-solder one of the two red wires from it’s metal contact. I chose the one on the left.
Step 2: Solder the Resistor
https://content.instructables.com/FJ...AxMDoxNjo0MC4w
Now lets select a resistor. I chose a 56 ohm resistor which reduced the current in the circuit going to the 3 LEDS to 50 milliamps (it was 180 milliamps before the modification). Here are some other resistor values and the currents I measured:
44 ohms (two 22 ohm in series) = 56 milliamps
You may want to try out some other resistors for longer run time or higher brightness. I was going for 200+ hours of run time which is about a month of use if used 6 hours a day.
100 ohms = 31 milliamps
Solder one end of the resistor to the metal contact and the other end of the resistor to the wire that was originally attached to the metal contact.
Step 3: Testing
https://content.instructables.com/F2...AxMDoyMDo1MC4w
https://content.instructables.com/F3...AxMDoyMDo1Mi4w
The first picture shows the light from an unmodified flashlight on the left and a modified flashlight on the right. Note that the light on the right is produced using 3.6 times less power or about 28% of the power to produce the light on the left. The picture of the warning sign was taken using only the light from the modified flashlight at a distance of 18 feet (camera on zoom).
Long run time flashlights make great gifts. Make several for the people on your gift list. They are also great for emergencies. This one is good for a 3.6 x bigger emergency.
Update 11-10-12.
I started a test to see how long the batteries would last running 24 hours a day. The test started on the morning of 10-26-12. I was expecting a 200 hour run time. After 15 days (360 hours). The flashlight still puts out a usable amount of light. I can still read with it without any problem. I also got the opinion of a fellow flashlight enthusiast who thinks the flashlight is still useful for its intended purpose which is for the user to be able to easily see their way around the house in the dark and be able to easily read. The flashlight is noticeably dimmer than it was at the beginning of the test so I would conclude that this is a 360 hour flashlight. It has exceeded my expectations because the run time has been increased 5.5x. If I was using this flashlight 6 hours a day the test would have taken 60 days to get to this point. If this had been a real emergency I would gladly use this flashlight several more days.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please share. Here is the link to this instructable with all the steps on one page:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Eas...-36X/?ALLSTEPS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: 3-31-13:
If you want a long run time flashlight that is a little brighter try this one:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Ray...-600/?ALLSTEPS
It’s another easy 10 minute modification.
Step 4: UPDATE: 12/23/2014, MOD FOR NEW ONE LED VERSION OF THIS FLASHLIGHT
https://content.instructables.com/FF...AyMzoyMDoyNC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FK...AyMzoyMDoyNi4w
https://content.instructables.com/FT...AyMzoyMDoyNy4w
https://content.instructables.com/FO...AyMzoyMDoyOC4w
Eveready recently re-designed the 5109LS flashlight. The original flashlight had three round low power LEDS. The new version has one square high power LED. There are no exposed wires so one of the metal strips that connects the switch needs to be cut. The resistor of your choice is soldered across the cut. The current of the unmodified flashlight was in excess of 160 milliamps. I tested 3 resistors:
50 ohms = 50 milliamps
68 ohms = 44 milliamps
100 ohms = 32 milliamps
I like this version better than the original. It is an easier modification.
Step 5: LOCATOR LIGHT
https://content.instructables.com/FN...AwMDozMjowMC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FN...AwMDozMjowNC4w
To make it easy to find your modified flashlight in the dark you can add a second resistor. This resistor is electrically across the switch so that when the switch is open it is really a little bit closed. Pictured is a 100,000 (100K) ohm resistor. The current in the circuit with the flashlight "off" is 0.04 milliamps or 4 hundredths of a milliamp. This produces enough light to put a dim but visible spot on the ceiling in total darkness. This will run the battery down eventually but at a rate of less than 1000th the current when on (used with a 68 ohm resistor), The locator light should run for several years. I also tried a 200,000 ohm resistor which uses half the power.
Easier Flashlight Mod Increases Run Time 3.6X : 5 Steps - Instructables
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Meat: 28 Tips and Tutorials
Cambria Bold
updated Jul 25, 2023
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
https://cdn.apartmenttherapy.info/im...d71d2ae0e19d1d
(Image credit: The Kitchn)
How do you cook and shred a pork shoulder? How do you carve a roast chicken? How do you check the temperature on a turkey? What’s the secret to crispy skin? What’s the best way to package meat before freezing? The answers to all these, plus many, many more in our definitive tips, tricks, and techniques guide to MEAT.
Cooking Tutorials, Techniques, and Tips
• How to cook a turkey.
• How to cook moist and tender chicken breasts every time.
• How to cook and shred a pork shoulder.
• How to grind your own meat in the food processor.
• How to make meatballs.
• How to cook steak in the oven.
• How to cook and brown ground beef.
• How to sear meat.
• How to cook great ribs in the oven.
• How to roast a chicken (and then how to carve it)
• How to grind your own sausage.
• How to choose the best meat for beef stew.
• How to tell when your steak is done.
• How to brine meat.
• How to determine how much meat you should have per person.
• How to check the temperature on a turkey.
• The difference between braising and stewing.
How To Clean And Devein A Shrimp
Video at the page link
0:32
Flavoring, Freezing, and Thawing Tips
• For the best flavor, grill meat before braising.
• For the perfect steak, first freeze it solid, then cook for an hour.
• For crispy skin, season meat under the skin.
• How to package meat for freezing.
• How to freeze and thaw meat.
• The best way to reheat meat? Do it in a cast iron skillet.
Shopping and Prep
• A shopping guide to cheap cuts of beef.
• What to do if you don’t have a roasting rack.
• Find cheaper chicken at the meat counter.
• What to look for when shopping for beef.
It’s Reader Request Week at The Kitchn!
This post was requested by honeybun.
Originally published 11.8.2012.
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Meat: 28 Tips and Tutorials | The Kitchn
https://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com...sherpalogo.jpg
How to Make Firebricks (fire logs) and Wood Stove Logs for Free!
Posted on July 24, 2014 by Survival Sherpa
Today we’re proud to present another DIY project from a fellow Doing the Stuff Networker. Jamie Burke is a master at repurposing trash and junk. His latest project shared on our DTSN Facebook Group not only saves money, but would be very useful both now (free is always good) and after a SHTF event.
If you’d like to see more of how he and our other members are Doing the Stuff, join us on our journey to self-reliance and preparedness!
Here’s Jamie’s down and dirty tutorial…
https://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com...ng?w=470&h=704
Firebricks and Wood Stove Logs Tutorial
This process only requires: Two buckets, a drill (or stabbing weapon), piece of wood (or bottom of another bucket), kinda a custom drill bit, water. + your TRASH!
Out of all of the physical spam you receive in the mail, leaves you rake, dead foliage, paper towel rolls, paper plates, napkins, beer boxes, egg cartons, etc., etc., etc., (any biomass material you can think of) – why not turn it into useable logs for your furnace, campfire, or cooking? Just don’t use the plastic coated things.
I’ve seen ‘devices’ you can buy that makes ‘newspaper logs’, but they never seem efficient, require you to pre-shred, take way too much time and the logs are not very solid. This is a much better method and doesn’t really cost anything.
Step 1
Get two 5 gal buckets. $3 each at walmart. Drill a lot of holes in it, about 2 inches down from the lips and around 3/16 size-ish. I used a soldering iron. You can use a screw driver and stab holes all in there. Go around all the bucket and on the bottom. [Todd’s note: Buckets can be had for free at bakery’s and construction sites]
Holy bucket
Un-holy and holy
Step 2
Place the holy bucket inside the other normal bucket. Start putting your papers, leaves, bio material in it. Add your water and fill’r up. Doesn’t really matter if you have too much water. You can leave these buckets of water setup by the mailbox, then just walk by and toss stuff in.
Don’t judge my trashStep 3
You need a custom drill bit, which I have. A good thing to do is find an old table saw blade and weld it to s shaft of steel. This is “the hardest” part of this setup. Drill away and in seconds you will have a nice pulpy wet mess.
Drill attachment turns it into mulch
New and improved stirring attachment/zombie slayer
Step 4
Next, pull out the holy bucket and let it drain. I put the draining bucket on top of the other bucket to save the water – you can re-use the same water many times.
Reuse this water for your next batch
Step 5
You should have a press that goes far down into the bucket to press out the remaining water. I found a bucket that someone cut the bottom off.. well perfect. But you will probably want to place a bucket down on some wood, trace around the base and cut out that piece of wood to use as a press.
Pulp on the left. Found this next to my house (press). Or just trace a bucket on wood and cut out the wood piece for a press.
Step 6
Set your press inside the bucket over the pulp. Then I set the re-used water bucket inside of that bucket (because water is heavy). That will work over time. I also sat on it.. put my anvil on it.. and stood in it. It’s pretty quick. whatever heavy you have for the top.
https://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com...ng?w=470&h=470
Step 7
Now once most the water is pressed out – take it out to a sunny/dry place. Turn over the bucket and tap on the top. It will take some time to dry, depending on your location. We live in the desert so this will happen fast. If you want it to dry faster, cut these logs as you would a pizza, into sections.
The wet fire cake ready for drying
Once dry, these will burn a long time.. and cost you ~ nada.
Free firebricks dried in the desert!
Todd’s note: Hope you enjoyed Jamie’s tutorial. He’s a fine example of people who have traded theory for ACTION! Come check out all the other folks busy Doing the Stuff!
If you try it yourself, we’d like to know how it turns out.
Keep Doing the Stuff of self-reliance,
Todd
P.S. – You can also keep up with the Stuff we’re Doing on Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, YouTube and Facebook page… and over at the Doing the Stuff Network on Pinterest, Google +, and Facebook.
P.P.S – If you find value in our blog, Dirt Road Girl and I would appreciate your vote on Top Prepper Sites! You can vote daily by clicking here or on the image below. Check out all the other value-adding sites while you’re there…
https://i0.wp.com/www.topprepperwebsites.com/vote.gif
Thanks for Sharing the Stuff!
Copyright: Content on this site (unless the work of a third-party) may be shared freely in digital form, in part or whole, for non-commercial use with a link back to this site crediting the author. All links in articles must remain intact as originally posted in order to be republished. If you are interested a third-party article, please contact the author directly for republishing information.
How to Make Firebricks (fire logs) and Wood Stove Logs for Free! | Survival Sherpa
80+ Recipes For Home Canning: {Fruits & Vegetables}
Food Preservation
26 comments
This collection highlights garden fresh produce that is pickled, packed in syrups or just in water and I’ve sorted them alphabetically (by vegetable or fruit item) so it will be easy to find what you’re looking for.
This handy reference sheet lists dozens of different tutorials and recipes for canning assorted fruits and vegetables. I’ve handpicked these from around the net and focused on featuring those that are for long term storage (though there are a small number that go straight to the refrigerator, these are noted).
https://tipnut.com/wp-content/upload...06/shelves.jpgIt's Satisfying To Stock Up The PantryIf you’re more interested in jams, jellies and spreads, many have been already organized on this page: 100 Jams, Jellies & Marmalades.
Note: As with all the tips and lists here on Tipnut, this page will be updated as I come across new goodies so you may want to bookmark this page for reference.
Freebie Alert: Label your freshly packed and sealed jars with these free printables.
*Some recipes are similar to each other but still included because of the tips, slight ingredient tweaks or quality of tutorial each has to offer. Have fun!
Apples:
- Spiced Apples: Apples are grated (including peels), ingredients include sugar, Ceylon cinnamon, ground ginger, freshly grated nutmeg, ground cloves, Citric Acid. From Mrs. Wheelbarrow’s Kitchen.
Asparagus:
- Herbed Pickled Asparagus: Yields 4 pints, ingredients include white wine vinegar, water, granulated sugar, pickling or Kosher salt, fresh oregano and fresh marjoram. From Small Measure.
- Pickled Asparagus & Fiddleheads: Ingredients include thinly sliced onion, fresh asparagus, fresh fiddleheads, white wine vinegar, water, sugar, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, whole allspice, dried chilies, pickling or Kosher salt. From Backyard Farms.
- Pickled Asparagus With Lemon: Yields 6 – 12 oz jars. Ingredients include white vinegar, water, pickling salt, mustard seeds, peeled garlic cloves, sliced & seeded lemon. From My Pantry Shelf.
- Pickling Asparagus: Made with asparagus spears, white wine vinegar, water, dill seed, chili flakes, sea salt, sliced shallot, sliced garlic and wild garlic flowers (optional). From Laundry Etc.
- Pickled Asparagus: Yields 3 or 4 pint jars. Ingredients include distilled white or white wine vinegar (5% acidity), salt, slivered garlic, dill seed (optional), hot pepper flakes, whole allspice (optional), cumin seed (optional), coriander seed (optional). From The New York Times.
- Pickled Asparagus: Yields approximately 2 pints, ingredients include thick asparagus tips (4″ long), rice vinegar (4% acidity), water, Kosher salt, sugar, pickling spice and peeled garlic cloves. From Piccante Dolce.
- Spicy Pickled Asparagus: Yields 1 – 12 oz jar, ingredients include white vinegar, pickling salt, red pepper flakes, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, garlic cloves. From Sustainable Pantry.
Beets:
- How To Pickle Beets: Packed with a hot brine made of apple cider vinegar, sugar, whole cloves, whole anise berries and cinnamon sticks. From The Bower Family Happenings.
- Pickled Beets: Yields 4 pints. Made with small beets, cider vinegar, sugar, water, small whole onions (peeled), pickling salt, caraway seeds and mustard seeds. From Planet Green.
- Pickled Beets: Made with cider vinegar, brown sugar and beet juice (cooking water). From Brooke’s Food Blog.
- Red or Golden Pickled Beets: (for refrigeration) Makes 2 quarts. Ingredients include coriander seeds, yellow mustard seeds, dill seed, whole allspice, fenugreek seeds, whole cloves, crushed red pepper flakes, fresh bay leaves, white wine vinegar, dry white wine, sugar and coarse salt. From Martha Stewart.
- Pickled Beets: Beets are cooked until fork tender then packed with a boiling sugar and vinegar mix. From Sense and Simplicity.
- How To Make Pickled Beets: Beets are cooked, drained and skins are rubbed off before packing with brine (white vinegar, water, granulated sugar and pickling spice). From Playing In The Dirt.
Cabbage:
- Traditional Method For Making Sauerkraut: {Plus Tips}: Can be canned, frozen or refrigerated. From Tipnut.
- Turkish Fermented Cabbage: (refrigerate) Yields approximately 2 & 1/2 quarts. Ingredients include shredded white head cabbage, sea salt, minced garlic, minced ginger, aleppo pepper (or Korean, or Hungarian paprika & cayenne powder), sugar, water. From Tigress In A Pickle.
Carrots:
- Vietnamese Carrot & Radish Pickle: Ingredients include white vinegar, filtered water, sugar, grated ginger, julienned carrots, julienned dense radish (daikon or watermelon), whole star anise. From Married…with Dinner.
- Pickled Dill Carrots: Yields 5 pints, made with dill seeds, garlic cloves, water, vinegar and pickling salt. From Craving Greens.
- Spicy Pickled Carrots: Yields 5 pints. Made with 4 lbs. of carrots, water, white vinegar (5% acidity), apple cider vinegar (5% acidity), kosher salt, garlic clovers, sliced jalapeno (1 slice per jar), brown mustard seeds, celery seeds, coriander seeds, allspice berries, ground allspice, turmeric. From Hitchhiking to Heaven.
- Canning Carrots: Yields 7 pints. Ingredients include white vinegar, filtered water, pickling or canning salt, garlic cloves, fresh dill heads (or dried dill seeds), hot pepper flakes (optional) and 1-inch sticks of peeled carrots. From Local Kitchen.
- Spicy Pickled Carrots: Made with fresh, peeled carrots, distilled white vinegar, water, sugar, canning salt, dill seed, garlic cloves and hot pepper flakes. From Well Preserved.
- Pickled Carrots With Habanero: Yields 12 pints. Ingredients include 10 pounds of multi-colored carrots (cleaned and quartered), cider vinegar, water, salt, honey, coriander seeds, black pepper, sprigs of thyme and habanero slices. From Winebook Girl.
Cauliflower:
- Pickled Cauliflower, Carrots & Red Bell Pepper: Yields approximately 3 pints, ingredients include coriander seeds, black or brown mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cider vinegar, crushed & peeled garlic, fresh ginger, yellow onion, sugar, Kosher salt, black peppercorns, ground turmeric, crushed red pepper flakes, cauliflower florets, sliced carrots and diced red bell pepper. From Fine Cooking.
- Pickled Cauliflower: Makes 4 quarts, ingredients include coriander seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, dried hot chilies, dried thyme, white vinegar, water and pickling or Kosher salt. From Hunter Angler Gardener Cook.
- Pickled Cauliflower: Ingredients include coriander seeds, turmeric, cumin seeds, black mustard seeds, bay leaves, dried chile de arbols (split), carrot, red onion, white wine vinegar (at least 5% acidity), sugar and Kosher salt. From Saveur.
Cherries:
- Preserved Cherries: Ingredients include pitted Bing cherries, water, salt, sugar, lemon juice, almond extract. Process in a water-bath canner for long term storage. From The Washington Post.
- Cherries In Wine: Yields 4 pints, ingredients include red wine, sugar, orange juice, whole cloves, orange zest and pitted Bing cherries. From Orange County Register.
- Pickled Sour Cherries: (refrigerate for up to one year) Ingredients include white vinegar, water, sugar, peppercorns, bay leaves, sour cherries. from David Lebovitz.
- Pickled Cherries with 5 Spice Blend: (refrigerate) Yields 2 quarts, ingredients include sweet or sour cherries (stems and pits intact), cherry vinegar or red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, Szechuan peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, star anise, whole cloves and whole fennel seeds. From She Simmers.
Cucumbers:
- See this list of homemade pickles and this tip sheet for troubleshooting tips.
Figs:
- Fig Pickles: Yields about 8 pints. Ingredients include sugar, water, vinegar, cinnamon, whole allspice and whole cloves. From National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Green Beans: (Plus a couple for yellow or wax beans)
- Hot Dilly Beans: Ingredients include cayenne pepper, whole garlic cloves, heads of dill, distilled vinegar, pickling or Kosher salt and water. From Lori’s Lipsmacking Goodness.
- Lemon Spiced Bean Pickle: Makes 3 pints, ingredients include green beans (or a 50/50 mix of green and yellow beans), cider vinegar, water, pickling salt, granulated sugar, pickling spice, lemon rind. From Sidewalk Shoes.
- Canning Green Beans: Pressure canning: tightly packed jars of fresh green beans are topped with salt then boiling water poured over to fill jars (cold pack method), sealed then processed in a pressure canner. From Krista’s Kitchen.
- Lemon Rosemary Pickled Green Beans: Makes 6 half-pints, ingredients include water, white wine vinegar, kosher or pickling salt, sugar, garlic cloves, rosemary sprigs and strips of lemon zest. From The Washington Post.
- Pickled Green Beans: Makes 10 pints, ingredients include crushed red pepper flakes, mustard seeds, dill seed, garlic cloves, vinegar, water and salt. From Homestead Revival.
- Dilly Beans: Ingredients include trimmed green beans, cayenne pepper, dill seed, garlic cloves, white vinegar, water and pickling salt. From Food in Jars.
Yellow String Beans or Wax Beans:
- Sweet & Sour Wax Beans: Makes 4 pints. Ingredients include 1-inch pieces of wax beans, white vinegar, sugar, celery seed, ground ginger, dried summer savory or basil, bay leaves. From The Crispy Cook.
- Pickled Yellow Wax Beans: (single jar, store in refrigerator) Ingredients include garlic cloves, coriander seed, small hot chili, black peppercorns, bay leaf, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, dry white wine, water, Kosher salt and sugar. From The Amateur Gourmet.
Onions:
- Golden Crunchy Pickled Onions: Yields 12 pints. Onions are sliced into 1/4″ thick rings and packed with cloves, peppercorns, mustard seed and celery seed. Syrup ingredients include vinegar, water, sugar, salt, turmeric and cinnamon. From Foodie With Family.
- Sweet Onion Pickles: Ingredients include thinly sliced red onions, apple cider vinegar, water, Kosher salt, sugar, white mustard seed, peppercorns and coriander seed, celery seed, caraway seed, cloves and a bay leaf. From Voodoo & Sauce.
Peaches:
- Brandied Peaches: Makes 2 pints, peaches are packed with syrup (water and sugar) then topped with brandy. From The New York Times.
- Peaches In Lavender Syrup: Yields 6 quarts and made with white peaches, water, sugar (to make a light syrup) and dried lavender flowers. From Saving The Season.
- Spicy Bourbon White Peach Pickles: Makes between 2 and 3 half pint jars. Ingredients include granulated sugar, brown sugar, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, bourbon, water, cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger root, red pepper flakes, yellow mustard seeds and cloves. From Leena Eats.
- Georgia Pickled Ginger Peaches: Makes approximately 2 quarts, ingredients include vitamin C tablets (crushed), distilled white vinegar, sugar, knot of ginger (sliced into coins), cinnamon sticks, ground allspice and whole cloves. From Tigress Can Jam.
- Niagara Peaches in Cardamom Vanilla Bean Syrup: Made with Niagara or medium-sized southern peaches, water, granulated sugar, vanilla bean and cardamom pods. From Piccante Dolce.
- Texas Peach Pickles: Makes 6 to 7 pints, ingredients include small texas peaches (peeled, pitted and halved), lemon juice or crushed vitamin ca tablets, distilled white vinegar, organic cane sugar, knob of ginger (peeled and left whole), whole cloves, whole allspice and cinnamon sticks. From The Cosmic Cowgirl.
- Rum & Syrup Packed Peaches: Ingredients include white sugar and water for a light syrup and a tablespoon of rum per 1 litre jar. From Putting Up With The Turnbulls.
- How To Can Peaches: Yields about 32 pints and made with a bushel of peaches, sugar and water (for syrup). From Shiny Cooking.
Pears:
- Vanilla Pears: Ingredients include sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, whole vanilla beans and whole cloves. From Stitch and Boots.
- Canned Pears With Star Anise: Ingredients include syrup (1:2 sugar, water), lemon juice and star anise. From Doris and Jilly Cook.
- Spiced Canned Pears: Made with a bushel of firm, ripe pears, sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, whole star anise. Makes about 14 quarts or 28 pints. From Straight from the Farm.
- Belgian Pears: Pears are simmered several hours with white granulated sugar and white wine vinegar before packing in jars. From The Cottage Smallholder.
- Canned In Vanilla Syrup: Yields 4 quarts, made with citric acid (or lemon juice), firm Bartlett pears, sugar, water, vanilla bean, peppercorns and brandy (optional). From Put Up or Shut Up.
- Canned Pears: Gives tips for canning firm pears vs. ripe, soft pears. Made with lemon juice, medium syrup (water and sugar). From Mostly Foodstuffs.
- Mulled In Red Wine: Yields 2 (32 ounce) jars. Granulated sugar, dry red wine, lemon juice, handful of cloves, cinnamon stick and star anise. From Creating Nirvana Today.
Peas:
- Sugar Snap Pea Pickles: (refrigerate) Yields 1 pint, ingredients include distilled white vinegar, cold water, canning salt, turbinado or raw sugar, sliced garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, white peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds and sugar snap peas with strings removed. From eat.repeat.
- Pressure Canning Peas: Fresh garden peas are shelled, packed in jars and topped with salt and boiling water. Processed in a pressure canner (basic instructions plus video tutorials). From Homestead Acres.
Peppers:
- Savory Pickled Peppers: Ingredients include white vinegar, water, sugar, olive oil, diced onion, diced carrots, peppers, dried oregano, bay leaves. From The Kitchn.
- Fire Roasted Peppers In Red Wine Vinegar: Yields 3 pints. Made with sweet peppers (first charred on a hot woodfire or beneath the broiler), red wine vinegar, water, sugar, non-iodized salt, whole garlic cloves and good olive oil. From Saving the Season.
- Pickled Hot Cherry Peppers: Yields 2 quarts and 1 pint, ingredients include hot cherry peppers, garlic cloves, bay leaves, whole black peppercorns, white-wine vinegar, water, sugar and coarse salt. From Martha Stewart.
- Pound of Pickled Peppers: Ingredients include both sweet and hot peppers (such as banana, fresno and jalapeno), an onion, cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, bay leaf, coriander, cumin seeds, dried oregano, garlic cloves and black peppercorns. From Sippity Sup.
Plums:
- Whole Plums In Honey Syrup: Made with honey, water, cinnamon sticks, a vanilla bean and star anise. From Food In Jars.
- Canned In Syrup: Whole plums are packed in a medium syrup (2:1 water, sugar) and processed in a hot water bath. From Mostly Foodstuffs.
Potatoes:
These must be pressure canned (for safety) and there’s not much variation in prepping (wash potatoes, cube, pack in jars, top with salt and hot water then process). Here are a couple tutorials to get you started:
- How To Can Potatoes: From No Ordinary Homestead.
- Canning Potatoes: From Becky’s Farm Life.
Pumpkin, Squash & Zucchini:
- Chunky Zucchini Pickles: Yields 6 (500mL) jars. Ingredients include finely chopped onions, pickling or canning salt, granulated sugar, Clearjel (or cornstarch), dry mustard, ground ginger, ground turmeric, water, white vinegar, red bell pepper. From Putting Up With The Turnbulls.
- Pattypan Pickles: Yields 2 pints. Made with pattypan squash or a mix of yellow & green zucchini, pickling salt, garlic cloves, fresh ginger, lemon zest, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, chile flakes, dried Thai pepper. Brine: water, white vinegar, cider vinegar, pickling salt and raw sugar. Processed in a boiling water bath. From Local Kitchen.
- Canned Squash or Pumpkin: (pressure canning) Squash or pumpkin is cubed then blanched, packed in jars then topped with boiling water before processing. From Your Home Kitchen Garden.
- Pumpkin Pickles: Made with lemon, sugar, cider vinegar, fresh ginger (peeled and finely chopped), cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns, salt, sugar pumpkin. From Reader’s Digest.
Radishes:
- Radish Relish: (can be stored for up to one year) Ingredients include distilled white vinegar, sugar, Kosher salt, whole coriander, cumin seed, yellow mustard seed, shredded radishes (2 pounds), diced onion, a knob of ginger (peeled and grated), minced garlic cloves. From Baking with Lisa.
- Pickled Radishes: (refrigerate) Yields 1 pint, ingredients include red wine vinegar, granulated sugar, water, salt, yellow mustard seed (or brown), dash of coriander, whole black peppercorns and a dried bay leaf. From Canning with Kids.
Tomatoes:
https://tipnut.com/wp-content/upload.../06/visit1.jpgTo remove skins, see this tip sheet: How To Skin Tomatoes: {Step By Step}
- Tomatoes Packed In Water: Instructions for both raw-pack and hot-pack methods, canned with bottled lemon juice or citric acid and salt (optional). From The Bitten Word.
- Canning Crushed Tomatoes: Makes about 4 quarts, tomatoes are peeled first, cut in quarters, mashed and heated before canning (with either citric acid, bottled lemon juice or 5% acidity vinegar). From Hippo Flambe.
- Canning Roasted Tomatoes: First roasted (tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, thyme, olive oil) then canned (lemon juice or balsamic vinegar).
- Grandma’s Canned Tomatoes: Yield is 4 quarts, made with tomatoes (3 lbs for each quart you want to make), Kosher salt and lemon juice. From food52.
- Canning Tomatoes: This recipe includes packing tomatoes with herbs, chiles, spices (optional). From Chow Times.
- Canned Tomatoes: Makes 4 quarts or 8 pints, use plum or small Jersey tomatoes, coarse salt and citric acid. From Whole Living.
- Pickled Green Tomatoes: Try Romas, grape or cherry tomatoes, canned with garlic, olive oil (optional), pickling spice, spicy peppers, fresh dill and powdered alum. From Andrea Meyers.
- Pickled Green Tomatoes: Ingredients include jalapeno chile, cumin seeds, peppercorns, celery seed, dill seed, minced garlic, white vinegar and sea salt. Makes 2 pints or 1 quart. From Homesick Texan.
- You’ll find a few recipes for canning salsa here.
- Looking for ways to use up a bounty of green tomatoes? See this list here.
80+ Recipes For Home Canning: {Fruits & Vegetables}
80+ Recipes For Home Canning: {Fruits & Vegetables}
Food Preservation
26 comments
This collection highlights garden fresh produce that is pickled, packed in syrups or just in water and I’ve sorted them alphabetically (by vegetable or fruit item) so it will be easy to find what you’re looking for.
This handy reference sheet lists dozens of different tutorials and recipes for canning assorted fruits and vegetables. I’ve handpicked these from around the net and focused on featuring those that are for long term storage (though there are a small number that go straight to the refrigerator, these are noted).
https://tipnut.com/wp-content/upload...06/shelves.jpgIt's Satisfying To Stock Up The PantryIf you’re more interested in jams, jellies and spreads, many have been already organized on this page: 100 Jams, Jellies & Marmalades.
Note: As with all the tips and lists here on Tipnut, this page will be updated as I come across new goodies so you may want to bookmark this page for reference.
Freebie Alert: Label your freshly packed and sealed jars with these free printables.
*Some recipes are similar to each other but still included because of the tips, slight ingredient tweaks or quality of tutorial each has to offer. Have fun!
Apples:
- Spiced Apples: Apples are grated (including peels), ingredients include sugar, Ceylon cinnamon, ground ginger, freshly grated nutmeg, ground cloves, Citric Acid. From Mrs. Wheelbarrow’s Kitchen.
Asparagus:
- Herbed Pickled Asparagus: Yields 4 pints, ingredients include white wine vinegar, water, granulated sugar, pickling or Kosher salt, fresh oregano and fresh marjoram. From Small Measure.
- Pickled Asparagus & Fiddleheads: Ingredients include thinly sliced onion, fresh asparagus, fresh fiddleheads, white wine vinegar, water, sugar, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, whole allspice, dried chilies, pickling or Kosher salt. From Backyard Farms.
- Pickled Asparagus With Lemon: Yields 6 – 12 oz jars. Ingredients include white vinegar, water, pickling salt, mustard seeds, peeled garlic cloves, sliced & seeded lemon. From My Pantry Shelf.
- Pickling Asparagus: Made with asparagus spears, white wine vinegar, water, dill seed, chili flakes, sea salt, sliced shallot, sliced garlic and wild garlic flowers (optional). From Laundry Etc.
- Pickled Asparagus: Yields 3 or 4 pint jars. Ingredients include distilled white or white wine vinegar (5% acidity), salt, slivered garlic, dill seed (optional), hot pepper flakes, whole allspice (optional), cumin seed (optional), coriander seed (optional). From The New York Times.
- Pickled Asparagus: Yields approximately 2 pints, ingredients include thick asparagus tips (4″ long), rice vinegar (4% acidity), water, Kosher salt, sugar, pickling spice and peeled garlic cloves. From Piccante Dolce.
- Spicy Pickled Asparagus: Yields 1 – 12 oz jar, ingredients include white vinegar, pickling salt, red pepper flakes, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, garlic cloves. From Sustainable Pantry.
Beets:
- How To Pickle Beets: Packed with a hot brine made of apple cider vinegar, sugar, whole cloves, whole anise berries and cinnamon sticks. From The Bower Family Happenings.
- Pickled Beets: Yields 4 pints. Made with small beets, cider vinegar, sugar, water, small whole onions (peeled), pickling salt, caraway seeds and mustard seeds. From Planet Green.
- Pickled Beets: Made with cider vinegar, brown sugar and beet juice (cooking water). From Brooke’s Food Blog.
- Red or Golden Pickled Beets: (for refrigeration) Makes 2 quarts. Ingredients include coriander seeds, yellow mustard seeds, dill seed, whole allspice, fenugreek seeds, whole cloves, crushed red pepper flakes, fresh bay leaves, white wine vinegar, dry white wine, sugar and coarse salt. From Martha Stewart.
- Pickled Beets: Beets are cooked until fork tender then packed with a boiling sugar and vinegar mix. From Sense and Simplicity.
- How To Make Pickled Beets: Beets are cooked, drained and skins are rubbed off before packing with brine (white vinegar, water, granulated sugar and pickling spice). From Playing In The Dirt.
Cabbage:
- Traditional Method For Making Sauerkraut: {Plus Tips}: Can be canned, frozen or refrigerated. From Tipnut.
- Turkish Fermented Cabbage: (refrigerate) Yields approximately 2 & 1/2 quarts. Ingredients include shredded white head cabbage, sea salt, minced garlic, minced ginger, aleppo pepper (or Korean, or Hungarian paprika & cayenne powder), sugar, water. From Tigress In A Pickle.
Carrots:
- Vietnamese Carrot & Radish Pickle: Ingredients include white vinegar, filtered water, sugar, grated ginger, julienned carrots, julienned dense radish (daikon or watermelon), whole star anise. From Married…with Dinner.
- Pickled Dill Carrots: Yields 5 pints, made with dill seeds, garlic cloves, water, vinegar and pickling salt. From Craving Greens.
- Spicy Pickled Carrots: Yields 5 pints. Made with 4 lbs. of carrots, water, white vinegar (5% acidity), apple cider vinegar (5% acidity), kosher salt, garlic clovers, sliced jalapeno (1 slice per jar), brown mustard seeds, celery seeds, coriander seeds, allspice berries, ground allspice, turmeric. From Hitchhiking to Heaven.
- Canning Carrots: Yields 7 pints. Ingredients include white vinegar, filtered water, pickling or canning salt, garlic cloves, fresh dill heads (or dried dill seeds), hot pepper flakes (optional) and 1-inch sticks of peeled carrots. From Local Kitchen.
- Spicy Pickled Carrots: Made with fresh, peeled carrots, distilled white vinegar, water, sugar, canning salt, dill seed, garlic cloves and hot pepper flakes. From Well Preserved.
- Pickled Carrots With Habanero: Yields 12 pints. Ingredients include 10 pounds of multi-colored carrots (cleaned and quartered), cider vinegar, water, salt, honey, coriander seeds, black pepper, sprigs of thyme and habanero slices. From Winebook Girl.
Cauliflower:
- Pickled Cauliflower, Carrots & Red Bell Pepper: Yields approximately 3 pints, ingredients include coriander seeds, black or brown mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cider vinegar, crushed & peeled garlic, fresh ginger, yellow onion, sugar, Kosher salt, black peppercorns, ground turmeric, crushed red pepper flakes, cauliflower florets, sliced carrots and diced red bell pepper. From Fine Cooking.
- Pickled Cauliflower: Makes 4 quarts, ingredients include coriander seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, dried hot chilies, dried thyme, white vinegar, water and pickling or Kosher salt. From Hunter Angler Gardener Cook.
- Pickled Cauliflower: Ingredients include coriander seeds, turmeric, cumin seeds, black mustard seeds, bay leaves, dried chile de arbols (split), carrot, red onion, white wine vinegar (at least 5% acidity), sugar and Kosher salt. From Saveur.
Cherries:
- Preserved Cherries: Ingredients include pitted Bing cherries, water, salt, sugar, lemon juice, almond extract. Process in a water-bath canner for long term storage. From The Washington Post.
- Cherries In Wine: Yields 4 pints, ingredients include red wine, sugar, orange juice, whole cloves, orange zest and pitted Bing cherries. From Orange County Register.
- Pickled Sour Cherries: (refrigerate for up to one year) Ingredients include white vinegar, water, sugar, peppercorns, bay leaves, sour cherries. from David Lebovitz.
- Pickled Cherries with 5 Spice Blend: (refrigerate) Yields 2 quarts, ingredients include sweet or sour cherries (stems and pits intact), cherry vinegar or red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, Szechuan peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, star anise, whole cloves and whole fennel seeds. From She Simmers.
Cucumbers:
- See this list of homemade pickles and this tip sheet for troubleshooting tips.
Figs:
- Fig Pickles: Yields about 8 pints. Ingredients include sugar, water, vinegar, cinnamon, whole allspice and whole cloves. From National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Green Beans: (Plus a couple for yellow or wax beans)
- Hot Dilly Beans: Ingredients include cayenne pepper, whole garlic cloves, heads of dill, distilled vinegar, pickling or Kosher salt and water. From Lori’s Lipsmacking Goodness.
- Lemon Spiced Bean Pickle: Makes 3 pints, ingredients include green beans (or a 50/50 mix of green and yellow beans), cider vinegar, water, pickling salt, granulated sugar, pickling spice, lemon rind. From Sidewalk Shoes.
- Canning Green Beans: Pressure canning: tightly packed jars of fresh green beans are topped with salt then boiling water poured over to fill jars (cold pack method), sealed then processed in a pressure canner. From Krista’s Kitchen.
- Lemon Rosemary Pickled Green Beans: Makes 6 half-pints, ingredients include water, white wine vinegar, kosher or pickling salt, sugar, garlic cloves, rosemary sprigs and strips of lemon zest. From The Washington Post.
- Pickled Green Beans: Makes 10 pints, ingredients include crushed red pepper flakes, mustard seeds, dill seed, garlic cloves, vinegar, water and salt. From Homestead Revival.
- Dilly Beans: Ingredients include trimmed green beans, cayenne pepper, dill seed, garlic cloves, white vinegar, water and pickling salt. From Food in Jars.
Yellow String Beans or Wax Beans:
- Sweet & Sour Wax Beans: Makes 4 pints. Ingredients include 1-inch pieces of wax beans, white vinegar, sugar, celery seed, ground ginger, dried summer savory or basil, bay leaves. From The Crispy Cook.
- Pickled Yellow Wax Beans: (single jar, store in refrigerator) Ingredients include garlic cloves, coriander seed, small hot chili, black peppercorns, bay leaf, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, dry white wine, water, Kosher salt and sugar. From The Amateur Gourmet.
Onions:
- Golden Crunchy Pickled Onions: Yields 12 pints. Onions are sliced into 1/4″ thick rings and packed with cloves, peppercorns, mustard seed and celery seed. Syrup ingredients include vinegar, water, sugar, salt, turmeric and cinnamon. From Foodie With Family.
- Sweet Onion Pickles: Ingredients include thinly sliced red onions, apple cider vinegar, water, Kosher salt, sugar, white mustard seed, peppercorns and coriander seed, celery seed, caraway seed, cloves and a bay leaf. From Voodoo & Sauce.
Peaches:
- Brandied Peaches: Makes 2 pints, peaches are packed with syrup (water and sugar) then topped with brandy. From The New York Times.
- Peaches In Lavender Syrup: Yields 6 quarts and made with white peaches, water, sugar (to make a light syrup) and dried lavender flowers. From Saving The Season.
- Spicy Bourbon White Peach Pickles: Makes between 2 and 3 half pint jars. Ingredients include granulated sugar, brown sugar, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, bourbon, water, cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger root, red pepper flakes, yellow mustard seeds and cloves. From Leena Eats.
- Georgia Pickled Ginger Peaches: Makes approximately 2 quarts, ingredients include vitamin C tablets (crushed), distilled white vinegar, sugar, knot of ginger (sliced into coins), cinnamon sticks, ground allspice and whole cloves. From Tigress Can Jam.
- Niagara Peaches in Cardamom Vanilla Bean Syrup: Made with Niagara or medium-sized southern peaches, water, granulated sugar, vanilla bean and cardamom pods. From Piccante Dolce.
- Texas Peach Pickles: Makes 6 to 7 pints, ingredients include small texas peaches (peeled, pitted and halved), lemon juice or crushed vitamin ca tablets, distilled white vinegar, organic cane sugar, knob of ginger (peeled and left whole), whole cloves, whole allspice and cinnamon sticks. From The Cosmic Cowgirl.
- Rum & Syrup Packed Peaches: Ingredients include white sugar and water for a light syrup and a tablespoon of rum per 1 litre jar. From Putting Up With The Turnbulls.
- How To Can Peaches: Yields about 32 pints and made with a bushel of peaches, sugar and water (for syrup). From Shiny Cooking.
Pears:
- Vanilla Pears: Ingredients include sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, whole vanilla beans and whole cloves. From Stitch and Boots.
- Canned Pears With Star Anise: Ingredients include syrup (1:2 sugar, water), lemon juice and star anise. From Doris and Jilly Cook.
- Spiced Canned Pears: Made with a bushel of firm, ripe pears, sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, whole star anise. Makes about 14 quarts or 28 pints. From Straight from the Farm.
- Belgian Pears: Pears are simmered several hours with white granulated sugar and white wine vinegar before packing in jars. From The Cottage Smallholder.
- Canned In Vanilla Syrup: Yields 4 quarts, made with citric acid (or lemon juice), firm Bartlett pears, sugar, water, vanilla bean, peppercorns and brandy (optional). From Put Up or Shut Up.
- Canned Pears: Gives tips for canning firm pears vs. ripe, soft pears. Made with lemon juice, medium syrup (water and sugar). From Mostly Foodstuffs.
- Mulled In Red Wine: Yields 2 (32 ounce) jars. Granulated sugar, dry red wine, lemon juice, handful of cloves, cinnamon stick and star anise. From Creating Nirvana Today.
Peas:
- Sugar Snap Pea Pickles: (refrigerate) Yields 1 pint, ingredients include distilled white vinegar, cold water, canning salt, turbinado or raw sugar, sliced garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, white peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds and sugar snap peas with strings removed. From eat.repeat.
- Pressure Canning Peas: Fresh garden peas are shelled, packed in jars and topped with salt and boiling water. Processed in a pressure canner (basic instructions plus video tutorials). From Homestead Acres.
Peppers:
- Savory Pickled Peppers: Ingredients include white vinegar, water, sugar, olive oil, diced onion, diced carrots, peppers, dried oregano, bay leaves. From The Kitchn.
- Fire Roasted Peppers In Red Wine Vinegar: Yields 3 pints. Made with sweet peppers (first charred on a hot woodfire or beneath the broiler), red wine vinegar, water, sugar, non-iodized salt, whole garlic cloves and good olive oil. From Saving the Season.
- Pickled Hot Cherry Peppers: Yields 2 quarts and 1 pint, ingredients include hot cherry peppers, garlic cloves, bay leaves, whole black peppercorns, white-wine vinegar, water, sugar and coarse salt. From Martha Stewart.
- Pound of Pickled Peppers: Ingredients include both sweet and hot peppers (such as banana, fresno and jalapeno), an onion, cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, bay leaf, coriander, cumin seeds, dried oregano, garlic cloves and black peppercorns. From Sippity Sup.
Plums:
- Whole Plums In Honey Syrup: Made with honey, water, cinnamon sticks, a vanilla bean and star anise. From Food In Jars.
- Canned In Syrup: Whole plums are packed in a medium syrup (2:1 water, sugar) and processed in a hot water bath. From Mostly Foodstuffs.
Potatoes:
These must be pressure canned (for safety) and there’s not much variation in prepping (wash potatoes, cube, pack in jars, top with salt and hot water then process). Here are a couple tutorials to get you started:
- How To Can Potatoes: From No Ordinary Homestead.
- Canning Potatoes: From Becky’s Farm Life.
Pumpkin, Squash & Zucchini:
- Chunky Zucchini Pickles: Yields 6 (500mL) jars. Ingredients include finely chopped onions, pickling or canning salt, granulated sugar, Clearjel (or cornstarch), dry mustard, ground ginger, ground turmeric, water, white vinegar, red bell pepper. From Putting Up With The Turnbulls.
- Pattypan Pickles: Yields 2 pints. Made with pattypan squash or a mix of yellow & green zucchini, pickling salt, garlic cloves, fresh ginger, lemon zest, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, chile flakes, dried Thai pepper. Brine: water, white vinegar, cider vinegar, pickling salt and raw sugar. Processed in a boiling water bath. From Local Kitchen.
- Canned Squash or Pumpkin: (pressure canning) Squash or pumpkin is cubed then blanched, packed in jars then topped with boiling water before processing. From Your Home Kitchen Garden.
- Pumpkin Pickles: Made with lemon, sugar, cider vinegar, fresh ginger (peeled and finely chopped), cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns, salt, sugar pumpkin. From Reader’s Digest.
Radishes:
- Radish Relish: (can be stored for up to one year) Ingredients include distilled white vinegar, sugar, Kosher salt, whole coriander, cumin seed, yellow mustard seed, shredded radishes (2 pounds), diced onion, a knob of ginger (peeled and grated), minced garlic cloves. From Baking with Lisa.
- Pickled Radishes: (refrigerate) Yields 1 pint, ingredients include red wine vinegar, granulated sugar, water, salt, yellow mustard seed (or brown), dash of coriander, whole black peppercorns and a dried bay leaf. From Canning with Kids.
Tomatoes:
https://tipnut.com/wp-content/upload.../06/visit1.jpgTo remove skins, see this tip sheet: How To Skin Tomatoes: {Step By Step}
- Tomatoes Packed In Water: Instructions for both raw-pack and hot-pack methods, canned with bottled lemon juice or citric acid and salt (optional). From The Bitten Word.
- Canning Crushed Tomatoes: Makes about 4 quarts, tomatoes are peeled first, cut in quarters, mashed and heated before canning (with either citric acid, bottled lemon juice or 5% acidity vinegar). From Hippo Flambe.
- Canning Roasted Tomatoes: First roasted (tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, thyme, olive oil) then canned (lemon juice or balsamic vinegar).
- Grandma’s Canned Tomatoes: Yield is 4 quarts, made with tomatoes (3 lbs for each quart you want to make), Kosher salt and lemon juice. From food52.
- Canning Tomatoes: This recipe includes packing tomatoes with herbs, chiles, spices (optional). From Chow Times.
- Canned Tomatoes: Makes 4 quarts or 8 pints, use plum or small Jersey tomatoes, coarse salt and citric acid. From Whole Living.
- Pickled Green Tomatoes: Try Romas, grape or cherry tomatoes, canned with garlic, olive oil (optional), pickling spice, spicy peppers, fresh dill and powdered alum. From Andrea Meyers.
- Pickled Green Tomatoes: Ingredients include jalapeno chile, cumin seeds, peppercorns, celery seed, dill seed, minced garlic, white vinegar and sea salt. Makes 2 pints or 1 quart. From Homesick Texan.
- You’ll find a few recipes for canning salsa here.
- Looking for ways to use up a bounty of green tomatoes? See this list here.
80+ Recipes For Home Canning: {Fruits & Vegetables}
Homestead Survival
How To Make an Emergency Sanitation Porta Potty Toilet
This how to make and emergency sanitation porta potty toilet is simple and inexpensive way to deal with body waste functions during a disaster when the water service to your home has been interrupted....
Please take a moment to share this post, "like" or make a comment - it helps to keep our posts in your newsfeed.
Even a quick " Hi" is awesome !
This how to make and emergency sanitation porta potty toilet is simple and inexpensive way to deal with body waste functions during a disaster when the water service to your home has been interrupted.
Materials needed:
- 1 – pool flotation noodle (Found at the 99 cent store)
- 1 – 5 gallon bucket (Home Depot – 2.78)
- 1 – white tall kitchen bag (scented ones would be a bonus for this use)
- 1 - roll of toilet paper
Directions:
Slit the pool noodle halfway through the whole length of the pool noodle.
Place a tall white kitchen bag over the rim of the 5 gallon bucket.
Place the pool noodle along the top of the 5 gallon bucket securing the tall white kitchen trash bag in place.
Firmly pull one side of metal handle on the 5 gallon bucket off, thread a roll of toilet paper onto the metal handle and replace back into the handle base notch.
Puget Sound Preppers came up with this great idea, bless them for it.
With simple modifications, this could be an excellent camping porta potty toilet as well.
Cut off the bottom of the 5 gallon bucket and do not use a tall white kitchen trash bag.
Dig a shallow hole, use bucket for peronal body waste needs, remove bucket and fill dirt back in hole covering waste. This adds more stability for elderly and small children, instead of squatting. Personally as a woman, I am so tired of accidentally peeing on my foot after waking up and crawling out of my tent at the crack of dawn. (True story – I am not a morning person)
How To Make an Emergency Sanitation Porta Potty Toilet - The Homestead Survival
Does Bugging Out = Becoming a Refugee
By Storm in Bug Out, Prepping, SHTF, Survival
Share the knowledge!Does Bugging Out = Becoming a Refugee
https://www.thepreparedpage.com/wp-c...orrefugees.jpgPhoto from The Office of RefugeesThere are folks that feel bugging out is the only option. I think truthfully many more plan to bug in than vocalize their intentions. Those that have a plan A to bug out are more quiet about their bug out location then they are about their plan to bug out. Preppers whose first plan is to bug in are already in their bug out locations. So it is wiser to stay silent about their plans. They don’t want to become the bug out location for everyone who knows you and didn’t prepare. Their preps could easily become the entire community’s plan B!
I personally think bugging out is only something one should do when there isn’t another option and if you have a personal prearranged pre-stocked bug out location outside the disaster area. (But this is only my personal opinion, everyone has to think about their own situation while prepping.) If you can run from the disaster, than not to do so isn’t prudent.
If we are talking about a nation wide crisis it will be everywhere. There will be no safe area to run to. The idea of living off the land really should be as temporary as possible a solution to survival. Living off the land could become the equivalent of becoming a refugee. Eventually the preps you were able to carry will run out. Those that have a bug out location, will fight off any attempts to take their supplies from them. But if a constant target they could perhaps be forced to hit the road again for their own safety. Under those circumstance you should be willing to join another group working your way into their good graces and earning your keep in their encampment. Which could become a permanent haven the same as an unofficial refugee camp eventually.
Some say they would leave the country. But most likely as refugees, if you are an American you could find that you would be the lest welcome of all the refugees in other countries. Even though the United States has taken in hundreds of thousand of refugees since its founding. You could become a refugee on the road perhaps permanently.
The featured article below from SHTF Plan speaks to the idea of those bugging out becoming refugees and really is a subject you should consider when planning to bug out.
https://www.thepreparedpage.com/wp-c...99488492_n.jpgThis is an aggregated site, please be aware some of the sites we link you to could have pop ups and that we have no control over them. However, we will never link you to a site that requires you to make any purchase or join anything to view the article.
Please read our disclaimer. We provide you with information from various sites all over the world. The author’s expressed opinion isn’t necessarily that of The Prepared Page or its staff. Our intent is to bring you the information. It is up to you to use common sense and your own best judgment when using any information contained within the articles.
Does Bugging Out = Becoming a Refugee - The Prepared Page
How to Build a Safe Emergency Wilderness Shelter
Pin7894.1KSHARES
Share3.3K
Tweet
Jump To:
Whether you’re heading on a low-cost camping trip or you get stranded out in the wilderness without many supplies, knowing how to build an emergency wilderness shelter is incredibly important.
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/wp-...ry-shelter.jpg
Types of Emergency Wilderness Shelter
A temporary emergency wilderness shelter can get you through the night no matter where you are.
Depending on where you are in the wilderness, there are many different ways to build a shelter. However, the types of emergency wilderness shelters tend to break down into two categories:
- poncho shelters
- natural shelters
If you have a poncho Mylar survival blanket or some other kind of waterproof material, you can make a poncho shelter.
One of these should be included in every bug-out bag. If you don’t have any of those things, you’re going to need to make a natural shelter.
Poncho Shelters
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....hL._SS300_.jpg
USGI Industries Military Poncho Emergency Tent Shelter
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....fL._SS300_.jpg
Ripstop SilNylon Poncho and Emergency Shelter –
Lean-To Poncho Shelter
There are a few different kinds of poncho shelters.
The most basic kind of poncho shelter is a lean-to. A lean-to is a shelter made with two points of contact. You will need to stretch your poncho tight. Attach it to the ground and then lean it at a 45-degree to a fixed structure.
If you are in the desert or other dry areas, you might be able to find a rock outcropping or a short tree. You can then attach the top of the poncho to the tree at a 45-degree angle. When you do this, make sure that the structure is very stable.
Also, take a few minutes to figure out which way the wind blows. You want the lean-to facing into the wind. That will keep wind, rain, and sand from blowing into your shelter.
If you cannot find a sufficient rock wall or sufficiently large tree, you can build the lean-to by creating the second point of contact. If two trees are close together, you can string a rope between them. Tie the top of the poncho to the rope and affix it to the ground. Just that quickly, you have a quality lean-to.
How to Stay Warm in Your Poncho Shelter
If you are in a dry area, you might be surprised by how quickly the temperature can drop when the sun goes down.
To maintain a comfortable temperature in your lean-to, you can build a fire outside of your lean-to. Since you need to keep the fire away from the poncho and not so close that you inhale smoke, a lot of heat will be lost.
To reduce the loss of heat, you can construct a firewall. A firewall is any type of structure that is on the opposite side of the fire from your shelter. That will cause light and heat to bounce towards your shelter.
In a sandy environment, you can actually just build a sand or earth embankment.
If you have wood available, a wall can be built by driving two sticks into the ground vertically and tying other branches to them. Paracord is probably the easiest way to tie items together; it is truly an indispensable survival tool.
Poncho Tent
The other type of poncho or Mylar blanket shelter is a poncho tent. Whereas a poncho lean-to has two points of contact, a poncho tent has three points of contact.
To build the poncho tent, string a rope between two trees or rock outcroppings. Make sure you pull the rope taut. Then, drape the poncho or Mylar blanket over the rope. Secure it to the ground on both sides to form an A-shaped tent.
This type of shelter requires a larger poncho than a lean-to but it will protect you from wind and rain more completely. It will also keep you a little bit warmer.
Building a fire outside of the tent and supporting it with a firewall will keep you warm throughout the night.
Natural Shelters
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/wp-...al-shelter.jpg
In contrast to poncho shelters that require ponchos and ropes, a natural shelter can be made with things found in the wilderness. The types of earthen shelters are actually similar to the poncho shelters but made from different resources.
A lean-to is still the simplest type of shelter. If you are anywhere that you can find branches, you will be able to build a quick lean-to. If the weather has been dry for a while, you might even be able to gather branches off the ground. Otherwise, you’ll need to cut green branches off of a tree.
To cut branches off a tree, you can use an axe, hatchet, or saw. If you’re cutting small branches or if you’re walking far, you want a hatchet. They’re easier to carry.
An axe is going to be much heavier and longer, which means you’ll be able to cut larger branches. You can see a more in-depth comparison of axes and hatchets here.
How to Build Your Natural Lean-To Shelter
To find the right branches for your lean-to, you need two long branches that are about the same length. These will form the roof of the lean-to. Then, decide how wide you need your lean-to. It should probably be at least wide enough for you to lay down completely.
Then, use your axe or hatchet to cut down several branches long enough to make a roof. If you can find large elephant ear leaves, palm fronds, or similarly large leaves, you will be able to make a roof out of these. A vine of some sort is a great substitute for rope or twine. If you can’t find vines, you can use an axe or knife to cut thin strips of green wood; while they’re still green, they can be used to tie branches to your lean-to.
A natural tent is made by essentially building two sides to a lean-to and leaning them against each other.
Underground Shelters
The final kind of natural shelter is actually an underground shelter. Underground shelters can be thirty or forty degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the outside air. However, the earth holds heat much better than the air. That makes them the perfect natural shelter for deserts.
To build the underground shelter, find a depression between rocks or dunes. If you can’t find a rock or dune, dig at least deep and wide enough that you can lie down comfortably. Pile up all of the dirt or rocks that you remove from the trench.
Finally, you need to create a partial roof over the top of your trench. If you have leaves or branches, you can use sand or rocks to anchor the branches as a roof.
Related: check out this guide to underground bunkers.
If you have a poncho, it won’t be a completely natural shelter, but it will be the easiest way to create a partial roof for your underground shelter.
Conclusion
These four kinds of shelters, two natural and two poncho, can keep you warm and dry no matter where you find yourself.
Learn how to create an emergency wilderness shelter for practice, before you actually needed it. If you are stranded in the wilderness or just testing your wilderness survival skills, keep these shelters in mind.
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/wp-...ss-shelter.jpg
4.1KSHARES
Pin789
Share3.3K
Tweet
By Author SHTFPreparedness
Posted on Last updated: June 28, 2024
Categories Security & Shelter
How to Build a Safe Emergency Wilderness Shelter
10 Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones
1. Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, and Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
The combination of lemon juice, olive oil, and raw apple cider vinegar is one of my favorites and, in my opinion, one of the most effective remedies for kidney stones and the discomfort they cause. At the first symptom of stone pain, mix 2 ounces of organic olive oil with 2 ounces of organic lemon juice.[2]
Drink it straight and follow with a 12-ounce glass of purified water. Wait 30 minutes. Then, squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon into 12 ounces of purified water, add one tablespoon of organic raw apple cider vinegar and drink. Repeat the lemon juice, water and apple cider vinegar recipe every hour until symptoms improve.
2. Uva Ursi
Uva ursi is a common folk remedy for kidney stones. Not only will it help discourage infection in the kidneys, but it may also help reduce discomfort and cleanse the urinary tract. According to some, 500mg three times a day is recommended for kidney stones.[3]
3. Dandelion Root
Organic dandelion root is a tool to cleanse the kidneys and support normal kidney function.[4] Taking up to 500 mg twice a day may be beneficial.
4. Kidney Beans
The shape of this bean may remind you of it's healing potential. Kidney beans are an excellent source of magnesium, which helps reduce symptoms associated with kidney stones.[5] Traditionally the pods were used as a medicinal tonic.[6]
Try removing the beans from inside the pods, and then boil the pods in purified hot water for six hours. This liquid can be strained through cheese cloth, cooled and taken throughout the day for one day to ease kidney stone pain.
5. Horsetail
Horsetail tea is an effective, natural diuretic that helps you flush excess water and uric acid from your kidneys.[7] Drink up to 3-4 cups of horsetail tea daily or take 2 grams of the herb in capsule form daily.
6. Pomegranate Juice
We've all heard that pomegranates have many health benefits. But, more specifically, the seeds and juice of pomegranates can be considered another natural remedy for kidney stones.[8] This may be related to their sour nature and astringent properties. I prefer to eat organic pomegranates and drink freshly-squeezed pomegranate juice.
7. Magnesium
Studies show that people with recurrent kidney stones who took magnesium supplements showed significant improvement in symptoms.[9] Magnesium orotate is one of the best sources of magnesium.[5]
8. Organic Celery
Celery in vegetable form and celery seeds are great urine-promoters and kidney tonics. Regular use of celery seed as a spice or a tea may discourage kidney stone formation.[6]
9. Basil
Basil tea supports the kidneys and can be taken throughout the day for proper fluid, mineral, and uric acid balance.[10] If you have kidney stones, try taking one teaspoon each of basil juice with raw honey daily for up to six months. Some believe that folk remedies with pure basil juice can help induce stone expulsion from the urinary tract.
10. Change in Diet
Unhealthy food is a primary cause of kidney stones. Cut down on the amount of soda and energy drinks you consume.[11] Avoid processed food and alcoholic beverages. Add more fibrous fruits and veggies to your diet, especially those listed above.[5]
11. Bonus! Inversion Table
It sounds odd, but some research suggests using an inversion table can help pass stone fragments after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, in short, is when a targeted shock wave is sent through the body to break up stones. It seems that inversion therapy helps the body pass the broken stones.[12]
I also recommend reading the book "The Green Body Cleanse" to learn how to select foods that support kidney health.
Remember, an ounce of maintenance is worth a pound of cure. I highly recommend that you keep your kidneys functioning normally by performing a kidney cleanse twice a year. Try Global Healing’s Kidney Cleanse Kit — a powerful combination of our very best supplements for supporting normal kidney health. Our kidney cleanse kit is formulated to detoxify, flush and purge the kidneys of built up toxins, kickstarting your natural healing mechanisms and promoting whole-body health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFc8LhHpnrA
Easily Cleanse Your Kidneys
Length: 90 Seconds
Easily Cleanse Your Kidneys
References (13) †Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Posted in: Cleansing > Kidney Cleanse, Health > Men's Health, Health > Whole Body Wellness > Kidney and Urinary, Health > Women's Health,
10 Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones
Survival pharmacy: 5 Medicinal herbs you can easily grow indoors
06/04/2025 // Evangelyn Rodriguez // 60 Views
Tags: alternative medicine, apartment gardening, container gardening, emergency medicine, goodhealth, goodmedicine, grow your medicine, Herbs, homesteading, how-to, indoor gardening, natural cures, natural medicine, off grid, plant medicine, preparedness, prepper, prepping, survival, survival medicine, tips
https://www.naturalnews.com/wp-conte...mesteading.jpg
- Growing herbs indoors provides year-round natural remedies, especially useful for urban dwellers or those with limited outdoor space.
- Easy to grow in containers, chamomile's dried flowers make a calming tea for anxiety and insomnia, thriving in bright, indirect light.
- A low-maintenance succulent, aloe vera's gel treats burns and skin irritations; it prefers sunny spots and minimal watering.
- Fast-growing and pest-repellent, peppermint aids digestion and headaches; prune regularly to keep it bushy in indoor pots.
- Echinacea (immune-boosting) needs strong grow lights, while thyme (antimicrobial) thrives in sunlight, helping with respiratory issues and sore throats.
For urban dwellers and homesteaders alike, growing medicinal herbs indoors offers a sustainable way to maintain good health year-round. With limited outdoor space or harsh winters restricting traditional gardening, cultivating healing plants inside your house ensures a steady supply of natural remedies.
From soothing chamomile to immune-boosting echinacea, these herbs can thrive in pots on windowsills or under grow lights. (Related: 5 Best plants for natural pain relief: A prepper’s guide to herbal medicine.)
Medicinal herbs that are easy to grow indoors
Here are five versatile plants that can flourish indoors and provide fresh, homegrown relief for common ailments:
Chamomile: Nature's calming remedy
Chamomile, renowned for its gentle sedative properties, is an ideal indoor herb for stress relief and digestive support. German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) grows well in containers, requiring only bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.
Harvest chamomile's daisy-like flowers once they are fully bloomed. Dry them and make a soothing herbal tea that can alleviate anxiety or insomnia. Unlike finicky tropical plants, chamomile tolerates cooler indoor temperatures, making it a low-maintenance choice for beginners.
Aloe vera: the first-aid powerhouse
A staple in kitchens and bathrooms, aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) thrives indoors with minimal care. Its thick, succulent leaves contain a gel that is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds and is perfect for treating burns, cuts and skin irritations.
Place aloe vera in a sunny south-facing window and water sparingly, as overwatering is its primary enemy. To use, simply snap off a leaf, slice it open and apply the gel directly to affected areas.
Peppermint: digestive relief at your fingertips
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a vigorous grower, making it well-suited for indoor containers—provided it's kept in check. Peppermint's menthol-rich leaves can aid digestion, relieve headaches and repel pests like ants.
Grow peppermint in a pot with drainage holes near a bright window and harvest leaves as needed for fresh tea or tinctures. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and prevents legginess.
Echinacea: master immune booster
Often called purple coneflower, echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is prized for its immune-stimulating properties. While it typically grows outdoors, dwarf varieties adapt well to indoor settings under strong grow lights.
Echinacea roots and flowers can be used to make tinctures and teas that help combat colds. For best results, mimic echinacea's native prairie conditions with ample light and occasional deep watering. (Related: Digging to wellness: New research proves gardening dramatically improves mental health without medication.)
Thyme: a potent antimicrobial
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) isn't just a culinary staple—its natural antiseptic qualities make it valuable for treating respiratory infections. This hardy Mediterranean herb flourishes indoors with at least six hours of sunlight daily.
Use fresh or dried thyme leaves in steam inhalations to relieve congestion or brew thyme leaves to make a sore-throat gargle.
Growing medicinal herbs indoors bridges the gap between modern living and traditional self-reliance. Whether for chamomile's calming effects or aloe's skin-healing prowess, these plants deliver practical benefits without demanding extensive space or expertise. By incorporating them into home gardens (indoors or outdoors), health-conscious individuals can take control of their wellness—one potted herb at a time.
Visit Herbs.news for more on medicinal plants that can serve as emergency medicine when SHTF.
Watch the following video for more indoor gardening tips.
This video is from the HeatherStarr channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Home gardening for preppers: 7 Medicinal herbs you can propagate from cuttings.
Prepper medicine: Combat antibiotic resistance with these medicinal herbs.
Tips for growing your own food without a garden, even if you live in a tiny apartment.
How to start an indoor garden in your apartment.
Garden fresh: Low-effort planting and chemical-free pest control.
Sources include:
Brighteon.ai
UrbanSurvivalSite.com
Brighteon.com
Survival pharmacy: 5 Medicinal herbs you can easily grow indoors – NaturalNews.com
Crunchy Dill Pickle Recipe
By Sharon Peterson
March 9, 2023
This page may contain affiliate links. More Information.
Finally, I have a crunchy dill pickle recipe!
No matter what dill pickle recipe you use, I highly recommend you use fresh-picked, small pickling cucumbers. I try for no bigger than my thumb. Anything too much bigger gets made into relish or bread and butter pickles.
I also recommend canning this dill pickle recipe in pints. Quarts must be processed longer, so they tend to get mushy (at least in my home canning pickles experience).
https://www.simplycanning.com/wp-con...p-1024x536.jpgTable of Contents
Jump to Recipe
Label your jars with pretty printable Canning Labels! Check them out.
- Dill Pickle Recipe: Extended, Step-By-Step Directions
- Looking to Make the Best Dill Pickles? Try the Low Temperature Process…
- Quick, Fresh-Pack Dill Pickles
- Dill Pickles Tips & FAQs
- How Long Do Dill Pickles Need to Cure or Set Before I Eat Them?
- How Long Will Homemade Pickles Keep Once I Open the Jar?
- Can I Reuse Brine that I Used for My Dill Pickles Previously?
- Why are My Pickles are Shriveled or Soft? Why Don’t My Homemade Pickles Look Nice?
- Slices vs. Whole Cucumbers
- Too Little Brine…
- What’s the White Film on the Bottom of a Jar of Pickles?
- Related Pages
- Corn Relish Recipe
- Bread & Butter Pickles
- Pickle Recipes
My Latest Videos
Video at the page link
Dill Pickle Recipe: Extended, Step-By-Step Directions
The first part of this dill pickle recipe is done the day before you plan on canning. The pickles need to soak overnight in a brine, then the next day you will fill your jars and process.
Ingredients:
- 8 pounds of 3-4 inch pickling cucumbers
- 2 gallons water
- 1 1/4 cups canning or pickling salt
- 1 1/2 quarts vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 quarts water
- 2 Tbsp. whole mixed pickling spice (I use a homemade recipe – click here.)
- whole mustard seed (1-2 tsp per pint jar)
- fresh dill (1 to 1 1/2 heads per pint jar) or dill seed (1 to 1 1/2 tsp. per pint jar)
- 1 garlic clove per jar (optional)
https://www.simplycanning.com/wp-con...bel-scaled.jpgUse these specially made canning labels to dress up your gift giving.
Dill Pickles Canning Labels
Preparing Your Cucumbers the Day Before
For this dill pickle recipe, on day one, wash your cucumbers and thinly slice off the blossom end. (The blossoms have an enzyme that will make your cucumber pickles soft.) The sooner you do this after picking, the better.
Add 3/4 cup salt dissolved in 2 gallons water. Soak cucumbers in water for 12 hours. Drain and get your canning supplies together.
Making & Canning Crunchy Pickles
Gather Canning Supplies for Your Dill Pickle Recipe:
- water bath canner
- canning jars
- canning seals and rings
- jar lifter
- canning funnel
- large pot
- bowls
- large spoons
- sharp knife
- towels and dish cloths
- pot or kettle for the brine
- ladle
- cheesecloth
Get the water in your canner heating while you prepare your cucumber pickles.
Combine vinegar, 1/2 cup salt, sugar, and 2 quarts of water. Place pickling spices in a cheesecloth bag and place in your vinegar brine. Heat to boiling.
Tip: I use my stainless steel teapot to make my brine, as it makes filling the jars super easy! For more tips and canning safety instructions, see Simply Canning…the book.Fill jars with drained cucumbers.
Add:
- 1-2 tsp. mustard seed per pint
- 1 to 1 1/2 heads fresh dill or 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. dill seed per pint
- 1 garlic clove per jar (optional)
Fill jars with hot pickling brine, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace.
I’ve included dill pickle recipe directions below for both a regular hot water bath, and the low temperature process dill pickle recipe.
The timing for the two methods is different. Be sure you are using the correct time with the correct method for making this dill pickle recipe.
Hot Water Bath Processing
The processing time for this dill pickle recipe will vary according to your elevation. See chart below for your processing time. Read why altitude adjustments matter here.
Looking to Make the Best Dill Pickles? Try the Low Temperature Process…
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bWADVdSiIlE/hqdefault.jpg
This dill pickle recipe comes from the NCHFP website. It is safe for low temperature processing. If you are not familiar with low temperature pasteurization, please read this article. Then come back for processing directions.
Remember to use a thermometer and monitor your time carefully.
https://www.simplycanning.com/wp-con...ll-pickles.jpg Have your canner ready and half full of warm water, about 120 to 140 degrees F. Also have a kettle or other pot of hot water ready.
Place your filled jars in the half-full canner. Now add hot water to 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Turn on your heat and warm water to 180 to 185 degrees. Use your thermometer and be sure this is maintained for 30 minutes. This is longer than the time indicated in the regular water bath processing.
When 30 minutes is complete, turn your heat off and remove your jars to a counter to cool. Check the seals after the jars are completely cooled off. I usually leave mine until the next day and check, label, and store them.
Dill Pickle Recipe: Finally, I'm Getting the Crunch! SimplyCanning
31 Cool Games and Crafts Using Pool Noodles
Featured, Outdoor Playpool activities
Share
Pin5K
5K Shares
This is how to play cool games and make fun summer crafts using foam pool noodles. You and your kids will have so much fun with these pool noodle activities, decorating, preschool learning tools, and all of the amazing pool noodle games you can play!
Pool noodles can be purchased at the Dollar Store and therefore are a really cheap way to entertain your kids and the neighbor kids this summer!
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...able-image.jpgGet ready for some fun adventures with pool noodle games and crafts!
In case you’re new here, “Hi! I’m Laurie” and Tip Junkie has thousands of craft and DIY tutorials, most with pictured tutorials. You can always type any word or topic into the search bar if you’re looking for more ideas on what to make or sew with step-by-step instructions. {wink}
Do you have a great pool noodle activity? If so, share it on Facebook and tag @TipJunkie or Instagram using #TipJunkie so I can feature you and inspire fellow Tip Junkie’s with your fabulous idea. I will always give proper credit as I’m all about promoting creative women! {squeal in delight}
DIY Pool Noodle Decorating Crafts
Pool noodles come in an array of colors, and can be shaped and cut into different pieces. Let your imagination run wild and create beautiful crafts.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...36-500x425.jpg
1. How to make an adorable summer wreath out of a pool noodle, fabric, and some felt by Fox Hollow Cottage.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...34-500x333.jpg
2. This project by Dollar Store Mom is so simple, and really adds such a bright and playful element to your outdoor decor- plus it’s weather-proof!
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl..._1-500x375.jpg
3. How to turn a pair of noodles into some nifty room decor by Makezine and make these darling pool noodle wall flower garland.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...27-500x666.jpg
4. Cut pool noodles into flowers with a kitchen knife and then attach to some straws for a fun little table decor, preschool play group snack, or just for fun by Obsessively Stitching. Classy drinks can turn into fun activities with this craft.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_33.jpg
5. Create a bouquet of flowers for Mother’s Day, or any occasion with this tutorial by No Time for Flash Cards. Write on each leaf something your child says they like about mom.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...6/noodle_6.jpg
6. This headboard by Design Dazzle was created using several of them stacked on top of one another. Check out the dollar stores during the summer and you can create this headboard for cheap.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_23.jpg
7. A chair and ottoman by Design Milk is made entirely of foam noodle-like tubes, like the ones kids play with in a pool.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...6/noodle_7.jpg
8. You can easily transform round pool noodles into mint decorations with just some fishing line and ribbon. Now you have a cute pool noodle candy cane. *Update: blog link is no longer available. Here’s another tutorial from WikiHow to make the pool noodle candy canes.
Cool Pool Noodle Games & Backyard Sports
No need to go to the pool or beach! Cool pool games & backyard sports to stay cool this summer in your backyard, park, or even at school. You’ll surely enjoy these minute to win it games with pool noodles!
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_30.jpg
9. How to make a target station from Parents by joining rings into colorful targets for flying disks, soccer balls, javelin throws and more. Stakes keep the target upright. More fun activities coming up!
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_31.jpg
10. Want more fun activities with pool noodles? Duct-tape six rings to one another, then tape them to thicker (3 1/2-inch-wide) hollow pool noodle posts to make this agility jump by Parents. You don’t need a javelin to make this super fun activity.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...dle-Soccer.jpg
11. Here are some fun activities you can do with kids. How to make a fun outdoor game using pool noodles, like this fun noodle course hoop jump by Tip Junkie. You can use them to jump over, crawl under, or as wickets for crochet or soccer games. As we know, there are more things to make than just pool noodle candy cane.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_35.jpg
12. Cut a few swimming noodles in two, so that you have one half for each player. Scatter 20 or so blown-up balloons on the ground around a laundry basket for a fun summer game by Parents. Such a fun minute to win it games with pool noodles! Be careful not to throw a pool noodle javelin at each other.
Pool Noodle Activities for Kids
These pool noodle activities are fun for kids and adults alike. Not to mention easy to setup and inexpensive. Use the pool noodle for these fun activities with kids.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...26-500x312.jpg
13. How to create a number game for preschoolers by Planet of the Apels. It works on number recognition and one-to-one correspondence!
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl..._9-500x375.jpg
14. This is a great activity by My Little Gems that’s perfect for pre-schoolers and even kindergarteners. In fact, it is going to be one of my centers in pre-school this year. It is a great way to practice patterns.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...14-500x505.jpg
15. Depending on the skills you’d like to work on with your tot, use a permanent marker to write on the pieces. Totally Tots made an ABC set and Numbers 1-20 set. You could also leave some blank and use them for patterns.
Games to play:
- Lace the “giant” beads on a piece of the clothesline or rope. (Motor Skills)
- Lace the beads in ABC order. (Motor skills & Literacy)
- Lace the beads in Number order. (Motor skills & Math)
- Lace the beads to spell words or names. (Motor skills & Literacy)
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_25.jpg
16. Make noodle chain links by Teach Preschool. The children made long and short chains and one little boy put his together to make a motorcycle. This looks like a colorful chain of pool noodle candy cane!
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...21-500x666.jpg
17. My kids love this activity. They will race marbles for hours. It’s a perfect indoor activity for a rainy day or can be taken outside so you can enjoy some sunshine. I hope you’ll give it a try and have as much fun with it as we have! *Update: blog link is no longer available.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...ace-Track-.jpg
Here’s another pool noodle race track tutorial from Ramblings from Utopia.
Pool Noodle Summer Fun
Even if you don’t know how to swim or don’t have access to a pool, you can still have fun with a pool noodle. You don’t need to play minute to win it games with pool noodles with the little kids. Here are some pool noodle activities to engage your family or an activity group.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_18.jpg
18. These are not for javelin throws. The pool noodles by Heather Sitarzewski were decorated with crepe streamers (it’s what I had on hand, although in hind sight I wish I had used the colored duct tape.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...6/noodle_8.jpg
19. Kids can practice their placekicking — and increase the challenge as their aim improves — with this adjustable goalpost made with these pool noodle games. *Update: blog link is no longer available.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...20-500x375.jpg
20. This real-life Harry Potter Quidditch tournament by Savage Earth is made with pool noodles as the broomsticks, the orange nerf ball is the quaffle, and the two small red ones are bludgers, and hula hoops for the goals.
Pool Noodle Crafts
Pool noodles are a quick and cheap way to create simple toys and games for children. Here are some ideas for making the most of your pool noodle. Find some 5-minute crafts for kids that involve pool noodles, an inexpensive and common item found at home and at the pool store.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...22-500x278.jpg
21. Easy-to-make no sew felt cupcakes by Frugally Blonde that can be made for pennies each out of pool noodles, pom poms, and felt. Yep, 5-minute crafts are here!
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...6/noodle_2.jpg
22. How to make a sculpture that floats by The Chocolate Muffin Tree. This a great activity that you can bring outside or in the bathtub too. All you need is some cut up pool noodles and toothpicks.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_37.jpg
23. How to make fun figures and sculptures out of cut up pool noodles and golf tees. More cute and easy 5-minute crafts coming up! *Update: blog link is no longer available.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...6/Noodle_3.jpg
24. Simply put some tempera paint in some recycled lids and put a cut noodle in each one and we were ready to print/paint. *Update: blog link is no longer available. Here is another pool noodle painting tutorial from Fun a Day.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...13-500x310.jpg
25. How to Make Star Wars lightsabers out of pool noodles for a birthday party or just for fun by Muddy Boots. Here are more safe 5-minute crafts for kids to make.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_12.jpg
26. Quickly craft a creepy, crawly spider costume for your little one by using old pool noodles and a bathmat to create the effect of spider legs by Woman’s Day.
Pool Noodle Home Tips
Plain old pool noodles can be transformed into furniture, toys, games, and more. Read our collection of pool noodle projects.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...11-500x375.jpg
27. How to cover the metal handle of a shopping cart to protect your baby while shopping by Living My Life on Purpose.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...16-500x375.jpg
28. Do you have a toddler who doesn’t fit in a play yard anymore? Or perhaps you co sleep and can’t bring all the comforts of home on your trip. Well I found a solution by Andy-Pandy, Jacky-Dandy.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_24.jpg
29. With some PVC pipe, some connectors, a tarp, zip ties and voila! The Made In The Shade pool shade was invented. *Update: blog link is no longer available.
30. Cool pool noodle hacks from 5 Minute Crafts that you’ll love.
Pool Noodle Backyard Wet & Wild Activities
Pool noodles are great for more than just floating on the water. Learn how to play with pool noodles the right way and how to enjoy more wet and wild backyard activities here.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...6/Noodle_4.jpg
30. How to turn one into a super squirter that can be used to launch all sorts of fun and games, such as the High Water Jump shown here. *Update: blog link is no longer available. Here is another tutorial by Make it & Love it that you may like.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl.../noodle_19.jpg
31. The Kid Wash is crafted almost entirely from PVC pipe, a material we love not just for its low cost (about $30 for all the pieces shown here) and durability, but also for its ease of use (with all those interconnecting pieces — it’s like Tinkertoys for grown-ups). Now this is not a minute to win it games with pool noodles, just some wet and wild fun time. *Update: blog link is no longer available.
https://tipjunkie.com/wp-content/upl...ol-Noodles.jpg
More Outdoor Games and Activities from Tip Junkie:
- Looking for boredom buster games for outdoors? These fun relay races for kids is your answer.
- Here are some really fun water games to play outside with the kids and their friends!
- Check out these fab swimming pool games for kids to cool down the summer heat.
- Do you know a pool noodle craft called wreath? Here are more ideas how to make wreaths for all seasons (especially winter!).
- The kids will have a blast celebrating American Touch Tag Day outside ! Check out these ideas.
- Here are more Christmas wreath crafts you and your little one can make this Christmas season.
- Complete the holiday seasons with these wreath projects. They can work sweetly as a gift too!
- Looking for more creative crafts? These DIY pencil craft ideas are the bomb.
- Have a wonderful birthday party with these cool DIY carnival games!
Time Tip: If you’re looking for something specific, type in any word in the Search Box and you’ll receive tons of creative DIY and how-to make tutorials.
31 Cool Games and Crafts Using Pool Noodles – Tip Junkie
Prepping 101: How ambidexterity can boost your survival skills
06/05/2025 // Zoey Sky // 10 Views
Tags: ambidexterity, ambidextrous, dominant hand, how-to, mixed-handedness, off grid, preparedness, prepper, prepping, prepping skills, survival, survival skills, Survival Tips, survivalist
https://www.naturalnews.com/wp-conte...e-Notebook.jpg
- Ambidexterity means using both hands equally well, while mixed-handedness means using different hands for different tasks. True ambidexterity is rare, but training your non-dominant hand improves adaptability.
- Survival scenarios demand versatility. If your dominant hand is injured, you must still perform critical tasks like starting a fire, using tools, or shooting accurately.
- Shooting with either hand is crucial and training your off-hand for trigger control, reloading and aiming can save your life in emergencies.
- Tool and knife skills must be ambidextrous. Things like carving, chopping and food prep can become dangerous if you cansurvivalt use both hands effectively. Train by practicing daily tasks with your off-hand. Tasks like writing, carrying loads and even brushing teeth build muscle memory. Firearm and strength drills also help.
- Survival depends on adaptability. Even small improvements in off-hand skills can make a life-or-death difference. Start training now to be prepared for any situation.
In a survival situation, every skill counts, especially the ones people often take for granted. One of the most overlooked yet critical abilities is ambidexterity, or the capacity to use both hands with equal skill.
Whether you're facing an injury, navigating a crisis, or trying to improve your self-reliance, being able to function with either hand can make a life-or-death difference. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)
What it means to be ambidextrous
Most people have a dominant hand, either left or right, that they instinctively rely on for tasks like writing, throwing or using tools. Ambidexterity means being equally proficient with both hands.
While true ambidexterity is rare, mixed-handedness, or being able to use different hands for different tasks, is more common. The key difference? Skill versus preference.
A truly ambidextrous person can perform complex tasks, like writing or shooting, just as well with either hand. Individuals with mixed-handedness might switch hands based on the task, such as writing with the right hand but throwing with the left.
But why does this matter in survival scenarios?
Ambidexterity matters in survival
Imagine you're injured in the wilderness, and your dominant hand is out of commission.
Can you still:
- Start a fire?
- Use a knife?
- Shoot accurately?
- Carry heavy loads?
If not, you're at a serious disadvantage. Here's how ambidexterity, or at least mixed-handed competence, can be a game-changer.
Shooting with either hand
In a high-stress situation, gun handling is one of the most critical skills where handedness matters. If you're injured or forced into an awkward position, being able to shoot with your non-dominant hand could save your life.
Drawing and reloading one-handed is a skill practiced by tactical shooters. Trigger control can be trained using different fingers if your usual trigger finger is injured.
Training with your off-hand improves muscle memory, ensuring you're not caught off guard in an emergency.
Working with tools
From knives to hatchets, survival often depends on tool proficiency. If you can only split wood or carve efficiently with one hand, an injury could leave you struggling. (Related: Prepping 101: How to build a reliable firestarting kit for blackouts and bug-out bags.)
Woodworking and repair tasks often require ambidextrous handling. Knife skills, such as skinning game, cutting rope or crafting tools, demand precision in both hands.
Practicing with your non-dominant hand builds dexterity and strength, making you more adaptable.
Carrying heavy loads
Most people have one arm that's stronger, but what if you injure your dominant arm?
Hauling firewood, water or gear becomes much harder if you rely on one side. Uneven strength can lead to fatigue or injury in long-term survival scenarios.
Balanced strength training ensures you can manage heavy loads regardless of which arm is available.
Processing game and food prep
Cleaning and preparing game is a two-handed job. If you can't grip, cut or stabilize with both hands, butchering becomes dangerous due to the risk of slipping knives or improper cuts. Food contamination risks also increase if handling is clumsy.
Practicing ambidextrous knife skills ensures you can process meat safely, even under duress.
How to train ambidexterity for survival
The good news? You can train yourself to be more ambidextrous. Like any skill, it takes practice, but the payoff is immense.
Start with simple tasks
Brush your teeth with your off-hand. You can also try using utensils or opening jars with your non-dominant hand.
Write or draw basic shapes to improve fine motor control.
Firearm and tool training
Shoot with your off-hand at the range and practice reloading drills one-handed.
Use knives, axes and other tools with both hands.
Strength and balance exercises
Carry heavy objects such as water jugs or firewood with your weaker arm. You can also try to dig, chop, or hammer with your non-dominant side.
Do push-ups or weight training evenly on both sides.
Challenge yourself daily
Switch hands during routine tasks, such as stirring food while cooking or using a mouse while working on your computer.
Alternatively, you can learn to tie knots one-handed.
Try writing upside-down or mirrored, which can be useful for leaving secret notes when SHTF.
Survival isn't just about strength or knowledge, it's about adaptability. The more you can do with both hands, the better prepared you'll be for injuries, emergencies, or unexpected challenges.
You don't have to become perfectly ambidextrous overnight. But training your off-hand now could mean the difference between struggle and survival later.
Start small, stay consistent and soon, you'll be ready, no matter which hand life forces you to use.
Visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store to find more supplies for your prepping needs. You can also check out Preparedness.news for more stories on how to get ready for different emergencies.
Watch this clip about mass riots and how you can protect your family and home when SHTF.
This video is from the Survival Prepper for Beginners channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
28 Underrated prepping items that could save your life in an emergency.
Emergency kit essentials: Why instant tomato soup belongs in your survival food stockpile.
Preparedness 101: Avoiding common prepping pitfalls for survival success.
The art of dehydration: How Organic Apples become perfectly chewy, nutritious snacks.
Sources include:
Survivopedia.com
Healthline.com
Brighteon.com
Prepping 101: How ambidexterity can boost your survival skills – NaturalNews.com
Empowering survival: “Prepper’s Natural Medicine” by Cat Ellis offers a lifeline in crisis
06/06/2025 // Belle Carter // 300 Views
Tags: alternative medicine, emergency medicine, goodhealth, goodmedicine, green living, healing, herbal medicine, Herbs, homesteading, natural cures, natural health, natural medicine, natural remedies, off grid, plant medicine, preparedness, prepper, prepping, SHTF, survival, survival medicine, tips
https://www.naturalnews.com/wp-conte...ed-Herbs-1.jpg
- In response to the growing challenges of antibiotic resistance, emerging viruses and political complexities in healthcare, there is a growing movement towards self-reliance. Cat Ellis' book serves as a timely guide for individuals seeking to take control of their health using natural remedies when conventional medicine is unavailable.
- Ellis' book is a detailed resource that covers the fundamentals of creating natural medicines. It includes profiles of 50 herbs and instructions for formulating remedies tailored to various health needs, emphasizing the accessibility and abundance of natural resources.
- The book explores traditional medicine systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, highlighting their effectiveness and their increasing recognition by the scientific community. Ellis draws connections between these ancient practices and Western herbalism, showcasing their relevance in modern times.
- Ellis provides practical tips on storing and preparing natural medicines, including the use of solvents like alcohol and vinegar for tinctures. She shares personal anecdotes, such as her experience with skullcap tincture for insomnia, and offers recipes for remedies like an herbal throat spray and a drawing salve.
- The book also covers essential oils, beeswax, propolis and raw honey, emphasizing their safe and effective use in remedies and personal care.
In an era where healthcare systems are increasingly strained by antibiotic resistance, emerging viruses and political complexities, a new wave of self-reliance is sweeping across communities. At the forefront of this movement is Cat Ellis, whose book "Prepper's Natural Medicine: Life-Saving Herbs, Essential Oils and Natural Remedies for When There is No Doctor" offers a comprehensive guide to harnessing the power of nature for health and survival. Published at a time when the fragility of traditional healthcare is being laid bare, Ellis' work is both timely and essential, providing readers with the knowledge to take control of their well-being when conventional medicine is unavailable.
Ellis, a passionate herbalist and prepper, wrote the book out of deep concern for the vulnerabilities within our healthcare system. "I wanted to address the growing issues of antibiotic resistance, emerging viruses and the suppression of natural medicine by regulatory agencies," she explains. Her mission is clear: to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to use natural remedies effectively, especially in scenarios where doctors and pharmaceuticals are scarce.
The book is a treasure trove of information, starting with the basics of crafting natural medicines. Readers will find detailed profiles of 50 different herbs, each accompanied by instructions on how to create specific formulas tailored to various health needs. Ellis emphasizes that natural medicine is not just a last resort but a vital component of any preparedness plan. "It's everywhere, even in the cracks of sidewalks," she notes.
One of the book's strengths is its exploration of traditional medicine systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Ellis draws parallels between these ancient practices and Western herbalism, illustrating how they are being studied and integrated with modern science. "These practices have stood the test of time," she says, "and their effectiveness is being increasingly recognized by the scientific community."
Ellis outlines five key reasons why natural medicine is valuable for preppers:
- Proven effectiveness: Natural remedies have been used successfully for thousands of years across different cultures.
- Universal access: No licensing or certification is required to use or learn natural medicine.
- Ease of learning: The methods for making natural medicines are straightforward compared to the complex processes of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Sustainability: Herbs can be reproduced or wildcrafted year after year, ensuring a continuous supply.
- Valuable barter items: In a crisis, skills and knowledge in natural medicine will be highly sought after.
The book also provides practical advice on storing and preparing natural medicines. Ellis advises designating a storage area that is dry, cool and out of direct sunlight, similar to a food pantry. She emphasizes the importance of rotating stock and preserving the potency of herbs. Additionally, she discusses the use of alcohol, vinegar and glycerin as solvents for tinctures, offering tips on maximizing their effectiveness.
Ellis includes a variety of recipes for natural remedies, such as an Herbal Throat Spray to relieve pain and fight infection, a drawing salve for pulling out toxins and a poultice for sprains and bruises. She also covers remedies for specific conditions like urinary tract infections, diarrhea and even heart attacks. Her approach is both practical and compassionate, reflecting her deep understanding of the human body and its needs.
Essential oils are another critical topic covered in the book. Ellis explains how to use them safely and effectively, discussing their properties, storage and shelf life. She also touches on other natural products like beeswax, propolis and raw honey, explaining how they can be used in remedies and personal care.
Ellis shares personal anecdotes and experiences that bring the information to life. She recounts her struggles with insomnia and how skullcap tincture helped her find relief. "It was a game-changer for me," she says. She also describes her experiments with different herbs and preparations, offering insights into what works and what doesn't.
"Prepper's Natural Medicine" is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in natural remedies and preparedness. Whether you're a seasoned prepper or just starting, this book provides the knowledge and tools you need to take control of your health and well-being.
Learn more about the book "Prepper's Natural Medicine" by watching the video below.
This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
Brighteon.ai
Brighteon.com
Empowering survival: “Prepper’s Natural Medicine” by Cat Ellis offers a lifeline in crisis – NaturalNews.com
Make a Biogas Generator to Produce Your Own Natural Gas
Transform grass clippings, food waste and livestock manure into renewable energy via a homemade biogas generator.
By Paul Scheckel
|Updated on January 3, 2022
X
https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.co...-1-452x300.jpgby Isaac Marquez
A 200-gallon biogas generator in Oregon turns 15 pounds of food waste into cooking fuel daily. As food and yard waste decompose, methane and carbon dioxide are created, inflating the rubber bladder to create the pressure necessary to supply a gas burner.
You can use many household organic “waste” materials to produce your own natural gas for cooking, lighting, and space and water heating. This gas, known as “biogas,” can also replace fossil-based natural gas to fuel an engine or an absorption cooling system, such as a gas refrigerator or chiller. Some gasoline engines are designed for or can be modified for use with natural gas, propane or biogas. Diesel engines can accept up to 80 percent biogas.
Biogas is a mixture of primarily flammable gases — mostly methane — along with carbon dioxide that forms anywhere organic material decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), such as in water, deep in a landfill, or in the guts of animals, including you.
I prefer the term “generator” for the system, because it conveys the intention of producing something. By constructing a home biogas generator, you can make enough fuel to at least provide your cooking energy. A family with modest daily cooking needs will at a minimum require the output of a warm, well-fed, 200-gallon (27-cubic-foot) generator. This much biogas will allow for about one hour of daily stovetop cooking. Start small to develop an understanding of biogas by making a small generator from a single 55-gallon barrel.
Home Much Homemade Biogas Energy Can You Make?
https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.co...-2-452x300.jpg
Image by Isaac Marquez
This methane-producing biogas generator is located at Maitreya Ecovillage in Oregon. The biogas generator turns 15 pounds of the community’s kitchen scraps and garden waste into a day’s worth of cooking fuel for the community kitchen.
A well-managed methane digester can produce approximately its own volume of biogas each day. Anywhere from 10 to 60 percent of the solids will convert into biogas during digestion, so expect between 3 and 18 cubic feet of available biogas energy for each pound of dry material.
The exact makeup of biogas depends on what you feed to the digester. The main ingredient of biogas is methane. Methane (chemically known as CH4) is the primary component of conventional natural gas, commonly used for cooking and heating, although biogas is not as energy-dense. The methane content of biogas will probably range from 50 to 80 percent, compared with about 70 to 90 percent in utility-supplied natural gas. Natural gas contains up to 20 percent other combustible gases, such as propane, butane and ethane, while biogas does not. Biogas’ primary noncombustible components are carbon dioxide, some water vapor, nitrogen and possibly traces of hydrogen sulphide.
A good material for producing biogas in terms of both production and availability is freshly cut grass clippings, which can produce about 1-1⁄2 cubic feet of biogas per pound. At this rate, about 20 pounds of grass clippings will generate one hour of cooking fuel (grass silage is even better, requiring only about 10 pounds to produce this same amount of biogas). Food waste can yield slightly greater amounts of biogas per pound than grass, but most people will have access to grass clippings in larger quantities. If you own a cow, fresh manure is well-suited for on-farm methane production, despite its relatively low yield per dry pound. One cow will produce about 140 pounds (18 gallons) of manure each day, which could ultimately generate, on average, 85 cubic feet of biogas, or about three hours of daily cooking fuel. (Keep in mind that manure produced during hours your cow is on pasture will be difficult to collect.)
https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.co...rt-379x300.jpg
Image by Bavarian Association for the Pro
Freshly cut grass clippings can produce about 11/2 cubic feet of biogas per pound. At this rate, about 20 pounds of grass clippings will generate one hour of cooking fuel (grass silage is even better, requiring only about 10 pounds to produce this same amount of biogas). One cow will produce about 140 pounds (18 gallons) of manure each day, which could ultimately generate, on average, 85 cubic feet of biogas, or about three hours of daily cooking fuel.
Producing Biogas in a Methane Digester
If you can compost it, you can digest it. Ideal biogas ingredients are those materials of which you have a plentiful, convenient and consistent supply, so you can make steady and useful quantities of biogas. Nearly any combination of vegetables, food scraps, grass clippings, animal manure, meat, slaughterhouse waste and fats will work as long as your recipe contains the correct ratio of carbon and nitrogen. Avoid using too many woody products, such as wood chips and straw, which contain large amounts of lignin (a part of plant cell walls resistant to microbial breakdown), which tends to clog up the digestion process.
A methane generator usually contains a feeding tube for filling the digester vessel, an effluent outlet to remove digested solids and liquids (called the “digestate”), a gas outlet, and a collection tank for storing the biogas.
https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.co...-3-338x300.jpg
Image by James Provost
Organic materials mixed into a slurry and put in an airtight container produce combustible gases that can be used for cooking and heating, along with nitrogen-rich liquids and compostable solids (collectively known as “digestate”) perfect for fertilizing a garden or farm fields.
To produce biogas at home, first mix water with your organic material, or “feedstock.” The range of total solids in the mix for optimal biogas generation is 2 to 10 percent, meaning that 90 to 98 percent of the material inside your generator can be water, including the water that is part of your feedstock. Chop or shred solid material into 1-inch or smaller bits. Having more surface area available to microbes will promote better digestion of organic material. Fibrous material may digest more readily if it ages for a few days (allowing fungi and bacteria to begin breaking down the fiber) before going into the generator.
After you’ve added the feedstock, add enough water to make a slurry, and then add a starter culture of methane-producing organisms. These microbes, known as “methanogens,” exist naturally in most animal dung, so if you use manure, you won’t need to add them. But if you want to digest only food scraps or grass, you’ll need to inoculate the mix to get the biological processes going (ideally, you’ll need to do this only one time).
Imaghttps://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.co...-4-470x229.jpge by James Provost
For food waste, chop material into 1-inch or smaller bits. The author set up a chopping station in his garden using an old sink and garbage disposal attached to an extension cord. Other options include using a blender or chipper-shredder.
Maintain a temperature within the container that is close to body temperature, 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and you should be generating biogas in about a week. To reduce the amount of external heat required, place the generator in the sun or inside a greenhouse. For extra insulation, wrap the generator with thin, flexible foam insulation or even Bubble Wrap, covered with UV-resistant, 6-mil black or clear polyethylene plastic.
As you produce biogas, pipe it into a simple holding container, such as a small barrel inverted into a larger barrel that is filled with water. Any storage container that is airtight and expandable as gas flows in and out can be used. Apply external weight to the storage container to achieve the correct pressure required by your gas appliance.
You’ll determine the retention time — the amount of time the generator takes to convert solids to biogas — through direct observation. After your generator is loaded and operating, keep track of the rate of gas production by observing the expansion of the gas collection barrel. When expansion slows, the production rate has dropped off, and it’s time to feed. You may need to feed every day or once per week, depending on your material mix and the conditions inside the generator. It is best to feed according to a recipe.
Effluent is a low-odor blend of compostable solids and nutrient-rich liquid from your biogas generator. You can apply effluent directly to your garden as a soil amendment, but it’s wise to first compost effluent to destroy any pathogens.
https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.co...-5-470x237.jpg
Image by James Provost
Store biogas in an inverted barrel immersed in water.
Biogas Generator Temperature: The Most Critical Detail
In most cases, material you put into a well-maintained methane generator operating in a temperature range of 70 to 105 degrees will be fairly well-digested in about a month (you’ll continually add feedstock as material digests). The conditions you’ll try to mimic within the generator are similar to those inside an animal’s gut. Biological activity within the generator will produce some heat, but depending on your climate, you may need to supply additional heat.
To produce gas during winter in cold climates, you’ll need to provide an additional source of warmth. A larger generator may produce enough gas for some of it to continuously heat water, which can circulate via closed piping to act as a heat exchanger. Or, you can wrap the outside of the barrel with flexible tubing covered with insulation and pump hot water through it (learn how to build a solar batch collector). Another option is a submersible, thermostatically controlled electric water heater designed to keep livestock waterers from freezing.
Weigh the costs of providing heat against the benefits of gas production. If you live in a hot climate, provide some shade so the temperature inside the generator doesn’t rise much above 105 degrees.
https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.co...-6-470x228.jpg
Image by James Provost
Start small to familiarize yourself with how to make biogas. A batch biogas generator made from two open-top barrels (left) or a continuous-flow plastic bag generator (right) are two options for small, experimental biogas digesters.
Safety Considerations
Never make biogas indoors or in enclosed spaces. Methane is a flammable gas that will burn when mixed with air and exposed to a flame. A biogas generator could explode if the pressure drops and the flame is allowed to toll back through the piping. The risks are the same as with handling and storing conventional natural gas.
Free Plans
You can find plans online to build generators up to 2,640 gallons in size at The Complete Biogas Handbook. Having a biogas generator is like having another mouth to feed, but with the right setup and a steady supply of feedstock, you’ll produce fossil-free natural gas for a variety of energy needs on your homestead.
Biogas Energy From Landfill Methane
Municipal solid-waste landfills make up the third-largest source of methane emissions in the United States. But rather than releasing methane into the atmosphere, where it exacerbates climate change, the gas can be captured to produce electricity. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 600 U.S. landfills capture methane to use in a variety of ways, including firing glass-blowing and pottery kilns, heating greenhouses, and even powering an ice rink. Other planned projects will convert landfill gas to methanol for use as an alternative fuel for vehicles. — Kale Roberts
https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.co...-7-450x300.jpg
Image by Fotolia/Markus Bormann
A biogas plant in Germany captures methane from a landfill to produce electricity. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 600 U.S. landfills capture methane to use in a variety of ways, including firing glass-blowing and pottery kilns, heating greenhouses, and even powering an ice rink.
Paul Scheckel is a hands-on, off-grid homesteader, and he is an efficiency consultant for utilities, homeowners and businesses.
Make a Biogas Generator to Produce Your Own Natural Gas – Mother Earth News
18 Natural Sleep Aids to Get Better Sleep
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...epremedies.jpg If there is one condition that has plagued me every day-or rather, every night-for years on end, it’s sleep. I was prescribed sleeping medication long-term (not a good idea) and suffered greatly for it. If I was having trouble sleeping before, it was now impossible to achieve, unless I took my medication. The truth is, we lose touch with sleep more and more every day. Technology, stress, energy drinks, stress, readily prescribed medications, and did I mention stress? All of those things contribute to sleeplessness, and I can almost guarantee everyone who reads this list will struggle with at least one of the above.
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...lsleepaids.jpg
Save
The science of sleep…
When you hear about serotonin, melatonin, 5-hydroxy L-Tryptophan (5-HTP), and tryptophan, they usually sound like they are totally different things you can try to utilize to help sleep. Really, they’re all quite related to one another. If it was a perfect world, this is what would happen when you go to sleep-
You need to consume tryptophan, and essential amino acid, to start the process, and you need to get it from an outside source. In a two- step process that tryptophan is converted to 5-HTP, which is then converted into serotonin. The serotonin then converts to melatonin, which makes our body’s biological clock run smoothly and tell us when it is time to go to sleep and when it’s time to haul yourself out of your cozy bed. It is the master clock, if you will, making us sleepy-or alert-at the proper times, because melatonin produced is released in higher amounts the darker it is, while the amount lessens with more light. Since tryptophan is the only amino acid that can convert to serotonin, it is also the only one that can ultimately up your melatonin.
1. Drink Tart Cherry Juice
A ½ cup to a 1 cup of tart cherry juice is a tasty way to drift off to sleep, and is a natural sleep aid that I personally think really helps. Tart cherry juice is a natural sleep aid because it’s full of tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that coverts to serotonin, which then coverts to melatonin. Melatonin helps maintain our sleep and wake cycle by causing drowsiness and lowers body temperature, working with the central nervous system to sync our biological clock. Its production is inhibited by light, but released in low light/darkness.
https://www.alipac.us/image/svg xml;...8 Cjwvc3ZnPgo=
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...ettersleep.jpg
2. Improve the Feng Shui
Feng shui is more than just decorating you’re space in a visually appealing way; it’s a full philosophy that instructs on how to arrange your room, furniture, office, etc. to maximize good energy flow throughout living spaces. Here are a few tips for improving the Feng shui of your bedroom to help you get the most of a good night’s rest:
-Keep your bed easily accessible and approachable from all sides.
-Make the energy in the room fresh and help it flow by keeping the air pure, preferably with open windows. Also try to have several windows to allow in natural light.
-Have the bed positioned in such a way that you can see the door. Not being able to see the entrance to your bedroom can create a feeling of anxiety.
-Keep the room neat and clean with a balanced look and feel. Clutter and trash stresses you out and represents unfinished business, which can prevent you from really resting well in your room. On that note, it can also affect your sex life.
3. Valerian
Valerian is a hardy plant whose roots are used in a number of ways as a sedative and sleep aid. It is thought to work by increasing the amount of GABA (gamma aminobutryic acid) which helps regulate the action of nerve cells and has a calming effect. Because of its calming effect, it is also extremely popular as a natural anxiety remedy-prescription anxiety medication also increase GABA, albeit much more than valerian. It’s easy to brew up a cup of tea, but if you find the odor too strong, it is also available in capsule form.
You will need…
-1 tsp of dried valerian root
-strainer or infusion device, such as a tea ball
-8 oz. fresh water to boil
-8 oz. fresh water, hot from the tap
Directions
Fill either the mug you wish to steep your tea in with the hot tap water to get it warmed up (warming it up like this can help keep your tea toasty for longer.) Put 1 tsp of valerian root in your infusion device-if you are steeping the root loose, wait to do anything with it. Boil 8 oz. of water in your kettle, remove from heat, and empty your mug of the hot tap water. Place your infusion device or the loose root in your mug, and pour the hot water over it. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Uncover, remove device or strain, and get ready to enjoy a peaceful night. Add milk or honey if you’d like for flavor.
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...aleriantea.jpg
https://www.alipac.us/image/svg xml;...8 Cjwvc3ZnPgo=
4. Get Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the main components in traditional Chinese medicine (TMC), and one of the oldest healing practices in the world. It is thought that stimulating specific points corrects the balance of energy or the life force by opening up channels called meridians, which close off when stress inflames and contracts vessels. The thin needles, upon insertion, open up these blocked channels and allow your brain to better understand that it’s time to go to sleep. It also signals the release of neuro-endocrine chemicals (like tryptophan/melatonin) to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
5. Make Your Bedroom Your Bedroom
Your bedroom is a place of rest. It is your retreat to restore your mind and body by sleeping. It is not a place to watch T.V., or a second office. If you have them, the computer and T.V. have to go. They not only keep you awake, but they don’t give a sense of relaxation. They carry stress into your room, and stress does not help you sleep.
6. Stick to a Schedule, Establish a Ritual, and Keep a Diary
Humans are funny creatures of habit, and our bodies usually work quite well when something is done ritualistically. For example, exercising randomly every few days won’t do much, but exercising every day for 30 minutes will over time make a huge difference. The same thing goes for sleep. Establish a calming ritual that you do every night before crawling in bed, and you will probably find it easier to transition from being awake to being sleep. The ritual is also a time to relax and let go of stress and thoughts that crowd your head and keep you up.
Some ideas include…
– Drinking a cup of warm tea a half an hour before bed
– Doing a series of gentle stretches
– Reading 1 chapter exactly of a book every night
Take a warm bath: There’s nothing quite like sinking into a warm tub to wash the stress of everyday life away and it also feels great to crawl into bed nice and clean. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (lavender is great) to get the soothing benefits of aromatherapy as well.
Sip something: Making up a nightly drink to help you fall asleep has the double benefits of the drink itself lulling you off to dreamland, and the ritual of drinking it which tells your brain and body “ok, it’s time to relax.” Doing something like reading while you drink your night time beverage adds a nice dimension to this habit.
Meditate: Take some time before you crawl in bed to meditate and clear your mind of cluttering thoughts. Thinking too much, as we all know, can keep you awake for hours as you churn over the same thoughts again and again. Getting a good night’s rest is not just about your body-with how complex our thinking process is, our minds need just as much help (if not more) to get ready for bed.
https://www.alipac.us/image/svg xml;...8 Cjwvc3ZnPgo=
7. Get More Melatonin
This chemical is oh-so-important to sleep, but our body needs outside sources to get it. While it can be taken as a natural supplement in pill form, here are some foods that will help boost production.
Cherries: Not too hard to guess since cherry juice was one of the first things listed, but they also contain tryptophan which is metabolized into serotonin and finally melatonin
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...5/cherries.jpg
Bananas: I remember before a solo I had to do in band class, my teacher told me to eat a banana 30 minutes beforehand, because they helped calm you down. I think it must have done something because my solo got an honorable mention, and I never do well performing under pressure. Bananas contain tryptophan, and potassium and magnesium as well, which are muscle relaxants. Have one a half-an-hour before bed every night and up your magnesium levels while simultaneously relaxing your muscles.
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content.../05/banana.jpg
8. Exercise
Exercise on a regular basis, and you will sleep better. Not only will you sleep better, but you’ll have more energy when you’re awake-and not just because you slept better, but because exercise has a weird way of helping us go to sleep and giving us more energy. For this reason, don’t work out right before bed, or you’ll likely end up more awake.
9. Drink a Cup of Chamomile
Chamomile has long been a reliable remedy for helping people doze off. It relaxes your muscles, and is thought that, potentially, a substance called apigenin can bind to GABA receptors which affect the central nervous system and sleepiness. Other studies have disagreed with apegign theory, and think other constituents in the chamomile are what act as a sedative. Either way, it’s tasty and it makes you tired. You can, of course, buy chamomile tea from the store, but I personally love it fresh as well.
https://www.alipac.us/image/svg xml;...8 Cjwvc3ZnPgo=
You will need…
-A rounded ¼ cup of fresh chamomile flowers OR 2 rounded tablespoons of dry flowers
-Honey (optional)
-Milk (optional)
-Freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
Directions
There’s nothing quite as delightful as a cup of freshly brewed chamomile on a chilly night as you settle in for bed. If possible, try to use fresh flowers (German variety, preferably) but you can use dried as well if you cannot harvest fresh.
If you’re using fresh flowers, use only the flower heads and compost the stems. Place the flowers in a teapot, and in a separate pot bring 4 cups of cold water to a rolling boil. Pour the water in the pot over the flower in the tea pot. Let steep for 5-6 minutes and serve hot. Do the same process for dried as for fresh, but use 2 rounded tablespoons of dried flowers. Add a little bit of honey and milk to taste. Squeeze in the juice of a freshly sliced lemon to taste as well.
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...mmomiletea.jpg
10. Make a Lavender Sleep Sachet
Aromatherapy has a number of different uses, but is perhaps used most often for relaxing or creating a sense of drowsiness. Numerous studies have resulted in science giving a nod to the validity of aromatherapy. People who were exposed to the scent of lavender in the trials experienced better moods, and one study followed brain activity with an EEG machine, which showed the subjects undergoing lavender aromatherapy did in fact show brainwaves suggesting drowsiness, while other scents increased alertness. If you find yourself having a hard time drifting off at night, try making a lavender sleep sachet to stash under your pillow or on a bedside table to help you relax and drift off.
11. Get Your Carbs
This may sound like a negative thing, but it’s not really. Tryptophan, in order to have any effect on sleepiness, needs to cross the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a filtering mechanism of the capillaries that carry blood to our brain and spinal cord tissue, and blocks the passage of certain substances. This was proven by a study done more than 100 years ago, in which scientist’s injected blue dye into animal’s bloodstreams. It was discovered that the tissues of the entire body except the brain and spinal cord turned blue, thus confirming the theory of the blood-brain barrier. It is theorized that eating carbohydrates makes it easier for tryptophan to cross the barrier, since it has to compete with other amino acids to make it through. The release of insulin in response to the carbs directs the other amino acids to muscle, leaving tryptophan a clearer passage into the cerebrospinal fluid.
https://www.alipac.us/image/svg xml;...8 Cjwvc3ZnPgo=
You will need…
-A relatively small amount of carbs e.g. some cereal or a piece of bread
Directions
About 15 minutes before bedtime, have your snack to divert those large chain amino acids to the muscles and help tryptophan do its thing.
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...4/05/carbs.jpg
12. Magnificent Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most vital minerals, and yet most of us are lacking it. You can thank increasingly poor diets for this one. Magnesium plays a huge role in the functioning of GABA receptors, which is the primary neurotransmitter that calms your central nervous system, relaxes you, and can help prepare you for sleep. GABA won’t necessarily make you drift off to sleep magically, but you can be pretty sure you’re going to have a hard time sleeping without it. While the best way to up magnesium is to eat a balanced diet, taking supplements can greatly help.
You will need…
-Magnesium supplement
Directions
Follow the Directions for dosing.
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...inforsleep.jpg
13. Utilize Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is one of those ancient herbs that people have turned to for centuries. Once thought to be an “herbal-cure all”, it was used to treat anything from asthma to snake bites. These days, it’s used primarily to lift mood and promote calmness and relaxation. Since depression is often related to insomnia, probably because of a lack of serotonin, lemon balm can help you achieve sleep by promoting mental and physical health. Several studies have confirmed its sedative effects, however it should be noted that too high of a dosage (1800 milligrams) actually increased anxiety. Here, it is made into a mild, uplifting, and relaxing tea.
https://www.alipac.us/image/svg xml;...8 Cjwvc3ZnPgo=
You will need…
-2 tablespoons of dried lemon balm, or 8-10 tablespoons of fresh lemon balm
-2 teaspoons dried chamomile
-Honey to taste (optional)
-8 ounces of fresh water
Directions
Place the loose herbs in a mug and cover with 8 ounces of boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes, strain, and drink 30-45 minutes before bed.
14. Saint John’s Wort
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...rt-223x300.jpgLike lemon balm, Saint John’s Wort is used frequently to help with depression, and in turn helps with disrupted sleep. Its main constituent-hypercine- is thought to work by reuptake inhibition, which raises the overall level of serotonin in the brain. More serotonin = more melatonin= better sleep. You can take it in capsule form, or prepare a strong tea to use as a sleep aid.
You will need…
-2 teaspoons of dried Saint John’s Wort (herb top/flowers)
-8 ounces of freshly boiled water
-honey or lemon to taste (optional)
Directions
Place the herb in a mug and cover with boiling water. Steep for 5-10 minutes, strain, and drink once daily (either morning or 30-45 minutes before bed.)
15. Hops Into Bed
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word hops is probably beer, but this quick growing vine is also an excellent remedy for calming nerves and promoting relaxation (not in the form of beer, sorry!) Rather, it can be made into a strong tea and drank right before bed, or made into a sleep sachet and placed under your pillow at night (just replace or add it to the lavender).
You will need…
-2 tablespoons of dried hops
-4 cups of boiling water
-A quart glass jar with a tightly fitting lid
Directions
Place the hops into a glass jar with a tightly fitting lid and cover with boiling water. Allow it to steep for at least 5 hours, or overnight, and then strain. Reheat or chill and drink a cup 30-45 minutes before bedtime for an easy and restful slumber. This will keep in the refrigerator for 2 days.
16. Make Some Noise
Some people need to sleep in complete silence; while on the other hand, some need a little background noise. For many (myself included), the dripping of the faucet, the hum of electricity, the sound of themselves breathing, or the blankets rustling as they toss and turn stresses them out and keeps them awake. So what’s the deal? Technically speaking, white noise is a consistent noise that comes out evenly across all hearable frequencies. When you get jarred awake or bothered by a noise at night, it’s not really the noise itself, but the abrupt inconsistency in the noise that you hear. The fact of the matter is you still hear when you sleep, and white noise can mask those inconsistences. The scientific aspect set aside its just plain soothing, filling out the silence that makes you feel trapped with racing thoughts or excess energy.
You will need…
-Something that creates white noise
https://www.alipac.us/image/svg xml;...8 Cjwvc3ZnPgo=
Directions
When you go to sleep, turn on the white noise. My personal favorite is a fan, but there are even white noise machines tuned specifically for the purpose of drowning out sound.
17. Sip A Glass of Warm Milk
Does milk actually make you sleepy? In short, probably not on a chemical level. While there is the sleep inducing amino acid tryptophan in milk, studies are debatable that it actually does do anything. Much like turkey, the levels aren’t such that they would have much of an impact. But all of that doesn’t mean it won’t make you sleepy at all, and there is still reasoning behind a glass of warm milk, mostly in terms of psychology. Many people find the warmth soothing and relaxing, helping them unwind both physically and mentally. The routine of a glass of warm milk is like any other routine that you need to complete before bed, getting you one step closer to falling asleep.
You will need…
-1 glass of warm milk
Directions
Roughly 30 minutes before bed, start winding down. Turn off electronics, read a book, and heat up a glass of milk to a toasty warm, but still comfortable, temperature.
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content...lassofmilk.jpg
18. Cozy Up with Catnip
Catnip, a plant that is a member of the mint family, isn’t just for cats-it works a treat when it comes to having a sedative effect on humans. The compound responsible for catnip’s effects across both species is called nepetalactone. While it can make cats frisky and wild, it can make people relaxed, drowsy, and ready for bed. Enjoy it in the form of a warm tea before bed with a little bit of honey.
You will need…
-1-2 teaspoons of dried catnip OR 3-4 teaspoons of fresh catnip
-8 ounces of boiling water
-Honey to taste (optional)
Directions
Place catnip in a mug and cover with boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, covered, and then add honey to taste if you like. Drink 30 minutes before bedtime.
https://everydayroots.com/wp-content.../05/catnip.jpg
https://www.alipac.us/image/svg xml;...8 Cjwvc3ZnPgo=
My experience with insomnia…
I’ve faced a battle with insomnia for almost 4 ½ years, and I know when bedtime rolls around all you want is magic sleeping aid to make you fall asleep without having to do anything. The (painful) truth is that if you want to be healthy and get a good night’s rest, you may have to re-learn how to put yourself to sleep. The things that knock you out cold are nothing more than scary medications that only cause suffering-they don’t solve your sleepless nights. We need our rest, perhaps now more than ever in our crazy world, and taking the time and dedication to find natural ways to drift off is vital in making sure you get to sleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to lead a life filled with good energy.
Tips from Personal Experience:
• Practice meditation if racing thoughts keep you up at night. Meditation takes patience, but it is invaluable. Among so many other things it can teach you to simply let go of a thought and leave it powerless, which leaves you undisturbed and able to rest.
• Really do try the cherry juice, it’s darn tasty and makes for a sounder sleep in my experience. Make sure to drink it about 30 minutes before bed so you don’t have to go the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• Chamomile tea with milk and honey has put me to sleep more effectively then sleeping medications at times.
• Habit. Habit. Habit. Form a relaxing habit that tells your body “time for bed now” and it will, at some point, start to listen. This includes setting a bedtime, and wake-time, and sticking to them.
• Get any form of a screen out of sight after a certain hour. It has been proven many times over that this will disrupt your sleep.
• I bow down to a sleep mask. It’s gentle weight over my eyes and the ensuing darkness is the only reason I am able to fall back asleep when I wake up too early in the morning-remember, levels of light determine how much melatonin you make.
• Never reach for sleeping pills, especially prescription. They will cause anguish and strife and many, many, more sleepless nights.
How to Make a Love Potion
Daily Drink to "Boost" Your Immune System
Homemade Lavender Lemonade with Fresh Squeezed Lemons & Raw Honey
How to Make Homemade Muscle Rub to Relieve Headaches
Bentonite Clay Poultice for Rashes, Burns & Bug Bites
3 Natural Ways to Fight Bad Breath
We Want to Hear from You! Let us know which remedies work and do not work for you, ask a question or leave a comment:
18 Natural Sleep Aids to Get Better Sleep | Everyday Roots
https://www.simplycanning.com/wp-con...e-new-logo.png
- Canning
- Jam/Jelly
- Pickling
- Dehydrating
- Freezing
- FAQ
- Canning Methods
- Choosing the right method
- Pressure Canning
- Water Bath Canning
- Steam Canning
- Canning Book
- Free Canning Quick Start
- Online Canning Classes
Pickled Carrots Recipe: A Crunchy, Fun Food
Old Fashioned Pickled Green Tomatoes Recipe
Sweet Pickle Relish Recipe
Plum Sauce Recipe for Canning / Spicy Sweet!
Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe
Crunchy Dill Pickles! Because nobody likes mushy pickles.
Home » Pickling
Crunchy Dill Pickle Recipe
By Sharon Peterson
March 9, 2023
This page may contain affiliate links. More Information.
Finally, I have a crunchy dill pickle recipe!
No matter what dill pickle recipe you use, I highly recommend you use fresh-picked, small pickling cucumbers. I try for no bigger than my thumb. Anything too much bigger gets made into relish or bread and butter pickles.
I also recommend canning this dill pickle recipe in pints. Quarts must be processed longer, so they tend to get mushy (at least in my home canning pickles experience).
https://www.simplycanning.com/wp-con...p-1024x536.jpg
Jump to Recipe
Label your jars with pretty printable Canning Labels! Check them out.
Table of Contents
- Dill Pickle Recipe: Extended, Step-By-Step Directions
- Looking to Make the Best Dill Pickles? Try the Low Temperature Process…
- Quick, Fresh-Pack Dill Pickles
- Dill Pickles Tips & FAQs
- How Long Do Dill Pickles Need to Cure or Set Before I Eat Them?
- How Long Will Homemade Pickles Keep Once I Open the Jar?
- Can I Reuse Brine that I Used for My Dill Pickles Previously?
- Why are My Pickles are Shriveled or Soft? Why Don’t My Homemade Pickles Look Nice?
- Slices vs. Whole Cucumbers
- Too Little Brine…
- What’s the White Film on the Bottom of a Jar of Pickles?
- Related Pages
- Corn Relish Recipe
- Bread & Butter Pickles
- Pickle Recipes
Dill Pickle Recipe: Extended, Step-By-Step Directions
The first part of this dill pickle recipe is done the day before you plan on canning. The pickles need to soak overnight in a brine, then the next day you will fill your jars and process.
Ingredients:
- 8 pounds of 3-4 inch pickling cucumbers
- 2 gallons water
- 1 1/4 cups canning or pickling salt
- 1 1/2 quarts vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 quarts water
- 2 Tbsp. whole mixed pickling spice (I use a homemade recipe – click here.)
- whole mustard seed (1-2 tsp per pint jar)
- fresh dill (1 to 1 1/2 heads per pint jar) or dill seed (1 to 1 1/2 tsp. per pint jar)
- 1 garlic clove per jar (optional)
https://www.simplycanning.com/wp-con...bel-scaled.jpgPreparing Your Cucumbers the Day Before
Use these specially made canning labels to dress up your gift giving.
Dill Pickles Canning Labels
For this dill pickle recipe, on day one, wash your cucumbers and thinly slice off the blossom end. (The blossoms have an enzyme that will make your cucumber pickles soft.) The sooner you do this after picking, the better.
Add 3/4 cup salt dissolved in 2 gallons water. Soak cucumbers in water for 12 hours. Drain and get your canning supplies together.
Making & Canning Crunchy Pickles
Gather Canning Supplies for Your Dill Pickle Recipe:
- water bath canner
- canning jars
- canning seals and rings
- jar lifter
- canning funnel
- large pot
- bowls
- large spoons
- sharp knife
- towels and dish cloths
- pot or kettle for the brine
- ladle
- cheesecloth
Get the water in your canner heating while you prepare your cucumber pickles.
Combine vinegar, 1/2 cup salt, sugar, and 2 quarts of water. Place pickling spices in a cheesecloth bag and place in your vinegar brine. Heat to boiling.
Tip: I use my stainless steel teapot to make my brine, as it makes filling the jars super easy! For more tips and canning safety instructions, see Simply Canning…the book.Fill jars with drained cucumbers.
Add:
- 1-2 tsp. mustard seed per pint
- 1 to 1 1/2 heads fresh dill or 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. dill seed per pint
- 1 garlic clove per jar (optional)
Fill jars with hot pickling brine, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace.
I’ve included dill pickle recipe directions below for both a regular hot water bath, and the low temperature process dill pickle recipe.
The timing for the two methods is different. Be sure you are using the correct time with the correct method for making this dill pickle recipe.
Hot Water Bath Processing
The processing time for this dill pickle recipe will vary according to your elevation. See chart below for your processing time. Read why altitude adjustments matter here.
Looking to Make the Best Dill Pickles? Try the Low Temperature Process…
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bWADVdSiIlE/hqdefault.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWADVdSiIlE&t=1s
Low Temperature Process
This dill pickle recipe comes from the NCHFP website. It is safe for low temperature processing. If you are not familiar with low temperature pasteurization, please read this article. Then come back for processing directions.
Remember to use a thermometer and monitor your time carefully.
https://www.simplycanning.com/wp-con...ll-pickles.jpg Have your canner ready and half full of warm water, about 120 to 140 degrees F. Also have a kettle or other pot of hot water ready.
Place your filled jars in the half-full canner. Now add hot water to 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Turn on your heat and warm water to 180 to 185 degrees. Use your thermometer and be sure this is maintained for 30 minutes. This is longer than the time indicated in the regular water bath processing.
When 30 minutes is complete, turn your heat off and remove your jars to a counter to cool. Check the seals after the jars are completely cooled off. I usually leave mine until the next day and check, label, and store them.
Pinnable Recipe Card
Quick, Fresh-Pack Dill Pickles
Finally, I have a crunchy dill pickle recipe! Here's how to make quick, fresh-pack dill pickles.
Print Recipe
https://www.simplycanning.com/wp-con...op-500x500.jpg
Prep Time:13hours hrsEquipment
Processing Pints (adjust for altitude):30minutes mins
Total Time:13hours hrs 30minutes mins
- Water Bath Canner
- Canning Jars
- Canning Lids and Rings
- Large Pot
- Funnel, Jar Lifter, Lid Lifter, Bubble Tool
- Ladle
- Cheesecloth
Ingredients
- 8 pounds Pickling Cucumbers 3-4” long
- 2 gallons Water
- 1 ¼ cups Canning Salt or pickling salt
- 1 ½ quarts Vinegar 5% acidity
- ¼ cup Sugar
- 2 quarts Water
- 2 Tablespoons Mixed Pickling Spices
- 1-2 teaspoons Mustard Seed whole seeds, measurement per pint jar
- Fresh Dill 1 to 1 1/2 heads per pint, or use dill seed (1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons per pint jar)
- 1 clove Garlic per jar (optional)
Instructions
- Start by preparing jars and getting water in the canner heating. You want the canner hot, but not boiling, when the jars are ready to be processed.
See full water bath canning instructions here.
Raw Pack only
- Wash cucumbers, slicing off the blossom ends.
- Dissolve 3/4 cup salt in 2 gallons water.
- Soak cucumbers in saltwater for 12 hours.
- Drain.
- Combine vinegar, 1/2 cup salt, sugar, and 2 quarts water in pot.
- Place pickling spices in cheesecloth in pot. Add to the pot and bring brine to a boil. Lower heat and simmer.
- Drain cucumbers and pack in jars.
- Add Mustard seed, 1-2 tsp. per pint
Add Dill ,1 to 1 1/2 heads per pint or 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. seed per pint
Add Garlic 1 clove per jar (optional)- Fill jars with brine, leaving 1/2" headspace.
- Remove air bubbles, wipe rim clean, and place on seal and ring. Place the jar in the warm canner. Proceed to fill all jars. Process according to chart below.
Notes
Processing with a Water Bath Canner
Place the jar in the warm canner. Proceed to fill all jars placing them in the canner.
When all the jars are filled, bring the water in the canner to a boil. When a boil is reached that is when you’ll start your timing. Process for the length of time on the chart below. Adjust for your altitude.
After your time is over, turn the heat off remove the lid and allow the canner to rest for about 5 minutes. Then bring your jars up out of the water. Allow them to rest for another 5 minutes. Then remove the jars and place them a few inches apart on a thick towel to cool completely. Leave them alone for about 12 hours.
When they are cooled remove the metal bands, check the seals, label the jars and store them away!
Processing Times for Water Bath Canner (Raw Pack)
Altitude – Pints
0-1,000 ft – 10 minutes
1,001-6,000 ft – 15 minutes
Above 6,000 ft – 20 minutes
Processing Times for Water Bath Canner (Low-Temperature Process)
This recipe is safe for low-temperature processing. Remember to use a thermometer and monitor your time carefully. (This is a different method than
the water bath method above.)
Have your canner ready and half full of warm water (about 120°F to 140°F). Also, have a kettle or other pot of hot water ready. Place filled jars in the half-full canner. Now add hot water to 1” above the tops of the jars. Heat the water and maintain a temperature between 180°F to 185°F.
Use your thermometer and be sure this is maintained for 30 minutes. This is longer than the time indicated in a typical water bath processing, but it is a lower heat. When 30 minutes is up, turn off the heat and remove your jars to a counter to cool.
Adapted from: The National Center for Home Food Preservation
Servings: 7 -9 pint jars
Author: Sharon Peterson
Dill Pickle Recipe: Finally, I'm Getting the Crunch! SimplyCanning
https://commonsensehome.com/wp-conte...ome-logo-1.png
Home » Home Remedies » Herbal Remedies
16 Home Remedies for Arthritis Pain & Stiffness
https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2...70&d=blank&r=gBy Laurie Neverman November 3, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
I was talking to my neighbor, and she told me about a friend who was on arthritis medication. The medication suppressed her immune system so that she couldn’t kick a simple cold. Her story inspired me to assemble a list of home remedies for arthritis.
https://commonsensehome.com/wp-conte...itis-hands.jpg
Arthritis is painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. There are several types of arthritis, with some due to wear and tear, while others include an autoimmune condition.
Learn how home remedies for arthritis help to manage arthritis pain and stiffness, without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.
Home Remedy for Arthritis #1 – Exercise
Although moving may be painful, it is critical to improve blood flow and prevent muscle atrophy. Good circulation stimulates healing. Strong muscles help you to maintain good posture and move correctly, preventing future damage.
Try low impact exercise like swimming, cycling, water aerobics, tai chi, walking, or gardening. (Get help for heavy lifting if needed.) Staying active helps with a range of conditions, reducing stress as well as healing your body.
#2 – Heat and Cold
One home remedy for arthritis is to move your home. There’s more than one reason people move to warmer climates when they get older, but pain relief is a motivator for many. Cold weather can aggravate joint stiffness and muscle pain.
Interestingly, cold can also help reduce pain, when used correctly. Cold therapy has a long history of use for reducing inflammation. It can be as simple as placing an ice pack on a swollen joint for 15-20 minutes. This generally helps reduce swelling, but may not help with stiffness.
For a more systemic approach, try a 30 second cold rinse at the end of your shower. If you can tolerate it, this stimulates circulation as your body returns to normal temperature.
Heat relaxes muscles and increases blood flow. Heating options include:
- A hot tub or a sauna
- Soak in a warm pool or bath tub
- Washing your dishes in a nice sink of warm water
- Placing a heating pad on the sore parts of your body
IR saunas are great for detoxing and recommended for many auto-immune conditions.
Core Products Soft Comfort CorPak, No Frost Hot and Cold Therapy Pack - 6" x 10", Made in The USABoiron Arnicare Arthritis Cream for Minor Joint and Muscle Pain or Stiffness from Arthritis, Minor Injuries, Overexertion, or Repetitive Motions - 2.5 oz
The Keystone Approach: Healing Arthritis and Psoriasis by Restoring the Microbiome
DYNAMIC SAUNAS Andora 2-Person Low EMF FAR Infrared Sauna with Red Light & Bluetooth Speakers | Personal Indoor Spa for Home & Gym – Made from Canadian Hemlock
#3 – Watch Your Diet
Foods can act as arthritis triggers, contributing to inflammation. Refined sugar, gluten, foods high in oxalic acid, caffeine, alcohol, red meat, eggs, dairy, nightshades may bother sensitive individuals.
Try switching out different elements of your diet, and drinking more water to see if you feel any different. If you’re ready for a bigger change, select an anti-inflammatory way of eating. Some options include the Mediterranean diet, autoimmune paleo, carnivore, and vegetarian. Fasting can also help reduce inflammation, as your body has more time to devote to repairs instead of digestion.
#4 – Topical Creams or Oils
The book Healing with DMSO recommends combining a 50% DMSO solution with topical magnesium cream twice a day. Another option for joint pain is warm castor oil packs, followed by topical DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). The DMSO helps the magnesium and castor oil penetrate deeper into the tissue.
Capsaicin creams are another pain relieving option. These rubs may help ease pain and stiffness, but do not use them in combination with heat therapy. Homeopathic remedies like Arnicare Arthritis Cream may also help.
https://commonsensehome.com/wp-conte...s-remedies.jpg
#5 – Neodymium Magnets
Bio-magnetic therapy has been around for many years, but it’s now available for home use. There are back wraps, neck wraps, and knee wraps with healing magnets built in. Studies show that these may help reduce pain and inflammation.
Magnetude Jewelry Magne-Wraps adjust to fit on wrists, knees, feet, or elbows. You can learn more about these wraps and other therapeutic magnets at the Magnetude website.
#6 – Tart Cherries
We live near Door County, WI, one of the biggest tart cherry producing areas in the U.S.. I have to give a shout out to tart cherries for arthritis.
Studies suggest that tart cherry juice is effective for treating gout-related arthritis and osteoarthritis. Try about an ounce of tart cherry juice concentrate or tart cherry extract twice a day.
# 7 – Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a time honored folk remedy to ease arthritis pain. Use 2 teaspoons to 1/4 cup daily, mixed into a glass of water. Add a little honey for sweetening, if desired.
Drink some morning and night, but don’t sip on it all day. It’s acidic, like soda, and could damage your teeth.
#8 – Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica) are another home remedy for arthritis symptoms. Studies suggest that nettle leaf extract, taken internally, reduces inflammation and helps manage arthritis pain.
Nettles are more commonly used to treat arthritis via urtication. Urtication is the practice of flailing the affected joints with fresh stinging nettle plant. It may sound crazy, but modern studies back up this natural remedy.
Nettle likes to grow in high nitrogen soils, such as the soil near barnyards. You can read more about nettles in Weekly Weeder #16 – Stinging Nettles.
#9 – Alfalfa
Alfalfa, Medicago sativa, is high in vitamins A, C, E and K4 and calcium, potassium, phosphorous and iron. It is used for a variety of conditions, including both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
To make alfalfa tea: steep a teaspoon of the dried herb in boiling water for about ten minutes. Strain and serve.
Note: Alfalfa may interact with blood thinners, birth control pills, estrogens, immunosuppressants, and medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight.
#10 – Curcumin
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic. Studies suggest 500 mg of curcumin three times daily may reduce pain better than NSAIDS without the side effects. Black pepper increases absorption of curcumin.
#10 – Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies cause or aggravate many conditions, and arthritis is no exception. Vitamins D, E, C and B6 may improve symptoms in certain individuals. Zinc, magnesium, MSM, beta carotene and other supplements may also provide relief.
#11 – Fish Oil
Fish oil and fish liver oil contain omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation. Take one tablespoon of fish oil per day. Note: omega 3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you are on blood thinners.
#12 – Glucosamine/Chondroitin
Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplementation may be most effective for those with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knees. The supplements had to be continued over several months to see results. This is another one that may interact with blood thinners, so be careful.
https://commonsensehome.com/wp-conte...-with-bees.jpg
Honeybees provide apitherapy for pain relief
#13 – Bee Sting Therapy
Beekeepers know – bee venom therapy (apitherapy) may provide relief for RA sufferers. See “Clinical randomized study of bee-sting therapy for rheumatoid arthritis” for more information.
#14 – Ginger
Regular consumption of ginger may be better for arthritic pain relief than nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Try using fresh or dry ginger in cooking, or make a ginger tea.
To make tea with fresh ginger: slice or chop about a teaspoon of ginger and cover with boiling water. Steep for 3 to 10 minutes. Strain out ginger chunks and sweeten with honey if desired.
See Ginger Root Uses & Health Benefits for more ginger tips.
#15 – Essential oils
Some essential oils commonly recommended for the treatment of arthritis include:
- frankincense
- rosemary
- marjoram
- eucalyptus
- peppermint
- lavender
- ginger
- Roman chamomile
- helichrysum
- wintergreen
- basil
- clove
Dilute 1-2 drops of your oil of choice into 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil or massage oil of choice. Rub into the affected area.
#16 – Copper Bracelets
My mom wore copper bracelets for arthritis pain relief for many years. First she had a set of bangles, then a solid copper band.
The official word from the medical establishment is that copper bracelets work no better than a placebo for arthritis. Mom felt it helped her, and other people swear by copper bracelets, too. I’d put diet and lifestyle changes first, but I wouldn’t be afraid to give copper bracelets a try, too. Besides, copper bracelets look cool!
If you or someone you knows suffers from arthritis, I hope these home remedies for arthritis will help you relieve the pain. Don’t forget to scroll through the comments to check out even more suggestions for natural arthritis treatments from our readers, and add your own tips, too.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. Please contact a trained healthcare provider if pain is severe or debilitating. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting new supplements, especially if you are already taking medications.
You may also be interested in the rest of our Home Remedies Series, including:
https://commonsensehome.com/wp-conte...nd-150x150.jpg
This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie is a lifelong learner with a passion for natural remedies and holistic healing. She’s successfully improved her eyesight and cleared her psoriasis.
Last updated in 2024.
3907shares
Share
Pin
16 Home Remedies for Arthritis Pain & Stiffness
https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...lendars-ad.jpg
Use the links at the bottom of this page to navigate these edible weeds (listed in alphabetical order). Each weed can be identified by its flowers, leaves, height, stem and habitat.
To support our efforts please check out our wild food store (books and PDF magazines).
- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...mon-yarrow.jpg
Common Yarrow- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image.../corn-mint.jpg
Corn Mint- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...ng-charlie.jpg
Creeping Charlie- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...son-clover.jpg
Crimson Clover- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image.../crowberry.jpg
Crowberry- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...y-fleabane.jpg
Daisy Fleabane- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image.../dandelion.jpg
Dandelion- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...og-mustard.jpg
Dog Mustard- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...low-violet.jpg
Downy Yellow Violet- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image.../echinacea.jpg
Echinacea- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...lecampagne.jpg
Elecampagne- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...g_primrose.png
Evening Primrose- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image.../eyebright.jpg
Eyebright- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...lomon-seal.jpg
False Solomon Seal- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...ils/yarrow.jpg
Fern Leaf Yarrow- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...fiddlehead.jpg
Fiddlehead- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...ield-pansy.jpg
Field Pansy- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...nycress-th.jpg
Field Pennycress- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...-speedwell.jpg
Field Speedwell- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/image...-goosefoot.jpg
Figleaved Goosefoot
<< < 1 2 3 4 5 ... > >>
Dry Your Own Herbs
Home
Food Storage & Skills
Dry Your Own Herbs
https://thehomesteadsurvival.com/wp-...-own-herbs.jpg
Paige Raymond
July 27, 2014
Food Dehydrating,Food Storage & Skills
Drying,herbs,methods
2 Commentson Dry Your Own Herbs
If you use a lot of herbs in cooking or in herbal remedies you can grow and dry your own herbs at home. I love drying my own herbs because I know that I never use chemicals when they are growing and I know how I dry them and that they are always clean from the time I pick them until they are dried and put up. I like the sense of accomplishment I get when I want some oregano or basil for my spaghetti sauce and can reach into the pantry and get the herbs I grew, harvested and dried and put in the pantry by myself instead of herbs from the store that I have no clue how they were grown or how long they have been sitting around in warehouses and on store shelves.
tasteofhome.comIf you would like to dry your own herbs and want to know the various methods of drying your own herbs at home check out this article from Taste Of Home. They will teach you how to dry your own herbs in many different ways so you can choose the method that suits you.
Click here to see all the methods:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/how-to-cook/how-to-dry-herbs
https://drillyourownwell.com/wp-cont...opped-logo.jpgdrillyourownwell.com
How to Drill Your Own Water Well
85 web pages and 52 videos entirely devoted
to helping you drill your own well
Well drilling solutions
You can drill your own shallow water well using PVC and household water hoses. It is a cheap and effective way to dig your own shallow water well. Water well drilling isn’t just for the pros with huge commercial drilling rigs. Digging a water well yourself is both interesting and fun.
http://drillyourownwell.com/wp-conte...rt-low-res.jpg
The water well drilling methods described here work well in digging/drilling through dirt, and clay, including really hard clay. They will not work if you need to drill through rock but, if the area you live in is flat or relatively flat, it is definitely worth a try. Many folks think they have to dig or drill their well into an aquifer. For irrigation and lawn watering, reaching an aquifer isn’t necessary. You only have to drill under the standing water level. It is very likely that you can drill your own well. Many successful wells have been drilled using this well drilling method. It is cheap. You can expect the “drilling” portion of the project to cost about $200.
Well drilling solutions
YOU CAN DRILL YOUR OWN WELL
In these pages the “do it yourself water well drilling” technique is referred to as well drilling, but many call this technique “washing” or “jetting” a well. It is somewhat similar to the rotary bit method which most real water well drillers use for water bore drilling.
The DIY technique involves water pumped down the center of a PVC schedule 40 pipe used as both a drill stem and a drill bit. At the bottom end of the PVC pipe a “drill bit” is fashioned by cutting teeth into the end of the PVC pipe. The pipe is rotated back and forth as the PVC pipe is slowly worked into the ground while the cuttings are brought to the surface by the upward flow of water in the annular space around the pipe. If you want to dig your own well, try this technique.
Installing a well and a pump can save a lot of money, especially if you are now paying the local utility for irrigation water. You have probably noticed that just watering the lawn can get expensive. You can spend less money watering the lawn. Actually, you can spend almost no money watering the lawn. It is great for gardeners, too.
If you are a first time visitor to the site you will probably want to start out with either the “Background” or the “Basic Well Drilling Steps” pages. The bulk of the site is dedicated to drilling water wells using just two hoses for drilling fluid. Inexpensive PVC is used for the drill pipe, the drill bit, and the well screen. This DIY water well drilling technique is very cheap and many successful shallow wells have been installed using this technique.
When drilling a well by hand, it can be very helpful to at least be familiar with the techniques used by real well drillers – the kind with big powerful trucks and huge water tanks. What we do is extremely similar, almost identical. We can’t dig holes as wide or as deep but it is the same process. A local well drilling company was kind enough to let me video their process. Check it out at “Real Well Drilling.”
There are several enhancements you can make to the basic DIY well drilling technique. To make the technique even more effective you can use the techniques described on the pages, “Drilling Deeper with BENTONITE” and “Drill 10 Feet Deeper.” Additionally, converting to a metal drill bit will make your drilling more productive. These are all techniques that were sent in by users of the site and discovered as they drilled their wells.
Well drilling solutions
A gravel pack can increase a well’s production so there is a section on them. I don’t recommend you include a gravel pack on your first well but after you get the hang of the technique this is something you will probably want to check out the pages on gravel packs.
Don’t go shopping for a pump without reading this page: Which Pump? You want a shallow well pump, also known as a suction pump. Pool pumps and other types of transfer pumps will not work.
In the “Videos” section, you will find videos that show techniques used world wide. Some of these techniques, like the Baptist Method, require very little drilling fluid and have been used for centuries.
We’ve been fortunate enough to receive some input from Bob Tabor, a real well driller who has been drilling wells all of his life. Please be sure and check out the page – “Advice from a REAL Well Driller.”
Bill Granade in Tampa, Florida has developed a very similar DIY water well drilling technique. He has been wildly successful. Bill has helped his neighbors drill a bunch of wells his protocols may be useful to you. Look under “Another Home Driller.”
Several users of this site have been kind enough to send pictures and info about wells that they have drilled. Check out “Success Stories” in the menu. For example, one of our recent success stories, Steve in South Jersey is interesting. Steve needed a way to water his Christmas tree farm and he successfully drilled his own well. Very impressive effort! We even got a wonderful email from Greg in Australia about his successful well.
For drillers interested in moving up to the next level: be sure and check out the page on Mud Pump Drilling. It is absolutely the way to go if you can buy or borrow a mud pump (sometimes called a trash pump). It costs more than the two hose method but is still a lot less expensive than hiring a driller.
There is a section for Questions and Answers where I have posted the most common questions I receive. I hope it helps you. There are also sections on Source of Supply, Well Drilling Manuals as well as Well Drilling Links.
Well drilling kits
Commercially drilled water wells tend to be very expensive. This DIY well drilling technique is very cheap. It will almost definitely work if you live near the coast and will likely work if you live in a flat inland area.It is great for saving money on watering your lawn and irrigating a garden.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TDmxbbvQQo&t=33s
Drill Your Own Water Well Series - Introduction
As I mentioned in the video, the most interesting things I have experienced in posting this website are the enhancements and improvements that YOU, the viewers and users of this site have submitted. I figured out a few improvements to the Brady Well Kit early on and I managed to drill a functional well after several tries and that is why I posted the site. And then – users started writing me and showing me things they had discovered! At this point, I can safely say that most of the techniques presented here are not mine. They are yours! I hope they help you. I hope that if you discover an improvement or an enhancement that you will send it to me so I can post it for others to use.
Well drilling supplies
Below is a video submitted by one of the users of this site. Please take a look at the DIY water well drilled by Travis of Mobile, Alabama. Travis used a 10 foot long 1.25 inch well screen. Congratulations, Travis!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ue2DkG64r8
DIY Water Well Drilling
The links in the menu describe the steps in detail. You can pick and choose what subjects to review by clicking on menu items or, if you want to be sure and hit every page, simply click on the “Next:” link at the bottom of each page.
Next: Background
drillyourownwell.com
How To Survive A Pandemic | Survival Kit Supplies
Home / PANDEMIC / How To Survive A Pandemic | Survival Kit Supplies
ByKen J.Last Update02/23/20250 Comments
https://modernsurvivalblog.com/wp-co...c-survival.jpg
https://modernsurvivalblog.com/wp-co...c-survival.jpgPandemic Survival Kit | How To Survive
A severe pandemic may incapacitate a significant portion of the population. When a percentage of people are dying, it will get real. Real scary. Can you survive a pandemic? Yes you can. Here’s how to survive a pandemic…
Take a deep breath, read through this entire article with its recommendations. Make your own decisions and choices. Be prepared.
(jump to list)
Stay away from people
This may sound easy. But it’s not. Not at all. Why? Because there’s so many of us, and close proximity is inevitable. At first, people will believe that it won’t affect them. It will be business as usual. Going to work. Daycare. School. Errands. The grocery store. You name it…
The simple truth is to avoid proximity to other people, until it’s over. Easier said than done.
A severe pandemic may cripple infrastructure supply-chains, like groceries and things you need at home for a pandemic. Panic buying, people who are sick not going to work, or even self isolation or quarantine.
Are you ready and able to self quarantine for 7, 14, or more days? Worst case, could you remain isolated for weeks or even a month or more?
This article is re-published and updated for your information, given the recent publicity of the “coronavirus” outbreak which is evidently spreading in parts of Asia at this time. Though the article applies generically to any severe pandemic outbreak.
Surviving a pandemic is a matter of ISOLATING YOURSELF from OTHER INFECTED PEOPLE until it has run its course. At worse, this could be many weeks, month(s) or even longer (though absolute worst case).
Since you may not know which people may be infected (showing no symptoms yet), you will need to stay away from everyone outside of your home sphere for maximum mitigation. Therefore in order to be fully prepared, you must have the ability to self quarantine. To not go out where other potentially infected people are. This includes going to ‘work’, grocery shopping, etc..
You must have everything that you need already at home.
People going about their business…
During the onset of a severe and deadly pandemic, most people will not fully realize the ramifications. They will continue to go about their daily habitual routines of going to work, the grocery store, etc. They may be exposing themselves to the potential mortal consequences of a deadly pandemic.
Almost every transmissible disease has an incubation period during which time the person is infected but not yet showing signs of disease. Quite often, a person can be contagious for one to several or more days before exhibiting symptoms. That’s a problem!
Incubation Period
The incubation period of an infectious disease is the time between infection and symptom onset. Many viral infections will manifest themselves within a period of 3 – 5 days, and most within 10 – 14.
Ebola virus incubation potentially up to 21 days. Incubation period for Pneumonic plague is 1 – 3 days. Bubonic plague is 2 – 6 days. Up to 4 days for severe Coronavirus. (for example)
UPDATE: COVID-19 Coronavirus is said to be asymptomatic (no symptoms) for up to 14 days while shedding virus. 24 days has also been reported. It is apparently highly contagious during all that time!
Bugging in | Staying Home
If it ever gets real bad, the tough part will be deciding at what point to “bug in”, or stay home. Why? Because your employer will probably want you at work. If you choose to stay home, you might be risking your job (at least at first). There’s no clear answer. It will be an individual choice based on what’s going on out there.
list
The following is a starter-list of preparedness items, focused to do with pandemic survival. In reality there is much more to consider than this list. But hopefully it will set you in a direction to begin considering your options, should you ever need them…
Again, the key is to have enough supplies to hunker down without having to be around other people. Though some supplies are specific to the potential health realities of sick people.
PANDEMIC SURVIVAL KIT LIST
This is to get you thinking about a pandemic shopping list. Things you need at home. Food for a pandemic.
Food, Water, Consumables
Firstly, be sure to have enough of the basics to remain at home for weeks, maybe longer, without having to go out and resupply. It’s a simple concept. But in reality most people don’t keep enough food and supplies to make it beyond a week.
FOOD SUPPLY. It’s not terribly difficult to build up a supply that will last 1 month — a good initial preparedness target – for each and all members of the household. Then 3 months.
There are reputable emergency food companies that sell kits of varying quantities (days). I like the ready made “food buckets” because they are quick and easy. But that’s just a starting point.
Augason Farms 30-Day Emergency Food Storage
Wise Company Emergency Food Supply
Augason Farms Lunch & Dinner Food Bucket
An excellent family operated and well established business in emergency preparedness who distributes several quality brands of emergency food is Ready Made Resources. I recommend that you check them out too. Tell ’em you came from Modern Survival Blog ;)
(UPDATE) New Article: Food To Survive Pandemic For 90 Days
(UPDATE) Coronavirus concerns: Listen, if you’re an amazon prime member, you can mitigate the risk of going to the grocery store among other potentially infected people. You can get just about any grocery delivered to your door. This might make sense for some of you, at least temporarily until threat of pandemic has subsided.
GROCERIES at amzn
Water & Food (Prepping & Preparedness)
WATER FILTER. Clean, pure drinking water without bacteria or virus. An essential preparedness item is a quality gravity water filter, such as one of the Berkey models from USABerkeyFilters. I use their filters exclusively. The Best.
WATER STORAGE. Though we’re not expecting shutdown of water infrastructure, it’s always a good idea to have some water storage at home. Cases of ‘bottled water’. And/or water-specific storage containers. For example, these Samson Stackers.
TOILET PAPER. Can you ever have enough backup TP? Plus, when sick, you’re going to go through lots more than normal. On average, most use ~2 rolls/week/person. How about 5 per week? That’s ~60 rolls for 3 months per person.
KLEENEX / TISSUES & PAPER TOWELS. Get enough for 90 days so you don’t have to go out to the store and risk contagion from the pandemic. Paper towels ideal for sanitary / surfaces cleanup and disinfection with antiseptics.
Pandemic-specific Survival Kit Supplies
Protection for at home, or away from home. Surfaces may become contaminated with virus. Virus may become airborne via droplet or even aerosol transmission (worst case). These are the things that you need to think about, and to protect yourself from. — The things you can do to mitigate the issues associated with virus and contamination.
Firstly, good hygiene habits. Wash your hands. Especially after being out in public places. It may seem silly to describe “how to”, but read this to do it right.
Don’t touch eyes, nose, or mouth without having washed your hands first! Especially after having been in public places (e.g. grocery store?). It’s hard not to touch your face!
LIQUID BLEACH. “Regular” liquid bleach for sanitation and disinfection (have enough of it).
Read: Disinfectant Bleach-Water Ratio.
NITRILE EXAM GLOVES. Several boxes of disposable gloves. Example: Nitrile Exam Gloves
CHEMICAL RESISTANT GLOVES. These are thicker. Use them to protect hands while mixing / applying a batch of disinfecting bleach/water. Also for dealing with dangerous wastes (Wells Lamont).
FACE MASKS. Provides some protection from particulates entering your respiratory system. Rated at least for N95, like these from amzn. Note as of this update (FEB-2020), most are sold out due to coronavirus. But check back later…
RESPIRATOR MASK. The next step up. Quality respirator mask such as this one: 3M P100 having replaceable filter cartridges.
FACE SHIELD. It will help protect the eyes, nose, and mouth while in close proximity to an infected person (e.g. while treating). Example: Safety Works Adjustable Headgear
DISPOSABLE COVERALL SUIT. Such as the DuPont Tyvek Suit (several).
HAND SANITIZER. Use it for quick hand sanitizing after any public or patient exposure . It must have at least 60% alcohol active ingredient antiseptic (70% even better). Though you should wash hands often with soap and water. Search hand sanitizer on amzn.
HEPA AIR FILTER. HEPA filters for in-house air filtration. Virus will latch on to sneeze/cough globules. Aerosol transmission would be even worse (this coronavirus has been said to exhibit this). A HEPA air filter at home will help to catch this.
VOMIT BAGS. Sorry, gross I know. But if someone at home gets sick, these sure make it a bit easier to deal with. (We’ve been using this type of bag). It has a convenient closure method to minimize exposure – twist and secure bag into the notched ring. We first saw them at our local hospital.
DISINFECTING WIPES. Keep surfaces disinfected at home. Also, (tip!) grocery stores have this near their carriages / baskets. Use them! Wipe down the handles. Search Disinfecting Wipes on amzn.
LIQUID SOAP | HAND SOAP. An aggressive formula soap such as Dawn Ultra. Have enough hand soap (i.e. pump bottles).
MEDICATIONS. Enough of whatever you may be taking. Also consider those which may help alleviate symptoms if someone were to get sick at home.
FLU SYMPTOM MEDICINES. Make sure that you already have enough in your house. Fever reducers (Ibuprofen, Tylenol). NyQuil, DayQuil. Whichever of this type of relief has worked for you in the past. Just make sure you have a supply.
ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT. If someone becomes sick, they may dehydrate (not good!). So keep some electrolyte replacement, such as this one from Vitalyte.
IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTERS. Get enough sleep. Keep your body strong. Eat right. With that said, there are boosters and supplements. Such as the following (view on amzn),
Elderberry Gummies with Vitamin C & Zinc (Kids)
Elederberry Gummies with Vitamin C & Zinc (Adults)
Vitamin C Powder
ISOLATION ROOM. You might consider the materials necessary to set up a temporary isolation room — in case someone at home gets sick with this virus. This may include a separate HEPA filter for the room. An adequate supply of nitrile gloves and masks for in-and-out. Maybe even a portable toilet for the room.
If you are very serious about an isolation room, you might have a look at CBRN protection by way of a professional isolation tent for quarantine or protection mode. CoronavirusTent.com
PORTABLE TOILET. For provisional isolation room, if you need to set one up. (Self-Contained Toilet).
The Takeaway | How to Survive a Pandemic
The world is ill-prepared for the fight against severe pandemic outbreaks. The Plague, Ebola, MERS, SARS, avian flu and other illnesses could re-emerge at any time. We live in a world of high speed transportation (worldwide). There are more people than ever, and things could spread fast.
While the list above is not complete for an overall pandemic preparedness plan, it should get you to thinking about your own preparedness. Search Modern Survival Blog for further ideas and opinions regarding prepping & preparedness.
Feel free to add your additional suggestions below…
The first chunk of comments below are relevant to earlier posting regarding Ebola.
Jump to comments surrounding the Coronavirus which begin about (here) down the page.
Continue reading: Mind-blowing Exponential Growth – Parallels with a Pandemic
How To Survive A Pandemic | Survival Kit Supplies
https://thehomesteadsurvival.com/wp-.../l1_200x92.png
Amazing Homemade Natural Toothpaste Recipe
- Home
- Natural Beauty Recipes
- Amazing Homemade Natural Toothpaste Recipe
Melissa Francis
January 13, 2014
Natural Beauty Recipes
amazing,oothpaste,tooth brush
Get the cleanest feeling teeth of your life with this homemade toothpaste recipe…. your teeth will sparkle !
Ingredients:
4 Tablespoon coconut oil (anti-viral & anti-inflammatory)
1/2 teaspoon coral calcium (to remineralize)
1/2 Teaspoon Himalayan sea salt (to remineralize and polish off stains)
1 Tablespoon raw honey (anti-bacterial & anti-inflammatory)
2 drops cinnamon essential oil (anti-bacterial)
5 drops peppermint essential oil (anti-bacterial).
Warm coconut oil and honey then add all remaining ingredients.
Pour into a 4oz quilted wide mouth mason jar.
Amazing Homemade Natural Toothpaste Recipe - The Homestead Survival
https://thehomesteadsurvival.com/wp-.../l1_200x92.png
Scatter Charcoal Throughout Your Home And Watch What Happens Overnight
Brian Finnerty | Friday, May 30, 2025
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/...t3c300x250.jpg
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/fid/10.jpg
Reports of a strange trend have been making waves in certain online circles with a reported million Americans taking part.
Millions of Americans have started to scatter charcoal throughout their homes.
However, if it were just that, then this trend would not have made so many waves.
At the center of this trend is a special kind of charcoal.
There’s a specific kind of activated bamboo charcoal that has been seemingly breathing new life into homes.
The specially formulated charcoal has three unique properties that people are taking advantage of.
- It attracts and draws in airborne particulates like dust, allergens, mold spores, moisture, and smells.
- The tiny structure of the charcoal is like a net, so anything that gets sucked in is trapped.
- The charcoal has a natural ability to clean the air by passive filtering.
So what’s with this new life hack of “scattering charcoal throughout your house”?
Well here’s the thing, it’s not new at all!
This practice is actually one that can trace its roots hundreds of years ago. Buddhist monks would scatter activated bamboo charcoal around their monasteries to cleanse the air around them and get rid of any impurities and toxins floating around.
This practice is said to be a big reason why the average lifespan of monks was so much higher than the average person. But this practice died out.
Why?
Because the conditions required to create the special activated bamboo charcoal that monks used became rare and hard to get.
It’s never really been available for the masses until recently.
A company by the name of NatureFresh has managed to create a viable method to create the specially formulated activated bamboo charcoal at larger scales.
Each NatureFresh Air Purifying Bag contains enough activated bamboo charcoal to cleanse the air of any room up to 90 sqft and it lasts for 2 years.
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/openbag.jpg
It's so simple to use, all you have to do is place a NatureFresh bag in the desired area, and you'll start to notice a big difference in the air you breathe within 12 hours.
Using their “Cleancast Binchotan” method for the first time, NatureFresh is able to mimic the exact conditions required to create this ancient activated bamboo charcoal.
Since they’ve gone public with their product, millions of others have gotten in on the trend.
Thanks to their surging popularity, many Americans have discovered new ways to use it, declaring it the best life hack of 2025.
Here are just a few ways people are turning the NatureFresh bamboo activated charcoal bags into their own life hacks…
Life Hack #1: "It's like a mouse trap for mold toxins"
Tammy S, mother of two young kids from Los Angeles, had a big mold problem in her home.
"I didn't want my kids exposed to mold, and even after it was cleaned up, my kids were still getting headaches and coughing from the mold spores floating in the air."
She says NatureFresh was the best hack she’d ever come across!
“I placed NatureFresh bags in my living room, the kids bedrooms, the hallway and the kitchen. After one day, I could literally notice the stale air become fresher. After 1 week, my kids stopped getting headaches and stopped coughing!”
Life Hack #2: Turn your dusty house into a fresh air paradise without lifting a finger
Long-term exposure to dust and air pollution accelerates brain aging and increases the risk of dementia even in healthy elderly people with no underlying disease.
That’s why, after 50 years, Lynda McCarthy finally decided to do something about her dusty house.
“The next morning – let me tell you — I woke up to what felt like much fresher and crisper air in the house. Most important: it helped me reduce my allergy symptoms. No sneezing, no irritated eyes... not so much as a single sniff.
When these little bamboo activated charcoal bags first arrived, I’ll admit, I stared at them in disbelief. Now, weeks later, "I thank NatureFresh every day for helping to get the stuffiness out of my house."
Life Hack #3: Say goodbye to smelly trashcans and stinky closets
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/trashcloset.jpg
If you have offensive odors that you want to get rid of, try placing a NatureFresh bag next to the source of the odor. It has been said to work wonders on everything from smelly trashcans to stinky closets to even clearing out a room filled with cigarette smoke.
“So I bought NatureFresh, and I started with his closet. I dropped off a few bags there, and then I made sure to keep some in his underwear and socks drawers. Within days I felt like the entire apartment had cleared up. I was so happy!”
But what did other customers have to say online?
I did some digging to see what people from all backgrounds were saying about NatureFresh. Here are just some of what people are saying:
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/charig1.jpg
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/charig2.jpg
It even has thousands of happy followers, some of whom have shared their thoughts:
Mhttps://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/revcheck.png
Mitch L. Verified Buyer
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/stars.png
04/20/25
NatureFresh has been an unexpected boon in my life. I have some pretty big concerns about mold since we get no airflow through the bathroom but since putting some NatureFresh bags behind the toilet, I’ve noticed a remarkable improvement!
Hhttps://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/revcheck.png
Harold R. Verified Buyer
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/stars.png
05/08/25
Good for getting rid of dust. Helps keep my lungs clear
Whttps://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/revcheck.png
Wendy A. Verified Buyer
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/stars.png
05/22/25
I thought it was kinda goofy because you’re just putting charcoal all over the place, but it really helped. Like unironically a good product so i guess i felt like i had to give a good review
So naturally, I had to try it myself
Having interviewed so many people and having done so much research, I wanted to get in on the fun for myself.
So there were three main things I wanted to tackle. I live in an older apartment so I had some issues with
- Mold
- Moisture
- And Dust
The mold and moisture was a big problem in my bathroom since we had absolutely zero circulation there.
With three people using one tiny bathroom, it ends up getting too humid which results in mold growth.
It’s to the point where you can definitely feel the air getting thicker and heavier. It’s kind of gross.
And after reading about how mold spores can easily travel throughout the rest of your house, I wanted to get rid of the problem ASAP.
So I placed a couple NatureFresh charcoal bags throughout the bathroom. One went on top of the water reservoir for the toilet and the other I just let sit on top of the counter.
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/naturemid1.jpg
And after 24 hours…
Notable difference! The bathroom didn’t feel as stuffy and I could feel a distinct decrease in humidity.
And after 1 month…
I saw a decrease in mold growth, and in certain areas, a complete disappearance of mold growth.
https://naturefreshpurifier.com/img/moldbeforeafter.jpg
The NatureFresh bags had handily sucked in both the moisture and the mold spores, completely limiting their growth!
It was even so effective as to just eliminate mold colonies!
So with moisture and mold taken care of, what about dust?
When I first moved into my apartment, the landlord hadn’t done any cleaning whatsoever.
There was dust everywhere. But the carpet, in particular, was gross.
I vacuumed best I could, but there was still an awful amount of dust getting kicked up from the carpet with even the slightest wind.
Anytime I opened the window, I could see the sunlight penetrating through thick clouds of dust.
So I placed NatureFresh bags in my hallway and living room and watched.
Over the course of one week, I saw less and less dust get kicked up into the air.
And after a month, I saw nothing. I vacuumed my carpet to kick up some more dust and to suck up whatever was left, but I saw nothing.
It was miraculous! Those monks really had something going for them I tell you what!
Final Thoughts
NatureFresh is definitely the most interesting and most useful lifehack I’ve seen in a really long time.
I ended up saving more than $500 on repairs and services that I would have had to shell out money for to get rid of these problems!
I mean a decent size dehumidifier would have been something like $150.
Getting the mold cleaned off would have been like another $300.
And getting a good carpet clean would have been like another $250!
I highly recommend these crazy bamboo charcoal if you’re dealing with allergies, dust, mold, moisture, or smells!
I’ve gone ahead and bought six more bags to give to my grandparents and friends.
UPDATE
UPDATE Monday, June 09, 2025 - Ever since NatureFresh was featured online, an incredible amount of buzz has been generated and has since sold over 763,419 bags. Due to its popularity and positive reviews, the company is so confident in their product that they are now offering a 90 day satisfaction guarantee and are offering their 50% off discount while supplies last. To see if they are still available click the button below.
naturefreshpurifier.com/blog/charcoal.php?affId=FAA74003&c1=us&c2=charcoal_kwin tent&fid=10&gad_source=5&gad_campaignid=1838622042 9&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1t2Lx-fjjQMVeLKDCB1ZByUsEAEYASAAEgLoEfD_BwE
https://www.zestuous.com/wp-content/...imary-logo.png
- Recipes
- By Ingredient
- By Course
- Healthy Eating
- About
- My Favorites
Campfire Hobo Stew
Campfire Paella Foil Packet
Bacon-wrapped Chicken Medallions
Mom's Bacon Corn Chowder
Bacon-wrapped dates with lemon thyme vinaigrette
Chicken Carbonara with Bacon and Spaghetti
Maple Bacon Pork Loin
Bacon Wrapped Cinnamon Rolls
Campfire Bacon
https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3...s=64&d=mm&r=pg
SAVE TO FAVORITES
This post may contain affiliate links which help support Zestuous.
132.1K SHARES
https://www.zestuous.com/wp-content/...ire-bacon3.jpg
This is a recipe (or really more of a technique) that I discovered while camping a few weeks ago.
I vowed to make recipes using only foil and skewers, and no way was I going to give up bacon in the process. If you can put a marshmallow on a stick, by God, you can put bacon on a stick.
https://www.zestuous.com/wp-content/...re-bacon-1.jpg
The secret to getting your bacon evenly crispy is to weave each strip onto a skewer, leaving a gap between weaves. Then, continue weaving more strips on the skewer, leaving a few inches empty at the end.
https://www.zestuous.com/wp-content/...re-bacon-2.jpg
Prepare a campfire and set two logs or rocks on each side of the flames so you can rest the skewers on the logs/stones over the flames.
Rotate the skewers every 5 or so minutes to ensure even cooking and browning. You might get a few flare-ups…that’s just a bacon grease fireworks celebration. If it gets too out-of-hand, have a squirt bottle with water near by to put out some hot spots.
https://www.zestuous.com/wp-content/...fire-bacon.jpg
Your bacon should be crispy, ready and extra smoky in about 30 minutes.
What a happy campfire breakfast!
SHOW ALL
Explore More
Campfire Hobo Stew
Campfire Paella Foil Packet
Mom's Bacon Corn Chowder
Bacon-wrapped dates with lemon thyme vinaigrette
Chicken Carbonara with Bacon and Spaghetti
Maple Bacon Pork Loin
Bacon-wrapped Chicken Medallions
Bacon Wrapped Cinnamon Rolls
Bacon-wrapped Scallops in Hollandaise
Bacon Maple Syrup
Pumpkin Spice Latte Baked French Toast with Bacon Pecan Maple Syrup
Bacon Apple Fritters
Bacon Egg and Pimento Cheese Muffin
Cheesy Bacon Popovers
Mystery Box 1: Tomato & Potato Bacon Chowder with Oyster Crackers
Bacon Bourbon Smoked Turkey
Apple Ale Bacon Jam
Brown Sugar Chili Bacon
Bacon Flour Tortillas
Bacon Ranch Chicken (in the slow cooker)
Bacon Pumpkin Seeds
Steak Sandwich with Saucy Mama Horseradish Bacon
Blueberry Fire Pit Flapjacks with Maple Blueberry Syrup
Easy German Pancake Recipe
Shrimp Patties with Garlic Lime Aioli
Campfire Bacon | Zestuous
https://www.instructables.com/assets...-logo-2023.svgProjects
Contests
Teachers
Log In
Sign Up
Build Yourself a Portable Home - a Mongolian Yurt
Video at the page link Build Yourself a Portable Home - a Mongolian Yurt : 9 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables
By davidbuzz in OutsideCamping
1,118,369
2,489
271Featured
Introduction: Build Yourself a Portable Home - a Mongolian Yurt
https://content.instructables.com/FQ...AwNjo0MTo1MC4w
https://content.instructables.com/F2...AwNTozMToxMi4w
Yurt/Gher Construction 101
A guide to Building Yurts...or more specifically, how I built mine!
Based on Knowledge Gained from "Doing it Myself", and reading about it on-line.
I've now built three yurts, for myself and friends, and we go camping in Luxury in these a few times a year.
If you like the outdoors, but you hate having to crawl around in pokey little tents then this one's for you!
We sleep two of us in luxury in this tent, in a full queen-sized bed! Of course, sleeping on the floor, like a plastic tent, you could probably sleep 20 people, easily!. :-)
We have dedicated hanging space for our clothes so they don't crumple or anything, and lockable boxes for our belongings (or a lock on the door works too!)
When we invite other camping-inclined friends over for a party in our tent, we can confortably fit 15-20 people in, sitting around on cushions and lounging on the bed and on the rugs on the floor... now that's what I can a party tent! :-)
If you like pictures, please be sure to have a look at step 9 - it's got over 50 assembly photos on that step alone !
Step 1: Overview of the Parts and Process.!
https://content.instructables.com/FO...AwNTozMTowMS4w
https://content.instructables.com/FQ...AwNTozMDoyMC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FT...AwNTowMzozNS4w
https://content.instructables.com/FZ...AwNTozMDoxNi4w
I'm going to cut right to the chase, and assume you know the following (in principle):
1) What a yurt is, and what it's made from.
2) How all the components should look when together.
If you've ever seen a yurt in the flesh, or photo's, or read a bit about them, that's enough.
As you can see from the photo/s, there are a few major components, so I'm going to write about each of these in turn, with some background info, and how to make them, and after that I'll show you how it all comes together for the assembly!
- Dimensions and background.
- Timber Components
- wall
- roof
- door.
- Metal Components
- roof hub
- bolts, pins, pegs.
- canvas components
- wall
- roof
- roof cap
- Assembly!
below are a few sample pictures of some components, just for intereste sake:
Step 2: Dimensions and Background
Over all DImensions:
Tent Diameter: approx 15' ( 5 meters) across.
Tent Height: approx 10' (3 meters) in the centre, and 5'6" ( 1.6m) at the edges.
My Yurt Components (A reference guide for later) :
Wall Timbers: 8'(2400mm)long x 6mmx35mm Slats (see below) Quantity: 70ish
Wall Bolts: 1" or 1&1/2" long x 1/4(6mm) bolts Quantity: almost 300
Main Roof Supports: 8'(2400mm) x 45mmx35mm Beams Quantity: 8
Secondary Roof Supports: 8'(2400mm) x 45mmx16mm Beams Quantity: 8
All roof supports and wall slats are cut-down from 90x35 F8 or F12 pine framing timber - see below for details.
Roof 'HUB': Constructed from metal (see later steps)
Wall Canvas: 8oz canvas - preferably "proofed", but I used untreated and unbleached canvas and treated it myself (see details in later steps)
Roof Canvas: 12oz canvas - MUST be "proofed" (water proofed, and anti-mound treated) ...don't use 8oz or you'll regret it. If you can find a really strong and properly treated 10oz canvas(I couldn't), then that will probably do, but it might sag a little.
UNRELATED ASIDE: If I was going strictly "traditional" I wouldn't be using zinc plated bolts
(or any bolts), I'd be lashing saplings together not using machine-sawn timber, I'd be using
natural felt made from sheep and yak fur mixed and pressed with oils (linseed and boiled
animal fats) not water proofed and anti-mould treated canvas. I wouldn't have a tarpaulin on
the floor, it would be dirt, and there would be a rock-surrounded fire-place inside the tent
for warmth (and smoke). The door would always point south, the north inside wall would have
a religious idol/importance. The men and visitors would always sit/sleep on the west, the
women and children on the east, you would always stop for a meal when passing, you would
always ask 'How are you?' '..And your family?' '..And your flock is fat and well?' (and the
answer would always be yes even if it's not true) I'm not THAT anal about "traditional"
form nor am I a "historical" nazi.
Step 3: Timber Components - the Wall
https://content.instructables.com/FX...AwNTozMzowNS4w
https://content.instructables.com/F3...AwNTozMzowNy4w
https://content.instructables.com/FK...AwNTowMzoyNS4w
https://content.instructables.com/F5...AwNTowMjoxNy4w3 More Images
How I decided on the size:
Some designs I saw specified 1&1/2"x1/4" OR 1"x1" OR 1&1/5"x1/2" sizes.
I figured that the smallest size would be lighter and would be strong enough if I had the slats
"overlap" enough, and I saw at least 3 sets of plans that used 1/4" thick slats, so I used
that size.
As it turns out, the flexibility of the thin slats is really good for portability as it allows the yurt wall to be rolled-up rather than split into sections and layed out flat.
I thnk 5-6mm is OK, but only if your timber is not prone to breaking, and has natural flexibility in it. Other timber batches do require 7-8mm. In all three tents that I've made, I've always used pine, because it's easily available, and cheap, but there are differing qualities, and using the lowest quality pine (once, in my second tent) did result in more damage occuring, more easily, so I prefer the higher grade/s now.
The extra 2mm might not sound like much, but it'll make a big difference while still giving
the flexibility...or you could leave it that thin and use a slightly harder timber than pine
(eg meranti)...pine is probably as soft as it comes, so anything comercially available will
be stronger than pine. If you don't have pine locally, use whayever softwwood it is that your house frames are normally made out of.
What size I ended up using:
I used approx 6mmx35mm (1/4"x1&1/2") cut from 90x35mm pine construction timber.
Using a "thin kerf" saw blade in a standard circular power saw I was able to cut 9 or 10 slats from
each 90x35 length, so I cut up 8 lengths into about 80 slats, and this gave me some spares
to allow for the more than occassional knot in the timber which weakened the slat and/or
caused it to snap. Don't throw out broken slats as these are used around the door where
the slats must be shorter.
The structure is quite flexible with such thin slats ..it's quote strong enough tho, so if you are after a LIGHT and easy to carry wall structure then go for 6mm, a reasonably sized guy (me!) can easily carry my entire wall structure when it's rolled up into one 8' long 300mm across cylinder.
I've seen other designs that said when they rolled their walls up they rolled up to 2' (600mm) across, so either mine is more flexible/lighter or I rolled it tighter, or both.
Length of timber was 8' because the slats are angled at 45 degrees when setup, giving a wall
height of approx 5'6", which is adequate for anyone 'normal' (if you are 6'6" tall u might like
slightly taller walls).
My timber yard is aimed more at the commercial market, and they sell in
3.0,4.8 or 6.0 metre lengths only...which is great, I just bought the 4.8 lengths and asked them to
cut them down the middle (to 2.4m or 8') "so I can transport them easier in my car".
How I cut it:
I mounted the circular saw upside down (with the blade parallel to the wall) onto a "saw table"
which I made up temporarily from a few scraps of timber I had lying around. The table top
needs to be almost twice as long as the timber you are cutting "longwise". The table I jigged up
was about 4 meters long.
I then screwed a "running board" to the top of the 'table', parallel to the saw blade, so that it was 6mm (or your prefered slat width) behind the saw blade.
Remember that the saw itself is actually underneath the table, and has the blade sticking up
through a slot that you sawed in the table just for this purpose!.
Don't use your dining table for this! DANGER: dont ever try this at home! ;-) Using an exposed saw blade like this is a definite danger. If you like your fingers DO NOT go anywhere near the saw while it is running.
In order to switch the saw on/off and keep it on without holding the trigger in all the time, I
plugged it into a powerboard that had built-in switches, and used these to switch on/off, I then
used a "zip-tie" around the handle to keep the trigger "on" permanently.
In order to keep the timber that is being cut hard up against the timber running board( and hence
make sure that the slats are consistent in width - which is important), I added a little swinging
pivot to the table near the saw blade, and hung a heavy weight off the pivot with a piece of thin
rope.
It was arranged such that the strip of timber that made up the pivot pushed up against the
front edge of the timber being cut, and the counter-weight (in my case a large lump of hardwood,
but a house brick or 2 would also do) pulled on one end of the rope with the other end tied to
the pivot.
The overall result is that the weight on the rope pushes the 'pivot' timber, and
that in turn holds the timber being cat hard against the running board. If none of this makes
sense to you, thats OK, don't worry about it, just find a willing volunteer, give them a "push
stick" and charge them with the responsibility of holding/pushing the timber hard against the
running board while you feed it along the length of the timber being cut.
See the picture below if this is all still to much. It really quite simple, it's just hard to describe.
(SIDE NOTE: a "push stick" is a piece of scrap timber at least a metre long (or 2) than anyone
working with a table saw should be using at all times that they are anywhere near the saw. It
is used to push the piece of timber that is being cut, so that you can push it right up to and
through the saw blade without worrying about things like loosing fingers, etc, having your grip
on something slip and 'whoops there goes that hand'. The end of the 'push stick' is sacrificed
to the god of the power-saw as it becomes sliced and diced up...better it than your fingers!)
Calculating the Quantity of slats required:
A number of factors are involved... 1) how many bolt holes (ie overlapping slats) you have in
each slat. 2) how big you want the finished tent to be, and 3) how many roof supports you want to have.
1) number of bolt holes can be between 5 and 10 per slat. I have seen examples of 5,7, 8 and 10.
The person/plans I saw that said they used 5 later said they had modified their plan by adding
intermediate holes, and converted the 5 to a 9 hole. I figured that I'd pick a middle figure
out of 5,8 and 10. I used 8 holes, layed out thus:
first hole : 3"(75mm) from one end (the top)
next 7 holes: 1'(300mm) in from the last
leaving : 9"(225mm) between the last hole and the other end (the bottom)
This gives a "grid" when assembled whose sides are 1' (300mm) in length.
My finished tent is approx 15' diameter. It seems that most designs I could get my hands on a based around a 15" tent (or close to) as it is quite large enough to normally sleep say 6 or 8, and
this makes it perfect for two or three and leave lots of room to spare.
Some maths: lets assume we want a tent of around 15'(4.5m) diameter, and we are using 8 bolt holes separated by one foot into an 8' slat as described above. When the slats are assembled we will also assume that they are angled at 45 degrees. This results in a wall height of around 5'6" with the slats at 45 degrees.
The angle of the roof will mean that the centre of the tent is over 7' tall (more on that later), so if you are more than 5'6" tall, don't worry, youll only have to duck when going thru the door.
If the slats are at 45deg. then they will be forming diamond shapes in the wall grid that are actually completely square. the width of these "squares" across the diagonal (ie horizontal to the ground) is (using pythagoras) square-root of 2, or 1.41' (424mm).
In order to get a tent that is 15'(4.5m) round you need a circumference of 3.14x15' (3.14x4500mm) ie: 47.1' (14.13m). with each 'square' being 1.41'(424mm), that means we need 33.65 of them to go the entire way round the circumference.
Each square takes two slats, so we need 67.3 (must be multiples of 2) rounded to 68 slats for the entire tent. That said, we haven't allowed for the door yet, or taken into consideration how the roof sits on the top of the walls, but you get the idea....next, the doors etc....
If we make the door 2x1.41' or 2.82' (846mm) wide, then it's an nice even figure, and we can
simply reduce the number of required slats by 4 to 64. (the door taking up the space that those
slats would have take up).
Since the roof supports have to have their lower end supported onto a point where the slats
intersect, then we must be able to divide the number of 'squares' around the tent evenly by
the number of roof supports we decide to use.(or suffer un-evenly spaced roof supports - eek!)
When building my yurt, I forgot this next bit of the step, so every time I put the roof onto the walls, the roof suports never quite sit right as I have to put them onto the nearest intersection , which isn't exactly spaced out. Oh well, it still works well, just not quite as neat.
The neat way: Lets say we decide the roof is to have 8 primary supports that hold up the centre ring, and 8 secondary(smaller cross section) supports that are for stopping the canvas sagging, so we end up with 16 supports.
In order to divide the number of roof slats up evenly into the number of wall 'intersections',
we must have either 16,32,48,64 or 80 'squares' around the yurt (counting the door as two for the
sake of the math). Since we figured that we we going to have '33.65' (rounded to 34) squares
(see above), then we were pretty close to the required 32 that we have just said we must use. Of course, you could also change the number of roof supports to match the walls, rather than change the number of wall slats to match the roof supports. Say you've done what I did, and built your walls, then realising that the number of roof supports you cut is wrong, it's easier to cut another roof support or two than it is to change the wall structure...so long as you haven't built your center 'hub' yet, otherwise it's easier to add or remove a few slats from the wall.
So, the decision I made was to have 16 roof supports, meaning 32 'squares' (two of them
are the door), so with 30 actual squares (32 minus two for the door), we should need 60
slats (plus or minus a few to be cut up either side of the door), and have a resulting tent
size of just a smidgen smaller than we originally said.
The final size is 32x1.41' or 45.12'(13536mm) circumference, and 14.37'(4310mm) diameter
if you keep the "diamonds" perfectly square. Just push the walls out a little more, and make
them a couple of inches shorter, and you still have the 15'-16' tent you started with.
Phew!.
SIDE NOTE: other plans I've seen vary the roof supporting structures from 5 to 45, so there is a
lot of variation here. The upper end of the range is most likely for areas that experience
snow, or that are using extremely thin roof supports, or that like the idea/neatness that
comes from having a roof support on the top of every single wall 'intersection' - ie where
two wall slats join at the top hole, the lower end is possibly for those using a very heavy
canvas, or a smaller tent size that doesn't need as much 'support' to stop sagging) My original
planned roof used 8 as I was goinf for maximum portability, minimum weight, but I modified the
roof before I had even finished building the yurt to be 16 as stated above, and this is a much
better result for minimal weight gain - the secondary supports don't really have to hold much
weight at all, just some canvas. It's the primary ones that hold up the ring. Some other plans
don't use two types of roof support, but instead opt for all of them to be load bearing. This
works too, and will probably give you a roof ring that you can do chin-ups from without any
problems. I hang entire wardrobes of garb from mine with no problems.
Drilling the holes into the slats:
Use a drill press, or be VERY careful to make sure you drill straight thru.
Every plan I read said that a drill press was a good idea. I didn't use one, I was just really careful, and mine worked, but if you are "powertool-impaired" like some of my friends (hi Wolfe!) then you must use a drill press, or get one of your non-impaired friends to do it.
Because the timber I'm using is soft (pine) and gives a bit due to how thin it is, I was able
to get away with the holes being up to 3 or 4 mm off center by the time they came out the other
side of the the 90x35 (drilled thru the 90), but I really strongly recommend taking your time
and getting the holes really straight as it makes lining up the bolts so much easier.
Be accurate and consistent in your measurements when marking them onto your timbers before you drill too as this is also really important.
Assembling the walls:
I've seen plans that specified rivetting, tying with cord, cotterpins, and bolts.
Bolts are so much easier then rivets, and so much stronger than cord or cotterpins. Just make sure that you either use self-locking nylon nuts , or deliberately damage the end of the bolt thread after putting the nut on (this stops the nuts coming off in-transit and getting lost).
I just hit the thread end of the bolt with a hammer a bit as it's cheaper than nylon nuts
(go to the hardware store and check the price difference for yourself - if you are on a tight
budget you'll do what I did).
If you are building a yurt/ger then you've obviously seen how the walls are put together so I
wont bore you any more. It's just a case of inserting 300 odd bolts thru the right holes, putting
all the nuts on (no need to tighten them - actually tightening them is very bad!), and then
making sure the nuts won't come off easily after you damage the thread a bit.
The only assembly point that is ESSENTIAL is that all the slats angled one way are *inside* the circle, and all the slats angled the other way are outside the circle, otherwise the frame won't fold-together in a scassor-like fashion.
Like I metioned, my holes were sometimes up to 5 mm off in places, but the timber has plenty of 'flex' in it so I just encouraged it a bit with a hammer where necessary, and made it fit. ;-)
(don't hit the timbers to hard or you'll break the slats before you even start).
Near the doors, the slats must get shorter by one hole at a time, I fiddled with the shape of the
timbers where they joined onto the door frame, just because I wanted a neat finish. Everyone does their doors differently as it depends what you want.
Traditionally (in the 1600's and earlier) the monguls would have just had felt 'flap' doors, not solid timber hinged ones, but I've seen quite a few that go the solid door (and it's popular in mongolia nowdays!) as it makes for a very secure structure, and is pretty cool.
Mine is a extremely simple frame made from (suprise suprise) 90x35mm pine framing timber. Two lengths the height of the finished wall (5'6"), and two of the desired door width (2.82' or 846mm). I made the simplest possible door frame, and the door is a canvas drapery that I hang over the space. I did that because I wanted portability, and a big solid door seemed like a real pain to carry around. To do similar, I suggest using a large timber screw called a coach screw, two in each corner of the door, , and drill a hole through them, and screw them together.
Other options might be :
1) a 'door' that is still canvas/cloth covered, but is actually
made of lattice like the walls, this is portable and secure, I'm sure you could make a lock for
it somehow.
2) on one plan I saw recently on the web (it might be in the URLs listed below, I
don't remember) had a "double" door, by that I mean solid "french" doors. Two
half-width doors with one hung from each side. It's more portable, and still solid. I'll
probably do this way eventually.
Step 4: * Timber Components - the Roof!
https://content.instructables.com/FQ...AwNTozMDoyMC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FZ...AwNTowMzozNy4w
https://content.instructables.com/FW...AwNTozMzowMS4w6 More Images
Main roof supports:
Cut up the roof supports from 90mmx35mm (just like everything else).
4x2400mm lengths, each cut down the middle makes the 8 primary supports.
2x2400mm lengths, each cut into 4 makes the 8 secondary supports.
I live in a snow-free zone. If you are going to be snowed on you'll probably want a greater
roof pitch (eg make them 9' or 10' long instead of 8' long) AND stronger beams.
Roof/height Support lengths/pitch/angle:
A 15' diameter tent has a radius from the centre of 7&1/2' (which is shorter than the 8' length
of the recommended roof supports), When the roof is angled, the pitch is slightly longer than
the straight radius, so with a bit of math, depending on the actual pitch and size you choose, you might find that 8' is actually to short to reach the centre, or perhaps a bit long. That's ok because it doesn't have to reach the centre. The centre contains a 'hub' that can be anywhere from 1'(300mm) to 3'(900mm) across.
I could say I figured out the exact roof pitch I wanted, used some more math to get the required length of the supports, then used that to figure the size of the ring I needed if the
supports were 8'(2400mm) long, but I didn't. I decided I wanted a 1&1/2' (450mm) ring, and
that I didn't care what pitch the roof ended up at, so long as it wasn't flat.
I stood in the back yard with a half-assembled yurt and no centre ring, put a ladder in the middle, and propped the top ends of the roof supports on the top of the ladder (a 10' ladder I think), and
guestimated that it would be fine.
I built the ring and I put it together, and it's close enough. I could increase the pitch a little, but heck it works the way it is, so why change it?
You do it however you like. :-)
My First yurt was assembed this way, and it assembles fine, but it's more of an art to put together than a science. The next two yurt/s actually turned out a bit smaller (13-14' foot diameter), so I actually found it was necessary to cut up to a 20cm(6") off the roof timbers, so that they don't hang-out-over the edge of the yurt. That's OK too, and I find these are actually easier to assemble!.
Roof Support Connections:
Joining the roof supports to the centre 'hub' is detailed in the hub section, but joining the bottom of the roof supports to the top of the walls can be done in a number of fashions:
1) the first method I used, and the one I currently still use on my first yurt (but don't recommend) involves tying them down. Drill a 6mm hole thru/across the bottom end of the roof supports about 30-40mm (1&1/2") from the end, and tie a loop of strong woven cord (eg 4-5mm nylon venetian blind cord) that is about 150mm (6") across through that loop. The loop can then just be tied around top of the wall , when the support sits on the wall. I currently do that, and also extended the loop with about 450mm (1&1/2') of cord that can be lashed to the wall further down so the joint is secure (this bit works well enough).
2)What I did on yurt numbers 2 and 3 was to use a steel "pin" on the top of the wall, and have a holedrilled into the rool timbers at an angle matching the pitch of the roof. the steel pin on the frame goes into the hole on the roof timber, and creates a joint. have a look at the pictures, and you'll see what I mean.
Step 5: Metal Components - the Roof Hub
https://content.instructables.com/FZ...AwNTozMDoxNi4w
https://content.instructables.com/FB...AwNTowMjo0Ni4w
https://content.instructables.com/FW...AwNTowMjo0NC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FC...AwNTowMjo0Mi4w
Roof Hub Options:
The whole purpose of the 'hub' is simply a way of connecting the centre of the roof all together
while also giving a centre 'vent' or 'port' for circulation/ventilation/smoke/watching the stars.
1)Traditionally it would have been a ring of saplings that the roof saplings were lashed to, but that's not something that's easy to dissassemble, and reassemble.
2)Today the most common form (I've seen it in other yurts) is a 3 layer "laminate" ring made of two layers of ply and a middle layer of wedge shaped timbers, the result being that there are squares to push the roof poles into. (the roof poles need to have an angle cut into them to use this form). I have seen this form work well and would recommend it if you have timber skills,but not metal working skills, but I did not use it myself.
3) A timber "ring" formed by building a vertical laminate up from long thin lathes of timber
which are steamed and bent into a ring, and glued and clamped together, with more lathes of timber being added into the inside of the 'ring' until it has a thick-enough profile/width.
This is lighter than 1), doesn't require the roof supports to be weakened by cutting onto an angle,
(only rounded off to fit the large holes that are then drilled into the ring laminate), and is
probably the best form to use if you ignore the construction. It's just really hard to make and
get it to work right.
4) Finally, The form I ACTUALLY used: I own a welder, and have reasonable metal working skills, so I made a 450mm (1&1/2') ring from solid metal 15mm rod (actually an ocatagon, but it looks like a circle if you don't look to closely!), and off of that I welded 8 large (15mm round) 'prongs', and 8 smaller 8mm round 'prongs' (one for each of the 16 roof supports), I arranged these so that they were angled down at the same pitch as the roof is supposed to be (whatever you worked it out to be for yout tent, I just guessed).
To join the roof timbers to this steel "star", I then VERY CAREFULLY drilled a very deep 16mm or a 9mm hole long-ways straight into the end of the roof supports/timbers. (I bought 2 spade bits(16&9mm) and a "spade bit extender" in order to drill a really deep hole.
I drilled about 200mm into the timber end for the large supports, and made the large 'prongs' 220mm long, and 100/120mm for the smaller 'prongs' ).
The idea is that the roof supports slide over the 'prongs', and produce a very strong joint. This
works really well, and I found it easy enough to make.
I made this joint up..I've never seen anyone else use this method on their yurts/plans..I just
guess no one's thought of doing it this way before...or they don't like it because it's not
"traditional" enough for them.
My 'hub' (the first yurt) is really rusted - because it was recycled steel in the first place, but the newer yurts I made were painted with zinc-impregnated (rust inhibiting) paint, which keeps them looking reasonable.
Step 6: Metal Components - - Bolts, Pins, Pegs.
https://content.instructables.com/FT...AwNTowMzozNS4w
https://content.instructables.com/FZ...AwNTozMDoyNS4w
https://content.instructables.com/FQ...AwNTowMzoyOS4w
https://content.instructables.com/FU...AwNTozMDoxMi4w
The remaining metal components that need to be manufactured in some way or another are:
Metal Pins
- for pinning the doorframe to the wall lattice. these are just bent steel 6mm (1/4") rod. they need to be removable so that the yurt can be dis-assembled, and re-assembled easily. I made the ones in the picture from a piece of mild steel 150mm long, with a 50mm (2") handle/bend at one end.
Newer ones I actually make by purchasing galvalised tent pegs (just like the one shown), and cutting them in half. It's easier, and they don't rust so much.
The 3rd picture shows a close-up of the pin assembled through part of the wall lattice and door frame/s.
Bending them is actually really easy with one end in a bench vice and hitting the other end with a hammer (start lightly, don't rush it, or you'll create cracks).
Roof Eyelets, and Hooks.
- the hooks are actually an option, but something I find makes it easier to assemble the finished roof.
At each of the 16 points around the roof edge where the timber/s point to (ie equidistant), your should put a brass "puch-through" eyelet which is large enough to lace your cord through.
Every second of these should have an "S-hook" fitted (see the second picture for mine) so that you can easily hook tie-down rope through it when you are assembling the yurt. I custom-made mine out of large calvanised nails, bent into a funny U shape, such that the head of the nail will not fit through the brass eyelet in the tent, but the shank will.
Bending them like this, I can permanently fit them to the roof, and not lose them, but can still lace the rope around the open end easily.
Pins for connecting walls to roof
Look closely at the last picture in this set, and you'll see that the vertical part of the "pin" appears to join onto the nut/bolt that goes through the wall lattice X. It's actually all the same bolt, just a long one, with the head cut off.
The bolt is a 1/4"(6mm) diameter, 120mm long bolt with thread on about 1inch of the shank.
By threading a nut on as far as it will go, and bending it almost exactly where the thread stops next to the nut, you get a L-shaped pin which is threaded on the short-section, and has the nut permanently locked into the "corner" (due to the distortion of the thread that occurs while bending the bolt right next ot it).
It's actually quite easy (just bend a bolt)...it's just hard to explain.
These special L-shape bolts are used in-place-of the short bolts at the top edge of the roof, but only on every second joint. (where the timbers sit).
Step 7: Canvas Components - the Wall!
https://content.instructables.com/FE...AwNTozMDo1OS4w
https://content.instructables.com/FM...AwNTozMDozNS4w
https://content.instructables.com/F8...AwNTozMDozNy4w5 More Images
Buy a piece of canvas that's as long as your tent is round, including the door, plus a bit spare - perhaps 30cm( 1').
The simple version (my first method) :
I didn't have to do anything else to mine apart from hem the two raw ends, and put a few brass eye-lets into the hemmed ends. To keep it up, it just has the top few inches hung over the wall,
and held in place by the weight of the roof supports (bull-dog clips during assembly).
At the door, the canvas end is just taken thru the door, and string/light rope is used to lash
from the eye-lets in the end seam back to the lattice on the inside of the wall, which holds
the canvas tight around the outside of the wall when these are tightened a bit. The wall itself
can then act a little like a "tension band" ..the tensioning ropes are still a must though!.
The longer version (my perferred method now) :
background: my yurt's are constructed such that when all the timber frames are together, and the roof timbers are fitted, the top edge of the wall/lattice has a roof timber fitted on every second X joint. This leaves every second bolted joint free, and accessable for hanging the wall from.
To do this, I sew a reinforcing to the canvas just below the point that would be matched onto the joint in the wall, and sew a wodden "toggle" , via a strong nylon cord into the reinforcing. The wall canvas can then just be hitched-up onto the wall timbers, and hung there from the wooden toggles.
This gives a result that is invisible from the outside of the tent, easy to erect in a repeatable way, and still within the spirit of the construction.
Note about Tensioning ropes:
These tension ropes/cords (I use two bands, each of 3mm woven venetian blind cord) must be
permanently fitted to the timber walls before the camvas walls and roof are put on. I will go into how these cords are tied to the wall at the end of the Instructable. During test assembly though, you can just wrapt them round the whole yurt, and at least the top one must be partially tightened, or the timber lattice walls will fall down. This must be done before any weight is put on them like when you put the the roof timbers us, or the wall canvas is put on.
Step 8: Canvas Components - Roof
https://content.instructables.com/FZ...AwNTozMToxNi4w
Roof Canvas Construction:
Buy 16 metres of roof canvas at approx 6' wide, and cut/sew it as per the picture below.
Notice how there are two sections 1800(6') wide, these are the full width of the canvas. The two smaller rectangles (top, and bottom) are from the same length of canvas, just split down the middle to half their width.
The "wedge" that is shown missing needs to be cut out and sewn up so that the roof canvas becomes "cone" shaped. to match your roof pitch.
I actually find it easier to just assmemble the whole timber structure in the back yard at this point, and hang the completed flat circle onto the framework/roof. Using a stepladder, and lots of strong pins, I can then pin the roof so that it's clear exaclty how much canvas (the wedge shape) needs to be removed, leaving the roof as a "good fit".
For the simple version:
Do a final Trim, and hem of the outer edge only after you have removed the "wedge" and sewed that bit up, located the roof on the structure again, and finally walked round the outside with a piece of chalk drawing a line where you think the hem should go. I didn't, and no matter how I tried to make it an exact circle, the hems are still a bit uneven. Oh well.
For the more complicated (but preferred) version:
I sew a flat and straight "band" of canvas, about 20cm (6") wide, all the way around the roof edge. This fabric is deliverately NOT curved to match the roof, it is instead straight to match the walls, and it hangs from the bottom of the roof, down the walls, and fully covers-over the wall->roof joint making is really wind/rain/sleet/bug/insect proof.
This also gives a nice professional finish to the outside of the yurt.
I only did this in my 3rd yurt, for which I forgot to take pictures, but believe me, it's really good having a nice air/wind-tight seal there ( my current yurt, the oldes one doesn't have this, and gets a bit drafty). Most of the pictures in this instructable are from my second yurt, which has "dagging" (ie zig-zag square shapes) around the roof edge, this was at the request of the "new owner", and is a bit prettier, but also less traditional, and not as airtight as the 3rd yurt with a solid band.
FINALLY: Don't throw out that "wedge" that you cut out from the yurt.... Cut the biggest equilateral triangle or circle that you can from it, and use that as the "cap" to go over your vent hole.
You'll need at least 24' (8m) of cord/rope to hold that 'cap' in place (three ropes that go from
the tips of the triangle or edge of the circle out to the the walls to be tied off.)
Step 9: Assembly - Putting It All Together/up
https://content.instructables.com/FQ...AwNTozMDoyMC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FH...AwNTozMDoxNC4w
https://content.instructables.com/FZ...AwNTowMzozNy4w57 More Im
The best way is to just give it a go and try putting it up. Expect the first few times you do it
to take quite a while. You'll need two or 3 people, but no more. I can do it on my own now, but
it's still easier with two.
Follow along through the pictures below for a detailed step-by-step pictographic guide with text hints. Seriously, looking at all the pictures is worth it - there are about 50 of them on this step! That's gotta be worth more than 1000 words. :-)
Hints:
*) You'll need a "tension" cord/band (or even two) to go right round the top (and optionally
the middle) of the wall. It's important that you put this in place before you put the roof
supports on. Some people use a band of canvas that is a few inches wide, I use a 3mm venetian
blind cord round the top and middle of the wall (a thicker slat might not need two tensioners).
I use two tensioners just to reduce the slight "bow" in the walls after everything is in place.
I bought a complete 100m roll of cord and it was cheaper than buying 40m at the by-the-metre
price, so I have plenty for things like tying the roof down.
- you can fit the tensioner cord permanently to the timber walls, by tying it onto each bolt-head all the way round the wall, which is a great idea, and makes putting it up so much easier too! See the pictures for details.
*) put(or keep) the tensioning cords/ropes in place before even getting the canvas out of the car. I
always forget them, and then have to take the wall canvas off again in order to put them on. You can put them under, or over the wall canvas, I always prefer under, but others use over, it doesn't really matter, and is just cosmetic.
*) If the wind is light, hang the wall canvas over the walls before putting the roof supports on, and hold it in place with bull-dog clips (or stitch little pockets for the canvas to hang from). If the wind is strong, the wall canvas can act like a sail, and blow your tent away, so leave the canvas untill you have the weight of the roof timber/s to hold it down.
*) Put the centre ring up by putting in 3 opposing main supports first, the ring will then
hold itself up, and the person who was holding it up will not get such sore arms. Try not to stand under the centre-ring very much while assembling it, because getting hit in the head with a large heavy object (if it falls down unexpectedly) is unpleasant and dangerous.
*) Start to pull the roof canvas over the roof, and at the same time have one or two people
inside the tent with long poles (borrow a couple of minor roof supports for this if necessary),
get them to use the poles to push the canvas up and over the roof. It's easier than trying to
just drag it over with ropes.
*) Get a tarp, or large black-plastic dropsheet for your floor, you won't regret it. Cut a circle
about 3/4-1' (~200-300mm) larger all round than your tent, and fold the sides up inside your tent to
prevent water getting into the tent. I origninally used 2500mm wide black-plastic "concrete underlay" plastic sheet (as it was cheaper than a 15' square tarp) and joined it together down the middle with
that wide-brown "duct-tape". It sticks to that black plastic like glue, and is waterproof
enough to survive a month underwater if necessary. The longevity of the black plastic isn;t great though ( a dozen uses or more over 5 years) before the ground/rocks tear it up) , so having a tarpaulin floor is good, which is what I now use - I found a local canvas and tarpaulin supplier who made it to-measure for the circular shape for only $AU100 (about $US150) .
*) In anything except nil-wind conditions you definitely will want to take along a few tent pegs, I use 8 or them, placed in the ground directly as the bottom of the walls, and roped to the roof. (ie tie the edge of the roof canvas to the tent pegs) by putting the eye-lets and S-hooks every so soften around the roof hem, and zig-zagging the tie-down rope between these eyelets with the S-hooks and the tent-pegs set at the same spacing around the bottom of the wall. You end up with this nice regular tringular pattern visible around the edges of the yurt.
*) Otherwise (ie in nil-wind conditions) you can hold the roof canvas down with a noughts-and-crosses # pattern of ropes across the roof.
*) take three times as much 'cord' or 'rope' as you think you'll need, use it for:
- tensioning rope/s (about 15m per tensioner - I use two, so 30m)
- zig-zag tie-downs (roughly every meter round peremeter means 35-40m) or # roof ties (roughly 25-30m)
- cap ties (about 8m or more)
- tying wall canvas in place (either side of the door) (about 5 m)
(I bought 100m and use just about all of it somewhere. I even managed to not have to cut it, so it's
still useful for other things for the other 350 days of the year)
Now, the assembly pictures! There are a LOT of these, in the order of assembly, so just have a look!
https://www.instructables.com/assets/svg/close-ad.svghttps://images.ctfassets.net/jl5ii4o...?w=600&fm=webp
1 Person Made This Project!
Did you make this project? Share it with us!
Log in to post an I Made It
Recommendations
https://content.instructables.com/F1...me=1&width=360DIY Solar Mason Jar Lampby opengreenenergy in Camping
1
173
16K
https://content.instructables.com/F4...me=1&width=360“Discover” a New Mushroom Speciesby chainie in Backyard
51
7.7K
https://content.instructables.com/FW...me=1&width=360Homemade Worm Composter (for a Few Bucks)by Creative Mom CZ in Backyard
58
3.8K
Colors of the Rainbow
Contest
https://content.instructables.com/F6...webp&width=500
Mad Hatter
Contest
https://content.instructables.com/FL...webp&width=500
Make it Wearable
Engineering Student Contest
https://content.instructables.com/FT...webp&width=500
You must be logged in to post a comment or add an I Made It.
Log In
271 Comments
https://content.instructables.com/FT...unds&auto=webphoweville
4 years ago
Build Yourself a Portable Home - a Mongolian Yurt : 9 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables
https://www.instructables.com/assets...-logo-2023.svg
Projects
Contests
Teachers
Step-by-step
We make it easy to learn how to make anything, one step at a time. From the stovetop to the workshop, you are sure to be inspired by the awesome projects that are shared everyday.
Made By You
Instructables are created by you. No matter who you are, we all have secret skills to share. Come join our community of curious makers, innovators, teachers, and life long learners who love to share what they make.
A Happy Place
Making things makes people happy. We can't prove it, but we know it to be true. Find your happy place, and join one of the friendliest online communities anywhere.
Explore Projects
Circuits
https://content.instructables.com/F4...me=1&width=306A Device That Simply Turns Pages by NovemberKou in Arduino
https://content.instructables.com/F5...me=1&width=306Shadow Clock - Projecting Time With 3D Printing and ESP's by DIY Machines in Clocks
https://content.instructables.com/FA...me=1&width=306The SwarmTurret: Wifi Controlled Foam Dart Turret by meub in Raspberry Pi
https://content.instructables.com/FY...me=1&width=306Lizard: 3D Printed RC Race Car by TRDB in Remote Control
Workshop
https://content.instructables.com/FS...me=1&width=306OpenShower: Waste Ends Here by blanyaShowers in Energy
https://content.instructables.com/FX...me=1&width=306Pinwheel Charcuterie Board by rschoenm in Woodworking
https://content.instructables.com/FS...me=1&width=306How I Built My OWN Electric Guitar (Ibanez Style) by PietroBoza in Woodworking
https://content.instructables.com/FL...me=1&width=306Quadcopter Landing Pad With Telescoping Legs for Uneven Ground by marwood in Woodworking
Craft
https://content.instructables.com/F1...me=1&width=306Instructables Robot Laser Battle Scene in Unity by iasarmientoj in Digital Graphics
https://content.instructables.com/FI...me=1&width=306Locked Out: the Illusion of Freedom by Iloke Alusala in Digital Graphics
https://content.instructables.com/FS...me=1&width=306How to Make a DIY Radio Controlled Soda Can Airplane: Transform Aluminum Cans Into an RC Flyer by sodacanmodels93643 in Reuse
https://content.instructables.com/FZ...me=1&width=306Simple Canvas Backpack by bekathwia in Sewing
Cooking
https://content.instructables.com/F0...me=1&width=306Choux Au Craquelin (Homemade Cream Puffs) by Yumchief in Dessert
https://content.instructables.com/FI...me=1&width=306JELLO Jellyfish Aquarium by Jeromina in Dessert
https://content.instructables.com/FC...me=1&width=306Strawberry Lava-Filled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies in Pressure Cooker by curlmoohi in Cookies
https://content.instructables.com/FV...me=1&width=306Jello Roll Ups - Jello Pinwheels by Penolopy Bulnick in Dessert
Living
https://content.instructables.com/FS...me=1&width=306Mid-Century Modern Styled Laser Cut Pendant Light Fixture by Flipping the Flip in Decorating
https://content.instructables.com/FJ...me=1&width=306Assistive Typing Tools for Amputated Fingers, Designed to Enable Fluent and More Comfortable Typing on a Keyboard. by roeiwe in Assistive Tech
https://content.instructables.com/FA...me=1&width=306Amazing Sweet Leaf Herb - 100% Natural & Healthy Zero Calorie Sweetener by Rhonda Chase Design in Health
https://content.instructables.com/FM...me=1&width=306Virtual Vette - Racing Simulator Built From Wrecked Corvette by WoodAirGrille in Video Games
Outside
https://content.instructables.com/FW...me=1&width=306Homemade Worm Composter (for a Few Bucks) by Creative Mom CZ in Backyard
https://content.instructables.com/FH...me=1&width=306Bike Helmet Ear Warmers by fridator in Sewing
https://content.instructables.com/F3...me=1&width=306Cretaceous Concrete by Rob Salmon in Backyard
https://content.instructables.com/FM...me=1&width=306Design Your Own E-Bike Upgrade by tylon22 in Bikes
Teachers
https://velacreations.com/wp-content...14/12/logo.png
Clothesline
Using the sun to dry your clothes saves a lot of energy. This rotating clothesline has a lot of drying space in a small area.
https://velacreations.com/wp-content...=1749458612651
How To: Clothesline
5 Basic Survival Skills You Need When Bugging Out
Resources, Urban & Wilderness Survival
As we mentioned in our How to Make a Bug Out Plan post, the more skills you have, the more self reliant you are and the higher your chances for survival become. Here we are going to discuss some basic survival skills and teach you how to best utilize them to protect yourself and your loved ones when disaster strikes.
Basic Survival Skills
When you are out on your own without the support net of a healthy society, these are the traits and basic survival skills you need to master in order to succeed.
1. Positive Mental Attitude
This is actually more important than any of the other basic survival skills because when you are relying on your ability to wring survival from your surroundings, once you give up hope you are done. There are many amazing stories of people who have survived avalanches, fires, floods, and being isolated for extended periods and making it through thanks to an undying will to survive. They are ordinary people who would simply not quit. Keeping a positive mental attitude will give you the strength to never give up on yourself no matter the circumstances.
Some ways to instill this mentality are:
- Set goals for yourself – These may be daily or even hourly goals such as making it to the next hilltop or obtaining a meal from your surroundings. Make sure they are achievable and objective based. Every goal you accomplish will be a psychological boost for you and will build confidence in your basic survival skills.
- Focus on what you can change – If a major disaster has struck, focusing on the unfairness of the resulting situation or the loss that has occurred will not help you. However, focusing on building a shelter or staying dry will help immensely. Concentrating your efforts to make your situation better will help you both in the long and short term. Ignore the big picture and focus on improving your immediate situation.
- Keep hydrated and nourished – This will give you the energy to persevere in the face of adversity. A steady water and food supply are extremely important. You will not be looking to feast daily but meeting your basic calorie and hydration needs will be enough to keep you going. 2400-3600 Calories per day is a good amount to aim for. Additionally, if this requirement is squared away it will allow you to focus more on recovery efforts or finding help.
- Be outwardly positive – Positivity creates more positivity. Showing fellow survivors that you are with that you have a positive mental attitude will prevent the group being dragged down under the weight of the disaster. Be the seed that grows into higher morale for your team.
2. Water
Beyond your own internal fortitude, water is the most important resource you require. Finding it and knowing how to make it fit for consumption are two of of the most important basic survival skills you can learn.
- Know how to look for signs of water. This may be looking where plants are growing, where terrain slopes or contours into a natural water trap, or observing animal movements to see where they are finding their water supply.
- If you are able to map a route as a part of your Bug Out Plan, identifying likely sources for water along the way will be a massive boon.
- Understand how to treat water to make it fit for consumption. Drinking contaminated water can be deadly.
- Filtration – this consists of passing water through very fine membranes to remove particles and some pathogens. Some viruses may still make it through even the finest filters available.
- Purification – treating water with either chemicals such as iodine or UV light sources. This neutralizes all pathogens but does not eliminate particles.
- Boiling – This is a type of purification as it kills all pathogens but does not remove particles. Water should be kept at a rolling boil for at least 1 minute to sterilize it.
- Because of the separate benefits of both filtration and purification it is recommended that you use both methods to be 100% sure of water safety. The most basic way to do this is to pour water through a cloth and then boil it. However a more effective approach is to pass it through a filter device such as the MSR MiniWorks EX Microfilter and then purify it using tablets or a SteriPen. These items should be considered mandatory requirements for any list of Bug Out Bag Essentials.
- Be able to exploit rainfall if possible. This may include catching it in a poncho or container if available.
- Utilize a Solar Still – This can be purchased here or fashioned out of your survival gear. A Solar Still uses the sun’s heat to evaporate liquid and then recapture it as clean water.
- Understand how much water you need – A person can survive 72 hours without water. It is however recommended that someone who is active consumes 75% of their weight in ounces daily. So if you weigh 150 lbs then you should be drinking about 113 ounces (3.31 liters) of water per day.
https://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/wp...ll-300x160.gifA Home Made Solar Still3. Food
- Hiking with your Bug Out Bag loaded with essential survival gear will cause you to burn 400-500 calories in an hour. To keep your body working as an efficient machine it is important to keep it fueled up.
- First off, ration what food you have with you. You are concentrating on survival, not feasting. Eat small portions when you are hungry but do not over do it.
- Supplement your rations with foraged sustenance from your surroundings. This means you will need to learn what edible plants are around and how to harvest them. Also learn where these plants grow. Does a particular berry grow around water holes? Does a high calorie plant prefer the shade? Learn these aspects to understand where to look for sustenance. Some plants are only edible after cooking or boiling, learn what you need to do with your local flora to make it palatable. Additionally, learn what is hazardous or poisonous to eat to avoid making yourself sick!
- Understand what types of animals inhabit your area. This includes possible predators to avoid and prey to seek out. Learn what environments these animals inhabit. Is there a particular fish that likes eddies and whirlpools? Target these spots to find them. Does an animal in your area like to eat a particular plant? Placing snares in the vicinity of these plants would be ideal. If you do not know how to operate a firearm, a slingshot may be a good option for you. There are many options for slingshots, such as The Scout Hunting Slingshot or learn how to make one here. Also learn how to prepare these animals for cooking. This includes skinning and butchering animals and filleting fish. We have embedded the below videos as a tutorial in these basic survival skills.
Basic Survival Skills: How to Fillet a Fish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7rVfAoig68
How to Fillet a Fish (Walleye)
Basic Survival Skills: How to skin a squirrel
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bN5VMBeexg&rco=1
Field Dressing Squirrel
Basic Survival Skills: How to Butcher a Deer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BJP-lGlV6c
Deer Hunting: Field Dressing and Quartering
4. Shelter
A well prepared person will have a means of sheltering themselves from the elements as a part of their Bug Out Contents List. However, a TOTALLY prepared person will also have learned survival shelter building as one of their basic survival skills. A survival shelter does not need to be complicated or fancy but it should keep rain/snow out, keep heat inside, and be easily cobbled together from local materials.
- A survival shelter can be built from most anything – debris from collapsed buildings, trees and leaves, animal hides, or a tarp or poncho
- Consider bringing paracord and a saw or hatchet when building your Bug Out Bag Contents List as these can be your best friends when building a shelter. With these items you can make a survival shelter out of just about anything in very little time.
- If you do not have paracord, zip ties, duct tape, or another binding material, primitive rope can be improvised from strips of tree bark, small green saplings or branches, and vines.
- A basic survival shelter could consist of building a frame from long rigid materials such as tree branches or 2×4’s and laying a poncho or tarp over it.
- If you cannot use your poncho or tarp for this, layer brush on to the frame sloping away towards the ground to insulate for warmth and keep moisture out. See the picture below for a general idea of this.
Store Bought Survival Shelters A Shelter Made On the Trail https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/wi...1&tag=tbobg-20https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/...1&a=B006BBW15O
https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/wi...1&tag=tbobg-20https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/...1&a=B000P9GZGE
https://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/wp...r1-225x300.jpgImage Credit: simonov on Flickr
5. Fire
Fire can provide many things when in a survival situation and both building and maintaining one are essential basic survival skills. A fire will give a morale boost, provide heat and light, and enable you to purify water and cook food.
https://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/wp...yke-Banner.gif
- The basic requirements to build any fire are to give it air, fuel, and an ignition source.
- Air – A fire consumes air hungrily and it is important to build it in a way that allows air to flow into the combustion. Do not smother a fire by putting too much fuel onto it.
- Fuel – This is what actually burns in a fire and can be sourced from many places. If a branch or stick snaps cleanly it is dry and will burn well. If it bends and splinters it is still green and will smoke and smother a fire.
- Ignition Source – this can be a lighter, matches, or a fire starter that you bring with you. You should however learn more primitive means of fire starting as one of your basic survival skills in the event that these items cannot be sourced. See the video below for one simple method.
- A fire is build in successive layers of increasingly larger wood. You start with tinder, which is very small, dry, and catches easily. Examples of tinder are tree bark, dryer lint, coconut husk, and pine needles. From tinder you go up to kindling which is generally twigs up to the diameter of your little finger. Next is fuel wood which is in sizes up to your thumb. Continue to add more wood gradually until you have a fire large enough to ignite logs. These logs are what will produce the majority of your coals in a fire pit.
- The opposite technique is to build what is known as an “Upside Down Fire” This has large logs at the bottom and tapers to fuel wood, kindling, and then tinder at the top. An upside down fire allows you to build your cooking fire and then let it burn down without having to babysit it and can be great in makky outdoors situation. Check out my in-depth instructional guide to learn how to build an Upside Down Fire here.
- Learn how to use a fire to cook food. Coals are a far better method of cooking food than a naked flame. Coals will produce a more even heat and allow you to control the rate at which your food cooks, rather than having some parts seared with the inside raw. A naked flame is however better at boiling water.
- The most commonly used types of fires are called a Teepee and a Log Cabin, which are pictured below.
- A Dakota Fire Pit is another type that is less widely used than these but more efficient. See the image below for how a Dakota Fire Pit works.
Teepee Fire Log Cabin Fire https://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/wp...kr-199x300.jpgImage Credit: mikemol on flickr https://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/wp...kr-225x300.jpgImage Credit: geraldford on flickr
https://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/wp...ire-Intro1.png
Basic Survival Skills: Dakota Fire Pit
https://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/wp...ge-300x202.jpg
Basic Survival Skills: Making a fire without matches
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8C8qPoMZdo
How To Make a Fire By Rubbing Sticks
Conclusion
There is no doubt that learning basic survival skills will significantly increase your chances of success. Putting in some time now to teach yourself these basic survival skills will make you better prepared and help you provide for yourself and your family when disaster strikes. As with your bug out bag contents or bug out plan, you should tailor your survival skill set to match your environment. To learn what you need to master in order to survive in a cold weather setting have a look at our article on cold weather survival tips. We mentioned several survival tools in this article that partnered with your skills will make your struggle far less daunting including paracord, a hatchet, saw, and fire starter. To see how these items will affect your overall survival kit and see what other items you can add to your Bug Out Bag list, check out our Free Bug Out Bag Planning Tool. Remember, chance favors the well prepared.
https://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/wp...nfographic.jpg
Your Thoughts
If you thought this post was helpful, please Like, +1, or Share it using the social media buttons at the top of the page! What do you think of these basic survival skills? Is there a survival tactic that you would recommend? Please let us know in the Comments Section below, thanks!
Basic Survival Skills - The Bug Out Bag Guide