Category: Food / Water

  • 5 Best Off-Grid Water Sources for Preppers

    5 Best Off-Grid Water Sources for Preppers

    When deciding to go off the grid, most homesteaders face two major challenges — power and water. While you can get by without power and the modern creature comforts we’ve become accustomed to, water is a necessity. We can only survive for a few days without a source of clean and drinkable water, but if…

  • First Strike Rations, Better Than MREs?

    First Strike Rations, Better Than MREs?

    Almost a year ago now, I purchased an MRE-style meal for our bug out bags called First Strike Rations. Surprisingly, I’ve never heard of such a thing before, but apparently they’re intended for military special ops-type-folks who want a full meal plan but without unnecessary extras like MRE heaters. And, even though I tend not…

  • Will My Water Filter Remove THAT?

    Will My Water Filter Remove THAT?

    When we first moved to the Seattle area more than six years ago now, one of the first items I purchased was a Royal Berkey Water Filter and I’m so glad that I did. Although I’ve had other filters that I kept for survival purposes, I never bothered to get a really good gravity filter…

  • DIY Solar Water Heater

    DIY Solar Water Heater

    Last week I posted this solar water heater using glow plugs video and, while an interesting idea, it’s not very useful when it comes to making the best use of a precious resource: off-grid electricity. With that in mind, I thought it would be useful to show a different idea of how to heat water…

  • How to Prepare by Geographical Region

    How to Prepare by Geographical Region

    This was not the apocalypse we were expecting, but all things considered, it could be worse. While it might still be hard to get your hands on toilet paper and Lysol these days, that doesn’t mean you should neglect your survival prep, no matter where you live or how you’re impacted by the current crisis. …

  • Looking Back, How Prepared Were You?

    Looking Back, How Prepared Were You?

    Now that it seems some of the coronavirus restrictions are going to be lifted soon, I figured it would be a good time to look back and think about how prepared you and I were for what happened as I suspect this is just round one, but let’s hope and pray we’re done for a…

  • Are Backyard Chickens Worth It?

    Are Backyard Chickens Worth It?

    One of these days I’m going to get myself some chickens, if for nothing else than being more prepared for shortages at the grocery store. But, what if you’re only in it for the money? Are you really saving anything by raising your own chickens or would you simply be better off continuing to purchase…

  • The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Family Farm

    The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Family Farm

    Starting a family farm takes passion and hard work. Before you begin, establish what you hope to gain from this endeavor. Some people want to provide fresh food for their families, some want to engage in the lifestyle that farming offers and others want to build a meaningful business that provides for their livelihood.  In…

  • 9 Problems With Using Bleach for Water Treatment

    9 Problems With Using Bleach for Water Treatment

    I’m sure you’re aware that most authorities recommend you either boil water or use bleach (sodium hypochlorite) if you must treat water for some reason, such as a boil water order or you’ve run out of safe, stored water and now must collect from a questionable source. Now, while I understand their reasoning–mostly likely because…