Fully Automatic Firearms? No Thanks!

If there’s one subject which will cause debate amongst preppers, it’s firearms. Everyone seems to have their own opinion about what they need to have, in order to defend themselves. Then there are those amongst us who aren’t thinking firearms at all.

from Survivopedia

Bury These 8 Items Before The Next Crisis

When the world seems to turn upside down, having a secure backup plan is not just smart—it’s crucial for survival. Looters, desperate neighbors, and even authorities can quickly become a threat to your hard-earned supplies post-SHTF. One of the best ways to keep your essentials safe is to bury them in strategic, discreet locations. This […]

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10 Simple Ideas on Beginning Prepping

If you’ve recently learned about prepping and its advantages, you might want to learn some basics to start prepping at home with your family. Preparing for potential emergencies like natural disasters is essential, and a war would be another reason.

You never know what can happen, whether it’s floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, or hurricanes. Stocking up on essentials can help you be ready for most challenges. Check out these ten simple ideas on beginning prepping and becoming more self-reliant, which are easier than you might think!

I’m updating this post because I realize I have new followers who may need help. Please feel free to share anything on my website if you teach emergency preparedness classes, want to inform neighbors, or get extended family members involved. We all started small and added the needed items as our budget allowed.

10 Simple Ideas on Beginning Prepping

1. Start Collecting Non-Perishable Foods

As a prepper, it’s always a good idea to start collecting non-perishable foods at home. These foods included canned meats, tuna, peanut butter containers, protein bars, and more. You don’t need to run out and buy the first non-perishable foods you can find. Instead, try to catch these items while they’re on sale. Right now, many stores are holding clearance sales of canned goods. It’s a great way to get started.

If you grab them on sale, you’ll save money and add them to your stockpile simultaneously. Don’t waste money on food you know your loved ones won’t eat, even in an emergency! This may be one of those simple ideas on beginning prepping, but it’s important because you don’t want food to go to waste. During a disaster, you and your family still need good nutrition as a means to stay healthy and alert

2. Store Plenty of Water For Everyone in the Household

Storing water is a must. You’ll need it to stay hydrated, but it can also come in handy for boiling pasta, rice, and other ingredients you can eat in an emergency. If you store water, you need to do it the right way.

Don’t place it in old milk jugs. While it may seem like a good idea, it’s not because those jugs can easily break over time, causing the water to leak and get everywhere.

It’s best to store your water in quality containers with lids to keep it free of dirt and debris. I have a few ideas I want to show you. Some of you know about these, I’m sure. But for those who are getting started and may not be familiar with various products, I want you to have some options to choose from. I store water in many ways; that’s what we need to do.

Please keep your water safe by storing it on two by 4’s to keep it off the ground or concrete. You don’t want chemicals to leach into the water container(s).

Blue Cans

You may want to look at these Blue Cans. They are truly my favorite long-term water storage containers. They are good up to 145 degrees outside, but depending on where you live, they could freeze. Brownells sold out of them, so we can no longer get them there.

They taste better right out of the can than any stored water I have. These don’t need the product Water Preserver, which you add to your stored water so it doesn’t go bad for up to five years. The Blue Cans have a 50-year shelf life and are the best ever.

Yes, they may be a little pricey, but price isn’t an issue when you need water to survive. I want you to know how much I love this product. Please google for places where they are available to purchase closest to your area.

WaterBricks

I love WaterBricks, I have several of the 3.5-gallon ones and a few of the 1.6-gallon size. The larger units are more practical because you can carry one in each hand to balance them. They each weigh about 27 pounds if filled with water.

I used to have a guest room with 16 of the larger ones under a queen bed, so I had 56 gallons under that bed. No one knew they were there. WaterBricks are really handy because they’re designed to be stacked. You can see the ridges and grooves for stacking purposes in the picture below.

55-Gallon Barrels

I have four 55-gallon barrels on the side of my house. They are from my early days of prepping. They are inexpensive and need a pump to get the water out. When I lived in the desert, I covered them with UV water barrel covers to protect the plastic.

55-gallon UV Water Barrel Covers. I have only replaced them once in 15 years. This water may best be used for hygiene purposes but could also be used for cooking and drinking if needed. As a precaution, you may want to use a quality water filter to properly filter the water or even boil it if you’re nervous before you consume it in food or as drinking water. As mentioned above, I use Water Preserver in these, so I only have to change the water every five years.

As a note, many government agencies suggest one gallon of water per day per person in your family. I have always to my readers a more realistic number is four gallons per person per day. That should cover needed hydration, provide water for cooking, give you some to do limited laundry if required, and also for some sanitation and personal hygiene, even if it’s just a sponge bath. And don’t forget some water for your pets.

Some people use unscented bleach or water purification tablets to treat their water. Other than Water Preserver, I like products from Big Berkey and PortaWell.

3. Build a Garden in the Backyard

Focus on building your garden in the backyard. If you’re growing different fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you can access fresh food in an emergency. You can start small, especially if you have little gardening experience or growing space.

If you’re unsure what to grow, think of the vegetables and fruits you eat and add to recipes more often than anything else. Those are the best fruits and vegetables to grow if they work in your location.

Consider planting lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, berries, and other produce you can use in an emergency. These pictures show some of the items we typically have growing in our garden a few years ago.

I update an annual post every month, outlining what you can plant in that particular month based on your growing “zone.”

4. Use Coupons to Get Must-Have Prepping Items

When you know that you need specific items while prepping, such as mason jars with lids for canning and storing food or flashlights to help you out when the power goes out, make a list of those items. Then, start looking through sales flyers or newspaper ads to see which stores are offering the items you want and need at discounted prices. The goal is to find what you need at a discounted price to save more money.

You don’t need to rush out and spend all your money in a day to get the prepping essentials. Take your time and collect what you can based on family size, budget, and storage space. This tip is essential when it comes to simple ideas for beginning prepping.

5. Get a Storage System Set Up in a Convenient Spot

Invest in a sound storage system that you can place in a convenient spot, such as the basement. It’s out of sight and out of the way, but you can use it to hold some of the most critical items, including bottled water and canned foods.

It would help to have a safe place to put your things to prevent them from getting damaged. You can buy sturdy, reliable, and spacious plastic or metal shelving units. We keep our storage food on metal shelves from Costco. I really like them because they are sturdy and have wheels so I can move them. They almost fill one small bedroom in our home.

The prepping gear that isn’t affected by temperature changes, like our 72-hour kits (bug-out bags), Sun Ovens, Dutch ovens, cooking fuel sources like charcoal, etc., are on the same kind of shelves but located in our garage. UPDATE: (now our 72-Hour Bags are in our home).

6. Buy Batteries While They’re on Sale

If you’re going to start prepping, you’ll need to have plenty of batteries. If you don’t have a power source, batteries are a must-have because you can put them in flashlights to see where you’re going and what you’re doing. Try to buy batteries when they’re on sale.

Batteries can be found at many different stores, including your local home goods store and grocery store, but it’s best to get them when they’re available at a discounted price. While the brand doesn’t necessarily matter, you might want to choose a brand known for its reliability. I love the Members Mark batteries from Sam’s Club. Thank you, Harry for the tip on Sam’s Club.

Please invest in some solar items as well. Many new devices use a portable solar panel to run or charge their batteries. Solar Lanterns or Solar Flashlights: Make sure you rotate batteries as needed. There is nothing worse than grabbing some in an emergency only to find your stored batteries are depleted.

Please consider getting a hand-crank radio for your home or evacuation shelter. This way, you can stay informed and not have to carry too many batteries in your inventory for needed communication in a disaster. It is a great addition to your family’s emergency kits.

7. Put Multiple First-Aid Kits Together

Work on putting multiple first-aid kits together using quality first-aid supplies. If you have several people living in the household, having a first-aid kit for each person is best. Over time, you can collect different items for the kits, such as rubbing alcohol, bandages in assorted sizes, gauze pads, ointments, allergy medication, and other helpful first-aid products.

Some families have members with special health needs who require medical supplies others don’t use. Consider their needs as you gather supplies for short—and long-term storage.

It’s always good to have these items in case someone gets injured or is in pain. In case you missed this post, First Aid: What You Need To Survive

I highly recommend these books: Bugging In by Raymond White and The Survival Medicine Handbook

8. Invest in the Right Cookware

Try to buy the best cookware for emergencies. You can find portable grills, emergency stoves, pie irons, and other products that you can use to prepare meals without a traditional power source. You might also want to invest in wood for fires in emergencies. If you have a garage, you can store the wood there until you’re ready to use it. Pie Irons for Cooking

Please invest in cast-iron pans and a 6-quart cast-iron Dutch Oven. You can survive with a cast-iron Dutch oven if you have charcoal and some matches stored, or have fire starters of some kind.

You’ll also need dishes to serve the food you prepare. I always have paper plates and other disposable products available.

9. Work on Eliminating Your Debt

Try to get out of debt. Being prepared isn’t just about having water, food, and a first-aid kit; it’s also about getting your finances in order so you can still meet your financial obligations when you are out of work or if your home or car is damaged.

You can start with your smallest debt and work up to the most significant debt to get everything paid off within a reasonable amount of time. Once you’ve eliminated most or all of your debt, you’ll feel better prepared for the future. You can also start saving some extra cash in a safe at home to become more financially secure.

10. Learn How to Start Canning

Don’t forget to learn how to start canning different foods at home. It can save you money in the long run when you’re trying to build your stockpile of foods your family will eat. Learn about different canning methods, such as pressure canning.

You can get the supplies needed and get started by canning some of your favorite foods, including vegetables, jams, fruits, and meats. Please invest in one of these canning books: USDA Canning Guide or The Ball Canning/Preserving Book.

Final Word

These helpful ideas are worth considering if you’re just getting started with prepping. As you start putting together a survival kit, you don’t need to rush out and spend your last dollar on essential prepping items. Consider making a checklist of what you need, taking your time, and getting items while they’re on sale to save more money.

You can focus on slowly, but steadily, building your stockpile until you feel comfortable with what you have at home. What are some simple ideas for beginning prepping you’d like to share? May God bless this world, Linda.

The post 10 Simple Ideas on Beginning Prepping appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

from Food Storage Moms

This DIY Chicken Feeder Keeps Chickens Fed for a Month

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

This is hands-down one of the most clever DIY chicken feeders I've ever seen. The genius of this feeder is that it's fairly easy to make and it holds so much chicken feed, it will last a month before you have to feed your chickens again. Plus, it has virtually zero waste and no pest problems.

It's called a candy cane chicken feeder, and I found it in this video from the Youtube channel, Nature's Always Right. This feeder is easy to build with common PVC parts, keeps feed dry and secure, and prevents chickens from spilling or scattering the grain. And as long as you seal it properly, it will protect the feed from rain and mold.

You can watch the video below to see how to make it, but I typed up the instructions for those who prefer to read.

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Materials Needed for 1 Feeder

• 4″ diameter drainage pipe (length as needed, usually ~3 ft)
• 45-degree PVC elbow (4″ diameter)
• 90-degree PVC elbow (4″ diameter)
• Downspout adapter (NDS 2″ x 3″ rectangular type)
• Hanger straps for securing pipe (optional)
• PVC glue
• Gloves (for safety when handling PVC glue)
• Soap, water, and vinegar (for cleaning before assembly)

Note: One feeder typically supports 4 chickens. Calculate how many feeders you need based on your flock size and feed volume.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pre-Assemble

Dry-fit all your pieces together first. Connect the 90-degree elbow to the top of your vertical pipe. Then attach the 45-degree elbow, and finally, connect the downspout adapter at the feeding end.

The “candy cane” shape allows gravity to keep feed moving toward the opening, making it accessible for the chickens.

2. Prepare the Feeding Port

Be sure to use a rectangular downspout adapter. This minimizes feed spillage since chickens can’t pull feed out easily.

Face the downspout opening slightly upwards to further reduce spillage.

3. Clean and Prep for Sealing

Wash all PVC pieces with soapy water and vinegar. Allow everything to dry completely. This ensures the PVC glue bonds well.

4. Glue all Joints

Wear gloves when using PVC glue. Apply the glue to all connecting surfaces and assemble the feeder.

This watertight seal prevents moisture from entering and molding the feed.

5. Mount your Feeders

You can secure the feeders under your coop or along a wall using hanger straps for extra stability.

6. Add a Platform (optional)

Build a small platform under the feeding ports so the chickens can comfortably reach the food.

Feed Capacity

• A 3-foot 4” pipe holds roughly 452 cubic inches of feed.
• 50 lbs of feed is around 2165 cubic inches, so you’ll need about five 3-ft tall feeders to store that much.
• Adjust the height and number of feeders depending on your storage goals and flock size.

With this system, you’ll have a reliable automatic feeder that lets you leave your chickens for weeks without worrying about daily refills or wasted feed.

Like this post? Don't Forget to Pin It On Pinterest!

You May Also Like:

• The Complete Guide to Crop Rotation
• 10 PVC Pipe Projects For Homesteaders
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• 30+ PVC Pipe Projects for Homesteaders
• DIY Automatic Chicken Feeder from Five-Gallon Bucket

The post This DIY Chicken Feeder Keeps Chickens Fed for a Month appeared first on Homestead Survival Site.

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Taser vs. Stun Gun: What They’re Not Telling You Until It’s Too Late

Let’s get one thing straight — the moment law and order crumbles, no one is coming to protect you. Not the cops. Not the military. Not FEMA. In fact, those might be the very people you’ll need to protect yourself from. And when that day comes — whether it’s a blackout, economic collapse, martial law, […]

The post Taser vs. Stun Gun: What They’re Not Telling You Until It’s Too Late appeared first on Ask a Prepper.

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This Is Why You Should Consider a Battery-Powered Bug-Out Bike

It was 2:37 AM when the earthquake hit. Power lines snapped like twigs, plunging the city into darkness. Within minutes, the streets became parking lots – honking cars, screaming people, and absolute gridlock. But in a quiet garage across town, one prepared survivor was already moving. With a twist of the throttle, his battery-powered bug-out ... Read more...

from Prepper's Will

This is What Will Ultimately Collapse the US Economy

Despite what the headlines want you to focus on… celebrity scandals, political drama, faraway international conflicts … there’s a far greater threat quietly building beneath the surface. As the world looks the other way, this crisis is creeping closer every day… It’s not being debated in Congress. The media won’t report on it. But make […]

The post This is What Will Ultimately Collapse the US Economy appeared first on Ask a Prepper.

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Medical Decisions You Should Make Before the Collapse

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Most everyone has some degree of medical concerns. Some aren’t so serious, some are gradually progressing and others are serious or could become critical at some point. It’s often with our best intentions that we think we might do something about it someday. But then again, how often do we continue to delay any decisions until it’s an emergency.

The list of conditions that some of us simply deal with include near-sightedness, gradual hearing loss, issues related to blood-pressure, and even the beginnings of cardiovascular afflictions and more. None of them appear to be life-threatening in the short-term and most seem more of an inconvenience than a threat.

Why the Delay?

In some instances it’s fear. Every medical procedure and pharmaceutical has side-effects and risks. As people balance the risks versus the benefits it’s often easy to take a wait and see approach with the intent that it will be taken care of later.

The pandemic was another factor that caused many people to delay treatment even when they actively pursued it. In some instances non-critical treatments were simply unavailable, and many people were concerned about spending any amount of time in a contagious “hot-zone” like a doctor’s office or hospital.

In other cases the condition was not deemed as serious or something requiring immediate attention just yet. In this instance it wasn’t so much a delay as much as it was a waiting period to see if the condition improved or at least stabilized.

But there is one threat looming that could make even the simplest condition a daily challenge: the collapse of society and all of the support functions surrounding it.

The End of Modern Medicine

If you look at any society that has suffered a collapse for any reason, one of the first services to fade away is modern medicine. Much like we saw at the height of the COVID pandemic, hospitals rapidly become overwhelmed and even the most basic medical needs are compromised or simply unavailable.

As any collapse proceeds the conditions only get worse. It’s at times like these that we would begin to wonder why we never did anything about that irregular heartbeat, didn’t get that cracked tooth taken care of, and lament not getting Lasik surgery after we’ve lost our last pair of glasses.

What’s apparent is that the simple medical procedures, treatments, and particularly more complex surgical solutions are no longer available. Even beyond more robust treatments like surgeries, we can’t even find a reliable pair of hearing aids let alone glasses that match our vision prescription; nor the medicines that have become critical for managing our daily health.

Decisions to Seriously Consider

The best way to approach this is to stop and think about what medical conditions or concerns you may have, or that your family history indicates as a potential, future concern. Once you’ve determined the possibilities stop and think, how would you function if you could never find anyone or anything to cure or correct that condition?

It’s at that point that our decisions become more in focus and some of us may determine to take actions now. Here are some of the most common chronic or worsening medical conditions that can be corrected or at least managed with various procedures and/or treatments.

Vision

Our eyes represent one of our most critical senses. Any injury or condition that affects our vision affects the way we do everything. Even something as simple as a poked eye makes us stop in our tracks in a frantic attempt to treat it. But then, some eye conditions are gradual if not expected but still can limit our abilities and lifestyle.

Nearsightedness

66 % of the world’s population wears glasses with 75% having vision correction problems. That’s 4 billion pairs of glasses and contact lenses worn by people every year. Now, take those away or at least start to lose most of them. The result is 4 billion people with significant vision issues.

But there is a decision that could correct all of that for many. It’s called Lasik surgery and it permanently corrects nearsightedness..

It’s one of those decisions that’s easy to make and most people not only return home on the day of the procedure, but many actually return to work. If you are a candidate for Lasik and you are delaying the procedure you may want to reconsider.

Like anything else there are pros and cons with Lasik surgery so you should evaluate any risks

Cataracts

There’s a medical procedure that can correct most cataracts but even some eye doctors will wait until the cataracts directly affect vision. Waiting for anything might not be a good idea if you’re worried about a potential collapse of everything around you.

If you have been diagnosed with cataracts it’s not too difficult to request that you have a procedure even in the early stages. Cataracts don’t improve and just your statement of concern should be enough to motivate most doctors to act.

Other eye conditions like macular degeneration can’t be cured with surgery or treatments but doctors will often recommend lifestyle changes to at least delay and manage the condition. Those lifestyle changes affect many health conditions so now may be a good time to rethink diet and exercise.

Dermatological Conditions

Most of us don’t see a dermatologist unless we have a specific problem or concern with a skin condition. What’s worth considering is that most serious skin conditions are either unnoticeable or don’t present sufficient pain or concern to motivate treatment. Melanomas occur frequently and it’s not always an obvious change to a mole or tag on the body. Sometimes it’s a small, discolored spot or bump.

Even then, moles that have changed in some way are rarely apparent to someone when it occurs on their back or other part of the body rarely seen.

The decision to have a routine full body check up at a dermatologist is not expensive and not invasive and worth the time. Even if it’s just to give yourself some peace of mind for the day when that dermatologist may not be available.

Gastro-Intestinal Conditions

Some of us take simple things like constipation for granted or dismiss the annoyance of the occasional hemorrhoid. Unfortunately, gastro-intestinal conditions and symptoms are common but can indicate severe disease. A routine colonoscopy is not only recommended every 10 years but the easiest way to ensure you don’t have one of the serious gastro-intestinal issues.

The doctor may also be able to perform a quick procedure to remove polyps from the intestine or a hemorrhoid pre-empting any future problems or threats.

A colonoscopy is an out-patient procedure but it usually requires that someone drive you to and from the test. It’s a routine test and if you’ve never had one it’s definitely worth considering. Regardless, don’t ignore gastro-intestinal distress. Find out the root cause and get it treated while you can.

Hearing Loss

Here’s another long and alarming list of statistics. It’s estimated that 20% of the world’s population has some degree of hearing loss. Worse, most hearing loss progresses with time.

There are some procedures that can correct hearing loss to varying degrees but many times the prescribed treatment is the use of hearing aids. But what happens in a time when even something as basic as hearing aids aren’t available?

One solution is to simply invest in a pair or more of rechargeable hearing aids. Most can be adjusted to suit an individual’s degree of hearing loss. At a time without power a solar power bank can recharge them.

Dental Conditions

If you’ve ever seen the move Castaway with Tom Hanks, you’re familiar with the challenges of an untreated dental condition. In the movie a man is stranded on a desert island after a plane crash, and earlier in the film complains about a toothache he ignored. It’s a dramatic demonstration of what can happen when no medical professionals are available as he knocks out the tooth on the island with the blade of an ice skate.

If you have gone too long without a routine dental checkup it’s worth doing. Dental conditions are another medical area that can present severe problems and even life-threatening infections without apparent symptoms. See a dentist now in case you never can.

Cardiovascular Conditions

It would seem that anyone with a heart or vascular condition would already be under the care of a doctor and treating the problem. But here again, some cardiovascular conditions are not apparent or in some instances, dismissed or ignored by the patient.

There are routine heart tests like an EKG, echo-cardiogram and blood tests that can assess many cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, there are common symptoms that indicate the need for some level of treatment now and in the future.

They include:

High Blood Pressure

There are many causes for high blood pressure from diet to activity levels, kidney conditions, hardening of the arteries, smoking and the list goes on. Lifestyle changes and prescription medications are the usual treatments, but the time to determine and deal with the root cause may be best done sooner than later. We’ll get into natural solutions for prescription medicines later.

Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations are feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart. Stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them.

Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they're usually harmless. Rarely, heart palpitations can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that might require treatment. Don’t make assumptions. Now’s the time to determine the cause and if any treatment is required.

Irregular Heartbeat (Arrhythmia)

Heart arrhythmias may feel like a fluttering or racing heart and may be harmless. However, some heart arrhythmias may cause bothersome — sometimes even life-threatening — signs and symptoms.

However, sometimes it's normal for a person to have a fast or slow heart rate. For example, the heart rate may increase with exercise or slow down during sleep.

Heart arrhythmia treatment may include medications, catheter procedures, implanted devices or surgery to control or eliminate fast, slow or irregular heartbeats. A heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart damage that can trigger certain heart arrhythmias. Find out now if you have any of these symptoms and engage in the appropriate treatment.

And the List Goes On…

There are a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. Unfortunately, few of them simply go away or improve with time. If you have any suspicion that you have a cardiovascular condition the best course of action is to see a doctor and preferably a cardiologist and have the necessary tests to determine treatments.

Here again, now is the time to deal with something as serious as the number one cause of death in the United States.

About Those Prescriptions…

More than 4 billion prescriptions are filled in the United States every year. Some people can’t live without them. If you are taking a prescription pharmaceutical deemed critical to your overall health you have few options if the pharmaceutical industry collapses with the rest of society.

Some short-term solutions are to attempt to stockpile through 90-day prescriptions or larger prescription amounts sometimes available through Canadian pharmacies. The most critical thing may be to look at how a combination of life-style changes and natural alternatives may be able to support a condition in a world without medicines.

The Importance of Natural Remedies

It’s worth researching and buying the books that identify the natural herbal and even wild-foraged alternatives to some medicines. Beets are a natural blood-pressure moderator and some plants are natural blood thinners, natural antibiotics and offer other medicinal benefits.

In a time without the convenience of pharmacies and pharmaceuticals understanding natural alternatives will become more than a hobby. Take some time to understand how to find alternatives to any medicines you or your family takes. And make sure you know how to manage herbal alternatives.

The Insurance Conundrum

A big question whenever we pursue non-emergency treatment for a medical condition is whether or not our (or any) insurance will cover the costs. Typically, any medical treatment or surgery that we schedule is called an “elective” procedure. This means we chose or “elected” to have the treatment or surgery performed.

It comes as a surprise to some that even elective procedures are often covered by insurance. But then again, some insurance coverage will deny payment for the treatment. An elective procedure is essentially any treatment that is not an emergency. If we have a firm diagnosis for a condition, electing to have it treated should be covered by any legitimate insurance plan, but that’s not always the case.

Before “electing” to have a treatment, surgery or procedure, check with your medical insurance company. They may require substantiation from a doctor but it’s worth the time and effort to ensure coverage.

Medical Procrastination is Common

If you’ve put off or delayed a medical procedure or treatment you’re not alone. Nearly 40% of Americans delayed treatment in 2022 due to costs. Some were still concerned about the threat of COVID. It’s also true that some people are rightfully fearful of the risks of any surgical procedure or the side-effects of some pharmaceuticals or treatments.

What’s important is to assess the overall risk. If you’re concerned about a medical procedure, give yourself the time to assess the implications. Then again, stop and think about that time when any medical treatment may not be available. It’s a balancing act for any decision but that’s the mindset of a prepper, and it’s just another survival decision we all have to confront.

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• How to Make an Urban Survival Tin

The post Medical Decisions You Should Make Before the Collapse appeared first on Urban Survival Site.

from Urban Survival Site

Common Sense Rules For Prepping

Preparing for power outages, loss of income, or natural disasters makes sense. But how you prepare should make sense, too! So, I’ve come up with a list of common-sense rules for prepping that will help you prepare for anything in a sensible way. 

Common Sense Rules For Prepping

Regarding being prepared, it’s common sense that you can’t predict what will happen in every situation. You don’t know if you must prepare for a power outage, job loss, natural disaster, or a global pandemic. With these common-sense rules for prepping, you can cover all your bases without it taking over your life!

Rule #1: Don’t Get Tunnel Vision

There are too many variables to predict what will or could happen. If you get caught up in social media and what everyone else is freaking out about, you may not be prepared for something else that happens.

Many preppers prepare or invest in specific gear while ignoring other possible outcomes. What is the point in being ready for a power grid failure if you aren’t prepared to handle a simple tornado or hurricane? Don’t get tunnel vision and focus only on one catastrophic thing that could happen. Prepare for basic needs regardless of the situation.

Preparing for disasters or emergencies that happen most often in your location makes sense. Preparing for hurricanes in Florida makes total sense. Preparing for earthquakes in California also makes sense. But remember, you can have terrible storms in California and earthquakes in Florida, so prepare for those and other challenges no matter where you live. 

Rule #2: Make Preps Simple, Usable, and Practical

When we are in crisis mode, our brains work differently. You may have some better senses, but you may not have the capacity for rational decisions or the ability to remember how one of your preps even works. 

For example, this may be an impractical prep if you don’t have specific training on using Decompression needles and esophageal tubes. Even if the situation arises, you may cause further harm because you don’t know how to use them properly. 

Your preps must be practical and usable, especially when your brain is in crisis mode. The less you have to remember, the better things will go. Having “how-to” books available can take some pressure off. It’s a problem if you put those books together based on materials or equipment you have but haven’t learned to use them. The adage, Practice Makes Perfect, applies here.

Rule #3: Don’t Try to Remember Everything You Read

We put a lot of helpful information on this blog, but it’s impossible to remember everything. When reading the information, try to take one thing away from it that you can absorb into the back of your brain. 

For example, my Duct Tape post lists 15 ways to use duct tape in various situations. You can’t remember all 15 things, but could focus on one major thing. The real value of a post like this is that duct tape is something you can use for many things, and is thus essential to stock. As mentioned above, putting the information to practical use reinforces what you’ve read and studied, so practice and the process approaches will make more sense and come to mind as needed. 

Rule #4: Use the 80/20 Rule

Even the best preppers can never be 100% prepared for everything. This is because we can’t predict the future. An example of the 80/20 rule is that 20% of readers post 80% of the comments, or 20% of people determine 80% of the politics. 

With this, we can create a framework for prepping. If you have two weeks of supplies and a bug-out bag in your home, you are better prepared to handle any emergency than 80% of the population. You won’t ever be 100% prepared, but you can be 80% more prepared than anyone else. Don’t overstress trying to get 100% prepared.

The challenge you face is setting your priorities for preparing for those most common situations. You can research weather patterns, seismic happenings near your community, flood maps, etc. to see the most common challenges you may experience and then plan accordingly. 

Rule #5: Have a Healthy Mix of Preps

When you are prepared for anything, your preps should be a mix of gear, supplies, skills, practice, planning, community, and you. Preppers can usually be divided into two groups: those who have gear but few skills and those who have skills but not the gear. You want both, and here’s why:

• You may have all the gear in the world, but it will do you no good if you don’t know how to use it. 
• You could have enough food to feed an army, but if you don’t know how to cook it without a stove, you won’t be able to eat it. 
• If you have the best urban garden but can’t defend yourself against those who will take your food or the pests that frequent your area, you will be in trouble.

Having gear and supplies goes hand in hand with practicing how to use them, planning when and how you will use them, and having the right skills to use your preps. Again, it doesn’t need to be 100%, but you need a healthy mix.

Gear is important! Skills are important! Planning is important! Being able to defend yourself is essential!

Rule #6: Invest in Preps with a Budget

If you are new to prepping, you should expect to dish out a pretty penny to prepare for most things. If you are prepping for yourself with a basic mix of supplies and gear, you should expect to spend $800-$1000. For a family of 4, you’re looking at about $2500. After you’ve spent the money on the basics, maintaining it will only cost about $100 per month, plus food. 

That said, you don’t have to spend all that money simultaneously! You can buy the most essential things for $40, then save, buy the next thing, and repeat until you have what you need. You can get started even if you only have an extra $20. In my Prepping for Beginners: A Guide to Get You Started, you can use the first shopping list to get started today. 

Rule #7: Do NOT Let Prepping Dominate Your Life

The prepping community is filled with passionate and engaged people, which is part of what helps motivate others to prepare. But sometimes, people get so passionate about being prepared that it can dominate their lives and how they spend their money, which can grow into an unhealthy fear. 

Although fear can fuel transformation, it can also dominate your life to the point where you aren’t enjoying the life you have. There’s a difference between survival fear and irrational fear. It’s important to prepare for the future, but it’s also essential to keep your perspective. 

Spend a reasonable amount of time, money, and energy on prepping, but don’t let it dominate your life. 

Rules for Prepping Basics

Prepping doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming, or filled with anxiety. When it comes to prepping, there are a few more basic rules to remember:

1. Get your finances in order– Pay down debt, have savings, and have cash on hand for emergencies. 
2. Prepare for at least two weeks of complete self-reliance. You need enough water and survival food for everyone in your house to eat for at least two weeks, and I recommend a month. In addition, have emergency fuel sources and ways of heating and cooking your food without gas or electricity.
3. Prepare a bug-out bag—Although I don’t recommend leaving your home with all your preps unless you absolutely have to, you should have a bug-out bag with 72 hours of survival gear and supplies. 
4. Learn skills and practice—You want to know core homesteading skills and practice with your gear before something happens. 
5. Have a first aid kit—Make sure you have items for minor cuts, scrapes, sunburn, or medical needs, as well as over-the-counter medications for fever, cough, stomach issues, and common illnesses. 
6. Know how to protect yourself—Part of being prepared is knowing how to protect yourself and your home from looters and those seeking to hurt you. 

Final Word

When prepping, it’s important to hope for the best and plan for the worst! Being prepared means you can still live a whole and active life, but having a backup plan is a smart move. Use these common-sense rules for prepping and focus on getting practical, proper preps.

Once you learn some reasonable basic prepping steps, don’t be bashful about sharing what you know with family, friends, and others who are willing to listen. May God bless this world. Linda

Copyright Images: Hurricane Supplies AdobeStock_458745 Lisa F. Young

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from Food Storage Moms

The Nuclear Disaster Survival Guide: How to Prepare for a Nuclear Emergency

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The post The Nuclear Disaster Survival Guide: How to Prepare for a Nuclear Emergency appeared first on The Survival Mom.

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How To Prepare Your House Against Looters

We are seeing a lot of looting in our cities presently. Once the stores are out of food and supplies, it is almost inevitable that looting will start happening in homes. Remember that this could be out of necessity or pure anger and rebellion. Knowing how to prepare your house against looters is essential, no matter the reason. 

Related: Non-Lethal Ways to Defend Your Home

What Do Looters Want?

You may find yourself wondering why looters loot or what they may want. Why would they want to loot your home? These are questions that don’t have an easy answer. Sometimes, looting happens out of necessity because of a lack of resources. However, sometimes it happens because there are just bad people. 

Looting is also known as sacking, ransacking, plundering, despoiling, despoliation, and pillaging. It is the theft of goods by force, military, political victory, or during a catastrophe such as war or uprising. Looters want whatever they can get their hands on: food, water, things they can sell, resources, and any supplies you have.

Related: Sneaky Places to Hide Your Valuables

Will Showing the World You Will Fight Put You in More Danger?

This is another tricky question. But the bottom line is that you can defend your home more successfully if you are prepared. In some circumstances, being too showy about it can draw attention and make an attack more likely.

If people know you’re defending something of value, they may be attracted to your home and try to get what you’re trying to protect.

If you live out in the boonies, you can turn your home into a fortress and nobody will know. And, anyone stumbling upon it could be in for a nasty surprise. 

But you must be more careful if you live in a very populated area. Giving your house a Stalingrad look will annoy your neighbors and draw attention to looters. So you must prepare your home for looters without too many visible changes. 

How to Prepare Your House Against Looters

I want to educate you on how to prepare your home against looters, but I also DO NOT want to generate a political stance on this. The bottom line is that this can and does happen at any time or any point in our lives. I want you to know what to do, how to prevent it, and how to protect your home. 

Secure the Area Around Your Home

Your home will be a target if it looks easy to get into. You can’t protect yourself or your home if you can’t secure the area around it. The trick is to ensure the area around your home is not visible to your neighbors or looters.

Get an Alarm System

Many people are getting devices that “film” people at the front door. Well, that’s fine, but what about the sides of your yard and people jumping a fence to get to your backyard, where your neighbors would not see them?

If the looters cut the wires to your wired security system, you may want to install a REAL Security System with a battery backup. The doorbell device may slow looters but will not protect your property. I have the “Ring” wireless camera/motion system. It alerts me when someone is within so many yards of every side of my home.

Lighting

Nothing scares off people more than a LOT of lighting around a home. Keep your front porch and back porch lights on whenever possible every night.

Your Windows

The first thing you want to do is work out the dead ground around your home. So, anywhere you can’t see from at least one of your windows is a vulnerable spot. These are the locations where looters can try their assault. So, you need to shore up these areas.

Let the areas between windows grow up with brambles. Place a low wire entanglement with short stakes and barbed wire where you let the grass grow to conceal it. 

You can also buy a window covering that’s pretty inexpensive to “help” prevent your windows from being broken by a chair or large object. It’s called a window security film. Now, let’s be clear here: It’s not an armored car set up, so to speak.

I heard from a reader who uses it on all of her windows because it helps during an earthquake, so less glass shatters everywhere. It still broke, but it was easier to clean up. In other words, it may stop the glass from becoming projectiles. I highly recommend getting the higher 8-12 mil thick safety film.

Remember that it is a security safety film, not a window, as you see at your local bank drive-through. Most of those are bulletproof. This security safety film is not bulletproof, but it may discourage a looter from trying to get into your home because it may take longer to break through your windows.

Time is critical if we are trying to slow the looters down. They may move on to another home down the street that is easier to access if your home is too difficult to get into. Here is the eight mil: BDF S8MC Window Film Security and Safety Clear 8 Mil

An Alert

The next thing you want to do is be alerted when there is an intruder. These things may not be obvious, but they can deter looters and ensure you know when to be on the defense. You need a noisemaker, whether it’s a flock of geese, a dog, or just some old cans strung on a wire.

You need something that tells you someone is there. Keep it normal and don’t draw attention to it. 

Related: Camera Security Alert System

Fences

Many people have privacy fences, too, so this won’t be too obvious. Fences can deter people from entering because they make it more difficult. It will not stop them, but will be another obstacle and a perfect place to hide your alert.

If you can fence your property, this is another way to hide what you have, what you are doing, and any other preparations you don’t want your neighbors to see. 

Prepare for a Fire

Here are some interesting facts about regular fire extinguishers at home, in the garage, or the car. All fire extinguishers are labeled with special labels to identify the classification of fuel for which the extinguisher is effective:

1. Class A Fires: Ordinary combustibles like paper, cloth, wood, rubber, and many plastics.

2. Class B Fires: Flammable liquids like oil, gasoline, charcoal lighter, kerosene.

3. Class C Fires: These are caused by energized electrical equipment like wiring or motors. Once the electricity is turned off, they become Class A fires.

4. Class D Fires: Combustible metals like aluminum, magnesium, or titanium.

When purchasing a fire extinguisher, it is essential to identify the type of fuel you are defending against to select the extinguisher that will be best for your situation and do the job correctly.

Many preppers will screen their windows with chicken wire to reduce the risk of someone burning their house down with a Molotov cocktail, but this approach is going to be obvious. So, to keep things discreet, you may want to accept the risk of fires. This means being ready to put them out! Here is what you need to stock:

• Fire blankets and gloves for every room
• Buckets of sand
• Fire Extinguishers
• A LONG garden hose with a sprayer
• Related: CERT to Help Your Community

Prepare Your Home for a Siege 

A siege is where either looters or military personnel surround your home for an extended period. At this time, you can’t leave the four walls of your home to get supplies without the possibility of getting shot at. 

Historically, sieges end with a fortress being surrendered or successfully stormed. With looters, this doesn’t apply. Anyone attacking you when chaos happens is after your supplies or control of your home.

So, if you make it a challenging target, the looters will eventually move on to look for easier pickings, but it could last several days. These days, you need supplies in your home, NOT in your garage or outside your home. 

The key to holding out during a siege is to hold out for that vital couple of days. You must add up your supplies and determine what counts inside your defense perimeter.

You will have to rely on this while waiting out the siege. So, it doesn’t matter if you have a well in your yard with unlimited clean water; if you can’t reach it without getting shot at, you have lost your fortress. 

Water is your main priority. You can live several days without food, but you need water. Here are the most important things to have as close to you as possible:

• Water
• Food
• Medicine
• Fire prevention supplies
• First Aid Kit
• Weapons and Protection
• Related: How to Store Water for Drinking and Cooking
• Related: Canned Foods I Highly Recommend You Store

Weapons and Protection

I know preppers who are all for guns and weapons, and I know others who are entirely against them. This is not something I have ever talked about on my blog, but I feel like it is a necessary topic at this crazy time. 

We all know good people who have weapons; it’s a fact of life. The truth of the matter is that the bad people will have weapons of some kind as well. So, in many cases, you will also need weapons to defend yourself. If there is any chance of your home becoming a target, you will want to have the inside of your home protected. 

This preparation doesn’t only include having the weapons, but also knowing how to use them. This includes knowing what windows you would use as firing positions if using a gun, and where non-combatant family members should go for protection and safety.

Sandbags are good protection for windows, but you can also use heavy furniture and stacks of books to prevent looters from shooting into your home. 

If you want to protect your home with guns, be sure you know how to shoot. Take gun classes, go to a shooting range, and have someone teach you gun safety. Teach everyone in your home gun safety. 

Weapons you can have available include:

• Shotguns
• Handguns
• Extra bullets( ammo)
• Swords
• Bow and Arrows
• Knives
• Wooden baseball bats

Final Thoughts: How to Prepare Your House Against Looters

Sometimes, desperate times call for desperate measures. You can prepare your home physically all you want, but at the end of the day, you may have to use weapons to protect yourself and your supplies. Be prepared. Be vigilant. Be ready. Know How to Prepare Your House Against Looters.

The best thing you can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best! Do you know how to Prepare Your House Against Looters? What other ways have you prepared your house for this situation? Let us know in the comments below! Please keep prepping, we must. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Looters AdobeStock_226202181 by AnimaFlora PicStock, Fire Extinguishers Deposit photos_165158282_s-2019

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from Food Storage Moms

13 Survival Superfoods You Can Grow At Home

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

It took one good snowstorm and one long power outage for me to realize that I needed to be more prepared for emergencies. After that, I started to stock up on cheap foods: rice, spaghetti, as well as some survival rations. But what I realized is that although survival food will definitely help you survive, it isn’t necessarily healthy for you.

While I do have a good stash of these items on hand, I also look to balance them with healthy, survival superfoods. Long-term health in an emergency is just as important to survival as having easily accessible, emergency food.

If you are looking for some good preps, some survival food to keep on hand, check out some of these survival superfoods you should grow and stockpile. 

Apples

Apples are chock full of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, fiber, and healthy carbs. Any kind of apples can store for 3 months or more if stored properly, but thicker-skinned apples, such as Jonathans, seem to last the longest. Wrap apples individually in newspaper and store in a cardboard box in the basement or unheated porch, so long as they don’t freeze. Do not store apples in the same room as potatoes because potatoes cause them to spoil faster. 

Apples with bruises can’t be stored long term, but they can be made into apple pie filling, which can be canned, or even hard cider or vinegar. If you don’t have a place to store fresh apples, you can purchase frozen apple slices or even freeze-dried apple slices to stockpile.

More Info: How to Grow an Apple Tree from Seed

Beans

Beans are a great source of protein, calories, and fiber. You can purchase dried beans very inexpensively and stockpile them in your prepper pantry. Or you can grow them yourself and dry them to store or grow. Once your beans are dried, put them in a glass container with a lid or seal them into mylar bags. Keep them in a cool dry place and they will last at least one year and even up to 30 years. 

If winter goes long and you need fresh vegetables, beans can be sprouted and eaten as bean shoots for some extra nutrition. Or you can grind them into flour for baking, cook them in soups, or use them in any number of recipes. 

More Info: How to Grow Beans

Berries

Summer is a great time to eat fresh berries such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Wild raspberries grow all around my yard and taste delicious. Berries are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which promote good health and may prevent cancer. Berries can easily be frozen for future use or made into preserves and canned. 

More Info: How to Grow and Harvest Blueberries

Garlic

Garlic is a powerful survival superfood. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, plus it helps boost your immune system, lowers blood pressure, and may even help reduce cholesterol levels. In an emergency, staying healthy and avoiding illness is just as important as having enough calories.

Garlic is incredibly easy to grow. In the fall, separate a bulb into cloves and plant them pointy side up about 2 inches deep. Cover with mulch and let nature do its work over the winter. Come spring, you’ll see shoots emerge, and by summer, you’ll be harvesting full bulbs.

After harvest, allow the bulbs to cure for a couple of weeks in a well-ventilated space. Properly cured garlic can last for 6 months or longer when stored in a cool, dry location.

If you don’t have room to grow garlic, you can also stockpile dehydrated garlic or garlic powder, both of which store well and keep their nutritional benefits.

More Info: How to Grow and Care for Garlic

Kale

Kale is a great source of vitamins and minerals. You can purchase kale chips to stockpile, or you can grow a kale crop late in the season with the intention of overwintering it for healthy and hearty winter eating. Kale loves to be grown in cool weather. Starting it in late July means that it will mature by the first frost date.

Cold hardy kale can survive harsh winters in a greenhouse, or even covered over with a layer of straw or a row cover. More than once, I’ve dug kale out from under the snow to taste a delicious, sweet green. Kale will grow very slowly over the winter, but it will stay fresh and edible even in harsh conditions. A hard frost will make kale sweeter. 

More Info: Growing Kale

Lentils

Lentils are another great plant-based protein option that’s perfect for long-term storage. They’re loaded with protein, fiber, iron, folate, and other nutrients that are crucial during stressful times when you may not have access to fresh meat or vegetables.

You can buy dried lentils in bulk and store them in sealed containers or mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Properly stored, lentils can last up to 10 years or more. Lentils cook quickly compared to other dried legumes, making them a convenient food source when fuel is limited. You can add them to soups, stews, or sprout them for fresh greens in the winter.

Lentils are also fairly easy to grow if you want to produce your own supply, though they do best in cooler climates and well-drained soil.

More Info: How to Grow and Care for Lentils

Peanuts

Peanuts are a fantastic source of protein, healthy fats, and calories—making them an excellent addition to any prepper pantry. They also contain magnesium, folate, Vitamin E, and resveratrol, which support heart health and may help lower inflammation. In an emergency, high-calorie, nutrient-dense foods like peanuts are especially valuable.

If you live in a warm climate, peanuts are fairly easy to grow. Plant raw, unsalted peanuts (still in their shells) after the last frost. They need sandy, well-drained soil and about 120-150 days to mature. As the plant grows, small yellow flowers will appear and eventually push into the soil where the peanuts develop underground. Harvest your peanuts once the leaves start to yellow. Gently pull up the whole plant and hang it to dry for a few weeks in a well-ventilated area.

After curing, remove the peanuts from the plant. You can roast them in the oven for long-term storage or keep them raw and store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Properly stored, raw peanuts can last up to a year, while roasted peanuts should be used within 6 months for best quality. You can also grind peanuts into peanut butter, which stores well unopened and adds variety to your emergency food options.

More Info: How to Grow Peanuts

Spinach

Spinach is a fantastic cool-weather crop that’s loaded with iron, calcium, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, folate, and antioxidants. In an emergency, having access to fresh greens like spinach helps round out your nutrition and prevent deficiencies. Spinach grows quickly and can be harvested multiple times throughout the season using the “cut and come again” method.

You can start spinach early in the spring or late summer for a fall harvest. It can even survive light frosts, which makes it a reliable source of fresh food late into the season. Spinach does well in raised beds, containers, or traditional garden plots. Once harvested, you can eat it fresh, freeze it, or dehydrate it for long-term storage.

If you don’t have much space, spinach also grows well indoors under grow lights, giving you a year-round source of vitamins during power outages or harsh winters.

More Info: How to Plant and Grow Spinach

Sprouts

One concern in the wintertime is getting enough fresh vegetables, especially greens. Sprouts don’t need a lot of sunlight, they grow quickly, and they are jam-packed with nutrients. Sprouts provide Vitamins A, B, C, and E. They increase cell regeneration and protect your body from diseases.

Sprouts can’t really be stockpiled, but you can stockpile seeds to use for sprouting. Soak seeds overnight, then allow them to sprout on your countertop for two to five days and enjoy these tiny nutritional powerhouses.  

More Info: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Sprouts

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflowers are hardy and easy to grow and produce a delicious and edible seed. The seeds are full of healthy fat, protein, calories, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, tryptophan, and folate. You can eat them, press them into oil for cooking, or save them to plant again. 

Once your sunflower heads are starting to hang down, cut them off at the stalk and hang them upside down to finish drying. Carefully scrape all of the seeds out of the head and soak them in water overnight. Dry your seeds in the oven for half an hour at 325 degrees F. Store them in a glass jar in a cool, dry place. Sunflower seeds can last up to a year in the refrigerator.

More Info: How to Grow Sunflowers

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin A, may help prevent cancer, and keep blood pressure low. Sweet potatoes are low on the glycemic index, making them a better choice for people with diabetes than white potatoes. These heart-healthy tubers are easy to grow and store well.  

To grow sweet potatoes, cut a sweet potato in half and suspend the cut area in water with a couple of toothpicks. In a few weeks, it will sprout, and each sprout is called a slip. Gently pull off the slips and put them in water until they root. Once the slips are rooted, you can plant them in the garden. You’ll want to plant them in loose soil mixed with a bit of compost. 

Harvest your sweet potatoes in the fall, right before frost. Carefully dig them up with a broadfork so you don’t bruise or cut the tubers. You’ll need to cure your sweet potatoes for 5 to 7 days at 90 degrees F and 85 percent humidity.

You can find more ways to cure and store sweet potatoes here. Stored correctly, they should last well into winter, giving you a stockpile of healthy food. 

At any point, you can harvest and eat sweet potato leaves. Since they tend to be better, boiling them lightly is recommended. You can sauté them with onions or put them in a recipe in place of kale or spinach. 

More Info: How to Grow Sweet Potatoes

Tomatoes

Who doesn’t love a fresh, juicy tomato still warm from the garden? These fruits are full of lycopene, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. You can grow them in your garden for fresh eating, then you can or freeze the extras for use in sauces and soups. 

If you don’t have the equipment to can tomatoes, you can buy already-canned tomatoes very inexpensively. Canned tomatoes will taste best if used by 18 to 24 months. However, they will likely stay safe enough to eat for even longer. This is a great food to grow and stockpile. 

More Info: How to Grow Tomatoes

Winter Squash

If you have the space in your garden, winter squash is a great food to grow and store. Winter squash is a nutrient-dense food providing B vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Vitamin E, magnesium, and Omega 3s.

There are several varieties of winter squash, including hubbard, banana, acorn, butternut, and sweetmeat. These large, thick-rind squashes can last up to 6 months when properly cured and stored.  They are easy to grow and easy to store. The downside of growing winter squash is that they take a long time to grow and mature and require a lot of space. 

Plant winter squash in small hills like you would any squash. When they are ready for harvest in the fall, allow them to cure for ten to fourteen days. Elevate then on a mesh screen in a warm room with good airflow for proper curing. Once your squash are cured, you can store them in a cool dry place for months as long as the humidity does not get too high.

More Info: How to Grow Winter Squash

Other Foods

While you can purchase or grow and stockpile all of those foods, there are a few more nutritional foods you might consider keeping on your homestead for everyday use and to be prepared for emergencies.

For example, quail are an easy to grow source of protein. You can keep them indoors in a small cage if necessary. You can eat quail eggs and any extra roosters will make an excellent source of meat. If needed, you could feed them on food scraps for the winter. 

Goats can be raised for milk or meat, giving you another source of healthy food on your homestead that is always available, in emergencies or not. Rabbits can be a source of protein and their manure is great fertilizer for your prepper garden. Putting a few ‘prep-steading’ systems in place that are simple and easy will help make your food stockpile more nutritious and delicious. 

Regularly growing, preserving, and eating your own food helps you to be prepared for when you can’t make it to the grocery store. With a mix of emergency rations, prep-steading meals, and homegrown preserved food, you’ll be ready for a variety of emergencies with healthy, simple food. 

You May Also Like:

• 11 Healthy Foods That Will Outlast You
• 13 Survival Crops To Grow After The Apocalypse
• Which Plants Produce the Most Calories?
• How to Grow Sweet Potatoes
• How to Grow an Apple Tree from Seed

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