DIY Laundry Solutions: Off-Grid Washing Machine Tutorial - YouTube

 DIY Laundry Solutions: Off-Grid Washing Machine Tutorial - YouTube

 

This seems easy enough to make. Would be a great way to clean smaller items.

 

 

 

camping washing machine

Decorating garden bricks like books!

 

 

What a fun way to make your garden unique. 

Get your paint and bricks to create some of your favorite books out of bricks.

How to Paint Bricks to Look Like Books

Get you some acrylic paint and some stencils to get started. 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Lemon Sugar Cookies

 Great recipe for some yummy lemon sugar cookies. Great addition to a summer picnic or reunion. 

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

3 tbsp lemon zest

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 large egg

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

¼ cup sugar (for rolling)

Directions:

Beat butter, sugar, and lemon zest with a mixer for 1-2 minutes.

Add lemon juice and egg, mix well.

Gradually add flour, baking soda, and salt, mix by hand until combined.

Refrigerate dough for 30-60 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Roll dough balls in sugar.

Bake on a lined sheet for 11-13 minutes.

Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Solar Powered AC

Solar powered air conditioners are a revolutionary technology that have the potential to reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. These systems harness the power of the sun with Solar Panels to generate electricity, which is then used to cool indoor spaces. By utilizing renewable energy, solar powered air conditioners offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional air conditioning units.

One of the key benefits of solar powered air conditioners is their ability to reduce electricity costs for homeowners and businesses. By drawing energy from the sun, these systems help to lower the overall energy consumption of a building, resulting in significant savings on utility bills. Additionally, solar powered air conditioners can help to offset peak electricity demand during hot summer months, reducing strain on the grid and promoting energy efficiency.

In addition to cost savings, solar powered air conditioners also offer a range of environmental benefits. By reducing the reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation, these systems help to lower carbon emissions and combat climate change. Solar powered air conditioners are a clean and renewable energy source that can help to create a more sustainable future for our planet. As technology continues to improve and costs come down, the adoption of solar powered air conditioners is likely to increase, leading to a more energy-efficient and environmentally conscious society.

 

Food Storage Recipe - The Best Macaroni Salad

 Food Storage Recipe - The Best  Macaroni Salad

NEED:

 16 oz. elbow macaroni
½ red onion
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
¼ cup fresh parsley
1 carrot
¾ cup mayonnaise 

1 tbsp. spicy Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
Cook Macaroni: Cook macaroni to al dente according to package directions. 

 Drain and rinse. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool.

Chop Vegetables: While the macaroni cooks and cools, chop red onion, bell peppers, and parsley. Dice the carrot and set aside.

Combine Ingredients: Add red onion, bell peppers, parsley, carrot, mayonnaise, mustard, and salt and pepper to the cooled macaroni. Mix well.

Chill and Serve: Refrigerate until cool. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Food Storage Recipe - Chili, Chips, and Cheese Casserole

Easy and quick recipe that uses items that should be in your food storage.

Chili, Chips, and Cheese Casserole

1 bag of corn chips. 

1 can of red beans, but the great thing about this is that you can use any style of canned beans. Use what you have on hand. 

1 jar of mild salsa

1 can of chili

1 package of shredded cheese

1 cup of sour cream

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl mix together most of the corn chips, the beans, chili, salsa, and half of the cheese. Mix it well and then add it to a lightly greased baking dish. Bake it for 20 minutes and then top with the sour cream , remaining cheese, and the remaining chips. Put back into the oven and bake for another 10 minutes. Serve immediately. 

Food Storage Recipe - Choco-Chip Brownie and Oat Bars

 

Choco-Chip Brownie and Oat Bars 

This recipe is a combination of chocolate chip cookies and a granola bar thus you get the best of both worlds. This recipe also contains protein powder thus it is jam-packed with muscle building goodness. 

NEED: 

10 tsps mini chocolate chips 

2 egg whites ¼ cup applesauce, unsweetened 

¼ cup honey

 1/8 tsp salt 

1 ½ tsps baking powder 

1 tbsp cornstarch 

2 scoops chocolate protein powder 

½ cup cocoa powder, unsweetened

 ½ cup whole wheat flour 

½ cup Quick Oatmeal

 Directions:

 1.) Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

 2.) Coat a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

 3.) In a bowl, combine the Quick Oatmeal, wheat flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, chocolate protein powder, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.  This will be the dry ingredients.

 4.) In another bowl, combine the remaining ingredients except the chocolate chips. 

 5.) Gradually add the dry ingredients to the dry ingredients. 

6.) Add the chocolate chips last. 

7.) Spread the batter to the pan and bake for 15 minutes.

8.) Let it cool to room temperature before slicing into bars.

75 Bug Out Bag Essentials List

One of the simplest, most crucial steps in disaster preparedness is to have a well-thought-out and organized BUG OUT BAG list to aid in your preparations. This will ensure you have the equipment needed to make your departure from an area of disorder or complete chaos a safe one.

A Bug Out Bag List is Not One Size Fits All

An excellent bug out bag starts with a great bug out bag list.
It doesn't necessarily mean everything you put on the list will end up going into your bag, but at least you've got a pretty good idea of where to start.
The last thing you want to happen is not start because you don't now how. Especially if you're just beginning, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the ton of information out there.
Some of it's really good. Some of it's... not.

Building A Bug Out Bag Does Not Have to Be Difficult

Building your own customized bug out bag doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, it should be a fun and enjoyable experience. After all, having a solid bug out plan, and knowing that you're planning well-in-advance should help put your mind at ease about "SHTF" scenarios.
So whether you're new to the idea of bugging out, or you've been in this neck of the woods for a while now, there's most likely something you can take away from the following.

Choosing a Bug Out Bag

The first item on your bug out bag list is the bag itself. There are several schools of thought on this topic, of which the two main ones are:
1) You should choose the best bag for you
2) You should only choose the bag after you have the items
Regardless of how you decide to go about it, make sure your bug out bag is durable, fits you well and is comfortable and has plenty of storage space and compartments to stow your survival gear.
Make sure your bug out bag list includes the following items:

Water and Hydration

Arguably the most important bug out bag essentials are related to water and hydration. The human body can go without water for only 72 hours, whereas it can go without food for about 3 weeks. Water is an absolute must-have in your bug out bag. One liter minimum, per day, per person is highly recommended.
Recommended items critical to adequate hydration are listed below.

• Drinking Water (3 Liters)
• Collapsible Water Bottle
• Hard Water Bottle
• Metal Water Bottle / Canteen
• Water Filters / Purification Systems
• Water Purification Tablets (Qty 3)

Food and Food Preparation

Next up are food stuffs. In the preparedness community there are a lot of people eager to recommend various products, mostly off-the-shelf, dehydrated, store-bought items. A goog bug out bag list contains a variety of non-perishable food items, some that might require water and some that don't. In a real bug out situation, you don't know how scarce your water source might be. To be safe, plan for more scarce than you think.
Most of these items are self-explanatory, but the important thing to know now is, you'll want enough food to last three days at least. Multiply your food requirements by the number of people that would be traveliing with you. For heat-resistance and durability, make sure you have metal cooking utensils and cookware.

• Protein / Energy Bars (Qty 6)
• MREs / Dehydrated Meals (Qty 3)
• Spork
• P-38 Can Opener
• Metal Cooking Pot
• Metal Cup
• Pot Scrubber
• Portable Stove
• Stove Fuel (Qty 8 Tablets)

Clothing

Choosing clothing for your bug out bag is a very personalized selection as everyone has different body types, tolerances and levels of fitness. The items listed below are to be strategically layered to maintain a healthy, comfortable body temperature at all times.
Your clothes selection will obviously depend on your location, climate and the other factors listed above. You should evaluate your bug out bag every six months. At these times you'll want to have a seasonal selection of clothes that you can swap out when necessary.
At least two changes of clothes ensure you can always have a dry set to wear. The last thing you want while bugging out, and in the elements, is wet clothes. Not only are they uncomfortable, but hypothermia is a real concern not to be taken lightly.

• Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt
• Convertible (Zip-Off) Pants
• Underwear
• Wool Hiking Socks (Qty 3 pair)
• Medium Weight Fleece
• Hat w/ Flex Brim
• Working Gloves
• Rain Poncho
• Shemagh

Shelter and Bedding


At first glance, to the experienced survivalist, some of the items listed for this category might seem excessive or even impractical. But the items on this list are specifically made compact and lightweight with the backpacker in mind.
Yes, you can make a shelter out of a tarp or use a trash bag filled with leaves as a makeshift ground pad, but these items are a wise choice to include for numerous reasons. Being well-rested, both mentally and physically, is extremely important when times are rough. Do what you can to make sure you're at your mental and physical peak at all times.

• Tarp
• Tent
• Sleeping Bag
• Ground Pad
• Wool Blanket

Heat Source

Having several means for starting a fire is also essential when bugging out. The following basics should be included in every bug out bag. The reason being, there is a saying in the survivalist and firearms communities:

"Where there are two, there's one. Where there's one, there's none."

Essentially that means, if you don't have a back up, and your primary fails you... you're toast.
For that very reason, have at least three different means of starting a fire on your bug out bag list of items to pack.

• Ignition Source (Qty 3)
• Tinder (Qty 3)
• Waterproof Storage

First Aid

First aid is one of those areas where there are a lot of "done for you" type products out there that just aren't well-suited for a survival kit. Look for first aid kits that are specifically made for "survival" and have high ratings from reputable sources. Of course, you can always build your own if you know the right items to include.

• First Aid Kit
• Insect Repellant
• Mylar Survival Blanket

Hygiene

Various aspects of personal hygiene are often overlooked when compiling a bug out bag list of essentials. But the implications of forgoing any of these for an extended period of time might lead to infections and a rapid deterioration in health. When bugging out, you need to be at the top of your game, so be sure to pack these items.

• Wet Napkins
• Hand Sanitizer
• All-Purpose Camp Soap
• Hygiene/Signal Mirror
• Small Pack Towel
• Travel Toilet Paper (Qty 2)

Tools

Next to weapons, this is the one category that everyone loves to go crazy over. And it's easy to see why; gadgets are cool, and some of these are especially sweet. But remember this: "every ounce counts." Determine the must-haves and forget the rest. That said, consider including the following three tools in your bug out bag.

• Survival Knife
• Multi-Tool
• Machete

Lighting

Illumination, like fire sources, is something you'll need multiple instances of as well. If one fails or you lose it somehow, you have another to take its place. Each item listed below has multiple uses, but they all serve the same purpose - helping you see what you're doing or find where you're going. Don't forget the extra batteries!

• LED Headlamp
• Mini LED Keychain
• Light Glowstick
• Mini LED Light
• Candles
• Batteries

Communications

Communications is another highly contested category in the preparedness community. Not all potential scenarios will allow for use of these items, but if your situation does, you'll be glad to have these items with you.

• Cell Phone
• Crank Power Charger
• Emergency Radio with Hand Crank

Travel Aids

Depending on the situation you find yourself in, these items might prove quite useful. Don't leave home without carefully thinking these through first.

• Documentation (Passport, Identification etc.)
• $500 Minimum in Small Bills
• Quarters (Qty 8)
• Gold / Silver Bullion Coins
• Local Area Map
• Compass
• Small Note Pad / Pencil
• Emergency Whistle

Self Defense

Without a doubt, this is a controversial topic.
Self defense is something everyone should give serious consideration. Bugging out, in its severest of circumstances, is a survive or die proposition. Whether you choose a handgun, a rifle, both, or just a can of pepper spray, it's completely up to you. But you can be sure in a bug out scenario, being equipped to defend yourself and hunt wild game will be a welcomed option for most.
If you choose not to carry a weapon, or are not allowed to do so, then at least consider some degree of self defense training - especially if you have a family - as they'll be depending on you for their safety.

• Pepper Spray
• Handgun
• Takedown rifle
• Ammunition (Qty 25 rnds minimum)

Miscellaneous

These are items that didn't necessarily fit into any of the other categories, but they're just as important for inclusion in your bug out bag. Chances are some of the items will have you scratching your head, but you'll want these items in your bug out bag too.

• 550 Parachute Cord (50')
• Cotton Bandana
• Duct Tape (25')
• 55 Gal. Contractor Garbage Bag (Qty 2)
• Resealable Bags (Qty 5, Various Sizes)
• Sunglasses
• N95 Face Mask
• Sewing Kit
• Latex Tubing (3')
• Fishing Kit
• Condoms (Non-lubricated)
• Binoculars (Optional)
• Face Paint
• Military Surplus Survival / Snare Wire

The Bug Out Bag List above isn't intended as Gospel truth. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to do your own due diligence and come to your own conclusions. Your bug out bag will not "automagically" keep you alive. It is, however, intended to help you survive a bug out scenario.
If you don't learn how to use these items effectively and practice using them on a regular basis, all the bug out bags in the world probably won't be able to help you.
Emergency preparedness is not a fad, nor a hobby. It's a way of life. If you believe that, you'll be all that much better off as a result.

If you enjoyed this article and would like a free, detailed version of the list for your own personal use, be sure to visit www.BugOutBagAcademy.com for this and other great bug out bag related resources.

Food Storage Recipe - Cinnamon Flavored Crumb Cake

 

Cinnamon Flavored Crumb Cake  

 
INGREDIENTS:  

 For the Cake:  

2 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

 3 cups cake flour  

1 cup whole milk  

4 extra-large eggs 

3/4 cup vegetable oil

  2 cups sugar 

 1/2 teaspoon salt 

 For the Crumbs:  

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 

 1 1/4 cups vegetable shortening  

1/4 cup granulated sugar  

3/4 cup all-purpose flour  

3 cups pastry flour 

 1 cup brown sugar  

1 teaspoon salt 

 DIRECTIONS:

 1. Preheat oven to 350F and prepare the baking pan.

 2. For the cake; mix flour, baking powder, vanilla, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl.  Combine evenly using a beater attachment over low speed.  Pour in the vegetable oil and milk; let the mixing continue until smooth.  Fold in the eggs; maintain the low speed until evenly mixed.  Make sure that the batter has no bumps.

 3. For the crumbs; fold in the ground cinnamon, sugar and salt in the mixing bowl.  Over low speed, mix all the ingredients using the beater attachment.  Toss in the vegetable shortening and mix until smooth. Add in the flour and scrape down if necessary.   Continue mixing on a low speed; crumbs should be flexible and crumble.

 4. Into the cake mold, pour the batter then top with crumbs.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crumbs turned into golden brown.   Take it off from oven and let it cool down for 10 minutes; whisk in powdered sugar and serve.

Food Storage Recipe - Hobo Breakfast

Hobo Breakfast. Foil Packet for a great meal. Great for camping or just grilling out in your backyard.

NEED

 ● 3 sliced scallions

 ● 1 packet (16 oz.) thawed frozen shredded hash browns 

● ¼ cup olive oil 

● 1 tsp. salt 

● ½ tsp. black pepper 

● 3 cups washed baby spinach 

● 6 eggs

 ● ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese 

Let’s Cook: Cut 12 strips of Foil (12” x 16”) and 6 strips of parchment paper of the same size. 

Put each sheet of parchment paper on top of a piece of Foil.

 In a mixing bowl, combine your potatoes, sausage, salt, pepper, oil, and scallions together.

 Portion the mixture out between the six pieces of parchment paper, keeping the mixture in the center of each piece of paper. 

Top each ingredient pile with another sheet of Foil and wrap the edges of the foil pieces together to form a foil packet.

 Put your closed foil packets on top of your hot coals of the campfire or on top of your grill. Cook for 5 minutes. 

 Check the ingredients in one foil packet to see if they are cooked through.

 If they aren’t cooked through, continue to cook in 5-minute increments until done.

 When done, remove the packets from the coals or grill and put them onto a plate so that you can open them.

 Once open, divide your spinach between each packet and crack one egg on top of each pile of spinach. 

Season each egg with salt and pepper before sealing each packet and returning to the hot coals or grill. Cook for 5 minutes or until the egg is cooked through.

 Once your egg is cooked, plate each opened packet and sprinkle with cheese!

Add a little kick to this recipe by adding chopped jalapenos to your hash browns and using pepper jack cheese. Alternately, you can just use southwestern seasoned hash browns!