Simple: Just Add Water - Outdoor Gourmet Meals - WiseFoodStorage.com
Monday, December 27, 2010
Food Storage Guidelines
Just am wanting to share a couple of links with my readers about the shelf life of food. It is a Chart that I plan on printing off for reference. USA Emergency Supply has some great points on storage life of foods.
Simple: Just Add Water - Outdoor Gourmet Meals - WiseFoodStorage.com
Simple: Just Add Water - Outdoor Gourmet Meals - WiseFoodStorage.com
The Survival Homestead
Imagine walking onto a cobble stone path out in your back yard. As you are wandering through the path you begin looking at your garden growing in the distance. The plants have grown and are beginning to bear their fruits. This is you and your family's second garden after the Crunch happened. You are giving in to your fantasies of fresh tomato salsa, pickles, watermelon, husks of fresh grilled corn. These are the fruits of your tireless labor. The satisfaction of knowing your family is going to eat is overwhelming. You quietly laugh to your self thinking, "Wow, you give 'em half-decent conditions and they just do what they know how to do. "
Medicinal Garden
As you are nearing your garden off to the right is a smaller garden full of small bushy medicinal herbs. They too are growing into attractive looking adult plants. The way you placed them looks almost as they were there for aesthetic reasons. Seeing that the echinacea is blooming and the sage and thyme flanking it is a sigh of relief knowing that you can create natural medicines for your family as well as dry it for seasonings. Peppermint is spreading its way through the garden. You make a mental note to cut some of that back. You took a basil leaf in your hand and instantly bring it up to your nose. The fragrance is intoxicating. The soft spikes of chives, dill and lavender are swaying in the mild breeze.
Companion Planting and Crop Rotation
You are glad that you took your neighbors advice to create a companion garden to naturally repel insects and nourish the plants. The 12 tomato plants are growing in nicely and the fruit is ready to be picked. The marigolds that you grew as a companion plants are protecting the tomatoes from pests and enriching your soil. You reach the garden and smell the sweet air that the corn is giving off. The small melon vines that are slowing growing and twisting on the corn stalk looks as if they are making their way up to touch the sun.
Your wise neighbor came by to bring a basket of okra he had grown and noticed your mistake of placing the tomatoes and potatoes next to each other and advised that they be moved away from one another because of their heavy feeding. He went on to add that there are certain plants that work well with each other and are companions, so to speak. Some plants have little personalities: some like their space, some are invasive, some take a lot of nutrients and some give off nutrients in the soil.
Crop Rotation
You think back on your life two years ago and realize how much you took for granted driving down to the store to pick up a few vegetables and some meat for dinner. On the south side of your land is where your crop rotation is. After reading different farming books and talking with wise neighbors, you decided that crop rotation was the best way to grow food and condition the earth. Your neighbor describes that crop rotation is that each year a person rotates a set of crops that nourish the soil with nitrogen, and then in the next line of crops you add a plant that is a high feeder on the soil's nutrients. This swapping will create balance in your soil. Looks like it paid off. You have beans, carrots, onions, squash, tomatoes, cabbage, peas and potatoes.
Irrigation Area
Walking around the "country swimming pool" filled with fish and ducks swimming around each other, you only feel blessed seeing the mini ecosystem that you assisted in creating. You smile back and realize that the earth is giving its blessing back to you. The fish pond is not only another source to find food, but it can also be used to irrigate the vegetables and crops growing. After reading more from the many farming resources you have, you discovered that the Native Americans used fish to fertilize the soil. And after using this method, the vegetables were even healthier and robust.
Livestock and Compost
Not far from your crops and the pond are where the small goats are feeding. They are feeding on the left over wheat hulls that had fallen when the crop was threshed the other day, and they seem quite attentive to their task at cleaning up. Their manure has been a God send to the composting area. Once again, you see that you are creating a ecosystem where each aspect of the system is supporting one another. To think this Eden that you have created only started out with a dream put on paper. Your well planned micro farm is utilizing every resource available.
Find some answers to your homesteading and survival questions at http://www.readynutrition.com
Tess Pennington is the lead content contributor for Ready Nutition. Ready Nutrition is an educational resource for those wanting to learn more about home safety preparedness, learning how to cope in disaster situations, and for those wanting to learn how to be more self sustaining. Her career at the American Red Cross left her with years of experience in safety and disaster preparedness. Tess is establishing herself as one of the foremost authorities on safety development and disaster preparedness on the internet. She describes herself as a mixture of Martha Stewart and Les Stroud.
Tess Pennington's work today encompasses:
Teaching disaster preparedness
Informing readers about the importance of preparing for any given situation.
Writing
Speaking
Media consultation
Simple: Just Add Water - Outdoor Gourmet Meals - WiseFoodStorage.com
Medicinal Garden
As you are nearing your garden off to the right is a smaller garden full of small bushy medicinal herbs. They too are growing into attractive looking adult plants. The way you placed them looks almost as they were there for aesthetic reasons. Seeing that the echinacea is blooming and the sage and thyme flanking it is a sigh of relief knowing that you can create natural medicines for your family as well as dry it for seasonings. Peppermint is spreading its way through the garden. You make a mental note to cut some of that back. You took a basil leaf in your hand and instantly bring it up to your nose. The fragrance is intoxicating. The soft spikes of chives, dill and lavender are swaying in the mild breeze.
Companion Planting and Crop Rotation
You are glad that you took your neighbors advice to create a companion garden to naturally repel insects and nourish the plants. The 12 tomato plants are growing in nicely and the fruit is ready to be picked. The marigolds that you grew as a companion plants are protecting the tomatoes from pests and enriching your soil. You reach the garden and smell the sweet air that the corn is giving off. The small melon vines that are slowing growing and twisting on the corn stalk looks as if they are making their way up to touch the sun.
Your wise neighbor came by to bring a basket of okra he had grown and noticed your mistake of placing the tomatoes and potatoes next to each other and advised that they be moved away from one another because of their heavy feeding. He went on to add that there are certain plants that work well with each other and are companions, so to speak. Some plants have little personalities: some like their space, some are invasive, some take a lot of nutrients and some give off nutrients in the soil.
Crop Rotation
You think back on your life two years ago and realize how much you took for granted driving down to the store to pick up a few vegetables and some meat for dinner. On the south side of your land is where your crop rotation is. After reading different farming books and talking with wise neighbors, you decided that crop rotation was the best way to grow food and condition the earth. Your neighbor describes that crop rotation is that each year a person rotates a set of crops that nourish the soil with nitrogen, and then in the next line of crops you add a plant that is a high feeder on the soil's nutrients. This swapping will create balance in your soil. Looks like it paid off. You have beans, carrots, onions, squash, tomatoes, cabbage, peas and potatoes.
Irrigation Area
Walking around the "country swimming pool" filled with fish and ducks swimming around each other, you only feel blessed seeing the mini ecosystem that you assisted in creating. You smile back and realize that the earth is giving its blessing back to you. The fish pond is not only another source to find food, but it can also be used to irrigate the vegetables and crops growing. After reading more from the many farming resources you have, you discovered that the Native Americans used fish to fertilize the soil. And after using this method, the vegetables were even healthier and robust.
Livestock and Compost
Not far from your crops and the pond are where the small goats are feeding. They are feeding on the left over wheat hulls that had fallen when the crop was threshed the other day, and they seem quite attentive to their task at cleaning up. Their manure has been a God send to the composting area. Once again, you see that you are creating a ecosystem where each aspect of the system is supporting one another. To think this Eden that you have created only started out with a dream put on paper. Your well planned micro farm is utilizing every resource available.
Find some answers to your homesteading and survival questions at http://www.readynutrition.com
Tess Pennington is the lead content contributor for Ready Nutition. Ready Nutrition is an educational resource for those wanting to learn more about home safety preparedness, learning how to cope in disaster situations, and for those wanting to learn how to be more self sustaining. Her career at the American Red Cross left her with years of experience in safety and disaster preparedness. Tess is establishing herself as one of the foremost authorities on safety development and disaster preparedness on the internet. She describes herself as a mixture of Martha Stewart and Les Stroud.
Tess Pennington's work today encompasses:
Teaching disaster preparedness
Informing readers about the importance of preparing for any given situation.
Writing
Speaking
Media consultation
Simple: Just Add Water - Outdoor Gourmet Meals - WiseFoodStorage.com
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Complete Survivalist
Simple: Just Add Water - Outdoor Gourmet Meals - WiseFoodStorage.com
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sixty Great Uses For Salt
Although you may not realize it, simple table salt has a
great number of uses other than simply seasoning your
food.
The following list will give you sixty uses of salt, many of
which you probably didn't realize:
Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off
easier.
Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink;
bad ones float.
Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a
cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk
them up.
Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they
will last longer.
Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl.
Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of
their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to
break it open easily.
Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last
longer.
Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and
vinegar, thickened with flour
Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a
longer life.
Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt
soak up the stain.
Clean you iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the
ironing surface.
Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double
boiler will make the food cook faster.
Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and
starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.
Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot
for a sore throat gargle.
Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth
polisher.
Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for
awhile.
A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.
Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from
freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to
prevent the clothes from freezing.
Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent
yellowing.
Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in
them next day to remove burned-on stains.
Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.
Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.
Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove
stains.
Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more
quickly.
Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odour.
A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.
Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out
matched.
Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.
Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later.
Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.
A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four
parts alcohol.
Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.
Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass
growing.
Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a brighter look.
Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of
salt water.
If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of
the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry,
light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled.
Simple: Just Add Water - Outdoor Gourmet Meals - WiseFoodStorage.com
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Safety Tips For Using a Portable Generator
The last couple of years many portable electric generators are sold. Many of these generators are user as a backup for the household electricity. But these small generators are also used for outdoor activities like camping or hunting. And because of the electrical power they generate, safety is a very important issue. It is a fact that generators made by well known manufacturers, are built conform strict safety rules. But if not properly installed or operated even the safest generator can become a lethal hazard! In this article I will give you some tips to avoid the most common mistakes.
My first tip is: read the Instruction Manual that you received when buying your generator. It is important that you know the basics of operating the generator. If you have to read the manual during an emergency for the first time you will loose too much time that is needed elsewhere. So read the manual NOW. If you lost your manual, then you can always download a copy of it at the website of the manufacturer of your generator. Be sure to have the type or serial code of your generator at hand (in case of doubt check the identification data on your generator), so you can be sure to download the right manual.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offer a checklist for portable generator owners. First of all they recommend that a qualified, licensed electrician should install portable electric generators to ensure that they meet local electrical codes. Because power from incorrectly installed generators can backfeed along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including line workers making repairs.
Make sure your generator is properly grounded.
Keep the generator dry.
Make sure extension cords used with generators are rated for the load, and are free of cuts and worn insulation and have three-pronged plugs.
Do not overload the generator. A portable generator should be used only when necessary and only to power essential equipment or appliances.
Never operate the generator in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Use carbon monoxide detectors in nearby enclosed spaces to monitor levels. Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly, which can be deadly.
Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help prevent electrocutions and electrical shock injuries. Portable GFCIs require no tools to install and are available at prices ranging from $12 to $30.
Make sure fuel for the generator is stored safely, away from living areas, in properly labeled containers and away from fuel-burning appliances. Before re-fueling, always turn the generator off and let it cool down.
Turn off all appliances powered by the generator before shutting down the generator.
Keep children away from portable generators at all times.
I hope you find these tips useful and help you use your generator in the most safe way.
David Marsden has written many articles for the internet. If you want to read more tips from him about portable generators, then visit his website about small diesel generators.
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My first tip is: read the Instruction Manual that you received when buying your generator. It is important that you know the basics of operating the generator. If you have to read the manual during an emergency for the first time you will loose too much time that is needed elsewhere. So read the manual NOW. If you lost your manual, then you can always download a copy of it at the website of the manufacturer of your generator. Be sure to have the type or serial code of your generator at hand (in case of doubt check the identification data on your generator), so you can be sure to download the right manual.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offer a checklist for portable generator owners. First of all they recommend that a qualified, licensed electrician should install portable electric generators to ensure that they meet local electrical codes. Because power from incorrectly installed generators can backfeed along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including line workers making repairs.
Make sure your generator is properly grounded.
Keep the generator dry.
Make sure extension cords used with generators are rated for the load, and are free of cuts and worn insulation and have three-pronged plugs.
Do not overload the generator. A portable generator should be used only when necessary and only to power essential equipment or appliances.
Never operate the generator in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Use carbon monoxide detectors in nearby enclosed spaces to monitor levels. Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly, which can be deadly.
Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help prevent electrocutions and electrical shock injuries. Portable GFCIs require no tools to install and are available at prices ranging from $12 to $30.
Make sure fuel for the generator is stored safely, away from living areas, in properly labeled containers and away from fuel-burning appliances. Before re-fueling, always turn the generator off and let it cool down.
Turn off all appliances powered by the generator before shutting down the generator.
Keep children away from portable generators at all times.
I hope you find these tips useful and help you use your generator in the most safe way.
David Marsden has written many articles for the internet. If you want to read more tips from him about portable generators, then visit his website about small diesel generators.
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Saturday, December 18, 2010
Do You Know What a Gas Mask Can Do and Which Gas Mask is Right For You?
If we were to think back several decades ago, it would be awkward to think about owning your own personal gas mask. However, times have definitely changed, and so has the personal protection products. In this day and age, it is very wise for any family to own gas masks for every member of your household. There is no reason why one should not own such a security device, especially know that prices on such respirators have dramatically dropped. Gas masks are perfect for protecting you against chemical or biological attacks. However, gas masks have far more uses than just protecting you from the above attacks. They are perfect for industrial workers, which will protect them from dust and various chemicals in paint spray.
Gas masks not only come in the bulkier items that many people are familiar with, they also come in smaller packets, which can easily be stored in the car or in your home. There is a whole line of discrete, pocket-sized gas masks. One example of a perfect discrete gas mask is The Breath of Life Emergency Escape Mask. This particular mask can last up to 15 to 20 minutes, and is perfect for personal and commercial airborne hazardous matter. This gas mask will protect its users from simple smoke or dust, as well as the unfortunate biological terrorist attacks. However, if you live in sections of the world where natural disasters may become an issue, The Breath of Life Emergency Escape Mask is ideal for protection from the various toxins that can be released in the air via an earthquake, tornado or any other type of natural disaster. But, how does this gas mask protect you from the various airborne toxins that threaten us? This personal protection is brought to you through four filtered layers. These filters are compiled of polyester fibers, Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC), as well as micron particles, which are put through the grueling Fraizer Air Permeability Method. And the big ingredient in this gas mask is the use of charcoal. When you breath through this gas mask, the charcoal is literally purifying the air you breath and is removing the toxic gasses that are in the air around you. This gas mask is made for portable use, and is ideal for storing away in your car's glove box or in your pocketbook.
One of the gas masks is Breath of Life Emergency Escape Mask, is small and extremely portable. However, this type of gas mask is mainly intended for short term use in a case of emergency. There are other gas masks that are rugged and are made for longer more intense use. SGE 400/3 gas mask is the best of the gas masks. This mask is perfect for use whenever the users respiratory system is in line of becoming endangered. There are several different ways this gas mask can be used. One of these uses is for industrial gas protection, by using it whenever you are on the job and toxins fill the air, such as sandblasting, paint spraying, metalworking and demolition. If you are needing job protection, this mask will give you the heavy-duty protection you need for your heavy-duty workplace. Although, the SGE 400/3 Gas Mask can be used in the work place, it is also perfect for when the threat of Chemical Biological Warfare (CBW) is present. There are also various filter protection classes which are available for purchase. The SGE 400/3 gas mask is suitable for children ages 12 and up.
Knowing that there are such personal protection gas masks on the market is a comforting feeling. However, how do gas masks work? Basically, a gas mask filter can use up to three different techniques in order to get the air pure again. These options include particle filtration, chemical absorption or adsorption and chemical reaction to neutralize a chemical. Even though there are many different steps in the actual filtration process, the most common filtration method used is by activated charcoal. Activated Charcoal is charcoal which has been treated with oxygen in order to literally "open up" millions of pores between the carbon atoms.
Whether you are needing a gas mask for industrial use within your place of work, or if you are heading towards biological warfare dead on, there are hundreds of various respiratory protection products on the market today. Make an educated decision as it is your or your loved ones life.
Andy Jones
Media Relations - Name Brands Inc
Gas Masks - Best NBC Protection
Ezine Articles Expert Author
Copyright Name Brands Inc. Free Reprint rights with proper credit to author without removing the links
Download our free toolbar
Gas masks not only come in the bulkier items that many people are familiar with, they also come in smaller packets, which can easily be stored in the car or in your home. There is a whole line of discrete, pocket-sized gas masks. One example of a perfect discrete gas mask is The Breath of Life Emergency Escape Mask. This particular mask can last up to 15 to 20 minutes, and is perfect for personal and commercial airborne hazardous matter. This gas mask will protect its users from simple smoke or dust, as well as the unfortunate biological terrorist attacks. However, if you live in sections of the world where natural disasters may become an issue, The Breath of Life Emergency Escape Mask is ideal for protection from the various toxins that can be released in the air via an earthquake, tornado or any other type of natural disaster. But, how does this gas mask protect you from the various airborne toxins that threaten us? This personal protection is brought to you through four filtered layers. These filters are compiled of polyester fibers, Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC), as well as micron particles, which are put through the grueling Fraizer Air Permeability Method. And the big ingredient in this gas mask is the use of charcoal. When you breath through this gas mask, the charcoal is literally purifying the air you breath and is removing the toxic gasses that are in the air around you. This gas mask is made for portable use, and is ideal for storing away in your car's glove box or in your pocketbook.
One of the gas masks is Breath of Life Emergency Escape Mask, is small and extremely portable. However, this type of gas mask is mainly intended for short term use in a case of emergency. There are other gas masks that are rugged and are made for longer more intense use. SGE 400/3 gas mask is the best of the gas masks. This mask is perfect for use whenever the users respiratory system is in line of becoming endangered. There are several different ways this gas mask can be used. One of these uses is for industrial gas protection, by using it whenever you are on the job and toxins fill the air, such as sandblasting, paint spraying, metalworking and demolition. If you are needing job protection, this mask will give you the heavy-duty protection you need for your heavy-duty workplace. Although, the SGE 400/3 Gas Mask can be used in the work place, it is also perfect for when the threat of Chemical Biological Warfare (CBW) is present. There are also various filter protection classes which are available for purchase. The SGE 400/3 gas mask is suitable for children ages 12 and up.
Knowing that there are such personal protection gas masks on the market is a comforting feeling. However, how do gas masks work? Basically, a gas mask filter can use up to three different techniques in order to get the air pure again. These options include particle filtration, chemical absorption or adsorption and chemical reaction to neutralize a chemical. Even though there are many different steps in the actual filtration process, the most common filtration method used is by activated charcoal. Activated Charcoal is charcoal which has been treated with oxygen in order to literally "open up" millions of pores between the carbon atoms.
Whether you are needing a gas mask for industrial use within your place of work, or if you are heading towards biological warfare dead on, there are hundreds of various respiratory protection products on the market today. Make an educated decision as it is your or your loved ones life.
Andy Jones
Media Relations - Name Brands Inc
Gas Masks - Best NBC Protection
Ezine Articles Expert Author
Copyright Name Brands Inc. Free Reprint rights with proper credit to author without removing the links
Download our free toolbar
Friday, December 17, 2010
The New Year Ahead
Are you getting ready for the new year? How has the last year changed you and how are you going to do things different next year?
This last year has changed me a lot and I hope that next year I can really buck down and get things done that need done to become more prepared. I have been working on my stockpile so that is off to a great start, I have been getting some seeds stocked up, and have my food dehydrator. The number one thing that I want to work on this year are some safety issues. Like weapons, etc. We also really need a new vehicle. I would love to get a truck, but another mini van would work awesome.
I know that we are going to be spending less money!! So, I am going to be learning to do a lot of things.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming year??
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This last year has changed me a lot and I hope that next year I can really buck down and get things done that need done to become more prepared. I have been working on my stockpile so that is off to a great start, I have been getting some seeds stocked up, and have my food dehydrator. The number one thing that I want to work on this year are some safety issues. Like weapons, etc. We also really need a new vehicle. I would love to get a truck, but another mini van would work awesome.
I know that we are going to be spending less money!! So, I am going to be learning to do a lot of things.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming year??
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Thursday, December 16, 2010
Are You Prepared??
25% OFF Family Preparedness Package! Includes a 5 Person Deluxe Survival Kit, two Economy Road Warrior Auto Kits, and an Solar-Powered Emergency Radio & Flashlight. If purchased separately, these items total $216.84... buy them together now as our Family Preparedness Package and save 25%! This is a limited time offer and may be ended at any time. Be prepared -- check out the Family Preparedness Package now!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
One Second After
I am waiting on this book to come. I am giving it to my son for a Christmas present, but plan on reading it myself. Has anyone else read it and how did you like it?? My son is an avid reader and loves books like this. He is also into The Walking Dead. But those books are so high. What other fiction books about survival should I look into getting?? One of our favorites is Alas, Babylon. Great book. If you have not read it - you should.
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Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Food Dehydrator Arrived!!
I got my Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator
yesterday! I cleaned it and my son promptly made him some beef jerky. He loves the dehydrator more than I do. It was fast!! This is a great dehydrator. I had a Mr. Coffee one years ago and it took forever to do anything. He had some jerky in just a few hours. So, my shopping list this weekend will include a ton of fruit, veggies, some lean beef, and anything else that I will need. Like lemon juice for treating the fruit. I am so glad that I broke down and bought one. I have been wanting one for a long time. This is going to really help this summer too with stuff from the garden.
Next thing on my list is to learn how to can!!
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yesterday! I cleaned it and my son promptly made him some beef jerky. He loves the dehydrator more than I do. It was fast!! This is a great dehydrator. I had a Mr. Coffee one years ago and it took forever to do anything. He had some jerky in just a few hours. So, my shopping list this weekend will include a ton of fruit, veggies, some lean beef, and anything else that I will need. Like lemon juice for treating the fruit. I am so glad that I broke down and bought one. I have been wanting one for a long time. This is going to really help this summer too with stuff from the garden. Next thing on my list is to learn how to can!!
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Monday, December 13, 2010
Freeze Dried Food Shortage
Just want to give my readers the heads up that Mountain House is saying that they are having a shortage of their freeze dried foods. Please read the article for more details.
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Survival Food: Peanut Butter
There is an increasing trend across America - people are storing more food. Why? The reasons are many and they include increasing food prices and concerns over the economy. Food storage programs generally consist of buying quantities of canned goods as well as staples like beans, sugar, salt, and wheat.
One of my biggest priorities in Preparedness is increasing my food stores. Although not difficult - for me it is a matter of money, space, organization and planning.
One of my favorite food storage staples is peanut butter. It can be eaten right out of the jar, on crackers, on bread - it just tastes great. From a nutritional viewpoint - peanut butter does pretty well. High in fat and containing equal amounts of carbohydrates and protein - it has the calories needed to make a big dent in your caloric intake needs daily.
Now - I have no plans to live on peanut butter - but it certainly can be included in a post-TSHTF diet. It also could be a great morale booster for those that may be getting board with their survival diet. Peanut butter is also very useful as an ingredient in baking.
Shelf life is excellent - coming in easily between 1.5 to 2 years or more for a jar. I have found that some brands are lower than others - so shop around. Since my family consumes peanut butter on a regular basis - it is an easy food item to rotate on the shelf to keep fresh.
Cost? Very cheap. Buying on sale as well as using coupons a typical jar can run under $2.00. Also - multi-packs as well as large value sized jar can be purchased at a discount at wholesale clubs like Costco, BJ's and SAM's Club.
Peanut butter is a great addition to any size food storage program - whether it be a 72 hour kit or a 1 year supply.
Time to go get some Ritz crackers and a jar of peanut butter. Yum!
John Rourke
ModernSurvivalOnline.com.
John Rourke is the owner of http://www.modernsurvivalonline.com - a daily blog with thoughts on survival and the world today. John has had a life long interest in survivalism.Download our free toolbar
One of my biggest priorities in Preparedness is increasing my food stores. Although not difficult - for me it is a matter of money, space, organization and planning.
One of my favorite food storage staples is peanut butter. It can be eaten right out of the jar, on crackers, on bread - it just tastes great. From a nutritional viewpoint - peanut butter does pretty well. High in fat and containing equal amounts of carbohydrates and protein - it has the calories needed to make a big dent in your caloric intake needs daily.
Now - I have no plans to live on peanut butter - but it certainly can be included in a post-TSHTF diet. It also could be a great morale booster for those that may be getting board with their survival diet. Peanut butter is also very useful as an ingredient in baking.
Shelf life is excellent - coming in easily between 1.5 to 2 years or more for a jar. I have found that some brands are lower than others - so shop around. Since my family consumes peanut butter on a regular basis - it is an easy food item to rotate on the shelf to keep fresh.
Cost? Very cheap. Buying on sale as well as using coupons a typical jar can run under $2.00. Also - multi-packs as well as large value sized jar can be purchased at a discount at wholesale clubs like Costco, BJ's and SAM's Club.
Peanut butter is a great addition to any size food storage program - whether it be a 72 hour kit or a 1 year supply.
Time to go get some Ritz crackers and a jar of peanut butter. Yum!
John Rourke
ModernSurvivalOnline.com.
John Rourke is the owner of http://www.modernsurvivalonline.com - a daily blog with thoughts on survival and the world today. John has had a life long interest in survivalism.Download our free toolbar
Sunday, December 12, 2010
My Last Big Purchase Before The New Year
I broke down and bought me a Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator and I cannot wait until it gets here! This is my last purchase before the new year and my plan to save money. I think that this will be a great thing to have and will be used a lot. Especially this time of year, my son will be making deer jerky. I will be working daily dehydrating stuff to stockpile. I think that it will be fun. I had been doing stuff in the oven all week. I did diced carrots, celery, and green peppers. They turned out great. But I wanted a regular dehydrator, because I was worried about the electric bill with the oven on all day! I might be wrong , but the oven being on all day just seems like a power runner upper. If anyone knows what the power usage of ovens as dehydrators and actual food dehydrators is , I would love to know.
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and I cannot wait until it gets here! This is my last purchase before the new year and my plan to save money. I think that this will be a great thing to have and will be used a lot. Especially this time of year, my son will be making deer jerky. I will be working daily dehydrating stuff to stockpile. I think that it will be fun. I had been doing stuff in the oven all week. I did diced carrots, celery, and green peppers. They turned out great. But I wanted a regular dehydrator, because I was worried about the electric bill with the oven on all day! I might be wrong , but the oven being on all day just seems like a power runner upper. If anyone knows what the power usage of ovens as dehydrators and actual food dehydrators is , I would love to know. Download our free toolbar
Friday, December 10, 2010
Want to Start Stockpiling Food But Can't Afford to Stockpile Food?
Many parents are saying, "I simply can't afford to stockpile food right now."
Unfortunately, many people are just barely surviving and struggling to make ends meet so stockpiling food seems to be out of the question when the electric bill needs to be paid and fuel put into the car. But in the back of our minds, there is this nagging fear that all the talk about a coming food shortage will actually happen one day and we will not be able to feed our families.
Here are a few simple tips to help you get a small food storage started for your family. I know it works because we have done it while on a monthly income of $1000 as a family of six!
We all go grocery shopping, whether it is at a Walmart superstore (my all time favorite for stockpiling groceries!) or a regular grocery store. And I dare say that most of us love sales. I like to shop sales myself, so here is what I like to do.
Allow yourself five to ten bucks to spend towards your stockpile food list every week. That may not sound like much but what will happen is that as you start building up your emergency food supply, you will find other ways to add to it.
Be careful to only stock up on things that have a fairly long shelf life, and things that you use a lot of. A lot of folks are really worried about their food getting outdated, but you really do not have to worry about that. If you have a pretty good food storage going in about a year, you can start rotating items. (for most of us with families, it is rare that food stays stored for more than a few months anyways!) If your family rarely uses stewed tomatoes, then for heaven's sake, DON'T stock it up just because there is a really good sale on them!
For instance, if you use a ton of ketchup and the ketchup is on sale one week, stock up on $5 - $10 worth of ketchup. Next week, it may be salt. Get $5 - $10 worth of salt.
As you build your stockpile of food,try to stick with plastic or metal containers and bottles. It seems almost everything is in plastic these days anyways, but if you have a choice, choose plastic and that way, if you ever have to move everything quickly, you will not have to worry about glass jars breaking, etc.
I know, you can't get pickles in plastic... yet. (And I sure like my pickles...)
But you get the idea. What will happen, and it has happened for many others, is that as you start your emergency food storage in the small ways that you can, you will be amazed at how quickly you will start thinking - "Oh, we can make it without ice-cream this week, and get that case of fruit that is on sale instead"... especially if you make a family thing.
The beauty of starting to stockpile food is that even though there may not be a food crisis within the next year or two, as we build up our storage, we have the comfort of knowing that should even harder economic times hit us, we will be prepared for it... Plus, you save a ton on your grocery bill by getting into the habit of buying when things are on sale!
Viola Bontrager is the author of Emergency-Survival-Skills.com where she talks about the basics of survival. Visit her blog to learn more about how to stockpile food, emergency food storage, how to make your own emergency kits, etc...Download our free toolbar
Unfortunately, many people are just barely surviving and struggling to make ends meet so stockpiling food seems to be out of the question when the electric bill needs to be paid and fuel put into the car. But in the back of our minds, there is this nagging fear that all the talk about a coming food shortage will actually happen one day and we will not be able to feed our families.
Here are a few simple tips to help you get a small food storage started for your family. I know it works because we have done it while on a monthly income of $1000 as a family of six!
We all go grocery shopping, whether it is at a Walmart superstore (my all time favorite for stockpiling groceries!) or a regular grocery store. And I dare say that most of us love sales. I like to shop sales myself, so here is what I like to do.
Allow yourself five to ten bucks to spend towards your stockpile food list every week. That may not sound like much but what will happen is that as you start building up your emergency food supply, you will find other ways to add to it.
Be careful to only stock up on things that have a fairly long shelf life, and things that you use a lot of. A lot of folks are really worried about their food getting outdated, but you really do not have to worry about that. If you have a pretty good food storage going in about a year, you can start rotating items. (for most of us with families, it is rare that food stays stored for more than a few months anyways!) If your family rarely uses stewed tomatoes, then for heaven's sake, DON'T stock it up just because there is a really good sale on them!
For instance, if you use a ton of ketchup and the ketchup is on sale one week, stock up on $5 - $10 worth of ketchup. Next week, it may be salt. Get $5 - $10 worth of salt.
As you build your stockpile of food,try to stick with plastic or metal containers and bottles. It seems almost everything is in plastic these days anyways, but if you have a choice, choose plastic and that way, if you ever have to move everything quickly, you will not have to worry about glass jars breaking, etc.
I know, you can't get pickles in plastic... yet. (And I sure like my pickles...)
But you get the idea. What will happen, and it has happened for many others, is that as you start your emergency food storage in the small ways that you can, you will be amazed at how quickly you will start thinking - "Oh, we can make it without ice-cream this week, and get that case of fruit that is on sale instead"... especially if you make a family thing.
The beauty of starting to stockpile food is that even though there may not be a food crisis within the next year or two, as we build up our storage, we have the comfort of knowing that should even harder economic times hit us, we will be prepared for it... Plus, you save a ton on your grocery bill by getting into the habit of buying when things are on sale!
Viola Bontrager is the author of Emergency-Survival-Skills.com where she talks about the basics of survival. Visit her blog to learn more about how to stockpile food, emergency food storage, how to make your own emergency kits, etc...Download our free toolbar
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Budget Planning!
Since I am wanting to stop spending money, I think that I need a Budget worksheet to see what money is actually coming in and what goes out. If I see it all in writing, I will be able to budget it better!! I hope. This is going to be hard, to not spend any extra money. But we have very little bills so we should save a bunch. I hope. That is the the whole plan ~ TO SAVE MONEY!! I want to have cash on hand in case of an emergency.
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Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Saving Money!
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Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Dehydrate Spaghetti Sauce
This would really come in handy if you buy bulk spaghetti sauce in extra large cans or jars. That way you could have them in smaller servings.
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Monday, December 6, 2010
Make Your Own Dehydrated Food
I did not get anything done this weekend that I wanted to do. I did not feel good. It must have been a 24 hour bug. But I did relax and read through a ton of great blogs about self reliance, survival, stockpiling food, and more. I found this post about making Dehydrated baby food and will be busy this upcoming weekend!! Great idea even if you do not have babies , I think. I am going to have so much fun seeing what all I can do with this. I need a new blender first though. But, I already have ideas in my head spinning around.
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Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wood Burning Barrel Stove Kit
I saw one of these kits at the local True Value today and have to say that it is such a neat idea. I want one now. They only had one left and the salesperson walked by and heard me talking to my husband about it and how neat the idea was and she said that they had sold 29 of them today alone!!! How great that other people are thinking about being prepared and taking care of their families. I wonder where someone would get one of those big metal , burn safe, barrels from though????
ANYONE HAVE ONE OF THESE OR KNOWS ABOUT THEM PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! SEND ME PHOTOS OF YOURS , ETC TO My EMAIL AND I WILL POST A WHOLE THING WITH ALL OF THE PHOTOS THAT I GET OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
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ANYONE HAVE ONE OF THESE OR KNOWS ABOUT THEM PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! SEND ME PHOTOS OF YOURS , ETC TO My EMAIL AND I WILL POST A WHOLE THING WITH ALL OF THE PHOTOS THAT I GET OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
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Friday, December 3, 2010
Dehydrate Food In Your Oven
This is what I will be trying this weekend. I do not have an actual food dehydrator , so I am going to try and use my oven. I have searched online and found some great information, websites, and tips on doing it. And since it is supposed to be cold and snowy here this weekend, it seems like the perfect time to try this out. Download our free toolbar
Thursday, December 2, 2010
How Much Food To Store??
I have been wondering about this a lot lately. The times are not getting any better and more and more people are out of work. We all need to be stockpiling as much as we can , while we can. I found this Food Storage Calculator online that is helping me with some ideas on how much to have stored. This gives you an idea of what you will need and you can work off of from there.
We need to get prepared and be ready in case something , like an natural emergency or job loss, comes a long our family is well prepared for anything that comes.
Think about non food items also. Stockup on EVERYTHING that you normally use every day!! Soap, laundry items, tools, paper items, etc.
THINK THINK THINK AND PLAN PLAN PLAN.
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We need to get prepared and be ready in case something , like an natural emergency or job loss, comes a long our family is well prepared for anything that comes.
Think about non food items also. Stockup on EVERYTHING that you normally use every day!! Soap, laundry items, tools, paper items, etc.
THINK THINK THINK AND PLAN PLAN PLAN.
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Wednesday, December 1, 2010
How Are You Keeping Warm??
It is snowing here and it is making me think of how every one is keeping warm.
Do you have enough blankets, an alternate form of heating your home, warm clothing, and more??
Have you gotten the windows secure and covered so there are no drafts??
Do you have enough food stocked up in case you can't get out to the store??
I hope that all of you out there have taken the precautions that needed to be taken that will ensure that your family is safe, warm, and well fed this winter season.
Do you have enough blankets, an alternate form of heating your home, warm clothing, and more??
Have you gotten the windows secure and covered so there are no drafts??
Do you have enough food stocked up in case you can't get out to the store??
I hope that all of you out there have taken the precautions that needed to be taken that will ensure that your family is safe, warm, and well fed this winter season.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Cooking From Food Storage
This is something that I need to work on. I have trouble with the dates and stuff on the food. I am working on a list that will be pit up on the wall by my food storage to help me and then am working on remembering to cycle through everything to use the old items first.
Anyone have any tips and ideas on how to keep the food storage fresh??
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Anyone have any tips and ideas on how to keep the food storage fresh??
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Monday, November 29, 2010
Hand Crank Washing Machine
The hand crank washing machine is ideal for cleaning clothes when you don't have power available. If you spend any time on a boat or at a camp ground, you know that having an effective way to wash clothes that doesn't require you to put your vacation on hold and head in to town, is a life saver. Vacations are supposed to be fun, not time spent lugging laundry to and from a laundromat.
These little washing machines work by the use of a hand crank that rotates a cylinder or tub to produce the agitation action that washes the clothes. The rotation creates internal pressure in the tub or cylinder that forces the water and cleaning agent through the clothing. The pressure is contained in the unit by a pressurized cap that releases the pressue when the cap is unscrewed.
The rinse cycle works in the same manner, but instead of pushing soapy water through the clothes, the clean water is forced through the fabric, thus removing the soapy water.
Since there is no power required, clothing can be washed virtually anywhere where there's available water and the hand crank washing machine is light and compact making it ideal for traveling, camping or boating. Adding one to your boating or camping gear is an inexpensive way to spend less time on your vacation traveling to and from a laundromat. If you've ever had to wash clothes at a laundromat, you know that waiting around for a couple of hours for the clothes to be finished is a tedious, boring chore.
So where can you get a hand crank washing machine?
If you want to spend less time lugging laundry around and more time outdoors while on vacation, get a hand washing machine by visiting
MiniWashing Machine.
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These little washing machines work by the use of a hand crank that rotates a cylinder or tub to produce the agitation action that washes the clothes. The rotation creates internal pressure in the tub or cylinder that forces the water and cleaning agent through the clothing. The pressure is contained in the unit by a pressurized cap that releases the pressue when the cap is unscrewed.
The rinse cycle works in the same manner, but instead of pushing soapy water through the clothes, the clean water is forced through the fabric, thus removing the soapy water.
Since there is no power required, clothing can be washed virtually anywhere where there's available water and the hand crank washing machine is light and compact making it ideal for traveling, camping or boating. Adding one to your boating or camping gear is an inexpensive way to spend less time on your vacation traveling to and from a laundromat. If you've ever had to wash clothes at a laundromat, you know that waiting around for a couple of hours for the clothes to be finished is a tedious, boring chore.
So where can you get a hand crank washing machine?
If you want to spend less time lugging laundry around and more time outdoors while on vacation, get a hand washing machine by visiting
MiniWashing Machine.
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Sunday, November 28, 2010
Berries ~ Yummy ~ Grow them in your yard!
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Saturday, November 27, 2010
Edible Wild Plants
I got 2 more books in the mail and I am now happy with my survival book shelf. I have 5 shelves of books that will come in handy in any situation. Today I received 2 more for the shelf and they are Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods
and The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants
. They both will come in handy if ever we are on the lookout for food supplies. Both of them have tons of illustrations and information about wild plants that are edible. Even let you know which ones to stay away from because they are poisonous. These are great reference books that anyone should have on their survival bookshelf.
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and The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants. They both will come in handy if ever we are on the lookout for food supplies. Both of them have tons of illustrations and information about wild plants that are edible. Even let you know which ones to stay away from because they are poisonous. These are great reference books that anyone should have on their survival bookshelf.Download our free toolbar
Friday, November 26, 2010
The Easiest Way To Make Homemade Butter!!
I love this video on how to make homemade butter and just had to share it with all of you.
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Sew For Baby!
Great ways to save money and be prepared with a baby in the house.
Free baby sling and carriers patterns
Free Maya Wrap baby carrier pattern
Great resources for making cloth diapers - FREE
Free Cloth Diaper Patterns
How to sew a fitted diaper
Martha Stewert Tea Towel Bib
Martha Stewert Felt baby shoes
Free info on sewing cloth diapers and training pants
Free patterns for making baby toys and there is even one for making a cloth book
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Free baby sling and carriers patterns
Free Maya Wrap baby carrier pattern
Great resources for making cloth diapers - FREE
Free Cloth Diaper Patterns
How to sew a fitted diaper
Martha Stewert Tea Towel Bib
Martha Stewert Felt baby shoes
Free info on sewing cloth diapers and training pants
Free patterns for making baby toys and there is even one for making a cloth book
Download our free toolbar
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Frugal Homeowner's Guide to Home Security
4uthor: Ken Krysinski
The Frugal Homeowner's Guide to Home Security
If you want to keep your home safe but are put off by the cost of alarm systems, don’t despair. There are other devices you can use to keep your family and your property safe and secure and you don’t have to spend a lot. Here's how:
Determine your vulnerable points
Before you set out to buy anything, check your house first. Go outside and look around, test your doors and windows for any weaknesses (old hinges, rusted locks, weak frames, etc.). Sometimes it's as simple as replacing a few of your old hardware to keep your home safe.
Next, put yourself in the shoes of a potential thief. Imagine how you could enter your house unnoticed. Identify the most vulnerable points in your house - your front door, rear and patio doors and your windows. Another point of vulnerability is your garage or shed.
Install alarms
First things first. There ARE low-cost home security devices available on the market. These are usually the wireless systems which are easy to install and set up. Wireless systems are very popular because they provide the peace of mind that homeowners want at an affordable price.
You might also want to buy one of those small door-installed alarms that cost about $20 or less. Powered by cell batteries, once it's turned on and the door is opened, the alarm emits a sharp warning to alert you. It's cheap, unobtrusive and it works.
Bolts and locks
For doors and windows, you can install bolts and locks to reinforce an existing lock. As long as the bolt is solid and the hinges are properly screwed in place, you will have little worry.
If you have sliding doors that don’t have an anti-lift device, it would be a good idea to install one. Or, you could install two door locks – one on top and another at the bottom – to reinforce the hook lock.
The garage is a common point of entry for most burglars, so keep the door padlocked and the garage windows closed before you enter the house.
Keep the light on
Illuminate your porch, back door and garage. If you're willing to spend a little, invest in dusk-to-dawn lighting powered by photoelectric cells. These save a lot of energy and will be cheaper to use than electric-powered lights.
Keep things thorny
If you don’t have a fence or wall, keep thorny plants and shrubs around. Plants like roses, holly and hawthorn have spiny leaves and thorny stems are great deterrents because they can produce punctures and tear at the skin. They not only provide you with security, they are also great ornamentals.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/the-frugal-homeowners-guide-to-home-security-125615.html
About the Author:
The above article was written by Sarah Miller on behalf of a buzzing online Residential Remodeling Contractors community where homeowners easily and painlessly find the right contractor for their home improvement projects and in turn, contractors can find the right Home Improvement Leads! Also check out the QuoteCity.com Blog for more related Remodeling Ideas and Articles/a>.
Download Our Free Toolbar
The Frugal Homeowner's Guide to Home Security
If you want to keep your home safe but are put off by the cost of alarm systems, don’t despair. There are other devices you can use to keep your family and your property safe and secure and you don’t have to spend a lot. Here's how:
Determine your vulnerable points
Before you set out to buy anything, check your house first. Go outside and look around, test your doors and windows for any weaknesses (old hinges, rusted locks, weak frames, etc.). Sometimes it's as simple as replacing a few of your old hardware to keep your home safe.
Next, put yourself in the shoes of a potential thief. Imagine how you could enter your house unnoticed. Identify the most vulnerable points in your house - your front door, rear and patio doors and your windows. Another point of vulnerability is your garage or shed.
Install alarms
First things first. There ARE low-cost home security devices available on the market. These are usually the wireless systems which are easy to install and set up. Wireless systems are very popular because they provide the peace of mind that homeowners want at an affordable price.
You might also want to buy one of those small door-installed alarms that cost about $20 or less. Powered by cell batteries, once it's turned on and the door is opened, the alarm emits a sharp warning to alert you. It's cheap, unobtrusive and it works.
Bolts and locks
For doors and windows, you can install bolts and locks to reinforce an existing lock. As long as the bolt is solid and the hinges are properly screwed in place, you will have little worry.
If you have sliding doors that don’t have an anti-lift device, it would be a good idea to install one. Or, you could install two door locks – one on top and another at the bottom – to reinforce the hook lock.
The garage is a common point of entry for most burglars, so keep the door padlocked and the garage windows closed before you enter the house.
Keep the light on
Illuminate your porch, back door and garage. If you're willing to spend a little, invest in dusk-to-dawn lighting powered by photoelectric cells. These save a lot of energy and will be cheaper to use than electric-powered lights.
Keep things thorny
If you don’t have a fence or wall, keep thorny plants and shrubs around. Plants like roses, holly and hawthorn have spiny leaves and thorny stems are great deterrents because they can produce punctures and tear at the skin. They not only provide you with security, they are also great ornamentals.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/the-frugal-homeowners-guide-to-home-security-125615.html
About the Author:
The above article was written by Sarah Miller on behalf of a buzzing online Residential Remodeling Contractors community where homeowners easily and painlessly find the right contractor for their home improvement projects and in turn, contractors can find the right Home Improvement Leads! Also check out the QuoteCity.com Blog for more related Remodeling Ideas and Articles/a>.
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Home Remedies - Huge List
1. Budweiser beer conditions the hair
2. Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish
3. Cool whip will condition your hair in 15 minutes
4. Mayonnaise will KILL LICE, it will also condition your hair
5. Elmer's Glue - paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off and see the dead skin and blackheads.
6. Shiny Hair - use brewed Lipton Tea
7. Sunburn - empty a large jar of Nestea into your bath water
8. Minor burn - Colgate or Crest toothpaste
9. Burn your tongue? Put sugar On it!
10. Arthritis? WD-40 Spray and rub in, kill insect stings too, remove glue from labels on plastic containers.
11. Bee stings - meat tenderizer
12. Chigger bite - Preparation H
13. Puffy eyes - Preparation H (but don't get it in your eyes)
14. Paper cut - crazy glue or chap stick (glue is used instead of sutures
at most hospitals)
15. Stinky feet - Jell-O!
16. Athletes feet - cornstarch
17. Fungus on toenails or fingernails - Vicks vapor rub
17a. Infection in/around nails - White Vinegar
18. Kool aid To clean dishwasher pipes. Just put in the detergent section and run a cycle, it will also clean a toilet. (Wow, and we drink this stuff)
19. Kool Aid can be used as a dye in paint also Kool Aid in Dannon Plain yogurt as a finger paint, your kids will love it and it won't hurt them if they eat it!
20. Peanut butter - will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper.
21. Sticking bicycle chain - Pam no-stick cooking spray
22. Pam Will also remove paint, and grease from your hands! Keep a can in your garage for your hubby
23. Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls
24. When the doll clothes are hard to put on, sprinkle with corn starch and watch them slide on.
25. Heavy dandruff - pour on the vinegar!
26. Body paint - Crisco Mixed with food coloring. Heat the Crisco in the micro wave, pour into an empty film container and mix with the food color of your choice!
27. Tie Dye T-shirt - mix a solution of Kool Aid in a container, tie a rubber band around a section of the T-shirt and soak
28. Preserving a newspaper clipping - large bottle of club soda and cup of milk of magnesia , Soak for 20 min. and let dry, will last for many years!
29. A Slinky Will hold toast and CD's!
30 To keep goggles and glasses from fogging, coat with Colgate toothpaste
31. Wine stains, pour on the Morton salt And watch it
absorb into the salt.
32. To remove wax - Take a paper towel and iron it over the wax stain, it will absorb into the towel.
33. Remove labels off glassware etc. rub with Peanut butter!
34. Baked on food - fill container with water, get a Bounce paper softener and the static from the Bounce Towel will cause the baked on food to adhere to it.
Soak overnight. Also; you can use 2 Efferdent tablets, Soak overnight!
35. Crayon on the wall - Colgate Toothpaste and brush it!
36. Dirty grout - Listerine
37. Stains on clothes - Colgate
38. Grass stains - Karo Syrup
39. Grease Stains - Coca Cola, It will also remove grease stains from the drive way overnight. We know it will take corrosion from car batteries!
40. Fleas in your carpet? 20 Mule Team Borax - Sprinkle and let stand for 24 hours. Maybe this will work if you get them back again.
41. To keep FRESH FLOWERS longer Add a lit tle Clorox , or 2 Bayer aspirin, Or just use 7-up instead of water.
42. When you go to buy bread in the grocery store, have you ever wondered which is the freshest, so you "squeeze" for freshness or softness? Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each day has a different color twist tie. They are: Monday = Blue, Tuesday = Green, Thursday = Red, Friday =
White and Saturday = Yellow . So if today was Thursday, you would want red
twist tie; not white which is Fridays (almost a week old)! The colors go alphabetically by color Blue - Green - Red - White - Yellow, Monday through Saturday. Very easy
to remember. I thought this was interesting. I looked in the grocery store and the bread wrappers DO have different twist ties, and even the ones with the plastic clips have different colors. You learn something new everyday!
Enjoy fresh bread when you buy bread with the right color on the day you are shopping. Download our free toolbar
2. Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish
3. Cool whip will condition your hair in 15 minutes
4. Mayonnaise will KILL LICE, it will also condition your hair
5. Elmer's Glue - paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off and see the dead skin and blackheads.
6. Shiny Hair - use brewed Lipton Tea
7. Sunburn - empty a large jar of Nestea into your bath water
8. Minor burn - Colgate or Crest toothpaste
9. Burn your tongue? Put sugar On it!
10. Arthritis? WD-40 Spray and rub in, kill insect stings too, remove glue from labels on plastic containers.
11. Bee stings - meat tenderizer
12. Chigger bite - Preparation H
13. Puffy eyes - Preparation H (but don't get it in your eyes)
14. Paper cut - crazy glue or chap stick (glue is used instead of sutures
at most hospitals)
15. Stinky feet - Jell-O!
16. Athletes feet - cornstarch
17. Fungus on toenails or fingernails - Vicks vapor rub
17a. Infection in/around nails - White Vinegar
18. Kool aid To clean dishwasher pipes. Just put in the detergent section and run a cycle, it will also clean a toilet. (Wow, and we drink this stuff)
19. Kool Aid can be used as a dye in paint also Kool Aid in Dannon Plain yogurt as a finger paint, your kids will love it and it won't hurt them if they eat it!
20. Peanut butter - will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper.
21. Sticking bicycle chain - Pam no-stick cooking spray
22. Pam Will also remove paint, and grease from your hands! Keep a can in your garage for your hubby
23. Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls
24. When the doll clothes are hard to put on, sprinkle with corn starch and watch them slide on.
25. Heavy dandruff - pour on the vinegar!
26. Body paint - Crisco Mixed with food coloring. Heat the Crisco in the micro wave, pour into an empty film container and mix with the food color of your choice!
27. Tie Dye T-shirt - mix a solution of Kool Aid in a container, tie a rubber band around a section of the T-shirt and soak
28. Preserving a newspaper clipping - large bottle of club soda and cup of milk of magnesia , Soak for 20 min. and let dry, will last for many years!
29. A Slinky Will hold toast and CD's!
30 To keep goggles and glasses from fogging, coat with Colgate toothpaste
31. Wine stains, pour on the Morton salt And watch it
absorb into the salt.
32. To remove wax - Take a paper towel and iron it over the wax stain, it will absorb into the towel.
33. Remove labels off glassware etc. rub with Peanut butter!
34. Baked on food - fill container with water, get a Bounce paper softener and the static from the Bounce Towel will cause the baked on food to adhere to it.
Soak overnight. Also; you can use 2 Efferdent tablets, Soak overnight!
35. Crayon on the wall - Colgate Toothpaste and brush it!
36. Dirty grout - Listerine
37. Stains on clothes - Colgate
38. Grass stains - Karo Syrup
39. Grease Stains - Coca Cola, It will also remove grease stains from the drive way overnight. We know it will take corrosion from car batteries!
40. Fleas in your carpet? 20 Mule Team Borax - Sprinkle and let stand for 24 hours. Maybe this will work if you get them back again.
41. To keep FRESH FLOWERS longer Add a lit tle Clorox , or 2 Bayer aspirin, Or just use 7-up instead of water.
42. When you go to buy bread in the grocery store, have you ever wondered which is the freshest, so you "squeeze" for freshness or softness? Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each day has a different color twist tie. They are: Monday = Blue, Tuesday = Green, Thursday = Red, Friday =
White and Saturday = Yellow . So if today was Thursday, you would want red
twist tie; not white which is Fridays (almost a week old)! The colors go alphabetically by color Blue - Green - Red - White - Yellow, Monday through Saturday. Very easy
to remember. I thought this was interesting. I looked in the grocery store and the bread wrappers DO have different twist ties, and even the ones with the plastic clips have different colors. You learn something new everyday!
Enjoy fresh bread when you buy bread with the right color on the day you are shopping. Download our free toolbar
Monday, November 22, 2010
Ramen Noodles
One thing that i can never have enough of in my stockpile is Ramen Noodles. But they can get boring. Use some of the recipes in these cookbooks and you will not get bored. There are even desserts that can be made with them. Great way to add to your stockpile. They are cheap and can be stored for a long time. Also they do not take up a ton of room. Download our free toolbar
Sunday, November 21, 2010
ArmyNavyMall
I think that we have found the place to get all of our gear. It is Army Navy Mall. They have all of the camping gear that we need. They also have all of the other items we need for an outdoor life, like footwear, camo, clothing, tools, and they even have giftware for the outdoorsman (or woman) on your Christmas list.
I like all of the survival gear that they have, so that I know that when we are out in the outs , we can take care of ourselves and be self sufficient.
If you have a police officer in your family they even have the equipment that they need for law enforcement. There is also a great selection of military supplies and books. I just love this type of gear and I am glad that we found this site so that we know that our gear will arrive in a speedy fashion, safe, and sound.Download our free toolbar
I like all of the survival gear that they have, so that I know that when we are out in the outs , we can take care of ourselves and be self sufficient.
If you have a police officer in your family they even have the equipment that they need for law enforcement. There is also a great selection of military supplies and books. I just love this type of gear and I am glad that we found this site so that we know that our gear will arrive in a speedy fashion, safe, and sound.Download our free toolbar
Saturday, November 20, 2010
13 Ways To Kill A Cold
Cold and flu season is upon us.
Here’s a list of 13 things you can do to save money this cold season,
Prevention
The best way to prevent spending money on treating a cold is to avoid getting sick in the first place.
1. Wash your hands.
2. Get enough sleep.
3. Exercise.
4. Eat Right.
5. Get plenty of vitamin C.
6. Drinks lots of water.
Sometimes no matter what you do, you still get pegged with a cold. Here’s how you can treat it without spending a fortune.
7. Eat spicy food.
8. Linger in the shower with the steam.
9. Sip some hot tea.
10. Savor some Home Made chicken soup.
11. Gargle Salt. Is your throat feeling tender? Put a 1/2 teaspoon of salt into some water and gargle it. It will help reduce inflammation in your throat.
12.Drink lots of water when you are sick also.
13. Suck a mint. If you don’t have a cough drop on hand, substitute it with a mint. Sucking on the mint will help reduce the coughing reflex when you’re having a coughing fit.
Here’s a list of 13 things you can do to save money this cold season,
Prevention
The best way to prevent spending money on treating a cold is to avoid getting sick in the first place.
1. Wash your hands.
2. Get enough sleep.
3. Exercise.
4. Eat Right.
5. Get plenty of vitamin C.
6. Drinks lots of water.
Sometimes no matter what you do, you still get pegged with a cold. Here’s how you can treat it without spending a fortune.
7. Eat spicy food.
8. Linger in the shower with the steam.
9. Sip some hot tea.
10. Savor some Home Made chicken soup.
11. Gargle Salt. Is your throat feeling tender? Put a 1/2 teaspoon of salt into some water and gargle it. It will help reduce inflammation in your throat.
12.Drink lots of water when you are sick also.
13. Suck a mint. If you don’t have a cough drop on hand, substitute it with a mint. Sucking on the mint will help reduce the coughing reflex when you’re having a coughing fit.
Friday, November 19, 2010
I Got My Books!!
I will be ordering from them again.
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Hand Crank Radio & Light
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Reuse Old Clothes.
I always have tons of t-shirts and stuff that I keep and try to make something else out of it. I make cloth diapers, shorts, etc. I love doing this. It is basically free fabric. Jeans can be made into many things , also. Like purses, quilts, pillows, curtains, etc.
If you use your imagination , you can come up with tons of things to make and this is also a great way to save money.
I have found some great ideas online to make items out of clothing.
Recycled T-Shirt Patterns
Great Ideas can be found here
Sewing Projects Using T-shirts
Make Easy T-shirt pants for kids!!
Recycle T-shirts into underwear!!
25 Things to do with your old jeans
Repurpose Jeans
Fabric and Clothing Reuse: This is a mega list!!
Sew A Prefold Cloth Diaper From a T-shirt Check out the whole site for other cheap ways to make cloth diapers.
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If you use your imagination , you can come up with tons of things to make and this is also a great way to save money.
I have found some great ideas online to make items out of clothing.
Recycled T-Shirt Patterns
Great Ideas can be found here
Sewing Projects Using T-shirts
Make Easy T-shirt pants for kids!!
Recycle T-shirts into underwear!!
25 Things to do with your old jeans
Repurpose Jeans
Fabric and Clothing Reuse: This is a mega list!!
Sew A Prefold Cloth Diaper From a T-shirt Check out the whole site for other cheap ways to make cloth diapers.
Download our free toolbar
Download our free toolbar
Monday, November 15, 2010
Home Made Laundry Soap
You can make your own laundry items for a lot less than buying them and usually the stuff it takes to make them is already sitting in your cupboard.
Homemade fabric softener:
1/4 cup of baking soda
1/2 cup of white vinegar
Fill your washing machine with water. Add the baking soda with the clothing. During the final rinse cycle, add the white vinegar.
Homemade laundry soap:
1/2 cup soap flakes
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup washing soda
1/4 cup borax
You also need a clean 16 ounce plastic container with a good lid.
To make the soap flakes, lightly grate a bar of Ivory, with a kitchen grater.
In a large bowl mix all of the ingredients together. Store in plastic container. Use about 1/2 cup of the mixture in each load.
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Homemade fabric softener:
1/4 cup of baking soda
1/2 cup of white vinegar
Fill your washing machine with water. Add the baking soda with the clothing. During the final rinse cycle, add the white vinegar.
Homemade laundry soap:
1/2 cup soap flakes
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup washing soda
1/4 cup borax
You also need a clean 16 ounce plastic container with a good lid.
To make the soap flakes, lightly grate a bar of Ivory, with a kitchen grater.
In a large bowl mix all of the ingredients together. Store in plastic container. Use about 1/2 cup of the mixture in each load.
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Sunday, November 14, 2010
$5.00 Meals
5DollarDinners is an awesome website that is chock full of recipes for low cost meals. It was even featured on Rachael Ray!! I just love this site and I still have not looked through it all. I love the low cost meals that are on this website. When times are hard it is great to still be able to make great tasting meals that do not cost a lot.
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Saturday, November 13, 2010
Printable Lists For Survival
When things do go bad , I think that power will be one of the first things to go out. So, anything that is on your computer needs to be printed off. I found this Website that has a list of printable pages and more to help with survival and if you search on Google you will find many more. If you have no power - you have no computer! It is not a good thing to have every single thing on your computer, you have to have hard copies also. Print it off and put into folders or binders. Add it to your book shelf with all of your other survival and cook books. You can easily get to it and not miss your computer at all.
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Friday, November 12, 2010
Be Frugal About Stockpiling.
I want to stockpile and have my home ready with everything, but I do not want to run out of money doing it. I have found that the Dollar Tree has many items that are useful and can be stockpiled. they have many food items, first aid items, games, tools, toys, candles, cleaning supplies, and much more that can be stockpiled. I go to my local one about once a month and get a lot of items and I always keep my total below 40.00!! I love the Dollar Tree. Like I have said before, My little bitty house is starting to burst at the seams. But we will be prepared. Thursday, November 11, 2010
First Aid Stockpile
Here is a great starting list of items that are needed to be healthy and safe in an emergency.
Stockpile these items :
Alcohol Wipes
Aloe Vera
Antacids
Aspirin
Benadryl
Calamine Lotion
Claritin
Cough Drops
Epsom Salt
Hydrocortisone Cream
Hydrogen Peroxide
Immodium
Iodine
Motrin
Neosporin
Numbing Throat Spray
Rubbing Alcohol
Sudafed
Tylenol
Vicks Vapor Rub
Ace Bandages
Band aids and Bandages in Various Sizes
Surgical Tape
Ice Packs
Heat Packs
This is just a starting point and I also have found that I can buy many of these items at the local Dollar Tree. That way I am not breaking the bank as I stockpile.
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Stockpile these items :
Alcohol Wipes
Aloe Vera
Antacids
Aspirin
Benadryl
Calamine Lotion
Claritin
Cough Drops
Epsom Salt
Hydrocortisone Cream
Hydrogen Peroxide
Immodium
Iodine
Motrin
Neosporin
Numbing Throat Spray
Rubbing Alcohol
Sudafed
Tylenol
Vicks Vapor Rub
Ace Bandages
Band aids and Bandages in Various Sizes
Surgical Tape
Ice Packs
Heat Packs
This is just a starting point and I also have found that I can buy many of these items at the local Dollar Tree. That way I am not breaking the bank as I stockpile.
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A Yard Sale At This Time Of Year???
I also added to my stockpile. Great day indeed. I am slowly running out of room though in our little house. We either have to get more shelving or move.
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Tuesday, November 9, 2010
My Thrift Store Trip's Today
I did not do too bad. I only spent about $16.00 dollars and got my 4 year old a bag full of winter clothes, a bundle of 10 pillar candles, a candle holder that hangs on the wall, a candle holder that looks like an oil lamp with a globe, and another candle holder that is wood and has place for 3 candles. My safety candles fit perfect in it. I hung the hanging candle holder , which holds 2 pillars, in the hallway. I had been wanting something for the hallway and now I do. That is all that I found, though. It was pretty slim pickings. But , at least I found a few things and did not spend a ton of money. We always need candles. And getting a bag of winter clothes for my little one was worth it , too. So, considering that we only got a chance to go to 2 different thrift stores - I am happy!!
This neat candle holder is wood and has the 3 places in it that safety candles fit in perfectly.
This one is just a cheap one to hang in the hallway. It has 2 of the pillars in it that I also bought today.
This candle holder is my favorite one.
Wish me Luck
About once every six months my mom comes and gets me and we on a trek to some thrift stores that we know about that are less then 30 miles away. I am on the hunt for some stuff.
My list includes:
Oil Lamps
Games
Blankets
Fabric
Books
An old fashion juicer ( like those depression glass ones that you put half the orange on and push! )
Tools
and anything else that is useful. You never know what you might find at thrift stores. I would love to find some thing to hang clothes on inside to dry. This will be a fun day so I just hope that I have the added bonus of finding some of the stuff that I need!!!
Here is a list of prior posts showing some treasures found at thrift stores!
Thrift Stores Always Have great Books
Thrift Stores Are A Great Place For Survivalists
So get out to your local thrift stores and hunt. You will be surprised at what you will find. I have found solar powered items, and more. Saves you money while you are getting prepared.
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My list includes:
Oil Lamps
Games
Blankets
Fabric
Books
An old fashion juicer ( like those depression glass ones that you put half the orange on and push! )
Tools
and anything else that is useful. You never know what you might find at thrift stores. I would love to find some thing to hang clothes on inside to dry. This will be a fun day so I just hope that I have the added bonus of finding some of the stuff that I need!!!
Here is a list of prior posts showing some treasures found at thrift stores!
Thrift Stores Always Have great Books
Thrift Stores Are A Great Place For Survivalists
So get out to your local thrift stores and hunt. You will be surprised at what you will find. I have found solar powered items, and more. Saves you money while you are getting prepared.
Download our free toolbar
Monday, November 8, 2010
Stockpile Medicines
This time of year I get to thinking about cold and flu season, so I have finally started a medicine stockpile. I have gotten some cold and flu medicine, Tylenol, and other medical type items. First aid items will be in my stockpile also. Just trying to think of everything. You never know when someone in your family might get sick and you want to have on hand what you need.
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Sunday, November 7, 2010
Upgrading My Bookshelf
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Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wood Burning Stove Or Pellet Stove?
The heating season is approaching quickly and it is high time to install that wood burning stove or pellet stove you have been thinking about. Which one will it be?
The first thing to check is the availability of pellets in your area. At this point in time, you might not be able to purchase pellets locally. And purchasing locally is important, since it means that there is a sustainable fuel supply in your area.
Contact the nearest store that sells pellet stoves and ask about a list of pellet suppliers. Theres should be at least two in your area. Ask about prices, availability and where they get their pellets from. You want to make sure that the pellets for your stove are from a local and sustainable source. As with anything, shop around and compare prices, proximity, and delivery guarantees.
What Are The Differences Between Wood And Pellet Stoves?
Pellet stoves burn more efficiently and cleanly than wood burning stoves.
All pellet stoves require an electrical connection, while only those wood burning stoves with blowers require an electrical connection.
Wood burning stoves require a functioning chimney or approved vent, whereas most pellet stoves require a conventional flue. Important: check your particular model and your localcodes!
Pellet stoves distribute the heat by blowing hot air into the space. These stoves do notget very hot to the touch. This can be a deciding factor if you have small children. Pellet stoves are quick to provide heat, and quick to cool down, once the fire is out.
Wood burning stoves radiate heat. Some models also have fans to blow hot air into the space. Wood burning stoves get very hot to the touch and keep radiating warmth, long after the fire has burnt down.
Wood pellet stoves require less attention than cord wood burning stoves:
Pellets are delivered in bags, or filled into a pellet bin in your basement. You will have to bring the bags into your house.
Pellets are fed into the stove via augers. You fill the pellet hopper, which is integrated into the top of the pellet stove, with approximately 40 lbs. of pellets.
You set the temperature dial at the stove to the desired temperature. The stove can be a self-igniting model or be started with a starting gel and match. The pellets will feed automatically as required to maintain the temperature.
A wood pellet stove can heat your home for up to 40 hours, without requiring any more of your attention
You refill the pellet chamber as needed
You empty the ash bin every few days
Wood burning stoves require a good amount of work:
Wood is "dumped" in front of your house and you will have to stack the wood, cover it and bring it into the house as required.
Kindling is required to start the stove. You can buy kindling, collect it in nearby woods or from a wood-processing manufacturer (such as flooring or furniture manufacturers) or chop it yourself.
You will have to build the fire and start it manually.
You control the temperature by adding more wood, opening and closing the air supply damper. Keeping in mind that the wood burning stove is slow-reacting.
Your wood burning stove will heat your home, unattended, for up to 12 hours, depending on stove size, wood being burnt, and setting of the air supply damper.
You will need to empty the ash bin daily.
Wood pellet stoves are considerably more costly than wood burning stoves. You can find a good wood burning stove for under $ 1,000, whereas a good, reliable pellet stove will cost over $2,000.
Cost for pellets and cost for cord wood depend to a large extent on the region you live in. In some regions pellets are more expensive, in other areas cord wood tops the list. Some areas have experienced pellet shortages, with the increase in popularity of pellet stoves.
Wood burning stoves are more messy than pellet stoves.
Your Personal Preferences
After reading the above comparison, your personal preferences will also help you decide.
How important is it to you to have the cleanest burning and most efficient stove?
How much work are you willing to do? Some people like stacking and chopping wood. Building a fire in the stove every morning can be a wonderful ritual to start the day.
How much money do you have a available and are willing to spend on a stove?
Do you prefer the radiant heat of the wood burning stove or the hot/warm air blowing from the pellet stove?
Would you like to cook a winter soup on the wood burning stove?
Other Deciding Factors
In addition to the personal preferences, the following factors must be considered:
Are you physically able and willing to do the work required for a wood burning stove?
Do you have the time required to tend to the stove?
How easily can you install electrical power for you pellet stove?
How easily can you add a chimney or vent stack?
Are power outages a real possibility in your area? Will you have a back-up generator for the pellet stove, or will you need the wood burning stove as a heat source?
Heating your home with wood, be it pellets or cut wood, requires considerably more work than simply flipping a switch on your oil or gas-fired furnace. The benefits though, in my opinion, outweigh the hard work and the sometimes messy living room. No matter which option you choose, you can heat your home with a sustainable fuel with either a wood burning stove or a pellet stove.
Christiane Perrin is a registered professional HVAC engineer with a passion for the environment. She is excited about the building industry going green and wants to support homeowners on their journey to building and remodeling green homes. http://www.greenandsustainablehomes.org
The first thing to check is the availability of pellets in your area. At this point in time, you might not be able to purchase pellets locally. And purchasing locally is important, since it means that there is a sustainable fuel supply in your area.
Contact the nearest store that sells pellet stoves and ask about a list of pellet suppliers. Theres should be at least two in your area. Ask about prices, availability and where they get their pellets from. You want to make sure that the pellets for your stove are from a local and sustainable source. As with anything, shop around and compare prices, proximity, and delivery guarantees.
What Are The Differences Between Wood And Pellet Stoves?
Pellet stoves burn more efficiently and cleanly than wood burning stoves.
All pellet stoves require an electrical connection, while only those wood burning stoves with blowers require an electrical connection.
Wood burning stoves require a functioning chimney or approved vent, whereas most pellet stoves require a conventional flue. Important: check your particular model and your localcodes!
Pellet stoves distribute the heat by blowing hot air into the space. These stoves do notget very hot to the touch. This can be a deciding factor if you have small children. Pellet stoves are quick to provide heat, and quick to cool down, once the fire is out.
Wood burning stoves radiate heat. Some models also have fans to blow hot air into the space. Wood burning stoves get very hot to the touch and keep radiating warmth, long after the fire has burnt down.
Wood pellet stoves require less attention than cord wood burning stoves:
Pellets are delivered in bags, or filled into a pellet bin in your basement. You will have to bring the bags into your house.
Pellets are fed into the stove via augers. You fill the pellet hopper, which is integrated into the top of the pellet stove, with approximately 40 lbs. of pellets.
You set the temperature dial at the stove to the desired temperature. The stove can be a self-igniting model or be started with a starting gel and match. The pellets will feed automatically as required to maintain the temperature.
A wood pellet stove can heat your home for up to 40 hours, without requiring any more of your attention
You refill the pellet chamber as needed
You empty the ash bin every few days
Wood burning stoves require a good amount of work:
Wood is "dumped" in front of your house and you will have to stack the wood, cover it and bring it into the house as required.
Kindling is required to start the stove. You can buy kindling, collect it in nearby woods or from a wood-processing manufacturer (such as flooring or furniture manufacturers) or chop it yourself.
You will have to build the fire and start it manually.
You control the temperature by adding more wood, opening and closing the air supply damper. Keeping in mind that the wood burning stove is slow-reacting.
Your wood burning stove will heat your home, unattended, for up to 12 hours, depending on stove size, wood being burnt, and setting of the air supply damper.
You will need to empty the ash bin daily.
Wood pellet stoves are considerably more costly than wood burning stoves. You can find a good wood burning stove for under $ 1,000, whereas a good, reliable pellet stove will cost over $2,000.
Cost for pellets and cost for cord wood depend to a large extent on the region you live in. In some regions pellets are more expensive, in other areas cord wood tops the list. Some areas have experienced pellet shortages, with the increase in popularity of pellet stoves.
Wood burning stoves are more messy than pellet stoves.
Your Personal Preferences
After reading the above comparison, your personal preferences will also help you decide.
How important is it to you to have the cleanest burning and most efficient stove?
How much work are you willing to do? Some people like stacking and chopping wood. Building a fire in the stove every morning can be a wonderful ritual to start the day.
How much money do you have a available and are willing to spend on a stove?
Do you prefer the radiant heat of the wood burning stove or the hot/warm air blowing from the pellet stove?
Would you like to cook a winter soup on the wood burning stove?
Other Deciding Factors
In addition to the personal preferences, the following factors must be considered:
Are you physically able and willing to do the work required for a wood burning stove?
Do you have the time required to tend to the stove?
How easily can you install electrical power for you pellet stove?
How easily can you add a chimney or vent stack?
Are power outages a real possibility in your area? Will you have a back-up generator for the pellet stove, or will you need the wood burning stove as a heat source?
Heating your home with wood, be it pellets or cut wood, requires considerably more work than simply flipping a switch on your oil or gas-fired furnace. The benefits though, in my opinion, outweigh the hard work and the sometimes messy living room. No matter which option you choose, you can heat your home with a sustainable fuel with either a wood burning stove or a pellet stove.
Christiane Perrin is a registered professional HVAC engineer with a passion for the environment. She is excited about the building industry going green and wants to support homeowners on their journey to building and remodeling green homes. http://www.greenandsustainablehomes.org
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