Living Off the Grid with No Money: Can You Do It?

 

 

Living Off the Grid with No Money: Can You Do It?

 

Living off the grid is something that most people would love to do to live freely.

Are you eager to escape the rat race but feel trapped in the traditional lifestyle model?
Do you want a “little get-away” for your family for periodic detoxing from your current everyday life?
Or, Retirement! Do you want a safe and secure, functional homestead where you can live comfortably, off-grid, producing your own food and water, living an affordable self-sufficient lifestyle? 

Food Storage Recipe - Scalloped Potatoes (Dehydrated Potato Slices)

 This is a convenient way to make scalloped potatoes with out using packed mix in a box. This is healthier. 

NEED

3 cups of  Dehydrated Potato Slices  

1/2 cup of powdered milk

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons corn starch

1 teaspoon onion powder or onion flakes

1/2 tablespoon dried chives

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 3/4 cups of boiling water

2 tablespoons butter

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Pour the potato slices into a casserole dish. 

In a small bowl mix the powdered milk, flour, corn starch, onion, chives, salt, mustard powder, and pepper. 

Mix it together very well.

Pour it evenly over the potato slices. 

Slowly pour the boiling water over them and mix the powder up well with it. 

Mix it up until well blended.

Cut the butter up into smaller pieces and lay on top of the potatoes.

Bake for about 45 minutes.

Remove from oven and let set for a few minutes. 

Potatoes should be tender! 

Food Storage Recipe - Breakfast Skillet

Perfect meal!

We even have it for dinner!

Fry up some bacon until it is crisp , drain it (reserving the grease) , and crumble it up.

Put the grease from the bacon into the skillet and saute about a half a cup or chopped onions for a few minutes.

Add 6 cups of shredded hash browns and season.

Press into the skillet and cook until brown on bottom, flip and repeat.

Make 6 wells in the has browns and crack an egg into each one.

Cover and cook on medium low until the eggs are done.

Sprinkle with shredded cheese and the crumbled up bacon.

Recover and let the cheese melt.

The last couple of time that I made this I used the Dehydrated Potato Shreds by Augason Farms. Worked great.

Pasta Chips

 

 

Pasta Chips - Food with Feeling

 

This is such an easy treat and yummy. A lot cheaper than a bag of chips anymore. All you do is boil them up like box directions , season them, and the crisp them up in your air fryer. A great way to get a snack with an items that is in your pantry.  

 

 

A Preppers Best Friend - THRIFT STORES!!

Even with the rising prices at thrift stores , you can still find some amazing and useful items for a lot less than at big box stores.

 I love thrift stores so much. I have found so many prepping supplies, camping supplies, homeschool items, and more at them. 

I don't get to go very much lately, but this past Wednesday I actually got to go by myself and found a lot of stuff. The best thing I got was this Clothes Drying Rack! This is going to be such a help while it is cold. I can't get out to hang my clothes up when it is too cold , so with this I can set it up in my kitchen and hang stuff up.

I also got a Stansport Folding Camp Stove Toaster! They are not a lot new, but I had a discount code for the thrift store so got this for 50 cents!!

You can find tons of items at thrift stores. I have gotten oil lamps, and so much more. 

Food Storage Recipe - Ravioli Lasagna

Things get tight sometimes - a lot here lately- BUT, we still want to eat different things. I pick these frozen ravioli up at the Dollar Store and we love them. This easy recipe is also frugal.

2 jars of marinara sauce

2-3 packages of frozen ravioli , thawed

1 jar of roasted red peppers , drained and chopped

1 package of shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan  cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Spray a 13X9 baking dish with cooking spray.

Spread about half of one of the jars of marinara sauce in the pan.

Arrange a layer of about half of the raviolis onto the sauce and top with about half of the peppers.  Then spread the rest of the sauce over that.
Sprinkle with about half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Repeat the layer.

Cover with foil and bake for about 35 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.

Sprinkle with the rest of the Parmesan cheese.

Serve with garlic bread.

21 Lost Pioneer Skills That Few People Know Today

 

 

21 Lost Pioneer Skills That Few People Know Today

I think that these are some things that every child should be taught. These skills could safe a life.  

2500 Survival Uses for Everyday Items

 

 

 

2500 Survival Uses for Everyday Items

An awesome list of items that everyone has in their home and different ways to use them! You will be surprised on the ways that these items can be used.

 

 

A Week of Lightweight, Nutritious Backpacking Food

 

 

A Week of Lightweight, Nutritious Backpacking Food

Lots of great tips and recipes.

 Great way to get nutrition while camping, hiking, etc.

Just add water and you have a quick meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

How To Have Endless Hot Water Without Electricity

 

 

How To Have Endless Hot Water Without Electricity – myhealthycoach

 

I am always on the hunt for ways to get clean water and hot water. Being able to get it and keep having it will be a great way to be comfortable and safe while off-grid.  

Homemade MREs

 

 

Homemade MREs - Modern Survival Online

Making Your own MRE meal packs can be a lifesaver. Great idea for survival kit, Go bag, and camping. They are not hard to make and can be made to everyone's taste. Great idea. 

 

 

How much food do I really need for 1 year

 

 

How much food do I really need for 1 year

 

Having a full pantry is a must for many reasons. How much you really need is what you need to figure out. Every family will need a different amount. Your family size and needs are a factor to think about.

 

 

Keep Drafts Out Of Your House...

I live in a little house that has a back room that is not too sealed. It actually has the back door in that room. Always cold. MY desk had to go by the door to that room because I had no room to put it any where else.
Sitting there the last 2 days I actually felt like my toes had frost bite. So I went to dollar general and got a 3.00 curtain rod, I got one that sticks out from the wall a bit so I can move the curtain easily whenever I need to open the door. I had 1 curtain panel that is a heavy one to put up there. Sitting here at my desk I already notice a huge difference.

You could even hang a thick blanket if you have one. Anything to cut down on drafts getting into your house and save on your power (heat) bill. I might keep it up all year and see if it helps with the power bill in the summer also.

As soon as I can I will be working on sealing that back room up and getting a new back door. 

 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Loaded Potatoes

NEED :

10 - 12 red potatoes , thinly sliced.

salt and pepper to taste

about a tsp of garlic salt

1/2 pound of bacon strips that have been cooked and crumbled.

1 onion , finely chopped

1 8 ounce package of shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup of butter, cut into small pieces

Line you slow cooker with foil and spray that with cooking spray.

Arrange about half of the potatoes in the slow cooker and sprinkle with the salt , pepper, and garlic salt.

Put half of the bacon, onion, cheese, and butter .

Repeat the layer.

Cover and cook on low for a few hours, or until the potatoes are tender.

Serve.

Food Storage Recipe - Dried Bean Patties(Burgers)

This is a good one. I  use our left over cooked navy beans.

 Mash up about 2 cups of cooked dried navy beans

 Add them to-
             about 1/2 a cup of chopped onion
             some parsley

 Beat that up and then add -
              2 egg yolks
              2 Teaspoon milk
             salt and pepper

 Shape the mixture into balls and flatten them into patties.
Dip them into flour.
 Fry them slowly until browned. I use leftover bacon fat to fry them in.

 We have eaten them as sandwiches on buns or just to go as a side dish .The great thing about this recipe is that you can change it up as you like. Even use other type of beans. Black beans are a great one to use. On the "burger" you can add all of your favorite toppings.

Food Storage Recipe - Biscuit Leftover Meat Pie

 

This is a good one for using up any leftover ground beef, leftover roast, leftover vegetables, and even chicken.

Maybe try with leftover turkey!

Put the meat into an Oven Proof Skillet . Add leftover diced potatoes, carrots, and chopped small onion.

I sometimes will also add leftover gravy if I have it. But, you can add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water.

Add any seasonings you like.

Cook on the stove until heated through.

Add a can of biscuits to the top and place in oven , cook until the biscuits are done.

YUMMY and a great way to use up leftovers.

Building A Solar Thermal Soda/Beer Can Heater for A Coop or Greenhouse

 

 

BlueRidgePetCenter: Building A Solar Thermal Soda/Beer Can Heater for A Coop or Greenhouse

 

Great idea to make your own solar powered fan heat system! 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

I always seem to find these pre formed hamburgers at my local grocery store during manager specials. VERY Low cost!! They are so good to throw in the freezer and then pull out when you need a quick meal. The last couple of times I have used them to make this slow cooker salisbury steak. Everything from my food storage!

We have this with Mashed potatoes!


NEED:

4 - 6   pre-formed hamburger patties

steak seasoning

Cup of frozen chopped onions

1 package of sliced mushrooms

1 package of beef gravy mix

1 1/2 cup of beef broth

salt and pepper to taste

Spray your slow cooker with a bit of non stick spray.

Start layering the meat patties , seasoning , onion , and mushrooms.

Add the gravy mix and the broth to this and let this cook for about 4 - 5 hours on high.

Stir it up a bit . Serve with mashed potatoes. We usually have a salad and some kind of bread. 


 

Food Storage Recipe - Hobo Chicken

This is a really yummy and easy meal to make. Everyone will love this grilling recipe.

NEED:

 ● 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

 ● 1lb chopped cooked bacon

● 3 chopped potatoes

 ● 3 peeled and chopped carrots

 ● 1 peeled and chopped yellow onion

 ● ½ cup butter

● Garlic salt to taste

Cut four large squares of aluminum foil – large enough to create a foil packet around each chicken breast.

 

 Grease each foil square with spray butter and then place a chicken breast in the center of each piece of foil.

 

 Divide your cooked bacon among the four packets and sprinkle on top of each chicken breast.

 

 Now place your potatoes, carrots and onions on top. 

 

Top this vegetable mixture with 2 tbsp. of butter and sprinkle with garlic salt to taste.

 

 Fold over your foil to create a tightly sealed packet around your ingredients. 

 

Place your sealed packets on your hot coals or your grill and let cook for around 20 minutes. 

 

After 20 minutes open up one of your packets to check that your chicken is cooked through.

 

 If it is not cooked all the way through, continue to cook for 5 minutes at a time until it is.

Rechargeable Lightbulbs!!

I found these rechargeable light bulbs at Lowes  a few weeks ago.You use them as a lightbulb and then if your power goes out these will kick on and last for 3.5 hours! They will flash for a few seconds before they go out all of the way so you can be prepared for the dark! I bought 2 of them. Put 1 in the living room and one in my son's room. They are surprisingly bright, even after the power goes out. I have been using the one in the living room every night. By time I get ready for bed , It goes out on it's own.

Food Storage Recipe - Cheesy Ham & Potato Foil Pack

This is perfect for camping or at home just wrapped up and stuck in the oven. Great way to warm up the kitchen on a cold morning.

NEED

 ● 1 ¾ cups cubed cooked ham steak

● 3 peeled and cubed potatoes

 ● 1 1/ 3 cups Alfredo Sauce

. ● 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

 ● 2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives

 Cut one large piece of foil around 20” x 18” and spray with cooking spray.

 Spoon your ham into the middle of your piece of foil and add your potatoes on top.

 Pour your Alfredo Sauce on top of the potatoes and then sprinkle with cheese.

 Fold your foil into a packet, creasing all of the edges to firmly close it while leaving a small tent over the ingredients.

Put your closed packet on the hot coals of your campfire or on top of your heated grill.

Cook for 20 minutes, flipping the packet half way through cooking.

 Make sure your potatoes are tender after 20 minutes of cooking, if not, continue cooking a bit more time til they are done.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Starting seeds indoors! They are growing so good. I hope they transplant great. I have a shelf in my kitchen in front of a south facing window full of starts. Tomatoes, green beans, baby corn, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, green peppers, sunflowers, and more more. I am doing a garden 2 times bigger than I had last year. Also trying potatoes this year. So happy yesterday when I seen 2 little potato plants growing.


Everyone grow some food!! Anything!! Start a container garden if you have to.

I couldn't get to a store to get potting soil so I ordered this SPONGEASE Coco Coir Brick, Makes 2 gals Potting Soil for seedlings, Rooting, Vegetables, Berries, Roses, Orchids, House Plants, hydroponics, Worm Farms, Animal Bedding from Amazon. It worked great. I love it and will probably use it from now on.

Food Storage Recipe ~ Homemade Tomato Paste

Homemade Tomato paste

 Some recipes require tomato paste. You can prepare a lot of this when tomatoes are ready to harvest and freeze it.

NEED:
• 5 lbs. chopped plum tomatoes

 • 1/ 4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

 2 tbsp. • salt, to taste

 Instructions -  Heat 1/ 4 cup of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add tomatoes. Season with salt. Bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until very soft, about 8 minutes. Pass the tomatoes through the finest plate of a food mill. Push as much of the pulp through the sieve as possible and leave the seeds behind. Cook in slow cooker for 4 hours on low. Store sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month, or freeze, for up to 6 months.

11 Ways People Stored Food Before Refrigerators

 

 

11 Ways People Stored Food Before Refrigerators

 

Some great tips for storing food. Need to know several ways to store food in case of an emergency.

I have a solar generator and a small fridge that works with it.  

 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Italian Beef Soup

Get out your crock pot! Perfect soup for a cold winters day!

NEED:

1 pound of ground beef, cooked and drained very well

1 clove of garlic, minced

2 cups of beef broth

Diced large tomato

1 cup of sliced carrots

2 cups of dry beans

2 small zucchini , chopped

2 cups of spinach

1 can of drained corn

salt and pepper to taste

                                  Put all of this in the crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours.

How To Convert An Old Useless Refrigerator Into A Root Cellar

 

 

How To Convert An Old Useless Refrigerator Into A Root Cellar - Off The Grid News

 

Having a root cellar will really help if you plan on growing a lot of vegetables. It is a great way to keep them for a longer time. Be able to have fresh veggies whenever. 

Food Storage Recipe - White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili


• 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts or as I use when I  make this - Keystone Meats All Natural Canned Chicken, 28 Ounce

 • 2 green bell peppers

 • 1 large yellow onion

 • 1 jalapeno

• 1/2 cup diced green chilies (optional)

 • 1/2 cup of spring onions

 • 1.5 tbsp. coconut oil

• 3 cups cooked white beans

• 3.5 cups chicken or vegetable broth

• 1 tsp. ground cumin

 • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

 • salt to taste

                          Put all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.

How to Plant a Self-Sufficient Garden: 12 Staple Crops You Need to Grow

 

 

How to Plant a Self-Sufficient Garden: 12 Staple Crops You Need to Grow

 

It is more important than ever to start your own garden. Grab all of the seeds that you can and grow as much as you can. 

 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Beef Stew with Peas and Carrots

 Easy and great meal for a cold day!!

NEED

• 1-1/2 cups chopped carrots

 • 1 cup chopped onions

• 2 tbsp. coconut oil

 • 1-1/2 cups green peas

 • 4 cups beef stock

 • 1/2 tsp. salt

 • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

• 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

• 4 pounds boneless chuck roast


                       Put all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours.

Food Storage Recipe - Black Bean, Chicken & Brown Rice Stew

This is another one of my husbands favorite recipes. He usually uses one of those Keystone Meats All Natural Canned Chicken or another canned chicken. We have a lot of canned chicken and canned beef in our food storage. It is great to use in recipes. Gives some variety!

NEED:

• 1 cup brown rice

• 1 cup chopped onions

• 2 tbsp. coconut oil

 • 1 cup uncooked black beans

• Salt, black pepper & ground cumin to taste

• 4 cups chicken stock

 • 4 pounds chicken breast meat cut into strips or the Keystone canned chicken

                  Put ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover, and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.

How to make an Emergency Water Filter

 

 

How to make an Emergency Water Filter | Five Gallon Ideas

Make a Water Filter before you need it.  Make sure that you have all of the items to build one for when this one is used up. Always have more items on hand.

Food Storage Recipe - Chicken & Green Beans Stew

This is yummy recipe. Everything gets thrown in the slow cooker!

NEED:

 • 2 cups green beans cut into 2 inch pieces

• 1 cup brown rice

 • 1 cup chopped onions

• 2 tbsp. coconut oil

 • Salt, ground black pepper to taste

• 1 cup chicken stock

 • 1 cup chopped tomato

 • 1 Tbsp. parsley

• 4 pounds chicken breast meat cut into stripes

                    Put ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover, and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.

52 Week Guide to Building Your Food Storage

 

 

52 Week Guide to Building Your Food Storage – The Organized Mom

 

If you take an organized approach to filling up your pantry for a years worth of food storage it will be easy and more frugal. You will be prepared for anything. Grab your budget planner and get to work on filling your food storage pantry.

 

 

A GUIDE TO SURVIVING WITHOUT ELECTRICITY

 

 

A GUIDE TO SURVIVING WITHOUT ELECTRICITY

 

A lot of good tips and ideas on this blog post. Always be prepared for power outages.  Having all of the items on hand now can be a life saver when the power goes out. You will be prepared with everything when the time comes.