30 DIY Home Heater Hacks & Ideas to Keep You Warm and Cozy

 

 

30 DIY Home Heater Hacks & Ideas to Keep You Warm and Cozy - Cozy Cottage Journal

 

Simple ideas and hacks to help you stay warm.  You can make your own heater and use things in your home to keep the heat in.

Food Storage Recipe - Corned Beef Hash Casserole

This is a quick casserole to try and uses items that should be in your food storage.


Corned Beef Hash Casserole

NEED:

8 ounce bag of noodles

2 chopped onions - or dehydrated

3/4 of a green pepper , chopped - or dehydrated

1 tablespoon butter

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 cup of milk - use dry milk to make this?

3/4 cup of grated velveeta cheese

1 can of corned beef hash

3/4 cup of buttered bread crumbs

Cook the noodles as directed and then layer in the casserole dish.

Saute the onions and green peppers in butter until tender.

Add the soup, milk, and cheese. Cook this while stirring until the cheese is melted.

Add the corned beef hash.

Add this to the noodles and cover with the bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for  about 30 minutes. Serve this with a salad.

Fun Things To Do Without Spending Money

 

Food Storage Recipe - Cinnamon Sore Throat Tea

This is a soothing tea to help sooth a sore throat.

 NEED:

 

1 cup hot water 

 

1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

 

1 tablespoon honey 

 

1 tablespoon lemon juice 

 

1-2 slices of fresh ginger 

 

Boil your water and then pore it into a mug.

 

Add your cinnamon. If it is a stick just drop it into the water. If using ground cinnamon stir it until it dissolves.

 

Add the fresh ginger to the tea. 

 

Stir in the honey and lemon. To taste.

 

Let it steep for a few minutes.

 

Drink tea while warm. 

 

The honey will sooth your throat.

 

The cinnamon and ginger have natural anti-inflammatory properties that may provide relief.

 

 

 

11 Homemade DIY Wood Stove Plans To Make At Home

 

11 Homemade DIY Wood Stove Plans To Make At Home

 

learning how to build your own wood stove will you on your way to self-sufficiency and warmth. 

 

24 Creative DIY Wind Power Generator Ideas

 

 

24 Creative DIY Wind Power Generator Ideas

 

Some great ideas on how to get power. Off-grid life would be much better with some wind power.

An Easy Brown Gravy

 An easy gravy to make. Great with your mashed potatoes, etc

NEED:

 

4 cups beef stock

 

1/4 cup butter

 

1/4 cup cornstarch

 

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

 

1 tsp onion powder

 

1 tsp garlic powder 

 

Melt the butter in a large pan.

Add the cornstarch and saute till cornstarch is brownish.

 

Add Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and beef stock. 

 

Whisk constantly until the cornstarch mixes well into the beef stock. 

 

Continue whisking until the gravy thickens into your desired consistency, for about 5 to 7minutes.

 

 Serve warm.

 

 Seasoned with black pepper if needed. 

 

 

 

Make Your Self Some Sandwich Bread?

 

Do you need sandwich bread or buns for burgers? Make your own. Super easy and taste great.

You need a mini waffle maker!  

NEED for recipe -

3 tablespoons of almond flour 

1 tablespoon mayo

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 egg

1/2 tablespoon water

Mix together and use the mini waffle maker to make your "bread"! 

Food Storage Recipe - Homemade Chili Seasoning

 

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

makes the same amount of as a packet of chili seasoning

Food Storage Recipe - Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna Roll Ups

Make these pepperoni pizza lasagna roll ups for dinner and make the whole family happy! They are simple to make and taste amazing.

 

Just cook your lasagna noodles for a bit, not too long or they will fall apart. You want to be able to roll them up.

 

Lay them out on a baking pan.

 

 Spread out some Ricotta cheese and line with pepperonis.

 

 Roll them up and place in a glass baking dish greased and with a light layer of pasta sauce along the bottom.

 

 Then cover with the sauce and top with mozzarella.

 

 Then bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

 

Serve with garlic bread and a salad.

 

Food Storage Recipe - Ham & Pasta Skillet

 Yummy and quick.

NEED:

1 can Condensed Broccoli Cheese soup

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard 

1 package frozen broccoli cuts

1 1/2 cups cooked ham strips or I use cut up canned ham

3 cups cooked shell macaroni (cook as stated on box)

In a skillet mix the soup, milk, mustard, and broccoli together. 

Heat to a boil then reduce to simmer.

Cook until the broccoli is tender.

Add the ham and the pasta and heat it through.

 

Prepare Your Vehicle

Now that our car is paid off and we own it, we are seriously outfitting it for if we have to bug-out or get stuck out somewhere. Like, during a winter storm, etc. We now have 2 rubber made totes in the trunk that are not too heavy. We put camping gear in them , ways to cook, food items, power bars, and some other items that our family will need in a situation like that. Even if we are just out and decide to go camping we can. Our family lives right by a state park and sometimes when we go visit them we camp there and have cookouts. Tons of fun. Now we are prepared for anything. But, if you are going on a trip there are some things that you should do to prepare your vehicle:

Make sure the gas tank is full before you set out.

Check all of the other fluids in the car.

Have a bug-out bag type thing in your trunk.

Keep a took kit and small shovel.

Have a flashlight and the batteries that it needs.

Road flares and a good item to have too if you have car trouble they could really come in handy.

A first aid kit.

I have just put some rope and bungee cords in our trunk and we all wear paracord bracelets. My oldest son even has his shoes tied with paracord. Pretty good idea. Always has them on hand ( or foot.)

Since this winter has bee so bad , I also have a bag of kitty litter in my trunk. It has really helped me a few times. I am on my second bag. It really helps when you are stuck on the ice and need something for traction. I don't even want to think about how much it would have cost me to get a tow. Thank God I had the idea to keep that bag of kitty litter in the trunk.

Some personal hygiene items would be a good idea to have on hand also.

You never know what might happen. Be prepared for ANYTHING!!!!

Food Storage Recipe - English Miffin Breakfast Pizza

 This is a very versatile dish. You use English muffins and then add what you want to make breakfast pizzas.

With toasted English muffins you can top them with a variety of delicious ingredients, including scrambled eggs, savory meats, and melted cheese.

My favorite one is scrambled eggs, bacon, and shredded cheese.I toast the muffins first then add the toppings. Place under the broiler until the cheese melts.

You can add anything that you want for the toppings. 

Food Storage Recipe - Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza Made with Crescent Rolls

NEED

 

- 1 can 8 oz refrigerated crescent roll dough

 

- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

 

- 1/4 cup sugar

 

- 1 tsp ground cinnamon

 

- 1/4 cup powdered sugar

 

- 1 tbsp milk for icing

 

- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for icing

 

Preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare a baking sheet or pizza pan by greasing it lightly.

 

Take the crescent roll dough and unroll it onto the greased pan.

 

 Shape it into a round or rectangular form, pressing the seams together for a seamless crust.

 

Pour the melted butter over the dough, ensuring even coverage.

 

 In a separate bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle this mix over the buttered dough.

 

Place the dough in the oven and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the crust is crisp.

 

 While the pizza is baking, prepare the icing by combining the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Mix until smooth and set aside.

 

 After baking, remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool briefly. 

 

Drizzle the prepared icing in creative patterns over the warm cinnamon-sugar pizza before slicing into pieces for serving.

 

8 Fun DIY Solar Powered Air Heater Plans - Solar Living Savvy

 

 

8 Fun DIY Solar Powered Air Heater Plans - Solar Living Savvy

 

A few ideas. This time of year is a great time to have several ways to get heat. Get a few of these 115 hour candles and use them.

Inexpensive DIY Flower Pot Heater in 7 Steps

 

 

Inexpensive DIY Flower Pot Heater in 7 Steps – Your Projects@OBN

Another one of these DIY projects. I am going to share any of them that I see. I really want to make one like this one using clay flower pots. I like the look of this one. It seems easy enough.

Survival Items to Keep In Your Car

As with any emergency or survival kit, you can't be prepared for everything, but you can be prepared for many things.

Below is a nice list of equipment that should serve you well in a wide variety of potential situations:

Extra pair of shoes, good walking, hiking, running shoes

1 - Medium backpack or soft zipper case (to keep your emergency gear in)

1 - Jumper cables

1 - Basic First Aid Kit

1 - Quality Rain Poncho

1 - Fleece Blanket

1 -quality multi-tool

1 - Duct Tape Roll

6 - 8" Cable Ties

3 - 24" Bungee Cords

1 - Road Safety Triangle Reflector

1 - Lighter

- Extra Batteries for Flashlight

Granola or Energy Bars (furthest date out you can find)

- Bottles of Water (take these out prior to winter)

1 - LED Headlamp Flashlight (this goes in vehicle)

1 - Survival Knife (this goes inside the vehicle)

A small camping stove and sterno packs

A few MREs and survival food

Instant coffee

You can add anything else that you think you might need that will fit in pack. I also have a solar powered cell phone charger and radio in my kit.

Pack everything but the LED headlamp and survival knife in your backpack. Store the pack in your trunk.

 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Creamy Santa Fe Chicken

A Yummy Mexican meal. Super easy to make and tasty.

NEED:

1 pound chicken tenders 

1 tablespoon olive oil 

2 cup frozen corn

 2 cups salsa verde

  1 cup sour cream 

1 teaspoon salt 

1 teaspoon pepper 

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 Add the olive oil to a skillet and heat over medium. 

 Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

 Add the chicken tenders and brown 1-2 minutes per side.

 Add the corn and cook an additional few minutes.  

Transfer the chicken and corn to a 9”x9” baking dish. 

 Pour the salsa verde over the chicken and bake for approximately 30 minutes. 

Remove from oven and stir in the sour cream. 

 Serve immediately over rice or in tortillas.

(28) EMERGENCY HEAT and Light for 72 DAYS

 

 

(28) EMERGENCY HEAT and Light for 72 DAYS | Crisco candles | SHTF - YouTube

 

This is a very useful video that shows how to make an emergency heat/light to use in an emergency. Having some Crisco on hand can turn out to be a life-saver. 

Easy to make and keep on hand. 

 

30+ Creative and Doable Alternative Housing Ideas

 

 

30+ Creative and Doable Alternative Housing Ideas - Epic Gardening 

Fun ideas to make neat houses. Live in something that no one else has. My favorite one would be a treehouse. Be up above everything. Hopefully safer up where people couldn't reach you and maybe hide it to where they couldn't even see it.

 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Yummy Cinnamon Crisps

Yummy quick treat!

NEED

1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

4-6 6" flour tortillas

 1/2 stick butter

 Coat the tortillas on both sides with butter. 

You can use a brush to apply butter to one side, then flip and brush the other side .

 Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered side.

 

 Flip the tortillas and sprinkle the other side.

 

 Bake at 375 degrees for few minutes. 

 

Keep an eye on them and remove once they’re done. They can crisp up quickly! 

 

 Let the crisps cool completely, then break them into cracker-sized pieces. 

 

Serve on their own or they are really good with vanilla ice cream .

 

 

 

Christmas Gift Idea - Handmade Wooden Bead & Maze Toy

Little Ones love these so much. My Little Man still has his Wooden Bead & Wire Maze Roller Coaster that he got when he was about 2! He will not let me get rid of it for nothing. You can make one for a toddler that you know for very little money and very easy.

Use A piece of hardwood for the base. It can be any shape you want to make it. Drill 6 holes into the bottom of it that are the same size as your heavy gauge wire. The wire needs to have one end put into one side and secured on the bottom. Put some brightly colored wooden beads onto it and then twist it around , like a roller coaster or maze. Put it through one of the holes on the other side and secure it on the bottom. Repeat this with 2 more wires. Make it fun and twisty. Use bright colored wooden beads. Which come in all kind of styles! They even have some that are painted with the ABC's. Maybe put the child's name. That would be neat. A personalized, homemade gift. Something that will be loved. 

How to Build a Hoop House Greenhouse for $50

 

 

How to Build a Hoop House Greenhouse for $50 - Off Grid World

 

This is what my son built last spring.  He had always wanted a greenhouse , but did not like the cost to buy one. He built a very big one and it worked so well that he was able to set up each weekend at a local farmer's market. Now , I am wanting one. My actual garden did not do very well this summer. Maybe if I have a greenhouse I can grow them better and keep them watered. The drought we had this summer was awful.

Food Storage Recipe - Ranch Chicken With Rice

 NEED:

1 1/2 pounds chicken breast

1 to 2 cups of pepper onion blend 

1 package of ranch seasoning

1 cup white rice

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup shredded Colby jack cheese  

Cut the chicken into 1 inch pieces.

Saute in a large skillet With a bit of oil.

When chicken is mostly done add the pepper onion blend and continue to cook until vegetables are tender.

Sprinkle the ranch over the chicken mixture and then add the broth and rice.

Stir well and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and cover.

Let simmer for about 15 - 20 minutes.

Until the rice is done.

Add the shredded cheese and stir to melt.

Serve with steamed broccoli.

 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Crunchy Granola

 Save money by making your own granola that you can easily change up to your taste.

NEED:

 ½ cup honey

 ½ cup coconut oil, melted

 6 cups rolled oats 

1 cup mixed nuts, chopped 

1 cup shredded coconut

 1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a small bowl, combine the honey and coconut oil.

In another bowl, combine the rolled oats, mixed nuts, shredded coconut, and salt.

 Mix well.  

Add the honey and coconut oil to the oat mixture, and mix it to coat it very well.  

Spread the mixture out onto a cookie sheet.

  Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. 

 Remove from oven and let cool before serving.

Store in a storage container , like below.

 

Planning For Camping Now

Planning for stuff in off season can save you some money. I always buy in off seasons. Like buy AC in the winter , heaters in the middle of summer and so on. My son is already planning his summer camping trip with his brother. They learned a lot last summer. Last summer it rained the whole time so they are planning for that! 

He camps at home in the backyard a lot , too. Putting the tent up on the trampoline was his idea and he had so much fun. But they can't take the trampoline with them to Tennessee! They are trying to come up with an easy portable way to get tent directly off the ground. A bigger tarp to cover the tent with. I am making them get a canopy to cover the picnic table up for keeping food and sitting at least a bit dryer in case it rains as much as it has in the past. They will be there for 2 weeks. If they have less to worry about than hopefully they will have more fun.
 

How To Convert A Shed Into An Off Grid Cottage

 

 

                                      How To Convert A Shed Into An Off Grid Cottage

 

I have a shed in my back yard that I bought a few years ago that I am planning on redoing half of it into an off-grid bathroom. I already have everything. Just am needing to organize the shed and plan out the "room" that I will build for it.  When I bought the shed I only had them put one window in it, So would most likely build around that for the bathroom. 

These photos were taken right after it was delivered a few years ago. I wish it was still this clean.

      

Hybrid Solar Wind Power Generation System - SHTFPreparedness

 

 

 

                           Hybrid Solar Wind Power Generation System - SHTFPreparedness

 

                                                    Another great DIY to generate power. 

Food Storage Recipe - Fried Potato and Smoked Sausage

 

NEED:

1 1/2 Pounds of Potatoes, diced

1 pound of smoked sausage, sliced

Olive oil

1/2 Teaspoon Seasoned salt

1/2 Teaspoon Italian seasoning

Half of a red bell pepper  , diced

Half of a green bell pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced

Black pepper to taste

Heat a bit of butter in a pan and saute the onion. 

When done , remove them from the pan and set off to the side.

In the same pan heat up some butter and olive oil. 

Add the potatoes and cook them until they are soft.

Add the sausage to the pan and fry for about 10 more minutes. 

Add the onion back into the pan with the bell peppers.

Saute everything for another 7 - 10 minutes. Until the peppers are tender.

Serve this. 

You can top it with some shredded cheese and serve it with garlic bread.

DIY Solar Water Distiller! - Simple Solar Water Distilling - Easy DIY (for Survival/SHTF)

 

 

 

DIY Solar Water Distiller! - Simple Solar Water Distilling - Easy DIY (for Survival/SHTF) : 8 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables

 

Another great DIY to get clean water . I don't think that you can know too many ways to get clean water. 

How To Get Endless Hot Water Without Electricity

 

 

 

How To Get Endless Hot Water Without Electricity

 

Having hot water anytime you need it when  off-grid is a must have and sounds so nice. Have to have hot water to clean items and yourself.

Food Storage Recipe - Sweet Potato Biscuits

         A great recipe for some biscuits. Uses canned sweet potato. Yummmmmmm.

NEED:

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/8 cup butter or margarine

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup canned sweet potato , mashed

1 Teaspoon cinnamon , optional

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

Stir the flour, baking powder, salt, and brown sugar together.

Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is coarse, like cornmeal.

Stir in the milk and sweet potato.

Knead a few minutes.

Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thick.

Cut into rounds that are about 2 1/2 inch round.

If you want to you can sprinkle them with some cinnamon.

Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for about 12 minutes or until done. 

 

How to Make a DIY Greenhouse

 

 

 

 

 

How to Make a DIY Greenhouse - I Like To Make Stuff

 

I think everyone needs to have a greenhouse! No matter how small or big. Have to learn to grow your own food. Cannot rely on others and being able to get food in the grocery store. There are too many recalls on food! If you can grow your own food than you know what you are doing to it and how you are growing it.