The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621. It was an affair that took up to 3 days to celebrate. The local Indian tribe of about 90 Wampanoag and 53 pilgrims celebrated their friendship with a great meal. The meal probably consisted of venison and seal due to the abundance of both of these animals. The rest of the meal was just as different as the main course was as compared to our modern … [Read more...]

With autumn arriving, the cold is coming and people's food choices change. The cool and light choices of summer are no longer chosen, with people preferring hearty, filling and warm foods to counter the chill. Having a warm and healthy meal to take the edge off the cold is especially important while camping. There are many seasonal foods that provide satisfying and hot options, including pumpkins, … [Read more...]

Apple pie is an American institution. Homemade apple pie is especially satisfying, but many people are intimidated by the pastry crust. In reality, a flaky pastry is simple to make using a food processor, cold butter and chilled water. It can also be made with vodka replacing some of the water. For the filling, a combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples is recommended. Two types of sugar … [Read more...]

Bracelets are a popular accessory, but you may not be into them as a fashion statement. However, your mind may change if you were told that a great length of useful paracord can be crafted into a pragmatic wrist tool for you. In emergency, rope has many varied applications, and the wristband can be undone to provide a strong length of paracord. You can also learn about new styles and patterns as … [Read more...]

Dry bags keep gear protected under wet conditions. They come in various sizes and can be used for clothing, electronics or food. Costs runs in the $20-$80 range, depending on the size and style. There are fanny pack dry bags (e.g., MCleanPin Waterproof Fanny Pack), backpack style (MIER Waterproof Dry Backpack), and duffel bags (Earth Pak Waterproof Duffel Bag). The classic style, however, has a … [Read more...]

Winter is coming and it's time to break out the winter clothes from the closet. But, if you'd like to update your cold weather wardrobe, you may want to take a look into the most versatile of winter materials: wool. Wool not only has superior insulating properties, but it also offers excellent moisture control, which is also a big part of staying warm. For toasty and dry feet, you should wear wool … [Read more...]

A recent news story about a Dutch family provides a cautionary tale for preppers. For nine years, a man and his young adult children had been waiting for the end of times. They grew vegetables and raised livestock to live self-sufficiently, but lived in complete isolation from the outside world. Tired of the lifestyle, one of the children escaped to a local pub. The authorities were called in and … [Read more...]

Maintaining good hygiene while living off the grid can be quite challenging. While making soap with animal fats or wild berries is possible, it's complicated and can cause skin irritations. If you have access to clean water, washing your body with water is really your best alternative. Be sure to always air dry the areas most prone to moisture, such as under your belly, between the buttocks, and … [Read more...]

The end of fall is a great time to prepare your pipes for the cold of winter. It's very important to make sure there will be no leaks and water damage, especially if you are vacating the home for the winter. There are a few easy steps to prevent pipes bursting. First, close off the water heater, and the valve or pumps. Then, run the faucets and toilets. Remove as much water as possible. If … [Read more...]

If you tend to spend a lot of time engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking or camping in the woods, you're going to want to become familiar with effective ways to purify drinking water. The most well-known method is boiling. You can use a coffee filter as a strainer to get any debris out of the water before you boil it on a fire or portable stove top. You can also use chemical tablets that … [Read more...]