Category: Prepping

Foods for Your Survival Storage Ideas

Foods for Survival Storage. Putting together a fully stocked pantry is essential for a survival plan. Remember, you are responsible for yourself and your family in a crisis. Sustaining can be harder than you think. Are you of an idea that hoarding food products is easy? It is anything but easy. Preppers start by planning in advance. This is followed by investing heaps of money and time.
 
You can always purchase fancy dried and frozen food items available in stores. But, dehydrating self-grown produce is a much cheaper option. Of course, you need to put in extra labor. This shouldn’t steer you away since preppers train themselves to be self-reliant. Dehydrated edibles and canned food have a longer shelf life, compared to the frozen consumables. Doesn’t have to be the veggies only. You can dehydrate fruits and meat and stock them for a long duration.
 
Stockpiling food items for your survival storage is not limited. There are countless options to choose from. Let’s read about a few food items that preppers reckon easy to store.
 
10 best foods to dehydrate for a prepper’s stock:
 
1. Tomatoes - Dehydrating tomatoes is a quick process. It is delicious and can be dried off using bright sunlight. The scorched skin of the fruit works as an excellent thickener and can be snacked upon too.
 
2. Ground meat - Is meat a key part of your diet? Getting hands on fresh meat is certainly out of question when circumstances turn south. Preppers work on treating meat and storing them for the times to come. Ground meat is a great example. Be it the hamburgers you love to chow down or healthy turkey meat, dehydrating the protein is fairly simple. Ground meat can easily be rehydrated, right before consumption.
 
3. Banana - Chips made of bananas are crowd favorites. Unfortunately, the store-bought ones are often glazed with sugar for an added taste. They are expensive too. You can dehydrate the bananas yourself and create healthy snacking options. Dehydrated bananas can be stored for a very long time.
 
4. Onion - This vegetable is a primary ingredient for most savory meals. Did you know you can dice up onions, dehydrate them, and save them for future use?
 
5. Beans - Preppers consider beans as holy grails. Beans are the richest sources of proteins known. They have a longer shelf life. Doesn’t matter which form of beans you choose, cooking dehydrated and packed beans is easier done than thought.
 
6. Mushrooms - Dried mushrooms make a great snack. Also, these are brimming with protein and are cheap to cultivate. But, wild mushrooms may not be your best bet since it isn’t very safe once it has been canned under pressure. You can always choose oyster mushrooms to dehydrate.
 
7. Okra - Speaking of cheap and nutritious, okra makes it to the top of the list. The green vegetable grows abundantly and can be plucked out, dehydrated, and packed for consumption.
 
8. Potatoes - Storing dehydrated potatoes is not unknown. The root veggie can be preserved in various forms. Also, potatoes take very little time to cook, which makes them a favorite pick for preppers.
 
9. Turmeric - The root option is a brilliant anti-inflammatory and has heaps of medicinal value. It can easily be dehydrated and ground into fine powder to be used in cooking.
 
10. Broccoli - Healthy and chockfull of calcium, broccoli is pretty much a staple in regular kitchens. You can dry up broccoli, dehydrate it, and munch on it later. 

Winter Survival Prepping

Winter Survival for a prepper. Storming through a crisis with ease is too good to be true. Preppers believe in preparing for a horrifying tomorrow. Hence, there are a few plans in motion to battle the odds. How do you plan to live through the challenges, post being hit with a polar vortex? There’s an unbelievable drop in temperature and freezing rains to add to your troubles.

Unfortunately, heating systems and HVAC systems in houses fail to function under such extreme conditions. A prepper always has alternatives planned. Reaching out for professional assistance is out of question in a period of crisis. You have to make do with the things you have in store. The advice stands true for people who never bothered to think of an unforeseen disaster. Not for a prepper though. The perks of planning for an uncertain circumstance in advance allow a prepper to make arrangements for alternatives to stay snug and survive well.

What options do preppers rely on to stay warm in freezing cold weather?

1. Set up wood-burning stoves

A polar vortex is not the ordinary chilly winters. The temperature of a place drops to a degree wherein breathing becomes challenging. It is crucial to ensure that your body is warm enough to maintain a standard temperature.

Knowing how to set up a fireplace or a wood-burning stove is a great fix. You can make use of natural wood to heat your place and stay snug. The only drawback though - heaps of carbon monoxide is released. Preppers make sure to construct a chimney to let out the smoke, emitted out of the burning woods. Wood burning stoves and fireplaces function as an incredible heating system for the house. It helps make the environment survivable and cozy.

2. Propane burners

If you can stock up some fuel, you can also arrange for a propane burner. This could be an alternative to building a fireplace. Propane burners serve the purpose of heating. Of course, the option is not ideal for survival situations since stocking up gallons of fuel is pricey and not affordable for all. If however, a crisis lasts for a fewer number of days, a propane burner is a good alternative. Stick with the burners that are designed for indoor use. They work the best!

3. Blankets and thick warm clothes

There’s no simpler way of saying that warm clothes and blankets fall into the category of essential clothing. Comfortable or not, winter clothes, gloves, socks, and hats keep you snug and insulated.

If setting up a heating system in the house sounds like a laborious job and you are not equipped to do so, warm winter clothes are the best alternatives. Preppers don’t wait for the temperature to get better. Comfy winter jackets work like layers of insulation. It is a brilliant way of utilizing your very own body heat to stay snug.

Preppers research and learn about devices or readily available resources to make use of. Even when the idea is to beat the freezing chills. Did you know that a terracotta pot makes a good heater? It is also portable and cheap. Heating up soap stones can keep you warm and sultry. Study more to know more.

Bugging Out Ideas

Setting up a bug-out location is on the list of to-do’s for most preppers. It functions as a safe space to hang hats in when disaster kicks in. If you ever need to evacuate in an emergency, a bug-out spot is where you take shelter in. Therefore, ensuring that the space is well-equipped and liveable is essential. Emergency or not, survivors are not bound to give up on their living conditions. You could either put in less effort and create a temporary shelter or invest time and labor to arrange for a permanent and comfortable retreat. The pick is yours.
 
Spotting the location for your bug-out space can be tricky. There are factors you must understand and keep an eye on. Here are a few things you must take into account when looking for a getaway space.
 
1. Seclusion is better
 
There’s no point bugging out in a populated area. Remote spots that are pretty much off-the-grid make better bug-out spots. Do you want your den to be easily spotted? A prepper certainly thinks otherwise. Having a decent tree cover is a good idea.
 
2. Don’t bug out in a no man’s land
 
When setting up a safe space to take shelter during an emergency, it is crucial to be practical. Remote spaces certainly make the best bug-out spots. But, don’t choose locations that are too far off. You must be able to travel if need be. What if you run out of fuel or a medical emergency shows up? You don’t want to move around for days to reach a convenient urban spot.
 
3. Easy access to water
 
Surviving without water is not a possibility. When you step into a bug-out den, you are totally blue about the tenure of your stay. It could be a few days or could last for months. Not having enough water in stock is a serious problem. It is advisable to look for a water resource near your bug-out location. A well, natural spring, river, or clean lakes are great resources. You can enjoy steady access to water all year long.
 
4. Nature of the location and threats involved
 
What good is the location of your getaway if the area is prone to hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires, and other disastrous natural calamities? Always inspect the region well in advance before constructing your emergency retreat. A bug-out on the floodplains is a bad idea too.
 
5. Provision to be self-sufficient
 
A prepper mindset revolves around being self-reliant. You will not be able to predict the duration of the emergency or the impact it casts. Dropping into stores to gather supplies is a no-go. In order to keep your stocks rolling, you need to focus on organic farming, animal husbandry, preservation of food, and other means of being self-sufficient. Therefore, it is only wise to choose a property that provides you ample space to grow veggies, crops, and fruits.
 
Research about a property before you choose one. Always inspect the place in person before you call the shots. It is not a camping trip you are preparing for. You are arranging a bug-out location to survive and sustain. 

What is the Difference Between a Prepper and Survivalists

Prepper or Survivalist?

How adept are you at tackling challenges that make surviving questionable? Can you sail through the obstacles that life throws at you without losing your calm? A prepper certainly knows the drill. As the term suggests, preppers are people who believe in preparing and being responsible for themselves.

There’s a myth doing rounds that preppers plan and buckle up for apocalyptic aftermaths. For instance, natural calamities cause massive destruction. Surviving can become tough when a house comes crashing down due to an earthquake or people dying, owing to a large-scale epidemic. Preppers know how to battle the odds and survive in a certain standard. But, these people are not just preparing for when the ‘Doomsday’ hits.

Real life problems are hard-won battles. The bread-earner in the family can lose his job. Someone could be putting up with a serious health issue. There could be flooding or a house may catch fire. Either way, problems can make a dent in your finances and it easy to feel incapacitated anytime. In circumstances like these, preppers have the tools and the smarts to battle the odds. They scare up essentials and necessities over time. So, when there’s a dearth of supply, a prepper has it covered.

Are preppers and survivalists any different?

For the untrained eyes, the lifestyle of survivalists and preppers seem very similar. In theory, though, both are very different. Survivalists have a very distinct take on life. Instead of focusing on the modern-day comforts and convenience, a survivalist depends on life skills.

Most survivalists live off the land. They take to farming, grow produce, and raise livestock. Preppers, on the contrary, believe in hoarding supplies for future use. They gather tools, non-perishable food items, and numerous other supplies to forge through life in times of emergency and crisis. In the process of stockpiling, a prepper invests a great deal of money. A prepper believes in more and merrier but a survivalist stick with a minimalist approach of less is sufficient.

Other differences:

1. Survivalists are better off alone. They stay off the grid and are less keen on forming communities. Preppers chalk out plans along with others with a similar mindset. However, there are a few who do look for remote bug-out locations. This is to ensure that there is minimum use of stocked resources.
2. Preppers gather store-bought produce to last them long. Survivalists do not advocate spending money. They put their skills and knowledge in use to farm and make the most of nature.

Is there any similarity between a prepper and a survivalist?

Of course! Both preppers and survivalists share the same core value. An eagerness to create a lifeboat and survive the challenges of a difficult life. They choose to be independent and self-sufficient. Their approach may be different but their willingness to push through the odds of life is commendable. Both survivalists and preppers indulge in detailed planning and preparations for a secure future. When adversity and disaster strikes, resources to support life runs out in the blink of an eye. The lifestyle of a survivalist and the preparedness of a prepper prove useful.

Get the Prepper's Guide

Prepper's Guide.

Embracing the life of a prepper is not easy. Convenience is a given reward in regular lives. As thrilling as it sounds, being a prepper is laborious. You need to have the right mindset to make the switch. The journey from being a wannabe to a dedicated prepper is long. You must rack up essential skills and enough knowledge, to begin with.

A prepper focuses on stockpiling supplies when adversity strikes. From non-perishable food items to advance health care products, a prepper has it all. Stacking up products is useless if you are not aware of the ways to use them right. This is where knowledge comes into play. In short, being prepared is much more than just a thought.

If you are ready to take the plunge, let’s read about ways to becoming a skilled prepper.

How to be a prepper?

1. Start small

Don’t hesitate to make the switch, simply because you are inexperienced. Start by investing time in learning about the life of a prepper. There are tonnes of information available. Embracing a mindset doesn’t happen overnight.

The more the experience, the higher is your confidence. Don’t aspire to be a pro or a dedicated prepper right away. Execute a drill instead. Start with a 3-day emergency plan. How do plan to cope with the hurdles? What supplies will you need? Can you sail through the crisis without added help? Once you battle the hurdles successfully, you are fairly experienced. Now plan for a 30-day emergency and gradually increase your experience.

2. Stock essentials only

When a disruptive circumstance hits, you have very little or no use of inessential items. A prepper keeps essential supplies handy at all times. These include dry, non-perishable food items, packaged water, grains, sanitary products like toilet papers, tools, and a few more items. Don’t forget to pack your IDs and other documents like your medical history and your list of emergency contacts.

Apart from these supplies, you must search for alternative sources too. For example, what happens when your stocked water dwindles? There is a pressing need to figure out an alternative source. Is there a lake or a creek nearby? Also, how do you filter and purify water to make it drinkable? Studying the basic ways to preserve and store water is useful.

3. Polish a few life skills

Learning life skills are advantageous. As a prepper, knowing your way around farming and how to cultivate your own crops is very befitting. You can grow a bunch of produce, learn how to can and preserve them for future use, practice fishing, and be self-sufficient.

4. Create a community

Being a part of a community has its own perks. Like-minded neighbors and your friends from support groups will always be of assistance in times of crisis. You can call the right shots, share your experience, and gather tips to make your life as a prepper flourishing and less challenging.

5. Master the skills of first-aid

A basic first-aid kit is not enough to help you suffice. Knowing and keeping in stock a few survival medicines is good. For instance, you can stock up on a good number of antibiotics and herbal options. Hoarding essential oils could relieve you of trauma.

Your journey to becoming a prepper is not a project or experiment. Each step has to be planned and executed.

Learn How to Choose Your Shelter

Types of Shelters.

Do you have your shelter situation figured as a prepper? You can always hang hats in your home and call it a shelter. Or, preppers construct and put up an exclusive shelter to take refuge when a crisis hits.
 
A shelter in a true sense is way more than just a roof. The place is your den during a disaster. It shields you from the elements of nature and provides you with a comfortable resting space. A roof above your head ensures a sense of normalcy. Irrespective of the unrest or the crisis happening outside, you realize that you are well secured and safeguarded within your shelter.
 
Are you are ready to spot a bug-out location in the wilderness? Or, are you smart enough to gear up for an unforeseen emergency? Regardless, a survival shelter is always needed.
 
What are the different types of shelters available for a prepper?
 
A few shelter options that are popular among preppers include:
 
1. Tarp shelter - Now, you cannot really put up a tarp shelter overnight to combat an unexpected emergency. Investing a day or two should get the work done. Designs of tarp shelters are not very complex. It is fairly easy to set up the shelter for use.
 
If you are wondering why put up a tarp shelter, the reason is simple. Although lightweight, tarp shelters are extremely durable. The shelter is secure enough to keep you snug and dry. Opt for a water-resistant one and also figure the right location to set your tent. You don’t want the entrance of your shelter to embrace strong winds. So, select the location carefully before you build a temporary shelter.
 
2. Debris shelter - Before you go all out and construct a modern survival shelter, aren’t you eager to make the best use of what’s available naturally? We are talking about the burrows, caves, or depressions that are created naturally. Little did you know that caves make great shelters. If the burrows or the caves are good enough to keep rain and wind at bay, there’s nothing better.
 
Not only is your shelter very stable, but you did not have to put in any labor to set it up. All you need are a couple of essential survival tools and you are prepped.
 
3. Wickiup shelter - This shelter option is fancy and it does take a good amount of time and effort to set up a wickiup shelter. If you are an individual prepper, a wickup might not be the best fit for you. It is ideal for a larger group planning to take refuge in the shelter for a prolonged duration.
 
Unlike ordinary shelters, a wickiup is known for its exclusive design. The highlight of the design is the dome-shaped framework. To create a wickiup shelter from scratch, preppers make use of tall saplings. For additional layers of shelter, barks of trees and mats created out of rushes are put together.
 
The wigwams are pretty efficient in providing shelter to all preppers in the wilderness. You can always upgrade your refuge space. For instance, you could add birchbark to the roofs or the walls of the wickiup for optimized strength.
 
Preppers don’t shy away from extreme cold weather. There’s a reason why igloos continue to be at the top of the list. Of course, the snow melts. Therefore, preppers take time to construct a perfectly durable igloo as their snow survival shelter. Snow caves are good options too. 

Why You Should Consider Building a Survival Shelter

Survival Shelter 101.

Setting up a survival shelter is always on the list of things to do. Preppers may or may not choose to hunt for a bug-out shelter. Are you okay with the idea of taking refuge in your home when a disaster hits? No problem! The theory behind putting together a shelter is to stay safe and protected.
 
A house as your shelter option works wonders if a few factors have been ticked off. Did you know that most constructions in California are equipped to survive through earthquakes? Florida homes are exquisitely built to combat the impacts of hurricanes. The point is - if houses are in areas that are prone to natural calamities of any kind, they must be equipped and constructed keeping this in view. Encountering damages during a disaster is the last thing a prepper prepares for.
 
Makes sense, right? Wondering what other factors should you an eye on?
 
1. Location
 
It is no surprise that spotting the right location is essential when you are fixing upon survival shelters. Homes or bug-out spots, the objective is to stay protected. Being far from pokey neighbors is a bonus.
 
Choosing locations to set up your shelter is very similar to picking out camping spots. Think about it - is it a good idea to camp in and around mangroves or slippery trails when the site experiences too much rain and floods? No! Take into consideration all environmental factors before you put up a place to take refuge in.
 
2. How sustainable is the shelter?
 
Are you planning to stay in your bug-out den for a night to explore the wilderness? You may as well skip thinking about sustainability if it is for a short adventurous stay. Preppers, on the other hand, prepare for longer timelines. You must ensure that the space is safe, durable, and comfortable enough to reside and lay off for a few days.
 
A shelter is not about having a sturdy roof only. The space will be your den for as long as the crisis lasts. It must be secure, have fencing around, but most importantly, comfortable enough to recline and survive through the disaster. You must have a stockpile of food and other essential supplies to bank upon. Having access to water to natural produce is a bonus.
 
3. Are resources readily available and handy?
 
Do you have an alternative source of water in and around your shelter? Running out of stocked water is easier than you think. Having a natural resource available is a good option. Is there a patch of land to farm and grow organic produce? Self-reliance is key in the life of a prepper. The population of the area so you can count the number of people depending on the available natural resources up for grabs.
 
4. Security and safety
 
Doesn’t matter how much money you have spent in building a fancy and strong shelter. The shelter is of no good if it is not secure. Running tight on security is a must. Set up perimeter alarms, fences, security alarms, and yard signs to ensure that yours is a protected space. No one can trump in and threaten the safety of you and your family.
 
Don’t overlook comfort when you are setting up a survival shelter. A shelter must keep you at bay from nature's harmful elements, but it cannot be a cardboard box. Hone the skills to create a comfy and sturdy shelter. 

Gardening for Survival 101

Survival Gardening.

A survival garden is very different than a backyard garden. It might not look captivating and beautiful. But, a survival garden is plush with produce, individuals can live off when life hits the lowest blow. Preppers prepare for tough times and gardening or farming is a life skill you cannot let go of.

The gardens of survivalists are exquisitely designed to grow crops and veggies. As a survivalist, you must focus on providing for yourself and your family. Crops and produce are carefully selected based on their nutrient content. Ones with medicinal values are planted as well. Regardless of how challenging circumstances tend to be, not keeping up with a decent living condition is not worthy. A survivalist, therefore, focuses on consuming produce that is rich in vitamins, minerals, fats, calories, and carbohydrates. In short, all essential nutrients to keep your health in check.

Survivalist gardener - how to become one?

To become a pro at gardening and farming your own produce, it is essential to have a burning desire to provide for yourself and your family. You must also start by reading materials related to farming. For example, which crops need little to no maintenance, what produce can be stocked for a longer period of time, and so on so forth.

A survivalist plans for a difficult future. You will have to farm crops and produce as if there are no stores available to shop anymore. Being self-reliant is to understand that there is no one else you can bank on for all essentials needed to survive. No farms to make up for the shortage of food supplies. You need to figure your own resources and stockpile essentials in advance to survive.

One of the perks of having your own survival garden is that you have access to your favorite organic veggies that are prime quality. Grow as many heirloom produce you like. Fresh grown fruits and vegetables are brimming with nutrients and are scrumptious to snack upon. Don’t start with high hopes of mastering the skill of farming in a day or two. Take time, learn, and upgrade your skills.

5 Amazing foods to grow in your survival garden

Are you puzzled wondering which crops or vegetable options should you grow? Here’s a list of 5 nutrient-dense food options that can be grown and harvested without much hassle. The list includes:

1. Squash

Winter squash or summer squash, choose whichever you want. Growing a summer squash is easy and quick. A winter squash, on the contrary, takes a little longer to fully grow. But, the fruit can be preserved for a long period of time. You can make use of the seeds of the squash too.

2. Potatoes

The starchy root veggie has been mankind’s best aid for the longest time. Potatoes can be harvested in any setting.

3. Lentils

The crops are a powerhouse of protein. Cultivating the legume is not complex.

4. Tomatoes

The fruit is one of the simplest options for small home gardens and organic farming. You can enjoy the succulent tomatoes fresh or sun-dry and preserve them for future use.

5. Berries

There is a berry for everyone, don’t you agree? Strawberry, blueberry, cranberry, or any berry that floats your boat. The fruits deserve a place in your survival garden.