Government regulations are always controversial, as many claim they cause job losses and act as a brake on economic activity. But when we are talking about the basic necessities of life, clearly something must be done to ensure that the American people have access to safe supplies of the essential things they need to survive. In 1974, the federal government passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, which is designed to regulate the amount of dangerous, disease-causing chemicals that are allowed in the nation’s water supply. One would hope that no such chemical contamination would be
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If you have outdoor or barn cats—and if you are a homesteader you probably do—you know that they can be a boon and a nuisance. Cats have been hanging out on and around farms for millennia, since they first became domesticated. The relationship between you and your cats is a symbiotic one. You provide them with food, water, shelter, and veterinarian care, and they keep rodents and other pests out of your feed and food. Outdoor cats can be pests themselves, however. Feral cats, those who have returned to the wild and rely on humans
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WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have awarded defense contractor ATK with an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement for .40 caliber hollow point ammunition. According to an official ATK press release, the order could reach a maximum of 450 million rounds over the next five years. The following is an excerpt from the press release: ATK announced that it is being awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS, ICE) for .40
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Have you ever noticed a slight green tinge to your potatoes? Or maybe you’ve seen the occasional greenish chip in a bag of potato chips. Potatoes sometimes turn green and, no it is not an old wives’ tale that this can poison you. The green part of a potato is toxic for people to eat.
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Root vegetables are a diverse category of tasty plants. Many produce delicious, edible roots, but also greens that are nutritious and tasty. If your kids resist eating many of these, especially turnips, beets, and radishes, try growing heirloom varieties. They will be enthralled with the fun colors and shapes, like beets that are striped like
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Sprouts have long haunted the refrigerated sections of health food stores and the insides of vegetarian sandwiches. Those who have been eating sprouts for years know how great they are for your health. When beans are allowed to sprout, enzymes that were dormant are released, creating a healthier product. Sprouts also have protein, vitamins, fiber, and anti-oxidants. You can make sprouts yourself, and it’s easy! You need just a few inexpensive items that you probably have around the house and some beans and seeds. It requires very little effort and just a few days to
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Snack time is an important time around the house. Your kids are itching for something tasty and you want to give them something that is natural and healthful. Dehydrated snacks are a great compromise. They are delicious, and if you make them yourself, you have the control over how much sugar goes into them. With
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When it comes to survival gardening, it all begins with dirt. Once you’ve gotten yourself completely off the grid, you might be generating enough electricity to consider hydroponics. Until that time, you’re stuck with good old-fashioned dirt if you’re looking for a reliable medium to grow your veggies in good times, bad times, and worse times. For such an essential substance, dirt sure takes a beating in the English language. If you look the word up in your standard dictionary, odds are good that three out of four of the first definitions aren’t going to
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Growing your own food in your backyard garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do. The satisfaction that comes from feeding your family and giving them nutritious, organic produce is well worth the effort you put into your garden. If you haven’t done so yet, it’s time to start saving seeds from your plants for the following years. There are many reasons to save your seeds. Since you will not have to purchase new seeds or plants each year, you can save a lot of money. Also, when you save and use
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Enjoying fresh food from a healthy source is one of the most enjoyable, and important, aspects of living off the grid. Unfortunately, not every food is in season throughout the year. Of course, there are a variety of solutions for this. Canned foods provide great opportunities, but oftentimes, commercial preparations are filled with too many preservatives to be considered fresh. In addition, certain foods do not lend themselves to being canned easily. However, food dehydration is a way you can enjoy your produce in a variety of ways, while knowing the food you are eating
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