Render Lard and Tallow - It's too easy!

Rendering lard or tallow at home may seem strange, old fashioned, or even unhealthy. It's isn't any of these, it's so easy. In today's world, it's a lost art. Once you try it you'll never go back to buying a container of shortening again.  Also, If you promise not to  tell,  I'll give away my secret.  Wait, is anybody listening, or looking over your shoulder. Ok, if it's all clear I'll give the best kept secret.

Fun Activities To Make With Your Children

Oozy, Goozy Recipes to Entertain Children that are made from basic kitchen ingredients that most every household has. I made these with my daughters Girl Scout troop, then of course with my son. He was the perfect age at the time. Now you know how long I've been holding onto these instructions. Have a fun filled afternoon or two with your children or grandchildren.

Natural Cleaning or Harsh Chemicals - The choice is yours!

Why must so many people fill their bodies and their families with unhealthful chemicals, when basic tried and time tested methods are available? Cleaners without all of the cancer causing, gender bending, and death inducing ingredients are readily available in your local grocery store. 

Many people are experiencing a downturn in their income and could be aided by advice that

Home Canned Food is Chemical Free, Safe, and helps you to maintain a sound budget - Instructions for Turkey Soup

A recent study, published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association, has shown that people who eat canned (tinned) foods are actually ingesting more of a hormone-disrupting chemical than was previously thought. It's bad enough that Big Ag is chemically manipulating the genetic structure of our foodstuffs and that they're then growing our food in chemical-laden soils devoid of nutrients. We can't stop them from overloading feed animals with hormones, antibiotics, and other substances that contribute nothing to our nutritional health. They seem content to bathe us in a killer cocktail of elements that have nowhere been studied for their cumulative effect.

Hypothermia – Signs and Symptoms and Treatment

With winter fast approaching, with all of it's thrills, chills, and spills, now is a good time to include an article found at UtahPreppers.com by Phil801. People will be out and about in the snow and ice, with winter camping, snowshoeing, skiing, and more.  Phil 801 has written a great article about Hypothermia.

Survival Sanitation in a Emergency Sanitation Situation

When you are in a emergency situation, proper sanitation is of utmost importance if you want to keep your family from getting seriously sick. When you add to that a lack of medical facilities due to grid-down issues, staying healthy becomes even more crucial.

When the grid goes down it doesn't take long for serious sanitation problems to erupt. Take Auckland New Zealand for example:

Identifying and Handling Spoiled Canned Food

How many of you have wondered what spoiled canned food looks like and how to take care of it? Our mothers have all told us to look for bulging cans or lids that have popped off, but did you know that you may be dealing with very hazardous substances? The best thing is to always err on the side of caution. No one wants to have the worst of the worst to deal with, but it is best to know what to look for and how to dispose of it properly is you ever encounter powerful toxins. This can occur whether it is store bought foods or home canned.

Getting Rid of Earwigs or Not. It's up to you.

I've noticed that it's the season for earwigs in the garden. They hop aboard your pant legs and come into the house. Yuck! So .... if you'd like to get rid of them in the garden there is an easy non-toxic way, and you won't have "friends" visiting indoors. They have a useful purpose outside, but I certainly don't like them in my home. 

It's the Season for Apples

BEST APPLES FOR BAKING!

Almost any apple can be enjoyed when eaten fresh. However, not all apples are ideal for the kitchen. 

Below is a chart with some of the best baking and cooking apples in North America. 

Note: When it comes to cooking with apples, it may be helpful to know the following:

Storing Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs

Learn how to store your vegetables, fruits, and herbs, especially at harvest time!

Apples

Never leave apples in a bowl on the counter if you want them to keep. Apples keep well for about 6 months at temperatures between freezing and 45°F. If you don't have a root cellar, a double cardboard box in a cool mudroom or cellar can approximate the conditions.