Understanding Your Garden Soil Cycle

Everyone who has ever tried to grow anything knows that it all starts with the soil. Most people never really think about the soil cycle that happens yearly, let alone things you can do at certain times to help improve it. Adding fertilizer alone is just not enough! In this article, we will look at the different stages of your soil and things you can do during each stage so you can reap the rewards at harvest time!

The first thing to remember is that soil is a living thing that’s made by the death and decay of other things. Mother Nature is efficient and nothing goes to waste! This article is written with the newbie gardener in mind and I encourage comments from other veteran food gardeners out there in the comment section below!

Fresh Garden. It’s spring and you’ve worked all winter long to plan and build your garden. You’ve got fresh soil, bursting with nutrients, to plant your seeds and sprouts in. Everything is set and ready for your gardening dreams to become a reality and you dream of fresh veggies from your own private ‘Produce Section.’ You’ve got your things planted in pretty little rows and now work on tending them as they grow. Since the soil is fresh, there is no need to amend much of anything – unless you’re growing something with special nutrient needs.

While there are no beneficial bugs in purchased soil, it’s still packed full of nutrients that are slow releasing to help those fragile plants get a good start! It’s important to not add anything to new soil, fertilizer-wise. Too much nitrogen can ‘burn’ and kill off plants before they really get started. Things like sand or perlite for drainage is ...

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Convert an Old Washing Machine Into a Water Powered Generator

I am so thankful I came across this video. He shows us how to take an old washing machine and turn it into a 600 watt water powered generator. This thing is so easy to do and costs so little to build, he runs his entire off the grid cabin in the woods with just one of these bad boys.
With this set up you will have a great deal of energy being produced you could run full appliances and get all your hot water needs. If you camp a lot or have a cabin near a running water source this could save you thousands of dollars in electricity bills and ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/convert-old-washing-machine-water-powered-generator/

Six Ways to Store Food Long Term

When preparing food for long-term storage, consider how much is required, how long it needs to last, its nutritional value, and the resources available for preparation. Depending on your goals, there is a long-term food storage method for you.

Freezing

• Depending on the emergency, freezing may be an acceptable option. Storage times vary depending on the type of item and its packaging, but meats can last up to two years when frozen properly. Blanch fruits and vegetables to halt quality-compromising enzymatic processes before freezing them. Most of the nutritional content remains stable when frozen items are stored in air-tight packaging.

Dehydrating

• Dehydrated items maintain much of their nutritional content. Herbs, which are both beneficial to health and flavorful, are good candidates for dehydration. Fruits and vegetables also store well when dried. Blanch vegetables and fruits first to extend their shelf life. You can use a dehydrator or your oven on low heat to dehydrate items.

The key with dehydration is to ensure that all of the moisture has been removed. Food fresh off the dehydrator may still feel soft or moist. Follow instructions for each food, and take a sample off the dehydrator to cool for a minute or two in order to test its dryness. Dehydrated items should be stored in cool, dry...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/six-ways-store-food-long-term/ 

This popular drink destroys your thyroid

Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, mainstream nutritional guidelines have instructed Americans to eat soy and drink soy milk. BUT soy milk is not a healthy choice. By drinking soy milk you are not doing yourself a favor, you are destroying your health. Please, take a look at these reasons why you should avoid soy milk.

TOP TEN REASONS TO AVOID SOY MILK 

1. Soybeans contain large quantities of natural toxins or “antinutrients”. Drinking just two glasses of soy milk daily can significantly alter a woman’s menstrual cycle.
2. Soy has been found to increase the body’s need for vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
3. Soybeans also contain haemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance that causes your red blood cells to clump.
4. 99% of soy is genetically modified. It contains  one of  the highest contamination by pesticides of any of our foods.
5. Soybeans and soy products contain high levels of phytic acid, which inhibits assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc.
6. Soy foods contain high levels of toxic aluminum,which negatively effects the nervous system the kidneys and has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s.
7. Soy contains a compound resembling vitamin B12 that cannot be processed by your body. Thus, soy foods can  contribute to B12 deficiency.
8. Fragile soy proteins are exposed to high temperatures during processing in order ...

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Multi-Purpose Survival Tool

Outdoor enthusiasts are always on the hunt for quality equipment and supplies. Of course, this also includes looking for the best tactical hatchet to suit your needs. However, there are a number of wonderful options out there, and there are a number of important points to consider before making any choices.

Realistic expectations and research will ensure that you make an informed decision. Remember that this is the kind of tool that needs to withstand a fair amount of punishment and it needs to last for a reasonable amount of time. The last thing you want is your axe letting you down halfway through your camping trip!

Why you need a hatchet

One of the first questions that people ask is why they need a tactical hatchet. There are so many other tools out there that it can make some wonder if an axe is really necessary. Different tools are used to perform different tasks and your regular axe is great for chopping wood and wood is essential for keeping that campfire going. Fires are not just for cooking. They are also for keeping warm, providing light, and they are great for social interaction.

Unfortunately, regular axes are also quite heavy which is never a good idea when you have several miles to cover on foot. Hatchets are scaled own axes, and you can use them with one hand alone. They are tough, compact, and lighter than a regular axe, and they will make your outdoor lifestyle that much easier. Apart from chopping wood, hatchets also offer various other benefits that will add to your outdoor experience.

Hatchet uses

There are a number of fantastic uses for a survival hatchet, the most obvious being wood chopping. However, it goes beyond simply splitting wood. You can also chop smaller branches that are perfect for getting your fire started. You can also chop down a tree, although this might not always be permitted or advisable.

Remember, when you cut wood for a fire, it’s always best to look for the driest wood you can find. Not only is dry wood easier to chop, but it also burns faster. Damp or wet wood can be used on a fire that’s already burning strong.

If you buy a hatchet with a hammer, you can use the hammer to secure tent pegs and perform other tasks. Just make sure you place the sheath on the blade so that you don’t accidentally cut your face in the process!

You can also use your hatchet to chop up any game that you need to clean and prepare for lunch or dinner. It’s excellent for tough jobs like separating the limbs from the body and removing the head.

Many people enjoy throwing axes as a kind of recreation. If you choose to do so, make sure that you follow all the right safety rules and don’t leave any room for error!

What to look for?

Shopping for a tactical axe can be overwhelming at first. There are so many choices out there that it’s easy to become a bit confused. It’s important to note that not all hatchets are made equal. Different types and makes offer different advantages and disadvantages.

1. A cheap one might save you money in the short-term, but it is bound to be dull out the box and difficult to sharpen, among other things.
2. If you’re not a fan of vibration when chopping or hammering, you should look for one with a wooden handle since they absorb more of the shock. Wooden hatchets can also be repaired if they become loose although some might argue that replacement is safer than repairs.
3. If you want to get the most out of it, look for one with a well-defined hammer on the opposite side to ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/multi-purpose-survival-tool/

Four Survival Uses for Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft solid derivable from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. The wax is solid at room temperature and begins to melt at around 99 °F (37° C). Its boiling point is plus or minus 698 °F.

The wax was first created in the 1850’s and it wasn’t long after that it began to replace tallow candles and whale oil as lighting for homes. People found that paraffin candles burned much more cleanly than tallow ones, and the wax was readily available and easy to work with. The most common applications for paraffin wax include lubrication, electrical insulation, and candle making.

Survival Uses

One of the properties of paraffin wax is its ability to absorb heat and then release that heat. Wax can be modified for use in building materials such as drywall. The drywall is infused with wax and during the heat of the day the wax absorbs the heat and expands, (wax expands as it is heated) and when night falls the wax cools, and then

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Survives in a Urban Environment

Rudy Reyes, a recon marine demonstrates the skills needed to stay alive after Armageddon inside an urban environment.

Many preppers and survivalist focus on how to make it in the woods. While these are very important skills to learn, so is surviving in the city and learning how to maneuver in and out in a way you won’t get caught. It is very apparent in this video ....

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/survives-urban-environment/

Survives in a Urban Environment

Rudy Reyes, a recon marine demonstrates the skills needed to stay alive after Armageddon inside an urban environment.

Many preppers and survivalist focus on how to make it in the woods. While these are very important skills to learn, so is surviving in the city and learning how to maneuver in and out in a way you won’t get caught. It is very apparent in this video ....

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/survives-urban-environment/

Survival Groups

Your job as group leader is to bring out and to take advantage of the talents of others. You are not their mommy and daddy that stand ready to protect them from the harsh realities of a crisis. Your job is to keep the group operational and mission oriented. Your mission is to survive the crisis and the days after, and if so inclined help those less fortunate, and we do not mean less fortunate by choice but left helpless by circumstances out of their control. You will know the difference when you see it.

You should bring people together and this does not mean that you are all clones with the same thoughts, opinions, and ideas. You need talent, because you don’t know everything and if you do, then you are doomed to fail before you even get started. Embrace ideas, be willing to change and have the confidence to make a decision based on the facts and not on your ideology or long held beliefs. Times change quickly, and you have to change quickly as well sometimes or you are rolled over.

There are as many opinions on what you should carry as there are people that carry, but right now the only opinion that matters is yours. In an ideal world where money is no object and everyone is well trained and can pick up any firearm and be proficient with it, you have options. The reality of it all, however, is that most people that come to the group, come with limited training or none at all, and yet they own a handgun, and/or long gun. The fact that someone owns a firearm in no way indicates expertise with said gun. It is your job to find out, however.

Things that you need to consider include ammunition availability. You will not be able to run out and buy more Ammo so you will have to procure it elsewhere. Therefore, choosing the most common calibers will benefit you in the long run.

An alternative, of course, is to load your own ammo, but then you still need supplies that would be in short supply during a crisis. The group may have to share ammunition, so keep this in mind. The time for training and ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/survival-groups/

Six Survival Uses for Your Belt

Belts have been in use since the Bronze Age according to historians, but it wasn’t until the 1920’s that belts became a common item used mainly to hold one’s trousers up. Belts, before pants had belt loops were mainly decorative in the civilian world and utilitarian in the military.

Soldiers had gear to carry and so a wide heavy belt was usually buckled around the waist so things could be attached to it such as sabers, daggers, money, water, and tobacco pouches along with rations in small leather sacks. In some militaries, a belt cinched tight around the waist gave a soldier a trimmer looking physique. A tightly cinched belt produced a puffed out chest and a trimmer looking waist, the perfect looking soldier.

Belts today still function as a fashion accessory and a belt can be used as a survival tool. Holsters for handguns, knives, axes, canteens full of water and magazine pouches can all be attached to a belt, but there are other uses as well.

1. Self defense

A belt wrapped around your closed fist can help protect your hands and fingers from cuts and to create greater impact against an assailant’s body. A heavy belt can also reduce bruising and broken hands/fingers caused by striking the head and/or face of an aggressor.

A belt swung with the belt buckle end toward someone can be used to strike at the face or body or used to distract an aggressor so you can escape. A sturdy belt can also be used to deflect baton blows by grasping each end of the belt and holding up so a club/baton hits the belt to help reduce or stop the impact.

2. Emergency First Aid

A belt can be used as a tourniquet, though, not ideal in some cases. Some belts can be drawn tight enough to stop or restrict the flow of blood, while others cannot, so consider this ...

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2-Way Radios For Pre & Post SHTF

2-way radios (walkie-talkies) do not require a working infrastructure as do cell phones (antenna towers, network service providers, power-grid, a paid service plan). A set of 2-way radios "just works".

The only thing a 2-way radio needs is a charged battery. 2-way radios may have their limits on how far they will transmit and receive, however there are some that are perfect for local communications while serving a wide variety of purposes.

We have been using GMRS 2-way radios here at the homestead for awhile now, and they’ve been great (The General Mobile Radio Service). Since it’s just Mrs. C and I, whenever either of us goes out somewhere on the property, we ALWAYS bring a 2-way radio. It’s not only convenient for normal comms, but you just ‘never know’ when an emergency situation may arise. I also always keep a set of handheld radios in the truck for ‘just in case’. Here’s a bit more about GMRS radios, a decent ‘base station’ concept (and base antenna), handhelds, and why I like GMRS for local general purpose comms.

CHOICES

There are several choices when it comes to choosing the best type of 2-way radio for local communications. In short, there’s MURS, FRS, GMRS, and CB radio. I’m not going to get too technical about it, but to put it simply…each of these types of radios operate on different frequency bands and each have their pros and cons. I feel that GMRS is the best for ‘local’ communications, especially given that these radios can operate up to 5 watts power.

“LOCAL”

What do I mean by “local”? I’m talking about a range within just several miles or less. Again without getting into potentially boring technical reasons (although I find it interesting ), there are many factors which affect range. GMRS is ‘line of sight’ (from one radio to the other) although it will transmit through forest, buildings, some terrain, etc.. to an extent depending on ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/2-way-radios-pre-post-shtf/

How to Build a Taser

Most people, when in need for self-defense, usually turn to purchasing a manufactured taser or stun gun. But few people actually embark on the journey of making their own.

And it can be quite fun, and you also learn a few things about how electricity and circuitry works (if you don’t know already). Some engineer students are given similar projects in the beginning of the course, so it’s nothing fancy or hard to make. You can use parts that are easy to find, either from gadgets you already have, or some refurbished devices or second-hand cheep ones.

While there are loads of tutorials online, some are too easy, others are even dangerous, we’ve compiled instructions, which require of you items that are accessible and easy to find, and the process itself doesn’t ask of you days upon days to achieve. So, if you’re up for the challenge, we believe you will enjoy this article and tutorials.

BBQ lighter taser

You will need very few items – a barbecue lighter, scissors, duct tape and an ordinary. Begin by dismantling the lighter and pen. You need to remove all the screwdrivers and tapes that are on the lighter so you can open it safely. Then you have to locate the small black item which holds the two cables, which basically start the spark when you try to use the lighter the normal way. Cut the cables, so that they are on average the same length as the pen you’ve prepared. Cut the plastic insulation off the top of the two cables, no more than half an inch.

You then need to make sure that the two cables are stretched facing away the button of the black item you extracted from the lighter. Imagine that when you need to use the final taser, ...

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Home Remedies for Chigger Bites

Chiggers are members of the arachnid family. They are extremely tiny, and my guess is you won’t even see them as they jump from the tall grass onto your skin and/or clothing. Adult chiggers are about 1/60 of an inch and have eight legs. The larvae are red, wingless, six-legged creatures that measure less than 1/150 of an inch. Because of their red color, you might be able to spot the larvae when they cluster together, especially on white clothing.

Where Can Chiggers Be Found?

Chiggers reside in tall weeds and grass, berry patches, and wooded areas. They could be in your backyard, by the lake, or your favorite hiking trail. They are most active on summer and fall afternoons – the warmest part of the day.

How Chiggers Bite

Only the larvae bite humans. They tend to choose warm, moist areas of the body. Chiggers have claws that help them grab onto your skin. The chigger then attaches its mouth to the skin and injects saliva. The saliva contains an enzyme that breaks skin cells down to liquid form. Your body responds by hardening skin cells around the saliva, creating a tube (stylostome) through which the chigger sucks the dissolved skin cells. Chiggers can stay attached and feeding for several days before falling off.

When the chigger falls off, you are left with reddish bumps. You may notice a bright red dot in the center — this is a remnant of the tube your skin formed in response to the chigger’s saliva. The bumps may look like welts, blisters, pimples, or hives. Bites generally appear in groups and get larger for several days to a week. While many insects bite exposed skin that’s easy to get to, chiggers like to bite in folds of skin as well as places where clothing fits tightly on the skin. Most chigger bites occur around the ankles, waist, armpits, crotch, or behind the knees.

Home Remedies for Chigger Bites

Just remember, that no matter what, DO NOT SCRATCH THE BITES! I know, easier said than done. But, breaking the skin on a chigger bite can lead to infection.

Here are 5 home remedies that will help with the itching and swelling.

1. Vicks Vapor Rub

Vicks Vapor Rub can put an end to itchy chigger bites immediately. It’s the cooling menthol in it that relieves itching by affecting itch receptors in the skin. It will even reduce the risk of blisters.

Steps:

• Take a hot shower (use antibacterial soap.) Pat dry your skin with a soft towel.
• Take a small amount of the vapor rub and add some table salt to it.
• Mix well and apply to the affected area.
• Repeat if the swelling continues (otherwise there is no need to repeat the process)

2. Cold Compress

A cold compress can help reduce the itching associated with chigger bites. Its numbing effect helps reduce the sensation of itchiness.

Steps:

• Wrap some ice cubes in a thin cloth.
• Apply the compress to the bites for 10 minutes. Repeat if needed to relieve itching.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda is another effective remedy to reduce rashes as well as itchiness. It acts as a natural acid neutralizer that helps relieve itching. It even reduces the risk of infection.

Steps:

• Add 1 cup of baking soda to a bathtub filled with cool water.
• Stir well and soak in this water for 15 minutes and pat your skin with a soft ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/home-remedies-chigger-bites/

DIY Eye Creams for Healthier Skin Around Your Eyes

Making your own eye serum is a great way to keep the skin around your eyes healthy, without depending on commercial skin care products. The majority of skin care products contain chemicals and additives, some of which you may never have heard of before. Instead of using products with strange ingredients, make your own products from fresh, natural ingredients.

The following eye serums should be able to help reduce the appearance of dark circles, tighten your skin to prevent wrinkles and crow’s feet, and improve the elasticity and health of your skin. If you want to keep the skin around your eyes healthy, then try using one of these eye serums.

Aloe Vera and Almond Oil Eye Serum

This particular eye serum is easy to make and only requires two ingredients. You do not need to measure anything or deal with a complicated recipe. Anyone can make this eye serum without any problems.

The only ingredients needed are almond oil and Aloe Vera gel. Both ingredients are incredibly beneficial to your skin – helping to hydrate your skin while attacking free radicals and promoting healthier skin. Whether you have dry, irritate skin or you want to reduce the signs of aging, try using this eye serum.

To make your miracle eye serum, combine equal parts Aloe Vera gel and almond oil. You can pour the mixture into a small bottle. Shake the mixture to combine the ingredients and shake before each application.

Variations and Adjustments

For more of a moisturizing effect, you can add a little more almond oil. If you think that it provides too much oil, you could add a little more Aloe Vera gel. If you suffer from nut allergies, you may want to substitute the almond oil with apricot kernel oil.

One of the great parts of making your own eye serum, or any other homemade skin care solution, is that you ...

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Advantages of Chicken Farming

Chicken farming is a very lucrative practice for both commercial and personal purposes. Technically, people who raise their own chickens enjoy a wide range of benefits.

Ever since men have developed the capacity to think, we have always thought of ways to further improve things or to emulate what others are doing. That’s why we see products naturally improving over time or are being copied from one country to the other.

On a smaller scale, food production also entails the same thing. People began to wonder how easier and cheaper it would be if they could grow their own food. Thus, came the advent of homesteading, defined as emulating a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Among the top homesteading practices is chicken farming. I’ll soon explain why.

Promotes Humane Chicken Treatment

If you’re like me, you probably buy your eggs or chickens at the grocery. It’s quicker, available in bulk, and less tedious than going into the process yourself.

What I found, however, is that the industrial farms that house these chickens are not at all very humane. In fact, the chickens’ quarters are said to be very tight that chickens can’t even socialize, walk around or even stretch their wings.

So here’s the catch. Chickens subjected to such treatment are said to suffer from psychological effects that sometimes affect the eggs they lay and the quality of meat they produce. That’s why I’ve decided to totally shy away from industrially raised chicken meat and eggs.

Fresh and Nutritious Eggs

On a similar note, eggs produced by chickens raised in friendly environments are shown to have as much as double or triple the omega-3 fatty acid content as well as a third of the cholesterol. Best of all, you know exactly what your chickens are exposed to and fed, which gives you the assurance that no chemical substances or feeds were used in any way.

Going back to the topic on commercially produced eggs, there is another thing bothering me about buying eggs at the store. The freshness is definitely not there anymore. After all, the eggs have been ...
Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/advantages-chicken-farming/

Keep Your House Cool When the Grid Goes Down

When most preppers imagine all the ways that a collapse of the power grid could hurt civilization, they usually think of our food distribution networks, water systems, financial networks, and the internet. But one thing that usually isn’t at the top of that list of concerns, is the heating and cooling of our homes.

That’s probably because we know that human beings have lived in extremely hot and cold climates for generations, and many of us just assume that if the grid goes down, we’ll find a way to deal with the temperature outside. This is no small matter however, especially when it comes to air conditioning. If it weren’t for the invention of AC, there would be tens of millions of people who never would have bothered moving to the Southern US or the Southwest. A city like Phoenix would never have 1.5 million people without affordable AC units in every home. If the grid went down now, a large swath of the American population would be living in a climate that they have no idea how to deal with.

And unlike heating, there really aren’t any comparable non-electric alternatives to cooling your home. If you lived in the northern climbs of the US, then you probably aren’t far from sources of firewood, but non-electric cooling methods never work as well as an AC unit. Swamp coolers work really well and use very little electricity, but that’s about as good as it gets. Plus, they only work well in low humidity environments.

While unpowered cooling methods simply can’t compete with AC units, there are still some methods of cooling your home that can take the edge off the heat. One of the newest methods involves ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/keep-house-cool-grid-goes/

How To Avoid Drowning

Each year, too many people drown in the United States just because they don’t understand the dangers of water. People have drowned in as little as 1 inch of water when they were knocked unconscious and landed face down in a mud puddle.

Drowning chokes and kills over 372,000 people each year, being the world’s 3^rdbiggest cause of unintended death. That’s 7% of all injury-related deaths due to something most take for granted, even if they don’t live near water. It takes 3,536 innocent US lives each year, with one in 5 being children.

Even if you’re lucky enough to survive, brain damage could leave you in a vegetative state.

However, most drownings occur in freshwater lakes, rivers, streams, backyard swimming pools, or at the beach. Learning all you can about how to recognize and avoid drowning is a first step to building a water survival plan that should include all of the elements that you will find below.

How Do you Know He / She is Drowning?

When a person begins to drown, a very small amount of water enters the lungs. This tiny amount triggers a spasm in the trachea muscles, which then causes the throat to close. Once the airway seals up, there is no way for air or water to get through. This is why people who are drowning usually are unable to scream for help.

Here are the signs and symptoms of drowning and near drowning:

• Head low in the water with mouth at water level.
• Head tilted back with mouth open.
• Eyes glassy, empty, and unfocused.
• Eyes open with fear evident on the face.
• Hyperventilating or gasping for air.

Read more  https://www.patriotdirect.org/how-to-avoid-drowning/

Learn to Defend Yourself in a Mass Shooting

While gun crimes have gone down in the United States in recent years, the number of mass shootings has actually increased.

As we were reminded by recent events in the news, it’s now more important than ever to learn how to defend yourself in this kind of scenario.

As you’ve no doubt heard by now, 49 people were killed and 53 others were injured in a shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning in an Orlando nightclub.

Two days later, a gunman took a hostage in an Amarillo, Texas Walmart. (No one was killed or injured in this situation.) In both instances, law enforcement arrived on the scene and the perpetrator was killed. Unfortunately for the 100+ victims of the Orlando shooting, it was too little too late.

In the days and weeks following events like this, we always hear the same questions and soundbites floating around in the media.

Was it terrorism?

Was it a hate crime?

Was it mental illness?

The truth is, the cause of the attack does not matter. In the end, the result is the same — innocent lives are lost. So instead of asking ourselves these questions, what we should really be asking is:

What can I do to protect myself?

As survivalists, we do our best to make sure we are prepared for whatever comes our way. Of course, life is unpredictable. What happened in Orlando could happen at any time and any place. It’s impossible to predict, but it is very possible to prepare.

Here are a few things you can do to help keep yourself and others safe in the event of a mass shooting. Follow these tips, and you just might make it out alive.

1. Arm Yourself

Absolutely nothing is going to protect you against an armed gunman besides being armed yourself. This is your first line of defense. If you’re trained to handle firearms and it’s legal to carry them where you are, you should be carrying at all times.

The question then becomes “concealed carry or open carry?” Both are legal in some places, and there are ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/learn-defend-mass-shooting/

A Juice Which Will Raise you From the Dead

People use this homemade drink for centuries and it’s highly recommended for people who are fighting cancer. This amazing homemade drink also will help you boost your energy levels, improves the function of the immune system and it improves the blood count.

This drink is very easy to make and it’s made by easy available ingredients. The only down side is that drink is not too tasty. But the results are amazing so it’s definitely worth it.

We are talking about a beetroot and carrot drink, and if you feel sick just at the thought of a combo of these two ingredients in liquid form – then you are not alone. People use this drink for long time now, and it’s highly recommended for cancer patients who go to chemotherapy treatments. This is because this drink fights against all consequences from this conventional method of cancer treatment. Even though many people said that this drink tastes terrible, no one ever stopped drinking it – because the results are amazing!

This is why older people shat that this drink literally rises from the dead – and it’s not just for people who have health problems. Sometimes, if you feel exhausted, without energy and depressed – well, maybe it’s ...

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Camping Safety

Camping is a great way to spend time together with your friends and family, and also relax in the nature, in peace and quiet. Along with the incredible experience you can have, it’s also important to know a few camping safety tips and tricks. After all, you’re all in the wilderness and don’t have all the needed items and amenities you have at home, which is why you need to be more careful and cautious.

For example, to stay warm you may have to build a campfire. If you have children with you, you may have to be extra careful and instruct them not to approach the fire and to stay at a safe distance. This is just a small glimpse on all the advice we will offer you in this article.

Read on for more safety tips and how to stay safe and have a great time all together. You don’t want to ruin your camping adventure, just because you’re not sufficiently prepared for it. Follow the steps and tips we have collected for you to minimize the risk for injuries. And remember that everything you’re used to at home can be significantly more different while in the open.

Safety tips and advice for your camping trip

Before you commit to a trip, spend some time to learn the regulations and laws about starting a fire in the area you want to go camping. There are states and countries where starting a campfire may be partially or fully forbidden. If you don’t follow these regulations you may run the risk of heavy fines and even more serious penalties. To be sure you won’t experience this, prepare by learning more about your desired area for camping.

Don’t leave your house without the appropriate items that can help you orient and navigate the area you’ll be camping at. Since you’re out in the wilderness, it is tempting to go exploring the area but if you’re not aware of where you’re going you may lost your way back. This is why it always highly advisable that you first check the ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/camping-safety/

5 Easy, Low-Cost DIY Projects for Preppers

If you’re tired of buying survival gear and would like to work on your skills for a change by making some of it yourself, I’ve got some really easy DIY projects for you to get your feet wet. You’ll not only improve in one area where many people are lacking (i.e. survival skills), but you’ll also save a ton of money on yet another piece of equipment you already had.
Of course, you’re also going to need some tools in order to do these projects, but that’s the whole point: putting your gear to work. You need to start using it today, before SHTF, not after.  So let’s see what the projects are...

Primitive Bows and Arrows

Let’s start with something simple: a bow and some arrows. Making them is so easy that you can even get your kids involved, just like my grandpa taught me when I was a kid.
Now, if you’re going to use it for survival purposes, you need to do it right. You’ll need the right kind of wood (maple, oak and ash are all good choices), choose the right branch, and have the right ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/5-easy-low-cost-diy-projects-preppers/

How to Make A Bow String

Whether you use a bow and arrows for recreation or hunting, keeping it maintained is essential for an effective shot every single time. But buying the parts can be expensive, and it can feel like an accomplishment in and of itself to use your own materials.

That’s why the purpose of this article is to teach you how to make a bow string with items you may already have lying around your home. There are a variety of methods that have been used to make bow string, as well as an assortment of materials, so you can adapt whatever you have lying around in order to create a versatile bow string for when you need it.

How to make a flemish twist bow string

This is one of the simplest methods in making a bow string, but does require some additional tools that you’ll need to obtain.

One of the biggest things you’ll need is a string making jig. You can choose to buy one from the store, or if you’re skilled enough, you can make one yourself. To make your own, you’ll need the following materials:

• a 1×6 pine board that’s at least 28 inches long.
• 2 dozen 1-inch long finishing nails
• 1 10 penny common nail

Draw a line down the middle of your board. On one end, 2 inches away from the end of the board, start making a line of dots on either side of the middle for where your nails will be. Each row should be 1.25 inches away from the middle. Draw each dot at least .375 inches away from each other.

At the other end of the board should be two nails in line with the rows at the other end, again 2 inches from the end of the board and 1.25 inches away from the middle. Using a 5/32-inch drill bit drill 16 holes along the middle line of the board starting with one between the two nails.

The holes should be at least one inch apart from each other. These are for your 10 penny nail to be used as an adjustable peg. Starting at the fourth hole, write “48”, and then add increments of two ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/make-bow-string/

Ten Essentials For Prepping With A Special Needs Child

Special needs is sort of a catch-all phrase. It doesn’t mean exactly the same thing from one individual to the next. That means we won’t prep exactly the same way. We all have to do what’s best for our individual family.

Regardless of your loved one’s diagnosis, here are ten things to consider when prepping:

1. Make an Accurate Inventory of Needs

What does your loved one need each day? Take time to make an accurate inventory of these needs. On a piece of paper or your computer, list:

• Daily meds (including dosage)
• Rescue meds
• Self-Care needs (diapers, wipes, gloves, etc.)
• Durable medical equipment (wheelchair, stander, walker, etc.)
• Other medical supplies (feeding tube supplies, bags, catheters, etc.)
• Special food (formulas, etc.)
• Anything else your loved one needs on a regular basis

Now that you have a list, you can use this information to help you prep. Look over your list. What are essentials to life, and what are niceties instead of necessities? Prioritize your list in order of most essential to least essential. That way you can start with the essentials.

2. Talk to Your Loved One

As you start prepping, be sure to talk to you loved one. I operate under the belief that my son understands a lot more than I realize. When I talk to the other kids about what we’re doing and why, Owen is there too.

I explain it in as age-appropriate terms as I can, and reassure them all. We talk about our fire escape plans, our family meeting place, why we’re stockpiling certain things, and everything else we can think of.

I explain to Owen that one of the reasons his bedroom is on the ground floor is so that he won’t have to try and jump through a window. It’s not something he could physically do. I let him know that we’ve thought about his needs, and will always do our very best to meet them.

Include your loved one in conversations and planning so they have an idea of what you’re thinking and can ask questions if possible.

3. Prepare for the Most Likely Event First

I live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by miles of timber in every direction. Wildfire is the most likely event I should prep for. The odds of having a fire come through my land are greater than other natural disasters.

I know that in a wildfire event, we’d have to bug out. It’d be much easier to stay put with all of Owen’s equipment, but it wouldn’t be safe to do so. So we make sure we’re prepared before wildfire season rolls around.

Owen’s wheelchair stays on our family’s minibus when we’re not using it inside. So does a dose of each of his emergency medications. Each year, I repack a plastic tote with clothes for everyone. I also include a couple days’ worth of meds for Owen, diapers, wipes, and disposable gloves.

There’s also some bottled water and storable food. It’s everything we’d need to survive somewhere else for ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/ten-essentials-prepping-special-needs-child/

How To Climb A Tree

There are plenty of reasons to need to climb a tree: to cut branches off, getting to safety, or eliminating a threat that could be at the top. Knowing how to climb a tree safely and effectively is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.

Some people believe that it’s as simple as one hand in front of the other, but it’s quite easy to lose your grip, and a fall from high enough can even kill you. There are safer ways to tackle the problem you face, depending on the equipment you have with you at the time.

Clothing is important

In order to stay safe when climbing a tree, it’s important to be aware of what you’re wearing. You want your clothing to be loose enough that allows for a range of movement. But be aware that clothing that’s too baggy can result in it being snagged on branches, and getting stuck is not only embarrassing but dangerous.

You want to remove any loose jewelry, such as necklaces or bracelets, and remove any unnecessary accessories, as they can also get snagged when you’re climbing. Shoes with good traction are also important in order to provide the grip you’ll need to stay on the branches you’re climbing. If you don’t have such shoes, then ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/how-to-climb-a-tree/

Best Portable Toilet

Have you or someone you know ever refused a camping trip because there wasn’t an appropriate toilet facility where you were planning to go? Some people take their toilet habits and comfort pretty seriously, but that issue can easily be solved by choosing the best portable toilet you can find.

Why do you need a portable toilet?

There are many reasons why campers think about buying camping toilets, and for some people this is the best option if:

1. You don’t want to use a whole in the ground

That would be very simple and cheap, but some people just can’t do it even if it’s the most eco-friendly option: with the use of a little shovel, you’d dig a hole in the ground, do your business and cover it right up.

2. You have enough space

Ask yourself if carrying a portable toilet suits your transport means. It’s one thing to go camping in an RV and a whole other thing to go backpacking. If you’re using a car to reach your destination, then adding a portable toilet to your luggage isn’t very difficult.

3. You’re in the wilderness for long

Being in the outdoors for days or even weeks at a time means that at some point it’s probably going to rain. Using a shovel to dig a hole when the weather is bad while being tucked in your raincoat doesn’t sound pretty appealing.

4. You can carry it to a dump point

If you’re not squeamish and can provide a proper, sanitary accommodation for your portable toilet when it’s full, then it could be a good option for you.

5. You can’t use a camp toilet

While most camping spots provide toilets, they might be pretty far from your tent or you may even find that they’re not in the best condition for use. Besides, some bush camps don’t have toilets of their ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/best-portable-toilet/

Ten Natural Ways to Repel Spiders

I always try to repel any insect naturally instead of using store-bought chemical repellents. It’s safer for you and your family – and of course, your pets. Here are ten ways to repel spiders naturally.

1. Vinegar Spray

Mix one cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle with two cups of water. Spray this mixture around your house at the spider entry points such as windows, doors, air vents, etc.

2. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is a great spider repellent. You can sprinkle a dash of lavender oil in the spider dominated areas. Also, to avoid spiders from entering your house, just fill a flower vase with a little bit of water and add 5 drops of lavender oil to it. The aroma of lavender oil stops the spiders dead in their tracks and they will not enter your home.

3. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil can also be used to ward off spiders. Non-venomous spiders and venomous spiders hate the strong smell of peppermint and it will keep them away.

4. Scented Candles

Scented candles are not just great for decoration, but they make a great insect repellent too! Light scented candles with lavender, citronella, lime, etc., and the spiders won’t ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/ten-natural-ways-repel-spiders/

How To Remove Pores On Your Face At Home

People who have oily skin usually also have big and visible pores. Also, they usually hate these pores and try to make them less visible and shrink them.

There are numerous products on the market that tighten the skin and that reduce the appearance of the large pores, but these products are usually over the counter. The good news is that you can now prepare your own natural remedies in your own home and eliminate the problem.

Here is what you should do:

Water and Baking Soda

Mix two tablespoons of baking soda and two tablespoons of water and mix well. You will get a paste which you should then apply onto your face and let it dry for about fifteen minutes. Once the mask tightens, wash your face with cool water.

There are other remedies as well that are also very efficient. The advantages of these remedies are that they are all natural and can be made of only 2-3 natural ingredients really quickly. Here are the ...

Read more https://www.patriotdirect.org/remove-pores-face-home/