15 Emergency Preparedness Items For Bugging Out
Emergency preparedness is an important part of self-sufficiency, and self-sufficiency is a natural part of homesteading, so naturally the topic of preparedness (aka. “prepping”) comes up often in the modern homesteading community.
But as homesteaders, we tend to talk mostly about being prepared, well, at home! We grow and preserve our own food, stock our pantries to the hilt, save seeds, learn to DIY and make do or do without. Some of us live off grid or heat our homes with wood, raise our own meat and collect rainwater for the drought season. You could say that us homesteaders are more prepared than anyone if disaster were to strike… at home. But what if we had to leave our house and homestead behind?
We may not like to think about it, but the reality is that many of the emergency situations that we should be prepared for are things that would most likely force us from our homes.
I live out west on Vancouver Island. As climate change intensifies, we are seeing hotter, drier summers year-over-year, which means more and more forest fires threatening our communities. California just had its deadliest and most destructive wildfire season in history. Just one of the wildfires -the deadliest in California history- levelled an entire town, killing at least 88 people and destroying nearly 14,000 homes.
But wildfires aren’t the only type of disaster that could make people have to pack up and leave. Every year hurricanes force thousands of people from their homes from the Atlantic down to the Gulf of Mexico (and even parts of the Pacific), and cyclones threaten homes and communities in other parts of the world.
Here on Vancouver Island, we’ve also got a major earthquake fault line just off our coast, and while earthquakes happen without warning, communities on the west coast of the island are on tsunami evacuation warning should an earthquake occur in the Pacific Ocean.
In addition to natural and climate-related disasters, industrial disasters, chemical spills, threat of war and even spread of disease could also cause people to leave their homes.
So what do you take with you if you have to leave?
In general, every household is expected to be able to care for themselves for at least three days following any widespread disaster. But many people (dare I say most) aren’t prepared even for one, so when disaster does strike, these are the people rushing the grocery stores and clearing out everything on the shelves. Don’t be one of those people!
Get prepared ahead of time and pack your emergency bag now with these 15 emergency preparedness items you should always have packed and ready to go.
1. Important Documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Social security/social insurance cards
- Passports
- Insurance policies
You should have all of these important documents (or at least copies of them) packaged together and accessible in case you need to grab things and go quickly.
Either have them packed in a bug out bag or at least have them in an envelope or clipped together somewhere that is easily accessible. And make sure they’re somewhere you won’t forget about! The last thing you want in an emergency is to waste precious time searching high and low for something like this.
2. Water
- 1 litre per person (bare minimum… 1 gallon is better)
You should have a 1 litre bottle of water per person at the very least to last everyone in your family until you get somewhere safe.
FEMA recommends one gallon per person per day. Of course it can be tough to pack around (or even pack up) that much water, so you should at least have away of accessing fresh water no mater what. I highly recommend investing in a Lifestraw personal water filter to filter out contaminants from questionable water sources.
Each person in our house has a Lifestraw Go water bottle, which can be filled before leaving home and refilled -even with contaminated water- and provide filtered, clean drinking water.
3. Food
Ideally, you should have enough food to get you and your family through at least three days in case of emergency. Make sure you have a bug out bag (and/or your vehicle) packed with non-perishable snacks and food that requires little to no cooking, tools or mess to clean up.
Some ideas are:
- granola bars
- beef jerky
- trail mix
- crackers
- dried fruit
- fruit leather
You could also pack some instant noodles that come in their own cup for cooking. It may not be the healthiest thing in the world, but it will fill you up and provide a hot meal in a pinch as long as you can access some boiling water. (Make sure to pack some utensils if you will need them).
Home-canned goods like pickles and apple sauce could be packed up at the last minute, but it’s not advisable to store home-canned goods for “bugging out” because temperature fluctuations could affect their safety if stored in a hot vehicle trunk or in a backpack. Plus, since canning jars are made out of glass, they run the risk of breaking.
You can also dehydrate your own food. If you want to make sure you are packing healthy, shelf-stable dried food, you can make your own fruit leather, dried fruits and veggies and even beef jerky at home with a food dehydrator.
I have an Excalibur Food Dehydrator and I absolutely love it. It’s a bit of an investment up front but well worth the money you save in the long run by drying your own food (not to mention the health benefits).
4. Basic First Aid Kit
Any emergency supply list should always include at least a basic First Aid kit. You can purchase one that’s pre-assembled like this one, or you could build your own.
If you build your own First Aid Kit, you should include:
- Bandaids
- Sterile gauze/field dressing
- Medical tape
- Scissors
- Alcohol wipes (for sterilization)
- Tensor bandage
- Roller bandages
- Latex gloves
- Abdominal pads
- Any other specialized emergency medical supplies, such as an EpiPen or an asthma inhaler.
You should also take a First Aid course if possible so you know what to do in event of an emergency. You can search online for First Aid courses near you.
5. Pet Carriers/Supplies
While not everyone has pets, many of us do and they’re part of our family, so we will obviously take with us if we are forced to flee. Having pet carriers and supplies ready and easily accessible will save a lot of time in the event of an emergency.
You should have:
- Pet carriers
- Food
- Water
- Bowls (to eat and drink from)
- Blanket or towel
- Leashes & collars
We have two cats and six chickens. I purchased new cat carriers this year after the worst wildfire year on record for Canada. I recently replaced our old plastic ones and bought these ones because they’re soft-sided and fold up easily for storage. I also have a bag of supplies full of pet treats, bottled water, bowls for them to eat and drink from and some freeze dried pet food that’s light and easy to pack around.
If you have livestock (and a way to transport them), make sure you have a plan for loading them into the vehicle and do your best to bring along some food and water for them. In some cases it will be difficult if not impossible to save all of your livestock. If this is the case and you can’t get them to safety in time, a last resort might be a method called “sheltering in place.” This basically just means that, rather than evacuating, you decide whether to confine livestock to a safe area or cut the fences and open the gates so that they can run if needed.
In our case, we would try to pack our chickens into one large carrier since we only have six chickens. Or worst case scenario, we would open the gate for them and let them go free. Basically, if you can’t take them with you, give them a fighting chance.
6. Baby Supplies
If you have babies or young children, you’ll have some extra things you’ll need to bring with you. Here are some of the basics:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Bottles and formula (if not breastfeeding)
- Change of clothes
- Warm pyjamas
- Blanket
- Receiving blankets
- Snacks and water (if older)
- Favourite stuffie (for comfort)
Again, this one doesn’t apply to everyone, but if you have a baby or toddler, you should make sure your diaper bag is always packed with supplies and read to go.
7. Extra Clothing
Having some extra clothing packed doesn’t seem like the most important thing on this list, and while it probably isn’t, it will be a huge comfort and relief to be able to put on a clean shirt and a new pair of underwear until you can get somewhere where you can clean your clothes and/or get some new clothes. Also, if you get wet or need to layer up or down, having extra clothes could go from being a comfort to a necessity.
Aim for the following for each family member:
- 3 pairs of clean underwear
- Extra t-shirt
- A couple pairs of socks
- A warm hoodie or sweater
- Sensible shoes (preferably closed)
It may sound obvious, but fleeing your home is not the time to wear your heels, boots with lots of laces or go barefoot! Make sure you have sensible shoes ready to slip on at the door.
8. Pillows & Blankets
Another great comfort when away from home is to have some warm, comfortable blankets and pillows of your own. This is especially true if you need to sleep in your vehicle, and even more so if it’s winter.
Keep a big, warm blanket in each of your family vehicles, big enough for the whole family to huddle under together. And keep some pillows in cases with handles (like the cases you can buy them in) so you can either store them in vehicles or grab and go quickly.
Of course, if you have enough warning you can also just bring the ones from your bed. But if you’ve only got 5 minutes to grab and go, you’ll be glad to have some packed and ready.
9. Medication
- Prescriptions
- Inhalers
- Insulin
- Epipens
If any family member is on prescription medication, relies on an inhaler, insulin, an epipen or has any special medical needs, you need to make sure you have potentially life-saving medications with you when you leave home.
You can get backup medications including prescriptions, antibiotics and other emergency medications from JASE Medical. I purchased an emergency supply of antibiotics for our home after I had trouble seeing a doctor and getting a prescription filled due to staff and supply shortages when my daughter had a bad ear infection. The emergency medicine from JASE lasts up to 25 years if stored correctly, and you don’t need a doctor’s prescription to get it. Check out JASE Medical here and while you’re there, use code HOUSE10 for 10% off your order.
As for non-prescription medications, you could stash some pain reliever (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) in your first aid kit. Aspirin isn’t a bad idea either. It could save someone’s life if they’re having a heart attack.
10. Toiletries
Here’s a sample list of what you should have ready in your bag:
- Toothbrush (per person)
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet or tissue paper
- Deodorant
- Female hygiene items (because of course it will be “that time” right in the middle of a major emergency)
- Hair brush and ties for long hair
- Nail clippers
- Q-Tips
- Razor
- Towel (or at least a hand towel to dry off)
11. Full tank of gas
Gas is one of the first things to run out during an emergency (especially an evacuation), and if you don’t have enough you won’t make it safely to your destination.
You should always try to keep your gas tank at least half-full in case of an emergency. As soon as you hit the halfway mark on your gas gauge, fill up. This way you’ll never run out of gas even if it’s not an emergency.
You could also store a jerrycan of gas in your garage, but don’t expect it to last indefinitely. Oil degrades over time and if it’s left to sit for too long you might find that when you fill your tank it fails completely. And don’t store it in your vehicle! Store it in the garage and rotate and replace it regularly.
12. Survival Kit + Tools
Every bug out bag should contain some basic survival gear. Even if you know you’ll be going to stay with family or at a shelter where you’ll be taken care of, there are so many things that could happen that could require the use of some very basic survival gear.
Likewise, you might need some basic tools and parts in case your vehicle breaks down, your path is blocked by fallen branches or a plethora of other reasons.
Here are some basic items you should have with you
- Flashlight (headlamps are great too)
- Lighter, matches and flint (you can’t have too many ways to start fire)
- Road flares
- Pocket knife
- Jumper Cables
- Spare Tire
- Axe (or at least a hatchet)
- Bungee cords
- Rope
- Firestarters or dry material to start fire (I keep a Ziplock bag full of old dryer lint in my bug out bag to start fires with)
TBH, you should have these things in your vehicle all the time in case of a breakdown, flat tire or any other roadside emergency. You can put a kit together yourself or grab a pre-made roadside emergency kit like this one.
13. Entertainment
This is more important than you might realize, especially if you have kids! Pack a few lightweight items to keep younger family members occupied and take their mind off the situation. Consider packing one or more of the following:
- Books
- Games
- Cards
- Colouring books and crayons
- Puzzles
- Journal and pen
This can be a huge morale booster for the whole family.
Also, if you end up at a shelter or somewhere where you will need to wait the disaster out, having a deck of cards with you can help to pass the time.
14. Emergency Cash
In a disaster, there’s no guarantee that bank or debit machines will be working, so it’s super important to have some cash on you in case you need to purchase anything.
Aim to keep at least $100 of emergency cash in an envelope, either in your bug out bag, in an emergency binder or hidden somewhere in your car.
15. Checklist
Having a checklist that you can refer to can help you make sure you don’t forget anything on your bug out list. You could either have a physical checklist that’s been written or printed out or a digital one on your phone that you can access and check quickly (without needing internet access, because you might not have internet access in an emergency!)
Keep your printed checklist somewhere easily accessible. Put it up on your fridge or on a board where every family member can see it and knows where it is. Go over it in a family meeting and make sure everyone knows what to do in event of an emergency.
In order to truly be well prepared, you need to make sure the whole family is on the same page and ready to work together.
How you prepare is up to you
There are many more things I could include on this list, and of course depending on how much time you have to evacuate or bug out, you might be able to pack up more or less.
Other factors such as the size of your vehicle, whether or not you have a camper or trailer, or whether you even have your own vehicle at all and how large your family is will obviously dictate exactly how much you can and should bring with you.
This is a basic list of things you should consider packing up ahead of time and having ready to go in case you ever need to evacuate your home for any reason. But only you know what actually makes the most sense for your own family and situation.
At the end of the day, how you prepare is up to you. But do be prepared. Never think it can’t or won’t happen to you, because it can and does happen to people just like you all the time.
And don’t expect anyone else to take care of you and your family. While disaster situations often prompt an outpouring of support and goodwill from others (and yes, even from the government), there are often so many people affected by large-scale disasters that there has to be some level of personal responsibility on behalf of everyone.
And remember to help out your fellow humans and animals if and when possible too. We’re all in this together.
Wishing you homemade, homegrown, homestead happiness 🙂
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I’m all about practical gifts; Gifts that will truly make life easier and contribute to my and my family’s wellbeing. And our family includes our animals!
One of the ways we make sure our chickens are taken care of is by letting them free range during the day, but making sure they’re locked up and safe from predators at night. But who wants to be up at the crack of dawn to open the coop, or wake up to a bloodbath because you forgot to close the coop the night before?
(The answer is obviously no one… No one wants that).
Automating our homesteading tasks as much as possible allows us to worry about other things and saves us a ton of time. Plus, it makes sure that things get taken care of, whether we remember or not.
Using an automatic chicken door has been a GAME CHANGER for us. It’s one of those lesser known homestead tools that can make all the difference, and I’m always recommending one to anyone who keeps chickens!
This chicken door from @chickcozy_ is so easy to install and use too, and right now you can get one for a steal during their Black Friday sale!
Save over $40 off an automatic chicken door, plus use my coupon code for an ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT!
Don’t forget to check out their chicken coop heaters too, which are also on sale right now:)
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for the perfect gift for the chicken lover who has everything (which might also be yourself;) the @chickcozy_ automatic chicken door is one Christmas gift that won’t soon be forgotten!
Comment “Chicken” below for more info and to get my exclusive coupon code! 🐓
#chicken #chickens #chickendoor #chickcozyautodoor #chickcozy #chickensofinstagram #chickensofig #chickenlover #homesteadlife
Yes, you read that right…
Modern Homesteading Magazine is coming to an end.
This decision has not come easily, but there’s a season for everything, and more and more I’m feeling called to transition out of this season and into the next in both life and business.
And so this final farewell issue is bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s the first ever annual issue, with 100 pages packed with brand new content that celebrates the best of the past 32 issues!
And it’s the first issue I’ve ever offered in PRINT!
But on the other hand, it marks the end of an era, and of this publication that I’ve absolutely had the pleasure of creating and sharing with you.
If you’re a digital subscriber, you will not be charged a renewal fee going forward, and will continue to have access to the digital library until your subscription runs out. As part of your subscription, you’re able to download and/or print each issue of you like, so that you never lose access to the hundreds of articles and vast amount of information in each issue.
Rather than subscribing, you can now purchase an all-access pass for a one-time fee of just $20, which gives you access to our entire digital library of issues.
Plus, for a limited time, when you purchase an all-access pass you’ll also get a gift certificate for a second all-access pass to gift to someone else.
I’m also still taking preorders for the print version of this special edition issue, but only for a few more weeks!
When you preorder the print issue, you’ll also get a digital copy of the special edition issue (this issue only), and will receive a print copy in the mail later this year (hopefully by Christmas so long as there are no shipping delays!)
Click the link in my profile or visit modernhomesteadingmagazine.com to check out the latest issue, purchase an all-access pass to the digital library and/or preorder the print issue today!
Thanks to everyone who has read the magazine over the past 4 years. I’m humbled and grateful for your support, and can’t wait to share whatever comes next:)
#modernhomesteading #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram
It’s easy to romanticize homesteading, but the truth is that those homegrown vegetables, those freshly laid eggs, that loaf of bread rising on the counter, and that pantry full of home-canned food takes time, effort and dedication. It doesn’t “just happen” overnight!
But if you work on learning one new skill at a time and gain confidence in it before moving onto the next, one day you’ll be looking back and marvelling at how far you’ve come.
That’s where I’m at now. Life today looks a lot different than it did 10 years ago, when our homesteading and self-reliance journey was just beginning.
Back then we still lived in our city condo and were just beginning to dabble in all of this stuff. But my husband Ryan and I felt a sense urgency to start pursuing a more self-reliant lifestyle, and we committed to taking small steps, one day at a time to make that vision a reality.
Over the years we’ve continued to put one foot in front of the other, adding new skills and tackling new projects along the way that have helped us get to where we are today.
While there’s always more we want to learn and do, as I look around me right now, I’m so grateful that we took those first steps, especially considering what’s happened in the world over the past few years!
If you’re also feeling the urgency to take the first (or next) steps toward a more self-reliant life, this is your final reminder that today is the last day to join The Society of Self-Reliance and start levelling up your homesteading and self-sufficiency skills so that you’ve got what it takes to:
• Grow your own groceries
• Stock your pantry
• Create a natural home
• Get prepared
• Learn other important life skills like time management for homesteaders, goal setting and how to become your own handyman
And more!
If you’ve been feeling called to level up your self-reliance skills (because let’s be honest, we’re in for a wild ride these next few years with everything going on in the world), now is the time to heed that call.
Link in profile to enroll before midnight tonight, or go to thehouseandhomestead.com/society
#homesteading #selfreliance #selfsufficiency #homesteadingskills #preparedness
There are so many reasons to grow your own food at home:
💰 Saves you money at the grocery store
🍴 Healthier than conventionally grown food
🔑 increases your overall food security
🫙 Gives you an abundance to preserve and share
But perhaps the number one reason is because it just tastes better!
Not only does food taste better when it’s freshly picked or allowed to ripen on the vine, there’s something about putting in the work to grow something from a tiny seed and then getting to see it on your dinner plate that just makes it so much more satisfying than anything you’ll ever buy from the store.
Plus, having to wait all year for fresh tomatoes or strawberries or zucchinis to be in season makes that short period when they’re available just that much more exciting!
With the world spinning out of control and food prices continuing to rise, it’s no wonder more people are taking an interest in learning to grow their own food at home. But that also means changing our relationship with food and learning to appreciate the work that goes into producing it and the natural seasonality of organically grown fruits and vegetables.
(It also means learning to preserve it so you can make the most of it and enjoy homegrown food all year long).
In my online membership program, The Society of Self-Reliance, you’ll learn how to grow your own food, from seed to harvest, as well as how to preserve it so you can enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor all year long!
You’ll also learn how to grow and craft your own herbal medicine, detox your home, become your own handyman, and so much more (because self-reliance is about more than just the food that we eat… But that’s a pretty good place to start!)
The doors to the Society are now open for a limited time only. Click the link in my profile or go to thehouseandhomestead.com/society to learn more.
#foodsecurity #homegrownfood #homesteading #selfreliance #selfsufficiency #homegrownfoodjusttastesbetter
If you’ve been watching events unfold over the past few years and you’re feeling called to start “cutting ties” with the system and begin reclaiming your independence, The Society of Self-Reliance was made for you!
When I first launched this online membership program last year, my goal was to create a one-stop resource where members could go to learn and practice every aspect of self-reliance, as well as a space to connect with other like-minded people pursuing the same goal. And that’s exactly what you’ll get when you join!
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn inside the Society:
🌱 Food Security and Self-Sufficiency: Learn the art of growing and preserving your own food, ensuring you and your loved ones have access to nutritious meals year-round.
🌿 Natural Living and Herbal Medicine Mastery: Discover the secrets to creating a low-tox home and and to growing, making and using herbal remedies to support your family’s health, naturally.
🔨 Essential Life Skills: Learn essential life skills like time management, effective goal setting and practical DIY skills to become more self-sufficient.
As a member, you’ll enjoy:
📚 Monthly Video Lessons: Gain access to our ever-growing library of video lessons, with fresh content added each month.
📞 Live Group Coaching Calls: Participate in our monthly live group coaching calls, where we deep dive into a different self-reliance topic every month, and do live demonstrations and Q&A’s.
🏡 Private Community: Join our private community forum where you can ask questions, share your progress, and connect with like-minded individuals.
I only open the doors to The Society once or twice each year, but right now, for one week only, you can become a member for just $20/month (or $200/year).
In today’s world, self-reliance is no longer a luxury, a “cute hobby,” it’s a necessity. Join us inside The Society of Self-Reliance and empower yourself with the skills you need to thrive in the new world!
Link in profile or visit thehouseandhomestead.com/society to learn more.
#selfreliance #selfreliant #selfsufficiency #selfsufficientliving #sustainableliving #modernhomesteading #homesteadingskills #preparedness
Got out for an early morning harvest today. Been up since 3am, contemplating life, the future and the past, the order of things…
There is a rumbling right now, not just in North America, but around the world. Many of us can feel it, and know we are on the precipice of something big.
I’d been hearing about this new song that’s become an overnight viral sensation, written by an (until now) unknown singer named Oliver Anthony. His new song Rich Men North of Richmond has had 14 million views on YouTube in the past week alone, so I decided to check it out.
I also saw a clip of him playing a Farmers Market last week, and anything that has to do with Farmers Markets always has my attention;)
I can’t tell you how many tears I’ve already cried listening to that song. If you’ve heard it already, you probably know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t, I highly recommend giving it a listen. All I can say is it’s been a while since a song resonated so deeply with me, and in this strange new world, I know I’m not the only one.
One of the lines in Anthony’s song is “Livin’ in the new world, with an old soul,” and that’s something I think so many of us in the homesteading community can relate to.
Trying to cling to better days; To a simpler time; To the old ways, all while doing our best to get by in the new world.
The world has changed drastically in the last few years especially, and it’s set to change in immense ways over the next few years. Today I’m feeling thankful for people like @oliver_anthony_music_ who give a voice to what so many are feeling right now.
Know that if you’re feeling it too, you’re far from alone. And while the future may feel uncertain and even a little scary, remember that if we stand united, we the people are a force to be reckoned with.
(Continued in comments…)
Another garlic harvest in the books!
Garlic is easily one of my favourite crops to grow. It’s pretty much a “set if and forget it” crop. We plant in the fall and leave it to overwinter, fertilize a couple times in the spring, start watering only once the ground starts to dry out, and then harvest in the summer. We can even plant a fall succession crop after our garlic if we want so it really makes great use of garden space all year round.
Over the years we’ve managed to become completely self-sufficient with garlic. We now grow enough to eat all year (and then some!), plus we save our own seed garlic and usually have extra to sell or give away. And around here fresh, organic garlic ain’t cheap, so it’s a good cash crop for anyone who’s serious about selling it.
It took me a few years to really get the hang of garlic, but it’s one crop I’m now very confident with (knock on wood, because it’s always when we make statements like this that next year’s crop fails! Lol.)
A while back I compiled a comprehensive guide to growing, harvesting and using garlic both as an edible and medicinal crop. This is usually only available as part of a paid bundle (or in the fall 2022 issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine if you’re a subscriber;), but for a limited time I’m offering it for free, no strings attached!
Plus you’ll also get access to my step-by-step video lesson on planting garlic so you can set yourself up for success with your garlic crop this year.
Comment “Garlic” below or head to thehouseandhomestead.com/garlic-guide to get your free copy!
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#garlic #garlicharvest #homesteading #selfsufficient #selfsufficiency #selfsufficientliving #selfreliance #homegrown #groworganic #growfoodnotlawns #gardenersofinstagram #homesteadersofinstagram
Going through photos and videos from our trip to the @modernhomesteadingconference and the vast majority are of our daughter having the time of her life!
Even if I personally got nothing else out of this gathering (which I most certainly did), watching her discover her own love of this lifestyle outside of what we do at home made my heart grow three sizes!
Homesteading is about so much more than homegrown food and self-reliance. It’s about passing on invaluable skills and an understanding of and respect for our connection to the land that provides for us to the next generation.
Being around so many other kids and families who are also pursuing a homesteading lifestyle helped show our little one that this is a movement that is so much bigger and greater than what our own family does on our little plot of land. This is a lifestyle worth pursuing, with a community unlike any other.
Glad to be back home and more excited than ever to involve my kids in everything we’re doing. But also, I think I speak for my whole family when I say we can’t wait to go back someday!
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#homesteading #modernhomesteading #raisinglittles
If you’re simply looking for ways to save a little extra cash this summer and live well for less, here are 12 tried and tested frugal living tips for summer that you can use to save money this season without sacrificing a thing.
Head over using the link in my bio!
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/12-frugal-living-tips-summer/
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A brand new issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine just dropped!
In this issue:
🌱 How to forage and use five common edible and medicinal weeds
🏠 A sustainable, affordable alternative to traditional homes, greenhouses and more
👨👩👧👦 Tips for managing a homestead while raising a family (big or small!)
🫙 What to focus on when preserving food for true food security
🌹 How to grow and arrange your own cut flowers at home
🍓 The many ways to preserve summer berries (including 5 delicious recipes!)
💇How to make your own all-natural herbal hair care products at home
🧑🌾 Why “community sufficiency” is the new self-sufficiency
And more!
Visit modernhomesteadingmagazine.com (or click the link in my bio) to subscribe or login to the library and read the latest issue.
Plus, be sure to check out all of our past issues as well! There’s a wealth of information in our library on everything from farming and gardening to cooking and canning to herbal medicine, natural living and so much more!
*** This will be the last quarterly issue! ***
This little magazine has grown so much over the past 4 years and 32 issues, and now it’s time for another exciting evolution.
I’m excited to announce that we will be moving to an even more robust annual publication with the intention of offering the first ever print edition this fall if there is enough demand.
I’m also excited to announce the brand new Modern Homesteading Magazine blog, which is currently under construction and will be launching soon. While we will still be maintaining digital subscriptions, the blog will be accessible to all, free of charge, so that more people might benefit from the empowering and increasingly important information that we cover in each issue.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this issue happen! @homesteadingfamily @oatsandhoneyhomestead @omnivore.culture @thetaylor.leigh @doeraydesign (and more who don’t have IG pages;)
And a HUGE thank you to everyone who has subscribed over the years. Modern Homesteading Magazine would never have become what it is today without each and every one of you.
#homesteading #modernhomesteading #selfsufficiency
If you’ve ever grown your own garlic, you might have noticed the spiral-shaped shoots that suddenly pop up in the centre of the stem, usually about a month or so before the garlic bulbs themselves are ready to be harvested.
These are garlic scapes, and believe it or not- they make delicious pesto! Get the recipe through the link in my bio- https://thehouseandhomestead.com/garlic-scape-pesto/
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#houseandhomestead
#homesteadmom
#homesteadmoments
#homesteadingskills
#homesteady
#thehomestead
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#summeronthehomestead
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#lovemyfarm
#modernhomesteader
#countrygal
#country_living
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This honey and chive blossom vinaigrette is a frugal, easy and healthy homemade salad dressing that pairs beautifully with fresh garden salads all season long.
Get the recipe through the link in my bio.
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/chive-blossom-vinaigrette/
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#herbalgarden
#gardenherbs
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#homesteady
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#thehomesteadlife
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#suburbanhomesteading
#lovemyfarm
#modernhomesteader
#countrygal
#country_living
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#selfsustainableliving
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#seasonalrecipes
#eatinseason
#liveseasonally
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#seasonaleats
#summersbounty
#eatseasonal
Thanks a lot for listing everything! It’s definitely very important to have an emergency survival kit. Also, if you’re bringing a flashlight, then you should also have some extra batteries.
I love this list! I also like to make sure I have a list of emergency contact information, insurance phone numbers, and emergency restoration service numbers.
Very good just hope many people take your advice. I have many more things in my BUG OUT camp trailer. Keep up the good work.
If you have half a brain, these are common sense items with a few just excess baggage when RUUNING. Playing games is excess weight and volume. When you are on the runs you should be teaching your children.
Thanks for your comment! I respectfully disagree, however. Keeping morale up is a HUGE part of dealing with any emergency or stressful situation, especially for children. I’m a teacher as well, and my school requires parents to pack bags with extra clothes, snacks and games and toys for children to go in our emergency kits in case of an earthquake, fire, lockdown or (fill-in-the-blank). Also, many times we are not talking a full on zombie apocalypse here, but a wildfire, earthquake or something else that forces us from our homes and sees us not on the run, but in our vehicles stuck in traffic trying to make our way out of the area. Having games on hand is an excellent way to help pass the time and offer a positive distraction when dealing with the stress of this type of emergency situation. But of course this list can be tailored to suit your specific needs. Feel free to toss the games if they are weighing you down:)
I agree with the playing games. Backpacking sized games: deck of cards, Cribbage board, Farkle, and Adult Coloring book with colored pencils. Minimal weight but hours of fun and family focussed. We have met fellow travelers who would hunker down for a game of Farkle. LOL Love the list of things to prep for emergency. Water is the most cumbersome thing to have on hand for me. We are a family of 3, plus 2 labs, 4 cats, 1 cockatiel, and 2 horses. Freeze-dried food for pets is the best take away for me. Have you ever tried to locate cats in a stressful situation? Like you, crates are kept by the main exit door and blankets are cleaned between uses. An extra leash (with waste disposal bags) and a harness (they wear collars) are tucked inside with a clean blanket. Most recent shots records are laminated and attached to crates. We are homesteaders too. I dislike pre-packed food, but it does have preservatives and space saving packaging, so we rotate through it, in moderation. If we had to go to a shelter, we would want at least 3 days of self sufficiency while services are organized. Medicine boxes and backpacks are color specific to family member. Learned this when DD was small and who’s box/bag was who’s= stressful. Our animals would make a government shelter likely impossible, but it is less stressful to be prepared. DD was raised this way, so her household is also prepped. Thanks for the great article, Anna.
Hi Catherine,
Yes, I do really believe games and distractions are important in a stressful situation! They may not be priority number one, but it really doesn’t hurt (or add much weight) to throw a deck of cards in your bag. What is Farkle? I must look into this! The freeze dried food seriously cuts down weight, and I have tried feeding it to my cats at home and they like it. It’s always best to get them acquainted with a new food like that in their normal environment as they may not eat it if they’re already stressed out. I can imagine water would be extra difficult if you have large livestock like horses, etc. in addition to a fairly large family to keep hydrated. That’s why I love having our Lifestraw water bottles because then we am always refill without any worry of the water not being safe to drink (or at least the risk is minimized big time). As for locating cats in a stressful situation, I have learned a lot about this as we lost a kitty when she ran from an accident when we were moving to our last house. My husband rolled out truck and trailer and the animals were inside. She took off into the woods and despite months of searching, we never found her. It was the most traumatic experience of my life, let alone hers. But I learned a lot about animal (specifically cat) behaviour from that experience. My best advice would be to familiarize yourself with your cats’ usual hiding spots so you know where to look if they’re hiding. Stay calm yourself as your energy will rub off on them. Have their favourite treats on hand to coax them out if need be and when you get them in the carrier, cover it with a towel or blanket if you can. Keeping them from seeing out helps keep them calmer. And never let them out of their carriers until you’re somewhere safe and secure as they likely will bolt. Sometimes you have to learn things the hard way. I’ll never forgive myself for not being better prepared when our kitty went missing. But I did my best at the time. Still hoping she magically turns up one day. It’s been just over 3 years now. Lucky we all survived though so I count my blessings every day and take pride in being as prepared as possible from now on.
Children are going to freak no matter what you do and if they can see or hear the problem there going to know that something is defiantly wrong and when you try to distract them with sum card games.