By Tess Pennington If the plants in your garden are not getting enough water, then they are also not getting enough nutrients to grow. Underwatering your plant is one of the worst things that can happen to your garden, but there are a few simple…
By Tess Pennington The mind is a very powerful muscle in the body. In fact, it’s the strongest muscle and has the capacity to make or break you. It can either propel you through a challenge or paralyze you into inaction. Therefore, having control over…
By Tess Pennington Our vegetable gardens are off to a great start thanks to the heirloom seeds we started this spring. One of the advantages of having a growing garden is the from scratch recipes we can make to utilize our garden harvests. And right…
By Tess Pennington Gathering a three-day food supply is useful for the home, as well as, for 72-hour kits. Begin by listing all family members (pets included) and keeping in mind any special health needs (allergies, diabetes, etc.) for the members. Plan meals to meet a…
By Tess Pennington If there’s one type of bean the entire family loves, it’s the pinto bean. In Spanish, the word “pinto” means painted and these beans are appropriately named because their outer skin is a spotted, swirling, red-dotted masterpiece of color. But inside is…
By Tess Pennington The overall goal of our emergency food pantry is to have a wide array of nutritious foods stored away in order to carry us through an emergency. In my book, The Prepper’s Cookbook, I wrote how firmly I believe in each household having…
By Tess Pennington You can have a year’s supply of beans and rice; enough ammo and weapons to fight off the Golden Horde, a gaggle of zombies and a few renegade cannibals; acres of seeds and enough bandages to turn the entire NFL into mummies,…
By Tess Pennington In the coming months, the power grid will be pushed to extremes and can force homes off the grid if temperatures reach maximums. Or, in some cases, the electrical companies must turn the power off during extreme weather events like wildfires or rolling blackouts. Whatever…
By Tess Pennington While many of us are awakening to the dangers (ahem chemicals) that are in our food sources, not enough awareness is being made about some of the dangers that lie in over-the-counter vitamins. That’s right, some of your vitamins could be doing more harm…
By Tess Pennington While many of us are awakening to the dangers (ahem chemicals) that are in our food sources, not enough awareness is being made about some of the dangers that lie in over-the-counter vitamins. That’s right, some of your vitamins could be doing more harm…
By Tess Pennington While we welcome in a new year, I like to take some time to reflect on the past and start dreaming of a better future. And, of course, I implement this into my gardening as well. While I have the best intentions…
By Tess Pennington Underneath the quiet nature preserve of Yellowstone lies the most powerful and largest supervolcano on the planet. The fear of it erupting in our lifetime has put many on high alert, and recently, the Steamboat Geyser of Yellowstone gave another indication that the area is under…
By Tess Pennington Spinach is one of the first seeds you can plant for a spring harvest and a wonderful source of Vitamin A and one of the healthiest sources minerals and nutrients that we can grow. It is considered a superfood because of all the…
By Tess Pennington While the weather outside is still on the chilly side, many are making use of their time indoors and get a headstart on the upcoming gardening season by starting seeds indoors. Doing so results in earlier and longer harvests. This economic gardening…
By Tess Pennington Barley is a high-yielding cereal grain that can be adapted to many parts of the homestead. It can be used as a tasty cereal, ground into flour, sprouted for super food, grown as fodder for livestock (which can save you lots of money when using…
By Tess Pennington For many of us, our jobs dictate that we live near a city and, as a result, our yards are smaller and may not provide adequate space for a large garden. As well, those that are renting homes may also be limited…
By Tess Pennington With the unusual winter weather that many parts of the country are experiencing, driving conditions will be harsh and potentially dangerous. Moreover, getting stranded in your vehicle could become a very real threat, especially if you are traveling in isolated parts of the country. If…
By Tess Pennington There are many different types of emergencies that can have long-term repercussions on our way of life. One of those impacts is on our food system. Due to our aging infrastructure and roadways, emergencies can stall the delivery of goods, leaving a…
By Tess Pennington You need to take care of your body and mind. Exercise and nutrition are critical for you. I believe that I have emphasized this repeatedly and that they both go together. So, what’s this? What is new about this article? I’m going to mention some…
By Tess Pennington Growing medicinal plants are a great way to ensure garden sustainability and, more notably, have access to natural medicine when you need it most. When I introduced more herbs in my garden, I noticed it had a profound impact on the vegetables and…
