Skills & Knowledge

Your set of skills and your bank of knowledge are two things that will always come in handy. Here, you’ll find tips and instruction for everything from first aid knowledge to knitting, gardening, and homesteading skills.

woman scratching eczema on her arm

Easy, Natural Homemade Eczema Lotion

If you struggle with eczema, you’ve probably tried all sorts of store bought lotions and then resorted to lotion recipes found online, all with varying degrees of success. Some likely worked better than others, and some probably didn’t work at all. The DIY information can be overwhelming; that’s why it took a long time to get this recipe for a homemade eczema lotion just right. Now it’s time to share!

child lost in woods

Lost and Alone in the Wilderness? S.T.O.P

As enthusiasts gear up for outdoor pursuits like camping and hiking, the allure of adventure is accompanied by potential risks. You can significantly enhance your chances of survival when lost with a structured approach and a calm and deliberate response. The S.T.O.P. acronym offers a practical and efficient approach when confronted with the daunting prospect of being lost in the wilderness.

tank coming down hill with 3 men on it

6 Tips to Help You Teach Kids About Conflict

Whenever there is war, our youngest generation must find ways to deal with the suddenly changed state of the world around them, whether at home or abroad. In this article, we will delve into the profound importance of teaching our children about war – not to instill fear, but to empower them with knowledge, empathy, and resilience as they navigate an evolving world.

image: woman helping another woman symbolic of personal survival stories

The Power of Personal Survival Stories

There’s no shortage of prepper and survival books and websites, but when a survivor of a disaster talks and tells his or her personal story, it’s another thing altogether. By embracing the lessons embedded within these stories, we can navigate life’s uncertainties with greater wisdom, strength, and determination.

image: womans hand holding woven basket of how to forage wild foods

How to Forage: Learn the Basics of How to Feed Yourself with Wild Foods

Learning what wild edibles are in your local area is an excellent way to connect with nature, learn about traditional food sources, and gain a greater appreciation for the environment around you. It’s important to research and identify the plants, fungi, and other organisms that grow in your area, and to learn how to distinguish edible species from poisonous ones. There are many resources available, such as field guides, online forums, and local experts, that can help you get started.

image: woman in beekeeping suit checking out her bee boxes, reasons to not keep bees

Beekeeping Realities: 14 Valid Reasons to NOT Keep Bees

There are several reasons why someone might choose not to keep bees. These can include allergies to bee stings or bee-related products, limitations in available space or time for beekeeping, and concerns related to local regulations, health risks, fear of stings, personal preferences, financial constraints, environmental impact, or ethical considerations. Ultimately, the decision to not keep bees may be based on a combination of practical, personal, and ethical factors that vary from individual to individual.

image: chicory coffee in glass coffee cup beside chicory plant and dish of roasted, ground chicory root

How to Make Chicory Coffee: A Simple Guide to A Tasty Alternative to Coffee

Chicory is a natural addition to a prepper’s holistic survival plan. The root of the chicory plant can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute, providing a caffeine-free alternative that can be stored for long periods of time. Chicory leaves are also edible and can be added to salads or cooked as a vegetable.

Additionally, chicory has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments, including digestive issues, liver problems, and inflammation. With its versatility and health benefits, chicory is a smart choice for preppers looking to stock up on essential supplies.

image: woman in white shirt with blue bandana around neck applying makeshift splint to foot

How Volunteering Can Help You Be A Better Prepper

Volunteering can be a valuable addition to your prepping plan. It helps you develop crucial skills, build a network of like-minded individuals, and improve your overall preparedness for emergencies. You’ll also learn how to work effectively under pressure, develop your problem-solving skills, and gain experience in a variety of situations that can prepare you for unexpected events.

image: woman holding up hand against threat to self-reliance

12 Ways Your Beliefs Threaten Your Ability to be Self-Reliant

Our beliefs play a significant role in shaping our attitudes and actions toward self-reliance. By acknowledging the ways in which they can hinder our ability to be self-sufficient, we can work towards breaking free from limiting thoughts and embracing a mindset that supports our goals. By examining our beliefs and making intentional changes, we can cultivate the self-reliance that will serve us well in all aspects of life.

image: hands kneading dough to make bread from homemade yeast on floured surface

Using DIY Yeast to Make Bread: Tips for Best Results

Making bread from homemade yeast is a bit of science and a bit of art. The more loaves you make and the more recipes you try, the better the results will be. Be sure to have some butter (never margarine!!) on hand and maybe even a jar of honey. Once you get the hang of it, though, you’ll never have to worry when the world runs out of yeast for no good reason. These tips will help you successfully make a delicious loaf of bread from DIY yeast!

image: cabin in the woods for off grid living

Off-Grid Living: A Comprehensive Guide to the Skills Needed for Survival

Off-grid living is an attractive option for those who wish to live sustainably, be self-sufficient, and reduce their dependence on traditional systems. From sourcing and storing water, to generating and storing power, to maintaining proper hygiene and handling illness, there are many things to consider when living off-grid. However, with the right skills, knowledge, and mindset, it is possible to successfully implement an off-grid lifestyle and live with more self-reliance.

image: woman with curly hair with pointer finger to her lips shushing about stealth prepping and prepping under the radar

Stealth Prepping: Preparing for the Worst without Raising Suspicion

Guerrilla prepping is all about learning survival skills and becoming fully prepped, all while staying under the radar. Unless you like the idea of being an obvious prepper and possible target, start thinking about how you might incorporate this concept into your own life and prepping. To help you get started, everything on this list doubles as a “fad” AND an important survival skill, but not one eyebrow will be raised when you sign up for a class, buy necessary supplies, or start checking out related books at the library.

image: woman in white shirt holding pillow over her ears ignores common sense

Why Do People Ignore Common Sense in a Crisis?

Since this article was first written in 2019, we’ve had a pandemic, more hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and most recently, the winter storm that locked most of the U.S. in killing-cold temperatures and conditions. Still, this question remains: Why do people ignore common sense in a crisis, especially when they are forewarned of its severity?

image: variety of light sources with batteries on table illustrating two is one, one is none concept

Understanding the Two is One, One is None Concept

We preppers love acronyms and catchphrases, don’t we? Store what you eat, eat what you store is a popular one. TEOTWAWKI stands for The End Of The World As We Know It, of course. I’m not sure why this stuff is so popular other than it might make you feel like you’re part of the club when you learn the meaning behind those letters and sayings. One very popular catchphrase is, “Two is one, one is none.”

image: man in black leather jacket looking around corner at three young women, two of whom are aware of him

Safety for Women: Useful Tips to Improve Street Smarts & Avoid Violence

30 percent of women globally have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. Safety for women should be everyone’s job but you can’t count on that. If you’re a woman, you could be a target someday, but you don’t have to be a victim. Learn some of the same skills used and taught at the CIA to improve your street smarts and avoid violence.