To keep eating healthy throughout the year, you need to preserve most of your crop for later. Freezing works, but what if power outages become a problem? Even a few hours without electricity can ruin everything stored in the freezer. That’s why canning is the go-to solution—it’s reliable and something every homesteader should know.

Canning isn’t complicated and doesn’t require much gear. With the right jars, lids, and a way to boil water, you’re ready to start. However, it does call for careful attention. If you’re not precise, the food can spoil in the jar—or even become dangerous.

Principles of Canning

Food goes bad because oxygen breaks down its nutrients and microorganisms start feeding on it. Canning preserves food by keeping it safe from both of these threats. When food is sealed inside the jar, while oxygen and microorganisms stay outside, it can’t spoil—at least that’s the idea.

But it’s a bit more complicated than just getting a tight seal on the jar lid. There’s always some air trapped inside, and if there’s too much, it can spoil the food before the oxygen is used up. Excess air also allows bacteria or mold to grow. That’s why getting as much air out of your jars as you can is so important.

However, this effort to remove oxygen can introduce a serious risk. Most bacteria can’t thrive without enough oxygen, but some thrive in low-oxygen environments. Some of these bacteria are harmless, others might cause a mild illness, but one in particular is extremely dangerous—and it grows fast in improperly canned food.

Related: Dutch Oven Recipes Cowboys Survived On

This bacteria is called Clostridium botulinum. It’s commonly found in soil worldwide, so most vegetables encounter it during growth. Typically, it’s harmless because it stays dormant when there’s more than about two percent oxygen. But in low-oxygen conditions, it quickly starts to multiply—and releases a deadly neurotoxin. The toxin, commonly known as botox, is used in tiny amounts for wrinkle treatments, but it’s also incredibly dangerous.

Botox is the most potent poison known, far deadlier than cyanide, rattlesnake venom, or nerve agents. Just an ounce can kill 175,000 people—a tiny amount in a contaminated jar of food is enough to be fatal.

Properly canned food is safe from botulism, but if you get it wrong, you’re taking a big risk. Unless you follow the right steps, eventually you might open a jar teeming with C. botulinum. If you catch it in time and can get to a hospital, it can be treated—but if you’re living off-grid, it could be fatal.

When you rely on yourself, the only protection against botulism is to can your food the right way and stop the bacteria from taking hold. Here’s how to avoid these deadly mistakes:

Canning Bacteria

The fewer bacteria that go into the jar with your fruits or vegetables, the lower your risk of a dangerous infection. This means it’s crucial to thoroughly clean your produce before canning. Anything that grows above ground should be washed really well, while root veggies that have been in direct contact with soil might not be safe even after scrubbing.

It’s better to peel these to remove any lingering dirt and bacteria. Tomatoes should be peeled too. Blanching your produce can also help kill more bacteria for extra safety.

Related: Pioneer Recipes Every Homesteader Should Learn

After getting your produce clean, be careful not to let it get contaminated again. Jars, lids, and any utensils you use need to be sterilized. Regular kitchen cleaning isn’t good enough for canning.

When you cook dinner, a few bacteria here or there won’t matter because they don’t have time to multiply. However, with canned food that will sit for months or years, even a tiny number of microbes can grow into a huge problem by the time you open the jar.

Forgetting the Acid

C. botulinum thrives in low-acid environments, so acidity can slow or even kill the bacteria. Unfortunately, most vegetables that homesteaders like to can are low in acid, making them more prone to botulinum growth. Tomatoes are a bit of an exception, but you should avoid canning low-acid tomato varieties. For other vegetables, adding some acid like vinegar or lemon juice can help boost safety and even improve flavor. You don’t need to pickle everything, but bringing the pH of the liquid below 4.6 makes a big difference.

Fruits generally have a higher acid content than veggies (except for bananas and certain apple or pear varieties). This doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of botulism, but it does help lower it.

Keeping it Cool

Heat is a reliable way to kill bacteria, including C. botulinum, as long as you reach a high enough temperature for the right amount of time. For acidic foods like fruits and tomatoes, boiling water is generally safe since the botulism risk is already low. This also applies to other vegetables that have had acid added.

However, boiling isn’t enough for low-acid foods. When canning meat or low-acid veggies, the only safe way is to heat them to at least 240°F, which requires a pressure canner. For off-grid canning, a USDA-approved pressure cooker can be used, as it boils water at 250°F for a safe margin.

Bad Seals

Always check the seal on each jar before storing. Press down on metal lids with your finger; if it pops or moves, it’s not properly sealed. For jars with screw band lids, take off the band and gently pull on the lid. If it’s sealed, it will stay put; if it comes off, refrigerate the food or eat it immediately.

Sloppy Storage

Storing your canned food properly is key to keeping it safe and lasting longer. Clear glass jars let in light, which can discolor canned foods and make them less appealing. To avoid this, store your jars in a dark place or at least away from direct sunlight.

Choose a cool spot too. While heat is necessary during canning, it can ruin sealed jars. Temperatures above 75°F can make veggies mushy and boost microorganism growth.

Also, keep things dry. While glass won’t be affected by dampness, lids and screw bands can rust. Rusty lids may start letting in air, which can allow bacteria and molds to spoil the food and make it unsafe to eat.

Forgetting to Check

Before eating canned food, inspect the jar thoroughly. Check for cracks, bulges, leaks, or any discoloration. If you notice anything unusual, toss it out. When you open the jar, you should hear a rush of air as the vacuum seal breaks. If you don’t, the seal may have failed, making it unsafe to eat. Be cautious of any jars that spurt liquid or foam when opened.

Mold inside the jar is a red flag. It means the jar either leaked or wasn’t properly sterilized, signaling possible bacterial growth. If you see mold, throw the food away.

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The post Deadly Canning Mistakes You Probably Make first appeared on Self Sufficient Projects.

You can throw away your water supplies!

No matter how much water you store, you’ll never have enough. Plus, you’ll make a lot of room in your storehouse for other things.

The newly invented H2O Dynamo occupies a small space and produces an unlimited supply of fresh, clean water, every day! NOT by filtering or desalinizing water that you already have… but PRODUCING water from air!

Pretty Awesome! Here’s how it works:

This innovative technology is inspired from the Israeli Army, who uses it to make water in the desert. This device is based on a simple condensation principle:

It takes the humidity out of the air and transforms it into water… It then filters it and there you go: your unlimited water source.

The device used by the Israeli Army (made by Water-Gen) produces around 50 gallons/day of fresh water.

Chairmen and co-CEO at Water-Gen, Arye Kohavi, says that:

“water transportation is one of the most common reasons for the departure of convoys. These convoys are attacked and have casualties (…) if we can produce the water to the exact point where it is consumed, we spare the need to transport water and reduce the risk and expenses.”

And you know what? He’s right! When the SHTF or in a crisis, I don’t want to have to get out of my house, my hideout or my bag out location to find fresh water. Without food I can last for a few weeks (4-7), but water is something I have to constantly search for.

H2O Dynamo – A Device for Homeowners and Preppers

First of all, the H2O Dynamo is something most of us can afford (to simply make at home) … compared to the technology used by the Israeli Army which costs a few thousand dollars.

Second, the H2O Dynamo is adapted for home and emergency usage. It occupies only a small space of your room, and it truly gives you (and your family) water independency!

More so, economically, it is really good investment! You can use the H2O Dynamo to produce your daily fresh water, if you want. Just think about the amount of money you spend on water now…

The average American drinks 180 gallons of bottled water per year… so most of us spend a few hundred dollars (per year) only on drinkable water.

The H2O Dynamo produces up to 10 gallons of fresh, pure and clean water per day, enough for 3-4 families. So, if you want… you can associate with your neighbor or a friend to buy or make one.

Here is the video that explains why you should consider making a H2O Dynamo, how it was first build and how you can get the step by step DIY video guide.

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The post H2O Dynamo – This Awesome Device Turns Air Into Fresh Water first appeared on Self Sufficient Projects.

For a very long time I’ve been looking for a seed kit to start a small medicinal garden in my backyard. I’m no spring chicken anymore and as health problems started to creep up, I knew some old-fashioned natural remedies could help.

The problem was I never have the time or energy to go out foraging for the plants needed to make them.

So, I decided to grow my own remedies, on a small plot, no bigger than 10 by 3 feet in total.

Unfortunately, most of the seed kits I found online were either lacking the right plants or they took up a lot more space than I had available in my backyard. I was looking for something more complete that I could use not just for one condition, like a headache or an upset stomach but for everything else too like: Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, etc.

This one, was just right and I very much liked that is created by an experienced herbalist – Dr. Nicole Apelian.

It’s true that it’s a little bit more expensive compared to the others, but still compared with the money we spend on pills, it’s next to nothing. When I go buy one drug and pay $70 or even $80 dollars I usually don’t think twice. You can probably relate…and that’s just for treating a single condition!

This kit contains thousands of seeds to grow 10 plants that cover a senior like me for almost every medical need: painkillers, stopping bleeding, sleeping aid, stomach relief, allergies, rheumatism, anti-inflammatory, prostate and bladder, anti-viral and immunity booster and of course a blood sugar controller for Diabetes.

I also believe it’s equally important that all these seeds come from the US.

What that tells me is that the plants they make will be much better adapted to the soil and the climate in my own backyard. And the one in yours too!

A while back I made the mistake of buying one of those popular seeds kits off Amazon only to find out every seed was coming from China. Needless to say, the results were terribly disappointing and all I got was “dwarf plants”… and others didn’t even sprout at all!

My medicinal kit arrived a few short days after ordering it, which was a welcome surprise. I’m used to things taking a lot longer to get here, as I don’t exactly live in the middle of the city – on the contrary.

Here’s what it looked like once I opened it and laid everything out.

The first thing I noticed was that every seed pack came with specific planting instructions on it. So, I would not have to search online for the instructions. Phew, that was a relief!

What caught my eye next was the had included a medicinal guide, to help me turn these backyard plants into powerful remedies.

So, basically, I could go from plant to remedy just using what was inside the kit.

As the weather was fine outside, I grabbed a shovel, took with me the Medicinal Garden Kit, and headed into the backyard to start planting my own natural pharmacy.

So, here’s what the seeds look like after a few weeks in the ground, water and plenty of sunlight.

Most of them germinated into a medicinal plant that would offer me and my family relief. Even the moringa tree had taken hold and growing faster than I had expected. I started using it to manage my blood sugar.

I was actually surprised at how good my new medicinal plants looked. Here’s a closer look:

Before long I began to harvest the plants… making sure I don’t take too much and upset the natural balance.

Over the next couple of weeks, using the medicinal guide that came with the kit I started to make my own tinctures and other natural remedies that I had not even heard about before.

To be honest they are not at all hard to make.

But the best part is not that I now have an alternative in my medicine cabinet. What surprised me the most is that I could safely cut back on my pill use with no ill effects.

The plants were doing their job… and my body responded with more energy and less “foggy-head” days.

My wife is using our new medicinal garden to deal with some nagging joint and hip pain she’s been getting lately.

All in all, I’m very happy with The Medicinal Garden Kit. It’s everything I was looking for and more.

Over the next couple of weeks, using the medicinal guide that came with the kit I started to make my own tinctures and other natural remedies that I had not even heard about before like salves and poultices.

To be honest they are not at all hard to make.

But the best part is not that I now have some alternatives in my medicine cabinet. What surprised me the most is that I could safely cut back on some of the pills my doctor had prescribed with no ill effects.

The plants were doing their job… and my body responded with more energy and less “foggy-head” days.

My wife is already using our new medicinal garden to deal with some nagging joint and hip pain she’s been getting lately.

All in all, I’m satisfied with The Medicinal Garden Kit. It’s what I was looking for all this time. Sure, you could have more seeds, more plants, and a bigger garden, but in the end this kit works just fine for my needs and tending to 10 plants is not time consuming at all for the many health benefits they bring.

You can check out The Medicinal Garden Kit here.

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The post A Medicinal Garden Kit For Starting A Small Backyard Pharmacy first appeared on Self Sufficient Projects.

This is no difference in a survival situation. The blade is by far the most important tool in your kit. I would argue its only rival would be a powerful water filter. Still, with a knife you can create a filter from various materials yet with a water filter you cannot create a knife. Let’s move on.

Tools

1. Wet Stone

In order to sharpen any blade you are going to need something that will work the edges of the blade back to a sharpened edge. The wet stone provides you with a smooth surface that will slowly wear down each side of the blade until your edge is sharpened.

When buying a water stone (must be kept 40 min in water before), look for a large one, at least 2.5 inches wide by 8 inches long, and an inch in thickness. I recommend keeping two stones in your kit. One with a medium grit (around 800 or so) to perform major sharpening jobs, and one with a fine grit (at least 2,000) to tune the edge to a razor-sharp finish.

Related: 26 Necessary Tools For Off-Grid Living

2. Honing Steel

The honing steel a powerful tool that with align and hone the blade on a knife. In many cases knife that is not performing well can be brought back to life with several swipes on a honing steel rather than shaving away at the metal to create a new blade.

A tool that is used more often in kitchens it’s a powerful and effective means to keeping a strong blade.

The Method:

#Step 1

Your first step is getting an idea about what your blade needs. When I am going to sharpen a blade I first take a look at the knife as a whole to decide how it will best be held, what is the shape of the blade and how best to attack the problem.

#Step 2

Some blades curve some blades are more flat and all of this will dictate how you sharpen the blade. You will need to make sure that your movements on the stone touch each part of the blade. If you aren’t careful you could wind up with a blade that is razor sharp at one end and dull at the other.

#Step 3

Lay out a towel or something that will hold stone in place so it doesn’t shift as you begin to run the knife blade across it.

#Step 4

Now before we even start to sharpen a blade I run it across the sharpening steel in a descending manner on both sides. Hold the knife at a 45 degree angle to the blade. I start with 3 swipes on each side of the blade and decrease down to 2 and then finally one swipe on each side. From doing this you will either find the blade has been realigned and is much sharper or its still dull. If your knife doesn’t spring back to life than its time to sharpen it.

#Step 5

Run the blade across the stone in a perpendicular direction to the stone itself. Start with the widest part of the blade and work your way up to the point sliding forward and sliding back.

The first factor effecting edge sharpness is the angle it is sharpened. The lower the angle, the sharper the blade becomes.

However, the lower the angle, the weaker the edge becomes. A 22.5° should be perfect in most cases (see picture). But when choosing the angle you may take into consideration the hardness of the steel.

#Step 6

After three trips up and back on the stone it is time to do the other side. Leaving the stone stationery you need to flip your knife over keeping the blade facing away from you. And continue with the same method.

#Step 7

At this point use the honing steel with the method used above before sharpening the blade.

#Step 8

If the blade is razor sharp than you are good to go! If its still dull repeat steps 6 and 7 until your blade is fully sharpened.

If you are dealing with a blade that is well worn you may need to utilize another method first before taking the gentle approach. This is a tactic I learned from a Belgian chef. I had an old chef knife that followed me through several endeavors and it had been worn down pretty well.

This chef ran the knife blade parallel with the stone and did so about 20-25 hard strokes on each side before checking the blade and going back. This old man literally created a new blade on my knife using the stone and I was very impressed. Now it didn’t look pretty but that knife was brought back to life and I still use it some 10 years later.

Sometimes it helps to cover the edge with permanent marker so you can see where you’re removing steel. Here you can see that you’re holding too high of an angle to match the angle already on the knife. Notice the marker is removed from the edge but not the top of the secondary edge. Lower your angle slightly and check again. The opposite problem: too shallow of an angle.

Fine Tuning

The final tool in the sharpening process is the leather. You can use a plain old leather belt. Basically you’re going to be doing the same thing barbers used to do with the razors.

The leather polishes those little microscopic teeth off, so you end up with an edge just like glass.

The angle does not matter that much as long as you use pressure, because the leather is really slick.

Notice that you are not dragging the edge across the leather as before… that would probably cut your belt up.

How to Test Your Knife’s Sharpness

First of all “normal sharp” depends on the use of a tool. Normal sharp:

For a kitchen knife – should be able to cut vegetables with almost no downward pressure.
For a woodworking tool – the tool should cut wood fibers cleanly without leaving marks or crushing the wood fibers.
On a fillet or skinning knife – it should be able to cut very quickly without having to saw through the meat.

But a Survival Knife has to pass all these tests.

If you really want to test your survival knife, you have to get down to fine-tuned levels of sharpness. And here are two tests you can use:

• Take a piece of paper and hold it vertically. If you try to cut it with a dull knife, the paper will crumple beneath the knife. A sharp knife will cut it cleanly when use a slicing motion to cut through the paper. A razor sharp knife can cut the paper cleanly by just pressing down on the edge of paper without any slicing at all.

• Another test is to shave the hair on your arms. A dull or even moderately sharp knife will just fold over your arm hairs without cutting. A well sharpened knife will cut almost all of the hairs in one pass. A “devil” sharp knife will cut all the hairs in its path. This level of sharpness can only be attained using the finest tools.

Moreover, I beg you to invest in a honing steel and utilize this powerful tool before rushing right into sharpening an edge. I have brought dull knives back from the dead by merely honing that blade. This will save you time and money which can both be invested elsewhere.

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The post How To Make Your Knife As Sharp As The Devil Himself first appeared on Self Sufficient Projects.