The Real Dirt About Gardening For Survival

  I know the 'survival' mindset is very popular right now. There's always a new threat of earthquakes, pandemic, flooding, wild fires, food shortages and so on. *As stated in another blog post below, (You're Staring Famine in the Face), less than 1% of America's working population is in farming, fishery or forestry. So, I would like to take a minute to pass on some knowledge to the folks who are not avid gardeners, but may find themselves in a disaster or other scenario where it could be a needed skill. You need to be doing it now, to know how to do it later! Should a disaster such as an earthquake or other event ever occur, your mind, body and resources will be pushed yet limited to what they are accustomed to dealing with normally. If you do not normally make your self garden, weed, problem solve for bugs, understand soil needs, ect...you will be even less able to cope in a 'survival' type situation because of stress and scarce resources. In short, practice makes perfect. You need to practice these skills now, before you regret it.

  Let me share with you the attitude of the proud, those who will starve in a survival situation. A few years ago, I attended church with a pretty wealthy family who's kids really liked my garden and decided to put their own together the following year. The parents, being accustomed to having everything they ever needed at the drop of a hat, wouldn't even help the kids except to till the ground. I asked the Dad what he would do, not having any skills in that area, if a crisis or survival situation actually called for him to provide for his family with his own two hands. To my surprise he says to me "how hard can it be to throw some seeds out there ?" Well, my first thought (after choking on his prideful attitude) was obviously, you wouldn't know. My vocal answer to him was this, "If you think you can sit on some stock of seeds and just get out there when your hungry, and think your going to have the know how to deal with issues or over come the learning curve required to get food on the table, you're going to go hungry." It takes years of practice to learn to do anything well. No matter your career, interest, hobby, or sport. Even seasoned farmers and gardeners will tell you it's a game every year. The skills needed to know how to react and knowing what to do for certain things like diseases or bugs, need to be gained years before you actually have to do it for provision. Read the book before you take the test. Don't think seeds will just grow themselves, that is the gardeners job, as God said, "He put man in the garden to tend and keep it". And believe me it takes a lot of tending and keeping, even for a small garden.

 Above we're filling up the kids wagon to haul to the garden. It takes a few trips on the day we plant tomatoes. We grow some in every color, this makes it super fun for teaching the kids about an agrarian life style and how important these skills are. They will always remember purple and orange tomatoes. :)

  The next topic I want to share is size or the amount of land required to produce the proper amount of food needed. You cannot grow 2 tons of food on a .25 acre lot. Sorry to bust your bubble, it ain't going to happen. I've tried. To my disappointment, it's a joke. Make sure that you can grow things on a large enough scale to actually feed your family. Most big producers will not fit into a raised bed. Reserve the beds for small fruits like strawberries, lettuce, spinach, squash, and some bushy plants if needing to save space. In a real survival situation you will need room to grow hearty things like corn, potatoes, beans, peas, and such. Listen to people who have lived through a war or famine. It's all those type crops that got them through. A few raised beds will NOT keep you fed. Unless you are very diligent about succession planting, have a green house for winter and can eat greens everyday. There are ways to do it smaller, with a green house but that is going to require a lot of work and energy. So get busy figuring it out now. You cannot do the big producers and hearty things successfully in raised beds and get very much food.

  You can do some of these things in a large green house in winter. I know an Amish man that rotates his poultry and early spring growing in a huge green house and that works, but farming is his full time job.  Maybe you should consider getting one if your budget will allow. To feed a family of even just four, most of the year, your going to need at least 1/3 to 1/2 an acre garden. And you'll still need to succession plant. Keeping up with a garden is a rewarding way to live, but like the Amish friend told my husband once..."there's only so much time in a day." So decide to get proactive now rather than later to figure out what works for you. The people who can pull a rabbit out of the hat, garden for 50 all year on .25 an acre or less, are full time gardeners with nothing else going on, with paid help and that IS their full time job. For most people it isn't realistic. If doing fruit trees or fruit, you'll need more space or try edible landscaping. They do not go into that figure of 1/2 acre for a family of four. They are extra and need their own space.
  I know how frustrating it can be to spend so much time trying to get enough food to make it worth my time, only to end up with a few cobs of corn, a few melons, a few tomatoes, and a few peppers at the end. That was when I did it on .25 acre lot. Now, I don't even play. My kids and I grow a full acre garden of veggies with no problem every year. I learned to throw out the books, roll up my sleeves and figure it out my self. Some books are helpful, like seed saving books, but sometimes sweat gives you better results. For more production try the oldies but goodies, the big producers are those row crops mentioned below. Look at these crops for the most bang for your time and money.
  *We must have caught someone's eye, because the helicopters searching for weed, fly over us often. I guess one lady and a bunch a kids growing an acre garden is really something suspicious. Lol...I've learned to just ignore it. The kids think it's cool. :(

 

 

Those cups are our tomatoes, we plant around 200-300 each year. Everyone joins in and we haul them and plant them together. I thank God for these times with the children.

  We haul in some of the strangest things. We grow fancy melons, cucumbers and things that produce well. If it can't hang with our heat, it's gone. It must be a good producer or it's not worth our time. Go for quality row crops and quit wasting your time with things that don't produce as much. To try it out, till up the whole yard if needed, I did when we lived in the suburbs. Our entire back yard had to be sodded when we moved. I grew corn and peas right in our little back yard. It was one good way I could get what I wanted out of the garden. Maybe you could invest in a piece of land or rent a place where you can grow row crops that will yield more than what you could ever eat. Beans, peas, melons, and squash/zuccinini, corn, okra, potatoes, sweet potaoes and all the things old timers grew are the best producers. They were doing it well before all these new fangled ways became popular, and they were getting enough food to eat. In other words, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Row crops are your staples and usually your items that give you more nutrients as well. But you MUST get varieties that are good for your climate and soil. Your local co-op and other farmers around you will be one of the best places to look for those items that will be of real use. What do the locals consistently grow with success? Around here it's G-90 or Silver Queen sweet corn. I tried for years, wasting much time and money on other 'better' varieties. Heirloom corn cannot keep up here and it's a total waste of our time and money. Just to be let down. Finally I gave in and now grow either one of those two, and have an abundance each year. What a waste, to spend your time and money on something unproductive when all you need to do is ask around and give it a try.

  We grow an heirloom variety of purple okra that is found at the local farm supply for a very cheap price. We grow it because 1-it's navite here and grows well, 2- seeds are very reasonable to buy locally on a large scale and 3- it's a good producer.  The co-op seeds are also tons cheaper than these fancy seed catalogs. I do grow the fancy stuff, we have a tomato in every color of the rainbow. We have orange water melons and even a white cucumber. It took years of trying to see what would and would not work well in our soil, climate and garden. The local co-op seeds are usually native to the area and do better than seeds from other places. We also know how to bring in the bacon, by sticking to some row crop staples that don't go out of style, like purple hull peas and green beans. By growing these in large quantities we feel our time is worth the effort. If you've spent lots of money on heirloom seeds that will not survive your climate, or produce little to nothing, you will starve.

  If it comes from similar climates, in another country, it might work as well. One of the best buys I ever made was on winter squash seeds from a Guatemalan Blue Squash. It is the only winter squash that can take our heat and humidity in Mississippi and still be very productive. Even though, all the seed catalogs have Watham Butternut as a favorite, but ours always bombed. Nothing but a couple of raggedy little squash for all my time and work. It's better suited for the north and cannot hang with the southern heat. The squash from Guatemala, however, is an awesome producer here. I am always shocked at how much we get off of one 30ft trellis. Below is a medium sized one. They get huge and put out loads of squash. It's worth my time to get that food. I wouldn't know this if I had not been actively trying to figure out these things, before it could be a needed skill. And though I hope the grocery store is always an option, if anything happens we can do it.

 

  You need to make sure you have enough seeds to do the job. Buying from the co-op makes this affordable. Buying from an expensive seed supplier does not cut it if you need seeds by the pound. Johnnyseeds.com  is a good one for online bulk purchases of seeds. I ALWAYS plant more than what I need, and end up glad I did. I garden with kids and critters with two and four legs around me all day. There is no planning for some of the unreal things that happen around here. So whether it is a natural disaster like a storm or the dogs chasing a rabbit through my beans, I plan for that by planting twice as much as I wanted to get, so I at least get what I needed to get in the first place. In raised beds, row crops or in seed starting, this has saved our food every year in some way.
  Also go into it easy and if the soil has never been worked, don't be ashamed of using a chemical fertilizer just to get started. We did then have weaned ourselves into an organic approach on most things by using our animals manure and other composted material. *Lime for the soil is all natural and most soils need to be tested to see if you need it.

  There we're loading up the corn from a good pickin'. Dogs are a great investment. Not only do they keep away would be thieves, they also keep away varmints that will kill a good crop. Rabbits, coon, deer, you name it...our dogs are our first line of defense in protecting our food supply.    
  Last but not least, humble yourself before it's too late. Make friends with the older folks around you and there is a free flowing well of knowledge right at your finger tips. If you are not actively gardening, take a class or get with someone who is to get you started now! You will need these people as a life line of support as well as learning from them or to trade with in a disaster situation. In bad times, if you are a stranger, they will have nothing to do with you because you will be a threat to them and their food supply. A friend/pastor to third world countries once told me, morals go out the door when you're hungry. People who are normally upright and kind will be killing for food. And those who have it will also be doing the same to protect it. Do NOT think these folks who bust their butts and sweat for a living will befriend you then. Try to form relationships with those in your neighborhood or area of survival now. People who do not know you will laugh at you or 'worse' in a crisis situation. They have their own families and lives to watch out for, you are a stranger and if you intend to make it through, you should have been doing what they were doing years ago. Community needs to be formed way ahead of a crisis. Building trust is as important as building a storm shelter. Your work ethic and skills should speak for you. Hard working folks will only look at deeds not words. "New comers are not to be trusted", is an unwritten rule in the country. Most of the time it's true. We live in a small community off of the interstate, and new comers are usually trafficking drugs up to other states. Everyone keeps a close eye on newcomers here, because they often mean trouble for small towns or very rural areas. In a crisis, you don't need others being leery of you, when everyone is high strung and motives will be questioned.
  You probably will also need to depend on animals at some point and starting now will give you an understanding of there needs such as food, shelter, pests and diseases. So start evaluating what you can do now rather than later for this learning to begin. We began our homesteading in the suburbs about 14 years ago. We had chickens and bunnies right in the suburbs. Do whatever you can, where you are now.

Seriously, I make it a point to befriend old folks. Especially old timers that know how to farm, garden, bee keep and just survive. It's always a treat to have one old timer or another stop by to check in on me, my family and offer garden tips. We chew the fat and carry on about farm stuff and local gossip. My bee man is near ninety years old (he won't tell me for sure) and he still brings me goodies and offers tips that help me in some way every time he comes by. Thank God my husband isn't the jealous type, because I've got a lot of old timers for miles to help me when I need it. They know I want to learn, and they love that a younger person has time for them and wants their knowledge. There's a different older man almost daily coming by to check in on my projects and offer wisdom. They love sharing wisdom and our family is loving the learning we get to do and friendships we have made. One near and dear to us passed away a year ago, but right up to his death, he taught me things. This man was near ninety as well, and went out and wild harvested some Sassafras root for me, so I could have Sassafras tea like he had growing up. I already knew what it was, but I thanked him and came home to make my tea, because he cared enough to take the time to dig it for me. Sassafras was the original base for Root Beer. It's slightly spicy and good served warm with honey. It was a major staple crop for colonial Americans to sell to England.

   Sometimes the bush hog is the best way to haul it! If you get a bumper crop, take the kids to a local farmer's market or gas station and sell out of the truck. We do this sometimes and the kids make a little pocket money for their time and effort. They get to keep the money for whatever is sold.

   Lesson, be sure to invest your time learning now, because when you need it, you'll have the proper skills. If it's ever a game changer and you have to do it for survival, you cannot afford to be unskilled, unlearned and out of shape. I hope you found this helpful. Now I'm going to pick my okry and sweat for a while. :) *I'll be teaching a class on Basic Soap Making With or Without Electricity at the National Preppers & Suvivalists Expo in Baton Rouge, March 4-5th 2017! Check it out at NPSexpo.com Make plans now to attend!

Two things old timers knew, that you must know about wound care.

  I am going to share with you two things old timers knew, that you must know about wound care, especially if the patient is healing outside.

  The wounds of a person or animal all will be effected greatly be these two things. If you are not able to see a doctor or get to an air conditioned facility such as a hospital, these two things could save your life. You need to know them. I was taught by old timers to pay attention to these two very important things, so I hope you listen up. You may need the knowledge one day. I am so glad I knew what to look for when I needed it.

  Two days ago my daughter was riding her beloved pony. She isn't allowed to ride near the cows, but they weren't around when she went out to ride. I guess she thought they weren't around, so all would be fine. They had come into the front pasture where she was later on. The pony usually scares them off and they normally hang out in different pastures anyway. Thank God the faithful dog went with her. My husband had gone out to check on things and the dog’s actions alerted my husband that something wasn’t right. In the blink of an eye, the bull charged at the pair (pony and daughter) and the pony took a life saving blow for our daughter. Who, by the way, got some pretty good licks in on that bull with a riding crop. Between her blows and the dog, the bull lost. All this happened in a blink of an eye and before we knew what had happened. My husband, who was about 200 ft away was unable to stop it, though he ran to her rescue, it was over as quickly as it started. The scene ended with only a wounded pony and one ticked off 10yr. old. Don’t mess with country girls or their horses! God smiled down on us and our daughter wasn’t hurt, but we had to act fast to help the pony who had been gored pretty bad. Here’s the two things you should know that could mean life or death for you, your family/friends or your animals if someone is wounded and you cannot get medical help. This will specifically address wounds that must be treated and healed outside.

   You can see in the pictures the shoulder wound and in the top one, a ligament is hanging out. It was so deep it required three different layers of stiches. Below you can see how little blood there was as vet shaves area for stitches.

 

  1- Know the weather and protect from bugs! The weather is a major contributor for germs, pests and/or disease. We are in the thick of Mississippi and it’s August. What do you think is my first priority in wound care, besides cleaning? Bugs! Yes, flies and horse flies are going to lay eggs as soon as they can, and maggots will be all in the wound to take up residence. Even ticks will try to get a spot in an open wound. So after cleaning with (YES) peroxide once and iodine, we then pour Neem Oil right into the wound. You can pour around it if you do not feel comfortable to use on the wound. It burns like hell, but gets the job done. This oil is known world wide for repelling pests (very popular Egyptian remedy for lice) and it can actually stop the tissue from profusely bleeding by just slightly

cauterizing the tissue. It isn’t as good as clotting cloths or other remedies. It is more for bug repellent and is what we use in our garden. Old timers knew one thing you should never do in summer was to dehorn or do any other things that would open an animal up for pests in summer. With humidity and bugs, you have nothing more than a test tube for infection. You could also use Cedarwood Essential Oil . Always address this (bugs) when dealing with a wound that is going to be exposed to the outside elements in summer.  On people or animals you should also consider whether or not to cover. This is up to you. Some wounds are much better left open especially if it is humid outside. Sweat will not be your friend if the wound is covered. If it’s summer, treat for pests and consider leaving open to heal. Winter is a much better time to deal with animals and wounds if the patient will be healing outside in the elements. No bugs, less humidity, less warmth for infection to grow in. *You must reapply this or another bug repellent daily to keep the pests away. This is just as important as your daily antibiotics for an outside healing wound. Pests can be a source of infection and are just as important to fight off in summer as germs.

  Below the pony is shaved up and ready for stitches. But where's the blood? Just a drip here or there. Shouldn't it be oozing or gushing out?

 

  We called the vet because we could (amazingly) see very clearly right into the wound. It was a very deep gore that went into the shoulder and she would most likely need to be stitched up. The cut was about 8 inches long and a few inches deep. So this brings us to our next important topic for knowing how to treat wounds outside.

 

    Above the vet is numbing before stitches. Again notice the lack of blood even in the opened wound. He applied nothing to stop bleeding and neither did we. So what gives?!?!

  2- Know how to handle bleeding by the moon! If it is a planned wound, such as dehorning or a non-emergency surgery you should only do it at the right time. If not, you should know how to handle it. It can be easily judged by the moon. The moon controls the amount of blood or bleeding. God gives us the moon for signs and seasons. The moon phase was in between full and quarter. *Quarter actually looks like it's directly cut in half. This happened when it was much closer to a quarter moon, only two nights away. That kept the bleeding down to nothing. We didn't have to do anything this time for bleeding. A few drops is about all we saw. If the moon had been full she would have bled like a stuffed pig! It’s all about the magnetic pull at certain times. Nothing crazy, it’s based on real science. It’s just the pull of gravity by the moon. Just like the tides. Quarter moon is drawing all things down with greater gravity toward the center of the earth. Most babies (people or animals) are born on or near quarter moons because of this pull down. Those that are giving birth naturally, that is. Give or take a few days, it's almost always near a quarter moon. Since the accident happened on the eighth of August and the quarter moon was August 10th, the blood was almost non-existent. You can see the full, new and quarter moons on a calendar. Or check with moonconnction.com for all the info about the different phases. Full moon is the direct opposite of quarter. When it's a full moon, it pulls things up or out with a greater force and causes bleeding to be much more extreme. This would have meant we would have needed to use clotting clothes or applied pressure with alum powder (the kind used for canning) or even used a wash of white oak bark. That is only done when nothing else is available and with very good straining or you’ll leave dirt in the wound. I have used it on many wounds with success. Any of these three would do the trick, but the wound, being so deep, wound also have been extremely hard to stitch up with much bleeding. Our vet had no problem at all. This was most amazing and helpful because we had to deal with this wound at night. The wound was easily cleaned and stitched up all nice and pretty. *She did have to have antibiotics because it was a HUGE puncture wound. Anytime you are punctured by animals (or anything else really) there is a need for antibiotics because other animals and objects carry germs that can be deadly to us. Hopefully you will not ever need this information, but should you find yourself dealing with wounds on your homestead, with people or animals that will be exposed to the elements, knowing these two things will make a difference in the outcome. Remember to plan *if possible* around the weather and the moon for the best of the patient. In reality, life does not always go as planned. I hope you found this helpful. For more tips, look for our You Tube Channel, Homestead Moma or our website Homesteadmoma.com *For a chance to learn some old time skills, including basic soap making and how to use essential oils & wild herbs...Meet us at the National Preppers & Survivalists Expo in Baton Rouge, LA at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center. March 4-5th, 2017. Hope we can meet you there! See more at NPSexpo.com

Your Coconut Oil Could Be GMO Sourced!

  No lie, someone asked me about a year ago, what I thought about coconut oil. My answer was this, "Someone BIG invested in some coconut growing ventures and now all you'll be told is how healthy they are." I hate to say "I told you so", but, I couldn't have been more spot on. Now just guess who that BIG somebody is? Monsanto! Yep. Seems while everyone is jumping into that huge vat of coconut oil for everything from skin care to diet, Monsanto has been hard at work to 1- Sell you their new investment and 2- Produce this product to be able to contain the pesticides needed to kill the moths and butterflies that eat them or feed their larva. Ummm. Did you get that? Yes, the coconut plant itself contains the pesticide, so when you eat anything made from the plant or coconuts (including the oil) you are eating the killer toxins as well!!!!

  I was really amazed at how many natural food gurus and natural mom type blogs popped up a few years ago touting this amazing oil for everything from a coffee additive to weight loss product. Why this one oil, when there are so many out there that are tons more useful, like raw Shea Butter for natural/organic skin care? It was almost over night that this one item became such the super food. I do not doubt some gurus, moms, and others had good intentions, but I fear some were indeed paid to push these ideas and gain the coconut or coconut oil a spot on everyone's kitchen counter. Yes, something was telling me that much of the hype was a paid for advertisement meant to look grass roots and organic. That's why I DID NOT embrace the 'Coconut Oil' movement to the tenth degree. I NEVER jump for fads, even if 'Healthy Mom's' are pushing it as the best thing since Wonder Bread, and neither should you. In fact, if your not questioning something so big pushed by tons of  popular people, you should question why you aren't. At some point we cannot blame anyone but ourselves for falling of the cliff when we're just waiting our turn in line to do so, at someone else's encouraging. Of course NOT EVERYONE is out to get you or your money, just most people..Lol. Also another thing, I stated before, is how are all these 'healthy moms' and 'gurus' getting an audience of over a million within a year or so of blogging? Not grass roots, it's almost impossible to be reaching that many people right out of the gate. Wake up folks and realize what is real and then compare to what is obviously put up by media groups. I could say more here, but I'll be nice. Just remember the sirens and how the sailors would follow the beautiful music they sang, right to their own destruction. The sailors never knew what was happening until the ship was thrown against the rocks and dashed into a million pieces. The result, everyone was drowned in the sea. To beautiful music no doubt. Something to think about....

  As far as coconut oil, we use it very sparingly in our kitchen and in our business. We use it in a few body care items, but I only buy the Non-GMO project verified type. Look for that label and avoid ALL Coconuts coming from Thailand. These are where the coconuts that have been genetically modified are coming from. Look for the marking above, that clearly states...Non-GMO verified before you buy then die.
  As stated in sources cited below, even desserts are listing it in their ingredients, that the desert indeed does contain GMO coconut oil. So what about when you eat out, eat processed foods, or cannot tell the origin of the products? You could be consuming this GMO coconut oil and the killing toxins it carries. I don't know about you, but I'll pass. You can read more at these links below which are the sources for this article. *Although source 1 states only testing of GMO coconuts is going on, source 2 shows us that it IS being put into foods and is currently listed as an ingredient in some desserts. Like with many other GMO products (such as corn) it's never told to the public that is in the food supply until someone gets sick or dies. Then we find out it could have been from the GMO ingredient. Ask yourself why would they keep it on the DL? Oh that's right...people may choose NOT to eat it if they knew the truth. Hiding things from the public so they cannot make an informed decision should be illegal. In a court of law it is considered concealing evidence. But if you are a BIG guy, I guess it's ok with our law makers.
http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/database/plants/47.coconut.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/054912_GMO_coconut_food_labels_genetic_engineering.html

The Only Thing You'll Ever Need For Lice!

  I have seen and heard lately of the new 'Super Lice' that is resistant to most medication commonly used OTC for effectively ridding a person of lice. Well I'm here to tell you I would never use that OTC stuff anyway. It's too concentrated with toxins and chemicals for me to use on my children or self. I do, however know of an pretty natural remedy that will effectively rid you or your family of lice in a worse case scenario that you got any lice or super lice and couldn't treat it through a doctor or with an OTC.
  I had a friend who fostered children often and just a few years ago, a set of young children came into their home with this super resistant lice. I watched this poor gal try everything (from a distance of course). She went for the OTC stuff, took everyone to the doctor, tried tons of natural or DIY remedies. Then finally she found it! Listerine, yes, that did the trick after about 2 months of battling this horrible super lice, Listerine (you can use the off name brand, but it has to contain the same ingredients) kicked it in the butt. All she did was take each child/person and pour the Listerine on the head completely and wrap in clear plastic wrap daily. Leave on for about an hour and then your free to rinse out. She only had to do this for a few days it was done. You must repeat a few times, for the next week or two to kill any hatched eggs. *I have personally used this on animals with mange and seen quick results.

  What makes this mouth cleaner so effective? Thymol is the number one potent ingredient but there are a few other. Yes, made from Thyme Essential Oil, thymol is the active component and a very effective pesticide/repellent, parasite expectorant and germ fighter. The herb itself is simply not enough to do this, you will need a form of the oil. Either an essential oil or a product that contains it.

  There are a few others in the correct mouth wash that help this fight pests as well as germs so effectively. They are (picture of label above) Menthol, from Peppermint Essential Oil and Eucalyptol from Eucalyptus Essential Oil. Together these are the active ingredients (a power house) that both kill and repel pests and are why the mouth wash is so effective. If you did not have the mouth wash on hand you could combine these three essential oils. Again it's the oils, a very concentrated form of the plant components, not the herb itself that give this remedy its power. However, the mouth wash is much cheaper and I advise keeping a bottle, or two, on hand for an emergency situation. *You can also wash (blend with dog shampoo) or spray animals with this for mange and other pests that may burden your homestead. Put into a spray bottle undiluted to rid chickens of any lice or mites. Spray a few times a day. You will see results within days. Hope you found this post helpful!
Melisa

Take Advantage of Free Food - Bone Broth

  I was blessed to have a cow that we slaughtered here recently, and I specifically asked the butcher for the bones. This is one way to increase your food supply with what most people would call scraps. I call it, nutritious and free, bone broth. This full bodied and highly nutritious food is or close to free for anyone that is willing to take the time to make it. It's super easy and I'll share my recipe with you below. Let me say that although small butchers are just about none existent anymore, you can find some deer processors and other local folks that will be happy to just 'give' you or sell you the extra bones they have let over from deer or other wild game. This is one gold find and like I said before it's basically free food or close to free.
  Almost all cultures around the world have 1- had access to bones to make broth with and 2- considered it a necessary part of the diet. Bone broth often includes the over looked sources of proteins and is a great source of gelatin. These and other animal fats from cooking the bones down are vital building blocks to good health that people do not get in store bought stocks or soups made with the imitation stuff we call bullion. These are nothing compared to real bone broth and the nutrients, we as a society are missing do to industrialism, is just sad to say the least. Dr. Weston Price studied many tribal cultures and the one common denominator in good health was a diet high in animal proteins and fats. For most Americans that isn't affordable, but using this and other ideas we can increase our nutrition and try to gain back what was lost to a sick industrial food supply. Not to mention the teaching you get to do with your family around a pot of bone broth. It is touted as a nutritional super food by doctors studying leaky gut and other digestive issues. It has been shown to be effective at aiding in joint support and possibly reducing pain and inflammation from arthritis. It's been linked to being responsible for healthy skin, hair and nails. In many cultures around the world, it is a priority to teach a good diet from home and specifically which foods are needed to achieve these health benefits. It's vital we too pass these things on to the next generation as well.That really is the best part, if we do not pass on the secrets to vitality then how will our species thrive? It is as important as the broth itself.
  Recipe: First place as many bones as possible into a roasting pan and cover with a small amount of water. Maybe an inch in the bottom of pan. Place in oven to roast uncovered on 350 degrees F for a few hours, you'll know when it's ready. Once bones are good and brown, but not burnt, take out of oven and let stand to cool. Then place enough bones in stock pot to fill up half way.
 

  Then fill pot within a few inches of the top with water. *If you make Magnesium water with prills, use this as well. I do. Next add a few seasonings. I like 1/2 teaspoon of Cumin, 1/2 teaspoon Fenugreek and Peppercorns (ground together), and 2 teaspoons of Sea Salt. Bring pot to a boil, then turn heat to medium and simmer for about 3 to 4 hours. If it boils down below half the pot level, then add a few quarts more water. Once good and thick, pour into quart size canning jars and place a clean lid and ring on them. Then repeat with the same pot of bones. You can do this twice with every stock pot of bones you cook and receive twice the reward of rich thick broth!

  Once you have enough canning jars full, place in pressure canner and can at 10 pounds pressure for 30 minutes. Use these as you would any stock, but they will not be clear. Bone broth is made using bone, marrow, some pieces of fat and cartilage so the result is a thick cloudy stock. It's a much richer broth than a stock most people are used to and even has a stout flavor. It can really add flavor and nutrients to winter soups and stews. You will love having this to warm the heart and body when cooler weather comes!

True Southern Okry!

Did you know this about this southern favorite?

 The name okra...is an African word that means gumbo. It's a product from the slave trade and the proper way to pronounce it is "Okry" you should hear the 'e' on the end, the original word was "Okri". Most people don't know that red (also called purple or burgandy) is the old original southern okra. It gets twice as long and doesn't get hard unless left to over ripe. All the old timers where I live, grew up on the stuff. Sold here as Burgandy. The green shipped better without willting, so became the most common commerical okra and that's why it became popular, but wasn't until after the 1900's. I too grew up on the green, but after researching and talking to all the old folk, and growing it side by side to green, It's all we grow now. It's getting back to our roots, and 10x better okry! Not to mention the anthocyanins that it contains due to the rich color. These are those cancer fighting agents found in dark purple or blue fruits and veggies. They have been proven effective at fighting cancer in both lab and human studies, with a success rate ranging from 50% to 80%. So next garden season, you may want to include this fabulous item in your garden patch. And when you hear an old timer say "okry", don't laugh, they're saying it right! :)

 

 

Super Yum Salsa!

We have been asked by a couple of folks for our homemade, canned salsa recipe, so here it is. You can adjust ingredients as you wish to your own taste. *We grow very colorful tomatoes in all shapes and sizes as well as use colorful peppers. All this will add a pizazz you won't find in store bought (boring) salsa.

 

 Colorful Homemade/ Home Canned Salsa:
12 to 14 Cups of Diced Tomeatoes, Red are good but add Orange, Yellow, Purple if you can for a real flair of color.
2 Cups of ...Peppers (we like Mild) Also the more color here the better. *If using hot peppers to make a spicier salsa, only use about 1/2 cup seeded hot peppers with the other 1 &1/2 Cups of Sweet.
1 &1/2 Cups Cilantro Diced
2 Tablespoons Diced Canned Garlic
1 Onion Diced
1 Pint of Homecanned Tomato sause for extra liquid
10 Tablespoons of Mrs. Wages Salsa Spices 

 Mix all together and put into pints or quarts. Make sure you fill to 1/2 to 1/4 an inch head space only. Too much room could prevent sealing, or cause a false seal. Cap of with clean lids and rings. I boil mine. This should give 7 Quarts or 14 pints.
Next, I place my cans into my pressure canner with water, screw down top and turn eye on high. Once I am sure the body of water is boiling inside due to sound and steam escaping, I set the timer for 30 minutes. So it is inside canner with lid screwed on, but no pressure weight on for the 3timed 30minutes. When timer goes off, I turn of eye and let canner cool down about 10-15 minutes. Then I open and remove jars to let set up and seal. Viola! It's so nice to have home canned salsa and all those memories with those you love.

I hope if anyone tries it, you'll let me know how it turned out. Melisa

The Best Essential Oil on Bug Bites, Cuts, Scrapes and Other Wounds

  Many times we go outside and forget the fact I make an all natural bug repellent that we sell all over the country and yes, we get bit. Sometimes we get bitten in odd places (you know what I mean) and sometimes there are cuts, scrapes or poison ivy we must deal with. After years and years of trying to find an oil that is both effective at stopping burn, itch, and killing germs to fight infection I have finally found the one I believe to be the best. It is Cedarwood Essential Oil, Organic - Atlas. This one oil will not only calm burning, stinging, itching and clean wounds, but it will also work as a very effective bug repellent. It could also conceal you if you were hunting or in the woods and did not want your person scent to be very detectable. It could be used as a great deodorant for men, without having to use an unnatural synthetic that are known to cause cancer. It is also not an oil that will give away your presence, because Cedarwood will blend right into the surroundings. It is what we use indoors for repelling bugs and IT WORKS.

  While we have many essential oils on hand, this one, Cedarwood (Atlas) Organic, has proven to be worth it's weight in gold, in both summer and winter. It's also highly antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial. We are currently using on a rash for my oldest daughter with wonderful results. After trying other creams, this oil seems to be doing way more to both heal skin and kill whatever is causing the problem.
  Have you ever been covered in chiggers? This oil can be applied in small amounts, straight on the skin and you will feel the calming in seconds. It is much more effective than Lavender, even for delicate areas. Yes, I am speaking from personal experience. Funny how Cedar is still used for a natural repellent when building chests for clothes. I think our ancestors and those who lived before us knew a lot more than we do now, and there must have been something to using Cedarwood when it comes to bugs. If you have ever owned a Cedar chest, you know how amazingly effective it is at repelling bugs.
  I would not recommend any pregnant women use. It can be ingested but not by pregnant women. It also must be an Atlas variety only to be ingested. Others are toxic, and cannot be ingested, so know your oils!  It can also be used for allergies. I combine it with Frankincense and other oils to reduce swelling and calm histamines when I have an allergy flair up, which happens often because I am allergic to a lot of things. For bug bites, cuts, poison ivy and scrapes you can rub right onto skin, but if there is a large open wound dilute it a bit. We used on a wound from a mean rooster, after he scraped my daughter's leg. It took care of the burn for her and seemed to kill the germs that could cause infection. We used after we cleaned the wound, but it is highly anti-septic and will also work to clean a wound if needed because nothing else was available. If you were hunting, cutting wood, or fishing and needed an all purpose oil, this would be it. Pests, wounds, poison ivy and calms stings or bites without a heavy scent. To get rid of lice, and or skin mites, simply dilute slightly into a bit of carrier oil and rub into skin or hair. For repelling bugs, rub (diluted) into skin, on clothes or put onto a cotton ball and place it where ever you want pests and rodents to stay away. Another use for getting rid of winter critters (such as spiders that hide) is to place the oil on the cotton balls and put the cotton balls into jacket pockets and into boots. It works on mice and snakes as well. It is my indoor version of moth balls. I hope if you are looking into keeping a natural pest repellent on hand or prepping your natural medicine cabinet, you will keep this great oil on hand. It's my favorite way to stop those summer itches, stings and bites!

Natrual Homestead Pest Repellent: A Safe Farm Spray!

  Natural pest repellent are very easy to make. They are also very effective *if* you use the right ingredients. I started developing them for our household years ago with my children in mind and haven't repented yet. We now sell them all over the country and I write articles about how to make them for magazines, teach classes and blog here about them. I would like to share a few VERY easy safe and all natural pest repellents here with you.

  Here is my recipe for a our Natural Homestead Pest Repellent! I call it Safe Farm Spray. It is my main go to for all outside dwelling plants and animals, best of all, it works! I use it on everything. It's totally animal, people, and planet friendly...though I keep for outdoor use because the smell of Neem is unpleasant but is very effective. I haven't seen a pest yet that will not be effected. The Neem also helps to control fungus on plants. An added bonus. It is so safe, you can let your children use it, and mine do! They love to help and this is a great way they can.
  *Natrual Homestead Pest Repellent:  A Safe Farm Spray
  Fill sprayer with one to two gallons of warm water (not hot), depending on strength you are looking for, you can adjust here... a little by increasing or decreasing the water amount.
Add 1/4 Cup of natural or organic liquid dish soap (I upped this amount a bit)
.25 oz Lavender 40/42 (more cost effective)
.50 oz Citronella
2oz Neem Oil
*You can spray all plants, the house, the yard and animals (dogs, cats, chickens, cows, goats, horses, ect...). You can use in the chicken coop or in a barn as well. This makes 1 to 2 gallons. Pour into quart size sprayer if needed in smaller amounts. It is totally safe enough to let kids use as well. They love to help and this is totally safe for them to use so they can work with you with no worries! You may need to shake as you go, if you see the oils rising to the top. Usually that is not a big deal.
For all creepy crawlies, including ants, water bugs, roaches, or spiders. Also works on rodents such as mice, rats, snakes, and the like. This is an awesome all natural moth balls alternative! 
 * Indoor Safe Pest Repellent:
Place a few drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil on a cotton ball. Remember how people used Cedar chests to keep pests off of clothing? It works very well. So simply place these cotton balls wherever the pests come in your house or wherever you see them most. Viola, done!
You can also place a few drops of Cedarwood  and Peppermint into a quart sprayer and spray around the house. This is not only a great disinfectant, but will keep pests OUT! Use in water if you do not have witch hazel around, just shake as you go to keep oils incorporated. I have a video to show you how easy these are. Click here to see the video on how to make this all  natural pest repellent using cotton balls and an antibacterial house spray as well.
  To make an all natural pest repellent for people, simply combine any herbal essential oils you like. I like Citronella and Lavender. I say 'herbal' because they are the ones that repel the best. I also say combine because they seem to work better synergistically. When more than one is used, it is more potent. Simply put into a carrier oil such as coconut or safflower and rub on.
  You can find affordable, 100% pure essential oils and a pest repellent for your family (made for my own children) that is all natural, organic, safe for people and planet, from our family web store at Homesteadmoma.com You can also find our Bug Bar pest repellent at Azurestandard.com

Essential Oil Survival Kit - The best oils for a worst case scenario!

  I am going to lay out the very best oils in my opinion to have on hand in a 'worst case' scenario or emergency situation. I am an essential oil business owner, and began using them in the cosmetic industry years before they were popular, when only hippies used them. I have personally and professionally worked with essential oils for over 17 yrs now. The wisdom, knowledge and research I share with you now are from almost 2 decades of use and experience. They are apart of my life everyday. Although there is no replacement for a well trained medical professional, I realize sometimes life puts us all into situations where what we need isn't always accessible. So here are my top choices for that time of need that a doctor or vet are not in reach. I will also give why and how you can use. I have put together a kit so as to give a more affordable option to people who do want to have these oils on hand. You may already have these oils, and if so great. If not you can check out the oils I recommend below or the kit to compare for yourself. It is Essential 7, The Essential Oil Survival Kit. 

I am trying to educate, not push a product. I want everyone reading this info to understand that: 1- I am not a doctor and am not advocating that you should not visit the doctor for medical advice, or a vet if it involves your pet; and 2- I am not trying to sell you anything. My information, time, research and willingness to share with you is all free. I am an essential oil business owner, but also an herbalist, wild crafter and most importantly a Mom. I understand everyone has different budgets and different preferences when purchasing essential oils. I am giving you my first hand knowledge along with my time and research because I believe God wants us to share what we know with others freely. So here are my picks for the essential oils for survival and why I chose them. I give links or works cited under a few oils, but most info you can easily research yourself with the internet.
  *To make an essential oil go farther and to use topically or when ingesting, you should always dilute. To do this, use a carrier oil such as hemp, safflower, jojoba, or the like. In  a pinch any liquid cooking oil will do. Also note that if anyone gets the essential oils into the eye or on skin undiluted or is experiencing a severe burning sensation, DO NOT WASH WITH WATER. Simply rub a liquid oil onto the effected area, and this will 'pull out' the essential oil instantly. They are attracted to fatty acids like a magnet so this is the best way to remove quickly. You will see burning gone in seconds. *If you used for wound care and it is diluted but still burns, I would not flush with more oil to remove, because they need to be present in order to be effective. Removing then would also remove their antibacterial numbing and other properties.

  1- First is Clove. This oil is not only highly antiviral, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antibacterial, and pretty much 'anti-everything'; it is a total favorite of the dental and medical community including pharmaceutical companies. It has been the starting component of all the 'caines' such as benzocaine, novacaine, lidocaine, and others in the same family. It is synthesized now into a very powerful pain killer and antiseptic for use in wounds because it has the ability to numb as well as kill germs, including viruses. In a worst case scenario where there could be an out break of flu, Ebola, Avian Flu, or something else on that scale...this is the one essential oil I would reach for. If it is 100% Pure (Food Grade) it should be diluted by placing a few drops into a carrier oil or honey so it can be ingested when symptoms arise. Once diluted, it can be rubbed directly into lymph nodes and on wrists. It is very strong, so dilute well or it will burn. You want to get it into the blood stream so it can be internally effective so that is why I say rub into lymph nodes. It is a stimulating oil and rubbed onto chest or lymph nodes, it can help to 'move' chest congestion and lymph as well as kill bacteria, virus, or fungus that is causing sickness. If someone is having a problem with clogged glands, I would combine with Peppermint (both very productive stimulants) and rub into glands twice a day. It is all I used for my children when teething. I put a few drops into a tablespoon of liquid cooking oil and rubbed directly into gums to numb pain. This would also be my 'go to' oil for wound care. In a worst case scenario where an antibiotic or antiseptic product isn't available, this can be diluted and poured right into a wound. It is the only oil known to be so highly effective at both numbing and fighting germs. It may sting for a second, but will numb pain quickly. This is truly the 1st place winner and many dentists today still use this on oral infections and tooth abscesses for fighting germs and numbing power. It is GOLD.
Most of my info on clove and it's essential oil comes from the book, "Back To Eden" by Jethro Kloss.
  2- Bergamot. An Italian Citrus, this oil has been studied and shown effective at lowering blood sugar, cholesterol, and highly effective on anxiety. I would NOT rely on Lavender as my 'mood calmer' for those who are anxious in an emergency. Lavender is good, but the studies (and my personal experiences) point to the fact that Bergamot is multitalented on the body and mind. In a worst case scenario, many of us could be surrounded with friends and family members who have medical needs for things that need control. These most likely will include anxiety, nervousness, ADHD, diabetes, high blood sugar, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Not only have these studies shown the Bergamot oil to be highly effective at calming nerves and adding balance to a hyper, nervous or upset person, but it is shown to be effective and medically useful at lowering high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar.. One study from the University of Taiwan shows that Bergamot is highly effective at calming the mood and helping to reduce stress of elementary school teachers. I read another that cited it useful at lowering blood pressure. This oil should be diluted and then rubbed into temples, wrists, chest and neck of anyone who is stressed. A few drops into a diffuser will help to disperse the oils effectiveness into an entire room and aid everyone in the area with it's aromatherapy. If there is someone around who needs treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes high blood sugar, or high cholesterol in your care, it would be helpful to research this more as to exact usage that would benefit them. I personally would have them consume it in a natural smoothie, mixed into peanut butter, or placed under the tongue. Only starting with a few drops diluted into the carrier oil to make sure that there aren't any adverse reactions. Use only 100% Pure (Food Grade) when ingesting any essential oils. In a worst case scenario, this oil will be an invaluable oil. In my opinion it has shown to be much more effective at calming nerves than Lavender and with an ability to add balance to the entire body's system I would not forget this oil when making my home emergency and first aid kit.
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/853809/
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100927006549/en/Clinical-Studies-Show-Bergamonte%E2%84%A2-Exhibits-Breakthrough-Results
http://www.drwhitaker.com/benefits-of-bergamot/
  3- Peppermint. This oil is tops at reducing fever and calming upset stomach. Although Ginger is really good at tummy trouble, this one is much more appetizing and therefore easier to get down. I not only have personally used it to reduce fever, I have also used it to open the airways of an asthmatic (ME!). I have had some bouts with pneumonia and even pleurisy in the past. This oil will certainly open up the airways and has been shown to aid in circulation. If in a time of need someone cannot breathe, isn't getting enough oxygen or isn't responsive I would reach for this to hold under the nose; when diluted it can be rubbed on chest. If breathing is troubled, I would dilute and drop onto back of the tongue or put an undiluted drop into hands and cup over nose and mouth to breathe in. For fever reduction, place a few drops (diluted just a bit) onto spine, temples, soles of feet, and lymph nodes and rubbed in. For upset stomach I would place a few drops into honey to ingest or a drop into warm tea, add honey if you please. Honey will also help calm the stomach upset. Again, combine Peppermint with Clove diluted, for a way to simulate the circulatory system, move lymph and loosen chest congestion. Peppermint alone, or combined with Clove, could possibly aid an elderly person, a diabetic, or someone suffering from hypothermia with circulation. Simply rub diluted mixture right into skin with a good massage. Also these two combined are a powerhouse on someone with the croup or flu with coughing. Diluted you can rub on chest and into lymph nodes to help the cough be more productive and help with fighting the infection from the glands.

  4- Cedarwood (Organic-Atlas) This is a very useful but tricky oil that I would not recommend any pregnant women use. It can be ingested but needs to be an Atlas variety only. Others are toxic, and cannot be ingested, so know your oils! This one is also an amazing calmer and is much more powerful, in my own experience, at soothing bug bites and stings than Lavender. If you have ever owned a Cedar chest, you know how amazingly effective it is at repelling bugs. It is also not an oil that will give away your presence if needing to hunt. Cedarwood will blend right into the surroundings of nature and not alert anyone to your presence. It is what we use indoors for repelling bugs and IT WORKS. It can also be used for allergies. I combine it with Frankincense and other oils to reduce swelling and calm histamines when we have an allergy flair up, which happens often because I am allergic to a lot of things. For bug bites you can rub right onto skin, but if there is an open wound dilute it a bit. It is highly anti-septic and will also work to clean a wound if needed. If you were hunting and needed an all purpose oil, this would be it. Calms stings, pests, wounds or bites without a heavy scent. To get rid of lice and/or skin mites, simply dilute into carrier oil and rub into skin or hair. For repelling bugs rub (diluted) into skin, on clothes, or put onto a cotton ball and place it where ever you want pests and rodents to stay away. It works on mice and snakes as well. It is my indoor version of moth balls.

  5- Rosemary. This oil is one that many people can tolerate in their food and makes getting an antibacterial down the hatch a bit easier. It has been shown to be an anti-mutagen which could be very helpful to someone who is battling cancer. I would have them ingest this and Frankincense (also an anti-mutagen) if I ever knew anyone who was in that situation and there where no other viable options or they wanted to add a complimentary medicine to their regimen. It is highly antibacterial and should be considered when the common cold is going around or if having a bout of flu. You can add to foods such as spaghetti or soups for an extra bit of help with germ fighting. I ingest oils and have found that the best way to enjoy some of their benefits is to use them as you would an herb in food. So this one, being highly effective at killing germs and aiding in healthy cell reproduction, would be on my plate and in my first aid kit, if I were you. Highly antiviral and antifungal as well, it is a great one to reach for if dealing with an infected sore, toe nail fungus, ring worm, warts (not genital), or other skin infection or fungus. Reports have shown it effective at aiding with things like Alzheimer's, lung infections, hair loss and memory loss. In case of an internal infection since it can safely be ingested when diluted, it can be added right to honey (only like 2 drops) and swallowed.
  6- Litsea Cubeba. This is an oil most people have NEVER heard of. Also called May Chang in China, it is worth it's weight in gold as far as I am concerned. I have used it with my own lung problems and on my animals with MUCH success. One example is when my new chicks came to me with a bout of what certainly appeared to be bird flu, which isn't new to chicken keepers or hatcheries by the way. However, my baby chicks were dying and I had to stop it instantly, and I did with this oil! Avian Flu is viral and so I quickly reached for this oil. I placed a few drops into a quart of water with Vitamin B and gave them only this to drink. All my droopy looking chickens perked right up...and they stopped dying instantly. I also have a video on that, click here  Litsea is an Asian citrus pepper fruit that is used often in other countries as an antiviral. It's so powerful it is used in Asia to treat pneumonia, TB, COPD, Asthma, and Bronchitis and other bronchial issues. This is one oil I will never be without, Lord willin'. It is truly my favorite. I ingested and inhaled it with Peppermint when I was dealing with Pneumonia and nasal polyps. I believe firmly that it aided in the healing process. I blended it with the Peppermint in equal parts, and inhaled it in the cup of my hands. This was my inspiration to produce a blend called Be Open after my experience. These two oils combined could possibly help an Asthmatic in a situation where an inhaler or nebulizer isn't an option. I now use the blend daily in place of my rescue inhaler most of the time and have reduced those medical costs significantly. They can be added to a spoonful of honey (1drop of each), diluted and rubbed onto chest, and inhaled by the hands. I also put the blend onto the back of my tongue to get fast relief. It helped me so much that I was able to decrease my inhaler and nebulizer intake by 3/4 my regular intake. During the worst of it the Litsea/Peppermint combo was very helpful at killing the problem (infection or virus) that was causing my pneumonia. All flu and colds are also viral. We cannot overlook that more anti-viral medication should be available, so here is an option in an emergency or worst case scenario. Here are the other things it has been shown effective at aiding with; athlete's foot, skin tags, stress, eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, skin fungus such as ringworm, indigestion, inflammation, and warts. Easy to use on animals as well as humans for all the mentioned above. This is my 'go-to' oil for animals. From skin issues, infections fungus, virus and ringworm to any bronchial issues, this is THE animal oil for most of my natural animal husbandry needs. All my new birds get this in their water with honey and vitamin B daily instead of antibiotics. You must change daily if using honey or it could ferment the water and leave them with nothing. So only add honey to animals water if changing DAILY. I then slowly wean down to weekly use of the Litsea on all birds then to monthly. *At the first signs of Cocci I was able to do this and stop an infestation before it started and only the one sick bird was lost. Highly effective at stopping disease and particularly virus in humans or animals! A total MUST for your emergency/first aid kit.
  7- Frankincense. This oil of oils and worker of good things is my ultimate cream topping on the pie. Frankincense (Carterri) has been shown effective for many uses. I would use for any wounds, diluted and combined with Clove oil. The nick name of Frankincense is "Heal All" because of it's ability to help restore tissue growth and aid in good cell reproduction while also prohibiting tumor growth. Some known and reported uses are for growths, tumors, skin cancers, any topical or internal wounds, allergies, bacterial and viral issues, headaches, supports healthy blood pressure, immune response, warts, bruising, and tissue inflammation of any kind. So if I knew someone with cancer, combined with Rosemary this would be placed directly onto skin or added to honey (2drops each) to ingest. I have, when sick, added it to my fruit smoothies to gain the possible healing effects by getting it into the body. I have seen a difference when I used it and also noticed a bit more energy than before. Sickness time has seemed to be shortened as well. Frankincense is my 'go to' when allergies strike. It has been shown to be a calmer and help to block histamine when taken internally or breathed in. It can be dropped into a diffuser or diluted and rubbed onto nose, placed onto back of tongue, or breathed in from cupped hands. It is a main ingredient in my blend called Allergy Stop. It is one I would definitely keep around for any wound care in a first aid kit.
  Here is the kit I have put together: Essential 7, The Essential Oil Survival Kit
  *Remember no essential oils should be applied to an open wound without being diluted. Also some people are more sensitive to essential oils than others, so be careful and start out with a very small amount. I am not a trained physician and cannot give any medical advice. I am simply sharing what I would do, what has helped me or what I believe to be helpful to you in a 'worst case' emergency type situation and a doctor or vet isn't able to be reached. It is a good idea to have backup plans because you never know what might happen, but please do not deny someone the ability to see a doctor if it is needed and available. I cannot/will not be held liable for anything you try on your own based on this informative and educational blog post. I hope you found this information helpful.

More Healing Wounds Naturally On The Homestead..

  The other day our pony, Bella, decided to tangle herself up in her rope and cut a pretty bad rope burn on her hock. When she is not in the pasture, she is our 'sustainable' zero turn, lawn mower. We let her graze in other places not fenced by keeping her on a 100ft rope, so she can get around as she pleases. Well, somehow she got tangled and had a pretty bad wound that needed attention. We've always been able to treat our animals wounds, so this wasn't new, but the main concern I had was infection. Also in light of the new Veterinary Feed Directive, I am thinking more about sharing our natural remedies for animals and people. I would like to share what we do to help you when antibiotics are not required or even accessible.

  Here, in the picture my daughter is pouring an herbal oil infused with Comfrey, Plantain, Ginger, Cloves, Tumeric, and Jewelweed. *It is very important to have the children involved and to teach them as you go, so they too will be qualified to handle any situation that could arise. They may need it one day. We applied this oil to the wound, after cleaning with peroxide and iodine. The open wound is healing after only two weeks because of this herbal infusion. Comfrey is the prime source for healing tissue, the others work at keeping it clean, drawing out impurities, and are highly antibacterial. I am now applying our Happy Hocks. An essential oils remedy I first created to help wounds and foundering in horses and ponies. You should NEVER put essential oils on an open wound, it will burn like h*ll. Your patient will also not be able to trust your skills after that. So wait until the skin or a scab has formed to create a buffer to the wound. It consists of Litsea Cubeba, Fir Needle, Bergamot, Lavender, and Tea Tree essential oils. Any time there is an issue with hooves, or hocks, this is our natural go-to remedy and has proven effective numerous times. I'll address each herb and why I choose it later in this article. I'll do another on essential oils for wounds care and emergency situations. *We use peroxide while the wound is still open or fresh, and then iodine to follow. I know a new school of thought has risen about using peroxide, but it is a must when cleaning homestead wounds. Also at pulling out any objects that are stuck in the body. My daughter cut her foot and got an infection, after treating it naturally we were seeing that it was very serious, and had to take her to the doctor. Who of course told us not to use peroxide. After the week of antibiotics, she still had an infection. This was a clear sign that something was IN the foot. My Mom, a nurse, said "You need to be using peroxide and that foot would have been healed by now. Something is in it and only peroxide will pull it out." So I did, and within 30 of applying it, the stick that was jammed up her heel, came oozing out! I grew up using it, and all the medical persons I know still use it, against the modern "Don't Use Peroxide" shouts of our days. So in light of that I am going to share with you a breakdown of what we normally use and why. I give a lectures around the southeast, and if you can, try to make one. I love explaining God's design for nature and how it was created to be useful to us. I spoke at the Memphis Botanical Gardens just a few weeks back on wild and domestic herbs and how to use them for health and happiness on the homestead. These herbs mentioned are a main stay on our farm, I enjoy teaching about how to use them, so if you are able to attend a speaking even I give, please comment below or find my facebook page, Homestead Moma and let me know if you tried my methods or suggestions and how they worked for you.

  To make your herbal infused oil (I make a lot and keep it on hand), you will need all the herbs mentioned above. Gather them WITHOUT washing because you do not want to introduce water. It will cause mold and bacteria growth in the oil mixture. Tear and bruise into pieces and cram your jar full. Then cover to the rim with Organic Olive Oil. Set into the crock pot of water, to keep on very low about 48-72 hours. Only let the water be half way up the jar, so it doesn't get into the jar of oil.

  After 48 to 72 hrs. your oil has been infused with all those herbal properties you need. Just remove jar, wipe clean and strain through a sheet, pillow case or cheese clothe.

  Now you're ready to deal with any wound that arises, be it animal or people. This is especially designed for open wounds so do not add any essential oils to this. Here is the list of herbs and oils I use and why I choose them.
Comfrey: It is stiches in bottle. Proven to regrow skin cells and add in repairing damage to skin, this is something I grow LOTS of. Keep on hand and you'll not regret it. Even a wound that has been stitched up or glued back together can benefit. It will aid in the quick regrowth of tissue of any kind and even promote hair regrowth and lessens scaring. (I know personally)
Plantain: It is nature's drawer. Like magic, it will help to draw out infection, poison, stinging, pain, and objects. Not quite as potent as peroxide for initial cleaning, but very effective to keep on wound.
Tumeric: The best inflammation reducer on earth, as far as I know of anyway. :)
Ginger: The ultimate in pain reduction. If you can, keep this in the house or grow it to have at a moments notice. Highly anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and anti-viral. This herb/spice is not only effective at helping stomach upset, it is the best pain reducer I have EVER used. (Used after birthing)
Cloves: The highest ORAC carrying food on earth. ORAC is the ability to fight damaging free radicals. These free radicals are what damages tissue and causes aging. It is the highest in anti-septic, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties of an known herb. It has the greatest ability to numb pain of any herb. It is also why the benzocaine/novacaine family of medications was made originally from this herb. Highly used still today for tooth and mouth infections. Greatest germ killer around!
Jewelweed: Another good one for soothing pain, irritation, sting, and burn. This is an awesome remedy for bug bites, stings, and poison ivy. It is often found in the same area as poison ivy. *Again proof of doctrine of signatures. I'll touch on that later.
  Healing wounds in a situation where antibiotics are unavailable, or you cannot reach a doctor is a must for basic survival skills. In summary, our pony never had to cost us a huge vet bill, because we were able to (had the knowledge and skills) remedy the situation ourselves. In our society we have become too dependent on others for our basic needs and if we do not try to learn and pass the knowledge other generations have had, we will regret it. Other cultures, other generations, and other countries still hold natural healing in high esteem, because it works! Americans disregard for knowledge and skills may prove costly. I hope we never have to be faced with a day that we cannot access modern medicine, but the truth is I have many times been able to keep our family out of an ER, or keep down the costs of healthcare for us and our animals, just because of having 1- knowledge and 2- skills. If that day does ever happen to you...are you capable of caring for yourself or those you love? I hope you find my articles helpful and encouraging. Don't forget to like our facebook page as well. This is where I post a lot of helpful tips for the homestead as well.
Much love and blessings, Melisa