Author: JM Mason

Wild Edibles: Cattails

JM Mason
There are cattails in front of a lake and the air is misty.

Cattails, also known as bulrushes, are a type of wetland plant that can be found in marshes, swamps, and along the edges of ponds and lakes. They are a very versatile plant and can be used for a variety of things including shelter, food and fuel. The fluff acts as a good insulation material as well. But most importantly they are actually a delicious and nutritious wild food that can be eaten in a variety of ways. One of the most well-known parts of the cattail plant that is edible…

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How to Render Lard

JM Mason
A feral pig in the forest.

Rendering lard is a process by which the fat from a pig is melted and separated from any bits of meat or tissue, resulting in a pure fat product that can be used for cooking or other purposes. Lard has a high smoke point and a rich, savory flavor, making it a popular choice for frying, baking, and other cooking methods. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to render lard at home: 1. Start by obtaining some raw pig fat, also known as leaf lard. This can often be…

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Winter Wild Edibles (Part 2)

JM Mason
Snow is on the ground and there are buckets hanging on the maple trees to catch the syrup. There is an old wooden wagon wheel leaning against one tree.

Yes there are options for wild edibles even in winter! 8. Maple Sap February is usually the best month to tap trees for their sap. Then boil it down for some delicious maple syrup. 9. Mullein The leaves can be brewed into a tea. 10. Chicory The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked but has a bitter taste. The roots can be roasted and steeped for a coffee tasting drink. Although it will be decaf! 11. Hickory Nuts These nuts are very calorie dense and taste similar to pecans.…

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Plantain for Wounds

JM Mason
A green plantain plant growing in the ground.

Plantain is a plant that has multiple uses, not only is it edible but it’s also great as an antibacterial poultice for wounds. 1. Grind plantain leaves into a paste. If it’s too dry you can add a little water but you want a paste that holds together. 2. Apply the paste generously to the wound. 3. Cover the paste and wound with clean bandages. If you don’t have clean bandages then you could use the bigger leaves from the plantain plant or large mullein leaves to cover it and…

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Winter Wild Edibles (Part 1)

JM Mason
Red berries on stem that are frozen with icicles all over them.

Yes there are options for wild edibles even in winter! 1. Cattails Although the cattail has many edible parts, in the winter, the best part to eat is the starchy roots. You can use it to thicken soups/stews or grind into flour. 2. Persimmons These fruits taste best in late fall through January when they are wrinkled and squishy. You can eat them raw, make them into jam or ferment them into a wonderful wine. 3. Rose Hips The skin and pulp can be eaten raw or you can use…

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How to Find a Local Community

JM Mason
Multiple people sitting around a campfire in the forest in the dark.

I see this question asked over and over in prepper groups. People want to know how to find like-minded preppers in their local community to connect with but don’t know where to look. Most of these people have already googled “prepper groups near me” or some version of that search term, and found nothing. These people understand the value and importance in having those local connections. Because if SHTF, you and your family have a much higher chance of survival if you are a part of a larger group that’s…

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How To Dry Onions From The Garden

JM Mason
Big onions are growing in the brown dirt.

When the tops of onions start to turn brown and fall over, they are ready for harvest. You’ll want to carefully dig them up and leave the tops on. The next step is to cure or dry them. You need to lay them in a single layer in a dry, warm, sunny and well ventilated area. Depending on conditions it may take up to two weeks to fully dry. You will need to turn them so that they cure evenly. When the onion tops and necks are completely dry and…

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Prepper Tip: Build Your MAG

JM Mason
Sun setting over the mountains. There are tents set up and multiple people walking around.

Self reliance is a core value for a prepper. And we should all strive for that goal. But, in a long term situation it would really suck to try to go it alone. Your chances of survival exponentially increase when you have a group of people working together. A person doesn’t need to be a hardcore survivalist to bring value to your group. Even people who seem to have no skills at all may surprise you. Learn to think outside the box when trying to figure out how everyone can…

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Eating Bugs In SHTF

JM Mason
There are scorpions on kabob skewers that have been cooked.

If you were in a real survival situation would you eat bugs? Heck yeah I would, I’m gonna fight to survive no matter what. And insects are a good source of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. We all prepare so that we don’t have to do things like this, but as preppers your backup plan needs a backup plan. If you ever find yourself in a survival situation and you are separated from your preps then knowing how to get multiple food sources is the best plan. Do you know…

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Dandelion Root Coffee

JM Mason
A cup of coffee sitting on an old distressed table with brown leaves.

Can you image having to go through TEOTWAWKI without coffee? Me neither. Life would already suck but having to deal with it without your morning brew is just …. well there’s not words for it. For those of us who love coffee, we have a good stock pile of it. But if SHTF happens we have to come to terms with the fact that our supply will eventually run out. And this is why I replace my coffee with Dandelion Root Coffee once or twice a week. It tastes the…

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