Aquaponics gardening is a growing trend that allows families to create a self-sustaining environment that grows vegetables, fruits, flowers and more with as little maintenance as possible.

The first time I was told about aquaponics gardening, I thought it was going to be very dirty and moldy but was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn’t like that at all. Aquaponics gardens can be as small or as large as you’d like it to be. They create enough food in a small space and require very little maintenance. Below, we’ve outlined a few items to consider on whether an aquaponics garden would work for you.

Best of Both Worlds
The Aquaponic Gardening Community defined aquaponics as the following:

“Aquaponics is a cultivation of fish and plants together in a constructed, recirculating ecosystem utilizing natural bacterial cycles to convert fish waste to plant nutrients. This is an environmentally friendly, natural food-growing method that harnesses the best attributes of aquaculture and hydroponics without the need to discard any water or filtrate or add chemical fertilizers.”

Basically, aquaponics is a food production system. It combines aquaculture (raising animals such as fish, prawns or snails in water) with hydroponics (growing plants in water instead of soil). The goal of aquaponics is to create a fully self-sustaining system of food.

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Both aquaculture and hydroponics require a lot of intervention to maintain. For example, in aquaculture, you have to ensure that the waste from the fish is removed before it builds to toxic levels. In hydroponics, one has to continually replenish and balance chemical nutrients or the plant will die. With aquaponics however, the two systems balance each other out to create a self-sustaining environment.

How does it work?
Aquaponics isn’t that hard. Fish produce waste that turns into nitrate and ammonia. If this builds up too much, it hurts the fish. However, this nitrate and ammonia acts as a fertilizer for the plants and prevents the build up. As the plants suck up the nutrients, it cleanses the water for the fish.

Once the system is setup correctly, only small amounts of water are needed to keep the system going. When the water evaporates naturally, it needs to be replaced. The most common fish used in an aquaponics system is tilapia because they require very little maintenance and reproduce very rapidly.

Before You Get Started
Before you start gathering tanks, pumps and fish, there are a few things you need to consider:

Where. Where will your system be located? Many aquaponics systems are portable (might take you a whole afternoon to move it, but still portable) and are great for areas where outdoor gardening is prohibited by seasons. You’ll need to consider how large your system will be and where you can easily house it. Perhaps a greenhouse? A basement with lighting? On another property? All of this depends on how large your aquaponics system will be.

When. Many fish hatcheries won’t ship fish during the winter months. Some plants are hard to establish during colder times of the year. It takes some time to get the bacteria to grow in your aquaponics ecosystem. All of these are considerations on when you’ll be starting your aquaponics system.

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Who. Who will be in charge of taking care of the system? Will children be around the system? If so, this may impact how tall you create the system, if it has windows, how often you want to cultivate, etc.

Building the Structure
Before you buy any fish or add water, you’ll want to make sure that your system is built correctly. You can build a basic structure like the one below:

In this design, the grow bed is placed above the fish tank. Water from the fish tank is pumped up into the grow bed. The grow bed to fish tank volume ratio should be equal. If you decide to add another growing bed, you’ll need to add a sump tank with extra water like the image below:

There are a lot of great aquaponics designs out there that are quick, easy and clean. Feel free to share your designs below in the comment section.

Structural Requirements for Tank. When choosing tanks and other materials to build your structure, be sure to pick items that are waterproof and can handle a lot of weight. Gallons of water can add up quickly and weigh down a lot on your structure. Avoid plastic containers too.

You should also use non-toxic, food safe materials. Since you’ll be growing food in this structure, you don’t want to contaminate the food. This means using non-toxic and inert materials to create your structure.

Many people use large 50-, 30-, or 250-gallon tanks to house their fish and other aquaponics materials.

What Kind of Fish Will I Need?
There are a few different types of fish that work well in aquaponic environments. Here are a few:

Tilapia. Tilapia are the most popular aquaponic fish because they are easy to grow, like warm water and do not require high oxygen. They mature very quickly too.

Goldfish. Goldifish, like Tilapia, are very easy to grow and maintain. There are more commonly used by people who don’t eat their fish.

Catfish. In Florida, Tilapia are illegal. So, many people use catfish instead.

What Kind of Plants Should I Grow?
Most any type of plant can grow in an aquaponic environment. In fact, the only ones that don’t grow well in an aquaponic system are plants that require a pH environment much above or below 7.0. So, things like blueberries or azaleas won’t grow very well in a balanced pH environment.

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Things like carrots and potatoes will have a harder time expanding into a mature state with aquaponics. Items like salad greens, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries all grow very well in an aquaponics environment.

The plants are usually grown in a rocky structure with water flowing between the rocks.

Your Thoughts
So, what do you think? Have you tried creating an aquaponic garden in your home? Do you think it’s an option for self-reliant living? Comment below to tell us your thoughts.

Special thanks to Sylvia Bernstein, author of Aquaponic Gardening, for resources in this article.

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Making your own deodorant is a great way to save money and become more self-sufficient. Instead of paying a couple dollars for a stick of deodorant at the store, you can spend pennies and make your own at home that works just as well.

Follow the directions below for recipes on homemade deodorant in a stick or spray bottle. Hopefully, they keep you fresh and smelling clean!

Homemade Deodorant Recipe

You’ll need:
• 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
• 1/2 Cup Baking Soda
• 1 ½ Tbl Beeswax Pellets
• 1/2 Cup Cornstarch
• A Double Boiler
• Empty Deodorant Tube

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Directions:
1. Add coconut oil and beeswax pellets into a small saucepan
2. Slowly melt the contents over very low heat.
3. While the contents are slowly melting, be sure that your old deodorant tube is empty and washed out.
3. Once the contents are melted, remove from heat and add baking soda and corn starch. Mix with spoon until smooth and creamy.
4. Add essential oils or scents as desired at this point and mix well.
5. Pour the mixture into the old deodorant tube and allow to settle and solidify.

No Heat Required Homemade Deodorant Recipe

You’ll need:
• 6 Tbl Coconut Oil
• 1/4 Cup Baking Soda
• 1/4 Cup Cornstarch
• Glass Jar

Directions:
1. Mix the baking soda and cornstarch together in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
2. Mash in coconut oil with a fork until it’s mixed well.
3. Add oils or scents as desired.
4. Store in a small glass jar or old deodorant tube if you prefer.

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Spray-On Deodorant Recipe

You’ll need:
• 1/2 cup Witch Hazel
• 1/4 cup Aloe Vera Gel
• 1/4 tsp Baking Soda

Directions:
1. Add all contents into a spray bottle and shake well before use.

Tips for Homemade Deodorant Use

Give it a few days. You’ve probably been using chemically-packed deodorants for years. Give it a few days for your body to adjust to the less-harsh homemade deodorant.

If it’s too itchy? If you have very sensitive skin, you may notice that the homemade deodorant is itchy at times. If that’s the case, ease up on the baking soda in your recipes. Instead, add a little more cornstarch to the equation. By adding less baking soda, the deodorant will become less cakey and won’t be as itchy.

What advice do you have? Comment below to give us your advice and how homemade deodorants have been for you.

You might also be interested in reading:
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It’s that time of year when you can start planning for your planting!

Many people are beginning to plant vegetables and flowers indoors in order to transplant them outdoors when the weather is warm enough. This helps you get a head start on your spring garden. Check out the advice below to see what things you can do to start your indoor seeds.

Growing your own foods in your garden can help you become more self-sufficient – saving you money and allowing you to grow the foods that your family will need. It’s also a great way to help teach children about responsibility and work.

- When is produce in season? - 

When
The date you determine to plant your seeds will vary depending on where you live. You’ll want to figure out when the last frost of the season will be. It also depends on what you’re growing. If you are planting something that grows quickly, you don’t need as much time before the final frost. If you having something that grows slowly, you’ll need lots of time. Usually the seed packs will have an indication on the label of how many weeks are required before transitioning to an outdoor setting.

Usually, you’ll want to move seedlings outdoors when it’s consistently above 50-degrees both night and day.

Lighting
One of the most difficult aspects to overcome when starting seedlings indoors is light. You can start seeds in a windowsill that gets at least 8 hours or light per day. Most gardeners will need to use additional lighting or special machines to simulate the sun. Even if you use an artificial light, you may need your plants to be under the light for 12-15 hours a day.

Seed Choice
You might not be able to use any seed that you’d like. Remember that you’re going to have to transition these plants into larger pots that will end up taking more space. If the plant grows rapidly, you’ll have to have space to expand your plant area quickly. You’ll also have to be able to adapt quickly. If the plants don’t grow that well indoors, you might have to restart – be sure you can pick a plant which has inexpensive seeds.

You probably shouldn’t grow things like lettuce, spinach, cabbage, beets, onions, potatoes, or carrots indoors. They usually take up a lot of space or don’t transplant very well.

Soil
You should also consider what type of soil you’ll be using. Using potting soil to start your plants indoors might give them an initial advantage. Be careful that when you transition the plants outdoors that you’re still giving them enough nutrients that were provided with a potting soil. Since potting soil is full of things like peat, vermiculite and fluffy matter that retains water well, you’ll have to ensure that these same elements are present in the outdoor soil to the plants aren’t shocked when they’re transplanted.

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Warmth
After all, you’re starting your seeds indoors so they won’t die in the cold winter frosts. Seed starting starts in two stages: Germination and growing. Germination is also known as the sprouting stage – when the embryo of the plant emerges from the seed casing. You’ll need to water the sprouts during that stage, but more importantly, you’ll need to apply gentle heat to the sprouting seeds. You can place them on top of your fridge or a few inches above your radiator. There are also a number of heating mats sold for heating seedlings.

After the seedling start to grow and they’re placed in soil, you’ll need to make sure that the plant stays warm enough. Remember that your house might get cooler next to windows and at night. While you’re wrapped up in a blanket, your plants are not. Be sure to keep them at least at 50 degrees or above.

Watering
While some gardeners are accustomed to allowing their plants flourish in the rain, indoor plants won’t be able to do that. You’ll have to make sure that your plants are getting enough water. In the same stroke, you’ll want to make sure that your plants aren’t being over-watered and become too moist indoors growing mold.

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Transition
The weather can be unpredictable. For that reason, it’s a good idea to slowly transition your plants to the outdoors. Set them outside for a day allowing them to grow accustomed to the outdoor weather. If the weather gets too cold, you can pull them back indoors. If the weather continues to improve, plant them in the ground.

Your Advice
What advice do you have about planting indoors? What have you learned? Comment below and share your knowledge with others.

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Raising chickens can be a very rewarding process. Besides providing you with fresh eggs, it can also be a teaching resource for your children and a way for you to become self-sufficient.

However, there are a few mistakes that people make when they first start raising chickens. Check out this list below and add your mistakes at the bottom to help others learn.

Building your Henhouse on the Ground
Many first timers will create a henhouse directly on the ground. They figure that the chickens will be able to peck for worms or that cleanup will be a lot easier. However, having a chicken coop on the ground can allow for foxes or other predators to work their way into the house. If there is an underground hole that you don’t know about, you may continue to lose your chickens. Instead, build a raised chicken coop that sits off the ground. Many people even incorporate removable or swing-away floors that allow for easy access cleaning.

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The Material
While most people use rough recycled lumber to make their chicken coops, this may not be the best material to keep things clean. The rough board will be harder to clean, paint or whitewash. It’s better to use a material that is smoother and is easier to clean, wipe or paint.

Outside Access
Some larger chicken coops allow you to walk inside and collect your eggs. However, this can pose some problems. Going into the chicken coop might result in tracking chicken poo all over the house or intruding on the chickens while they’re looking for an available laying box. Instead, create outside access boxes that you can grab the eggs from the laying boxes without disturbing the chickens as they walk around the hen house. This will also keep your shoes a little cleaner.

Treats and Food
Determine what feed you will have for your chickens. It’s recommended that you get poultry feed and get feed with added protein during the colder seasons. Chickens also like fresh and dried worms, white grapes, pomegranate seeds, raspberries, chard, brussel spout leaves and cherry tomatoes. When the chickens begin to start laying eggs, they will need more calcium in their diet. Usually feeding them a few oyster shells will do the trick.

Heating
Depending on where you live, you’ll need to maintain a certain temperature inside the coop. If you install a heating lamp, make sure that it’s high enough that it doesn’t overheat the chickens or burn the shavings on the floor. Usually a 250 watt bulb will be warm enough. You’ll need to collect eggs frequently during the winter too because they will tend to freeze.

The Law
While most people are eager to start raising their own chickens, you may need to check your local ordinances. You don’t want to put a lot of effort into buying chickens or building a coop and then find out that it’s not allowed.

- How much land do you need to live on for a year? –

Bucket for Watering
A chicken can go a few days without feed, but they can’t go very long without water. Many first-timers just add a bucket of water into the coop that is tall enough so that the chickens won’t play in it and is heavy enough not to tip over easily. However, this encourages the birds to jump on top of the bucket and drink straight from the top – making it easier to tip over after a while. Consider using a hanging water source – called a waterer or a fount. This creates a trough, preventing the birds from sitting on the top.

Rooster to Hen Ratio
The ideal ratio of roosters to hens is 1:12, depending on the nature of the rooster. If you have a lower ratio than that, the rooster may get too aggressive with the hens. If you have a low ratio you’ll notice that your hens will tend to have bald spots on the back of their heads and featherless patches on their backs. If they’re over-agitated, hens’ egg lying will become sporadic.

Counting Your Birds
Each night, when you lock your chicken coop, you should count the chickens to make sure they are all in the coop. Usually, the chickens will move inside the hen house when it begins to get dark. However, you’ll notice that some chickens will try and hide their nests outside of the coop. They will set up a nest in nearby bushes and instead of moving into the coop they will move to their nest. Count your birds each night to make sure that you don’t have any unprotected birds that have set up rogue nests.

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Preventing Passing Pets
Many people like the idea of free-range chickens. However, this may not mix well with urban homesteading. You may need to plan against passing pets – especially dogs on leashes. Don’t assume that owners will stop their dogs or be able to keep them on a leash. You’ll need to have some fence or security in place for passing dogs.

Your Advice
What advice do you have? Did you make a mistake that you’d like to add to the list? Comment below and share your knowledge.

There’s nothing better than a nice, fresh-tasting glass of milk to go along with those cookies. But did you know that you can get multiple uses out of that milk? You can use it for cleaning, first-aid, shaving and many other things.

Powdered milks can also play a great role in helping you around the house. Not only do they taste great and are prepared by just adding cold water, they can come in handy while treating bites or removing ink stains.

Make Frozen Fish Taste Fresh
If the fish from your freezer is tasting a little old, just allow it to thaw in a bath of cold milk. The milk will freshen up the fish and make it taste better.

Repair Cracked China
Remember that fine china you got from you grandmother that broke? Don’t throw it away, try and repair it! Place the finely-cracked dish in a pan and cover it with milk. Slowly bring the pan to a boil. As soon as it start to boil, lower the heat and allow to simmer for about 45 minutes. The protein in the milk should fix many cracks.

Soothe bites
If your skin got burned out in the sun, let milk help! Milk is a great way to sooth skin from burns or bug bites. Mix one part powdered milk with two parts water and add a pinch of salt. Rub the mixture on your burn or bite. The enzymes in milk powder will help neutralize the pain.

Clean Leather
You can care for your patent leather purses or shoes by just dabbing on a bit of milk and letting it dry. After it’s dried, buff it with a soft cloth.

Remove Ink Stains
Soak your clothes in milk bath overnight to get out pesky ink stains. All you have to do is wash it like usual the next day.

Hand Care
You can use milk to care for those callused hands of yours. Apply cold milk to hardened spots. If the spots continue, be sure to apply it more often – something like 3 times a day – for best results.

Shaving Cream
Powdered Milk works best for this. Take a generous amount of powdered milk and mix it with a bit of water. When it’s formed into a thick paste, apply it to your face and shave. It might not be as smooth as shaving cream but it gets the job done and protects your skin.

Enhance Corn Flavor
Next time you’re making corn on the cob, be sure to get out the milk! Add a bit of milk to the pot while you’re boiling your corn (along with other optional ingredients). You’ll notice that the corn has a fuller, more rich taste.

What do you use milk for?
Have you found any interesting uses for milk? Comment below and let us know!

Dental care is a necessary part of your health and wellness. Being able to provide your own dental care is a great way to establish your self-sufficency and save your family money.

Below are some ideas on how you can make your own toothpastes or take care of your teeth in a disaster.

Basic Toothpaste Recipe
• 1/2 cup Baking Soda
• 1/2 cup Coconut Oil
• Drops of Peppermint or Spearmint (optional)

Simply mix equal parts baking soda and coconut oil. Add a few drops of peppermint or spearmint if you want to add some fresh flavor. This recipe creates an effective, yet simple, toothpaste. After you’ve prepared the batch, store it in a glass jar with a lid. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

Advanced Toothpaste Recipe

• 1/2 cup of Baking Soda
• 1/4 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
• 1/4 cup Warm Water

Optional:

• 3 tsp Glycerin or Xylitol
• 1/4 cup of Water

Pour a half a cup of baking soda into a mixing bowl. Baking Soda is found in most commercial toothpastes and is a natural cleaner. If you would like to add glycerin, mix in 3 teaspoons of it now. It (or xylitol) acts as a sweetener that promotes good mouth health. However, it will add a thin layer on your teeth that some people don’t prefer.

Then add 1/4 cup of household hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide will naturally disinfect your mouth and whiten your teeth.

Emergency Alternatives
Before toothpaste and tooth powder came around, people would sometimes use twigs from the Indian Lilac Tree (Neem tree) to clean their teeth. In fact, oils from the Indian Lilac are used in many modern toothpastes and dental products. It has many antibacterial and antiviral qualities.

Indian Lilac trees are typically 35-40 feet tall with wide spread branches and fairly dense. It is an evergreen tree that is round or oval and can reach a diameter of 50-60 feet. It has small white flowers and elongated green leaves.

Your Ideas
Do you make your own toothpaste? What do you use to make it? Comment below to share your recipe.

Coconut Oil can be used in a wide variety of areas including cooking, gardening, personal use, and even in engines! It’s a great tool to have in your preparedness aresenal. Since it has so many uses, it can save you money and contribute to your overall natural health.

One of the great things about coconut oil is that it’s slow to oxidize. That means that it’s slower to turn rancid. This is due to the high content of saturated fats contained in it but also makes it very stable at high temperatures for cooking.

Below, we’ve listed some great things that you can do with coconut oil. Take a look and let us know what you think:

PLEASE NOTE: Many organizations including the FDA, World Health Organization, American Dietetic Association, and others have recommended against the consumption of significant amounts of coconut oil due to its high levels of saturated fats.

Natural Lotion
Coconut oil is antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal. That is great for your skin as a lotion! Rub it on your skin or face to prevent breakouts and keep things healthy and well-moisturized.

Natural Deodorant
Coconut oil can also be used as a natural deodorant. While it’s a little harder to apply than a stick of deodorant, it’s just as effective.

Mix ⅓ cup Baking Soda and ½ cup Arrowroot powder. Next add 5 tbsp unrefined coconut oil and 15 drops of grapefruit oil. Continue to mix and pour into a clean jar. If the mixture seems too oily, add little bits of baking soda and continue to mix until it comes to the desired consistency.

Furniture Wood Polish
Many people even use coconut oil to polish their wood furniture. But overall, coconut oil adds can add moisture and protection to your wood.

Now, before you whip out the rag and oil, test it out on a hidden surface first and make sure that it has the right effect on your wood surface. Different woods are affected differently.

Make-up Remover
Apparently, coconut oil can be used as a makeup remover. Just locate a cotton ball and dab it in the coconut oil. Wipe away makeup on your face and eyes.

Sooth Skin & Treat Infections
If you rub coconut oil on your skin, it can help treat athlete’s foot, ringworm, or other fungal or yeast infections. You can also prevent infections in a burn on your skin.

Natural Sunscreen
It might seem counterintuitive to use oil as a sunscreen but it works! Just apply a thin layer of coconut oil to your skin and you’re set to go.

Homemade Vapor Rub
A self-made vapor rub can save you some money and keep you home instead of running to the store. Simply combine 3 tbsp melted Coconut Oil with 3-5 drops of Tea Tree Oil and 6-10 drops of Rosemary Oil. Mix it all together in a container and apply to the chest and nose carefully.

Baking of Course
Lastly, coconut oil can be used as a baking substitute for butter or oil. Just use it as a 1 to 1 ratio substitute. Many people swear by the great taste it adds as a pan greaser.

How do you use it?
What do you use it for? Comment below to tell us what you’ve used coconut oil for and share your knowledge to help others.

The ReadyExperts at The Ready Store are some of the most knowledgeable representatives in the industry. They can help you understand what you’ll need to prepare – and even what you don’t need.

Here are some ways that ReadyExperts can help you with your preparedness goals. Especially with your New Year’s resolutions on the horizon, it’s important to know where you can look for help. Here are some ways that ReadyExperts can help you.

Knowledge of What You Need
If you’re having difficulty knowing where to begin in your preparations, a ReadyExpert can be a great asset. They can help you know what type of events you need to prepare for in your area. Most importantly, they can help you know how to prepare against these disasters.

Save on Deals
Instead of surfing around the Internet, looking for a great deal, let the ReadyExpert find the great deals for you. When you call in, the ReadyExperts can let you know what great deals we have going on and what you can save. This saves you time and money.

Dependable
You can contact a ReadyExpert at almost any time. They are available Monday through Friday from 7am – 8pm MST. They’re even available on Saturdays from 9am – 4pm MST. So, instead of making a rushed call during your lunch break at work, call in when it’s convenient for you.

Price Match Guarantee
The ReadyExperts can also get you the best deal, industry-wide. Find the same product on sale anywhere else, and we’ll match the price. This will provide you peace of mind that you’re getting the best deal out there.

Product Understanding
We try to provide you with as much information as possible on our product pages. But many times, people have other questions regarding how much the water tank holds, how many cookies they can make with the flour, etc. Our ReadyExperts have used the products and can help you understand what you need to know.

Why have you called in?
Comment below to tell us what questions you’ve had for a ReadyExpert. If you have any questions, ask them below and we can help you out.

Being fully prepared can be a daunting task. Our ReadyExperts have helped millions of people prepare and they have great insight into how to help you prepare. We asked a few of our ReadyExperts what were some common mistakes that people make when they begin to prepare.

Check out some of the points they talked about and contact your ReadyExpert to get help with your preparations.

What are you actually preparing for?

Disasters can strike at any time in any place. But what disasters are most likely to occur in your neighborhood? Do you have to deal with tropical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes or tornadoes? Based on what natural disasters are most common in your area may affect how you prepare by the things you store.

One of the most common preparations is for economic disasters. It doesn’t matter where you live, you will be better prepared if you have enough food storage to hold you over through rough economic times or unemployment.

Our ReadyExperts will be able to help you determine which products fit best with you needs. Since they’ve helped so many people prepare, they know items that would help you too.

Water water everywhere!

Most people think about eating, but how long could you live without water? Water storage is essential to your survival especially if you have freeze-dried food that requires water to prepare.

A lot of people realize the importance of food storage but assume that they’ll just have water in an emergency. In reality, a lot of things could happen to the water system or even local supplies to prevent you from having water. Not to mention that many people live in desert areas that are deceptively settled and people forget that water isn’t as abundant in those areas.

At the minimum, have a few gallons of water and a filter. Our experts can also help you determine how much water you’ll need for your family.

Not storing enough

Many times, people want the feeling of being prepared more than actually taking the steps to be prepared. They want the comfort of having something in their pantry in case there is a disaster. That leads to many people buying the bare minimum of food storage instead of a high-quality food that your family is accustomed to.

If you are not prepared to actually use the emergency supplies or food storage then you’re not prepared.

Appetite fatigue

This goes along with my previous point. Typically, when a person goes with the bare minimum, they choose a product that offers less variety.  This can have an affect on your overall health during an emergency. You want to prepare so you don’t skip a beat – prepare with the foods that you typically eat.

Foods that you never eat

Do you know how many times I’ve heard someone say, “My food storage doesn’t taste very good, but if you’re hungry enough, you’ll eat anything!”

Why settle with food that doesn’t taste very good? If you’re going to prepare, prepare the right way! Get foods that your family already enjoys and that they are used to. That’s one of the things we pride ourselves on at The Ready Store – having food that people like to eat.

Where are you going to be?

When you think of yourself in a disaster, you typically always think of yourself at home, next to your food storage and 72-hour kits. However, are you at home for most of the day? Probably not. You need to be prepared at work, in your car.

Can you make anything with your food storage?

Food storage is great to have – if you can use it! Many times, people prepare with basic staples that are used for cooking – sugar, flour, wheat. But you’ll also need other basics to prepare these items. Don’t forget things like salt, cooking oil, baking soda, yeast, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Alternative cooking sources

Similar to the last point, if you have these basic items, how will you cook them? Imagine the power goes out. How would you cook your food? Freeze-dried food is always good for that situation but you might also need something like a solar oven.

What have you seen?

Help out those that are beginning to prepare by adding your advice below. Add your insights and share our knowledge.

Contact our ReadyExperts at 1-800-773-5331 to get help creating your own emergency plan.

Thanksgiving is a great time of the year for us to remember what we hold most dear. It is also a great time to not waste those blessings.

Every year families roast turkeys for Thanksgiving. After the day is done, they have so much wasted turkey that they don’t know what to do with. Part of being self-sufficient is knowing how to use as much of your resources as possible – and that includes Thanksgiving turkey.

Below are some tips on how you can use every part of your turkey this Thanksgiving. Check out these ideas and add your ideas to the end of the list. Happy Thanksgiving!

Carving the Turkey
The first thing you’ll want to do in order to use all the parts of the turkey is get all the meat off the bird that you can. You will need a carving fork, a carving knife and a boning knife.

Legs & Thighs
1. Place the turkey on a flat surface or cutting board breast-side up. The legs should be facing away from you. Steady the turkey with your carving fork.

2. Cut along the skin that separates the leg and the carcass.

3. Lay down the knife and pull the leg away from the carcass until the join snaps out of the socket. If the turkey is too hot to touch, use a dry, clean towel to protect your hands.

4. Cut the rest of the leg, including the joint and the meat underneath the joint. The leg should easily pull away from the carcass now.

5. Lay the leg on a flat surface or cutting board with the knee facing you. Locate the joint that connects the drumstick bone and the thigh bone.

6. Place the knife directly above the joint and cut through all the way to down. You shouldn’t feel any resistance when you cut, if you do, you’re cutting into the bone and you need to re-position.

7. Repeat steps 2-6 for the other leg.

8. Now hold a drumstick vertically by the bone (ankle) and cut straight down along the bone. Rotate the bone and continue to cut down the bone until all meat is off the bone.

9. Lay a thigh on the cutting board skin-side down. Cut along both sides of the bone from one end to the other.

10. Hold the knife parallel to the cutting board and slip it underneath the bone. Cut along the length of the bone and pull the meat away. Repeat with the other thigh.

Wings
1. Grab a wing with your hand and gently pull it away from the carcass so you can see its attachment.

2. Work the tip of the knife in between the ball joint and the wing socket. Cut all the way through the joint and remove the wing. Repeat with other wing.

Breast
1. Steady the breast with your carving fork.

2. Cut along the breastbone in the center of the breast.

3. Using the tip of the knife, cut along one side of the rib cage. Gently push the breast away from the ribs.

4. Continue to cut along the rib cage and cut straight down to the socket where the wing was attached. Continue to cut through until the whole breast is detached. Repeat for the other side of the carcass.

You can also check out this video from Cooking.com for instructions:

Bones
There are a few things you can do with the bones. For example, you can make turkey stock with the bones. You’ll need:

• Turkey bones
• Onion
• Carrot
• Celery
• Thyme

The amount of vegetables you use depends on how many vegetables you’ll need. The more vegetables you add, the more flavorful your stock will be. Add all the ingredients into a bowl and fill with water to cover all the contents. Cover and let it simmer for 3-4 hours. Once it’s done, strain the contents and you have your stock!

Innards & Giblets
The giblets are the bag of innards inside the turkey that you pull out before you cook it. And, little known fact, you can create gravy from the giblets! You’ll need:

• Bag of turkey giblets
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2-4 tablespoons seasoned flour
• Water

Place the giblets in a saucepan and add the salt, sage, celery and onion. Cover it with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2-3 hours. When the meat is starting to fall away from the neck bones, remove and strain the liquid. Chop the liver, pick the meat off the neck and gizzard and add to a blender. Puree the contents. Add flour seasoned with salt and pepper. After the turkey is done roasting, remove the fat drippings from the tray and add the blender contents to the tray. Place the tray back in the oven and roast for 15 minutes at 450-500 degrees. Thicken as desired with water.

Feet
Even the turkey feet can be useful. Throw them in a pot and boil them for an hour with vegetables and you’ll have yourself a tasty turkey feet soup! You can also remove the claws and dip them in batter and fry them.

Your Ideas
Now it’s your turn. What do you think? How could you use up all the parts of the turkey? Comment below and let us know your ideas.