M.L. Lewis
Bio
Welcome to my little slice of pie. This blog will primarily focus on prepping and homesteading skills with a sprinkle of fiction every now and then.
Stories (167)
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How To Make Jerky
Jerky is one of the oldest snacks in the world. It comes in many flavors, with beef being the most popular choice. Jerky, by definition, is any meat that has been dried, salted, and seasoned. The word jerky dates back to the ancient Incan language, Quechua. It was originally called Ch’arki, meaning “dried meat.” When the Spanish Invaders returned to Europe with the treat, it slowly gained popularity, and it eventually became jerky. Jerky is a lightweight, nutritionally dense food, making it the perfect doomsday treat. Because of how easy it is to carry, jerky has been to space a couple of times. Making jerky is a simple process that requires a few basic ingredients. It requires only one tool to make it, a dehydrator.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Feast
Growing Some Green Stuff
In 2015 Secretary Vilsack declared April to be National Garden Month. More than 50% of homes will partake in gardening. That’s one in three houses that will grow food this year. Americans will spend $48 billion on equipment this year. When done right, the average garden will yield $600 worth of produce, while only spending $70 to yield that amount. According to a recent health study, gardening has been known to lessen anxiety and depression, manage stress better, and have a better sense of accomplishment in life. If interested in gardening, here is a quick little beginner’s guide.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Lifehack
Paperwork From The Farm
The experienced Homesteader makes the lifestyle look so easy. Despite how simple they make it look, it’s not. Homesteading is a 24/7 job with no holidays, breaks, or days off. It’s back-breaking work, leaving you exposed to many elements like heat, rain, and snow. There’s a lot going on in a homestead. There are crops that need tending, livestock that needs to be fed, and wool that needs to be spun. Basically, there’s never a dull moment. To keep everything running smoothly, store your information in a special planner called a Homestead Journal. This will help you to stay on top of the day-to-day operations at your homestead.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Earth
Handling A Dust Devil
Sending well wishes and prayers to the families of those devastated by the tornadoes on April 2nd. April is the start of tornado season. On average, there are 1,240 reported tornadoes in the US. 53% of them will occur in April. They kill about 104 people and injure thousands every year. Each one can cause up to 2.5 million dollars in property damage. A tornado by definition is a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. Those hit the most by tornadoes are those who live in a special region of the US called “Tornado Alley”. States located here are Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. All states, except Alaska, have reported tornado sightings, so it’s a good idea to use this Tornado Awareness Month to prepare for just such an occasion.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Earth
Spring Invaders
With spring around the corner, there will be an increase in pests running around. 14 million homes will be reporting an infestation of some kind this year, earning the pest control industry 16 billion dollars. A typical home is exposed to many tiny invaders, many of which pose no health risk to humans. While some are known to carry diseases or can pose a real health hazard to you. Hiring a professional exterminator can be very costly, with the average house call being $400 a visit. April is National Pest Management Month, so here are some ways to get rid of the most common nuisance creatures.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Lifehack
'Tis The Season For Some Stress
November 2nd is National Stress Awareness Day. Stress happens when the body feels the presence of a threat, challenge, or barrier of some kind. When faced with anything of that nature, the body fights it off by increasing adrenaline and cortisol in order to help your insides cope. 55% of Americans experience it daily, making us the most stressed-out country in the world. 46% of those cases are work-related while 20% of them come from a personal issue. Stress can make a chronic condition like diabetes worse, weaken the immune system, cause tension in muscles, and negatively affect your digestion, just to name a few. Here is some unique way to relieve stress when you see red.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Longevity
Doomsday Proofing Your Pet
Our pets are like our family. We often refer to them as our best friends, with some even looking at them like fur babies. 67% or 85 million households have at least one pet living there. 53% or 63.4 million homes own dogs, making them America’s favorite pet, with cats coming in second with 35.7 million homes. Pets these days are not just limited to dogs and cats. They come in an array of creatures, from bugs to miniature horses. During and after disasters, pets rely on us more than ever to take care of them. These can be very stressful times that require extra care and attention. Making a Pet Care kit is a great way to do just that.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Petlife
The Silent Killer That Really Bites
September 28th is World Rabies Day. Every year this disease claims 59,000 lives, with 95% of the cases occurring in Africa and Asia. 5,000 animals die every year with bats being the top carriers of disease. In the US, contracting rabies is extremely rare, but still possible. 90% of cases reported here are animal-based and usually involve the family pet. Rabies is a viral disease spread by contact with infected saliva most commonly through an infected animal’s bite. It is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family that includes Lyssavirus (Human Rabies), Ephmerovirus (Bovine Fever), and Vesiculovirus (VSV). Here are some things to remember about Rabies in the event you become exposed to the virus.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Lifehack
Preppers Of The City
According to the UN, more people live in an urban setting than in the countryside. Four billion people live in an urban area of some sort across the globe. By 2050, it is predicted that two-thirds or seven billion people will live there. An urban area is a region surrounding or within a city where people live. These regions are so densely populated that human structures dominate the land, leaving no room for agricultural development. Urban zones are often highly targeted by terrorists, especially if it’s an important one, like New York or Washington DC. Here are some useful survival tips if you live in one of these areas.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Longevity
Preparing For The Big Blast
Nuclear war has been on everyone’s mind since Putin invaded Ukraine earlier this year. The threat of nuclear war has been around since WW2 when America vaporized two Japanese cities shortly after the attack to Pearl Harbor. In the 50s, nuclear weapons were so feared that bunkers were being constructed in backyards, as schools were holding routine drills on what to do should a bomb drop in the area. Today, the threat of nuclear war is still at an all-time high as military experts say it’s no longer if the bombs fall, it’s when. Here is some advice you can use to help get you through the big one.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Longevity
Going Down To The Farm
This weekend there will be an annual concert held to raise funds for farmers called Farm Aid. In the US, there are 2 million farms in operation across the country. 98% of them are family owned and operated. The farming industry hires 965,000 workers, bringing in 451 billion dollars a year. Farmers Markets have been around for centuries, as a way for farmers to sell their goods directly to consumers. Today, Farmers Markets are still just as profitable, as 19,000 farmers report this is the only way they sell their produce to people who visit these locations every year. When attending a Farmers Market, here is a way to make the most of your trip.
By M.L. Lewis3 years ago in Earth
