The Indoor Winter Garden: 5 Vegetables You Didn’t Know You Could Grow In Hanging Baskets

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Image source: Pixabay.com

The square footage of my vegetable garden is about the same as the square footage of my house. While I do love fresh organic veggies, finding space to grow them indoors during the winter can be a bit of a puzzle. One way to maximize indoor growing space is to use hanging baskets.

Getting Ready to Plant

Bigger baskets will give your edibles more room to flourish. Choose baskets that are at least 12 inches deep. Their diameter can be as small as 6 inches, but the bigger you go, the more you can plant.

Keep your soil light by using a potting mix, and working in some perlite or vermiculite. Avoid bringing in soil from your outdoor garden, or using soil with clay or loam in it, as those will be heavy. Work some fertilizer in before planting to give your edibles a strong start.

Choose a location where your plants will get lots of sun, like a south-facing window. Most edibles need at least six hours of daylight each day, but some require up to 16 hours. Research your cultivars before planting to determine the amount of light needed, but remember that it’s easy enough to attach a small clamping grow light to a basket for supplementary light.

You also should consider your home’s temperature and humidity levels. Most edibles thrive in temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the usual range in most homes. Keep in mind that winter air is often quite dry; and placing your baskets near heat vents will cause further drying. Use mulch in to help maintain moisture, and plan to water daily. You also can increase humidity by misting your plants or running a humidifier.

Choosing Edibles to Plant

Dwarf varieties are best for hanging baskets. Compact plants that produce small, light fruits will keep your baskets healthy and manageable. Some plants, like tomatoes, have varieties bred specifically for baskets. For others, such as cucumbers, choose cultivars with smaller fruit.

1. Tomatoes

There are lots of great choices when it comes to tomatoes. Florida Basket and Micro Tom are just two of the varieties bred for baskets and pots. Tomatoes that mature early, such as Tumbler F1 and Tumbling Tom, are also good choices for growing indoors.

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Tomatoes need at least eight hours of light each day, and should do well in a south-facing window for most of the winter. On the darkest days, supplement with a grow light if necessary. They are heavy feeders, and you should start fertilizing them twice a week once the plants are about three inches tall. Because there aren’t any insects or wind to do the job, you will need to hand pollinate your plants once they flower. Simply tap the flower stem to dislodge the pollen; or, if you like, you can use a cotton swab to transfer pollen from one flower to the other.

2. Peas and beans

Image source: Pixabay.com

As a cool weather crop, peas are particularly well-suited to growing indoors during the winter. Since they can tolerate light frosts, you don’t need to worry about the vines getting too close to frosty windows. Keep your beans more protected, though, because they prefer warmer temperatures. Both peas and beans require only about six hours of sunlight daily. Plan to water once a day and fertilize once a week for best results.

3. Cucumbers

Choose your cucumber varieties carefully. Some, like Carmen, are bred to grow indoors — or, rather, in greenhouses. These cultivars have a high propagation rate, high yields, good disease resistance, and most importantly for the indoor gardener, they self-pollinate. However, Carmen produces large 14-16 inch fruit, which will be difficult to manage in hanging baskets.

Regular outdoor varieties will have lower yields, and you’ll need to help the pollination process along. However, a variety bred for planters (like Patio Snacker), or one that produces small fruit (like County Fair Hybrid) are excellent choices to grow indoors.

This New All-Natural Fertilizer Can Double Your Garden Yield!

Cucumbers require only moderate amounts of light (5-6 hours daily), but they bask in warmth. Plan to water daily and increase watering once the plants flower. Indoor cucumber plants should be fertilized once a week.

4. Salad greens

Lettuce and other salad greens like kale and spinach are cool weather crops, and are well-suited to growing in your home’s cooler nooks and crannies. They are also very easy to grow from seed. However, these veggies do need a lot of light — 14 to 16 hours a day is ideal. If you’d like to grow salad greens indoors, plan to attach a clamping grow light to your basket. Since salad greens need a moist environment in which to germinate, mist the soil frequently.

5. Strawberries

Strawberries grow well indoors as well as in hanging baskets. The best variety for indoor baskets is the Alpine strawberry, which produces small, fragrant and flavorful fruit. Strawberries do just fine in regular indoor temperatures and need only six hours of sunlight per day. Plan to fertilize about every 10 days, and break out your cotton swabs, because you’ll need to pollinate your strawberries as well.

Even with decreased amounts of sunlight, low humidity and frosty windows, it’s possible to grow some fruits and vegetables indoors during the winter. Use hanging baskets to maximize your growing space — and your harvest. Why spend your winter daydreaming about next year’s garden? Just go ahead and break out those seed catalogs now.

What do you grow indoors during winter? Share your tips in the section below:

Bust Inflation With A Low-Cost, High-Production Garden. Read More Here.

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Best Ways to Keep Your House Warm – New Construction and Remodeling Tips

Best Ways to Keep Your House Warm – New Construction and Remodeling Tips Read more on: http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

We aren't at the North Pole, but we get plenty of cold weather here in Northeast Wisconsin. We're in USDA hardiness zone 4/5 and we have wind 9 days out of 10. (Our area is one of the windiest in the state.) Our home is built with the local climate in mind. We did a lot of research before building, so we put together a post to share what we feel are the best ways to keep your house warm in winter.

This post is part of our Winter Home Heating Series, which includes:

Keeping Warm – Winter Prep Check List for You and Your Home

25 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Warm in Winter

Emergency Heat During a Power Outage and other Winter Storm Preps

Best Ways to Keep Your House Warm in Winter

The best ways to keep your house warm in winter combine preventing heat loss and generating heat. A well built house keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. It holds up during emergency situations like extended power outages. Money invested during building or remodeling smart will pay you back many times over in reduced heating and cooling bills.

Good Insulation is Critical

Seriously, insulate! Good insulation matters in the winter and summer. It will pay back especially if fuel prices increase. You can do it yourself. See the national map and insulate based on where you are.

Remember, wall insulation is as important as attic insulation. If you are building new, make sure to insulate exterior walls. Start with 2×6 walls with high R factor roll insulation. Then add 2″ exterior rigid foam insulation. Place the exterior insulation so that the seams don't align with the seams in the OSB sheathing. If you are re-siding a home, consider adding 2 inch rigid R10 foam boards on the outside of walls under new exterior siding to improve the wall insulation (R value).

You want to avoid air flow paths through the wall, so make sure outlets and any other wall penetrations are well-insulated. Select windows and doors that exceed the insulation requirements for your normal weather. Add foam insulation in nooks and crannies during construction to reduce airflow and eliminate insulation gaps. Potentially insulate interior walls if you have areas of the home that could be unoccupied during a winter emergency. Insulation can also be added to reduce noise transmission in the home.

Our walls are ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms), which is concrete sandwiched in foam insulation. This creates a very good thermal mass and excellent insulation. If it's in the budget, ICF is a great option for reducing heating and cooling costs.

Recommended Home Insulation R– Values Table
Source: EnergyStar.Gov

Zone	Add Insulation to Attic	Floor
Uninsulated Attic	Existing 3–4 Inches of Insulation
1	R30 to R49	R25 to R30	R13
2	R30 to R60	R25 to R38	R13 to R19
3	R30 to R60	R25 to R38	R19 to R25
4	R38 to R60	R38	R25 to R30
5 to 8	R49 to R60+	R38 to R49	R25 to R30
Wall Insulation: Whenever exterior siding is removed on an Uninsulated wood-frame wall: Drill holes in the sheathing and blow insulation into the empty wall cavity before installing the new siding, and Zones 3–4: Add R5 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding Zones 5–8: Add R5 to R6 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding. Insulated wood-frame wall: For Zones 4 to 8: Add R5 insulative sheathing before installing the new siding.

Add Thermal Mass for Heat Storage

Keep your house warm by adding mass that holds the heat. If you use wood or wood pellet heat, add a brick chimney INSIDE the envelope of the home. Place it near the center of the home if possible, so chimney heat loss radiates inside the envelope of the house. A sealed combustion fireplace or masonry stove will act as a heat reservoir in the heat of your home.

Lay heavy insulation under sand, under the basement floor and along the foundation walls, with radiant tubing (hydronic tubes) to permit in floor heating. Deep heat in the basement floor really keeps the house warm. Insulation under the sand bed reduces heat loss into the soil under and around the foundation. Even if you don't insulate, make sure to put a moisture barrier under your basement slab. This will reduce mold and mildew issues in the basement.

Fish tanks, big plants, heavy furniture, filled book shelves – all of these can add a small amount of thermal mass to help store heat in your home. For those building with alternative materials like cob or strawbales, building in benches or large planters can add a much larger amount of thermal mass.

Two Heat Sources are Better Than One

If possible, have more than one source for heat. The old adage, “two is one and one is none” can keep you from freezing your tail off. If once heat source fails, you can still keep warm. Mixing heating options also makes it easier to get the heat right where you need it.

Home heating options include:

• Ben Franklin type stoves from manufacturers such as: US Stove, Englander, Lopi Endeavor or Drolet
• Pellet stoves
• An Amish stove, which can provide heat, cooking, and hot water.
• Standard forced air heating
• Boiler system with hydronic heat for baseboard heating or in floor heating
• Masonry stove, fireplace or rocket mass heater
• Geothermal heating and cooling
• Propane space heaters
• Electric space heaters

Note: If possible provide an exterior air feed for the fireplace/stove, to reduce interior heat loss to the fireplace. If you have a wood burning fireplace or stove make sure you are closing it down appropriately and keeping the chimney clean.

Choose the Right Windows and Doors

Consider storm windows and storm doors. Even a small gap between the exterior door and the storm door reduces heat loss (and gain). Vinyl window frames transfer less heat than metal frames, and are more durable than wood. Triple pane or argon filled windows may be appropriate for the north side of the home where you don't get winter sun and you want to minimize heat loss. Look for high r-values and tight seals, and make sure the windows and doors are properly installed. The best window on the planet won't keep out the cold if there are air leaks all around it.

Add an Enclosed Porch

Consider adding a “portal” to enter and exit the home. An old fashioned enclosed porch entry allows entry without exposing the interior directly to the outside. That area also provides seasonal storage. We keep our big compost bucket in our enclosed porch, as well as winter squash and some other fruits and veggies.

You can also put your attic access through the porch ceiling, so you don't lose heat inside your house to your attic.

Get a Backup Generator

Get a generator, or if you have the money, a solar electric system. In the winter, a generator is a better bet, as the days are short and gray in the coldest of the winter. A duel fuel generator is a handy option, because they can run off of gasoline or propane. Size the generator to keep critical services running – such as electric ignitions on heating systems, blowers and pumps. See “Emergency Power Options for Your Home – Gas Generators and More” for more detailed information.

Take Advantage of Passive Solar Heating

Put the sun to work for you with smart placement of your home. Lay the house out so the main living area faces south. Place the majority of windows on the south side of the house, and pair them up with an overhang to keep out summer sun. Check out “Passive Solar Heating Basics – A Free Energy Way to Heat Your Home” for more info and photos of how we use passive solar heating in our home.

Use a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)

A very tight house can tempt you to open windows or doors in the middle of winter because the house gets stuffy. Instead, consider a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). An HRV vents stale inside air and pulls in fresh outside air. The two streams pass inside the unit, and heat is recovered from the outgoing air and transferred to the incoming air. An HRV with higher CFM is better. (CFM = Cubic Feet per Minute. )

In our home, the fresh air is routed up to the bonus room above the garage to promote circulation throughout the home. Stale air is pulled in via return vents around the home. We turn the HRV on periodically in the winter to reduce the chance of mold and freshen the house.

Reduce Wind Heat Loss with Plantings, Berms and Fences

Airflow past your home can wick heat away, so adding outside elements that reduce the wind can also help reduce your heating bill.

Treelines

Plant a treeline to protect from prevailing winds. Organizations such as the Arbor Day Foundation and soil stewardship groups supply trees at a big discount, but quality may vary. For more info on windbreaks, see: http://ift.tt/2iEkT7q.

Here are a few sources for less expensive windbreak trees (remember you need to buy for your zone and local climate)

• We recommend ColdStreamFarm. We bought most of our windbreak trees from them. The trees arrived safely and are good quality.
• If you are looking for food crop trees, we like:
  • St. Lawrence Nursery – wide variety of unique hardy trees
  • Grandpas Orchard – apples, pears, peaches & plums
  • Stark Brothers Nursery – wide variety of edible and decorative trees, plants and shrubs.
• Arbor Day

Berms

If you have the space for it and don't mind the asthetics, add an earth berm the north and west sides of the home. This means building basement walls roughly 4ft higher, so earth can be up against the side of the 1st floor of the house just under the level of the first floor windows. The earth berm reduces heat loss and provides ground temperature (earth stays in the 40s so it measurably reduces heat loss on the west and north.

Snow Fencing or Permanent Fencing

A snow fence is a fence that is put up seasonally to control where snow drops and change drifting patterns. See the post How to Put Up a Snow Fence for more information. Even a small snow fence can break the strong winds somewhat. A permanent fence may be the best choice if you want privacy and reduced winds. If you want the winds in the summer to cool your home, a seasonal fence is a better choice.

Side note on this series – August started writing one really crazy long post, which Laurie broke into several posts to hopefully make it more user friendly. Leave a comment to share your tips or questions about building for warmth.

You may also find helpful:

Emergency Cooking – 10 Ways to Have a Hot Meal When the Power Goes Out

5 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy a Wood Burning Stove

Winter Vehicle Maintenance Checklist and Preparing a Winter Vehicle Emergency Kit and

other posts in the Common Sense Preparedness series

The post Best Ways to Keep Your House Warm – New Construction and Remodeling Tips appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

This Article Was Originally Posted at commonsensehome.com Read The Original Article Here

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Baking with Coconut Flour Review & Almond Butter Blondie Bites Recipe

The following article Baking with Coconut Flour Review & Almond Butter Blondie Bites Recipe was originally seen on http://ift.tt/1Qfw8v0

Have you ever come across a product and thought, “I wish I would have found this a year ago”? That's what I thought when I read Starlene's Baking with Coconut flour e-book. My early attempts at baking with coconut flour were less than successful. After reading Baking with Coconut Flour, I have a whole new strategy for using this ingredient, plus a back up plan to recover anything I still manage to screw up. 😉 (She includes salvage instructions in the book, too.)

What is Coconut Flour?

Coconut flour really isn't flour as most of think of flour, i.e., ground up grain. Coconut flour is dried coconut meat that is finely ground and can be used as a substitute for standard flours. There are different types (finer and courser grind), which is explained in Starlene's e-book.

Why Use Coconut Flour?

Coconut flour is gluten free, so it's become popular with gluten sensitivity. It's also low carb, and acceptable for most people who cannot use nut based flours. It's high in protein and fiber, so it fills you up and is less likely to spike blood sugar levels.

Where Can I buy Coconut Flour?

Coconut flour can be found in most natural food or gluten free baking sections of grocery stores. It can also be purchased online through vendors such as Tropical Traditions or Nutiva, or through bulk buying clubs like Azure Standard or UNFI.

How Does Coconut Flour Compare to Wheat Flour?

Starlene explains in detail how to substitute coconut flour for wheat flour. Her rough rule of thumb is 1/4 cup coconut flour for 1 cup of wheat flour, but she gives additional tips on how to measure to get consistent results every time. (This is part of the material I really wish I had known about sooner.) There can be a lot more variation in coconut flour depending on its age and storage conditions, and because you use less, that variation can have a big effect on a recipe. (Thus my rather dry and gritty baking results are explained, and remedied in the future.)

What Recipes are Featured in Baking with Coconut Flour?

Inside Baking with Coconut Flour, you will find:

• Grandma's Applesauce Cake
• Banana Nut Muffins
• Brownies
• Pumpkin Poppers (Donut Holes)
• Orange Medallion Cookies
• Strawberry Shortcake Medallion Cookies
• Chocolate Medallion Cookies
• Cookie Cutter Cookies
• Cookie Cutter Cookies (Egg-Free)
• Pumpkin Bread
• Sanwich bread
• Faux Cornbread or Muffins

How do You Adapt Recipes for Use With Coconut Flour?

This is where the book really shines. Sure, Starlene gives an assortment of great recipes to get you started, but she also gives you the tools you need to successfully adapt favorite recipes you already use. The adaptation instructions include flour swaps, egg adjustments, substituting honey for sugar and finding the right mix of ingredients to achieve the desired texture. She discusses how the batter should look for different types of baked goods, and the best techniques for adjusting the amount of flour used. Because coconut flour works best when it has a chance to sit and soak up the liquid in a recipe, you can't just adjust it at the end like you would a wheat flour recipe. (Well, you can, but it won't work nearly as well.)

Here's an example of a recipe Starlene converted just for this post. 🙂

Almond Butter Blondie Bites Made With Coconut Flour

The original recipe is here: http://ift.tt/1mAQ1Kh

• 1 cup crispy almonds (skins removed after soaking) (132 grams)
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean caviar, optional (extracted from a piece of vanilla bean about 3″ in length)
• 1/4 cup coconut flour + 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Bars:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a glass 9″x9″ square baking dish. I also lined the dish with parchment paper for easy removal.

1. Place crispy almonds into food processor and add 2 tablespoons warm, melted coconut oil.

2. Blend until smooth. It took about 3 minutes in my food processor. Measure out 1/2 cup of almond butter (there will be a couple of tablespoons extra).

3. Place almond butter into a medium sized bowl.

4. Add remaining coconut oil (3 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon).

5. Add 1/3 cup honey, vanilla extract and vanilla bean caviar.

6. Beat two eggs and add to the bowl.

7. Mix together.

8. In a smaller bowl, place 1/4 cup coconut flour and salt. Mix. Sift.

9. Add coconut flour and salt to the wet ingredients.

10. Mix using hand mixer or whisk until thoroughly blended.

11. Allow the batter to sit for 2-3 minutes to give the coconut flour time to absorb.

12. Assess the batter. Brownie batter should be somewhat stiff. I had to add the additional tablespoon of coconut flour as the batter was pretty sloppy.

13. Spread into the baking dish.

14. Bake 20 minutes. The top of the brownies will lose the shiny look and will feel firm to the touch when done.

These were delicious all alone but they looked a little homely so I decided to dress them up with a little touch of frosting.

Optional Frosting:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• vanilla bean caviar from a piece of vanilla bean about 1″ in length

Mix together. Using a pastry bag, pipe a small dot on top of each blondie. I cut these into 9 pieces, and then 4 pieces again. Yield: 36 bites

You can buy your copy of Baking with Coconut Flour online by clicking here. I did not receive any compensation from Starlene for this review, but I did decide to become an affiliate, so if you choose to purchase the book or Nutiva coconut flour through my site, I receive a small affiliate payment.

Through Monday 11/27/17, get all of Starlene's ebooks half off. Just use the coupon code “BF17SALE” at checkout. Click here to order or browse available products.

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Almond Butter Blondie Bites Recipe

Rich blondies made with almonds and coconut flour to satisfy your sweet tooth without a ton of sugar.

• Yield: 36 mini bites

Ingredients

• 1 cup crispy almonds (skins removed after soaking) (132 grams)
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean caviar, optional (extracted from a piece of vanilla bean about 3″ in length)
• 1/4 cup coconut flour + 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting (optional):

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• vanilla bean caviar from a piece of vanilla bean about 1″ in length

Notes

Bars:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a glass 9″x9″ square baking dish. I also lined the dish with parchment paper for easy removal.

1. Place crispy almonds into food processor and add 2 tablespoons warm, melted coconut oil.

2. Blend until smooth. It took about 3 minutes in my food processor. Measure out 1/2 cup of almond butter (there will be a couple of tablespoons extra).

3. Place almond butter into a medium sized bowl.

4. Add remaining coconut oil (3 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon).

5. Add 1/3 cup honey, vanilla extract and vanilla bean caviar.

6. Beat two eggs and add to the bowl.

7. Mix together.

8. In a smaller bowl, place 1/4 cup coconut flour and salt. Mix. Sift.

9. Add coconut flour and salt to the wet ingredients.

10. Mix using hand mixer or whisk until thoroughly blended.

11. Allow the batter to sit for 2-3 minutes to give the coconut flour time to absorb.

12. Assess the batter. Brownie batter should be somewhat stiff. I had to add the additional tablespoon of coconut flour as the batter was pretty sloppy.

13. Spread into the baking dish.

14. Bake 20 minutes. The top of the brownies will lose the shiny look and will feel firm to the touch when done.

Frosting:

Mix together. Using a pastry bag, pipe a small dot on top of each blondie. I cut these into 9 pieces, and then 4 pieces again.

More Gluten Free Recipes

You may also enjoy these treats from our recipe archives.

Cranberry Chestnut Bars

Chocolate Chestnut Brownies

Homemade Almond Joy and Mounds Bars

Originally published in 2013, updated in 2017.

The post Baking with Coconut Flour Review & Almond Butter Blondie Bites Recipe appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

This Article Was Originally Posted at commonsensehome.com Read The Original Article Here

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Fire Survival Tips | How To Properly Use A Fire Extinguisher

The post Fire Survival Tips | How To Properly Use A Fire Extinguisher Read more on: http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

It's an advantage to know a few key things about a fire extinguisher such as when to use it or what type of fire it can put out. Read on and learn the basic know-how of fire extinguishers so you can use it more effectively!

Fire Extinguisher: Putting Out Fire Easily

When you encounter a fire, you will feel more comfortable using a fire extinguisher if you know the basic things about it. One fact everyone should know is they are commonly designed to put out a fire during its incipient stage or when the fire is just starting. It can be difficult to put out a fire when it's been going on for 5 minutes or more, and this is also the part where you have to evacuate and call the fire department. Therefore, knowing when to use a fire extinguisher or if it's the suitable type to use is a huge leverage for your survival.

Before Using a Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are for controlling small fires or the beginning stage of fires before they have a chance to spread. So before using one, make sure you know these things below:

• Have a clear escape route
• Be familiar with the operating instructions
• Use a fire extinguisher suited to the fire you're facing

Parts of a Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers pretty much all look the same. Most of them come in red metal containers so they're easy to locate in a room. Here are the important parts of a fire extinguisher you need to know:

• Handle/Trigger – The top portion of the handle is the trigger and once pressed, it will emit the agent.
• Safety pin – You have to pull the safety pin before you can use the fire extinguisher. A zip tie is used to avoid accidentally setting it off.
• Discharge nozzle/Hose – The type of the nozzle or hose will depend on the size of the fire extinguisher.
• Pressure gauge – This part will indicate if the tank is full or empty.

Nature is absolutely going to call when you are out in the wild. Ditch the bulky TP and check out Wysi Wipes! https://t.co/dnWqV3bYh2

— Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) October 12, 2017

Common Types of Fire

There are different types of fire which require a suitable fire extinguisher. Not using the right type of extinguishing agent can put your life at a higher risk.

• A – Class A fire includes common combustibles like paper, wood, and tires.
• B – It involves flammable liquids like gasoline and petroleum oil.
• C – This type of fire include energized electrical equipment like appliances, motors, and transformers.
• K – Class F fire involve cooking oils and greases.

Use it the Right Way

Control and extinguish the fire using the acronym P.A.S.S. which stands for pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep. And stay calm when putting the fire out so you can think clearly during this situation.

• Pull – The fire extinguisher will never work until you pull out the pin. You have to be sure you're not pressing the top portion of the handle while pulling the pin out. After that, discard the pin.
• Aim – Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames, but don't get too close. You can't put out a fire if the base is not yet extinguished.
• Squeeze – After aiming the nozzle at the base of the fire, squeeze the lever firmly to discharge the fire extinguishing agent.
• Sweep – Sweep the hose side to side to cover the base of the fire. Don't just point it in one spot because it can easily spread the fire.

Check out this video from Fire and Safety Centre to know the different types of fire extinguishers and their uses!

Fire extinguishers are indispensable fire-fighting equipment that can help you put out small fires. You just have to remember not to turn your back on the fire when you're trying to extinguishing it and be as close to a safe exit as possible when the fire gets out of control. Your safety should be your number one priority and don't hesitate to call the fire department immediately. Familiarize yourself with the location of fire extinguishers in your workplace and have least one in your home. Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher properly when the situation deems fit can shift the odds in your favor.

Have you tried using a fire extinguisher? Tell us your experience in the comments below!

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7 Health Benefits Of Taking Fish Oil

7 Health Benefits Of Taking Fish Oil was first published on http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

What is fish oil? Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of oily fish. Fish oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are precursors of certain eicosanoids that are known to reduce inflammation in the body. Read on to learn why taking fish oil is so important!

How much fish oil should you consume per day?

According to a bottle of fish oil gel capsules, one should take 1 fish oil capsule, 3 times a day (preferably with a meal). The dosage per fish oil capsule is 1,000 mg and provides 300 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA).

Of course, food intake needs to play a role as well in your daily fish oil intake. For example, if you eat foods that day that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, then your fish oil supplement intake should decrease.

Note: Consuming too much fish oil can cause stomach issues such as nausea, diarrhea, excessive belching, and in rare cases can cause nose bleeds.

As I stated above, fish oil is great for treating inflammation in the body but, it also has many other health benefits as well. Let’s take a quick glance at the health conditions that greatly benefit from fish oil:

• Immune System Function
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Diabetes
• ADHD
• Arthritis
• Eye Disorders

Let’s get started!

Health Benefits Of Taking Fish Oil

Immune System Function

When fish oil is combined with the antioxidant, astaxanthin, the benefit of boosting the immune system is multiplied!

Salmon is a great example as salmon contains both fish oil and astaxanthin. Another great recommendation is buying a fish oil supplement that contains astaxanthin.

Alzheimer’s Disease

The connection between fish oil and Alzheimer’s disease has been studied for quite a few years now. The studies have consistently shown that the omega-3 fatty acids are vital for brain functioning and have been shown to slow down cognitive decline and help prevent brain atrophy in older adults.

Cardiovascular Disease

Studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have improved the survival rate for heart attack patients. They can also help to prevent and possibly reverse various cardiovascular diseases.

Diabetes

Fish oil can help protect the hippocampus cells from damage which, in turn, can help reduce the risk of diabetic patients developing cognitive deficit.

ADHD

Due to fish oil’s positive effects on our brains, it is believed that suboptimal levels of omega-3 fatty acids may improve the symptoms of ADHD.

While taking fish oil supplements, one study of ADHD patients showed significant improvement in aggression, sleep quality, and academics.

Arthritis

As I mentioned above, consumption of fish oil reduces inflammation within the body. Fish oil supplements are a much healthier alternative to over the counter medication and certainly healthier (and safer!) than prescribed medications.

Eye Disorders

Regular fish oil consumption can reduce the risks of age-related eye disorders such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

**Before adding fish oil to your daily diet, please speak with your doctor if you are currently on medications and/or experiencing any and all health concerns. Also, if you have a allergy to shellfish, do not consume fish oil.

**The content within this article is for informational purposes only. Please read our full information disclaimer here.

Have you added fish oil to your daily diet? Share your story with us in the comment section below.

Check out these articles on other health benefits that could benefit you and your loved ones!

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7 Old-Fashioned, Grandma-Approved Health Remedies That Actually Do Work

7 Old-Fashioned, Grandma-Approved Health Remedies That Actually Do Work is republished from http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

Many old health remedies are defined by folklore, myth and the varying claims of natural healers across the centuries. Beyond the claims, however, studies have shown that certain natural remedies actually can provide effective relief for illness and disease.

Here are seven of the best natural remedies that have stood the test of time.

1. Honey

The first recorded use of honey as a medicinal treatment was 3,000 years ago in Egypt. Since then, honey has been found to:

• Improve digestion – Use a tablespoon or two to counteract indigestion.
• Relieve nausea – Mix honey with ginger and lemon juice to help counteract nausea.
• Treat acne – It can be used as a face cleanser to fight off acne and is gentle on all skin types. Take half a teaspoon, warm between hands and spread on face gently. Leave on for 10 minutes, and then rinse with warm water and pat dry.
• Lower cholesterol.
• 

  Image source: Pixabay.com

  Improve circulation – Raw honey makes your brain function optimal by strengthening the heart and improving blood circulation.

• Reduce insomnia – Add a tablespoon to warm milk to help increase melatonin output and help you sleep.
• Provide probiotic support – Raw honey is full of natural probiotics which promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
• Treat allergies – If sourced locally, raw honey can help reduce seasonal allergies.
• Moisturize skin – A spoonful of raw honey mixed with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon can be used as a hydrating lotion.
• Treat eczema – Use it as a topical mixture of equal parts of honey and cinnamon.
• Reduce inflammation – Raw honey has anti-inflammatory agents that can treat respiratory conditions such as asthma.
• Help wounds heal – Raw honey used topically can help speed healing time for mild burns, wounds, rashes and abrasions.
• Treat urinary tract infections – Due to its antibacterial properties.
• Relieve sore throat – Mix with lemon or peppermint oil for fast acting benefits or add to tea.

2. Licorice root

Although native people often chewed the entire root raw, the roots of the licorice plant when dried and chopped can be made into a tea.

The Hidden Secrets Of Making Herbal Medicines…Right At Your Fingertips!

Licorice root has been found to help the following:

• Digestive ailments – Add one teaspoon of powdered licorice root to a cup of hot water. Cover, steep for 10 minutes, and strain. Drink two or three times a day for a week.
• Respiratory infections – Drink a few cups of licorice root tea every day. You also can mix ½ teaspoon of licorice powder with a little honey.
• Canker sores – Due to anti-inflammatory and mucosa-healing properties.
• Liver health – Drink a cup of licorice root tea to promote liver health. Add ½ teaspoon of licorice root to a cup of hot water. Cover, steep for five to 10 minutes, and strain. Drink this tea once daily for a week, take a break for a couple of weeks, and then repeat.
• Teeth and gums – The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in licorice root can prevent the growth of cavity-causing bacteria, reduce plaque, fight bad breath and keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.

3. Willow bark

Willow bark contains salicin, which is the active ingredient in aspirin. Salicin is a proven pain reliever and is anti-inflammatory. To use willow bark, cut a three-inch-by-three-inch chunk of willow bark out of a willow tree. All willows will work but white willow has the highest concentration of salicin.

Willow: Fast, All-Natural Pain Relief With No Nasty Side Effects!

Scrape and cut the inner bark (xylem) onto a pan or plate. Look for a pink color – that’s the good stuff. Wrap in a coffee filter (of other similar filter) and immerse into boiling water. Shut off the heat and let steep for 20 minutes. You should get a reddish, brown infusion.

Strain it again and take sparingly at first (a tablespoon at a time) until symptoms subside.

4. Apple cider vinegar

Books have been written about the value and extensive uses of apple cider vinegar. It has been used to treat osteoporosis, leg cramps and pain, upset stomach, sore throat, sinus congestion, high blood pressure, arthritis and high cholesterol.

It also is known to help with weight loss, and it adds valuable nutrients and micronutrients to your diet. These include soluble fiber in the form of pectin, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, beta-carotene, lycopene and minerals such as sodium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium.

Apple cider vinegar is an antiseptic with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, too. That’s because all vinegars have acetic acid in concentrations from five to 10 percent. Use it for cleaning wounds or for general cleaning where germs may lurk.

5. Echinacea root

Native Americans have known about the healing properties of Echinacea or the purple cone flower for centuries. At times, the flowers were infused in tea, but it’s the roots that pack the healing punch.

What’s been determined in clinical studies is that the antioxidant properties in the roots boost the immune system. As a result, it is a standard treatment for colds and flu in the tribal medicine chests.

Beet Powder: The Ancient Secret To Renewed Energy And Stamina

To make an Echinacea tincture, you’ll need a small one-pint mason jar, a ½ cup of dried Echinacea root, and a pint of vodka. The alcohol in the vodka draws out key elements in the roots and preserves the tincture. I imagine Native Americans used hot water, but some contemporary recipes have indicated vodka as an effective ingredient for an infusion.

To make the tincture, add the roots to the jar, top with the vodka and seal the jar. Store at room temperature for six weeks, shaking the jar from time to time.

After six weeks, strain the tincture and discard the roots. The standard dosage is ½ to ¾ teaspoons, three to four times a day. You can add it to orange juice or other juice if you like. You don’t want to give this to kids if you made it with vodka, but the alcohol actually prevents the growth of bacteria in the tincture.

6. Beet juice

Some recent and significant clinical studies have confirmed something our ancestors knew all along. Raw beet juice can have a significant effect on blood pressure. In fact, one study found that after consuming eight ounces of raw beet juice, blood pressure dropped five points after one hour. In a study done in England, two glasses of raw beet juice a day were found to be as effective as nitrate tablets in treating hypertension.

It appears that some key elements in beets are responsible. These include high concentrations of potassium, foliates and natural nitrites. Collectively, they smooth muscle tissue and increase blood flow, in addition to supporting blood vessel function.

Keep in mind that fresh, raw beet juice is best. Bottled or pre-packaged beet juice is not as effective. If you don’t have a juicer, then you can use a blender and strain the juice. I’ll sometimes use the leftover pulp to make borscht.

7. Aloe

Aloe is another one of those old health remedies that goes back thousands of years. The Egyptians called it the “plant of immortality.” It’s a succulent plant and a member of the cactus family. It was used by Native American tribes particularly in the Southwest deserts, where it thrived.

Image source: Pixabay.com

Aloe will grow in many parts of North America and can easily be grown as a houseplant. Its gelatinous pulp is often used as a treatment for burns and other skin conditions. It has been shown to have antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and antioxidant properties.

Aloe also has high amounts of vitamins and minerals, and can be consumed with juice and some of the squeezed pulp. It contains eight essential amino acids not made by our bodies, plus a range of enzymes.

The following is a short list of conditions it can be used to treat:

External use as a pulp squeezed from the plant leaves:

• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Acne
• Rosacea
• Cuts
• Sores
• Boils
• Warts
• Scars
• Herpes sores
• Rashes
• Poison ivy
• Insect stings
• Itching
• Blisters
• Athlete’s foot
• Hemorrhoids

Internal use in combination with water or juice:

• Indigestion
• Heartburn
• Acid reflux
• Bloating
• Peptic ulcers
• Constipation
• Colitis
• Prostate health
• Inflammation
• Arthritis
• Immune system support
• Detox

It was difficult to pick only seven natural remedies for this list, when you consider the healing properties of garlic, turmeric, ginger and numerous others. But given the number of benefits we’ve listed here, this is a good start. Stay well.

What old-fashioned remedies would you add to this list? Share your advice in the section below:

Harness The Power Of Nature’s Most Remarkable Healer: Vinegar

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check out the full article Here: 7 Old-Fashioned, Grandma-Approved Health Remedies That Actually Do Work

25 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Warm in Winter

The following article 25 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Warm in Winter is courtesy of Total Survival

For those looking to reduce your heating bill without a big investment, we've put together a list of 20 cheap ways to keep your house warm in winter. Some of these options reduce heat loss, others add heat to the home or keep the heat where you need it.

This post is part of our Winter Home Heating Series, which includes:

Best Ways to Keep Your House Warm – New Construction and Remodeling

Keeping Warm – Winter Prep Check List for You and Your Home

Emergency Heat During a Power Outage and other Winter Storm Preps

25 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Warm in Winter

Use the Right Ventilation

1. Replace bathroom exhaust vent switches with timer switches so vents can't be left on by accident. Vent only when needed. Winter air tends to be dry, so if you don't mind a little less privacy, open your bathroom door and let the steam escape into the house instead.

2. Make sure bathroom fans/vents have baffles/draft blockers on the outside so you don't have cold air blowing back into the house.

3. Switch ceiling fans (reverse them) spring and fall. If you have heated floors turn off the ceiling fans, if you have forced air heat, turn them on.

4. Close the doors and vents in unused rooms if you are trying to reduce heating costs or keep your living space warmer in an emergency.

5. Outside ventilation makes a difference, too. Consider a snow fence to control where snow drops and control drifting. See the post How to Put Up a Snow Fence. Even a small snow fence can break the strong winds somewhat.

Get Heat Where You Need It

6. If you have radiators, line the inside of the exterior wall with tinfoil. This will reflect some of the heat back into the home.

7. Make sure you aren't blocking airflow from forced air vents, and that the vents are open where you need heat. Don't block your vents with furniture, piles of dirty clothes or other debris.

8. If you have a chimney and are not using it, make sure its flue and draft (if it has both) are closed. Open chimneys can suck the heat right out of your home. (This is one of the biggest issues with open fireplaces – too much heat loss from the room. ) Consider blocking the chimney with a fireplace insert insulation to reduce heat loss if it will be left unused indefinitely – just don't forget to take it out if you decide to use it again.

Insulate Inside and Out to Reduce Heat Loss

9. Insulate hot water/radiator pipes and ductwork running through non-living areas. You don't want that heat dumped in a crawl space or utility area, you want it to get your house warm.

10. Pipe insulation isn't just for exposed pipes. You can place it along the bottom of an exterior OR interior door to reduce drafts.

11. Attic access or attic doors can be the source of large amounts of heat loss. Make sure your attic access is VERY well insulated.

12. Don't let the cold radiate up from your floor. An uninsulated floor can cause more than 10% heat loss in a home. This is especially important if your home is “built on a slab” (no basement). Insulate the floor with warm rugs and/or carpets. The bearskin or sheepskin rugs were historical solutions for floor insulation.

13. In extreme cold, hang blankets along the wall, even where there aren't windows, the wall can radiate cold through it, if the insulation isn't good enough. If this happens regularly you need to check your wall insulation.

14. Consider placing bales of hay along the edge of your basement and lower portion of 1st floor of your home. You will need to make sure you protect against mice, they will move in. The hay functions as basic exterior insulation.

Reduce Window Heat Loss

15. Uncover the south facing windows to let in solar heat on sunny days. See “Passive Solar Heating Basics” for more information on how to make the most out of your solar gain.

16. Add insulating window coverings. Honeycomb insulating shades are a good option to consider. Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, and numerous websites and stores will allow custom orders. We have Bali insulating cellular shades. We open and close them with the sun, they lasted about 10 years with daily use in the winter before we had to replace a few. If you don't like the insulating shades, consider Insulating Curtains to reduce your heat loss.

17. Add interior window insulation using something like a 3m insulation kit. These window insulating kits can be combined with the shades or curtains.

18. For a cheap short term solution, use duct tape and an old blanket to cover your windows. It's ugly, but functional.

19. If you have a really big window and want to reduce heat loss, you can tape a large clear shower curtain to the inside (just past the frame). (A shower curtain is thicker than the window insulating kit plastic.) It will allow sun in during the day and still provide an air gap to reduce heat loss. Adding a curtain or shades over it helps even more at night.

Adding Extra Warmth to Your Home

20. Don't drain a bathtub that is hot. Wait for it to cool before you drain it. If there's a storm coming where you may lose power, fill the tub with hot water. You get additional heat in the home and an emergency water source.

21. When you finish baking, leave the stove open slightly to let the home get all that wonderful heat. Winter is a great time to practice your homemade bread baking skills. If you froze fruits and berries in the summer, winter is a perfect time to finish your jam and jelly making.

22. Your pets are mobile heaters. Consider cuddling if it gets really cold. Our cats think movie time is the best thing ever since they have nice warm humans to nap on.

23. Keep blankets and lap rugs handy and use them. When we sit, our circulation slows down. Keeping a throw blanket over your lap while you're knitting or watching TV can improve your comfort levels without turning up the thermostat.

24. If you spend a fair amount of time at a desk, a heated foot warmer may be a good investment. My mother in law has the Cozy Products TT Toasty Toes Ergonomic Heated Foot Warmer under her desk. It gets a good workout when she's working on genealogy.

25. Invest in a small, clean burning portable propane heater to add heat only where and when you need it. The Big Buddy Heater is well reviewed online and by friends who have used it.

Do you have an inexpensive tip for keeping warm that I missed? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

You may also find helpful:

• Emergency Cooking – 10 Ways to Have a Hot Meal When the Power Goes Out
• Emergency Power Options for Your Home
• Winter Vehicle Maintenance Checklist and Preparing a Winter Vehicle Emergency Kit and
• other posts in the Common Sense Preparedness series

The post 25 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Warm in Winter appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

This Article Was Originally Posted at commonsensehome.com Read The Original Article Here

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