Just because

By Massad Ayoob Issue #144 • November/December, 2013 I generally recommend that people buy guns the way they'd buy power tools, or automobiles, or homes. Assess your needs, analyze your budget, correlate it all with your...

Five building tricks for super strong framing

By Don Fallick Issue #49 • January/February, 1998 I was standing on the edge of the roof overhang, holding two bundles of asphalt shingles, when my boss's son drove up. He looked at me, then took...

Making delicious, unthinkable wines

By Lev G. Fedyniak Issue #110 • March/April, 2010 I love wines. Always have. I've drunk wine, studied wine, written about wine, and collected wine. But I got tired of hearing my back-to-nature friends chide me by...

Medical kits for self-reliant families

By Jackie Clay Issue #60 • November/December, 1999 There may be a time, as close as tomorrow, when your loved ones need medication or medical treatment and there is no drug store open or doctor available....

Seventeen great tips for caring for windows, mirrors, and other household glass

By Sandy Lindsey Issue #43 • January/February, 1997 1 To make windows and mirrors sparkle, dip a clean cloth in a 50/50 mixture of borax and water or denatured alcohol and wipe down. Polish with a...

Broiled fish fillet with piri piri sauce

Recipe of the Week  Broiled fish fillet with piri piri sauce  Courtesy of Richard Blunt   You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1 lb. fish fillets 1 1/2 cups white wine 1/3 cup fresh...

Defeating debt

By Don Chance Issue #82 • July/August, 2003 "Money does not solve money problems." — Dr. Phil McGraw For many, if not most, people yearning for the self-reliant life, a heavy personal debt load is the single...

Secure and Economical Livestock Feed

By Sherry Willis   Issue #145 • January/February, 2014     The recent droughts in the midwest have meant hard times for many livestock owners. Areas without irrigation saw parched earth without a scrap of green anywhere. Corn withered...

Blueberry wine jam

Recipe of the Week  Blueberry wine jam  Courtesy of Jan Cook   You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen blueberries, unsweetened 4 cups sugar 2 cups berry wine 2 Tbsp. frozen orange...

Salsa

Jackie Clay  Ingredients 40 medium tomatoes 5 cups finely chopped onions 4 cups finely chopped celery 2 cups finely chopped jalapeños (may use other peppers, to taste) 1/2 cup lemon or lime juice 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro 5 Tbsp. salt Method To peel...

For health & comfort, try wild herbal teas

By Cynthia Andal Issue #76 • July/August, 2002 The mention of herbal teas brings to mind pleasant conversations in a warmly scented kitchen, aided by the fragrant steam of a cup of Fireweed tea. Completely aside from...

Solar Food Drying

By Marcella Shaffer Issue #58 • July/August, 1999 The oldest known method of food preservation is drying food using the heat from the sun. Unfortunately it has become the least used as freezers and pressure canners...

Cheddar Breakfast Pizza

Recipe of the Week  Cheddar Breakfast Pizza  Courtesy of Martin Rimmele  Ingredients 1 package (15 ounces) refrigerated pie crust 1 cup ricotta cheese 6 slices bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled 1-1/4 cups apple pie filling...

Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie

Recipe of the Week  Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie  Courtesy of Beverly Rossman  Ingredients 9-in. unbaked pie shell 1 cup pecan halves First Layer 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon heavy...

Shopping to beat inflation

By Darlene Campbell Issue #85 • January/February, 2004 Most of us who read BHM agree that self sufficient living can be debt free, but we also worry about inflation. The word inflation is used to describe...

Lessons for My Children Chapter 1

By Dave Duffy Issue #136 • July/August, 2012 I've been working for several years on a small book for my kids called Lessons for My Children that will attempt to give them advice about how to...