What if Perpetual Motion and Free Energy Machines Could Power Your Homestead?
Sustainable and affordable energy is a must have for any successful off-the-grid homestead. Solar tends to be the go-to technology, but with its high price and inaccessibility to some due to location limitations on their property or sub-par weather conditions, it may not be for everyone. What if you could get 100% of your energy […]
Peppermint: Medicinal Plants at Home
Medicinal Uses of Peppermint Headache relief – Rub some peppermint oil on your temples and behind your ears to relieve the pain caused by tension headaches and migraines. Calm Your Stomach – Peppermint tea can help to alleviate gas, nausea and morning sickness. Respiratory Relief – Put some peppermint oil in a diffuser or humidifier to […]
How to Build a Pallet Garden in Three Simple Steps
Pallet gardens are a simple, fun, and efficient way to start or expand your garden. Children love participating in this DIY project as well. The following instructions are a simple guide to making a pallet garden of your own. Supplies: – one pallet (use only a heat treated pallet as others can leak chemicals) – […]
What’s a Walipini? Underground Greenhouses 101
Ever heard of a walipini greenhouse? It’s a very simple design for a greenhouse. Its underground with translucent roofing that allows sunshine in. This creates an underground greenhouse that utilizes the earth’s natural temperature to keep plants cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The support walls of a walipini are typically built […]
Five Off the Grid Houses Built for Less than $5,000 Each
Ever wanted to live in an off the grid cabin that you built yourself but didn’t think you had the time, money, or know how? Well here are five examples of off the grid homes that were built by relative amateurs each for under $5,000! 1. The $500 Log Cabin This log cabin was built […]
Eco Home Featured on AirBNB, Stunning Mountain Views
Eco Home on 40 Acres Talk about a spectacular eco home with a beautiful mountain view. This Duncan, BC, Canada home sits on a 40 acre property in the Cowichan Valley and has breathtaking 360 degree views of the surrounding mountainside. The house is 100% off the grid and built from earthen materials. The couple […]
The Joys of Solar Cookers
An great edition to any homestead or survival retreat is a solar cooker. As simple as they are effective, solar cookers use the sun’s energy to heat and cook food placed in the center of the cooker. The cookers use reflective or mirrored materials to direct sunlight to the desired area. The energy from the […]
Five Simple Tips to Lower Your Electricity Bill
Whether your reasons are environmental, financial, or both, nobody likes a high electricity bill. Well, accept maybe for the electric company! Here are five simple tips you and your family can try to lower your electric usage and bills this month: 1. Lights Out! When you leave a room, turn off the lights. Try to […]
Off Grid Meets Luxury Living with Werner Sobek’s Aktivhaus
Think living off the grid is cool? Try living off the grid and generating twice as much energy as you need while doing it in all in high class style. And when we say style, we mean style. Aktivhaus, or “active house”, is the latest design concept from German architect Werner Sobek. Combining design hacks, […]
The Benefits of Free Range Eggs vs. Caged Eggs
If you’ve ever tried free range eggs, you’ve likely noticed how much fresher, healthier, and tastier they are than eggs from caged birds. Not only do they taste different, but they look different too. From a health perspective, free-range eggs are higher in Vitamin A & E as well as Omega-3 Fatty Acids. In the […]
Freedom Cove, Off Grid Boathouse and Garden Paradise
Freedom Cove Tucked away in Clayoquot Sound, BC is a taste of homesteading heaven. Owned by Catherine King and Wayne Adams, Freedom Cove is an off the grid village of floating boathouses and sustainable gardens. The structure is only accessible by boat and is quite the off the grid marvel. Catherine, Wayne, and their two […]
Transparent Solar Cells Allow for Energy Producing Windows!
What if your windows could generate the energy necessary to power your home? That’s the hope of a team of researchers at Michigan State University who have created a fully transparent solar cell. From covering high rise buildings with the cells to putting them on the face of your cell phone, this new technology could […]