Alright folks, let me tell you somethin’: there’s one tool that has been my right-hand companion through thick and thin, through the wilds of the Ozarks and the toughest days of prepping: a good knife.

Now, I know, I know, you’ve probably heard all the talk about fancy gadgets, multi-tools, and survival kits packed with gizmos and doohickeys. And don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and a place for all that stuff. But if there’s one tool that I always keep close by (one that never lets me down) it’s a sharp, and reliable knife.

You see, there’s something about the simplicity of a knife. It doesn’t need batteries. It doesn’t need a manual. It just works. You pull it out, and boom, you’ve got yourself a tool that’s good for just about anything.

I learned this lesson early on, and it stuck with me. Let me take you back to one of the first times I realized just how important a good knife really is.

I was young, and cocky, thinking I could handle any situation. My old man and I were out in the Ozarks, doing a little camping and “testing” our survival skills. I had everything packed: gear, food, fire starter, you name it. But there was one thing I forgot: my knife.

You wouldn’t think it’d be such a big deal, right? Well, let me tell you, when you’re out in the wild and need to cut rope, clean a fish, or even just slice open a snack, you really miss that knife. That trip? It was a wake-up call. I had trouble starting a fire without it, couldn’t build a proper shelter, and even struggled with something as simple as opening up a can of beans.

I learned real quick that no fancy tool or gadget could take the place of a good, sharp knife.

Now, over the years, I’ve used my fair share of knives, and I’ve learned that when it comes to survival, there’s no better friend than a trusty blade. Here’s why:

Here are a few knives that I’ve used over the years and that I highly recommend for any prepper’s kit:

At the end of the day, it’s not about the latest gear or the trendiest survival tool. It’s about trust. I trust my knife. It’s always there when I need it, always ready to get me out of a jam. It’s not fancy, it doesn’t make me look cool, but it’s the most important tool I own.

So, if you don’t already have a good knife in your kit, now’s the time. Keep it simple, keep it sharp, and keep it by your side. Trust me, you’ll never regret it.

Stay sharp, stay prepared,
Kyle

I’ve made this stew more times than I can count, and the beauty of it is that it’s easy to throw together with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Plus, it’s all cooked in one pot, so cleanup is a breeze (and we all know that’s a win when you’re out camping or dealing with a tough situation).

Here’s what you’re going to need:

Now you’re all set to follow these steps:

This stew is perfect for when you’re looking for something warm, filling, and comforting without a lot of fuss.

Stay warm and keep your belly full!

Alright, folks, let me tell you about the 2020 Midwest Derecho. This storm hit fast and hard, tearing through the Midwest with winds up to 100 mph and knocking out power for days. It made me realize just how quickly things can go sideways, and how important it is to be ready when the unexpected happens.

Here’s what I learned the hard way:

When that derecho hit, the power was gone in a flash, and it didn’t come back for days in some areas. You know, it’s easy to take electricity for granted….until you’re trying to cook, stay warm, or even charge your phone without it. After that storm, I made sure we had a gas-powered generator on standby, extra fuel for it, and battery-powered lights and lanterns ready to go. We also stock up on non-perishable food, water, and a way to boil water in case we need to survive without power for a week or more. You can’t rely on the grid and especially when things go south quickly.

The winds from that derecho didn’t just knock out power; they tore down trees, ripped up roofs, and blew debris everywhere. The damage was unreal. What I learned is that you need to prep your home before disaster strikes. Trim back trees, secure outdoor furniture, and check your roof and windows. If you’ve got a storm coming, don’t wait until the wind picks up; do what you can to minimize the damage. Trust me, a little prep goes a long way in saving you from a big headache down the road.

This week’s project is something simple but super useful: a DIY Hand-Warming Heater. When the weather turns cold, especially in a survival situation, keeping warm can be tough. But a little creativity and some basic materials can help you stay comfortable when the chill sets in.

Here’s a quick and easy way to make your own portable hand warmer using a few items you probably already have in your emergency kit or around the house.

Here’s what you’re gonna need to get:

Here’s what you’ll need:

Now you can follow these steps:

1. Take your small can (I like using a tuna can because it’s the perfect size) and clean it out if needed. Then, take a small piece of aluminum foil and crinkle it up inside the can. This helps to create a little bit of a heat trap, making the warmth last longer.

2. Next, take a couple of cotton balls and place them inside the can on top of the aluminum foil. These cotton balls will hold the rubbing alcohol and allow it to burn slowly, providing a nice steady warmth.

3. Now, pour about 1 to 2 teaspoons of rubbing alcohol onto the cotton balls. You don’t need to soak them completely…just enough to get them burning!

4. Using your lighter or matches, light the cotton balls inside the can. The alcohol will burn clean and hot, and the foil inside the can will reflect that heat outward. It won’t last forever, but it'll warm your hands for a good 15 to 30 minutes.

5. Hold the can in your hands (being careful, as it’ll get warm!) and use it to keep your fingers toasty. You can even stick your hands around the can to warm up your core, too.

This little hand-warming heater is a lifesaver when temperatures drop unexpectedly. It’s simple, effective, and gives you a bit of extra warmth without much fuss. Stay warm out there!

Hey, everyone! Wendy here.

So, if you’ve got kids like I do, you know how important it is to get them involved in prepping, but also make it fun. Recently, Steve and I decided to teach Luke and Charlotte about food storage—yeah, not the most exciting topic for kids, but I found a way to turn it into something they actually look forward to.

First off, we turned food storage into a scavenger hunt. We’ve got a little area in the pantry where we keep all our stockpiled items, like canned goods, rice, pasta, and snacks. I had the kids go in and find specific things like “three cans of beans” or “two bags of rice” and it turned into this mini treasure hunt. They learned where everything is stored, and they got into it way more than I expected.

Then we moved on to the packing and labeling. Luke loves anything that involves labeling, so I handed him some markers and stickers to help mark the dates on the cans and packages. Charlotte’s job was to help me pack snacks into Ziplock bags for easy grab-and-go storage. It wasn’t complicated, but it made them feel like they were really contributing.

One thing I made sure they understood was the importance of rotating our stock. We taught them the “first in, first out” method, which basically means we use the oldest stuff first and replace it with newer items. It’s simple, but they actually enjoy doing it now. It’s like a mini shopping trip where they get to see what we’re using up and what we’re adding to the stash.

Now, food storage is just part of our regular routine. Every month or so, we go through our stock, check expiration dates, and make sure we’re stocked up. It keeps them in the loop, and it’s a great way to remind them that prepping doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s about staying ahead of things.

And of course, I used their favorite snacks to make it easier to get them involved. We keep a stash of granola bars and dried fruit around, and I showed them how those kinds of snacks are perfect for an emergency. They get that if we ever have a power outage or something unexpected happens, we’ll have plenty of food on hand, and they’ll be the first to dive into that stash.

The key was making sure they understood why we store food. I didn’t want to scare them, but I did want them to understand that if something happens—whether it’s a snowstorm or any kind of emergency—we’re going to be just fine because we’re prepared. They feel part of the process, and now food storage feels like a normal part of our life.

It’s honestly been so rewarding seeing them get involved and take responsibility for something so important. And now, instead of hearing complaints when it’s time to check the pantry, they’re asking when we’ll do our next food stockpile hunt.

Stay safe and keep prepping,
Wendy

When the power goes out, it’s more than just an inconvenience….it’s a serious situation, especially when you don’t have any light. Whether you're in a blackout, camping in the wild, or trying to get through an emergency, being able to see is a must.

So, here’s your challenge: get creative and make a homemade lantern to light your way when the power’s out.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Then you can follow these steps:

This emergency light source is easy, cheap, and will get you through the next time the lights go out. Plus, it’s always good to know how to make do with the basics!

Good luck, and stay lit...safely!
Kyle