Before we get started, I want to set the record straight... These candles don't have to be *just* for emergencies. They could also be: "I-want-to-try-my-hand-at-making-candles" candles. Or... "I'm totally curious about tallow" candles. Or... "I-can't-resist-anything-that-comes-in-a-mason-jar" candles. But they make especially nice emergency or survival candles since they are fairly inexpensive and you can make a bunch ...Continue Reading
Archives for January 2014
Bottle Calf 101: Tips for First-Time Bottle Calf Mamas
Providing your own meat and dairy products are great ways to become more self-sustainable. It just so happens that both can come from raising cows. The initial cost (not including feed or vet bills) of buying a cow can be quite the investment. Luckily there is an alternative; you can start with a bottle calf or two. A bottle calf can grow into a cow that will provide you with beef for the year, the family milk cow, or even ...Continue Reading
Does Baking Soda Contain Aluminum?
I think we can all agree... ... that baking soda is pretty magical stuff. Of course it's what makes our baked goods rise and get all fluffy, but it's also good for deodorizing stinky stuff, cleaning carpet spots, making DIY cleaning pastes, and scrubbing messy ovens too. Lately when I've posted recipes calling for baking soda, (such as this DIY Coconut Oil Deodorant) I've been getting comments from folks concerned about the presence ...Continue Reading
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth
This is definitive post on diatomaceous earth! Learn how to use diatomaceous earth for its health benefits and around your home and homestead. I'm totally excited to have a special guest post today--please welcome Danielle from It's a Love Love Thing as she shares the wonderful world of diatomaceous earth! Hello, Prairie Homestead readers! My name's Danielle - but you can call me Dandy. I'm so honored and happy to be here ...Continue Reading
Homemade Liquid Dish Soap Recipe
This little homemade dish soap recipe just about got the best of me... What originally was meant to be an "Oh, I'm out of dish soap, I'll just mix a homemade version up real quick," turned into a 3-week long ordeal that resulted in jar after jar of failed liquid dish soap experiments sitting on my kitchen counter. We had the thin-as-water variety, the gloppy variety, the so-thick-you-have-to-dig-it-out-of-the-jar-with-a-knife ...Continue Reading