by : outdoorwellnessandprep Blog, Food

So Delicious!!

Here’s a follow up post on our awesome roast pork shoulder. We put these babies on the grill and it took about 7-8 hours. It all depends on the sizes of the pieces. We enjoyed a small piece that was ready in about 2-3 hours into the grilling. It was a really small piece, but wow did it pack an explosion of great flavor and tenderness. We basted them every 30 minutes. Our daughter was the “Baster in Charge” for the day, and did an excellent job at keeping the meat moist. The recipe we used to baste the pork was 1 cup of oj, 1/2 cup of oil and 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar. You can absolutely substitute the oj for another juice like apple juice or cranberry.

After these were done, we let them cool (and tried hard not to pick at them!). We then vacuum sealed the portions and dated them. They are right now hunkered down in our freezer. It’s such a great feeling knowing that we have good food in our freezer. We sealed 8 portions, so we have 8 meals at the ready; just add veggies and a salad and you’ve got yourself a feast!

Hope this will encourage you to think about what you can do to have homemade ready meals in your pantry and freezer. It’s better to be prepared and not really need it than to need it and be caught with your pants down!

by : outdoorwellnessandprep Blog, Food

Don’t Worry About What You Can’t Control. Roast Pork Instead!

Hey, hey, hey! Hope the new year is treating you well so far. I think we are all holding our breaths wondering what will 2021 bring. One thing is for certain, we cannot worry about it and be paralyzed by our fears. Worrying about things that may or may not happen is not a great way to spend your time. Am I right? Of course I am! 

You need to start focusing on the things you can control. Your health, connecting with family and friends, starting a garden, learning how to can/dehydrate food, get a food saver so you can keep freezer foods longer, without freezer burn, and maybe starting a new hobby. 

One thing we’ve been doing for a little while now is buying a nice sized pork shoulder, cutting it up into dinner sized portions for our family, and then slow roasting it. We vacuum seal those delicious pieces and feel so good that we have done something to help our family have what it needs. 

Before roasting it, we mix up a rub and marinate the pork overnight. Then while the pork is roasting, we baste it with an orange juice, apple cider vinegar and olive oil mixture. Saying it’s delicious is an understatement! We usually end up eating one portion standing with our hands when they are done. It’s that GOOD!

The rub mix we use is very simple, and you may have all of the spices in your pantry already. How great is that?! The rub is made of paprika, black pepper, salt, ground garlic, ground onion, cayenne, and brown sugar. Simple, right? Mix it up well so there are no clumps, and massage your pork! Put a lot of love into that massage! Place the coated pieces in glass bowls overnight in the fridge. If you don’t have enough room in the fridge for all of these pieces of deliciousness (we never have enough room), you can use a cooler with adequate ice to keep these overnight. Then the next day, you can either use your grill or oven to slow roast these. We have so much that we usually use both. We put the flame on the lowest setting on the grill and about 200 degrees F in the oven. Then the waiting begins. We baste these about every 30 minutes, so do this when you know you’re going to be hanging around the house. 

I must warn you though. The smell will drive you ponkers! You will want to dig in every time you baste the pork, but don’t! Wait until it’s fully cooked. It’s usually 30 minutes per pound total, or until the internal temp of the meat reaches 160 degrees F. It usually takes 8-9 hours to cook these bad boys. Yes, it’s an all day affair, but you won’t be sorry! 

Here’s a pic of what they look like before you cook them. We rubbed the pork with the mix this morning, and they are now in the cooler. We’ll post another pic once these are done. Boy, I can’t wait!

by : outdoorwellnessandprep Blog, Health

Confused Yet?

Boy, how confused are you during the current situation? My head is constantly spinning with the different information floating around. One side saying cases are up, people are dying, keep your distance, and wear a mask. The other side saying tests are not reliable, masks do nothing, but restrict oxygen, and no way Jose on the vaccine. I know there is a lot more in between, but you get the idea of where I’m coming from. Regardless of where you stand, one thing is for certain, you need to do all you can to be healthy.

With all of the info out there, I really don’t see a lot of the experts talking about how to just be healthy. They talk about how to be isolated and not going outside, but that’s not realistic, or healthy for body or mind. You can’t control everything around you, but you can take control of what you put in your body (for now).

In past posts, I have told you about encapsulated Vitamin C. Vitamin C is linked to many health benefits, such as boosting antioxidant levels, lowering blood pressure, improving iron absorption, boosting immunity, and reducing heart disease and dementia risk.

Another good one is Vitamin D. It’s so good that your body even produces it, but only after enough sun exposure. Supplements are available if you can’t get outside enough. Vit D helps with the lifecycle of the human cell, helps calcium build strong bones, and helps regulate the immune system.

Eating your vegetables and fruit is also very important. When my dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in 2012, he was given 4 months to live. He lasted almost 2 years. I absolutely believe that was because of the way my mom made his meals and smoothies with good whole foods and lots of veg and fruit. He never got sick; not even the sniffles during all that time. He went everywhere and even with this compromised immune system, never came down with a cold/flu.

Stay away from processed foods and fast food. I know it can be hard at first, but pace yourself. If you eat lots of processed/fast foods, then try to cut back starting a few times a week. Then it will get easier as time goes on and if you are consistent. I still get a Big Mac every once in a while, but it’s definitely not my norm; it’s more like a once every few months treat.

Drinking lots of water is also beneficial. Water helps maintain your body fluids, can help control calories, helps energize muscles, helps your skin keep hydrated, and it helps your kidneys move out the yuckies from your body. The adult human body is made of up to 60%, so drink up; you’re just doing your body good.

Also first thing in the morning, we like to drink a glass of water with a scoop of Amazing Grass Green Superfood. We think it’s a great product and full of all kinds of goodies. Even though we try to eat well, I’m sure we don’t get all that we need. This powder supplements whatever we are lacking. You can find it at any supermarket and of course on Amazon. (see pic.)

We also like to drink bone broth. We find that it calms our gut and we don’t feel as bloated. It’s highly nutritious full of vitamins and minerals. It’s great for joints. It’s easy to make at home with a slow cooker or stove top. Below is a recipe if you care to try to make it. If not, there are many options at stores, both liquid and powder form.

The last thing I will add is exercise and being outdoors. Our bodies need to move. If you don’t move it, you’ll lose it. You don’t have to be an olympian to get a good workout in. Take a 30min walk around your area or a local park. Get out of your homes! Breathing fresh, clean air and changing your surroundings is so needed. Walking with friends is a great way to exercise your body and the good conversations will nurture your mind and soul. As our bodies need to move, our minds and wellbeing need social interactions.

I’m sure there are lots of other items I left off this post, but I hope you will do some research of your own. Get healthy. Be the strongest version of yourself you can be, so if you do get sick your body has a good foundation to be able to fight.

Be kind to yourself and others. Hope to see you here again!

Bone Broth Recipe:

  • 1 gallon of water
  • 1 ounce of vinegar
  • 3–4 pounds of bones and tissues (A simple way to make it is to save bones from other meals. For instance, a chicken carcass make a good basis for a bone broth. Many butchers and meat sections at grocery stores also sell any bones that they have available.)

Boil the ingredients together in a large pot or slow cooker, then reduce to a simmer for 10–24 hours before letting it cool. Strain through a cheesecloth and pour into smaller containers for storage.

It might also help to add salt, vegetables, and spices such as sage or thyme to give the broth more flavor.

by : outdoorwellnessandprep Blog, Preparedness

Before Jumping Off the Cliff of Panic!

During worrisome times like right now, it’s very easy to go over the deep end and start panicking. Just stop and breath!! I know how you feel. I myself have felt anxious wondering if what we have done so far to prepare will be enough. We have stored food and some medical supplies that should last for a few months for our family of 4. We did this years ago, vacuum sealing dried goods that we knew would keep. We also have stored some medical supplies such as band aides, peroxide, iodine, gauze and splint kits. 

Even though we have tried to be ready, there are still some things that we should stock up on that we didn’t think about earlier. Of course our list may suit you, but you should see what things are important to you and act accordingly. So here’s our list of what we think are a necessity.

  1. Canned goods: Canned meats, seafood (salmon, tuna), and soups are great for times like these. Also energy bars, granola and fruit bars are also great, but they do have a shelf life so be careful. Most power bars should be fine past their expiration date if their packaging is still intact. I have purchased some of these, but will not use them until absolutely necessary. I am still going to the grocery store and am buying all of the fresh foods like salads, vegetables, fruit and fresh meats. Since we still have that option, I am loading up on these goods and cooking good nutritious foods while I can still get them. I am also freezing quite a bit which is a great option so I don’t have to go to the store so often.
  2. Vitamins/Supplements: If you eat well, you are most likely getting a lot of the vitamins and mineral that your body needs. But let’s be realistic, not everyone is eating healthy foods. During times where food may be scarce, stock up on some Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3 and the Vitamin B family. (Please remember to ask your doctor before taking these! We are not medical professionals, so please use this information at your discretion.) Eating the right foods and having the vit/minerals will help your body stay healthy and if you do become sick, it will help you get better quickly. If you buy a few bottles at a time, consider putting the ones not being used in the refrigerator to extend shelf life. 
  3. OTC Meds: If you do get sick, be sure to have expectorants, cough medicine, cough drops and fever fighting meds. EmergenC is also great to have on hand if you get sick. If you suffer from allergies, don’t forget your allergy meds. You definitely don’t want to confuse having a major illness with just having an allergy attack. 
  4. Hydrate: Stock up on drinks or powdered drinks. Pick up some drinks with electrolytes. They are great to have especially if you are sick. Staying hydrated is key even if you are not sick. I know if I don’t drink enough water during the day, I get a headache and feel fatigued like I am coming down with something. Let’s not do that!
  5. Liquid Gold: If you can, store some gas. We have a power boat that is parked in our backyard (yeah, our neighbors love us) and it has a full gas tank. Fortunately we will be able to siphon gas from the boat if we ever have a need. You never know if you will need it, so why be caught with your pants down, am I right? If you have multiple cars, be sure to have them filled up and only use one if you need to go out. Get some 5 gal gas jugs and fill them up. With the storing of gas, you will need to treat it. We use Pri-G for gasoline and Pri-D for diesel. Also if you have multiple 5 gal jugs of gas, be sure to use one of the jugs every month and replace with new gas. Rotate and refill so you will always a fresh supply. Nowadays there is a storage cap for gas thanks to the ethanol.

Hope this helps some of you to start thinking of what you can do to be better prepared. Somethings can still be found, so pick some up that will help your family in the coming month or two. Don’t hoard! Think of your fellow man. We all need to work together in order for this work itself out. Being considerate and kind should not take a back burner during times like this. Don’t be a jerk!

If you guys can think of anything else, please comment below and let us know. We’d love to hear how you all are doing during these crazy times. 

by : outdoorwellnessandprep Blog, Gardening

Woohoo!! We’ve got seeds!

The beginning of the year is always so exciting for me. It has nothing to do with making resolutions. It has everything to do with seeds!! In January, I start making a list of the plants we want to grow, and start sowing seeds indoors in anticipation of the upcoming growing season. In the past, I have started tomatoes, jalapeños, red/yellow peppers, and eggplant from seed indoors in February, so the plants would be ready for transplanting outdoors in spring. Our home always looks like a jungle when April comes around with all of the plants placed on any available surface. It never fails to make my heart pump a little faster when I see a seed germinate and grow into a beautiful, bountiful plant. 

I absolutely love harvesting the veg or fruit, and love it even more when I see my family loving the awesome taste. Our daughter would “graze” from one side of our yard to the other. She’d start with the raspberries and slowly meander across the garden picking and eating everything that she could until she got to the other side. 

I also sow the seeds of lettuces, greens, radishes, beets, carrots, potato, squashes, and beans directly in the garden beds. We use our compost to enrich the soil, but also have to purchase more compost because we don’t make enough for all of our beds. We used to have 7 beds, but we are down to four because of one of our latest projects. We added an addition to our house and had to take out three beds during the construction. 

We order our seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Their website is rareseeds.com. They have a great selection of heirloom seeds and have had great success with their seeds. You will be amazed at how many varieties of vegetables and fruit there actually are. I love reading from where these seeds come from. I know, I nerd really hard sometimes! 

You don’t need to buy heirloom seeds/plants to have a successful garden. You need good soil, water regularly, good sun, and commitment. Of course, nothing is fool proof, but you learn by doing. I have had some great harvests and other times I am left scratching my head at what the hell went wrong. It’s nature. What can you say?

We’ll be keeping you posted on our progress this season. With the construction and everything else going on, this year I am opting the buy the tomato, pepper, and squash seedlings from our local gardening center. They too sell heirloom varieties. I have already planted potatoes, and pea and Swiss chard seeds directly. We just received our order from Baker Creek yesterday for the other seeds. Can’t wait to see what happens!

Happy planting!!

by : outdoorwellnessandprep Blog, Health

Vitamin C

Encapsulated Vitamin C

In the present day, during all of this COVID-19 crisis, people are trying to keep healthy. It’s usually when we get sick, or the threat of sickness, that we ramp up our defenses with supplements and try eating healthier foods. Keeping healthy is something that should be on our daily to do list regardless. I am sure you all have heard of the good foods to eat like your greens, protein, fruit and low to no sugar. 

We try to get our good vitamins and minerals through our food, but let’s face it. The food we are eating today is not as packed with nutrients that the food harvested 100 years ago had. One thing that we drink to help with this is Vitamin C. It’s actually encapsulated Vitamin C.

We were introduced to encapsulated Vitamin C a few years ago, and we’ve been taking it on and off over the years. The way it was explained to me is that you combine powered Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) with a lecithin, either soy or sunflower (we use sunflower), and this allows the body to absorb more of the Vitamin C then regular Vitamin C. A jewelry cleaner – NOT one that you have already used for cleaning your jewelry – is required to encapsulate the Vitamin C with the lecithin so your body can absorb it better. 

There are many articles about encapsulated Vitamin C. You can even buy it already done for you. We like to make it ourselves and will provide you with the recipe we use. Please note, we are not health professionals and just wanted to share with you guys what we do as part of our routine to stay healthy. We believe this has kept our family from getting many colds and viruses that have had many down for the count. We take about half a shot glass daily. Not saying that this is a save-all, but it may help. 

If you do try it, let us know how it goes. 

All of the items can be purchased through Amazon.

Recipe: 

Ingredients/Supplies:

  • Vitamin C powder (Ascorbic Acid)
  • non-GMO Soy or Sunflower Lecithin (can be granular or liquid)
  • Water
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Measuring cups / spoons
  • Blender
  • Jewelry Cleaner (You will have to invest in a new one, and it should only be used for this purpose.)
  • Jars to pour finished Vitamin C
  1. Add 1 level tablespoon ascorbic acid to 1/2 cup distilled water. 
  2. Blend for 1 minute in a blender.
  3. Add 3 level tablespoons of non-GMO soy lecithin or sunflower lecithin to 1 cup distilled water. 
  4. Blend for 1 minute in a blender.
  5. Pour both solutions into ultrasonic cleaner and turn it on for 6-7 minutes. Stir frequently with a wooden spoon. 
  6. Once done, pour into cleaned jars and cover.
  7. Refrigerate. 
by : outdoorwellnessandprep Blog

Welcome to the Outdoor Wellness & Preparedness Tribe!

Howdy folks! Thanks for stopping by our Outdoor Wellness and Preparedness blog! We are excited that you are here! We started this blog with people like you in mind; people that like to experience the outdoors, that like to know how to take care of themselves, and know how to do things if any distressing situations arise. Basically, people that love to keep learning!

Even if it’s all hunky dory, we still like to have the satisfaction of knowing that we can be self-reliant and look for alternatives other than main stream to solve our problems. Even if you don’t know much, this blog is for you!  

In this blog, we hope to provide valuable information on the outdoors, outdoor activities, home/car repair, food/gardening, preparedness articles and tips, handy equipment, and places to check out, and anything that tickles our funny bones. 

If you are like us, you love being outdoors and enjoying nature’s bounty. Sometimes we like to push ourselves out of our comfort zone and see what can be done. We also are very conscious of what we eat and love sharing our love of growing and harvesting some of what we consume. 

We also love learning! We encourage you to share any of your knowledge and what excites you about being in the outdoors, gardening, or being a prepared, self-sufficient person. If you are just getting into it, that’s great too! We’ll all learn something, and we don’t have to do it alone! 

So welcome, and let the fun begin!