Review: The Old Farmer's Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook

By Cade Shadowlight

I picked up a copy of Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook by Old Farmer’s Almanac last year, and it quickly became my favorite gardening book. Currently only $12.79 on Amazon (about 35% off its regular price of $19.95), this 200+ page guide is packed with gardening information for both beginners and experts. It’s filled with detailed articles, pictures, and step-by-step instructions. It even includes journal pages to record your gardening activities, such as soil tests and seed-starting records. I highly recommend this book to those new to gardening and even to those of us who are seasoned growers.

The book covers essential topics, including:

• Getting Started
• Tools for Success
• Above-Ground Gardening
• Container Gardening
• Indoor Gardening
• The Dig Less, Mulch More Method
• Facts About Fertilizers
• How to Fight Disease and Pests
• Seed Saving
• Crop Rotation
• Soil and Composting (multiple articles)

It also features encyclopedia-like entries on 32 vegetables, each with 2–5 pages of detailed information, planting instructions, and recommended varieties. Vegetables include:

• Root Crops: Beets, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, rutabaga, turnips
• Leafy Greens: Kale, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard
• Brassicas: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi
• Legumes: Beans, edamame, peas
• Nightshades: Eggplant, bell peppers, tomatoes
• Alliums: Garlic, onions
• Others: Asparagus, celery, corn, cucumbers, okra, pumpkins, summer and winter squash, sweet potatoes

The Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook not only equips you with practical gardening knowledge but also empowers you to take control of your food supply in uncertain times. Growing vegetables offers everyone the chance to grow your own food, get exercise and fresh air, and reap the rewards of working with nature. In an era of uncertain supply lines and high inflation, gardening provides an important sense of security.

Grab this book to start building your food security today:  https://amzn.to/3ubG8lC 

Conversion Table: White Flour to Almond or Coconut Flour

By Cade Shadowlight

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I am a Type 2 Diabetic, and eating healthy is important to me. One way I eat healthy is by avoiding most grain products, which includes no white or wheat flour. In recipes that do call for white flour, I substitute almond flour or coconut flour instead. It can be a bit confusing, because you have to use more almond flour than white flour, yet less coconut flour than white flour. Also, you must add extra moisture to the recipe in the case of coconut flour. Several years ago, I put together two conversion charts for my own use, and thought I would share it with my readers. Happy, healthy eating!

Flour Conversion Charts

(Best viewed on larger screens)

Almond Flour

If recipe calls for              Use

¼ cup white flour               ½ cup almond flour

1/3 cup white flour            2/3 cup almond flour

½ cup white flour               1 cup almond flour

2/3 cup white flour            1⅓ cups almond flour

¾ cup white flour               1½ cups almond flour

1 cup white flour                2 cups almond flour

1½ cups white flour           3 cups almond flour

2 cups white flour              4 cups almond flour

Coconut Flour**

If recipe calls for                Use

¼ cup of white flour             1 tbsp coconut flour

½ cup white flour                 2 tbsp coconut flour

¾ cup white flour                 3 tbsp coconut flour

1 cup white flour                  ¼ cup coconut flour

1½ cups white flour              ¼ cup + 1/8 cup coconut flour

2 cups white flour                 ½ cup coconut flour

**With coconut flour, you must add extra moisture (water, oil, butter, and/or egg) to the recipe. How much is really trail and error, as it depends greatly on what your making and how much. 

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Crisis Management 101: Your Guide to Surviving Emergencies

By Cade Shadowlight

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When disaster strikes, chaos reigns. Whether it’s a natural catastrophe, societal collapse, or personal emergency, your ability to stay calm and act decisively can mean the difference between survival and catastrophe. Here’s your streamlined guide to navigating emergencies with clear priorities and actionable steps.

The STOP Method: Your Crisis Response Framework

When the world turns upside down, follow the STOP method to regain control:

• Stop. Don’t panic. Take deep breaths, sit if you need to, and ground yourself. Panic clouds judgment and escalates danger.
• Think. Assess the situation. Are you in immediate peril (e.g., a burning building) or facing a longer-term crisis (e.g., economic meltdown)? Rational decisions are your lifeline.
• Observe. Survey your surroundings. Identify immediate, near-term, and long-term threats. Take stock of resources: skills, supplies, tools, allies, and funds.
• Plan. Formulate a clear plan, communicate it to your group, and stick to it. Adjust only when circumstances demand, as frequent changes breed confusion.

Time Factor: You might have seconds, hours, or days to execute STOP. Work with what you’ve got. Pre-planning scenarios can sharpen your instincts.

Pro Tip: Train your family or group in the STOP method. Run drills for different emergencies to build muscle memory.

Emergency Priorities: The Survival Hierarchy

In any crisis, prioritize these essentials in order:

1. Safety First. Get yourself and others out of immediate danger. Escape a burning house, flee a riot zone, or relocate during political/economic instability.
2. Medical Needs. Address life-threatening injuries in this order (Critical: Take a good first aid and CPR course now. Knowledge saves lives):
• Ensure breathing.
• Stop severe bleeding.
• Stabilize neck/back injuries.
• Treat shock, hypothermia, hyperthermia, or cardiac issues.
• Address dehydration.
• Immobilize fractures.
• Handle minor injuries.

1. Shelter. Protect against the elements with a building, tent, or clothing like rain gear or blankets.
2. Water. Secure clean water — it’s non-negotiable for survival.
3. Food. Least urgent. You can survive weeks without food, but it’s a long-term need.

Prepare and Practice

Preparation is your edge. Regularly drill scenarios — fire, civil unrest, power outages — to hardwire responses. Like athletes running plays or militaries staging war games, practice builds confidence and clarity under pressure.

Resource Recommendations:

ACEP First Aid Manual, 5th Edition 
A modern, comprehensive guide to first aid — essential for every survivalist and every family. Available on Amazon. Unlike outdated alternatives, this manual equips you with current techniques to handle emergencies effectively.

First Aid Kits and Training

This website is affiliated with Refuge Medical and Refuge Training. My Shadow Tribe (that's you!) will automatically receive 10% off at checkout when visiting their store from links on this website. Their first aid kits, tourniquets, and medical supplies are high-quality, made-in-America products. Helps keep blood in the body and breath in the lungs during life's emergencies. Click here to be sent to their webstore and receive 10% off at checkout.