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BBQ Grilling Tips: How to Smoke Fish on a Regular Charcoal Grill

2012-02-22T23:00:00Z

Homemade smoked fish is quite a delicacy and you can do it on a regular charcoal BBQ grill. While I now own a charcoal smoker, I used to smoke fish on my charcoal BBQ grill (theoretically, you could probably do this on a gas grill too), here's how to do it:

What you will need:

Cleaned or filleted fresh fish
Charcoal grill
Charcoal
Wood for smoking (Mesquite, hickory, cherry, etc.)
Soaker bowl
Woodchip smoker box
Water bowl (Pyrex can handle the heat)

What to do:

Take wood chips and soak them in water for 20-30 minutes minimum
Get your charcoal red hot
Move the charcoal to the side or middle (Segregate them)
Put the soaked wood chips in the box and place on the coals (Sometimes I skip the box and place them right on the coals)
Soak more chips for later
Place the grill surface down
Put the bowl above the coals and box on the grill surface (You could skip this entirely, but the moisture is good for long smoking sessions)
Place the fish on the on the grill, but not over the coals
Let the indirect heat and smoke do the work (Could take 30 minutes for little fillets to three hours for whole fish or large steaked fish)
Add coals, smoked wood chips, and water if needed
Test the fish for flakiness until desired texture is achieved

The longer you smoke the fish, the more of a smoke ring will form on outside of the fish flesh. What you will get will blow you away . . . this is particulary good approach for rough, "trash/garbage" fish or panfish.

Granted, a dedicated smoker is an advantage, but it is still amazing what you can do without it. As for a dedicated smoker-- I got mine for about $35 dollars at one of the big box stores-- if you decide you like smoked food, it is worth buying one.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

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DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom. He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship. He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.

Self Reliance: Pretend You Are on a Ship Out at Sea

2012-02-22T17:00:00Z

If you were on a ship at sea, you and everyone onboard is responsible for everything.

Running the ship
Food and water
Medical care
Firefighting and protection

Granted, there is the Coast Guard and other ships, but it could be a while before they can respond to your distress calls. You and your ship mates are on your own.

My point, if you want to think self reliance for you and your family-- think of your home as a ship at sea and prepare accordingly.

Food and water
Clothing
Shelter
Health and well being
Financial
Energy
Transportation
Communication
Tools and repair

Take responsibility and get self reliant . . . captain!

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Emergency Preparedness: Getting Started With Food Storage-- The Why and the How?

2012-02-22T11:00:00Z

So you think it is time to get started with food storage of some sort, but you don't think the world is coming to an end. You just think it might be a good idea to have something squirreled away.

Here are some reasons why you should start storing food:

You want to practice a more self reliant lifestyle and believe in backups
Job loss and money could get tight for you and your family
Natural or other disaster that could temporarily disrupt food supplies
War and rationing of certain food staples
The end of the world as we know it (EOTWAWKI)

I tend to lean with the first three reasons as probable scenarios, but must concede the last two as possible, but not probable.

So you have decided food storage is for you, and now wonder how to start. Here are some ideas to help get you started, consider the following:

How many people are you providing for?
How long do you want to hold out?
What are your storage space options?
What does everyone like to eat?
What do you really need?
What is your budget?
Can you rotate the stock easily?
Are there storable substitutes for perishables?

I would start by looking at and tracking weekly menus and grocery bill receipts. This will give you a starting point on what people like and how much is needed. When you have a good handle on it, multiple by head count and then by a time frame to get the inventory needed.

I would also go around the house and access my storage space-- is it cool and dry? Are there unusual places I could stack cans? I would also consider my cold and frozen storage options.

Next, I would consider storable substitutes for perishable products, such as powered milk and eggs.

Finally, I would consider budget. Most people need to build food storage over time and should look for sales and coupons to ease the burden. Buy only what you would use and remember you will need to rotate the stock by consuming and replacing things from time to time. Not everything has an unlimited shelf life. A good approach might be a "buy two" approach-- when you buy a can of soup that you like, buy a second for storage.

Unless you are independently wealthy, this is a building process . . . a food savings account if you will.

The real key is to start . . .

One last thought to help motivate you: I don't want to be at the Superdome waiting in line for a bag of chips and a bottle of water with thousands of other people-- do you?

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, LowProfileLife, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom and he is an advocate for personal privacy. He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship. He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.

Automotive DIY: Recharging Your Vehicle's AC System

2012-02-21T23:00:00Z

Is the air conditioning in your vehicle less than cold? It might be time to get the system recharged.

This can be an expensive proposition, unless you do it yourself for the cost of the refrigerant (about $20-30) and about ten minutes of your time.

Here's what you need:

Owner's and/or service manual
A can or two of refrigerant recharge with the hose and gauge $20-30

Here's what to do:

Read the directions
Open the input point-- usually alight blue or green cap on stainless steel tubes
Follow specific directions on can
Attach the hose and pump refrigerant

If it has never been done, don't be surprised to use the whole can before the gauge reads full. Test the system and you should be enjoying ice cold air. If not, you may need more or unfortunately, you may have a leak and bigger problems.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, LowProfileLife, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

DIY Quick Tip: Rubbing Alcohol is a Great Surface Prep

2012-02-21T17:00:00Z

Here is another DIY Quick Tip . . . Use rubbing alcohol for surface prep before using adhesives and paints. It removes grease and grim. It is also good for cleaning wiper blades on your vehicles (Just don't over do it or you could dry them out).

Look for more DIY Quick Tips here at the Self Reliance Workshop . . . If you have any questions or would like to see a particular topic, drop me a comment below.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Related Posts:
DIY Quick Tip: Threaded Fasteners Rule of Thumb
DIY Quick Tip: Use Leverage to Loosen Rusted Bolts

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Slow Cooker Recipes: Cajun Pot Roast in the Crock Pot

2012-02-21T12:30:00Z

Pot roast with a zing-- Slow Cooked Cajun Pot Roast. Prep time is about ten minutes.

Here's what you need:

2-3 pound beef chuck roast
1 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can of tomatoes, chopped
1 package of frozen corn
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning mix
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
Dash of salt
Dash of pepper
Dash of worcestershire sauce
Dash of Tabasco (make it two or three)

Here's what to do:

Combine ingredients in crock pot
Slow cook on LOW for eight hours

Enjoy!

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Passive Income-- Four Myths Debunked

2012-02-21T01:30:00Z

Passive income is a hot topic these days. There are many myths about this holy grail of entrepreneurial efforts in starting and running small businesses. I thought I would debunk a few myths about passive income:

Passive income is easy-- Not true. Actually, there is a great deal of work, planning, organizing, and maintenance that goes into a successful passive income business. The "easy"part that other see is usually after the entrepreneur has poured their blood, sweat, and tears into a successful venture
Passive income is hard-- Not true. Granted as just discussed, there is a great deal of upfront work involved. True a good passive income business can be set it and forget it, if you get it "right." The thing is "right" is usually arrived at after much trial, error, and readjustment until you have a smooth running system-- a machine
Passive income is impossible to achieve-- Not true. Achieving passive income is difficult, but not impossible. It requires a good idea and even better implementation. It requires a system or process that can work day and night-- with or without you
Passive income will get you rich quick-- Possible, not probable. Yes, it can happen, but more than likely, the real money is built over time. If lightening strikes for you-- congrats, but watch that the success is not a short-lived flash in the pan. Nothing worthwhile is every easy-- it takes some effort

If, as a Defensive Entrepreneur, you seek passive income, don't be discouraged-- just be sure you eyes are wide open and your expectations are in line with reality.

This post originally appeared on Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com , here is the link to the original post: Passive Income-- Four Myths Debunked.

DIY Quick Tip: Bring the Wheel Barrel to the Work

2012-02-20T17:30:00Z

Here is another DIY Quick Tip . . . Bring the wheel barrel to the work, and not the other way around. I know, common sense, right? Even I have found myself making this mistake. Don't tire yourself out needlessly-- move the wheel barrel!

Look for more DIY Quick Tips here at the Self Reliance Workshop . . . If you have any questions or would like to see a particular topic, drop me a comment below.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Automotive DIY: Jump Starting a Vehicle

2012-02-20T12:30:00Z

The car won't start and you think it is because you left a light on overnight. We will assume the battery isn't too old (maybe a 1-3 years) and that it is a negative grounded battery. How do you jump start the car?

Here's what you will need:

A booster battery (essentially another working vehicle)
Jumper cables in good condition

Here's what to do:

Move the booster vehicle's hood near the stalled vehicles hood
Turn off the booster vehicle
Turn off all accessories in the stalled vehicle (Radio, heat, wipers, lights, etc.)
Open the hoods of both vehicles

Attach the jumper cable clips as follows in this order:

Attach one red clip to the positive post of the dead battery (Look for the "+" next to the post)
Attach the other red clip to the positive post of the booster battery
Attach one black clip to the negative post of the booster battery (Look for the "-" next to the post)
Attach the other black clip to the engine block of unpainted metal of the dead battery car to ground the connection (Don't put it on the negative post)

Start the dead battery vehicle and let it run for the alternator to take over and charge the battery. It should start, if not, there may be other problems with the vehicle and you may need a tow.

Disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order. Off you go . . .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, LowProfileLife, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Assorted Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Posts Reviewed

2012-02-19T20:30:00Z

A big part of self reliance is the ability to do-it-yourself or DIY, here are some assorted posts on the topic:

There are plenty more quick tips to come . . .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

DIY Quick Tips: Helpful Hints Posts Reviewed

2012-02-19T18:00:00Z

When it comes to DIY Quick Tips, there are many little hints and tips that one tends to overlook:

There are plenty more quick tips to come . . .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

DIY Quick Tips: Improvisation Posts Reviewed

2012-02-19T15:30:00Z

Sometimes you have to improvise . . . here are some DIY Quick Tips on the topic:

There are plenty more quick tips to come . . .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

DIY Quick Tips: Upgrading and Protection Posts Reviewed

2012-02-19T13:00:00Z

When it comes to DIY Quick Tips, many look to be proactive by upgrading and protecting:

There are plenty more quick tips to come . . .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Emergency Preparedness: My Posts Reviewed (Part II)

2012-02-18T23:30:00Z

Being prepared for trouble is a smart, self reliant move-- here are some more ideas to get you thinking:

There is plenty more to come . . .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Thoughts on Why to Be Prepared Reviewed

2012-02-18T21:00:00Z

Many people wonder why be prepared? There are many reasons, here some of my posts:

There will be many more to come. . .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Low Profile Living: A Review of Lessons Learned (Part II)

2012-02-18T18:00:00Z

Low profile living helps you maintain a semblance of privacy in a non-private world, here is another review of my posts related to this important topic:

If you want to learn more about low profile living, visit my site--  LowProfileLiving.com .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Like this post? Check out the related posts for more information. You can also get email notification of new posts in your email by subscribing. Your email address won't be used for any other purpose than to send you notification of a new post.

Related Posts:
Low Profile Living: A Review of Lessons Learned
LowProfileLiving.com is Launched Today!
Safety and Security Tips: 25 Ideas on Where to Hide Money in Your Car
Safety and Security Tips: 20 Ideas on Where to Hide Money in Your Home

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Radio Posts Reviewed

2012-02-18T16:30:00Z

I really like radio communications, here is a recap of my posts:

I will be expanding on these in the future . . . look for more to come.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, LowProfileLife, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Related Posts:
Self Reliance Builds Self Esteem . . .
Are You a Sheeple?
Self Reliance and the Whole You . . .
A Horse, a Horse, My Kingdom For a Horse . . .
Radio Posts

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Automotive Repair Posts Reviewed Part II

2012-02-18T13:00:00Z

Self reliant people can and should assume much of the care and maintenance of their vehicles. Here is another review of some of my posts on the topic:

Automotive DIY: Check Fluids Constantly

Automotive DIY: Oil Change

Automotive DIY: Vehicle Tune-Up

Automotive DIY: Simple Tasks

Automotive DIY: Brake Job

Automotive DIY: Check Engine Light Avoidance

Automotive DIY: Jack Points and Jack Stands Placement

Automotive DIY: Repairing a Flat Tire

Automotive DIY: Must Have Books

Automotive DIY: Changing Wiper Blades

Automotive DIY: Changing an O2 Sensor

Self reliance is the answer-- learn, grow, and be ready!

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, LowProfileLife, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.