Dr. Phil McGraw By Harold HutchisonDaily Caller News Foundation Former TV talk-show host Dr. Phil McGraw described a trip to the U.S.-Mexico Border Monday evening‚ revealing an “insane” situation…

Nikki Haley By Harold HutchisonDaily Caller News Foundation Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley called on Republicans Monday to hammer out legislation to address the border crisis after many…

Author of Be Ready for Anything and Bloom Where You’re Planted online course We all try to seek balance in our lives‚ but there are times when things just get a little bit out of control. Maybe you have a new baby. Maybe there is something major going on at work. You could have a sick family member‚ a big home project going on‚ the kids are involved in something that requires lots of driving on your part‚ or maybe you’re injured.  The point is‚ in all of our lives‚ sometimes a situation arises during which we’re too busy to prep in the way we usually do. When this happens‚ it can add to an already elevated stress level. You know you should be doing more to be prepared but there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to do the things you want to do. Sometimes it isn’t even that you’re too busy – sometimes‚ your motivation just takes a beating because there are so many negative and stressful things going on in the world. When this happens‚ you just don’t feel like actively focusing on preparedness all the time. During times like these‚ the best thing you can do is focus on fitting in small tasks when you can. Try to do one small thing per day to keep your prepper mojo going. And most of all‚ try not to worry about the things that you aren’t doing. You’ll get there. I have faith in you. What to do when you’re too busy to prep Carry a book with you at all times. A Kindle e-reader device might be handier in this situation than a physical copy‚ and if you are a member of Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited Program‚ you can often “borrow” all the books you want for about $12 a month.  Take those moments when you’re sitting in the car waiting to pick up the kids from an activity‚ when you are on a break at work‚ or when you’d normally be watching a show on TV and learn something – anything – that will make you more prepared. Also‚ if you don’t have an e-reader‚ don’t despair. You can add a Kindle app to your phone or a tablet and use that to read your ebooks. Take those little moments to work on skills. In those same short breaks‚ as I mentioned above‚ work on a skill that would be handy post-disaster. Take your knitting with you or do some kind of small‚ portable task. Add a little to your stockpile each week.  Hopefully‚ before life got crazy‚ you had a good handle on the weak points in your stockpile. So‚ if you know that you need fruits and vegetables‚ for example‚ pick up some shelf-stable items at the store during your regular shopping trip each week. If you need dry milk‚ quickly order high-quality dry milk online. If you need meat‚ buy some canned fish at the store or order some freeze-dried beef crumbles. Make one purchase each week and you’ll still be increasing your stockpile. Make your downtime count. Keep your prepper mindset sharp by using it often. If you are taking a couple of hours to sit down with the family and watch a movie‚ watch something that will let you think through a scenario. Here’s a list of survival-themed movies – grab some popcorn! Family time on the weekend can be used for prepping activities.  Make family time something active. If you’re spending some time together on the weekend‚ go for a hike‚ spend some time brushing up on your nature skills‚ and work on your fitness. Teach your kids some skills. Obviously‚ no matter how busy we are‚ we still want to spend time with our kids. Spend a summer evening making homemade jam with your kids. It might take a little bit longer but they’ll be very proud of “their” jam and you’ll get some food preservation done at the same time. (You can get some recipes in The Prepper’s Canning Guide.)  Try to make it fun instead of one of those things you “have” to do. Organize things into kits. If you have a little time‚ organize the things you already have into kits. I like to use plastic organizers of varying sizes. Not only will this help you to be ready for an emergency quickly‚ it will help you to see what you’re missing so that you can order it online. Some examples of kits might be: cold remedies‚ power outage‚ contagious illness‚ allergies‚ bug-out bags‚ important paperwork‚ evacuation kits – you get the idea. Here’s an article I wrote with some advice on kits. Shop online.  When you’re super busy‚ you don’t always have time to trek to the store to shop for your preparedness gear and supplies. If you know what you need‚ shop online and have the stuff delivered right to your door. Amazon really does have almost anything you might need‚ from camping gear to books to emergency supplies. Buy food in buckets.  When you prep‚ you’re either going to have to spend time or spend money. If you’re short on time‚ you don’t want to have to transfer everything to Mylar bags and buckets on your own. Order some emergency buckets‚ and all you have to do is put them away with the seal intact. The buckets linked to above contain “entree.” (Although we like to supplement with extra freeze-dried fruits and vegetables when using these goods.) This is a great way to vastly increase your emergency food supply without spending much time doing it. Practice using your emergency food. The thing about emergency food is that it should be fairly fast and easy to fix.  What better opportunity to test out some of your stockpile ingredients than to use them for a speedy meal when you’re short on time?  Make some meals by combining freeze-dried food from your buckets with canned food from your pantry. See what kind of delicious combinations you can come up with. This will also give you a chance to see if you need to pick up some extra spices or other shelf-stable ingredients to make the meals more palatable or filling. (Time-saving bonus: This is a great way to skip the weekly trip to the store!) Have you ever been too busy to prep? Have you ever run into a period of time when you were just too busy to prep the way you wanted to? What were some quick things that you found the time for? How do you stay motivated when life gets crazy busy? Share your stories and suggestions in the comments below. About Daisy Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging‚ adventure-seeking‚ globe-trotting blogger. She is the founder and publisher of three websites.  1) The Organic Prepper‚ which is about current events‚ preparedness‚ self-reliance‚ and the pursuit of liberty; 2)  The Frugalite‚ a website with thrifty tips and solutions to help people get a handle on their personal finances without feeling deprived; and 3) PreppersDailyNews.com‚ an aggregate site where you can find links to all the most important news for those who wish to be prepared. Her work is widely republished across alternative media and she has appeared in many interviews. Daisy is the best-selling author of 5 traditionally published books‚ 12 self-published books‚ and runs a small digital publishing company with PDF guides‚ printables‚ and courses at SelfRelianceand Survival.com You can find her on Facebook‚ Pinterest‚ Gab‚ MeWe‚ Parler‚ Instagram‚ and Twitter. The post 10 Things You Can Do When You’re Just Too Busy To Prep appeared first on The Organic Prepper.

In survival first aid‚ the triangular bandage is an important item that should be part of every medical kit. Available as a stand-alone item or improvised from a bandanna‚ neckerchief‚ or shemagh‚ the triangular bandage has proven to be a versatile and lightweight tool in the off-grid medic’s toolbox. Every medical kit should have several. Over the centuries‚ bandannas — which originated from a colorful headdress in India called bandhana‚ from the Sanskrit word for “bond” — have morphed into an item which can be seen on the outfits of everything from scouts to sailors to cowboys. In some cases‚ kerchiefs have become part of ceremonial costumes or uniforms. In practical terms‚ however‚ they can serve to wrap a wide variety of injuries incurred in the backcountry or other austere settings. The triangular bandage is useful for any situation where immobilization is helpful for healing or for transport. It can be used to treat sprains‚ broken bones‚ bleeding injuries‚ and much more. Above: Every medical kit should have more than one triangular bandage. The bandage can be used in conjunction with a number of other medical items to achieve stabilization. It can be improvised into a tourniquet with a stick or used as a wrapping to pad and immobilize a sprain in tandem with a splint. By itself‚ it can serve to help apply pressure to and pack an open wound. Today‚ we’ll demonstrate a number of different ways for the family medic to use a standard-sized triangular bandage. DISCLAIMER: This is a general overview and not a comprehensive guide to treating sprains‚ broken bones‚ or other injuries. If symptoms worsen‚ seek professional medical advice as soon as possible. Photos by Amy Alton Making A Triangular Bandage Commercially produced triangular bandages are cheap and can be bought in quantity‚ but if you have some old cotton sheets‚ you can easily make your own supply. Simply use scissors to cut out a 40×40-inch cloth square‚ then either fold it into a triangle or cut diagonally to make two separate triangular bandages. Above: Standard triangular bandage dimensions are 40 by 40 by 56 inches. Sanitize the bandage by boiling in water‚ using a pressure cooker‚ or soaking in a disinfectant solution. This will allow you to use it safely in an open wound. Store in a fresh plastic bag. It might not be entirely sterile from a medical standpoint‚ but it’ll stay clean. Other‚ less conventional‚ options include baking in an oven for two hours at 300 degrees F or ironing at a high heat for three minutes. Above: Old sheets work well as improvised bandages. Arm Injury The most well-known use for a triangular bandage is the classic sling. With arm injuries‚ a sling will provide both immobilization and comfort. Securing the arm against the body reduces the chance of further damage. In a rib injury‚ this sling is sometimes used‚ with added padding against the chest‚ to decrease pain experienced by moving the arm. The simplest way to make a sling is to lay out the bandage under the injured arm so that one pointy end goes over the shoulder‚ another points to the floor‚ and the third extends beyond the elbow. Above: Step 1 – Drape in front with the tip of the triangle toward the elbow. Bring the lower end of the bandage up over the other shoulder‚ leaving the arm cradled. Above: Step 2 – Lift the bottom end over the shoulder and tie. Make a knot at the elbow to stabilize. Tie the ends of the bandage behind the neck. Fasten the edge of the bandage by the elbow with a safety pin or by tying a knot. If needed‚ add some padding behind the neck. Above: Step 3 – For added support‚ wrap a swathe around the torso. For even more support‚ an additional bandage can be used around the injured arm and chest horizontally. This wrapping is known as a “swathe.” Ankle Sprain One of the most common injuries on the trail is the ankle sprain. Uneven terrain in the form of rocks and roots cause an unbalanced traveler to end up with a painful injury. In this case‚ elastic wraps are most commonly used for this injury‚ but a properly placed triangular bandage will also work to provide the stabilization needed. Fold the bandage until it is 3 to 4 inches wide‚ then place the center on top of the foot and wrap once under the foot. Bring each end behind the ankle‚ cross once‚ and move them together in front of the ankle. Cross the ends again. Slide each end underneath the vertical straps created when you moved the wrap from under the foot to the back of the ankle. Tug on each end to tighten and secure with a knot in front of the ankle. Above: Step 1 – Start on top of the foot. Above: Step 2 – Go around the back of the ankle. Above: Step 3 – Slide each end back under the ankle strap. Above: Step 4 – Pull each end up to stabilize. Above: Step 5 – Tie the ends in front. Head Injury A head wound can be significant in various ways. Superficial cuts on the scalp can bleed profusely and require bandaging. A concussion can alter mental status and even cause loss of consciousness. Bleeding could also occur inside the skull‚ putting the victim’s life at risk. Even vision could be affected in certain injuries. The family medic can’t control all of these issues‚ but a simple head wrap can help control the superficial bleeding that often happens with a traumatic injury. Although gauze rolls are most commonly used‚ a triangular bandage can serve the purpose as well. Above: Step 1 – Wrap around the forehead with the triangle covering the head. Starting at the long side of the bandage‚ fold it over 2 inches and wrap this section around the forehead above the eyebrows‚ leaving a triangle covering the scalp. Cross both ends of the bandage around the back of the head and over the triangle covering the scalp. Then‚ cross around to the front and tie. Tuck loose ends under the folds of the wrap. Above: Step 2 – Tie the ends together over the edge of the triangle. If you’re dealing with a burn‚ you should moisten the bandage to avoid sticking. Shoulder Injury Ordinarily an awkward area to wrap‚ a triangular bandage works well to cover an open shoulder wound and help stabilize the area. Fold the top of long end of the triangular bandage down about 4 inches‚ then flip up the bottom of the triangle until the tip meets the long side. Drape diagonally so one of the pointy ends is below the unaffected armpit (axilla) and the other is over the injured shoulder. Then‚ wrap around the back of the shoulder‚ under the affected armpit‚ and around so that the end of the bandage meets the other end. Tie to secure. Above: Step 1 – Drape across with the wide end over the affected shoulder Above: Step 2 – Go in back and around the armpit. Above: Step 3 – Tie in back.     Hand Injury Performing activities of daily survival can lead to injuries relating to the hand‚ especially if protective gloves aren’t used. In many situations‚ group members will be asked to carry out duties to which they’re not accustomed. The family medic should always be prepared to prevent and treat injuries relating to the hand; family members who can’t use their hands lose the ability to be an asset in the fight for survival. If the hand injury is a burn‚ moisten or use some salve beforehand to keep the bandage from sticking to the skin. If there’s a chance of re-bleeding‚ use extra bandages to provide a bulky barrier for added pressure. Spread out the triangular bandage on a table or other flat surface. Place the victim’s back of the hand on the center area of the bandage. Fold the bandage over the palm so that the point is at the level of the wrist. Roll both ends of the bandage down until you reach the wrist on each side. Cross the rolled ends over the wrist and around the back of the hands at least twice. Then‚ tie. This covers the hand completely. Above: Step 1 – Spread out the triangular bandage and position the hand. Above: Step 2 – Bring the tip of the triangle down over the wrist. Above: Step 3 – Roll the ends until they reach the wrist on each side. Above: Step 4 – Wrap the end around the wrist. Above: Step 5 – Tie the ends. Eye Injury An eye injury can disorient and disable a person‚ and a tight wrap could worsen the situation. In chemical emergencies‚ be sure to irrigate and flush out the affected eye(s) thoroughly before applying a bandage. Using an improvised or a commercial eye shield‚ a triangular bandage can hold such a barrier in place to prevent further injury. This is especially useful if a foreign object has impaled the eye. With eye injuries‚ it’s important to realize that both eyes move in tandem with each other. Therefore‚ it’s best to cover both eyes if further eye movement would worsen the situation. If you don’t have a commercial eye shield in your kit‚ you can improvise a shield with the bottom of a paper cup. Take a gauze 4×4 pad and cut an opening that fits the cup tightly enough to keep it stable and add some padding under the rim for comfort. Place over the injured eye. Use some padding over the other eye as well‚ and then use your triangular bandage‚ folded to about 4 inches wide‚ to cover both eyes. Go around the head twice‚ tie in the back to secure‚ and tuck the loose ends. Above: Step 1 – Cover the injured eye with the bottom of a paper cup. Above: Step 2 – Cover the other eye with padding. Above: Step 3 – Use the triangular bandage to stabilize the dressings over each eye. Jaw Injury A number of circumstances can lead to trauma to the jaw‚ possibly even a fracture. A triangular bandage can be used to immobilize the jaw in place. Fold the bandage flat lengthwise until it’s 4 inches wide. Start on the chin and bring ends behind the ears to the top of the head. Cross the ends and slide the crossed section just over one ear. Wrap one end behind the head and the other across the forehead. Tie both ends over the opposite ear. Above: Step 1 – Start over the chin and pull each end over the head. Above: Step 2 – Cross the ends over one ear. Above: Step 3 – Tie the end over the other ear. Stabilizing A Splint Splints perform the important task of immobilizing an injured limb in a natural position. They help prevent re-injury that can occur as a result of jostling during transport. Splints facilitate the healing process. To keep them in place‚ triangular bandages can be used as padding or in the place of elastic wraps. There should be at least two securing points. Above: Stabilizing and padding splint with triangular bandages. Improvised Tourniquet A tourniquet is a mandatory item for any medical kit. In most cases‚ commercial tourniquets like the C-A-T have proven their worth in everything from the battleground to the backcountry. A purpose-built tourniquet will be easier to use and more consistent than any improvised solution. However‚ when a military-style tourniquet isn’t available‚ a triangular bandage can be used as an effective way to stop even heavy bleeding. Fold the triangular bandage so it’s flat on the extremity and at least 2 inches wide. Wrap around the limb tightly‚ but evenly. Tie the two ends in a single knot‚ then place a rigid object like a stick across and tie another knot. The stick serves as a “windlass” device similar to that used in military-style tourniquets. Twist the stick until bleeding stops‚ then secure it by placing a knot underneath the extremity to maintain pressure. Above: Step 1 – Fold to 2 inches wide‚ tightly wrap above the bleed‚ then tie down. Above: Step 2 – Place stick or other “windlass” and tie once over it. Above: Step 3 – Windlass stick in place; twist to provide pressure. Above: Step 4 – Secure windlass stick in place by wrapping and placing a knot. Other Uses For Triangular Bandages As a component of a water filter. The permeable nature of the fabric allows the bandages to filter out algae and debris from questionable water in advance of disinfecting by boiling‚ bleach‚ iodine‚ water purification tabs‚ or UV light. As a face mask. A triangular bandage can be used‚ cowboy-style‚ to protect against dust and other irritants. It doesn’t prevent the passage of microbes‚ however. To make fire. If your triangular bandage is made of cotton‚ it’ll work well as emergency tinder to make fire. Shred the fabric into a nest of fibers for easier ignition. As improvised cordage. Paracord is a lot better‚ but you can cut your triangular bandage into strips to tie together and fasten materials in a pinch. To signal for help. Attach to a long stick and wave like a flag‚ or unfold and lay the bandage on the ground with rocks at the corners to create a directional marker that’s visible to passing aircraft. To get the most out of your medical supplies‚ it’s worthwhile to brainstorm different possible uses for each item. As you expend materials‚ you’ll find that your improvisations may make the difference between success or failure off the grid. About the Author Joe Alton‚ MD‚ FACOG‚ FACS‚ is a retired Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Life Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN. He’s a disaster medical preparedness advocate‚ outdoor enthusiast‚ and New York Times/Amazon bestselling author of several award-winning books‚ including The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way now in its 700-page fourth edition. He’s also the designer of an entire line of quality medical kits for the austere medic at his website at doomandbloom.net‚ which has over 1‚400 articles‚ podcasts‚ and videos on medical preparedness. Read More Subscribe to Recoil Offgrid's free newsletter for more content like this. Dark Angel Medical Training: If It Bleeds‚ We Can Stop It IFAK vs Portable Medical Kit: Scaling Medical Gear Medical Improvisations: DIY Techniques for Survival First Aid &; Hygiene RECOILtv: A Quick Look at PHLster Medical EDC Gear Emergency Medical Care Without a Hospital Editor's Note: This article has been modified from the original print version for the web. The post Triangular Bandage: More Than A Dozen Uses appeared first on RECOIL OFFGRID.

Much of the country is facing major storms and power blackouts as a result of winter storms. A survival situation can develop right in your home when the power goes out. Your backup plan must include emergency lighting. If you live in these affected areas‚ here are some tips to keep you from sitting in […]

When it comes to survival‚ everything is about necessities. One of the most important necessities is food. You can go a long time before you starve‚ but diminishing energy levels will seriously hamper your efforts to survive. Accordingly‚ making use of wild-caught and foraged food is high on the priority list for preppers. moss There’s lots to eat out in the world‚ and much of it is plentiful if you know what’s safe and what’s not. One of the most common kinds of plant life out there is moss. But is moss edible or poisonous? Moss‚ as a rule‚ is edible though there are a few toxic varieties out there. And while moss is very plentiful‚ it offers very little in the way of calories or other nutrients. In all cases‚ it’s best to properly cook it to minimize the chances of food poisoning or digestive trouble. Moss is one of those things that probably isn’t your first choice out in the wild‚ and even if it is you should look for something better. It doesn’t have much for you in terms of nutrients that your body has to have for optimum function and calories for energy. That said‚ you can definitely use moss to get a little bit in the way of food‚ or to bulk up other items that you might have. There’s a whole lot more you’ll want to know before you start harvesting‚ and I’ll tell you about it below… Most Mosses are Indeed Edible The good news‚ as far as survival food is concerned‚ is it the vast majority of mosses you’ll find around the United States and indeed much of the world are edible. This is to say they aren’t overtly toxic or poisonous‚ and you shouldn’t expect terrible outcomes from eating them as long as you prepare them correctly. Considering how plentiful most varieties of moss are in different biomes‚ this is something of a comfort because you’ll be able to find at least something to eat if you know where to look and how to harvest it. Definitely good news in a survival situation. Even better news is that there is a precedent for people eating moss‚ and there has been for a very long time. A few types of moss have actually been important cultural foods‚ survival staples‚ or emergency rations in the United States and elsewhere in the world for centuries. I’m not saying they are particularly good- they aren’t- but it’s nice to know that you won’t be blazing a trail when it comes to eating moss! Moss Has Very Little to Offer‚ Nutritionally But it’s not all good news concerning moss as survival food. Moss‚ whatever kind it is‚ has only very little to offer you in terms of nutrients‚ both macronutrients like protein‚ fat‚ and carbohydrates and also micronutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals. Basically‚ you’ll have to eat a ton of the stuff if you want to have a meaningful meal or even get a proper fraction of your daily requirements. It’s a lot more likely that you’ll use moss as a sort of “filler food” to bulk up your diet a little bit and perhaps make the most of other foraged or hunted foods that you’ve managed to lay your hands on. That is in fact how moss has most often been used for food historically: added to dough and porridge‚ used as a thickener for soups‚ etc. Plus‚ even if you are gathering a type of moss that’s particularly abundant like Spanish moss‚ you aren’t necessarily best served by eating a ton of it… Many types of moss are either intensely acidic or have other compounds that can cause stomach problems and other digestive distress if you overeat. In short‚ moss can’t be a primary food item even if you’re desperate. A Few Kinds of Mosses are Dangerously Toxic Now‚ most kinds of moss are safe to eat‚ or at least not particularly harmful‚ but there are a couple types out there which can really mess you up. Some of them contain dangerous toxins that they use as protection against predators that would eat them‚ and others are known to be incidentally dangerous to humans because of high amounts of certain harmful compounds. We’ll talk a little bit more about these in detail later‚ but for now‚ all you need to know is that you must treat moss like you would any other edible‚ foraged plant: it’s critical that you know exactly what you are dealing with. Playing the odds might make a bad situation even worse if you’re in a survival situation‚ and it’s not out of the question you could wind up dead. If you’re really in a jam‚ remember to perform the universal field edibility test before you dig in. It could save your life! Lichens are Also Edible Something else you should keep in mind while you’re on the subject of moss is that many kinds of lichen are edible too. Though often confused‚ lichens are completely distinct‚ taxonomically‚ from moss‚ but the two are often found growing in the same environments or even right alongside each other. Lichens are different from moss because they are basically colonies of symbiotic organisms‚ typically fungi and certain kinds of bacteria or algae. One provides shelter for the other‚ and the two can even trade types of food for the mutual benefit of both. They really are fascinating! I don’t bring this up to derail our important conversation about moss‚ proper‚ but to make you aware of what resources you’re likely to find while looking for moss. And there’s another very important reason why that we’ll talk about in the next section… Many Kinds of Lichen are Called “Moss”! To make this subject even more confusing than it has to be‚ you should know that there are many kinds of lichen that are called mosses‚ and I don’t mean colloquially by folks who don’t know better. “Moss” is actually in the common name of these organisms! That’s right: this can make tracking down and categorizing actual mosses confusing if you don’t have a guidebook or expert help. But I want to clear this up: it doesn’t matter what the vegetation is called so long as you know exactly what it is and whether or not it is safe. You don’t need to dig into the taxonomy and differences of moss and lichens to make use of either. Can You Eat Raw Moss? Yes‚ you can‚ but there are some risk factors. Namely‚ raw moss is a lot more likely to harbor germs that can make you sick. Cooking your food‚ as always‚ eliminates or reduces these germs and makes it safer to eat. That said‚ if you don’t have the resources or don’t have the time‚ or you just desperately need something to fill your stomach with‚ you can eat most varieties of safe moss without too much worry. Is it Best to Cook Moss? Often‚ yes‚ but there are still more trade-offs to consider. Cooking moss will kill any germs‚ parasites‚ and other nasty things that you don’t want to eat‚ but it will also significantly reduce the already meager nutrition that moss has to offer you. Specifically‚ it’ll lose out on vitamins and minerals which it can’t afford to give up. That said‚ if your food situation isn’t in total crisis‚ you have the resources to cook‚ and the time to do it‚ I recommend that you at least cook it gently to improve its safety. What Does Moss Taste Like‚ Anyway? Moss does not taste very good. At its absolute best‚ it tastes very grassy‚ vegetative‚ and often earthy. And at its worst‚ it has a slimy and ashy taste that is downright repulsive‚ and it takes a whole lot of seasoning and expert preparation to make it even passingly palatable. Doesn’t mean you can’t eat it safely‚ but it does mean you are unlikely to enjoy the experience! What’s the Best Way to Prepare Moss for Eating? The best way to prepare any moss for consumption without completely spoiling its nutritional content is to soak it in fresh‚ clean water. Soaking it for just 10 minutes before shaking it off and giving it one final rinse can remove most of the contaminants that are on the outside and significantly increase safety. Safe and Edible Moss Varieties And finally‚ we get to a list of known edible and nominally nutritious moss varieties that you should always be on the lookout for. Willa Willa has a place of honor on our list of edible masses both because it is a lichen‚ not a moss‚ and because it has a long history of being eaten in the United States. Used as a staple and local delicacy‚ and also harvested en masse during times of food shortage‚ it looks like long‚ stringy tumbleweeds and is often found growing high up in dead trees. Reindeer Moss Another noteworthy “moss‚” and another lichen in reality. Often grows in northern latitudes where it is extremely cold. Named both because of its appearance (which is similar to caribou antlers) and also because it is an important food for them when they are migrating. This one is still eaten today in various Scandinavian countries. It’s intensely astringent and acidic and should be prepared properly prior to eating to avoid major stomach trouble. Oakmoss You guessed it. Oakmoss isn’t really a moss. It’s a lichen. This is another one that grows in colder regions and is commonly found on evergreen plants. Easily spotted by its light gray or mint green color and tangled growth habit. Iceland Moss Yes‚ Iceland moss is actually… a lichen. Ha‚ got ya! But jokes aside‚ it is one lichen that looks very much like its namesake because it has a low-growing‚ spreading‚ and almost furry appearance. Look for it on rocks and fallen trunks. Spanish Moss Sometimes called “old man’s beard‚” this is neither a moss nor a lichen but is instead a type of flowering plant that is invasive but naturalized to the United States. It’s a very common sight in the Deep South and Tidewater region of the US. Only very small‚ choice bits of the plant are safely edible and palatable‚ but it’s possible to boil it and mix in sugar or other ingredients to make a type of tea or syrup that has some calories and nutrients. Kalpasi This lichen is native to many parts of Asia‚ and has a distinguished culinary history as an ingredient in various spice mixes for Indian cuisine‚ and others. It is easily recognized by its fern-like growth habit‚ and striking pale green-gray to black “leaf” coloration. Toxic Mosses You Must Avoid Before we get to the list of edible mosses that you should keep your eye out for‚ we need to talk about two really nasty ones that you must avoid at all costs. Truly poisonous mosses are rare‚ but they do exist! Powdered Sunshine This uncommon moss is actually a lichen‚ and one that is easily identifiable when it is found growing on birch trees throughout Europe and much of the United States and Canada. It has a distinct and sunny but vaguely ominous yellow color which is an obvious warning sign‚ and the reason for its name. It has a particular toxin that can cause severe abdominal pain and eventually damage and failure in the liver if you eat it. Learn what it looks like and avoid it‚ and be very cautious when collecting moss from birch trees! Wolf Lichen Another notorious “moss‚” and obviously from the name a lichen‚ this stuff is found all over the Western half of North America and some parts of Europe. It has a ragged‚ almost ruffled appearance and resembles a shrub that has had all of its leaves and greenery knocked off. Historically‚ it has been employed as a poison against dogs and wolves‚ hence the name. This is due to high concentrations of vulpinic acid which is quite toxic to mammals. Learn to recognize it by sight and steer clear! The post Is Moss Edible or Poisonous? 6 Types of Moss You Can Eat appeared first on Modern Survival Online.

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