Survivalists and Preppers

[Jackhammer]

I have learned its not a bad idea to have food and water stashed for emergency situations.
Storms,floods,earthquakes, zombies..etc.
What food do you have, what are your sources for food?
Do you store it in buckets or #10 cans?

Then of course, you have to have a way to cook it. BBQ, fireplace and dutch oven, coals and dutch oven, kelly kettle, pit in the yard etc.

Whats your everyday carry?
Leatherman, firestarter, flashlight, B.O.B, etc.

Whats your choice of a gun or weapon (some folks dont like guns) for protection.

How about your B.O.V. is it tricked out?

Are you prepared to live with out electricy,gas and water for extended periods?

Do you make your own soap, can your own food, chop your own wood?

If it has to do with survival at home or in the woods this is the spot to talk about it and drop links for others.
If it has to do with prepping or preps, this is where its at.

I'll be back with some of my favorite links for food :D

[Selenay]

Shit, when the zombies come I'm coming over to your house. All I've got is some cans of campbells soup and a brita filter.

[Jackhammer]

Come... we love you.

We have so much food I found a few cracks in our foundation wall under the pantry. :eek:

Guess Im gonna have to add a few more piers under there.

[cara]

I lost my emergency prep mojo when I moved into the new apartment. :(

However...

I still have my emergency backpack that includes water, food, first aid, flashlight, radio, leatherman's tool, etc. Also have an emergency pack for my Molly Cat. :)

I need to start re-stocking food, etc. Never know when that mountain's gonna blow or the big earthquake is gonna hit.

~cara

[Selenay]

So Jack, if you're just starting your emergency kit, what do you pack?

Help the unprepared chick.

[Jackhammer]

You have a great start.
Im impressed that you have a B.O.B. (bug out bag) for you cat.

Just grab a extra can of beans or canned potatoes when ever you can.
It builds up quick.

Soup isn't a good stockpile food, but a few cans in your flu prep stuff is a good idea.

[Selenay]

Potatoes come in cans? :eek:

[Jackhammer]

Selenay

First priority is N95 masks- good for (flu,smoke,dust)
or a bandana. Better than nothing.
Latex gloves
Hand sanitizer
Nail clippers
tweezers
Chapstick
thermometer
aspirin
eyewash
heartburn meds
diarrhea meds
Campo-Phenique (better than stingeze) good for bug bites
Anbesol (tooth-pain)
band-aids
bandages/gauze/tape
Neosporin
alcohol pads

This would be my basics off the top of my head.

Ill make a list and take some pics of my first aid kits.
I have sutures and gobs of other stuff in my kits and a kit for our dog.

[Jackhammer]

Potatoes come in cans? :eek:

Yep.
Diced or whole.
The whole ones are little though, but still good.
The juice they are in could be used to cook with, rehydrate or used as a starter for bread.

Canned chicken is really good too.
We also have some canned bacon.

[cara]

Yeah--I worry about my kitty cat. Especially because she does NOT like to be picked up or held. I don't know if I will be able to pack her in a carrier and take her with me if need to. :(

Oh! I also have a 3-day emergency kit under my desk at work.

I really do need to start getting more stuff together, though. Thanks for the list. I saw a few things I can add to what I currently have. When I lived with my parents, they put a whole bunch of emergency stuff in two big, plastic garbage can in the basement/rec room. The problem with living in an apartment is finding the space Do any of you have suggestions what I can do?

[cara]

P.S. Canned bacon that isn't Spam? Whoah. :eek:

[Cyclopea]

Soup isn't a good stockpile food, but a few cans in your flu prep stuff is a good idea.

I'm into preparedness. We should all be prepared- for whatever.
I'm wondering why soup isn't a good stockpile food? It has protein, carbs, and water. I sent soup into New Orleans for those reasons circa Katrina. Please point out the flaw in my logic.

*Plus- zombies HATE soup! :eek:

[Jackhammer]

The HIGH salt content is what concerns me.

[evolveme]

Canned Bacon. <green face>

That sounds like a reason to prepare an emergency survival kit.

[Mister Bent]

*Plus- zombies HATE soup! :eek:

In that case, bring on the soup. I've had it with all things zombie.

The HIGH salt content is what concerns me.

That's why zombies don't like it. Salt has the same affect on zombies as it does on slugs.

[Jackhammer]

Ok, you folks are making me laugh.

Canned bacon is really good, especially with some powdered eggs.

With the right spices you would never know its not fresh product.

[Andrew, Jr.]

I have water, first aid kits (one for cats, dog, and humans), some canned items, solar radio, solar backup for cell phones, leatherman, diabetic blood kit and supplies, and meds.

I live inbetween 2 Army bases that are well known for storing chemicals. Plus living not far from DC, VA, PA, and DE is a hot spot for terrorist cells. Since 9/11 I have watched the Army's terrorist force practice flying on helicopters dangling from ropes, rope ladders, etc. And I am not sure of what the plane is called, but the paratroopers who practice jumps...now that is something to see.

It is just a matter of time before something horrific happens again.

[Jackhammer]

Stretching under the High Plains, including most of Nebraska, western Kansas, eastern New Mexico, eastern Colorado and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles is the mammoth Ogallala Aquifer, which provides fully one-third of the water used to irrigate crops in the United States.


If the someone hits the heartland we are screwed.
This is an unsecured target, and will cripple our food production.

Its no longer if they are going to try something, its more like when: :(

If we do get nuked, food in cans will be edible.
(something to consider)

I think the plane you're thinking of is a C-130, they fly over our house too.

[Cyclopea]

The HIGH salt content is what concerns me.

Hmm. Yes, a good consideration. In an immediate survival scenario it seems like a bit of extra sodium (for electrolyte replacement and to facilitate water retention) would be a good idea. For a longer term situation, not so good.
Thank you for your reply.
:)

[Jackhammer]

Hmm. Yes, a good consideration. In an immediate survival scenario it seems like a bit of extra sodium (for electrolyte replacement and to facilitate water retention) would be a good idea. For a longer term situation, not so good.
Thank you for your reply.
:)

Your statement is factual and dead-on target.
Short term-beneficial, long-term not so good.

That, and some soups have more liquid than solid substance.

[Cyclopea]

That, and some soups have more liquid than solid substance.

That's why I buy Campbell's Chunky.:D

[Selenay]

Jack, what are your feelings on flashlights that aren't battery operated?

Shake flashlights? Crank?

Maybe I have the foundations of my Zombie Attack kit already. :cool:

Example: http://www.appliedinnotech.com/

[Jackhammer]

The problem with the "shake or crank" lights is that if you leave them in a drawer without shaking or cranking them, they become DEAD and will not charge.

My choice (besides a 3 cell LED Maglite that will run for 8 days being left on 24/7) is the Bogo Solar Flashlight.

YouTube- Bogo Solar Flashlight Review | GreenDealsDaily.com

Website
http://www.bogolight.com/

[apretty]

i've got over a gallon of water in my car at any given time.

during one of my trips to san diego this past summer, i gave a gallon to a mom that was stuck with her kids (waiting on a tow truck) a couple of hours outside the city.

water's good to have.

[IrishGrrl]

When I was a member of the mormon church (no comments LOL)
They taught everyone to have what they called food storage. One year of food for your entire family. They have huge plants where they produce large cans containing everything you can imagine. They even created a drink mix with all the nutrients you need. It's hella good tasting too. Members are the only people who can order/purchase food from them. Members are encouraged to volunteer at these places..and do. They also teach classes regularly to teach families how to use and cook this food. They use a kind of wheat powder to create meat..and I swear...you cant even tell it's not meat.
Families rotate these foods so that it's always fresh. No waste. It's very inexpensive as well..they only charge what it costs to make it..no labor or overhead. It's an incredible resource for members.

They also taught everyone to have a 72 hour emergency kit. Meds,food,extra change of clothes,diapers, pet food, documents, and loose change/money. Along with that they teach you to keep your gas tank full..fill it up when it's half empty.

[June]

I have a Gross of empty canning jars. This should count for something.

I loved the video of the Kelly Kettle! It makes me want one just because it's cute.

[IrishGrrl]

It looks like you can get this stuff as a non member. I'm not positive if this is LDS run or not..but this is exactly the stuff that I'm talking about. check it out!!

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/foodpak1.aspx


There are also other sites just like this one. Google mormon food storage.

[Jackhammer]

I can vouch for these sources, they are who we use:

Are favorite is http://beprepared.com/

These guys are the cheapest but dont have a huge selection:
http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/

[Scorp]

<----- Still thinks Jack should be a contestant on Survivor.

Chooch, ya'd probably win....

[Jackhammer]

(((Laughing)))

I'd be that *weirdo* drinking my own piss and eating bugs.

[Scorp]

LMFAO...Exactly, and that's why you'd win. Then with your winnings, you could market your new energy drink and call it "Jackal Piss"


(((Laughing)))

I'd be that *weirdo* drinking my own piss and eating bugs.

[Jackhammer]

Maybe have an option where it comes in a powder form with a 30-year shelf-life.

snort

[Dean Thoreau]

Ok so call me a total wack but I truly beleive that preparation for leaner days is a smart idea. I have metal coffee cans filled with heirloom non hybrid vegetable, grain and fruit seeds,,,in the freezer....they keep for years and years. and i rotate them (this year i will use year 5's seeds and replace at harvest time)
Why? non hybrid will self propagate and you can gather the seeds for the next season. why ? well i figure when everyone is starving and killing each other for food, i will continue to just plant a garden,,and share the seeds.... dandelions will grow anywhere...and are quite edible,,,but u can only eat so many dandelions...dirt is easy to come by when lands are devastated,,herilooms seeds are not as fussy about soil even tho they r not as pretty.....
I also have sealed up all those instructions on how to do things that when there is no electricity or internet service i will wish i had printed and put someplace safe: which includes an easy to make water purifier that yes will even purifiy pee...and it is very easy to make without a kazillion tools and can be made of scrap one can find laying around after a hurricaine etc...or u can build and make it look like a yard decoration till needed.
With major corporations taking away the water rights of people..it is only a matter of time that water will become an unaffordable luxury...in many countries (actuallly it is in many already) but before I get on my soapbox about people thinking they are caretakers of the environment that buy water that has been shipped from 5000 miles away to be put in plastic bottles....while the people 20 feet from that water can not have any at any price is just wrong....i will shut up and wander back to my vegetable seeds....

and yes..ii have .duct tape.......some gallon jar bottles of vinegar...zip bags of various dried herbs with various written out directions...remedies so remember what for what...
wool blankets, unbleached cotten material since they have more uses...a few rolls of aluminum foil.... those 99 cent plastic emergency blankets (horrible for a blanket but great to use for a condensation catcher for water...or protect plants etc from weather..
actually i have a couple big metal 55 gallon metal drum with metal lid and rimsealer..that has eveyrthing but the seeds in it....i dont have to worry about a flood here less its a tsunami...but have one stored in basement of the cardboard box,,,one in the eaves of the garage...long as i am home..no worries..... but if i am not home..i figure one of the kids or grandkids will be or someone will find it and it will come in handy...i do not trust water seals..so...everything in it is in zip bags.....and those bags u suck the air out of to compress the contents...
u can find 50 gallon drums with lids and metal rings on craigs list.....and plastic ones usually for free or 10 dollars....cheaper than buying the "survivalist stuff" and the drum is the main ingredient to a water purifier ........if u dont have room for a 55 gallon container than grab a few metal (tin) coffee cans u wont get as much water to drink but enough to keep u alive ...
big thing is make sure if u put stuff away for an emergency is that u put it away in such a way that everything can be used to keep you alive....two important things to keep from getting sick is a place to go to the bathroom that will not contaminate the ground water... and a way to purifiy water so u dont drink contaminated ground water; cause most people in an emergency are not thinking about what their excrement is doing to the ground u might need to sleep on, eat on....grow food on...or catch water on....

and no thanks i will starve before i eat bugs or cockroaches ....i will feed them to my fish who will be called "dinner" and the worms will be happily put in the compost pile....

[Jackhammer]

Sounds like a good plan to me, GMO seeds are the beginning of the end.

I have everything but seeds, Im gonna look pretty stupid with all this land and no seeds.

Off to order some seeds in # 10 cans.

[Mtn]

Shhhh....don't tell Sassy....but as we are 21 mountain miles from town...we are prepared for long stretches of not being able to get to town, and the sometimes long power outages we have...we have first aid stuff, even a defibrillator, and plenty of dry and canned goods to get us through a long stretch, even with the canned goods I try to use and replace just because even in a can, the newer the better, we have a natural spring with plenty of water, year round, so just a little boiling is all that's required with that...I fill the bathtub with water as soon as the power goes out, for flushing toilets.., really just a luxury, but after a couple days, a welcome one...

[Jackhammer]

OMFG you have a defibrillator, for reals?
I have ALWAYS wanted one, that is cool :cool:


Hey speaking of filling tubs, I was looking at these since we have two tubs in the house.

http://www.waterbob.com/Welcome.do;jsessionid=E8F522B5A54F02BE1E0DC1B82B48 FD7A


Looks kinda cheap though.


Man.............. you have a defibrillator........wow.......wee
((Im very jealous))

[Diva]

Thanks, Jack ~ and everyone ~ for this information.....I have bookmarked the sites and after the first of the year, will be getting myself better prepared.

If something happens beFORE then, I'm bringing Lucy and we're comin' to YOUR house, Jack! ;)

[Cajun_dee]

Shhhh....don't tell Sassy....but as we are 21 mountain miles from town...we are prepared for long stretches of not being able to get to town, and the sometimes long power outages we have...we have first aid stuff, even a defibrillator, and plenty of dry and canned goods to get us through a long stretch, even with the canned goods I try to use and replace just because even in a can, the newer the better, we have a natural spring with plenty of water, year round, so just a little boiling is all that's required with that...I fill the bathtub with water as soon as the power goes out, for flushing toilets.., really just a luxury, but after a couple days, a welcome one...


NO FLUSHING TOILETS????? :eek:

[Diva]

Rut roh................:eek:

[Mtn]

NO FLUSHING TOILETS????? :eek:


dang it y'all I asked you not to tell her....shhhh honey it'll be okay, yep Jack, with an 83 yr old Mom and this girl here, I am happy to have the defibrillator...we live where we work, so I pushed my bosses to get it, for the resort, but really with my own agenda in mind...and it tells you what to do, or if you should, it's a pretty sweet piece of equipment...which I hope to never have to use...

[Cajun_dee]

dang it y'all I asked you not to tell her....shhhh honey it'll be okay, yep Jack, with an 83 yr old Mom and this girl here, I am happy to have the defibrillator...we live where we work, so I pushed my bosses to get it, for the resort, but really with my own agenda in mind...and it tells you what to do, or if you should, it's a pretty sweet piece of equipment...which I hope to never have to use...


but Sir, NO flushing toilets?

I think I may need to defibrillate myself :eek:

[Jackhammer]

Come on down.
And bring Lucy, we have a extra couch for her, or should I say Gracie will share hers.
You wont want to be in the cities, trust me


Thanks, Jack ~ and everyone ~ for this information.....I have bookmarked the sites and after the first of the year, will be getting myself better prepared.

If something happens beFORE then, I'm bringing Lucy and we're comin' to YOUR house, Jack! ;)

[Diva]

Come on down.
And bring Lucy, we have a extra couch for her, or should I say Gracie will share hers.
You wont want to be in the cities, trust me


Wait! What do You mean? :eek:

[Bit]

....which includes an easy to make water purifier that yes will even purifiy pee...and it is very easy to make without a kazillion tools and can be made of scrap one can find laying around after a hurricaine etc...or u can build and make it look like a yard decoration till needed.


I would be very interested in directions for something like that!! Are they online? Could you point me in the right direction?

I'll be saving seeds too, although probably not on the scale you do; and I like that rotation idea! It gives you seed for the next couple years in case of a crop failure.

Sounds like a good plan to me, GMO seeds are the beginning of the end.

I have everything but seeds, Im gonna look pretty stupid with all this land and no seeds.

Off to order some seeds in # 10 cans.

GMO seeds are the beginning of a huge change, anyhow, Jack. I cannot believe how blind our society is to not see this disaster looming in the wings.

Wouldn't #10 cans full of seeds be more than any one family could use (if you can order them that way)? My guess is that it would take only a few packets of each kind to get you started, and then you could save from the garden after that.

The wonderful thing is that open pollinated seeds will gradually adapt to your specific garden, and the seeds you plant after five or ten year's gardening could be significantly better adapted to your climate than the ones you buy from a store or catalog.

[Sachita]

I have water, first aid kits (one for cats, dog, and humans), some canned items, solar radio, solar backup for cell phones, leatherman, diabetic blood kit and supplies, and meds.

I live inbetween 2 Army bases that are well known for storing chemicals. Plus living not far from DC, VA, PA, and DE is a hot spot for terrorist cells. Since 9/11 I have watched the Army's terrorist force practice flying on helicopters dangling from ropes, rope ladders, etc. And I am not sure of what the plane is called, but the paratroopers who practice jumps...now that is something to see.

It is just a matter of time before something horrific happens again.

If you're in VA you should visit me and you can hold up here if shit hits the fan.

as most of you know I own a farm. I store food, I don't really eat many eggs but I feed the chickens and let them run around, make babies, etc. This is mostly because I damn sure want them around if anything happens. I can feed them cheaper then my dogs and my dogs eat eggs. If I had to I would slaughter them.

I could be fine without electric. I am not storing water but have a creek and springs. I would like to get some type of water treatment non-electric.

I save and always have a lot of seeds. I preserve food. This past season I didn't. In a funk.

I have tons of books and have done lots of research. I finally had to put it all down. I don't want to live in fear but I want to be reasonably prepared.

[SuperFemme]

Jack. I hereby order you to not influence my beloved. I have this eery feeling you may end up constructing a bomb shelter together.

[Bit]

I think being reasonably prepared means having:



both food and drinking water stored
the-means-to-get-more-food-without-a-grocery-store stored (like seeds)

water for washing and sanitary purposes stored
animal feed and water stored

more than one source of energy for heating, cooling, food storage, lights, computer and phone
extra clothing and blankets in case of a problem with heating
whatever is necessary for transportation--like extra gasoline, oil, spark plugs, filters, belts if your transportation is a car--in our case, extra treads for our shoes, umbrellas, raincoats, replacement wheels and cotter pins for our 4-wheeled cart, etc



We aren't reasonably prepared at all. *sigh* If there were a disaster, we have enough clothes and some food, plus one extra pair of treads, but we don't have two independent sources of heating (our gas furnace depends on an electric thermostat and blower) and we don't even have water stored, except for a gallon of drinking water that I bought last fall.

I think if there were some kind of disaster, I would immediately start using a bucket system (probably with cat litter, but dirt out of the yard would do) instead of using the toilet, so that my water supply wouldn't have to be so big.

I did order a LOT of storage Tupperware so that I can start buying in bulk again; knowing you can keep 20 lbs of pasta or beans or flour safe from bugs for however long you need to is like having money in the bank.

Having an independent electrical supply is a goal of mine; I dunno when we'll be able to implement it, but just knowing I would be able to run fans, lights, fridge in the summer, or the furnace in winter, would ease my mind considerably! Dunno whether it would be better to go solar or wind, but I'm up for either one. The battery bank and inverter could go in either the basement or the mudroom. I wouldn't mind having an entirely separate electrical system and just plugging the most important things into it--fridge, computer, etc. I think it would be more reliable than the electric company, which so far has had some serious trouble keeping the power on during the summer and is now trying to talk people into allowing it to control their a/c thermostats by remote computer and turn their a/c systems OFF for up to four hours a day during peak demand times. Um, no thanks!

When we can qualify for a rehab mortgage and get our roof rebuilt---original 90 year old shake roof under three layers of asphalt shingles, city code says it has to come completely off and be rebuilt from the decking out--we'll also get new gutters, and that'll be the time for rain barrels as well *no yard art, weatherboi, lol* so I think it would be completely logical to go with solar water heating and solar electric or else wind electric at the same time.

If we qualified for enough in the mortgage, I think it would be VERY smart to get one of those zero-clearance woodstoves also. I thought about a pellet stove, but we'd have to buy the fuel from a specialty supplier; with a wood stove, we could use deadfalls gathered in the neighborhood, as well as buying cordwood from local suppliers. The woodstove wouldn't be our primary source of heat unless the entire power grid broke down, so a cord of wood might last us a couple years.

I think when it comes to storing food, even though a freezer is my favorite way, I might invest in a food dehydrator. I really REALLY hate canned produce, but I don't mind dropping dried veggies into soups or stews, and not only do dried veggies take up less space than frozen, they stay good if one loses electricity.

k, guess I'll stop rambling now... *wry smile* this is one of those topics that I could talk for a LONG time on.

[Jackhammer]

Jack. I hereby order you to not influence my beloved. I have this eery feeling you may end up constructing a bomb shelter together.


A new BFF :clap::builder::beerbros::dance2:

[TheBellyBionic]

The hardest part of the Zombie Apocalypse will be pretending I'm not excited. :tease:

When I was a member of the mormon church (no comments LOL)


OMG me too! We're not ready for the end of the world or anything, but I've got the pantry well-stocked. We could eat for a few months without a grocery store if we had to. I make soap, do some canning, know how to bake bread (and a lot of other things) from scratch without a recipe, break down a whole animal into usable parts, have a garden, render fat into lard, cure meat for storage, cook over a campfire. We've recently been discussing the possibility of buying a gun or two and getting carry permits. I'd really like to have some laying hens and a milking goat or two, but that's not really feasible at the moment.

[Bit]

Oh! When I was a kid, we lived for several years in a predominantly Mormon town, and most of my mother's friends were Mormon. They taught her well. We both still live by that ideal of a year's food put by and always rotate to the front, even if we don't actually have an entire year's worth.

It just doesn't make sense to me to live differently than that; so many things could go wrong (starting with unexpected car or house repairs, and including losing a job) and if you are persistent, payday after payday, eventually you'll have that year's extra food.

I no longer remember the proportions on yeast bread from scratch, but it's okay cuz I know from tortillas, and I have a good cookbook... and if I had to, I could grow a credible sourdough starter. (the secret is UNBLEACHED flour)

I do know how to cut up a chicken for cooking, but I haven't ever tried to deal with anything other than storebought and quite honestly, if I have to butcher my own meat?

I can't. So if no one around me can, well, we'll be vegetarians or else we'll trade with someone else.

I have book knowledge of a lot of things, like curing meat, but no experience.

Learning soap making is on my list. Candles I can already do. Spinning I'm bad at but can do; weaving also.

I need to learn to darn. Anyone know how?

LOL! I just thought... the Reunion, shall we have a Survivalist/Prepper workshop? :cheesy:

[Admin]

LOL! I just thought... the Reunion, shall we have a Survivalist/Prepper workshop? :cheesy:


I would LOVE this :)
(the reunion is going to be close enough for you and the honeypie to come btw)

[Medusa]

I should cross-post these pics to the hoarder thread :blah:

Behold our very VERY mess pantries:

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt266/butchfemmeplanet/IMG_2360.jpg

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt266/butchfemmeplanet/IMG_2361.jpg

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt266/butchfemmeplanet/IMG_2363.jpg

We have lots of dog treats and food put up. Lots of spices, the infamous jello, and some of that fancy dehydrated stuff from the Mormon pantries. I think we have around 16 cases of wheat to make bread and pasta from.

:blah:

I'll post more pics once I get everything organized (yes, there's more). I also need to post pics of our water storage. :blah:

[TheBellyBionic]

We totally need a whiteboard or something on our pantry door so I know for sure what's in there. Our pantry is a converted coat closet, so it's narrow and deep rather than shallow and wide like I wish it was. It's a bitch finding anything in there.

[Jackhammer]

The LONG list on the far left of that whiteboard is "the honey do list".

Yeah.... I'm on it :blink:

[apretty]

EZ is jealous of how organized and spacious your *wheat cupboard* is--one of the first things he did was 'alphabetize' OUR spices.

[apretty]

*love the honey-do list, too.*

[key]

But don't see anyone mentioning antibiotics and first aid. So here is an FYI: at a website meant for dogs they sell antibiotics meant for fish...but it is all the same. Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Cephalexin etc.

http://www.bullwrinkle.com/ShoppingPages/fish-antibiotics.htm

While I am a foodie and a greenie (as much as I can afford to be) and I try as best I can to beat all my immunity challengers using food and herbs as medicine, sometimes we really do need the big guns (serious wounds and viruses). handy to know what each "cillin" treats and handy to have them around for survival purposes.

I hope to meet up with you all sometime after the big one.

[Medusa]

But don't see anyone mentioning antibiotics and first aid. So here is an FYI: at a website meant for dogs they sell antibiotics meant for fish...but it is all the same. Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Cephalexin etc.

http://www.bullwrinkle.com/ShoppingPages/fish-antibiotics.htm

While I am a foodie and a greenie (as much as I can afford to be) and I try as best I can to beat all my immunity challengers using food and herbs as medicine, sometimes we really do need the big guns (serious wounds and viruses). handy to know what each "cillin" treats and handy to have them around for survival purposes.

I hope to meet up with you all sometime after the big one.


NICE link. :)

[Rockinonahigh]

For years I have kept a well stocked pantry with extra storeage for anything that can happen.Most of my family is millitary or retired millitary special opps or special forces..some are retired by now.One thing for shure we are ready for about anything that can happen.I told one of by kids that we prolly wont know what happened cause we live less than a mile from BAF 8th bomb wing..just recently they added cyber force..if it get hits,we r toast.
I liked it better when I lived 40 miles into/out of no where,besides being born and raised in Louisiana I learned early how to live off the land.
Rockin

[Diva]

This thread is so interesting...and, in light of what is going on in Haiti right now ~ seeing the desperation, panic & fighting for a few boxes of food tossed out of a heliocopter ~ I dare say if WE were in the same situation, we would not be turning OUR noses up at eating bugs and canned bacon....(it was the powdered eggs that I had a hard time wrapping my brain around! ;) )

We need only look southward....and then prepare as best we can if for no other reason than to avoid that kind of desperation and panic.

My First Aid kit is now in good shape (I also have a white cotton sheet next to it for large bandages, if needed...I'm buying 1 more can of this or that as I go to the store and my next project is to get some lg. Rubbermaid containers to store my "20 lbs or bean or pasta" like Bit.

Thanks for starting this thread, Jack.

[Medusa]

I read on a couple of survival forums that folks are looking into solar cooking when in a water or electrical crisis.

Since most dry beans have to be soaked and cooked for a long time before being soft enough to eat, a few folks have found that soaking them overnight and then heating them to a boil, putting a lid on them, and putting the whole pot in an ice chest lined with flannel blankets will actually keep the heat in the chest and act as a solar oven :)

Im fascinated!

We have also been practicing with our Dutch Oven.

The powdered eggs werent so appetizing to me either, Diva, I actually wrinkled my nose up pretty hard. BUT....and this is the big one....I once ran out of eggs in the middle of baking and mixed up some powdered eggs to use in the mix. Couldnt tell the difference at all!
It took a lot for me to get over knowing what it was made of but it really was no different.

The thing that concerns me now is how to rotate an entire CASE of dried black beans into our diet :blah:

[Lady Jewel]

Does anyone know if there are diabetic complete meal MREs??
Thank you in advance.

Jewel

[Jackhammer]

Its important to remember that flour, cake mix, rice and wheat should be frozen for 3 days to kill bugs/eggs before storage,because these products come with the bugs/eggs in them.
Mostly eggs.
This is why Im a huge fan of buying my wheat and other products in #10 cans, and most have a 30 year shelf life.

We use food-grade 5-gallon buckets with gamma lids which are lined with mylar bags for our sugar storage.The air is pushed out and the mylar bag is sealed with an iron. Sugar has an indefinite shelf life.
Dont use oxygen absorbers with sugar.
Dont use oxygen absorbers with gamma lids.

Keep your gamma lids as a back up for when your bucket seals are broken.


We have a few cases of powdered eggs, and if you use them for baking you wont know the difference.
Same thing with the powdered butter.

We rotate our stock into our daily diet, and are perfecting recipes, items needed and how much stock we use in a determined time frame.

YouTube- The dog bowl theory

[Jackhammer]

Does anyone know if there are diabetic complete meal MREs??
Thank you in advance.

Jewel

This seller has them, and Mountain House is the maker.
http://cgi.ebay.com/10-CASES-DIABETIC---20oz-MAIN-COURSES-MEALS-FREE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ380197900349QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ201 00116?IMSfp=TL1001162310003r33542

I would contact Mountain House and ask them if they are still making them because Im not seeing them on their website.
http://www.mountainhouse.com/

Mountain House is a very reputable company:
It will keep you alive, but is not a great resource for long term consumption.
I have 3 cases for back up.

[Diva]

I can see me doing one of two things.....

1. I will be the one who, when disaster strikes, will be doing the Nancy Kerrigan Shuffle....

:overreaction:

:runforhills:

~OR~

2. I will be the one gathering up my neighborhood to come up with a way to survive together. I'm bossy like that.....plus, I have a lot of older folk in my little neighborhood and I think my Nancy Kerrigan routine would freak them the hell out..... (and I'd rather them whisper, "Oh look, Margaret, what Janey made for us for dinner with that powdery substance and rolypoly bugs!!!")

:bow:

[Jackhammer]

Take a curtsy for option #2


YouTube- Applause

[Diva]

Take a curtsy for option #2


YouTube- Applause (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxAKFlpdcfc&feature=related)



ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want this on a tape loop!!!! LOL!!! For self~esteem purposes. :|

You're a mess, Jack!:fudd:

[WILDCAT]

Jack, I'm not sure if you store vitamins...? I'm guessing yes to - maybe/probably (?) But, what are your thoughts regarding the shelf life of all natural vitamins? Or does it matter/depend if they are powered, in caps, or hard tablets, etc...? (Or maybe even specific vitamins don't last as long - no matter what form, but I'll guess one would want some in hard tablet, over let's say, gel tabs to last longer.)

I do notice that my B-Complex in capsule form goes nasty on me - but, this has been after opening. I can see the color change in that though. Who knows what else I keep taking where I wouldn't be sure! :rolleyes:

What do you think? Thanks... if you know and feel like sharing. And I'm questioning storing without the seal having been broken here. Plus, I'm sure some specifics should be kept in cool storage once opened for longer shelf life (?)

WILDCAT

*Oh, I do vitamin therapy myself, have for many years just as a preventative type of thing at this point - and because I don't COOK, thus, don't really eat balanced (?!) meals... too often.

[Boots13]

Where does one begin with survival?

Emotional, Physical, Spiritual...preparedness is key to personal well being during any crisis. I'm loving this thread and all of the innovative ideas and suggestions !

Jack and Medusa, you rock. That pantry is envious to say the least !

For those who are not well prepared: Short term:
An often overlooked source of water is your hot water tank.
50 gallons ! If you live in an apartment you probably have 35.

Turn off the water main after filling the tub (already covered in earlier posts!) as the supply may be soon be contaminated.

Clorox bleach...I think one gallon purifies over 3000 gallons of water.

Canned items contain water.

I haven't reached any sizable stockpile, yet. But I do have a huge backup of mountaineering supplies which gives me a solid base for survival. The amount of freezdried food I own is staggering. I might not be able to warm them, but if I can rehydrate them, I'll be fine. I know I can construct shelter, find/make water, forage for food, I own clothes suitable for the worst of local elements and own ammo/weapons for protection.

Still, with my knowledge and experience, the wild-card is human nature.
I've seen the best and the worst in people and I wonder what extremes a full fledged crisis will bring.

[key]

Realized after I posted that antibiotics don't treat viruses - only baterial infections. So to re-emphasize (to myself and others), it is important to study up on which antibiotics treats what.

And another thing, for those of us who live in earthquake country, keep a pair of boots and (if you are super geeky like me) a hard hat in your survival kit. They say most injuries after the earthquake will be foot injuries from people walking over the debri.

[Medusa]

Hey Wildcat!
We do store vitamins. Lots of them.
Most of the stuff we have stored is the hard pill form with a shelf life of 3-4 years. We begin rotating them into our diets when they are a year from expiration and replenish our stock. Most items that have expiration dates are still good if left sealed and stored properly. Depends on the gelatin content mostly.

We also store hard liquor. Most of it has an indefinite shelf life and is good for treating wounds, tooth pain, moral, and bartering items. I try to pick up a bottle or two every now and then and add it to our stash. We, of course, rotate this into our lifestyle as needed ;)

Jack has an extensive first aid supply ready with bandages, needles, sutures, and alll kinds of cremes, ointments, and salves.

I think a lot of folks already know this but we went and got our concealed-carry permits.

I've had discussions with a lot of folks about being prepared. My Dad thinks we are nuts. He keeps less than a weeks worth of food in the house and I know he would be the first one over here if something happened and he couldnt get to the grocery store.
A lot of folks arent comfortable with the idea of preparing for something. Some folks have even said that we "live in fear".
I feel like having a nice food stockpile isnt about fear for me...its more about comfort.

A good example of this was our recent icy weather. We werent able to get to a grocery store for about a week and Jack and I had plenty of food, wood, etc. Its a nice feeling to just go fling open the pantry door and pick something.

And while Im on the subject of being "snowed in", I'll remind folks that if you are ever stuck in a situation where you must be in your home for an extended period of time and might possibly be without electricity, make sure you can entertain yourself.
We keep a large stack of board games, cards, dice, etc. We also have lots of books and radios that use batteries.

LOVE this thread.

[Jackhammer]

Heres my 11 year old tank from California, it was never flushed and properly maintained. It is full of barnacles.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/dockrammer06/100_1694.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/dockrammer06/100_1690.jpg

Chunks of crap on the bottom.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/dockrammer06/100_1689.jpg

As Boots13 has mentioned, 30 to 50 gallons is a lot of water so keep the maintenance up on your hot water heaters and make sure there is a shut off valve on the cold water supply coming in. You will want to shut off incoming water as soon as an emergency happens to protect the tank from being contaminated.

[Sachita]

But don't see anyone mentioning antibiotics and first aid. So here is an FYI: at a website meant for dogs they sell antibiotics meant for fish...but it is all the same. Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Cephalexin etc.

http://www.bullwrinkle.com/ShoppingPages/fish-antibiotics.htm

While I am a foodie and a greenie (as much as I can afford to be) and I try as best I can to beat all my immunity challengers using food and herbs as medicine, sometimes we really do need the big guns (serious wounds and viruses). handy to know what each "cillin" treats and handy to have them around for survival purposes.

I hope to meet up with you all sometime after the big one.

I buy tetracycline this way. For fish lol- but I really only use this when I need to. I do keep first aid and lots of stuff for the dogs. With dog boarding you have to be prepared for almost anything.

speaking of big guns, I have a few of those too and ammunition. I'm not a hunter but I do have a 20 gauge and a sawed off 12 gauge- bird shot and slugs. I damn sure know how to use them both.

[Sachita]

Realized after I posted that antibiotics don't treat viruses - only baterial infections. So to re-emphasize (to myself and others), it is important to study up on which antibiotics treats what.

And another thing, for those of us who live in earthquake country, keep a pair of boots and (if you are super geeky like me) a hard hat in your survival kit. They say most injuries after the earthquake will be foot injuries from people walking over the debri.

many herbs will treat a viral infection (example- Echinacea- wild oregano is a few). I useI'm not sure what chemicals do. I've got some kind of stomach thing right now and when it happens I let it run its course. I can't put anything on my stomach. But I did have swine flu, pretty sure and used combination of things to fight it.

[Sachita]

I think you can get wrapped up in and I have. Its easy to do. I don't think I'm living in fear now but I am always prepared. I went through a whole bunch of hurricanes, lost power, etc. My family DOES think I'm nuts but thats ok. My pantry is stocked and I even have food in bins in the shed all sealed up. The only thing I'm worried about really is water.

[friskyfemme]

I lived 'off the grid' for a year. We had a well, solar and a generator. Where we lived was an area that alot of survivorialists also live. I learned alot about using what you had laying around for a new purpose. Now they call that being green...then it was junk collecting or 'hoarding'. I learned you could create a solar water heater by taking out the glass tank out of a gas water heater painting it black and mounting it on a stand higher than your house input. I learned I could cook and bake a whole meal in a cardboard box with the inside wrapped in aluminum foil. I learned to purify water by boiling it and salt filters. Make a root cellar for storing almost anything. Preserve meat, veggies, fruit by drying in a 'sun dehydrator.' Make my own solor panels and wind turben. The one thing that I think is the most important to learn is your local vegetation. Each place has natural 'wild' plants that provide medicinal and nutritional supplements as well as protein. But some are all are or some of its parts, poisionus. Get to know them through your local botanical groups, native American tribes. Harvest these and store them. There is so much more to know or could study it the rest of my life. The key is know your environment, prepare for the worse and live your best (don't be wasteful).

[Bit]

Wow! Such a lot!

EZ is jealous of how organized and spacious your *wheat cupboard* is--one of the first things he did was 'alphabetize' OUR spices.

OMG if anyone alphabetized my spices I would be sooo lost---I organize mine by baking/cooking and by how often I use them.

..... and my next project is to get some lg. Rubbermaid containers to store my "20 lbs or bean or pasta" like Bit.

Tupperware, hon, it keeps the bugs out. Gryph had books stored in Rubbermaid bins for several years and when we opened them they were full of pantry moths, cricket poop, dead crickets, and spider webs complete with mummified moth bodies. The lids had loosened, yanno?

NOTHING gets into Tupperware unless it chews its way through the entire container.

The Modular Mates are on sale for 40% off during January; that makes them the same price as grocery store storage containers, except of course that Tupperware is guaranteed for life.

No, I don't make money off it, lol, and yes, here's a link. http://order.tupperware.com/coe/app/home

I read on a couple of survival forums that folks are looking into solar cooking when in a water or electrical crisis.....

The thing that concerns me now is how to rotate an entire CASE of dried black beans into our diet :blah:

I always forget about solar cooking now that I'm in a more moderate climate. *sheepish look* Of course, if it were a winter disaster, there wouldn't likely be enough sun to cook with here, but in the summer, there sure should be.

Black beans are my favorite. They're a natural for any Mexican dish but they also go well with chili and stews. Right now I'm thinking about black bean and cheese enchiladas... oh my golly, guess I forgot to eat lunch, lol...



2. I will be the one gathering up my neighborhood to come up with a way to survive together.

I figure our neighborhood is our best resource. We have an active neighborhood association and I think in any kind of disaster, people would be likely to come together and try to help each other.

Dusa has a point about being snowed in. The disaster I think is most likely for us here is to be iced in and lose electricity for a week; that happened in Wichita a few years back and the whole idea scares me. Of course, food storage is not as problematic if you are iced in--you just put your frozen food on the front porch and it stays frozen, lol--but longer-term problems are possible, so I'm trying to figure out the optimal way to handle everything.

Being an independent producer of electricity and having clean water storage (plus food of course) still seems the best way to go, to me, because it allows for so many different kinds of disasters.... including unemployment.

[Boots13]

Heres my 11 year old tank from California, it was never flushed and properly maintained. It is full of barnacles.


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/dockrammer06/100_1694.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/dockrammer06/100_1690.jpg

Chunks of crap on the bottom.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/dockrammer06/100_1689.jpg

As Boots13 has mentioned, 30 to 50 gallons is a lot of water so keep the maintenance up on your hot water heaters and make sure there is a shut off valve on the cold water supply coming in. You will want to shut off incoming water as soon as an emergency happens to protect the tank from being contaminated.


Hey , it looks like protein and trace minerals ! Yumm (not!)...good point on the nasty things inside the tank...keep the bleach handy!

[Greyson]

Jack, thanks for starting this thread. This has been on my mind lately, survival. I have not posted much lately because I am in a very busy time in my life right now. But, recently with the Haiti earthquake disaster, I was thinking quite a bit about how prepared are many of us here in North America for a huge natural disaster or worse.

Jack, I think you should offer classes to the community offering survival skills. Like many here, I thought if something really terrible happens, I am taking me and my loved ones to Jack's and Medussa's spread in Arkansas.

I have lived in very populated and urbanized areas all of my life. I was raised by my single mother in apartments and do not have fishing, hunting, carpentry or marksmanship skills. Through the years I have trained off and on with handguns but because of things I have seen, I was adamant in NOT owning a firearm. Now as I grow older, my thoughts regarding owning a firearm is shifting.

I have noticed only you Jack and Boots have mentioned in this thread anything about firearms. I think most of us here can agree that any ownership of a firearm requires training and a level of maturity and sanity.

I have recently joined a mailing list for Queer People and friends that support the responsible ownership of firearms. I am entertaining purchasing a hand gun and/or shot gun for protection only. The firearm would only be used in self defense. Jack or Boots, do either of you have a recommendation for a hand gun and/or shot gun?

I would want a hand gun that would have the power to stop or slow down someone. I know that a Glock is a very popular hand gun but I think I prefer a revolver. Yes, I know it is not as quick as an automatic but I am concerned about a bullet getting into the chamber of an automatic and still appearing to be empty.

Also, do you have any recommendations for specific gun training courses? Thanks again Jack for starting this conversation.

[Sachita]

Jack, thanks for starting this thread. This has been on my mind lately, survival. I have not posted much lately because I am in a very busy time in my life right now. But, recently with the Haiti earthquake disaster, I was thinking quite a bit about how prepared are many of us here in North America for a huge natural disaster or worse.

Jack, I think you should offer classes to the community offering survival skills. Like many here, I thought if something really terrible happens, I am taking me and my loved ones to Jack's and Medussa's spread in Arkansas.

I have lived in very populated and urbanized areas all of my life. I was raised by my single mother in apartments and do not have fishing, hunting, carpentry or marksmanship skills. Through the years I have trained off and on with handguns but because of things I have seen, I was adamant in NOT owning a firearm. Now as I grow older, my thoughts regarding owning a firearm is shifting.

I have noticed only you Jack and Boots have mentioned in this thread anything about firearms. I think most of us here can agree that any ownership of a firearm requires training and a level of maturity and sanity.

I have recently joined a mailing list for Queer People and friends that support the responsible ownership of firearms. I am entertaining purchasing a hand gun and/or shot gun for protection only. The firearm would only be used in self defense. Jack or Boots, do either of you have a recommendation for a hand gun and/or shot gun?

I would want a hand gun that would have the power to stop or slow down someone. I know that a Glock is a very popular hand gun but I think I prefer a revolver. Yes, I know it is not as quick as an automatic but I am concerned about a bullet getting into the chamber of an automatic and still appearing to be empty.

Also, do you have any recommendations for specific gun training courses? Thanks again Jack for starting this conversation.

I've always own shot guns or rifles. I use to shoot trap and skeet. My father taught me. There are classes, I'm sure and you can read a lot. I might get a hand gun.

Go to a gun range and ask about classes.

[Diva]

And another thing, for those of us who live in earthquake country, keep a pair of boots and (if you are super geeky like me) a hard hat in your survival kit. They say most injuries after the earthquake will be foot injuries from people walking over the debri.



Let's all close our eyes and envision Diva in a hardhat and boots..................................



Do they make purple hardhats? Can I bling it out? :eyebat:

[Diva]

Heaven help You all.....

http://www.thepurplestore.com/cgi-bin/product_detail.cgi?pstore_id=14154&product_line=hats

[Diva]

AND................

http://www.purpleboots.com.au/page/page/show?id=2362482%3APage%3A28



Ok. We can have an earthquake in Austin now.....I'm good. :quickdraw:

[Jackhammer]

Jack, thanks for starting this thread. This has been on my mind lately, survival. I have not posted much lately because I am in a very busy time in my life right now. But, recently with the Haiti earthquake disaster, I was thinking quite a bit about how prepared are many of us here in North America for a huge natural disaster or worse.
If you're a prepper/survivalist and don't have a weapon, those who don't have supplies and do have guns will thank you for your diligence and your unwilling surrender of your supplies.

Jack, I think you should offer classes to the community offering survival skills. Like many here, I thought if something really terrible happens, I am taking me and my loved ones to Jack's and Medussa's spread in Arkansas.
More Youtubes? :tease:
I have lived in very populated and urbanized areas all of my life. I was raised by my single mother in apartments and do not have fishing, hunting, carpentry or marksmanship skills. Through the years I have trained off and on with handguns but because of things I have seen, I was adamant in NOT owning a firearm. Now as I grow older, my thoughts regarding owning a firearm is shifting.
http://www.youroptimal.com/blog/2009/08/17/76-reasons-to-have-a-gun/

I have noticed only you Jack and Boots have mentioned in this thread anything about firearms. I think most of us here can agree that any ownership of a firearm requires training and a level of maturity and sanity.
Indeed, you are obligated to escape the situation if at all possible, and if you are not comfortable taking a life in a dire situation you might not want to own a gun.

I have recently joined a mailing list for Queer People and friends that support the responsible ownership of firearms. I am entertaining purchasing a hand gun and/or shot gun for protection only. The firearm would only be used in self defense. Jack or Boots, do either of you have a recommendation for a hand gun and/or shot gun?
I carry a 9mm automatic Kel-Tec for self protection, have a 12 gauge 18 inch Mossberg pump shotgun for home use, and a 22 bolt action for small game.A choice in a gun is as complicated and personal as trying to find a life partner. Its a very personal matter for most.Meaning what I think is the best, someone else might think is shit.

I would want a hand gun that would have the power to stop or slow down someone. I know that a Glock is a very popular hand gun but I think I prefer a revolver. Yes, I know it is not as quick as an automatic but I am concerned about a bullet getting into the chamber of an automatic and still appearing to be empty.
A revolver is a sure bet, I bought my automatic so I could be cleared to carry a automatic or revolver for our conceal carry class. So my beloved 38 revolver stayed home at class time.

Also, do you have any recommendations for specific gun training courses? Thanks again Jack for starting this conversation.
I really don't have any recommendations for classes in your area. The way California was slowly taking away our gun rights while the thugs and criminals kept obtaining more was a huge reason (of many) I left California. Just before I left the boarder patrol was trying to get all knifes that could be opened with one hand out lawed. There is a link buried in this post you might really enjoy reading.

[SuperFemme]

Those are 76 darned good reasons.

[Boots13]

I have noticed only you Jack and Boots have mentioned in this thread anything about firearms. I think most of us here can agree that any ownership of a firearm requires training and a level of maturity and sanity.

Also, do you have any recommendations for specific gun training courses? Thanks again Jack for starting this conversation.

Hello Greyson !

In no way do I want to dissuade a responsible adult from owning a sidearm for personal protection. But I feel compelled to advise you to know your local (municipal) laws and just as importantly, the legal trends in your area. While you may be justified to shoot or brandish a firearm, you stand to loose your ass in any subsequent civil trial.

If you feel comfortable with your deductive abilities (draw, shoot - dont shoot. backstop, etc) under stress ...then by all means, seek training and enjoy responsible gun ownership!

I would start with your local Police Department Firearms Range and ask if they offer private lessons. If that feels too intimidating, then most gun ranges and gun clubs offer instruction.

There is nothing wrong with a revolver. I love them!
They are easy to load, easy to clean, easy to maintain. Fewer working/moving parts than a semi-auto.

The conditions you refer to with the semi-auto could be a "stove-pipe"
(spent round is pinched in slide/ejection port) or a "double feed" (two live rounds attempt to enter chamber).

Personally, in the event of a spineless midnight burglar I might chose to reach for my Louisville Slugger instead of my Glock. I think beating the ever loving shit out of anyone that trespasses in my home would be much more gratifying and isnt over quite so quickly (so much for being one of the nice ones...) . Oh well... my home, my choice of force...

As a general rule, I dont carry when I'm out and about. There are a host of problems being "plain clothes" and brandishing or utilizing a firearm in public, though with the current trend, I am tempted.

Hope this answers a few of your questions !

[Inuus]

As far as firearms I currently have just a 410 shotgun for protection for my livestock. Its fairly easy to get a CWP here in OK so Ive been thinking about a handgun. If I do I will be going with a revolver. I dont like the idea of an auto getting jammed. Not sure what I would go with min a .38.
The coolest dan pistol I ever saw was when I worked for a couple in Maine. They were survivalist to the extreme..seriously. These guys had everything including this hugeass solid steel shelter underground built into a hill. Anyways the handgun was a 44 mag with an 12" SS barrel. Wow damn that pistol had power beyond power!
In their shelter they had reloading stuff for all their firearms and trust me these people had a ton! They had lots of dried food stuff. Had a well dug in the shelter with a hand pump. Had a woodstove that used either wood or pellets. I never really paid alot of atnn to them I was young and thought they were paranoid old hippies

[Sachita]

As far as firearms I currently have just a 410 shotgun for protection for my livestock. Its fairly easy to get a CWP here in OK so Ive been thinking about a handgun. If I do I will be going with a revolver. I dont like the idea of an auto getting jammed. Not sure what I would go with min a .38.
The coolest dan pistol I ever saw was when I worked for a couple in Maine. They were survivalist to the extreme..seriously. These guys had everything including this hugeass solid steel shelter underground built into a hill. Anyways the handgun was a 44 mag with an 12" SS barrel. Wow damn that pistol had power beyond power!
In their shelter they had reloading stuff for all their firearms and trust me these people had a ton! They had lots of dried food stuff. Had a well dug in the shelter with a hand pump. Had a woodstove that used either wood or pellets. I never really paid alot of atnn to them I was young and thought they were paranoid old hippies

when i was young we knew people like this. Man I bet they had lots of practice rotating food!

I once had an old German Luger P38 I bought at auction maybe 25 years ago. Somehow, along with some knives it disappeared during a move. That was one bad ass hand gun. I loved shooting it. I don't hunt but Ive spent a lot time in the swamps and woods. No place IMO is more dangerous, in the us then the florida everglades, as far as critters that can kill you. hand guns are much easier to carry but a shot gun will damn sure stop something without a doubt.

[Inuus]

Yeah I dont hunt not against it..just dont myself but I did have to use my shotgun the other day. First time since I bought it 5 years ago...feral dogs didnt get a clear shot but...well if they come back...

[Outlaw]

As far as firearms I currently have just a 410 shotgun for protection for my livestock.

If I had to choose one firearm for survival purposes, I would probably pick a good lightweight, over/under, .22 Long Rifle and 410 Bore, accuracy aside, it would be a decent small game getter and have some defensive utility too.

[Inuus]

I totally agree. I have thought about trading my double barrel 410 for just such a gun

If I had to choose one firearm for survival purposes, I would probably pick a good lightweight, over/under, .22 Long Rifle and 410 Bore, accuracy aside, it would be a decent small game getter and have some defensive utility too.

[Jackhammer]

I looked at a 22/410 combo, I went round and round with indecision.
I don't know if 410 would have the power to bring down big game (deer) unless you were right on top of it.

But it could work, and does break down nice and small for a bug out bag.

[Inuus]

I really want to get a Springfirls M6 Scout. Great survival gun. You can get the .22 in LR, mag, or hornet. They have discontinued them as of 2008 im told so a bit more expensive to get now. I like the idea of how lightweight it is and how easily and small it breaks down. If I got one I would get it with at least the mag or perhaps even the hornet and would prefer stainless steel

This is a great link with some info about the gun good pics too

http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/v-shrake/m6.html

[Sachita]

I looked at a 22/410 combo, I went round and round with indecision.
I don't know if 410 would have the power to bring down big game (deer) unless you were right on top of it.

But it could work, and does break down nice and small for a bug out bag.

who made the 22/410 Mossberg? I can't find it right now but I looked at one years ago - over and under- with a 30 aught 6. is that right? it had a 12 or a 20. If I have a 30-6 I think a good combo would be the 20.

yes know 30-6 is a cartridge. I just cant remember what i looked at that shot it.

you guys are getting me all fired up about guns again. I stopped for years and yesterday i pulled my shotguns out and took them apart just to make sure I remembered. I'm going to start shooting again.

smoking withdrawal and sleepy

[Diva]

Ya know, I'm a city girl from 'way back.....

Is a 'bug~out' bag another name for a back~pack? Just curious.
And all this talk about guns is makin' my eyes glaze over. Whatever happened to just simple "guns and bullets"? <smile>

[Sachita]

Can we talk about storing and treating water? Jack you posted something a while back on another forum.

Let's say I have access to creek water but the water has been contaminated. How could i filter and treat without electric or harmful chemicals?

next- I was talking to a friend and we think that buying bulk hemp seed is a great idea because this, with rice and beans you could actually survive off hemp seed and water if you had to. You could also feed it to your pets. The trick is buying in bulk, its not super cheap and storing it.

[Jackhammer]

I will be back in a few hours, I have been caught up in a new book.
And I'm almost done, cant put it down.

One Second After
by William R. Forstchen

My recommendation is EVERYONE buy the book and read it.
(If you haven't already)


Be back in a short bit.

[Diva]

This may be a ridiculous question....

But in the event of a nuclear event, wouldn't the fallout from that contaminate the soil in some way? If that is the case....what about the water supply? And what good would seeds be? If they DID grow, would the produce be contaminated, too?

Thank You...

[Selenay]

This may be a ridiculous question....

But in the event of a nuclear event, wouldn't the fallout from that contaminate the soil in some way? If that is the case....what about the water supply? And what good would seeds be? If they DID grow, would the produce be contaminated, too?

Thank You...




Diva >this (http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1239_web.pdf)< site might be valuable for you (and others).

It's about the environmental effects of the Chernobyl disaster.

The Chernobyl disaster, for those who don't know/have forgotten, is the only level 7 event on the INES, and is considered to be the most severe nuclear plant disaster in history. It's one of the better indicators of what life would be like in the aftermath of a severe nuclear episode.

It takes a while to load so please be patient :)

Edit: Beyond the conclusions drawn in 1.2.1., there's a section on the effects on plant life, if you go to 1.5

[Sachita]

This may be a ridiculous question....

But in the event of a nuclear event, wouldn't the fallout from that contaminate the soil in some way? If that is the case....what about the water supply? And what good would seeds be? If they DID grow, would the produce be contaminated, too?

Thank You...



This a big and good questions. Much of it would depend on the distance from the fallout. The areas with little or no fallout would be ok. I guess you take your chances and hope that isnt what happens. I think it would be impossible to cover all the basis.

If there was a nuclear fallout to that degree where I am and I couldn't get to a safe area then I'm not sure I would want to live.

But all this gun talk did inspire me to get my guns repaired and start target/skeet shooting again. I have them for protection but in the meantime I'm going to have some fun!

[Boots13]

I rely on filtration in the field, and that's easy enough when only filling a Nalgene or two. But I wonder, in the throes of something serious, how will we know what we're trying to filter (fallout)?

I'd think, barring nuclear or biological fallout, a natural method is using sedimentation. Pushing water through layers of sand or diatomaceous earth.
Though I don't know to what extent that will filter bacteria.

I suppose with research there would be some fabulous techniques out there. Maybe I'll plunk around tonight to see whats out there.

[Jackhammer]

What we need to also think about, and would do just as much harm, or maybe more is a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP).

This would have no fall-out.
Planes would fall from the sky, cars would stop on the road, and everything electrical would be fried. Folks with pacemakers would drop dead.

Overnight we would be thrown back into the caveman age, and it would take Billions of dollars and many years to fix.

The systems at risk from EMP include:

electronic control, sensor, and protective systems of all kinds

computers and cell phones

cars, boats, airplanes, and trains

the infrastructures for handling electric power, telecommunications, transportation, fuel and energy, banking and finance, emergency services, and even food and water.

In an instant, an invisible radio frequency wave is produced — a wave of almost unimaginably immense intensity, approximately a million times as strong as the most powerful radio signals on the earth. The energy of this pulse would reach everything in line of sight of the detonation. And it would do so at the speed of light.

The higher the altitude of the weapon's detonation, the larger the affected area would be. At a height of three hundred miles, for example, the entire continental United States would be exposed, along with parts of Canada and Mexico.

This is a real threat, and we as a nation would be crippled.
This is basically a nuclear weapon that is detonated above the earth in the atmosphere.

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/front2453711.9284722223.html

When they mention unprotected in the article they mean not in a Faraday cage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

There are no surge protectors that would work because the EMP pulse is traveling at the speed of light, the protectors we use now wouldn't be able to trip fast enough.

Even an LED flashlight would be fried because of the chip in them.

The more we advance in technology making chips smaller and having them do more, the faster the EMP will destroy them.

Im more concerned about an EMP attack that could knock out the whole U.S. than of a targeted Nuke attack.

As one retired grain salesman noted, most of the nation’s grain is moved around the country by just TWO railroads. Little is stored in the event of disaster and the whole system is extremely vulnerable. While we in the United States look at the food riots in other countries with a sense of disbelief, we are not immune. Under the right circumstances, we could be in the same boat.

[Diva]

What we need to also think about, and would do just as much harm, or maybe more is a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP).

This would have no fall-out.
Planes would fall from the sky, cars would stop on the road, and everything electrical would be fried. Folks with pacemakers would drop dead.

Overnight we would be thrown back into the caveman age, and it would take Billions of dollars and many years to fix.

The systems at risk from EMP include:

electronic control, sensor, and protective systems of all kinds

computers and cell phones

cars, boats, airplanes, and trains

the infrastructures for handling electric power, telecommunications, transportation, fuel and energy, banking and finance, emergency services, and even food and water.

In an instant, an invisible radio frequency wave is produced — a wave of almost unimaginably immense intensity, approximately a million times as strong as the most powerful radio signals on the earth. The energy of this pulse would reach everything in line of sight of the detonation. And it would do so at the speed of light.

The higher the altitude of the weapon's detonation, the larger the affected area would be. At a height of three hundred miles, for example, the entire continental United States would be exposed, along with parts of Canada and Mexico.

This is a real threat, and we as a nation would be crippled.
This is basically a nuclear weapon that is detonated above the earth in the atmosphere.

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/front2453711.9284722223.html

When they mention unprotected in the article they mean not in a Faraday cage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

There are no surge protectors that would work because the EMP pulse is traveling at the speed of light, the protectors we use now wouldn't be able to trip fast enough.

Even a LED flashlight would be fried because of the chip in them.

The more we advance in technology making chips smaller and having them do more, the faster the EMP will destroy them.

Im more concerned of a EMP attack that could knock out the whole U.S. than of a targeted Nuke attack.

As one retired grain salesman noted, most of the nation’s grain is moved around the country by just TWO railroads. Little is stored in the event of disaster and the whole system is extremely vulnerable. While we in the United States look at the food riots in other countries with a sense of disbelief, we are not immune. Under the right circumstances, we could be in the same boat.



Wait.

Are You saying I would not have a computer??????




;)


Seriously....this made my stomach knot up. Who has this capability?

[Jackhammer]

This a big and good questions. Much of it would depend on the distance from the fallout. The areas with little or no fallout would be ok. I guess you take your chances and hope that isnt what happens. I think it would be impossible to cover all the basis.

If there was a nuclear fallout to that degree where I am and I couldn't get to a safe area then I'm not sure I would want to live.

But all this gun talk did inspire me to get my guns repaired and start target/skeet shooting again. I have them for protection but in the meantime I'm going to have some fun!

The gun I was looking at was a ROSSI 22/410, it was a small junior model.
Good for a BOB but not a quality weapon.
Google 22/410, there are a lot of makers past and present of this model.

We have Potassium iodate in tablet form, its a good thing to have on hand.

[Jackhammer]

The article I posted named many countries, China, Middle east, Korea, Russia, and we are worried soon the Terrorists.

Wait.

Are You saying I would not have a computer??????




;)


Seriously....this made my stomach knot up. Who has this capability?

[Jackhammer]

Ya know, I'm a city girl from 'way back.....

Is a 'bug~out' bag another name for a back~pack? Just curious.
And all this talk about guns is makin' my eyes glaze over. Whatever happened to just simple "guns and bullets"? <smile>

Yes, a BOB (Bug out Bag) would be preloaded with supplies and on ready to be grabbed at a moments notice to head for a BOL (Bug out Location)
You would then get in your BOV (Bug out Vehicle) and head for the hills.

If you are in a safe location and can Bug in (stay put) you are better off.
If you dont have a BOL and decide try to head for the hills with no predetermined destination, then you have become a refugee.
This is not a logical or safe plan.

[Diva]

Jack,

Is there a listing of bug out locations? I'm looking, but I'm not finding but one in VA.....

Thanks

[Odarlin]

...
When they mention unprotected in the article they mean not in a Faraday cage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage
...


Started googling Faraday cages:
YouTube- Microwaving Peeps: The Faraday Death Cage Match

more visuals (etc.)-----> :superman: (http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/?s=faraday)

[Sachita]

Ya know, I'm a city girl from 'way back.....

Is a 'bug~out' bag another name for a back~pack? Just curious.
And all this talk about guns is makin' my eyes glaze over. Whatever happened to just simple "guns and bullets"? <smile>

lol- awwwww poor diva. You know I thought about you when I was at the gun store yesterday. They had this cute little pink revolver.

I am not super technical. Some of the survival talk- solar, etc confuses me

[Jess]

Jack,

Is there a listing of bug out locations? I'm looking, but I'm not finding but one in VA.....

Thanks

Are you coming to visit???

[Diva]

lol- awwwww poor diva. You know I thought about you when I was at the gun store yesterday. They had this cute little pink revolver.

I am not super technical. Some of the survival talk- solar, etc confuses me


lol.....don't feel so sorry for me....I know how to handle a gun.....

I outshot a cop at a firing range with a Glock.....it was my first time to shoot a gun. But I DO think the "cute little pink revolver" would be sweet to have in my pocket just to pull it out and see the surprised look of whoever tries to steal my food when I shoot the *** right between the eyes.

I'm no pansy. I taught middle school. ;)

[Diva]

Are you coming to visit???


Do You have a stockpile of creme brulee creamer for my coffee? ;)

Are You in VA?

[Jess]

lol- awwwww poor diva. You know I thought about you when I was at the gun store yesterday. They had this cute little pink revolver.

I am not super technical. Some of the survival talk- solar, etc confuses me


Whoaaaa nelly! I know a particular redhead with a penchant for pink! And it so happens we are discussing new guns... so where is this store???

Where are you doing target practice? We may want to join you!


( I wonder how long it will take said redhead to make me dead if I buy her a pink gun? ) :bolt:

[Jess]

Do You have a stockpile of creme brulee creamer for my coffee? ;)

Are You in VA?

No "creamer" but I do make a kick ass creme brulee! ( adds blow torch to BOB) Yes, the wonderful lady and I are in VA! Right up the road from Sachita... Lord, women and their firearms.. hot, I swear!

[christie]

Whoaaaa nelly! I know a particular redhead with a penchant for pink! And it so happens we are discussing new guns... so where is this store???

Where are you doing target practice? We may want to join you!


( I wonder how long it will take said redhead to make me dead if I buy her a pink gun? ) :bolt:


Sachita is a smart woman - and I know that in sisterhood, she WONT tell you were aforementioned pink handgun is... cause she likes you and doesnt wanna see you dead and the pieces of your lifeless body scattered over her front lawn.

I know this was your way of getting me involved with this thread. :overreaction:

Back to the topic at hand... I am sure I could google this.. but WTF is a "#10 can"?

I will say that we bought a "Food Saver" thingy for frozen stuff... avg shelf life is 24-36 months as opposed to 6 months for freezer bags. That has helped in the "preparedness" - but I know we need to do more.

[Diva]

No "creamer" but I do make a kick ass creme brulee! ( adds blow torch to BOB) Yes, the wonderful lady and I are in VA! Right up the road from Sachita... Lord, women and their firearms.. hot, I swear!


Oh yes.....and I hung that target in my office at school.....I gained great pleasure in seeing the color drain out of my football singers' faces when they heard the story.....

hee hee......

I'll bring my own creamer....and thanks for the creme brulee!!!

[Jess]

A number # 10 can is the large ( restaurant/ institutional size can)... Think " momma and her jars of mayo/ pickle relish... LMAO

Back to guns... regarding the purchase of pink revolvers.. Ner mind .. I don't know what I was thinking...:seconddoh:

We are looking into more solar use here. We are slowly adding things to our life that are more self-sufficient and learning more skills that would help in case of some sort of catastrophic event. Keeping in mind that we are getting older, we are trying to do things that will make life simpler as well as self contained. It's kinda tricky to balance that out.

Thanks for all the great ideas/ info we're finding here!

[Sachita]

Whoaaaa nelly! I know a particular redhead with a penchant for pink! And it so happens we are discussing new guns... so where is this store???

Where are you doing target practice? We may want to join you!


( I wonder how long it will take said redhead to make me dead if I buy her a pink gun? ) :bolt:

I have to drop my guns off, I hope Monday. Let me get them ready and we'll plan some stuff. I'm thinking about getting a skeet loader and remember that big field behind the greenhouse? set up targets.

we'll get something going on right after this cold passes, maybe sooner depending on the weather.

[Sachita]

No "creamer" but I do make a kick ass creme brulee! ( adds blow torch to BOB) Yes, the wonderful lady and I are in VA! Right up the road from Sachita... Lord, women and their firearms.. hot, I swear!

OMG creme brulee- hmmmm might have to get me some of that.

Christie makes a great homemade salsa btw. Those tomatoes were awesome. I can't wait to do that this year.

[Jess]

I have to drop my guns off, I hope Monday. Let me get them ready and we'll plan some stuff. I'm thinking about getting a skeet loader and remember that big field behind the greenhouse? set up targets.

we'll get something going on right after this cold passes, maybe sooner depending on the weather.


Awesome.. I haven't really shot in years and back then it was usually just targets with a rifle. We are seriously discussing purchasing a couple firearms and it would be great to use some and become more familiar with what works best for us.

Let us know how we can help setting up or whatever :)

[Sachita]

Awesome.. I haven't really shot in years and back then it was usually just targets with a rifle. We are seriously discussing purchasing a couple firearms and it would be great to use some and become more familiar with what works best for us.

Let us know how we can help setting up or whatever :)


ok sounds good. I hadn't shot in years and this thread started me thinking. Its exciting to me. I think I might even have a fetish here. lol Guns make me wet but I am the most non-violent person ever. Weird huh?

I think we should put a few treehouses down by the creek. playhouses

[key]

I have never even held a gun bigger than a bb gun. But I have been googling lately...Thinking about a small Glock. Just something very basic and very portable.

Next question: Should I get a Dirt Bike or a 4x4 for a bug out vehicle (just learned that term here :-) I am thinking a dirt bike can get me farther on less gas and also farther into the wilderness quicker. I am an ex bicycle messenger so I can carry a lot on my back - no problem. And being a childless butchelor, I just have myself to worry about.

But the electro magnetic field!!!!!!! What the....

[Inuus]

I keep thinking about that Springfield M6 Scout I mentioned before. Im seriously thinking of checking the local gun shops for a used one or to see how much a new one is . I would trade in my 410 double barrel because I wouldnt need both

Called a real firearms fanatic friend of mine the other day. We are going out practice shooting at the range near his house hopefully tuesday. He wants me to try out his 20 gauge/.223 over and under

[Sachita]

I have never even held a gun bigger than a bb gun. But I have been googling lately...Thinking about a small Glock. Just something very basic and very portable.

Next question: Should I get a Dirt Bike or a 4x4 for a bug out vehicle (just learned that term here :-) I am thinking a dirt bike can get me farther on less gas and also farther into the wilderness quicker. I am an ex bicycle messenger so I can carry a lot on my back - no problem. And being a childless butchelor, I just have myself to worry about.

But the electro magnetic field!!!!!!! What the....

Get an old jeep or all terrain. Its too cold in Chama to be open. Get a jeep with snow tires or put chains on in winter

[wolfwalker]

:floatbee: ( I wonder how long it will take said redhead to make me dead if I buy her a pink gun? )

Not long LOL

[Jackhammer]

I keep thinking about that Springfield M6 Scout I mentioned before. Im seriously thinking of checking the local gun shops for a used one or to see how much a new one is . I would trade in my 410 double barrel because I wouldnt need both

Called a real firearms fanatic friend of mine the other day. We are going out practice shooting at the range near his house hopefully tuesday. He wants me to try out his 20 gauge/.223 over and under

If you find a new M-6 Scout it will be $$$$- they are no longer being made.
The collectors are pushing the prices up beyond what I deem is a fair price for this minimalist weapon.

I cant warm up to the trigger, the American version of the rifle there isn't a trigger guard and the gun folds up tightly. The CZ version comes with the guard so you don't get a tight fold.

I have also heard horror stories about Springfield's customer service.

Although I might have a hard time passing up an American version with a 14inch barrel to be honest.

Ive moved on to looking at the Kel-Tec SU-16C
This weapon will take a 100 round mag, and is worth looking at the follow up video just to see it.
YouTube- Kel-Tec SU-16C, Pt 1: Featherweight Firepower
If you can make it through the video you will see where the M6 Scout gets addressed, Im torn to understand why we will give our Military this type of weapon. Not being bolt action so the enemy wont hear you doesn't comfort me when you have no follow up action and such small calibers.

As a survival gun, sure I can understand it, 410 and 22 are light loads and fit in the stock, but as a defense weapon.... not so much.

[Jackhammer]

Jack,

Is there a listing of bug out locations? I'm looking, but I'm not finding but one in VA.....

Thanks


Ya know, this is just sweet, and my wife watched me get a huge kick out of this question this morning.

Generally, a BOL is top secret.
If you live in the city, then you buy land in the country and put a trailer or house/cabin on it and stock it up with supplies.
This is your go to when needed.

Not everyone can afford a BOL- so a lot of survivalists in the city have BOB and weapons ready to try to walk out of the city's when the SHTF or TEOTWAWKI comes around. These folks would basically be refugees trying to live off the land in the hills. If they had homesteading skills they would be welcomed into groups or community's to help pull the daily loads of hunting and defense for the group.

TEOTWAWKI -- The end of the world as we know it
SHTF -- Shit hits the fan

[Jackhammer]

Get an old jeep or all terrain. Its too cold in Chama to be open. Get a jeep with snow tires or put chains on in winter

I agree.
Any pre 1980 vehicle or diesel is a great choice for a BOV

[christie]

OMG creme brulee- hmmmm might have to get me some of that.

Christie makes a great homemade salsa btw. Those tomatoes were awesome. I can't wait to do that this year.

As soon as the 'maters start coming in, you, me, maters and canning have a date!

I learned SO much last year, and as crazy as it might sound, it was very satisfying knowing that not only did we grow the things I was canning, but that we would have them for 12 months to enjoy.

The chili base and the italian tomatoes I canned rock. The apple and peach butter were delish too - and sugar free. The bread and butter pickles good - the relishes also good. I have some learning to do to get the dills and banana peppers as crisp as I would like.

Sorry for the derail... this is either for the self sustaining or the gardening thread...:nothingtoadd:

[Sachita]

I am around 700 feet above sea level. I think flooding will be a problem and severe weather. Sometimes I wonder if thats high enough and even though I am in the country I think about buying a place at a higher elevation, putting a trailer or shed and stocking stuff.

There is a place not far from me, maybe 2 hours.

I dont think anyone knows the safest place but one thing for sure, you dont want to be in the city.

[Sachita]

As soon as the 'maters start coming in, you, me, maters and canning have a date!

I learned SO much last year, and as crazy as it might sound, it was very satisfying knowing that not only did we grow the things I was canning, but that we would have them for 12 months to enjoy.

The chili base and the italian tomatoes I canned rock. The apple and peach butter were delish too - and sugar free. The bread and butter pickles good - the relishes also good. I have some learning to do to get the dills and banana peppers as crisp as I would like.

Sorry for the derail... this is either for the self sustaining or the gardening thread...:nothingtoadd:

Canning and preserving is a great topic for here. You were a canning fool. Every time I turned around you were going to fetch boxes of peaches or something. I love canning but it is a lot of work. I think we should start a thread on this as the time comes around and maybe even get a few people together to combine our efforts. If we have a few people we can knock out some serious food.

[Medusa]

Christie!

Your talk about canning stuff has forced me to log in from work and say YAY!

I got a biggo canner for Christmas and want to can some tomatoes and jelly this summer - now I know who to ask for advice! ;)

[Sachita]

Christie!

Your talk about canning stuff has forced me to log in from work and say YAY!

I got a biggo canner for Christmas and want to can some tomatoes and jelly this summer - now I know who to ask for advice! ;)

she did great. I've been canning for a while but admit I'm afraid of pressure cookers. I think we should get a harvest party going or several. Roast and can peppers, do maters, sauces. drink margaritas and hope we dont blow each other up

[christie]

Christie!

Your talk about canning stuff has forced me to log in from work and say YAY!

I got a biggo canner for Christmas and want to can some tomatoes and jelly this summer - now I know who to ask for advice! ;)

Ohhhhh lord. I'd talk your ear off about what I learned - what works and what doesn't.

Jess has threatened to toss jars as part of getting rid of "stuff" - well, suffice to say that hy would rather have empty jars around than to live in hys workshop!

I am going to start inventorying what I have left, what I need soon. I know I need new lids and some new bands. I do want to go ahead and buy the accessory kit with that magnet for the hot lids! Ouch. I also will go ahead and stock up on more wide mouth jars. They are better for most things like tomatoes, etc.

Your new canner? Hot water bath or pressure? If its pressure, according to the Mommainlaw, you can even can meats. There are other low acid veggies like corn that need pressure canning.

[Sachita]

Ohhhhh lord. I'd talk your ear off about what I learned - what works and what doesn't.

Jess has threatened to toss jars as part of getting rid of "stuff" - well, suffice to say that hy would rather have empty jars around than to live in hys workshop!

I am going to start inventorying what I have left, what I need soon. I know I need new lids and some new bands. I do want to go ahead and buy the accessory kit with that magnet for the hot lids! Ouch. I also will go ahead and stock up on more wide mouth jars. They are better for most things like tomatoes, etc.

Your new canner? Hot water bath or pressure? If its pressure, according to the Mommainlaw, you can even can meats. There are other low acid veggies like corn that need pressure canning.

I have a huge pressure canner in the box. Yes for meat you need that. I've never made chili with meat, canned it but I'd like to try it.

[Medusa]

Sachita knows too! This is a big Hell Yeah!

I got a water bath one but it doubles to do steam canning? Apparently this must be a new thing because Ive never heard of it.
Im scared of pressure canners too, I have heard too many old wives tales about people blowing their houses up :)

I want to do tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa, pickles, jelly and jam, etc.

I would also like to try to can some pumpkin, but can that go in a water bath or does it need pressure?

Im scared of canning meat, although my granny used to do chili with meat and also veggie stew with meat so I guess I should get over my fear because I never got sick from it.

We plan to try our luck at a garden this summer. We have a nice hill at the back of our property that has some nice rich soil and goood drainage. I want to freeze some okra, squash, and strawberries if I dont kill all of the plants. :)

[Sachita]

Sachita knows too! This is a big Hell Yeah!

I got a water bath one but it doubles to do steam canning? Apparently this must be a new thing because Ive never heard of it.
Im scared of pressure canners too, I have heard too many old wives tales about people blowing their houses up :)

I want to do tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa, pickles, jelly and jam, etc.

I would also like to try to can some pumpkin, but can that go in a water bath or does it need pressure?

Im scared of canning meat, although my granny used to do chili with meat and also veggie stew with meat so I guess I should get over my fear because I never got sick from it.

We plan to try our luck at a garden this summer. We have a nice hill at the back of our property that has some nice rich soil and goood drainage. I want to freeze some okra, squash, and strawberries if I dont kill all of the plants. :)

The more dense the contents the slower it will heat to the center so they recommend that you don't, however people have been doing hot water bath for years. I think to be on the safe side, especially when combining foods that you should use pressure.

I don't eat a lot of meat but I do like chili. I've been using grass fed bison which has less fat and I bet it will can really well. I dont like fatty meats canned. Chicken is something I'd consider canned for storage.

[Boots13]

Now that the dust has settled some at work and things are quasi-normal, I am having a ball reading this thread :)

I've never referred to my stuff as BOV, BOL or ...I love that !
Would food be BOF ?

I usually just grab my pack, hop into the truck and go to the cabin but I may have to start referring to it all as my Bug Outs !

I wish I knew more about canning things like Chili's and meats. I've never tried to do that.

I think, living up here in the NW, if seafood or fish is available I would end up drying it like the Native Americans do. There is so much I could learn from our Coastal Tribes about living off the land.

[Diva]

Ya know, this is just sweet, and my wife watched me get a huge kick out of this question this morning.

Generally, a BOL is top secret.
If you live in the city, then you buy land in the country and put a trailer or house/cabin on it and stock it up with supplies.
This is your go to when needed.

Not everyone can afford a BOL- so a lot of survivalists in the city have BOB and weapons ready to try to walk out of the city's when the SHTF or TEOTWAWKI comes around. These folks would basically be refugees trying to live off the land in the hills. If they had homesteading skills they would be welcomed into groups or community's to help pull the daily loads of hunting and defense for the group.

TEOTWAWKI -- The end of the world as we know it
SHTF -- Shit hits the fan


Then I'm SOL...... :eyebat:

[christie]

Sachita knows too! This is a big Hell Yeah!

I got a water bath one but it doubles to do steam canning? Apparently this must be a new thing because Ive never heard of it.
Im scared of pressure canners too, I have heard too many old wives tales about people blowing their houses up :)

I want to do tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa, pickles, jelly and jam, etc.

I would also like to try to can some pumpkin, but can that go in a water bath or does it need pressure?

Im scared of canning meat, although my granny used to do chili with meat and also veggie stew with meat so I guess I should get over my fear because I never got sick from it.

We plan to try our luck at a garden this summer. We have a nice hill at the back of our property that has some nice rich soil and goood drainage. I want to freeze some okra, squash, and strawberries if I dont kill all of the plants. :)

There is a lot of information out there that steam canning is considered dangerous in that it doesn't heat the food to a high enough temp - that it just heats the gummed lid enough to seal it.

This website: http://www.pickyourown.org was invaluable to me. Not only are there recipes for step by step instructions, but she has PICTURES!

I picked up two flats of strawberries from a local farm and made the surejell freezer jam. It keeps a beautiful color unlike cooked jams. I also made some with sugar and some with splenda. The bulk splenda is awesome for most canning recipes. The peach and apple butters were so yummy and splenda only. No one has complained - they keep asking for more. I used the crock pot method on the pickyourown site and while it does take a long time, the end result was worth it!

For freezing, if you dont have the Food Saver vacuum tool, its well worth the $150 at Wally World. Especially if you are planning on freezing your veggies. We use it to package and freeze meats now as well as things like partial fresh veggies and opened packages of cheese.

Jess mentioned last night that there was a local cannery that will can your food items for you in CANS... Oh goodie! I would think that the shelf life would be even longer than in jars. http://www.pickyourown.org/canneries.htm

There are a couple of cannery resources in AR!

With pickles, you might wanna start practicing now LOL There are so many different recipes - pros and cons of using alum (to keep them crisp) - I had one batch of banana peppers and one of pickles that were just MUSH.

BTW - any gardening tips would need to come from Jess. I have been banned from gardening (which was the purpose of the exercise). As Sachita mentioned, the tomatoes and things were just delicious. I cant take any credit for the garden at all. Even in the midst of winter, Hy is using the ash from the outdoor wood furnace and dumping it in the garden - apparently its good for the soil. The Mommainlaw used a box of epsom salts on the peppers (I have no idea why, but it worked!) Those 6 lil bastard plants put out more bell peppers than I ever expected.

[Sachita]

I use my freezer a lot but this year I'd like to get away from that and preserve food without electric. Maybe we can also explore cooking open fire.

I learned to cook outside from the indians, south florida where we used oak to maintain heat and cypress to regular and increase heat. Of course there's no cypress here. lol
I love cooking outside.

so since we're all into this lets get an agenda going. Maybe cooking, preserving, processing meat, etc. I raise hens but I can get to the processing part. If I had to I could and would but I'd prefer someone else so it and I'll cook em!

[christie]

I use my freezer a lot but this year I'd like to get away from that and preserve food without electric. Maybe we can also explore cooking open fire.

I learned to cook outside from the indians, south florida where we used oak to maintain heat and cypress to regular and increase heat. Of course there's no cypress here. lol
I love cooking outside.

so since we're all into this lets get an agenda going. Maybe cooking, preserving, processing meat, etc. I raise hens but I can get to the processing part. If I had to I could and would but I'd prefer someone else so it and I'll cook em!

I aint slaughtering chickens - or gonna be around when it happens. I have the story of my chicken trauma in the chicken thread (cringe)

If you look at the local links on the canneries, there is a coop in hillsville near the farmers mkt - i think we may ride up there and see what they have going on...

[Sachita]

[QUOTE=christie0918;38108]I aint slaughtering chickens - or gonna be around when it happens. I have the story of my chicken trauma in the chicken thread (cringe)

If you look at the local links on the canneries, there is a coop in hillsville near the farmers mkt - i think we may ride up there and see what they have going on...[/QUOTE

lol- hmmmm what if you wanted to eat and all the stores were shut down? would you? I went to a farm out by you once where a guy did free range and processing. I use to buy my chicken from him but he moved away. I then had close to 50 hens because I had a place north of here that did ethical slaughter kosher processing. I talked to her before I bought all those chicks and she assured me they could do it for me. Then when the time came they had moved out of that market and into another no longer processing for small farms. Its really really hard to find a poultry processor or one that I would use. On small scale you'd be paying 4.00 a bird to process. With feed, time and care (cleaning, bedding, etc.) So now you're to 8 or 9 a bird. But people still do it, I would have, because I have a responsibility to that animal, the quality of its life and I KNOW how that animal was raised. But I can't.

So right now I buy organic from farms that I know are ethical, free range and organic. This doesn't mean I don't ever go out to eat, which you know and order a side of bacon, I do. Its just rare.

So we'll get the boys to do the hens and we'll go down buy the creek and have some wine. I'm thinking about building a gazebo down there with a little grill.

[Sachita]

but on another note... I originally started raising hens because I wanted to make sure that in the event anything DID happen I would have a live food source. They lay eggs, can keep a population going as long as you feed them and even with that they will eat bugs, grass, bark, almost anything. I donate the eggs for now and keep them going, always hatching and reproducing. BTW I have tons of poop should you need it.

[friskyfemme]

I use my freezer a lot but this year I'd like to get away from that and preserve food without electric. Maybe we can also explore cooking open fire.

I learned to cook outside from the indians, south florida where we used oak to maintain heat and cypress to regular and increase heat. Of course there's no cypress here. lol
I love cooking outside.

so since we're all into this lets get an agenda going. Maybe cooking, preserving, processing meat, etc. I raise hens but I can get to the processing part. If I had to I could and would but I'd prefer someone else so it and I'll cook em!
dried manure of grazing animals-cows,horses,deer,elk,moose is a great for long lasting heat in a 'wood stove'. NO it doesn't smell!

[christie]

[QUOTE=christie0918;38108]I aint slaughtering chickens - or gonna be around when it happens. I have the story of my chicken trauma in the chicken thread (cringe)

If you look at the local links on the canneries, there is a coop in hillsville near the farmers mkt - i think we may ride up there and see what they have going on...[/QUOTE

lol- hmmmm what if you wanted to eat and all the stores were shut down? would you? I went to a farm out by you once where a guy did free range and processing. I use to buy my chicken from him but he moved away. I then had close to 50 hens because I had a place north of here that did ethical slaughter kosher processing. I talked to her before I bought all those chicks and she assured me they could do it for me. Then when the time came they had moved out of that market and into another no longer processing for small farms. Its really really hard to find a poultry processor or one that I would use. On small scale you'd be paying 4.00 a bird to process. With feed, time and care (cleaning, bedding, etc.) So now you're to 8 or 9 a bird. But people still do it, I would have, because I have a responsibility to that animal, the quality of its life and I KNOW how that animal was raised. But I can't.

So right now I buy organic from farms that I know are ethical, free range and organic. This doesn't mean I don't ever go out to eat, which you know and order a side of bacon, I do. Its just rare.

So we'll get the boys to do the hens and we'll go down buy the creek and have some wine. I'm thinking about building a gazebo down there with a little grill.


I will be right down here in Patrick County while the chicken slaughtering is going on... to this day, I don't eat chicken on the bone b/c of my parents killing my pets when I was five and putting them in the freezer.

Worse case scenario... I will be a hongry skinny chick (no pun intended) if its up to me to be around during the kill process. Nope. Aint happening.

Now that wine by the creek and a gazebo - that is RIGHT up my alley :innocent:

[christie]

On a note different than my chicken issues...

What about family emergency plans? Anyone have one? Need one? (I personally think we ALL need one)

We were just talking yesterday about the need to have one and we don't. I don't know what we would do if something happened while I was in Richmond working. I think I would make my way to TN to get bratboy and the folks and head towards home.

In practicality, I know that sounds unreasonable. But how to plan for worst case when you are multi-citied M-F and multi-stated with your immediate family?

I'm sure there is a Survival for Dummies book out there... if not, perhaps we need to collectively author one - now there is an alternative revenue stream for BFP and scholarship fund!!

[Blade]

I don't have any particular stash of stuff. I do grow a garden and can and preserve. Just the ole fashion way. Pressure cooker. As for actual survival, I have a small arsenal of side arms and long guns and a few rifles. I grew up hunting and fishing and gardening. Canning and freezing. We grew out chickens and pigs and cows and butchered them there in the yard ourselves. So I know how to kill process and cure out farm and wild animals. There are a few fresh water springs on my property that I could dig out for water if I had to and there is a website that tells a good way to get water out of your well without electricity. I'll be fine.

I might get back into raising my own one day but am not at this time. I think the US would be a better place if everyone went back to basics and lived off the land and it's offerings. Instead of abusing it's offerings. However I realize not everyone is cut from that cloth.



As for surviving......Yall come we'll survive.

[Jackhammer]

Survival for Dummies, I think you're on to something.
The threats are Real.


YouTube- Bill Forstchen on his new bestseller, One Second After


YouTube- Newt talks about the threat of a nuclear North Korea

[Blade]

J
I have noticed only you Jack and Boots have mentioned in this thread anything about firearms. I think most of us here can agree that any ownership of a firearm requires training and a level of maturity and sanity.

I have recently joined a mailing list for Queer People and friends that support the responsible ownership of firearms. I am entertaining purchasing a hand gun and/or shot gun for protection only. The firearm would only be used in self defense. Jack or Boots, do either of you have a recommendation for a hand gun and/or shot gun?

I would want a hand gun that would have the power to stop or slow down someone. I know that a Glock is a very popular hand gun but I think I prefer a revolver. Yes, I know it is not as quick as an automatic but I am concerned about a bullet getting into the chamber of an automatic and still appearing to be empty.

Also, do you have any recommendations for specific gun training courses? Thanks again Jack for starting this conversation.

Greyson I couldn't agree more with the first paragraph here. If your state has a carry conceal class it is good training for handguns. The bottom line is practice makes perfect, like anything else.

As for a choice for in home personal protection. I say a pump shotgun doesn't matter what kind it is mine is a Mossberg, if someone comes in on you in your home and they hear the ratchet of you throwing a shell in the firing chamber they will make a hole in the wall trying to get away from you.

As for away from home I carry a .38 revolver for me a revolver gives you time to think as you pull the trigger is it worth it. Plus you don't have to worry about it getting jammed. Also when I go camping I carry rat shot with me in case I get up on a poison snake and can't get away from it. Which has never happened yet but I did get one in the boat once and thought I was going to have to leave the boat. LOL

[June]

I would not eat any meat that has not been pressure canned! The new ones are very reliable, just follow the directions. Also, low acid foods, green beans, regular beans, okra, etc, need to be pressure canned.

Acidy things like tomatoes, or fruits with sugars in them, jams, etc are fine to water bath. I also like freezer jams for their color and tast, especially strawberry and raspberry.

Jack, get that girl a pressure canner!

[Jackhammer]

Jack, get that girl a pressure canner!

The thought crossed my mind when I bought her the water bath canner, and then the fear set in. What if she blows her head off, or a hand.

The same thoughts overwhelm me when she uses her deep fryer, I sit on the couch staring at her on ready for potential "accidents."

I agree with you June, she does need one.

Guess I need to get over myself.
:runforhills:

[T4Texas]

I've thought about survival a lot over the years, mostly in connection with being nuked and the fallout from that. You have to realize that in those scenarios, nothing will be working, the infastructure will be down, no gas for the cars, food or water for people and lots of crime. My idea if it were that bad would be to get out of the cities at least to stand a better chance of keeping alive. Having done a fair amount of primitive camping, owning guns already and being able to rig some things up, I feel there would be a chance. Contamination would be a huge problem. The soil, plants and animals within a certain radius would be worthless. But really I think the biggest problem would be people themselves. Confusion and a survivalist mentality would prevail. Imagine the very worse case scenarios and lay your plans from that.
If it winds up not being too bad where you are, then you can use stockpiling, living off the land, getting by without some of those creature comforts as your base of operations. I remember years ago reading the Whole Earth Catalog back in the day when it was chock full of information on taking care of yourself with limited resources. I think a lot of those things would apply well to natural disasters or atomic ones. Either way, it would be hard because life as we know it would change so much.
Living on the gulf coast, we prepare somewhat for hurricanes down here, but it's all for the short term such as a week or two. Preparing for months or even years of having nothing is quite a different story and the way the world is spinning now, it's a good idea to plan ahead I think.
There are tons of resources out there for food and its storage, water and its purification, setting up solar equipment, the list is endless. But I think first, I would read about radiation and the immediate and long terms effects of it on people , animals, soil and plants. Know your enemy.

[Sachita]

On a note different than my chicken issues...

What about family emergency plans? Anyone have one? Need one? (I personally think we ALL need one)

We were just talking yesterday about the need to have one and we don't. I don't know what we would do if something happened while I was in Richmond working. I think I would make my way to TN to get bratboy and the folks and head towards home.

In practicality, I know that sounds unreasonable. But how to plan for worst case when you are multi-citied M-F and multi-stated with your immediate family?

I'm sure there is a Survival for Dummies book out there... if not, perhaps we need to collectively author one - now there is an alternative revenue stream for BFP and scholarship fund!!

We do. Anything that happens everyone heads to the farm. This includes my sister in Florida and niece. If possible. Much of what I do here is with my family in mind. I will probably buy some land over by Mt Roger or a higher elevation yet not more then a 2 hour drive. I'll put a few sheds there and stock some things there and my family will also be told to go there, if not here.

Just in case on Dec 18th 2012 I will invite my family, all over them to my farm for some kind of event. I'll fake a wedding, which would really get them here.lol OMG they would roll in like crazy.

Its always good to have a family plan and talk to children letting them know what to do in the case of a emergency. There might not be cell phones, power, etc. Everyone needs to go to one place and figure it out from there.

[wolfwalker]

BTW - any gardening tips would need to come from Jess. I have been banned from gardening (which was the purpose of the exercise). As Sachita mentioned, the tomatoes and things were just delicious. I cant take any credit for the garden at all. Even in the midst of winter, Hy is using the ash from the outdoor wood furnace and dumping it in the garden - apparently its good for the soil. The Mommainlaw used a box of epsom salts on the peppers (I have no idea why, but it worked!) Those 6 lil bastard plants put out more bell peppers than I ever expected.[/QUOTE

the firewood ash is a good thing to add to acidic soil because it contains calcium carbonate. It also has plenty of potassium.

and a lot of people use epsom salts as a fertilizer. it containd lots of Mg.

wolf :motorbike:

[Blade]

The thought crossed my mind when I bought her the water bath canner, and then the fear set in. What if she blows her head off, or a hand.

The same thoughts overwhelm me when she uses her deep fryer, I sit on the couch staring at her on ready for potential "accidents."

I agree with you June, she does need one.

Guess I need to get over myself.
:runforhills:

ROFL....I remember cleaning green beans off of the ceiling of a friends Mom's kitchen on evening chuckling ewww the walls and floor and cabinets and ceiling looked like mashed green peas everywhere but it was green beans. The thing is to bring it to a boil and turn it down and let it chirp on the desired weight setting. I think she didn't remember to go turn it back. Still chuckling.....was actually cussing at the time.

[Sachita]

I would set my pressure canner outside. Same thing with any serious frying. I don't fry alot anyhow but when I do I pull out the propane burner I use for frying turkey. I think this year I'll have a friend mount a burner more solid onto a something, maybe off the shed and a big table so i can do my canning out there.

[Sachita]

This is part of my prep plan too the next 2 years


YouTube- Live Like You Were Dying - The Bucket List (Music Video)

I'll be ready, sure but I'm also going to take this time right now and have a great fucking time! Hell yeah

[key]

If the whole infrastructure is down, how far can you get on the gas in your car and any gas you have secured away? If I am in San Francisco when it all goes down, I figure I can get down the Peninsula a piece, but then where if no gas?

Does anyone know a way to steal gas from downed gas stations without blowing yourself up?

I have a little place in Chama New Mexico. 7800 feet at the foot of the Rockies. Surrounded by 3 national forests and 2 state parks. I hope I am there when it all blows. If any of you can make it there, you are welcome to stay with me. We will start a new Amazonian Society.

[Boots13]

I just watched the Bucket List music video and now I have a lump
in my throat and I cant breathe...how the hell am I going to
survive a cataclysmic event if I cant even watch a You Tube without
getting all snotty...?

Sachita, you should start a Bucket List thread !

[Sachita]

I just watched the Bucket List music video and now I have a lump
in my throat and I cant breathe...how the hell am I going to
survive a cataclysmic event if I cant even watch a You Tube without
getting all snotty...?

Sachita, you should start a Bucket List thread !

awww honey! kiss

Go ahead start one and hit me up. I'll join in. Good idea.

[Sachita]

The thought crossed my mind when I bought her the water bath canner, and then the fear set in. What if she blows her head off, or a hand.

The same thoughts overwhelm me when she uses her deep fryer, I sit on the couch staring at her on ready for potential "accidents."

I agree with you June, she does need one.

Guess I need to get over myself.
:runforhills:


here ya go

Amazon.com: Presto 23-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker/Canner: Kitchen & Dining

nice and big and cheap.

[Boots13]

awww honey! kiss

Go ahead start one and hit me up. I'll join in. Good idea.

I'm such a sap...oh well...sniff .

I would start a thread (actually many, my mind is always swirling)
but I'm not on enough to keep them going !


...sorry for the derail ...

[Jess]

I haven't personally been privy to any explosions due to pressure canning, but have heard some rural myths. It looks like we will be trying some of it this year. Mom has used pressure canners for quite a few things over the years but for most things sticks with the water bath method or freezing.

Our family has canned green beans/ limas/ actually most vegetables with water bath canners and never had any issues. I'm sure this summer will be the girl's first experience with making sauerkraut old school. 5 Gal bucket/ cheesecloth and weights to express the liquid.. done in the root cellar. ( She isn't aware of this yet and actually, I'm sure I will be the one "tending" it..LOL )

We actually do have a good start on some of the "stuff" mentioned here thus far regarding prepping. I fear being one of the one's who do prepare and get over run by those who don't. The older folks in our area are pretty self-sufficient, but the younger generation has tried so hard to be something "different" that they have shunned the ways of their elders. It's a shame actually. They lose a lot more than just being "redneck", they lose their culture.

I tend to agree with the Bucket List notion, in that if crap does hit the fan, I hope we will have lived our lives fully and "well" and not become too obsessed with what's coming down the pike. Preparing is just smart, but forgetting the now can easily happen especially if we watch too much news.

A good reminder with the gardening and seed purchasing, is whenever possible get seed locally. It will usually produce better and be more resistant to disease/ local insects.

Any beekeepers out there? Nature's perfect food! We are still looking for a good local source of honey ( for allergies) and may end up setting up a house or two.

[Jess]

BTW - any gardening tips would need to come from Jess. I have been banned from gardening (which was the purpose of the exercise). As Sachita mentioned, the tomatoes and things were just delicious. I cant take any credit for the garden at all. Even in the midst of winter, Hy is using the ash from the outdoor wood furnace and dumping it in the garden - apparently its good for the soil. The Mommainlaw used a box of epsom salts on the peppers (I have no idea why, but it worked!) Those 6 lil bastard plants put out more bell peppers than I ever expected.[/QUOTE

the firewood ash is a good thing to add to acidic soil because it contains calcium carbonate. It also has plenty of potassium.

and a lot of people use epsom salts as a fertilizer. it containd lots of Mg.

wolf :motorbike:

We have one of the outdoor wood/ water furnaces and a lot of people burn all kinds of stuff in them, but I will only burn wood so that I can use the ash. Had to clean the heck out of it before I started collecting ash, as mom and company would burn everything from tins cans to a tire if they could get it in there.. LOL..

I'll be doing raised beds this year and making a good mix for them. It will be a lot easier to maintain and I can probably entice the girl into unbanning herself...smiles.

[Medusa]

:|

Well, Jack got the book "One Second After" the other night when we went to check out Barnes and Noble. She started reading it Wednesday night and was done by Friday night. She then handed it to me and said "stop reading all of that other shit and read this".

I started it today at noon and just finished. :|


The writing is a little distracting but its a great fiction for preppers.
Recommended.

[Jackhammer]

Would you eat your Buddies to survive?

http://www.oneplusyou.com/bb/view2/eat_buddies

Me, 44%
Good thing no one as of yet told me we taste like candy bars.... otherwise it would be on.

[christie]

me... 26% - guess i'm gonna be hongry

[Boots13]

If there was no other source of protein (grains, eggs, etc) and if I didnt know the person...I suppose it would be an alternative, albeit a last one.

I had the opportunity to have dinner with Eduardo Strauch after one of my climbs in Argentina.

Eduardo Strauch's nickname was "The Butcher"
http://www.eduardostrauch.com/2006/index.php?module=exit&lang=en

he kept the screwdriver he used to pry meat off the bone and brains out of skulls...as a reminder of the horror he was forced to endure to ensure the continued survival of the crash victims.

He is such a humble and reverent man.

I'll post a picture in the Gallery if I can find it.

[Cyclopea]

If there was no other source of protein (grains, eggs, etc) and if I didnt know the person...I suppose it would be an alternative, albeit a last one.

I had the opportunity to have dinner with Eduardo Strauch after one of my climbs in Argentina.

Eduardo Strauch's nickname was "The Butcher"
http://www.eduardostrauch.com/2006/index.php?module=exit&lang=en

he kept the screwdriver he used to pry meat off the bone and brains out of skulls...as a reminder of the horror he was forced to endure to ensure the continued survival of the crash victims.

He is such a humble and reverent man.

I'll post a picture in the Gallery if I can find it.



So funny that "the butcher" is working the motivational speaking circut...

Would you eat your Buddies to survive?

http://www.oneplusyou.com/bb/view2/eat_buddies

Me, 44%
Good thing no one as of yet told me we taste like candy bars.... otherwise it would be on.
Me, 43%. Hmm more like 100% I think.
I would seek to preserve human life at any expense in a survival situation. But if someone succumbs to the elements and has a nice thigh steak and we are all starving? Pass the BBQ sauce.
I wouldn't eat brains though, or hands or feet or faces or genitals. I'm classy like that.
YouTube- Motel Hell song

[Jackhammer]

I came across this list and was pleasantly surprised, all of the survivalists favorites in a lineup.

Key word being survival guns.

http://www.survival-gear-guide.com/Survival-Rifles.html

[Stoney]

This summer I spend 6 weeks living rustically in the woods, I had to get away ,Sick of this lawsuit, sick of the politics, I was fed up and sick of my Kids... I know that sounds harsh but... omg if you even knew.... luckily It wasnt like I had to hunt my food, and I probably never would have to cause I have had my stomach removed and can hardly eat anything anyway Id have to live on berries and fish ....or mushrooms ( found a bunch of them out there, All kinds(had some fun with those).

I loved it out there, I faced many fears that had kept me from ever doing something like that before as well as many physical obstacles that I no longer have in my way.

I learned alot about myself in 6 weeks in the woods,

my kids learned some things about me too...



now I know what it was all about, my kids swore I was crazy, my friends thought I was mean, In a matter of 2 months I pretty much cut loose on every one with everything I really needed to say for a long time.

I didnt know it at the time but...

I changed from Mother to Crone over the summer......


It feels wonderful!

[Inuus]

Glad to see the Springfield M6 made that list. I still think its the best survival type gun out there. Just harder to find now and a bit more expensive

I came across this list and was pleasantly surprised, all of the survivalists favorites in a lineup.

Key word being survival guns.

http://www.survival-gear-guide.com/Survival-Rifles.html

[Jess]

Funny this question came up while one of my fav flicks is in the dvd player.. Ravenous.!

54% .. it's quite bloody likely

[Jess]

Would you eat your Buddies to survive?

http://www.oneplusyou.com/bb/view2/eat_buddies

Me, 44%
Good thing no one as of yet told me we taste like candy bars.... otherwise it would be on.


I've always heard that the smell of human flesh burning was very akin to that of lamb cooking.

A friend who worked at VCU/MCV said that when the crematorium was burning she would find herself craving gyro's and it took a couple years to figure out why.

[christie]

Funny this question came up while one of my fav flicks is in the dvd player.. Ravenous.!

54% .. it's quite bloody likely

Figures... No wonder you liked me "fluffy" :freak:

I've always heard that the smell of human flesh burning was very akin to that of lamb cooking.

A friend who worked at VCU/MCV said that when the crematorium was burning she would find herself craving gyro's and it took a couple years to figure out why.

In a word... gross.

[Diva]

Ok, I took Your damn test because I just KNEW the answer would be 0%.............

41%!?!?!?!?!?!
:glasses::eek::shocking::whine::overreaction::runf orhills:


Yeah....that pretty much sums up my reaction.

But thanks for the information. I think. :|

[Jess]

Figures... No wonder you liked me "fluffy" :freak:



In a word... gross.


You are just yummy! All day.. every day.. no problem :awww:

[Cyclopea]

This when.
YouTube- Cannibal :the Musical ... Trailer

[christie]

So... I was reading up on emergency fuel storage. We have a mondo generator, but WTSHTF, what do you run it on was my question.

I found this article: http://theepicenter.com/tow06056.html

Anyone used this fuel stabilizer, Sta-Bil? Other ideas?

[Jackhammer]

I use it, good stuff.

[Sachita]

This summer I spend 6 weeks living rustically in the woods, I had to get away ,Sick of this lawsuit, sick of the politics, I was fed up and sick of my Kids... I know that sounds harsh but... omg if you even knew.... luckily It wasnt like I had to hunt my food, and I probably never would have to cause I have had my stomach removed and can hardly eat anything anyway Id have to live on berries and fish ....or mushrooms ( found a bunch of them out there, All kinds(had some fun with those).

I loved it out there, I faced many fears that had kept me from ever doing something like that before as well as many physical obstacles that I no longer have in my way.

I learned alot about myself in 6 weeks in the woods,

my kids learned some things about me too...



now I know what it was all about, my kids swore I was crazy, my friends thought I was mean, In a matter of 2 months I pretty much cut loose on every one with everything I really needed to say for a long time.

I didnt know it at the time but...

I changed from Mother to Crone over the summer......


It feels wonderful!

This sounds so nice. Although I live in the country I have so many responsibilities.

I love my son but I dont always like him.

[Boots13]

I came across this list and was pleasantly surprised, all of the survivalists favorites in a lineup.

Key word being survival guns.

http://www.survival-gear-guide.com/Survival-Rifles.html


Ohhh, I'll take one of each :)
The Remington 870 is the workhorse and has never done me wrong. Wood stock for vehicles; marine (as shown in the wish list) for the Harbor Patrol.
Because of affordability and ammo accessibility this is it...slugs or shot , I have both.

But my dream weapon for home protection is the
Benelli semi-auto
YouTube- Benelli Top Guns Episode 4: Raining Targets
love the M4 Tactical
YouTube- Benelli's M4

or the
Winchester SX3
YouTube- Rapid-Fire Shotgun--World's Fastest

[Jess]

So... I was reading up on emergency fuel storage. We have a mondo generator, but WTSHTF, what do you run it on was my question.

I found this article: http://theepicenter.com/tow06056.html

Anyone used this fuel stabilizer, Sta-Bil? Other ideas?


I still think a household tank would be best. Only problem is our BOV ( the beast) can only use premium gas while our current everyday vehicles take regular. I know a lot of folks who have gas tanks on their land ( and envy them) and most use premium they use it for tractors, etc). When the fan gets smacked by crap, I will have learned how to maintain the beast and how to find food for it.

Off to study...

[Jackhammer]

At the moment Im really turned on by this rifle, nothing beats a good 22, since bullets are cheap and light.
http://www.henryrepeating.com/h001_leveraction.cfm

And I love lever action.


And Im going to call and find out if this adapter will work in my 18" 12 gauge cruiser shotgun. Cases that can covert 12 to 410 shot.
http://www.americanspecialtyammo.com/_410.html

[Jackhammer]

What I find interesting is Red Farm Diesel.
Never knew till recently that our farmers get a break, and that there are check points set up to check that Big Rigs and those driving Diesel engines aren't using it and cheating.

Apparently they check for the red dye, which is added after to designate the lot as tax free. And make it easier to catch cheaters.

[Jackhammer]

Hmmmm... this sounds fun.
I like things in my medical kit that has duel purposes.

Quote from another source:
Canceling Body Odors

I was looking through a Brigade Quartermasters catalog when I came upon an ad for "Odor-Stop" Long Lasting Deodorant. Supposedly researched secretly by the Russian Army. Only $14.99. Stops odor 8-14 days!

Well... the active ingredient is simply zinc oxide paste, available in any drug store for about $1.50 a tube. The mechanism of action is simply to kill the odor causing bacteria that live in your skin pores. It's the same idea (and same active ingredient) as the cream (Desitin, I think) used for diaper rash in babies. I have used this method for many years and it does work with absolutely no side effects. Odor protection lasts for me up to three weeks in cold weather. If you want to try this, shower first before going to bed. Apply thoroughly to underarms (also works on feet provided odor is not a result of severe fungal infection). Wash off any excess in the morning. Some people I know have reported that several daily applications are necessary to get the effect going. After that, just use your nose to monitor the "pits" before showering to know when to reapply. I would be interested to know of anyone else's experience along these lines.


Im gonna slather this stuff on my armpits and ass and go for an 8 day trial run.
No doubt my wife will put me on the couch in probably 2 or 3 days.
:tease:

Uhh, make that an air mattress. I can hear her now "get your dirty ass off my couch." :cheesy:

I think it would be a great resource for survival situations.

I did tell my wife to get a few cases of baby wipes for non water clean-up in true survival situations.

[June]

Oh. Jack. No.

NO!

[Bit]

I don't think that baby wipes stay good for very long, Jack... I think that, like shampoos, conditioners, and lotions, they eventually discolor and get a "plastic" smell to them; I've had this happen in a matter of months in the heat of summer.

Of course, if you're rotating through them like you do through food, it might not be a problem... but that would assume you use them fairly quickly.

[Jackhammer]

I don't think that baby wipes stay good for very long, Jack... I think that, like shampoos, conditioners, and lotions, they eventually discolor and get a "plastic" smell to them; I've had this happen in a matter of months in the heat of summer.

Of course, if you're rotating through them like you do through food, it might not be a problem... but that would assume you use them fairly quickly.

Yep, rotation,rotation,rotation.
We don't buy anything we don't use and rotate.

[Bit]

It's a good policy, Jack. I learned the hard way that if you wouldn't normally use something, it won't do you any good come hard times... cuz yanno... you still won't want to use it. *sheepish look*

[Boots13]

[QUOTE=Jackhammer;39914]At the moment Im really turned on by this rifle, nothing beats a good 22, since bullets are cheap and light.
http://www.henryrepeating.com/h001_leveraction.cfm

And I love lever action.



You know, I've been using tactical gear for so long that a
lever action LR fell completely off my radar! I would imagine
it's smooth, balanced and a hoot to fire !

Good call on this one :)

[Sachita]

I found a bunch of cool videos I know a lot if you will enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/user/peakmoment#p/u/1/tDCXz28YeMw

[robbrt]

natural remedies such as black pepper, etc...

http://www.naturalsolutionsmag.com/article-display/15402/subTopicID/182/Alternative-Medicine-Cabinet-Tough-Scrapes

[Boots13]

What I find interesting is Red Farm Diesel.
Never knew till recently that our farmers get a break, and that there are check points set up to check that Big Rigs and those driving Diesel engines aren't using it and cheating.

Apparently they check for the red dye, which is added after to designate the lot as tax free. And make it easier to catch cheaters.

I think the red fuel is also available to boats. Farmers and boaters dont pay highway tax, and its a rediculous amount especially when you figure the cumulive annual figure we are taxed to drive our vehicles upon the roadway. When the Fed and State levels are finished levying taxes on fuel we end up paying out the nose for it.

Farmers get a break, boats get a break. If you fill your boat at a gas station and not a marina, there are forms you can submit to refund the tax you paid on filling that baby up.

[Jackhammer]

Boots13,
I wasn't aware of being able to gas up the boat or the tax breaks, good info.

Here's a little find,
http://www.mspong.org/cyclopedia/index.html

Its a Household Cyclopedia from 1881

Beekeeping,horticulture,amputation etc.... fascinating.
Just click on the front page.

[Bit]

I looked at the matches... where on earth did they GET all those ingredients? And how on earth would we convert drams to modern measurements? *totally intrigued*

*back to look at more categories*

[Odarlin]

Stumbled across a Survival Guide link (http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/surv/) looking like it's mother url is The Farm in Tennessee. Impressed with the content.:glasses:


edited to add: looks like it was put up for Y2K and forgotten. Some broken links. Some really neat stuff remains though.

[christie]

Stumbled across a Survival Guide link (http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/surv/) looking like it's mother url is The Farm in Tennessee. Impressed with the content.:glasses:


edited to add: looks like it was put up for Y2K and forgotten. Some broken links. Some really neat stuff remains though.

Oh my gay. I had forgotten about this place! If I remember, its SW of Nashville about an hour or so and is a self sustaining community.

Thanks for posting this!

[Sachita]

This is a great link. I had forgotten about it.

just so you know I am adding lots of these links to farmgoddess.com
also farmer j and I will be taking how to videos which I couldnt do alone. We will have videos on worm farming, growing, hopefully bees and step by step canning and preserving. (looking at Christie)

there is a place to subscribe and add your email for blog updates.

also check out the link from Rondale Institute. There is a very comprehensive organic training program that is for commercial growing but also home gardeners. If you like to garden do a little more and consider selling your produce at local flea markets. Its great extra cash, you meet new people and its fun. Take some tomato starter plants and maybe some herb plants to sell as well. These do great at flea markets.

[christie]

This is a great link. I had forgotten about it.

just so you know I am adding lots of these links to farmgoddess.com
also farmer j and I will be taking how to videos which I couldnt do alone. We will have videos on worm farming, growing, hopefully bees and step by step canning and preserving. (looking at Christie)

there is a place to subscribe and add your email for blog updates.

also check out the link from Rondale Institute. There is a very comprehensive organic training program that is for commercial growing but also home gardeners. If you like to garden do a little more and consider selling your produce at local flea markets. Its great extra cash, you meet new people and its fun. Take some tomato starter plants and maybe some herb plants to sell as well. These do great at flea markets.

*dusting off my apron and looking at my own Farmer J(ess) for the veggies to can. Ya'll know that I have been banned when it comes to that... besides... there are snakes in the garden.

[Inuus]

Im finally back online after the bad ice storm we had here. I do want to say it pays to be prepared for anything! I was luckier then some. I always have prepped stuff in my storm shelter in case of tornadoes so I was semi prepared. The only thing that really could have helped some was a generator. I dont have the $$ for that now anyways but it would have helped.

My power went out 5p on thursday and cell service followed shortly after that. Water went out on saturday for about 35 hours. Power was restored early morning monday. Cell service on saturday. I have a gas cooking stove so I was able to use the burners to get enough heat so the pipes wouldnt freeze. Yes I aired out the huose as needed to be safe as far as carbon monoxide.

I learned alot during this storm. Was a good learning tool really. I already had candles plenty of water canned food etc. What helped alot was all my backpacking stuff, cooking pots a single burner small stove headlamp(great for reading read a TON of books) lots of batteries(cant have enough)
But I would say the one thing that came in handy the most was the portable power source I bought from QVC. That was well worth what I paid for it!
Without that I couldnt have charged my cell phone and my rechargable batteries. I usually keep it in my truck because it has jumper cables and an air compressor. I knew the storm was going to be bad so before the power cut out I made sure to charge it. I was quite impressed really. I used it abuot 5 times to charge my phone and maybe 4 times to recharge batteries and the % of charge barely moved below 100%. I dont think it would last long running a laptop or a tv but it worked great for what I used it for. When I get more $$ I will be getting another one(I have had several different brands this one has been by far the best) to keep down in the storm shelter.

Here is a link to the newest version (8 in 1 power source mine is a 6 in 1) the newest one even has solar panels on it which would come in quite handy. Well worth the price. But Im sure if you did a search you might even find one for less.

http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?PIN=91212&SC=WIN20001&

[Bit]

Welcome back, Inuus!

Thanks for your post; an ice storm is my fear, because it seems like that's what we're most vulnerable to. If we lose electricity in the summer time it's inconvenient, hot and sweaty... but losing it to an ice storm is flat out dangerous for us.

I think the minimum I need is a camping stove and some propane, but that charger sounds really great also!

[Sachita]

*dusting off my apron and looking at my own Farmer J(ess) for the veggies to can. Ya'll know that I have been banned when it comes to that... besides... there are snakes in the garden.

Yeah I am looking forward to the help. Now I can go out with my basket and just pick. Farmer J is handling the food crops and I'll spend more time cooking and working on my flowers. We both love growing so I'm sure this summer the farm will be full of color and happy times. lol

You know this year I wanna try and grow a bunch of cabbage and make a pickled chow-chow, something healthy and will keep a while. Maybe you can ask momma about that or we can find a good recipe. For some reason I suck at growing cabbage and the like. I think I just need to spray it more often, organic pest control so the worms dont get it. I'm not worrying about it tho lol... Now I get to say

"daddy I want it over there please!" poof done

[Jess]

cabbage is a cooler weather veggie.. grows best in slightly cooler weather and stores best that way also... chow chows like sauerkraut are like cooking ceviche, in that the acid does the work... Mom makes good chow chow and if she does it like granny did, the best sauerkraut!
Do you have a root cellar or dug out? I know you are fond of asian foods.. making kim-chee is similar to sauerkraut, except it was buried to "pickle". You can make it in dug-out/ root cellar, just a slightly different seasoning. No different than aging/ storing wine.. it's all about climate control.

I will be making some preserves/ sauces/ salad dressings, etc from my recipes to can or bottle this year. We may be doing trips to the state farmer's market as well as NC if you are ever up to a little road trip.

[wolfwalker]

cabbage is a cooler weather veggie.. grows best in slightly cooler weather and stores best that way also... chow chows like sauerkraut are like cooking ceviche, in that the acid does the work... Mom makes good chow chow and if she does it like granny did, the best sauerkraut!
Do you have a root cellar or dug out? I know you are fond of asian foods.. making kim-chee is similar to sauerkraut, except it was buried to "pickle". You can make it in dug-out/ root cellar, just a slightly different seasoning. No different than aging/ storing wine.. it's all about climate control.

I will be making some preserves/ sauces/ salad dressings, etc from my recipes to can or bottle this year. We may be doing trips to the state farmer's market as well as NC if you are ever up to a little road trip.



you guys have a blast. cook, can, preserve. what ever your little hearts desire.

I on the other hand will be the food taster. the best job !!:king:

[Sachita]

cabbage is a cooler weather veggie.. grows best in slightly cooler weather and stores best that way also... chow chows like sauerkraut are like cooking ceviche, in that the acid does the work... Mom makes good chow chow and if she does it like granny did, the best sauerkraut!
Do you have a root cellar or dug out? I know you are fond of asian foods.. making kim-chee is similar to sauerkraut, except it was buried to "pickle". You can make it in dug-out/ root cellar, just a slightly different seasoning. No different than aging/ storing wine.. it's all about climate control.

I will be making some preserves/ sauces/ salad dressings, etc from my recipes to can or bottle this year. We may be doing trips to the state farmer's market as well as NC if xcyou are ever up to a little road trip.

yes I grow in cooler and they actually get pretty big but wormy. I'm always in a hurry so I suppose timing is everything. By the time you can get the plants I think its too late for this area. I think we need to start the plants the end of this month and plant the end of March. That might even be too late.. I have not yet figured it out. I grew it great in NY.


Hell lets grow some stuff. having enough room aint an issue and we can grow organic or at least pesticide free.

But I love road trips. Just always been hard to get away all day around here. We've got a plan tho! Just give us a little time.

[Jess]

you guys have a blast. cook, can, preserve. what ever your little hearts desire.

I on the other hand will be the food taster. the best job !!:king:

LOL! I cook, she cans .. we all have our little place in the order of things :}

[violaine]

[QUOTE=Bit;41259]I looked at the matches... where on earth did they GET all those ingredients? And how on earth would we convert drams to modern measurements? *totally intrigued*

*back to look at more categories*

http://www.unitconversion.org/volume/dram-conversion.html

[Inuus]

Thanks glad to be back in the swing of things...was an eventful few days.
You all must have lucked out and just got snow?

Welcome back, Inuus!

Thanks for your post; an ice storm is my fear, because it seems like that's what we're most vulnerable to. If we lose electricity in the summer time it's inconvenient, hot and sweaty... but losing it to an ice storm is flat out dangerous for us.

I think the minimum I need is a camping stove and some propane, but that charger sounds really great also!

[Bit]

Bless your heart, belle, thank you! Now I know, one dram is 3/4 teaspoon. :cheesy:

Yes, Inuus, we just got snow--about five inches, all told. It's supposed to snow on and on for the next week now.... and our power went out this morning! But I guess it was the transformer again, because they had it fixed in an hour and a half. Still, it pointed out to me how very vulnerable we are; I could not even make lunch for Gryph, nor could he take a shower--the house got too cold. He'll have to buy lunch today. Luckily we have thermoses for the coffee and there was a full pot, so at least he wasn't de-caffeinated.

I realized again this morning that we depend on the computer for a lot, too. I wanted to get the bank balance--waiting for a deposit to go through--and couldn't even remember the account number at first, because I always just check it online.

[Medusa]

I have a bajillion different kinds of seeds that I need to start.
I've never grown anything :|

[Sachita]

I have a bajillion different kinds of seeds that I need to start.
I've never grown anything :|

You know sometimes seeds go bad, right?

Maybe you wanna join us on the "Honey Do list"? or would you prefer "Honey Wish List'?

[Bit]

I have a bajillion different kinds of seeds that I need to start.
I've never grown anything :|

Lights, sweetie, you need fluorescent lights (they're cheaper than grow lights). Most veggies need 16 hours a day to sprout, and even next to a window they won't get enough light to grow properly without fluorescents or grow lights.

Also, I dunno where you are exactly, but for Little Rock, USDA zone 7b (http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-sm1.html), Southern Living Garden Book--the equivalent of Sunset's Western Garden Book, but for you instead of apretty--says you are in the Middle South, hot humid summers, winters a little warmer than Inuus's and mine, and the ability to grow a huge variety of plants.

Here are some useful links.

http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/ This is the garden page for the online magazine, Southern Living.

http://www.arhomeandgarden.org/ This is your university extension service.

http://www.arhomeandgarden.org/GardeningCalendars/february.htm This is the February listing for their garden calendar; scroll down--it says you can already plant in your garden! Tis time for the truly hardy crops--peas and spinach first, and by next week or so--if the snow lets you--broccoli, carrots, cabbage, beets, etc!

The thing which will stop you is soggy ground. If your garden is kinda squooshy right now, plant inside instead.

http://www.chestnut-sw.com/seedhp.htm This looks pretty good! It's the Weekend Gardener site.

They have something called a Grow Guide and it works like this--you enter the garden season (Spring), your last frost date, your first fall frost date, and today's date--and it tells you what to start when. For instance, it says it's the last week to start broccoli indoors and the first chance to start brussels sprouts indoors for someone with a last frost date of April 15th. http://www.chestnut-sw.com/growform.htm

This grow guide is gonna be a HUGE time saver for me!! Now I don't have to look every single different veggie up in my garden books, wooohooo!!

Here is a date you NEED to know: April 8. It is Little Rock's last frost date. "Last frost date" is when you can expect your last Spring frost.

October 27 is the first frost date--when you can expect your first Autumn frost.

The time between them is your garden season. It's important to remember, though, that you're dealing with Nature here, and She will not be so easily constrained by labels :cheesy: so these two dates are a guideline, not a guarantee, k?

What you'll find as you surf around is that every seed catalog will have some seed starting information. Territorial Seed Company (http://www.territorialseed.com/?r=JWGOOGB&gclid=CKmuk_fJ2Z8CFQTxDAodk1JqGg) has the most comprehensive growing information by varieties as far as I know.

Right now you are approximately eight and a half weeks from your last frost date (if you live near Little Rock). On every package of seeds, it will tell you how far in advance of the frost date to start the seeds... or yanno, you can use that handy Grow Guide from Weekend Gardener, and it will tell you what to plant now. :cheesy:

I found the frost dates on a chart from this site: http://www.victoryseeds.com/index.html It looks like a GREAT resource! http://www.victoryseeds.com/resources.html This is the resource page for the US and Canada.

Okay, back to seed starting itself. Get some seed starting mix or some potting soil, and some seed starting pots. For your first time, I would avoid flats (undivided trays) because baby plants are fragile and you would probably lose a lot transplanting them--I did, anyhow. I would go with something like peat pots, coco fiber pots, cowpots (http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Link-Product?sku=37-034RS) (built in fertilizer!) or seed-starting plastic pots (http://www.gardeners.com/APS/APS_Cat,default,sc.html).

This is a GREAT how-to article! Way better than I could write here. http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/ten-seed-starting-tips.aspx

Here's another one. http://www.gardeners.com/How-to-Start-Seeds/5062,default,pg.html

More resource pages from Gardeners Supply. http://www.gardeners.com/Kitchen-Garden-Planner/kgp_home,default,pg.html

http://www.gardeners.com/Gardening-How-To/Learning,default,pg.html

This is probably enough to start with. If you're as busy as I think, you're probably overloaded already. *sympathetic smile* But if you have questions, hon, just ask; I'm always happy to talk gardening.

[Bit]

*comes back, dragging feet and pouting* HAAARRRRumph. Bounced out of here all enhusiastic, put my frost dates into the Grow Guide.... nothing.

N.O.T.H.I.N.G.

Nada.

Zip, Zero, Zilch.

I cannot even start to start seeds until next week.

:hrmph:

[Jackhammer]

You know sometimes seeds go bad, right?

Maybe you wanna join us on the "Honey Do list"? or would you prefer "Honey Wish List'?

We can hear you. :tease:

[Jess]

How many of you guys are using solar/ wind in any capacity in your homes?

After the recent snow/ ice storm that knocked out power in our area, plus the fact that I would just like to get off the grid as much as possible, I have been reading as much as my little brain will allow regarding alternative energy.

I was wondering if any of you have ever built your own panels/ installed, etc. When looking into the cost of converting, set up is a real bear if you do it using a retailer. I saw this e-book and wondered if anyone has used it.

http://www.earth4energy.com/

If it is what it describes, it would be an awesome resource. We may get it and see if it actually is helpful, unless anyone here says "buyer beware" or it's a waste of time/ $$$. Being someone who has difficulty following directions ( I HATE IKEA) , the videos would be worth it to me.

Where are you all at with alternative energy sources? I really appreciated the link to the portable power source. Very helpful!

Thanks, Jess

[wolfwalker]

How many of you guys are using solar/ wind in any capacity in your homes?

After the recent snow/ ice storm that knocked out power in our area, plus the fact that I would just like to get off the grid as much as possible, I have been reading as much as my little brain will allow regarding alternative energy.

I was wondering if any of you have ever built your own panels/ installed, etc. When looking into the cost of converting, set up is a real bear if you do it using a retailer. I saw this e-book and wondered if anyone has used it.

http://www.earth4energy.com/

If it is what it describes, it would be an awesome resource. We may get it and see if it actually is helpful, unless anyone here says "buyer beware" or it's a waste of time/ $$$. Being someone who has difficulty following directions ( I HATE IKEA) , the videos would be worth it to me.

Where are you all at with alternative energy sources? I really appreciated the link to the portable power source. Very helpful!

Thanks, Jess


Jess,

I have a bilzillion books and info on this subject.

Here is the number one thing you need to do before you can even think about adding solar or any alternative source. You have to make the house as energy effienct as you can. that means adding insulation. finding all those leaky drafts and fixing them. consider new windows. etc.

you must produce less and use less, before any alternative can help you.

then the fun begins. building your own solar hot water heater is easy. By taking your demand for hot water off the system. you are saving. Then you can move on to considering using solar panels to produce electric and stepping of the grid.

I will be down on the farm, working on a few of my own projects. LOL

:scarytv:

[Jess]

Jess,

I have a bilzillion books and info on this subject.

Here is the number one thing you need to do before you can even think about adding solar or any alternative source. You have to make the house as energy effienct as you can. that means adding insulation. finding all those leaky drafts and fixing them. consider new windows. etc.

you must produce less and use less, before any alternative can help you.

then the fun begins. building your own solar hot water heater is easy. By taking your demand for hot water off the system. you are saving. Then you can move on to considering using solar panels to produce electric and stepping of the grid.

I will be down on the farm, working on a few of my own projects. LOL

:scarytv:

Good point regarding insulation, and sealing up the house. That is our next project ( other than my on going list) insulating under the house. Can't believe it never was.
Our water heater is supposed to be heated off our waterstove, but somewhere along the line, it got all screwed up and added back to the house power. I am setting up an appt. with the guys the waterstove was purchased from to have them come up and give it whatever it needs to be working properly again. It can also be adapted to heat a pool or greenhouse, so I am very excited about getting it back in proper working order.

I'm jazzed about working with you on some projects. Learning how to build and install solar and/ or wind units is way friggen cool!..

Hey, wait a minute! Aren't you supposed to be packing? :thumbsup::piratelaugh:

[wolfwalker]

:mountie: I am done packing till tomorrow.

:woodchop: thinking about all my projects i have lined up.

[Sachita]

Jess,

I have a bilzillion books and info on this subject.

Here is the number one thing you need to do before you can even think about adding solar or any alternative source. You have to make the house as energy effienct as you can. that means adding insulation. finding all those leaky drafts and fixing them. consider new windows. etc.

you must produce less and use less, before any alternative can help you.

then the fun begins. building your own solar hot water heater is easy. By taking your demand for hot water off the system. you are saving. Then you can move on to considering using solar panels to produce electric and stepping of the grid.

I will be down on the farm, working on a few of my own projects. LOL

:scarytv:

A few? lol

But he's right. Insulation is the key and lord knows I need to do this. I can stand by on of my doors and it's like an air conditioning vent blowing cold air in. lol you should see my attempt at weather stripping! It's funny as hell. BUT I'm not going to have to worry about that much longer.

In the winter my electric bill can easily hit 400 a month with he greenhouse and dog boarding. Even though my boarding season is summer I still have a handful of dogs winter and winter holidays. Everyone has to stay warm.

[wolfwalker]

A few? lol

But he's right. Insulation is the key and lord knows I need to do this. I can stand by on of my doors and it's like an air conditioning vent blowing cold air in. lol you should see my attempt at weather stripping! It's funny as hell. BUT I'm not going to have to worry about that much longer.

In the winter my electric bill can easily hit 400 a month with he greenhouse and dog boarding. Even though my boarding season is summer I still have a handful of dogs winter and winter holidays. Everyone has to stay warm.

looks like i have quite a few projects to think about lol

[Sachita]

looks like i have quite a few projects to think about lol

few? think? lol

oh yeah honey! And I am the biggest one of all and I don't mean size. :):fuck:

[christie]

A few? lol

But he's right. Insulation is the key and lord knows I need to do this. I can stand by on of my doors and it's like an air conditioning vent blowing cold air in. lol you should see my attempt at weather stripping! It's funny as hell. BUT I'm not going to have to worry about that much longer.

In the winter my electric bill can easily hit 400 a month with he greenhouse and dog boarding. Even though my boarding season is summer I still have a handful of dogs winter and winter holidays. Everyone has to stay warm.

Is there duct tape involved? :overreaction:

[christie]

In all seriousness, being without power and water for 3 days made me keenly aware of how unprepared we were...

Do we really realize how much water we consume in daily living? That it takes about a gallon to flush? And how many times a day we flush?

I will be looking at alternate non electric methods of pumps for the well. Maybe even a hand pump (dont think I didnt think about a bucket and a rope) or something.

We do now have a campstove, several laterns and a supply of propane for the camp stove. Jess is looking at rain barrels. It was very eyeopening as to what we NEED and just how damned hard it is. No wonder the life expectancy of a pioneer was, what? 12?? :cracked:

Suffice to say that this weekend was entirely TOO much like camping for me. :reaction:

[Sachita]

In all seriousness, being without power and water for 3 days made me keenly aware of how unprepared we were...

Do we really realize how much water we consume in daily living? That it takes about a gallon to flush? And how many times a day we flush?

I will be looking at alternate non electric methods of pumps for the well. Maybe even a hand pump (dont think I didnt think about a bucket and a rope) or something.

We do now have a campstove, several laterns and a supply of propane for the camp stove. Jess is looking at rain barrels. It was very eyeopening as to what we NEED and just how damned hard it is. No wonder the life expectancy of a pioneer was, what? 12?? :cracked:

Suffice to say that this weekend was entirely TOO much like camping for me. :reaction:

I assume you have a well or are you on city water there? I definitely want a hand pump, first thing. As WW said a solar hot water heater is simple and can help.

This year we'll plan for things... growing, canning, solar, finding ways to be a self sufficient as possible.

[Bit]

In all seriousness, being without power and water for 3 days made me keenly aware of how unprepared we were...

Do we really realize how much water we consume in daily living? That it takes about a gallon to flush? And how many times a day we flush?

These are the kinds of things I worry about--although I certainly wouldn't be using a flush toilet if we had a major power outage like that. That's when I plan to haul out a bucket and some cat litter, yanno? Since I can't yet afford a Lovable Loo (http://josephjenkins.com/store/product.php?productid=16161&cat=283&page=1).

I will be looking at alternate non electric methods of pumps for the well. Maybe even a hand pump (dont think I didnt think about a bucket and a rope) or something.

I'm on city water, so as long as it's only residential electric that goes out, I will still have water... but I'm uneasy relying on that...

We do now have a campstove, several laterns and a supply of propane for the camp stove. Jess is looking at rain barrels. It was very eyeopening as to what we NEED and just how damned hard it is. No wonder the life expectancy of a pioneer was, what? 12?? :cracked:

Suffice to say that this weekend was entirely TOO much like camping for me. :reaction:

I would think camping would be easier, because you would be prepared before you left.

Camp stove and propane are on my list, along with more oil for my lamps.

Being without heat seriously bothers me. I'm not at all sure what to do about that.
~~~~~~~~~

Jess, that link you posted about making your own solar panels... that's the same guy who does power4home, I think, and if he's legit, I'll be really surprised. I just don't see how you can dash on down to your corner hardware store and buy everything you need to make a solar panel for $40... my corner hardware store doesn't sell silicon photovoltaic cells, and they're what make the panels work.

It could be that he's talking about generating steam in a solar concentrator, but I think that would be incredibly heavy on a rooftop--and then you'd have to have a constant water supply, too.

I suppose one thing that bothered me was his breezy insistence that anyone can build a wind generator (cheap!) at home. I remember when The Mother Earth News ran an article about building wind generators, and the craftsmanship has to be precise on the blades to make them work efficiently; if they're out of balance they wear the generator out. That's not work for "anyone," it's work for an experienced wood-worker.

And those free batteries for the electricity storage... the only way I can think of to get free car batteries is to take used ones... and don't people replace their car batteries because they no longer hold a charge? What good would that do a person?

I think it's entirely possible to build and wire your own system, but the solar panels themselves (or the wind generator) and the inverter (he never even mentioned an inverter!) seem to me like something best left to the pros.

If you buy the book, and I'm wrong, please--tell me, k?

[Jess]

Thanks Bit.. I don't know anything about the guy or the process involved. It looks like wolfwalker has a library at our disposal so I am quite happy about that.

Regarding our water. It is a well. Electric pump ( for now) and the toilets hold more like 2 gallons in one and almost four in the second ( which we are replacing soon).

[Corkey]

Invest in a few of these... survival candles...100% pure beeswax, non toxic, smokeless, and you can cook with them.www.philoxia.com
phone 1-877-445-6942 made in Canada. Their military use them.

[wolfwalker]

These are the kinds of things I worry about--although I certainly wouldn't be using a flush toilet if we had a major power outage like that. That's when I plan to haul out a bucket and some cat litter, yanno? Since I can't yet afford a Lovable Loo (http://josephjenkins.com/store/product.php?productid=16161&cat=283&page=1).



I'm on city water, so as long as it's only residential electric that goes out, I will still have water... but I'm uneasy relying on that...



I would think camping would be easier, because you would be prepared before you left.

Camp stove and propane are on my list, along with more oil for my lamps.

Being without heat seriously bothers me. I'm not at all sure what to do about that.
~~~~~~~~~

Jess, that link you posted about making your own solar panels... that's the same guy who does power4home, I think, and if he's legit, I'll be really surprised. I just don't see how you can dash on down to your corner hardware store and buy everything you need to make a solar panel for $40... my corner hardware store doesn't sell silicon photovoltaic cells, and they're what make the panels work.

It could be that he's talking about generating steam in a solar concentrator, but I think that would be incredibly heavy on a rooftop--and then you'd have to have a constant water supply, too.

I suppose one thing that bothered me was his breezy insistence that anyone can build a wind generator (cheap!) at home. I remember when The Mother Earth News ran an article about building wind generators, and the craftsmanship has to be precise on the blades to make them work efficiently; if they're out of balance they wear the generator out. That's not work for "anyone," it's work for an experienced wood-worker.

And those free batteries for the electricity storage... the only way I can think of to get free car batteries is to take used ones... and don't people replace their car batteries because they no longer hold a charge? What good would that do a person?

I think it's entirely possible to build and wire your own system, but the solar panels themselves (or the wind generator) and the inverter (he never even mentioned an inverter!) seem to me like something best left to the pros.

If you buy the book, and I'm wrong, please--tell me, k?


hi bit,

it is possible to build both solar panels and a wind turbine yourself. i have done both. but unless you have some clue about the whole process. forget about it. this is not a newbie project.

the cells can be bought on ebay, as can solar panels and wind turbines. DO not and I repeat, do not use used car batteries. this is the area where used parts won't hack it. with the high charges, an old battery could very easily blow up.

the panels and turbines can be had for pretty cheap. but if you don't have a working knowledge of all this. hire someone. trust me, it will be worth it

wolfwalker

[Bit]

Wolfwalker, thanks for your reply. I wasn't saying that people can't build their own solar or wind systems--kudos to you for yours!--I was just saying you can't do it for forty bucks with parts you buy exclusively at the hardware store, and that's what I think this power4home guy is claiming in his videos and books.

Also, as far as I know a good solar system needs marine batteries; car batteries aren't durable enough even if you use new ones, so telling people they can make their system work with used car batteries just seemed completely irresponsible to me. It all made me think he's got a scam going, yanno?

Solar and wind are absolutely wonderful, but sheesh, they're not miraculous or carefree. You do have to put some money and know-how into them, and once you have them installed, you have to know how to correctly use the inverter, monitor your load, and maintain the battery bank.

One of my goals for That House (in addition to a solar/wind system) is to figure out how to incorporate more passive solar features, using the mass of the house to store heat when I want it and to NOT store heat all summer long when we're all just fryin' lol....

What I've noticed is that the mudroom is wonderful in the spring and fall. If I leave the kitchen door open, light spills in through the windows and the air in the house settles at a comfortable temperature... but in winter it feeds cold air through the house and in summer it bakes us.

I guess I have a philosophy of energy use--whoever woulda thunkit, eh?--and that is that it's good to live off-grid; it's better to live with solar and wind than with gas- or propane-powered generators; and it's best of all to use every passive solar trick you can find/retro-fit.

That means I REALLY want a two-story greenhouse (with a solid roof, not glass!) on the west side of my house, to ameliorate both the baking summer sun on the house itself and the ferocious northwest winds of winter.

If I cannot have the greenhouse--and that's a mortgage I may not be able to afford--then I want a porch, two stories. I've never understood why people are so willing to have houses without deep eaves (or porches!) on every side. Sheltering the walls of the house from the direct sun and wind cuts down on energy costs, and deep eaves use no more energy once they're in place than any roof would. Seems like a win-win situation to me.

In the meantime, I'm awfully glad for the maple tree which shelters us from the worst of the summer sun. I think it's probably forty feet high now; it shades a significant part of the roof. (And yes, that shade is the reason I would want a hybrid solar-wind system--the solar part can't be as big as I might otherwise prefer.)

I dunno, maybe this is what comes of growing up in the desert. The electrical grid gets overloaded and the brown-outs or black-outs leave the city sweltering in heat that really will fry eggs on the sidewalk; the only people who get through it in relative comfort are the ones who live in older sections of town, where the houses still have porches and deep eaves; where they're angled to catch the summer breezes instead of the winter winds; where the walls are thick to slow down heat transmission; where mature trees cast deep shade over green yards, twenty degrees or more cooler than the street temperatures. These things all had a huge influence on my energy philosophy, since they were an independent way to manage the climate. After all, you can't get more independent than to keep the climate comfortable when there's no electricity at all!

[Medusa]

Did I happen to tell y'all that Jack ordered 2 more cases of rice and wheat?

:|

[Jess]

Did I happen to tell y'all that Jack ordered 2 more cases of rice and wheat?

:|


ROTATE! ROTATE!!!!

[Boots13]

Did I happen to tell y'all that Jack ordered 2 more cases of rice and wheat?

:|

LOL ! Was that before or after y'all read "One Second After" ?!
I bought the book after reading your recommendation and had it finished the next day!

And since that wasn't enough apocalypse for me, I went right out and read "The Road" .

I need more ammo....

[Jackhammer]

The Book is much better than the movie "The Road"

I'm now reading "Alas Babylon" by Pat Frank, a classic and one of the first of this type of story written. I hear its a MUST read.

Next will be "The Last Ship" by William Brinkley as soon as the wife is finished with it.

Yeah its an eye opener for sure to be gently reminded how human nature works when the SHTF.

I'm kicking around "Contingency Cannibalism" By Shiguro Takada
It would be worth the read if the knowledge helps me stay ahead of the nutters.

[Nina]

if this is off topic, or already mentioned--sorry

one of my All Time favorites is :Alone In the Wilderness...I love the dvd and watching him make magic...it's mind boggling to me to even try to understand the genius he had...the desire and skill, the hard work and grace...just amazing...and he live by himself in the alaska wilderness for decades...yeah, he made some odd ball comments, but he had some mad-skills !!

I am sure that you all know about all this--just a moment of tribute to Dick Proenneke...he qualifies as a survivalist

N

[Jett]

Ok... there was this show I saw like 2-3 weeks ago on cable (upper channels) and it was along the lines of some of my favs Man vs Wild and Survivor Man but it was about post apocalyptic urban survival techniques.

It had some great instructions (turning a bike pump and hose into a large syringe to extract gas at stations when the pumps are down... etc. etc... anyway after the move I don't have the channels down yet and forgot where the hell I saw it?

Channel... name of show? Anyone?

Metro

P.S. Anyone who didn't see the series "The Colony" it's worth watching.

[Medusa]

I dont know which one that was Met, but there was another one about a month ago that was called something like "After the Apocalypse" or something and they did the same thing in that program.
There was an example of how to get gas from vehicles as well and they showed folks drilling through the bottom of a gas tank and letting it leak out.
Another fascinating thing that I saw was on food preservation in case of no electricity. The use of salt, root cellars, and even running creek water to preserve food and milk.

(Y'all gotta know I eat this shit up!)

[TexasCowboi]

I tend to keep a bit of canned food, a lot of water, ammo for my firearms. I have several.... some which were inherited, and some I bought. They range from a simple revolver, to a semi-auto Glock, to shotguns and rifles. and I can tell you that out of all the neat guns I have, I would get rid of anything except my revolver. they are easier to work and they dont jam. LOL, and I dont have ammo for all of them.... I have ammo for one shotgun, one rifle and my revolver.

I will usually go out before whatever impending "disaster" is looming and stock up on last minute essentials.

[StoneFinn]

Ok... there was this show I saw like 2-3 weeks ago on cable (upper channels) and it was along the lines of some of my favs Man vs Wild and Survivor Man but it was about post apocalyptic urban survival techniques.

It had some great instructions (turning a bike pump and hose into a large syringe to extract gas at stations when the pumps are down... etc. etc... anyway after the move I don't have the channels down yet and forgot where the hell I saw it?

Channel... name of show? Anyone?

Metro

P.S. Anyone who didn't see the series "The Colony" it's worth watching.

You can find a lot of that on youtube. I catch a lot of the Man v Wild and Survivor Man on youtube if I miss one of the episodes here.

Maybe this is the show you are referring to (but not episode): Colin Hammer: Urban Survivor
YouTube- Colin Hammer: Urban Survivor. Episode 2 - Are You Still Ready?

And then there is Bear Grylls Urban Survival Episodes..
YouTube- Man vs Wild Bear Grylls Urban Survivor 1

Cheers

Finn (aka tattooed_han)

[Jett]

I dont know which one that was Met, but there was another one about a month ago that was called something like "After the Apocalypse" or something and they did the same thing in that program.
There was an example of how to get gas from vehicles as well and they showed folks drilling through the bottom of a gas tank and letting it leak out.
Another fascinating thing that I saw was on food preservation in case of no electricity. The use of salt, root cellars, and even running creek water to preserve food and milk.

(Y'all gotta know I eat this shit up!)
That was it thanx! I was doing stuff and couldn't watch the whole thing, hopefully I can keep an eye out and it will air again.

Oh and root cellars in particular are invaluable, in one simple technique used by my grandmother to have fresh veggies all winter was to place vegetables in tubs of dry sand. Onions, beets, squash, garlic etc. and even tomatoes would last until March or April (and this in MN where the growing season ended early).

One note keep the vegetables one specific type to a bin, and check periodically to remove any possible spoilage!

I know I'm crazy for this shyt too... lol

Met

*fruit too... not me, in the bins, well me too but that's beside the point... ha*

[Bit]

Invest in a few of these... survival candles...100% pure beeswax, non toxic, smokeless, and you can cook with them.www.philoxia.com (http://www.philoxia.com)
phone 1-877-445-6942 made in Canada. Their military use them.

These are amazing! I want to try them out!

I've been thinking about it a lot and I realized that I have two different things going in my head at the same time... on the one hand I am planning for disaster, and on the other I am planning for LifeAsWeKnowIt, yanno?

So. I want a food dehydrator. I absolutely hate canned veggies but I don't mind using dehydrated veggies in soups and casseroles, so I think a freezer for LAWKI, and learn to use a dehydrator for disaster supplies.

Of course, then I have to figure out how to use a dehydrator when there is no electricity... and I'm back to solar panels.

[Sachita]

That was it thanx! I was doing stuff and couldn't watch the whole thing, hopefully I can keep an eye out and it will air again.

Oh and root cellars in particular are invaluable, in one simple technique used by my grandmother to have fresh veggies all winter was to place vegetables in tubs of dry sand. Onions, beets, squash, garlic etc. and even tomatoes would last until March or April (and this in MN where the growing season ended early).

One note keep the vegetables one specific type to a bin, and check periodically to remove any possible spoilage!

I know I'm crazy for this shyt too... lol

Met

*fruit too... not me, in the bins, well me too but that's beside the point... ha*

did you know you can put a few apples in a box of sweet potatoes and it will keep them fresh longer?

I never heard about the sand. I'll have to try this.

[Sachita]

These are amazing! I want to try them out!

I've been thinking about it a lot and I realized that I have two different things going in my head at the same time... on the one hand I am planning for disaster, and on the other I am planning for LifeAsWeKnowIt, yanno?

So. I want a food dehydrator. I absolutely hate canned veggies but I don't mind using dehydrated veggies in soups and casseroles, so I think a freezer for LAWKI, and learn to use a dehydrator for disaster supplies.

Of course, then I have to figure out how to use a dehydrator when there is no electricity... and I'm back to solar panels.


If you get one be sure to save and spend a little extra for an Excalibur. Easy to clean, works great and faster then most. I need to get another. Mine got crushed in a move.

[wolfwalker]

If you get one be sure to save and spend a little extra for an Excalibur. Easy to clean, works great and faster then most. I need to get another. Mine got crushed in a move.

did you know you can use a closed car on a warm day to dehydrate fruits and veggies? never thought about it till i saw it being done on a show about surviving a natural disaster on the history channel.

wolf

[Jett]

I have never even held a gun bigger than a bb gun. But I have been googling lately...Thinking about a small Glock. Just something very basic and very portable.

Next question: Should I get a Dirt Bike or a 4x4 for a bug out vehicle (just learned that term here :-) I am thinking a dirt bike can get me farther on less gas and also farther into the wilderness quicker. I am an ex bicycle messenger so I can carry a lot on my back - no problem. And being a childless butchelor, I just have myself to worry about.

But the electro magnetic field!!!!!!! What the....Did someone say BOV? ;)

This was one of my fav vehicles, a 4-speed CJ-8 I had:
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/144/l_807cf3cf085a42b6bc257b6b7fdc95bb.jpg

She could handle anything, wish I still had her but I'm eventually going to see if I can find another.

Overall, I like both (4x4/bike)... long run for me a motorcycle's invaluble. Gas and terrain issues aside extreme situations make for desperate people and to get in and out of places I've been riding since I was 7-8 and nobody can touch me on a bike.

[Jett]

I'm still catching up so forgive me if I repeat, here's a good book about edible wild plants for food and medicinal purposes.

Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (http://books.google.com/books?id=RbcklBqan0AC&dq=Identifying+and+Harvesting+Edible+and+Medicinal +Plants+in+Wild+(and+Not+So+Wild)+Places&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=QfN9S9ePKoyGswOz-Yn8Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBoQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Identifying%20and%20Harvesting%20Edible%20and%20 Medicinal%20Plants%20in%20Wild%20(and%20Not%20So%2 0Wild)%20Places&f=false)

Having moved from the Midwest to the PNW I've found many of the same things available for foraging, Morels, Fiddleheads etc. and to find that the PNW also has and rare truffles (and blackberries by the load)...

I look for these things yearly when the time is right and the fishing's off for what ever reason- particularly stoked I'm in another Morel hunters paradise.

In any case good stuff to know in general.

(pls be very careful when foraging wild plants and make sure you know what you're doing... hence the book!)

Metro

[Jett]

These are amazing! I want to try them out!

I've been thinking about it a lot and I realized that I have two different things going in my head at the same time... on the one hand I am planning for disaster, and on the other I am planning for LifeAsWeKnowIt, yanno?

So. I want a food dehydrator. I absolutely hate canned veggies but I don't mind using dehydrated veggies in soups and casseroles, so I think a freezer for LAWKI, and learn to use a dehydrator for disaster supplies.

Of course, then I have to figure out how to use a dehydrator when there is no electricity... and I'm back to solar panels.


Solar Food Dehydrators (http://www.motherearthnews.com/Solar-Food-Dehydrators-Dryers-Cookers.aspx)

;)
Metro

[Jess]

did you know you can put a few apples in a box of sweet potatoes and it will keep them fresh longer?

I never heard about the sand. I'll have to try this.


don't forget however, that one bad apple will spoil the whole bunch. Gases are released when one begins to spoil that will spread to any others in close proximity. This holds true with potatoes, jicama, any very starchy veggies.

[Jess]

These are amazing! I want to try them out!

I've been thinking about it a lot and I realized that I have two different things going in my head at the same time... on the one hand I am planning for disaster, and on the other I am planning for LifeAsWeKnowIt, yanno?

So. I want a food dehydrator. I absolutely hate canned veggies but I don't mind using dehydrated veggies in soups and casseroles, so I think a freezer for LAWKI, and learn to use a dehydrator for disaster supplies.

Of course, then I have to figure out how to use a dehydrator when there is no electricity... and I'm back to solar panels.



You can also dehydrate veggies in your oven. Clean and dry them, set them a bit apart from one another ( an inch or so, like baking cookies that "meld" into one another) very low setting ( usually between 150-200) and leave it overnight. You'll find wonderful raisins in the am if you have left grapes in the night before. Jerky ( I've only made beef and buffalo) can also be done in this method. The slower the better.

Lack of electric can be handled by the old fashioned means of fine mesh screens and a picnic table. Let the lord do it for ya! Frames that will encase your produce with a good fine mesh ( to keep bugs out) will dehydrate tomatoes, figs, plums, persimmons, etc, while you are off tending your garden or soaking in a hot tub ;) ... Good luck!